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Abstract Producer gas (PG) is a biomass derived multi component gaseous fuel, which is popularly used for power generation application via internal combustion (IC) engine. Due to the fluctuating tendency of a PG composition across the upstream end of a down draft gasifier (DDG), the combustion properties of a PG fuel vary. Thus, the variation in PG composition influences the combustion process and eventually the engine performance. This paper reports, an attempt made in adapting an air-gas regulator (AGR) for an effective operation of a small capacity (2.2 kW & 359 cm3) engine close to stoichiometry condition. These regulators are known to support gas engines under variable engine load conditions and fuel composition. The technical challenges faced while adapting the available AGR for the given engine is brought out in detail. Since the existing port diameter of an AGR was not in match for the present engine, an optimization approach was followed to achieve a stable and full load (14 Nm) engine operation. The experimental results were obtained considering a bottled PG under naturally aspirated mode with constant speed (1500 rpm) at compression ratio (CR) of 11:1. The analysis revealed an optimum gas port diameter of 33.3% of 30 mm on an existing commercial AGR model 7218-2. The measured PG engine performance parameters like brake power and work output were in agreement with available literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinplate packagings produced in packaging industry are generally composed of three parts. These are bottom gate, casing and top gate. Gasket is used where bottom and top gates join up with the casing. The gasket used need to be cured at a certain temperature in order to provide a complete seal. In tinplate packaging industry, furnaces used in this process are generally operated at temperatures nearly between 70 to 90 oC and maximum production rate of 160-170 part/min. Besides, each of these furnaces consumes 10 kW/h energy. It is observed that this embodied gasket is not cured appropriately regarding international quality standards. A gasket curing furnace with induction heating has been developed and it is observed that it reaches the desired temperature value relatively fast and provides more gate passing rate (approximately 800 part/min) compared to available furnaces with approximately 3 kW/h energy consumption. In this study, the working principle of this newly developed furnace and the energy efficiency and savings obtained by this application is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted by technologists Saeed J. Siavoshani and Dale W. Converse of Ford Motor Co. which uses the transfer path analysis to quantify the shell noise contribution of a production air cleaner and compares the results to a prototype air cleaner with different surface characteristics. Such technique utilizes the surface velocity of the intake manifold and air cleaner as well as the transfer function of both components to predict the sound at the driver's ear. In this study, the researchers uses a noise source that will stimulate the air cleaner to obtain a transfer function and drive the vehicle on a chassis roll to get the operational surface velocity of the air cleaner.