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A neat, alkali-refined sunflower oil, a 50/50 blend (v/v) of sunflower oil and #2 diesel fuel, and 100% #2 diesel fuel were evaluated in a direct injected, one-cylinder Petter engine according to the SAE 13 mode test procedure. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant oil based alternative fuels on exhaust emissions and to simultaneously compare the test fuels. Additionally, the effect of engine load and speed on the exhaust emissions using the plant oil alternative fuels was statistically evaluated. The response variables were CO, NO, HC, and smoke. The predictor variables were the concentration of sunflower oil in the test fuel, the engine speed, and load. A multivariate test and covariance analysis were used for the results evaluation.

The application of a multiple polynomial regression procedure for optimization of design and performance parameters has been presented. To illustrate the statistical method, data from a laboratory test of an exhaust emission reduction device was used. There were four factor variables for which the response was constructed. Among the factor variables two were design parameters; the remaining two were the operating parameters. The selected response variables were CO, NO, and HC's. The assumptions for the analysis procedure are presented. Problems which could affect the validity of the statistical procedures for the design optimization are discussed. Experimental verification of the optimization results was performed. Overall agreement between the predicted level of pollutants reduction and measured values did not differ by more than ten percent.

A new type of centrifugal pump which can be used for transportation of alternate fuels such as coal slurries was tested. Design and performance of the pump, and analysis of the fluid flow in the pump is presented. The unique internal flow pattern, which was determined using a high speed camera, results mainly from the recessed impeller design and the geometry of the blades. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the flow profiles indicate the existence of suitable conditions for a decrease in the direct contact of the abrasive particles of the slurry with the interior surface of the pump which translates to longer maintenance-free performance. The test pump performance for slurries at higher concentrations compared well with the existing slurry pumps. The highest concentration used during the test was 60% by weight. At this level the maximum efficiency of the pump was 30%. The corresponding power required and the flow rate were 5.97 kW and 528 L/min, respectively.