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In this work, dynamics of multi-charged ions emitted from an aluminum plasma produced by Q switched Nd: Yag laser is studied using time of flight (TOF) measurements from Langmuir Probe (LP) and spectroscopy (STOF) under Ar ambient of 0.02 mbar. The temporal evolution of multi-charged ions, background neutrals and ions is systematically studied for varying laser intensities. The temporal evolution shows all the species have double peak structure for all the laser intensities considered in the study. The fast peak is sharp whereas the slow peak is broad similar to that observed in previous studies. Moreover, higher charged ions have higher velocity, indicating acceleration from the transient electric field produced at the very initial temporal stages of expansion. Interestingly, the fast peak gets delayed, whereas the slow peak advances in time with increased laser intensity, which has not been reported in earlier studies. The observations point towards the possible role of ambipolar electric fields in the unexpected observed behavior of the TOF profiles., Comment: 8 pages, 10 figures

Transesterification of refined cottonseed oil (CSO) was carried out with methanol, ethanol, 1-butanol, and various mixtures of these alcohols to produce biodiesel. In the mixed alcohol transesterifications, formation of methyl esters was favored over ethyl and butyl esters. The influence of ester head group on fuel properties was determined. Specifically, cold flow properties, lubricity, and energy content improved in the order: CSO butyl esters (CSBE, best) > ethyl esters (CSEE) > methyl esters (CSME). Higher kinematic viscosities (KVs) as well as lower iodine values (IVs) and wear scars were observed with larger ester head groups. Blends of CSME, CSEE and CSBE exhibited properties intermediate to the neat esters. All ester samples were within the limits prescribed in ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 for cetane number, acid value (AV), glycerol (free and total) content, sulfur, and phosphorous. Also examined was the influence of blending alkyl esters with petrodiesel. All blends exhibited improved cold flow properties versus unblended alkyl esters. Enhanced lubricity was observed after blending. With increasing content of biodiesel, higher KVs and lower energy contents were observed. Finally, all blends were within the limits specified in ASTM D975 and D7467 for AV, KV and sulfur.

Biodiesel, defined as mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats, is an attractive renewable fuel alternative to conventional petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel produced from oils such as cottonseed oil and poultry fats suffer from extremely poor cold flow properties because of their high saturated fatty acid content. In the current study, Ethyl Levulinate (ethyl 4-oxopentanoate) was investigated as a novel, bio-based cold flow improver for use in biodiesel fuels. The cloud (CP), pour (PP), and cold filter plugging points (CFPP) of biodiesel fuels prepared from cottonseed oil and poultry fat were improved upon addition of ethyl levulinate at 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0% (vol). Reductions of 4–5 °C in CP, 3–4 °C in PP and 3 °C in CFPP were observed at 20 vol % ethyl levulinate. The influence of ethyl levulinate on acid value, induction period, kinematic viscosity and flash point was determined. The kinematic viscosities and flash points decreased with increasing content of ethyl levulinate. All samples (≤15 vol % ethyl levulinate) satisfied the ASTM D6751 limit with respect to flash point, but none of the 20 vol % blends were acceptable when compared to the higher EN 14214 specification. Acid value and oxidative stability were essentially unchanged upon addition of ethyl levulinate. In summary, ethyl levulinate appears acceptable as a diluent for biodiesel fuels with high saturated fatty acid content.

Transesterification of cottonseed oil was carried out using ethanol and potassium hydroxide (KOH). A central composite design with six center and six axial points was used to study the effect of catalyst concentration, molar ratio of ethanol to cottonseed oil and reaction temperature for percentage yield (% yield) and percentage initial absorbance (%A385nm) of the biodiesel. Catalyst concentration and molar ratio of ethanol to cottonseed oil were the most significant variables affecting percentage conversion and %A385nm. Maximum predicted % yield of 98% was obtained at a catalyst concentration of 1.07% (wt/wt) and ethanol to cottonseed oil molar ratio of 20:1 at reaction temperature of 25 °C. Maximum predicted %A385nm of more than 80% was obtained at 0.5% (wt/wt) catalyst concentration and molar ratio of 3:1 at 25 °C. The response surfaces that described % yield and %A385nm were inversely related. Gossypol concentration (% wt), oxidative stability and %A385nm of biodiesel were found to be highly correlated with each other. Hence, color %A385nm is a measure of the amount of pigments present in biodiesel fuels that have not yet been subjected to autoxidation. High gossypol concentration also corresponds to a fuel with high oxidative stability. The fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) produced from cottonseed oil had superior oxidative stability to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) produced from cottonseed oil.