The homogeneity of blends of poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was evaluated by the near infrared chemical imaging (NIRCI) technique. NIRCI can nondestructively investigate a sample over a wide field of view within a few minutes to acquire a large number of spatially resolved NIR spectral data. NIRCI may be combined with multivariate analysis not only for qualitat...

In this study, energy and exergy analysis were performed for a single cylinder, water-cooled diesel engine using biodiesel, diesel and bioethanol blends. Each experiment was performed at twelve different engine speeds between 1000 and 3000 rev/min at intervals of 200 rev/min for four different fuel blends. The fuel blends, prepared by mixing biodiesel and diesel in different proportions fuel wi...

The optimal physical, chemical and nutritional properties of natural lipids depend on the structure and composition of triacylglycerols. However, they are not always mutually compatible. Lipid modification is a good way to give them specific functionalities, increase their oxidative stability, or improve their nutritional value. As such, chemical and enzymatic interesterification may be used to...

The kinetics of the isothermal crystallization process from the melt of pure poly(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene carbonate) (PBS-co-BC) and its blends with cellulose acetate butylate (CAB) (10–30 wt%) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the well-known Avrami equation. In the blends, the overall crystallization rate of PBS-co-BC became slower with increasing CAB content....

This study discusses the suitability of iso-butanol/diesel fuel blends as an alternative fuel and determines their effects on the performance and combustion characteristics of a heavy-duty diesel engine. For this purpose, various isobutanol/diesel fuel blends containing 5%, 10% and 15% iso-butanol were prepared in volume basis and tested in a turbo-charged, six-cylinder direct injection diesel ...

In this research work, poly (acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene)/polypropylene (ABS/PP) blends were processed by melt compounding in a twin-screw extruder. Upgrading of the thermal characteristics of the obtained materials was attempted by the incorporation of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT), as well as, by the addition of two types of compatibilizers; polypropylene grafted with maleic ...

Polylactide and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PLA/PBSA) were melt-blended in the presence of triphenyl phosphite (TPP). An increase in the torque during melt mixing was used to monitor the changes in viscosity as compatibilization of the blends occurred. Scanning electron micrographs showed not only a reduction in the dispersed-phase size with increased TPP content but also fibrillated l...

Biofuel is a prominent alternative fuel because of its environmental benefits and similar physiochemical properties to diesel fuel. This study investigated the impact of high quality refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) coconut oil blends and fuel throttle setting on performance and exhaust emissions of diesel engine. The criteria regulated emissions and particulate-phase polycyclic aromatic ...

buffering capacity, that is, its ability to adapt to variable weather, insect, disease, weed, and soil conditions. Ways Genetic diversity in cropping systems can provide buffering against to improve a crop’s buffering capacity include intravarying environmental conditions. Therefore, cultivar blends may have greater and more stable yields than their pure-line components. population interplant b...

Methylene blue was efficiently removed from aqueous solution by foam flotation using a rhamnolipid a biosurfactant as a dye collector. The effects of four parameters, namely, pH (1.5–11.5), frother concentration (5–65 ppm), aeration rate (2–6 L/min) and rhamnolipid to methylene blue weight ratio (0.5–6.5), on dye removal were studied and optimized using response surface methodology. Results...