Papers by Keyword: LPG

Abstract: Decarbonisation is instrumental in attaining sustainable mobility. To actualize the Ghana Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) set emission reduction target of 15% relative to Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario by 2030, sustainable transport actions should be encouraged. Thus, promoting the use of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in automobiles is very crucial to ensure efficient and green mobility. Nonetheless, existing policies in Ghana overlook autogas (LPG/CNG) as prospective decarbonizing solution in the transport sector. The study employed survey analysis and analytical modeling approach to elicit the benign effects of autogas in the transport sector using Accra as a case study. The ecological, economic and social dimensions of autogas were expatiated to extrapolate effective measures to facilitate their smooth implementation. Survey was carried out in the central business district of Accra to attain the percentage of autogas and gasoline used by taxis operators for the first time per author’s knowledge. A purposive sample of 500 taxi drivers was selected and data analysis was conducted using R statistical package. From the survey, 14% of taxis were powered with LPG whilst 86% were gasoline, however, the LPG-powered taxis were retrofitted gasoline engine vehicles. The analytical model was based on physics principles involving three resistance forces- aerodynamic, rolling resistance and inertia. CO₂ emission savings of 29% and 18.4% were elicited from the use of CNG and LPG relative to gasoline fuel at the end of the simulation using the ambient conditions in Accra. Thus, use of autogas will limit global warming impact and aid the country to fulfill its pledged emission target by 2030. The government is entreated to regulate autogas use in the transport sector and increase its patronage by promoting flexible policies like meager custom duty on imported CNG/LPG vehicles as well as tax credits.

Abstract: The available of conventional fuels are fluctuating depend on distribution from the source production to consumer. The availability of biogas as renewable energy is increasing due to establishments of many organic wastes processing worldwide. The need of electricity to support daily life activity is a must, but the availability of electric source in remote area is limited especially for a farm that far away from commercial line distribution of electricity. This work is dedicated to solve this problem. The single cylinder 4 stroke spark ignition engine (83 cc) was designed to be able to be fuelled flexibly by using biogas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or gasoline if sometime the biogas not available during initiation of the process or during maintenance of anaerobic digester. The engine is still can be run to provide electricity by using conventional fuel such as LPG or gasoline. The full consumption as well as emission of this flexible fuel engine was investigated. It is found that the fuel consumption is 9.97 L/mint for Biogas, 0.004 L/mint for gasoline and 2.24 L/mint for LPG. Surprisingly by using biogas the emission of carbon monoxide (CO) was down to almost zero (0.02 ppm), comparing gasoline 0.32 ppm, and LPG 0.4 ppm.

Abstract: The increasing price of the fuels and tightening of the pollution rules requires the use of some efficient fuelling methodes with altenative fuels for diesel engines. Fuelling with LPG of a diesel engine is a viable sollution, considering that it can be used the infrastructure for distribution and storage already used for spark ignition engines. In this work are presented results of theoretical and experimental investigations of a truck diesel engine fuelled with LPG by diesel-LPG methode. The main objective research is the decrease of the nitric oxides emissions with the premise that the engine power is maintained at the same level like in the case of the standard engine, fuelled only with diesel fuel.

Abstract: Fossil fuels are exhausting quickly because of incremental utilization rate due to increase population and essential comforts on par with civilization. In this connection, the conventional fuels especially petrol and diesel for internal combustion engines, are getting exhausted at an alarming rate. In order to plan for survival of technology in future it is necessary to plan for alternate fuels. Further, these fossil fuels cause serious environmental problems as they release toxic gases into the atmosphere at high temperatures and concentrations. The predicted global energy consumption is increasing at faster rate. In view of this and many other related issues, these fuels will have to be replaced completely or partially by less harmful alternative, eco-friendly and renewable source fuels for the internal combustion engines. Hence, throughout the world, lot of research work is in progress pertaining to suitability and feasibility of alternative fuels. Biodiesel is one of the promising sources of energy to mitigate both the serious problems of the society viz., depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution. In the present work, experiments are carried out on a Single cylinder diesel engine which is commonly used in agricultural sector. Experiments are conducted by fuelling the diesel engine with bio-diesel with LPG through inlet manifold. The engine is properly modified to operate under dual fuel operation using LPG through inlet manifold as fuel along FME as ignition source. The brake thermal efficiency of FME with LPG (2LPM) blend is increased at an average of 5% when compared to the pure diesel fuel. HC emissions of FME with LPG (2LPM) blend are reduced by about at an average of 21% when compared to the pure diesel fuel. CO emissions of FME with LPG (2LPM) blends are reduced at an average of 33.6% when compared to the pure diesel fuel. NOx emissions of FME with LPG (2LPM) blend are reduced at an average of 4.4% when compared to the pure diesel fuel. Smoke opacity of FME with LPG (2LPM) blend is reduced at an average of 10% when compared to the pure diesel fuel.

Abstract: Synthesis of nanoCu/ZnO catalyst for LPG production was prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP). Hollow spherical particles were obtained by USP technique using an aqueous solution of Cu (NO₃)₃.6H₂O and Zn (NO₃)₃.3H₂O with different concentration of 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 molar under the pyrolysis temperatures of 600, 700 and 800°C. Mists of the solution were generated from the precursor solution by ultra sonic vibrators at frequency of ~1.7 MHz. The physicochemical properties of catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, scanning electron microscope, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The results showed that increasing in precursor concentration resulted in a large particle and particles size distributed in a range of 0.63-1.21 μm. Particles prepared at pyrolysis temperature 700°C exhibited homogeneous in size and shape compared to other temperature. The catalytic activity of nanoCu/ZnO-Pd-β catalysts was performed in a fixed-bed reactor for synthesizing LPG. The reaction took place at 260°C, 3.0 MPa, and the ratio of H₂/CO = 2/1. All the products from the reactor were in gaseous state, and analyzed by on-line gas chromatography. The results showed that %CO conversion was high but decreased rapidly with increasing reaction time. Cu/ZnO catalyst prepared by co-precipitation gave higher %CO conversion than that prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. Moreover, hydrocarbon product distribution for Cu/ZnO catalyst produced at concentration 0.1 M 700°C by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis gave the highest LPG selectivity.

Abstract: In this paper, gas sensing property of a nitrogen doped ZnO was studied. nanofilms of pure and nitrogen-doped ZnO (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 normality) were prepared on glass substrate by spray pyrolysis technique. These films were fired at 450°C for two hours in air atmosphere. nanobehavior of the films was confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. Gas sensing behavior of the films was tested in static gas sensing system. Films were exposed to different gases as LPG.NH3, NO2, Ethanol vapour and CO2 at different ppm concentrations and different operating temperatures. Pure ZnO films showed poor sensing behavior. At 150°C, films of N-doped ZnO (0.3 normality) showed good sensing for Ethanol vapours. The gas sensitivity was determined as 86.8% for 200 ppm of Ethanol vapours. When compared with pure ZnO, the nitrogen doped ZnO films possessed more oxygen deficient species. Due to this crystal defects arising from nitrogen doping, the improvement in gas sensing property of ZnO may be argued. Keywords: Spray pyrolysis; ZnO; N; XRD; SEM; LPG

Abstract: Internal combustion engines normally operate with the nonrenewable sources such as petrol and diesel, which are diminishing at a faster rate. To avoid these problem alternative sources of energy must be opted for the operation of internal combustion engines. In this work biogas is selected as an alternative source of energy for the working of internal combustion engines but possess some limitations due to its high auto ignition temperature and high CO₂ content in it. To overcome the limitations biogas is blended with LPG at different proportions of 5%, 10%, 15% are done. The modification of the internal combustion engine is performed to convert it into a gas engine and the tests are conducted on the modified engine with different proportions of blending at various loads. Based on the results of the test conducted the performance characteristics are analyzed.

Abstract: In this study, the inert effects of CO₂ on the flammability limit and flame propagation of LPG has been investigated experimentally. The observation was done using cubic combustion bomb with the dimension of 500 mm x 200 mm x 10 mm. The results showed that the lower flammability limit (LFL) of LPG-Air mixtures is found to be 2.7% (by volume) and upper flammability limit (UFL) is 8.6% (by volume) with upward propagation of flame. The CO2 dilution effects on the flammability limits have been explored, the limits of flammability was narrowed by adding CO2 and propagation flame was reduced accordingly. The results indicated that to formulate an inflammable refrigerant mixture, using CO2, with substantial hydrocarbon content is not possible.

Abstract: LPG are potentially harmful to people and environment due to their toxic ingredients, especially in the course of load-and-unload. In this work, based on the fault tree and Gaussian plume model, we develop a risk assessment model for the railway transportation of LPG in the course of load-and-unload. This model can take into consideration the features may lead to explosion accident and their impact. At the same time, when the leakage of LPG leads to explosion accident, the model can determine the longest distance in the harmful explosion and the harmful explosion area quantitatively. With application of the case, a risk assessment model for the LPG in the course of loading and unloading is presented.

Abstract: Bio-diesel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats and used cooking oils is an alternative fuel for diesel engines. It offers many advantages such as renewable, energy efficient, nontoxic, sulfur free and bio-degradable, and also offers cleaner combustion and reduces global warming gas emissions. Experiments are conducted by fuelling the diesel engine with bio-diesel with LPG blends. The engine is properly modified to operate under dual fuel operation using LPG as the mixed fuel along with Diesel and TME as ignition source. The brake thermal efficiency of TME with LPG (2LPM) blend is increased at an average of 5%.HC emissions of TME with LPG (2LPM) blend is reduced by about at an average 21%. CO emissions of TME with LPG (2LPM) blends are reduced at an average of 33.6%. NOx emissions of TME with LPG (2LPM) blend are reduced at an average of 4.4%. Smoke Opacity of TME with LPG (2LPM) blend is reduced at an average of 10%. Keywords Biodiesel, diesel engine, alternate fuels, tallow oil and methyl esters of tallow oil, LPG