Effects of nanoadditives on the performance and emissions of rapeseed biodiesel in an insulated piston diesel engine

Energy consumption and management have emerged as crucial production functions because of the high cost of energy. Since the total consumption of fossil fuels like diesel has increased proportionally to the expansion in demand for power generation, industry, and transportation services, researchers have long been interested in constructing a more energy-efficient engine. With its improved efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and fewer emissions, the application of nano-coating technology to engine components has become more popular in recent years. This study involved the application of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) using zirconia on the test engine piston. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of aluminium oxide nano-additives in rapeseed biodiesel blends on the performance of a diesel engine with a thermal barrier-coated piston. The four test fuels were prepared using 20% and 40% blends of rapeseed biodiesel with and without the addition of aluminium oxide at 25 ppm and 50 ppm. The full factorial design methodology was employed to examine the influential factors, specifically the rapeseed blend ratio and aluminium oxide concentration, in order to enhance performance and reduce emissions. The blends of RSB20AO25 and RSB20AO50 showed significant results on energy consumption and emissions. The RSB20AO50 blend performed with a 5.4% increase in brake thermal efficiency and a 6.5% reduction in fuel consumption compared with standard diesel. Similarly, blends of RSB20AO25 and RSB20AO50 show 6% and 11% reductions in carbon monoxide and 5.2% and 9.5% reductions in hydrocarbon emissions.

Experimental Investigation and Comparative Analysis of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced with Silicon Nitride, Eggshell and Magnesium

In today's scenario, composite materials play a vital role in automobile, aerospace, and defence sectors because of their higher strength, light weight and other mechanical properties. Aluminium alloy Al6082 is a medium strength alloy with good corrosion resistance properties; hence, it is used for high-stress applications, bridges, cranes, etc. The present work focuses on comparing the mechanical properties of Al6082 and Al6082 with the addition of silicon nitride, magnesium, and bio waste of eggshells. Samples of Al6082 reinforced with 2% of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄), 5% of eggshell, and 1% magnesium reinforcements were prepared using the crucible casting process. Mechanical properties were evaluated through hardness test, tensile test and compressive tests, which varied with the additives of reinforcement materials. The results showed that the reinforced materials could increase mechanical properties. Further, it will be analysed by the machining parameters involved through the CNC turning process. Analysis of variance from optimisation technique shows a noteworthy increment of material removal rate (MRR) and significant decrement in surface roughness (Ra) and machining time compared to standard aluminium. Additionally, the analysis of mechanical testing has been predicted with the outcomes of stresses and displacements using the ANSYS platform.

Preparation and characterization analysis of biofuel derived through seed extracts of Ricinus communis (castor oil plant)

The current study assesses the prospect of using R. Communis seed oil as a substitute fuel for diesel engines. Biodiesel is prepared from the R. Communis plant seed oil by a single-step base catalytic transesterification procedure. The investigation deals with the Physico-chemical characteristics of R. Communis biodiesel and has been associated with the base diesel. It has been perceived that the characteristics of biodiesel are well-matched with the base diesel under the ASTM D6751 limits correspondingly. R. Communis biodiesel is blended in different proportions with base diesel such as D10, D20, D30, D40, D50 and D100 and is tested in a Kirloskar TV1 single-cylinder, 4 blows DI engine under altered loading conditions. Outcomes demonstrate that BTE and BSFC for D10 as well as D20 are similar to base diesel. BSFC indicates that the precise BSFC of base diesel, D10, D20, D30, D40 and D50 was 0.87, 1.70, 2.60, 3.0, 3.4, and 3.5 kg/kW-hr, respectively. The extreme BTE at full load condition for base diesel, D10, D20, D30, D40, D50 and D100 are 28.2%, 28.1%, 27.9%, 25.5%, 24.1%, and 23.6% , respectively. In the case of engine emissions, R. Communis biodiesel blends provided an average decrease in hydrocarbon (HC), Carbon-monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with base diesel. Nevertheless, R. Communis biodiesel blends discharged high stages of nitrogen oxide (NOx) compares to base diesel. Base diesel, D10, D20, D30, D40, D50, and D100 had UBHC emissions of 45 ppm, 40 ppm, 44 ppm, 46 ppm, 41 ppm, and 43 ppm, respectively. The reduction in CO emissions for D10, D20, D30, D40, D50 and D100 are 0.13%, 0.14%, 0.17%, 0.18% and 0.21% respectively. The dissimilarity in NOx attentiveness within brake powers for D10, D20, D30, D40, and D50 and base diesel are 50-ppm, 100 ppm, 150 ppm, 250 ppm, 350 ppm, and 500 ppm, respectively. The dissimilarity of CO₂ emanation with reverence to break powers for the base-diesel, D10, D20, D30, D40, D50, and D100 are 4.8%, 4.9%, 4.8%, 4.56%, 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively. The present research provides a way for renewable petrol blends to substitute diesel for powering diesel engines in that way dropping the reliance on fossil fuels.

A study of acute kidney injury in hospitalized preterm neonates in NICU

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out to determine the incidence, clinical features, etiology and outcome of functional and intrinsic acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm neonates.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study on premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over an eight month period. All biochemical parameters of renal function tests were monitored and statically analyzed.

RESULTS

The study included 450 infants; of them 300 were inborn and 150 infants were outborn and transported to the NICU. Mean gestational age, weight, and age at the time of AKI diagnosis were 32.3 weeks, 1.66 kg and 3.23 days respectively. The male: female ratio was 1.84:1. Incidence of AKI was higher in low birth weight babies. Sluggishness and refusal for feed were most common symptoms. Birth asphyxia and septicemia were the most common early and late cause of AKI. Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte disturbance. The incidences of AKI, functional renal failure, and intrinsic renal failure were 12%, 48.14%, and 51.85% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

AKI is not uncommon in preterm infants. The early recognition and aggressive management of episodes of shock which often precede AKI could be life-saving.

Acoustic field assisted demixing of aqueous two-phase polymer systems

Acoustic field assisted demixing was employed to decrease the demixing time in polymer-polymer (polyethylene glycol-maltodextrin) two-phase system. Application of acoustic field has decreased the demixing time in these systems up to 2-fold. Ultrasonication has induced mild circulation currents in the phase dispersion, which has enhanced the rate of droplet coalescence, eventually resulting in decreased demixing time. In polymer-polymer systems, phase demixing was found to depend greatly on which of the phases is continuous and viscosity of the continuous phase was observed to have a strong influence on the movement of the droplets and hence the phase demixing. Addition of NaCl increased the demixing time and presence of E. coli cells did not seem to have any influence on phase demixing.

Neonatal hypothyroid disease: absent salivary gland evident on technetium-99m pertechnetate scan

PURPOSE

Technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy is a well-established technique for diagnosing congenital hypothyroid disease. However, the biodistribution of pertechnetate (TcO4-) in neonates and young infants is not well documented. The purpose of this study was to analyze and document the biodistribution of TcO4- in young infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scintigraphic studies of 31 patients being examined for hypothyroid disease were analyzed. All patients had elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. Dyshormonogenesis was diagnosed in 7 patients, ectopic thyroid glands in 19, and agenesis in 5.

RESULTS

Images of the neck, chest, and abdomen taken in the anterior and left lateral positions using a low-energy, all-purpose collimator were reviewed. Twenty-six of the patients had no accumulation of the isotope in the salivary glands and 11 had no gastric uptake on either view.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the absence of salivary gland activity in the patients examined, this study suggests that this is a normal finding in infants younger than 3 months. A lateral view of the neck with markers is sufficient to localize the thyroid gland, because any activity in the neck region would belong to the thyroid. Furthermore, poor and variable uptake of the isotope in the stomach may lead to false-negative results, so caution is urged in the use of this tracer in Meckel's scintigraphy in young infants, particularly if the study findings are within normal limits.

Heterotopic ossification mimicking infection. Scintigraphic evaluation

Heterotopic ossification is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by bone formation in the mesenchymal tissues. It occurs most commonly in patients who have had traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or joint trauma or surgery.

I-123 MIBG scintigraphy in adults. A report of clinical experience

Thirty-one adult patients with clinical findings suggestive of pheochromocytoma were studied with I-123 MIBG. All patients had images obtained at 24 and 48 hours. Five patients had abnormal uptake proved to be because of I-123 MIBG avid tumors. The remaining 26 patients had no proven tumors and showed physiologic uptake in various organs. The 24-hour images were of high quality. In all cases, the 48-hour images contributed no significant additional information. Only in 1 patient did the 48-hour image add some certainty. Physiologic uptake was seen in the salivary glands, liver, G.I. tract, and urinary bladder in all patients (100%). Uptake was also observed in the lung and heart (90%), normal adrenal glands (32%), thyroid (29%), spleen (23%) uterus (13%), and neck muscles (6%). The authors' experience indicates that I-123 MIBG gives superior images compared to the previously used I-131 MIBG, that the optimum imaging time for adults is 18-24 hours, and that normal distribution patterns including uterine and neck muscle uptake should be familiar to physicians interpreting the studies.

Pachydermoperiostosis: technetium-99m-methylene diphosphonate scintigraphic pattern

We present two cases of pachydermoperiostosis. Both patients presented with joint pains and swelling. Bone scan revealed marked pericortical uptake involving the distal end of long bones. The distribution pattern and differential diagnosis of the scan abnormalities are discussed.