Agroforestry

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Browsing Agroforestry by Subject ": Straight vegetable oil blends"

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    Publication
    MITIGATION OF IN-DOOR AIR POLLUTION AND GREEN HOUSE GASES BY USE OF RETROFITTED PRESSURE LAMP UTILIZING STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL
    (2014) Ogari, A. N.; H. M. Ndiritu; B. B. Gathitu
    The potential of traditional fossil fuels to be exhausted has increased of late. This has affected the many sectors of the economy which rely on petroleum products. Apart from depletion of fossil fuel and escalating oil prices, there is also need to conserve the environment to reduce global warming, ozone layer depletion, and climate change. This will reduce health issues associated with pollutant emissions from fossil fuel use. Among the efforts being made is the search for alternative renewable fuels. The objectives of the study were to study the performance characteristics of pressure lamps while using pure kerosene, kerosene-straight vegetable oil (SVO) blends and finally to modify the pressure lamp to utilize higher SVO/ kerosene blends. The performance of unmodified lamp was investigated and compared to that of a retrofitted pressure lamp utilizing straight vegetable oil/kerosene blends at 1.5 bar, 2.0 bar and 2.5 bar lamp pressure. Light output, carbon monoxide (CO) emission, carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, particulate matter (PM) emission, fuel consumption and heat generated were compared. Using a portable air compressor, air regulators and hoses, the lamps were maintained at constant pressures. Carbon dioxide data logger was used to monitor and record CO2 in real time. Easy Log carbon monoxide data logger was used to record carbon monoxide concentrations. University of Caronia, Barkley (UCB) particle monitor was used to monitor and record particulate matter in the room. Light output was measured using lux meters. Heat generated was measured using thermocouple. The unmodified lamp handled a maximum of 30% blend. Retrofitted lamp had an average of 17% CO reduction, 18% particulate matter reduction, 5.5% fuel consumption reduction, 10% temperature reduction, 5% CO2 increase while light output increased between 11% and 23% compared to the unmodified pressure lamp. In conclusion, the retrofitted pressure lamp utilizing SVO was designed and fabricated. This lamp emitted comparatively more light and CO2 but less PM and CO than the unmodified lamp at all pressures and fuel blends. The fuel consumed increased with increase in lamp pressure for both lamps. It is recommended that the lamps be tested in households to compare the outcome with the lab results. Further work should also be done to improve atomization of the fuel in lamps. Other emissions like NOx, and SOx should also be measured.