The Role of Isopropyl Alcohol in the Properties of Sudanese Reformat Gasoline
The role of isopropyl alcohol in the properties of Sudanese reformat gasoline (produced by the refinery located at Algily, Khartoum North city, in Sudan) was studied. The properties of the reformat gasoline which were investigated include , distillation, sulfur content, density, vapor pressure, oxidation stability, copper strip corrosion, gum existence, lead content, and the octane number . The addition of isopropyl alcohol (5 and 10% (v/v)) improved the properties of the Sudanese reformat gasoline to the limits assigned by American Society For Testing And Materials (ASTM) and Khartoum refinery. The motor octane number (MON) of the reformat gasoline was determined initially by the Cooperative Fuels Research engine (CFR engine), MON was found to be 88.5. Results revealed that the addition of isopropyl alcohol 5 and 10 % (v/v) to the Sudanese reformat gasoline shift the value of the (MON) to 94.1 and 96 respectively. keywords: Isopropyl alcohol, Sudanese gasoline properties, Motor octane number, Cooperative fuels research engine.
Synthesis and improvement of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel based on eco-friendly materials
ABSTRACT The main purpose of this present work is to produce and improve Jatropha curcas L biodiesel using mixed natural zeolite and furfural to meet the demand of green and clean production. Trans-esterification of Jatropha oil using natural microporous zeolite (96.6% Thomsonite and 3.4% Analacime) has been carried out. The optimum molar ratio (oil: methanol: zeolite) to yield 85.65 wt.% of Jatropha biodiesel was found to be (1:3:0.2) respectively. XRD technique was used to identify the natural zeolite. Physicochemical characteristics of biodiesel were determined according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard methods and were found to be within ASTM permissible limits required for the operation of diesel engines except ash content. The element composition of synthesized biodiesel was investigated by Inductively Coupled Plasma. The synthesized biodiesel has been treated by different ratio of furfural. The best wt. % of furfural was found to be 66.6% (1:3, biodiesel: furfural). Treatment of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel with furfural increased FAME and decreased alcohols, carbonyl, cyclic, and other compounds. Besides, furfural improved the physico-chemical characteristic of Jatropha curcas L. biodiesel within ASTM permissible limits. Cetane number has increased from 59.8 to 63.5 after treatment by 66.6% of furfural.
Enhancement of surface properties on Low Density Polyethylene packaging films using various fluorination routes
Nowadays, packaging market deployment requires an important attention. Influence of treatment with molecular (F2) or atomic (Fradical dot) fluorine on properties of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) films was investigated. The films were treated using direct fluorination conditions with F2 or a specific reagent XeF2, which releases atomic fluorine Fradical dot. Changes of LDPE chemical composition were investigated by FTIR and solid state NMR. Surface morphology was studied by several microscopy techniques (SEM and AFM). Finally to further characterize film properties after treatments, surface energy measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses were also carried out. An upper fluorinated layer, which contains mainly high amount of single bondCF2single bond, was formed during the direct fluorination conditions (F2). For the process performed with XeF2, specific groups single bondCHFsingle bond were detected not only on the polymer surface but also in the bulk. The final CHF/CF2 ratio depended on the fluorination route. Treatment with Fradical dot (originated from XeF2 decomposition) resulted in single bondCHFsingle bond groups in bulk prevailing formation whereas F2 formed mainly single bondCF2single bond groups. Regardless to the reactive species, radicals (dangling bonds) appeared during the fluorination and reacted with oxygen during the exposition to air after the treatment. Such a process resulted in oxygenated polar groups formation and consequently in the surface energy increase.