Mechanical Engineeringhttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/1122024-03-29T05:47:00Z2024-03-29T05:47:00ZStudy on impact strength of untreated and alkali treated napier grass fiber strands reinforced epoxy compositesKommula, Venkata ParasuramKanchireddy, Obi ReddyShukla, MukulMarwala, Tshilidzihttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/24602022-08-05T00:01:30Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZStudy on impact strength of untreated and alkali treated napier grass fiber strands reinforced epoxy composites
Kommula, Venkata Parasuram; Kanchireddy, Obi Reddy; Shukla, Mukul; Marwala, Tshilidzi
Napier grass fiber strands were extracted using the combined mechanical and water retting process. The extracted fiber strands were treated with various proportions (5, 10 and 15% w/v) of NaOH solution to improve their surface morphology and bonding with the resin. This study investigates the impact properties of composites made by reinforcing alkali treated, long and short Napier grass fiber strands in to epoxy resin with different orientations (0º, 90º and random). The composites were prepared with 0, 5, 10, and 15% of alkali treatment and with a fiber loading (weight %) of 10, 20, and 30%. The effect of alkali treatment, orientation and fiber loading on the impact strength of the composites was analyzed using scanning electron microscope micrographs.
Quantitative results from this study will be useful for more accurate design of Napier grass fiber strand reinforced composite materials for possible automotive applications.
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of potential for biodiesel feedstock of selected wild plant oils indigenous to BotswanaGandure, JerekiasKetlogetswe, Cleverhttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/12832016-08-13T00:03:57Z2011-12-01T00:00:00ZAssessment of potential for biodiesel feedstock of selected wild plant oils indigenous to Botswana
Gandure, Jerekias; Ketlogetswe, Clever
Biodiesel is attracting increasing attention worldwide as a blending component or a direct replacement of petroleum diesel fuel in transport sector.vThe challenge to scientists and engineers is to identify appropriate feedstocks for biodiesel production. The majority of potential feedstocks are edible species which are at the centre of the “fuel versus food” debate. It is therefore imperative for scientists and engineers to continue the search for biodiesel feedstocks that do not compete with food security. This work investigated some properties of selected wild plant oils to assess suitability as feedstock for biodiesel production. Properties reviewed include oil yield levels, oil acidity, percentage of free fatty acids and the level of energy content. The wild plant oils under review were extracted from Scelerocarya birrea, Tylosema esculentum and Ximenia caffra fruit seeds. In addition, Jatropha oil was analysed for purposes of comparison. Thermal properties of wild plant oils were compared with those of petroleum diesel. Results indicate that wild plant oils investigated had sufficiently high oil yield levels desirable for potential feedstocks for biodiesel production. The energy content levels of wild plant oils were marginally lower than that of petroleum diesel with a maximum variation of 5.7 MJ/Kg.
2011-12-01T00:00:00ZBiodiesel for sustainable energy provision in developing countriesOladiran, M.T.Gandure, J.http://hdl.handle.net/10311/12752016-08-13T00:02:17Z2011-09-01T00:00:00ZBiodiesel for sustainable energy provision in developing countries
Oladiran, M.T.; Gandure, J.
Consumption of fossil fuel resources has been growing over the years and it is the kernel of economic development. However combustion which takes place principally in automobiles, power generation and industrial plants produces greenhouse gases (GHG) that are harmful to the environment. The release of GHG such as carbon dioxide is contributing to global warming. Biofuels can lower carbon footprint, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and increase energy security. Integrating biofuels into the national energy mix also has good socio-economic and sustainability potential. Therefore this paper discusses factors for successful diffusion of biodiesel technology in developing economies
2011-09-01T00:00:00ZBlending cooking oil biodiesel with petroleum diesel: a comparative performance test on a variable ic engineKetlogetswe, CleverGandure, Jerekiashttp://hdl.handle.net/10311/12742016-08-13T00:01:04Z2011-05-01T00:00:00ZBlending cooking oil biodiesel with petroleum diesel: a comparative performance test on a variable ic engine
Ketlogetswe, Clever; Gandure, Jerekias
Research in biodiesel production has been motivated by several reasons including consistant increase in prices of pe-troleum diesel, environmental advantages, security of fuel supply, and employment creation. This paper presents a re-view of one alternative technological method that can be used to produce this fuel. Biodiesel from used cooking oil was produced by alkali catalyzed transesterification process. Performance of internal combustion engine using this bio-diesel blended with petroleum diesel in various blending ratios was performed. The engine performance studies were conducted on a variable compression engine test rig with automatic data acquisition set up. Parameters such as brake power, torque and fuel consumption were measured at different loads for pure petroleum diesel, pure biodiesel and different combinations of the dual fuel. The test results indicate that the performance of the engine is comparable for all the fuel mixtures under review.
2011-05-01T00:00:00Z