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Pollution caused by petroleum oil in several manners is becoming a threat to aquatic ecosystem. Hence, we carried out an experiment to investigate how diesel oil affects biota behavior, physiological attributes and how they recover by using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a model organism. Nile tilapia of two different treatment groups were exposed to 0.1 mL/L and 0.5 mL/L diesel oil for 7 days. Then both groups were kept in completely diesel oil-free water for 14 days. A control group was maintained throughout the experimental period. We examined the behavioral attributes, hemato-biochemical parameters: hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC) and glucose (Glu), and morphological changes of erythrocytes after diesel exposure and at the end of recovery phase. Our results revealed that there were abnormalities in behavior and significant changes in Hb, RBC, WBC and Glu level in both of the treatment group after 7 days of exposure. Frequencies of erythrocytic cellular abnormalities (ECAs), for example, twin, spindle, elongated, tear drop and erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENAs) like notch nuclei, karyopyknosis, nuclear bud and nuclear bridge were prominent in both groups. However, the amount of anomalies was higher in most if not all the cases in 0.5 mL/L treatment group. Nile tilapia of both groups were quick to recover but the 0.1 mL/L group showed profound recovery than the 0.5 mL/L group. However, in the cases of ECAs and ENAs, recovery of the 0.5 mL/L group was insignificant. Hence, our experimental study concluded that the higher the exposure to diesel oil, higher incidences of major health problems are recorded, seriously piercing the healing system of Nile tilapia.

Investigations into the effective, fast, and economically viable remediation of soils polluted with petroleum-derived products are still relevant. The vegetative pot experiment was conducted at the Didactic-Experimental Garden greenhouse (NE, Poland, 53.759° N, 20.452° E) on loamy sand (LS) and sandy loam (SL) soils. Its main research objective was to assess the effectiveness of biochar (B), halloysite (H) and alginite (A) in the biological regeneration of contaminated soil diesel oil (DO) and petrol (P). The assessment was conducted by determining the magnitude of the adverse impact of these xenobiotics on the growth and development of Zea mays, as well as the activity of seven soil enzymes. The impact of the tested contaminants and sorbents was assessed based on the impact factors (IF) of DO and P, as well as B, H, and A on Zea mays biomass and enzymatic activity of the soil. Soil contamination with petroleum-derived products disrupted the growth and development of Zea mays. DO had a stronger inhibitory effect on plant growth compared to P. Zea mays cultivated in LS, which was less resistant to the effects of these contaminants compared to that cultivated in SL. The impact of DO and P on enzyme activity depended on the soil texture. DO stimulated enzyme activity in LS and SL, while P only did so in LS. All remediation substances, and biochar in particular, led to an increase in plant biomass in the DO-contaminated soils. Both biochar, halloysite and alginite also improved the biochemical quality index (BA) of SL and LS. Despite the unquestionable remediation potential of the analyzed sorbents, their highest efficacy can only be achieved by their application on soils with physicochemical properties corresponding to their characteristics, which is a valuable guideline for further research.

This article discusses current testing methods for motor vehicle engines. Traction engines have so far been tested, for example, according to WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) driving tests, but due to the "VW—gate" incident, these are now to be supplemented by RDE (Real Driving Emissions) tests, conducted under real road conditions. The analyses of the state of knowledge and the directions of research to date unequivocally indicate the need for the construction of a stand that allows: testing of a complete vehicle admitted to traffic; testing of a motor vehicle with the possibility of simulating real operating conditions; load setting with the possibility of its regulation; feeding the engine with various fuels; modification of the software of controllers having a direct impact on the control strategies of the engine; transmission and traction control system; reading, recording and analysis of the parameters of the operation of control systems in real time; detailed recording and analysis of the combustion process occurring directly in the combustion chamber; and the measurement of emitted toxic substances. On a bench with the above features, tests were carried out on a diesel motor vehicle, which were based on recording changes in the parameters of the combustion and injection process. The tests were conducted under static and dynamic conditions. Tests under static conditions were conducted on a chassis dynamometer. They consisted of indicating the engine for different fuel dose control maps. The vehicle equipped with the test engine was driven at a constant speed on the chassis dynamometer and loaded with a drag force of 130 Nm. Tests under dynamic conditions were conducted under real traffic conditions. They were limited to the presentation of results under static conditions. The main results of the tests are given in the conclusion and include a general summary. In particular, the presented results of the diesel tests demonstrate an attempt to adapt the engine to co-power with hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper outlines the work done on beneficiation of low-rank-oxidized coal fines by flotation using a biodegradable oil (iluppai or Mahua) to reduce the ash content. Prior to flotation, characterization of the coal and the reagents were done by FTIR and SEM-EDS analysis to identify the functional groups. Batch tests were performed with biodegradable and conventional oil (Diesel) as collectors to compare the flotation performances with an Index known as 'Separation Index'. The results of the tests conducted revealed that biodegradable Iluppai oil to be the better collector than conventional diesel oil. In the study, the effect of variables like reagent dosages and feed solid concentration was investigated for both the type of collectors. Further, the paper concludes that it is possible to reduce ash% of the low-rank-oxidized coal from a feed ash of 29.9% down up-to 16.60% using Iluppai oil with simultaneous enrichment in Gross Calorific value of coal from 5547.0 to 6861 kCal/kg. From the results obtained, an assessment of the kinetic behavior of the process is made based on the enrichment achieved in the Gross calorific value. The first-order rate equation parameters (Rx) and (k) evaluated for the GCV recovery established that the biodegradable oil as the promising collector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the survival rates, growth, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of four hybrid aspen (14, 191, 27, 291) and two European aspen (R3 and R4) clones cultivated in creosote- and diesel oil-contaminated soil treatments under three different plant densities: one plant per pot (low density), two plants per pot (medium density), and six plants per pot (high density) over a period of two years and three months. Evaluating the survival, growth, and Fv/Fm values of different plants is a prerequisite for phytoremediation to remediate polluted soils for ecological restoration and soil health. The results revealed that contaminated soils affected all plants' survival rates and growth. However, plants grown in the creosote-contaminated soil displayed a 99% survival rate, whereas plants cultivated in the diesel-contaminated soil showed a 22–59% survival rate. Low plant density resulted in a higher survival rate and growth than in the other two density treatments. In contrast, the medium- and high-density treatments did not affect the plant survival rate and growth to a greater extent, particularly in contaminated soil treatments. The effects of clonal variation on the survival rate, growth, and Fv/Fm values were evident in all treatments. The results suggested that hybrid aspen clones 14 and 291, and European aspen clone R3 were suitable candidates for the phytoremediation experiment, as they demonstrated reasonable survival rates, growth, and Fv/Fm values across all treatments. A superior survival rate for clone 291, height and diameter growth, and stem dry biomass production for clone 14 were observed in all soil treatments. Overall, a reasonable survival rate (~75%) and Fv/Fm value (>0.75) for all plants in all treatments, indicating European aspen and hybrid aspen have considerable potential for phytoremediation experiments. As the experiment was set up for a limited period, this study deserves further research to verify the growth potential of different hybrid aspen and European aspen clones in different soil and density treatment for the effective phytoremediation process to remediate the contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Today, soil pollution with heavy metals and petroleum compounds is one of the main environmental problems. This research was done to investigate the effect of drought stress, soil salinity, Piriformospora indica (P. indica), and MWCNs on biodegradation of diesel oil in the soil that contaminated with Pb and Cd under cultivation of triticale plant.Methods: Treatments consisted of applying MWCNs (2% [W/W]) in the Pb- and Cd-polluted soil that was simultaneously polluted with diesel oil (0, 5, and 10% [W/W]), and the plants used in this study were inoculated with P. indica. After 70 days, plants were harvested, and plant and soil Cd were measured using AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry). In addition, the degradation percentage of diesel oil in soil was determined.Results: Soil application of MWCNs at the rate of 2% (W/W) significantly increased the biodegradation of diesel oil in the soil in the drought and salinity (6 dS/m) stress by 11.3% and 15.6%, respectively. In addition, plant inoculation with P. indica significantly increased the biodegradation of diesel oil in the soil by 12.3%. For salinity (6 dS/m) and drought stress, it was increased by 8.3% and 9.4%, respectively. In addition, the Pb and Cd concentrations decreased by 14.3% and 12.8%, respectively, when the MWCNs were added to the soil (2% [W/W]).Conclusion: Soil application of MWCNs and plant inoculation with P. indica not only increased the biodegradation of diesel oil but also decreased the plant Pb and Cd concentrations.

The group composition of diesel oil (DO) predetermines the basic physical, chemical and calorific properties of fuel, which have a significant impact on the processes of evaporation, ignition and combustion of fuel in the diesel engine and, consequently, on its performance and fuel economy indicators. The group composition of diesel oil of various grades is characterized by a certain content in it of various hydrocarbon components and chemical compounds. One of the effective methods of researching the group composition of diesel oil is chromatography-mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation of summer and winter diesel fuel into hydrocarbon components and chemical compounds, as well as their mass-spectrometric analysis were carried out on a chromato-mass-spectrometer of the Chromatec company. The obtained mass-spectra of hydrocarbon components and chemical compounds made it possible to determine the group composition of diesel fuel brands DT-L-K5 and DT-Z-K5. The results of test-bench runs of an automobile diesel engine D-245.12C show that the engine produces the maximum effective power when running on summer diesel and less power when running on winter diesel. Fuel efficiency indicators (hourly and specific effective fuel consumption) of the diesel engine at its operation on winter diesel oil is better in comparison to the operation on summer diesel oil. The highest values of effective efficiency are observed when the diesel is operated on winter diesel oil.

• The pore-scale distribution of diesel oil depends on the temperature gradient. • The diesel oil migrates from FFS to CFS during freezing process, while this migration is reversed during the thawing process. • The reverse migration of the diesel oil between the freezing and thawing leads to a spatial redistribution of the diesel oil. • The pore-scale redistribution of diesel oil is controlled by both fluid energy and capillary force. The mobilization and redistribution of organic contaminants in groundwater is the basis and key to explore its dynamic evolution and appropriate remediation. The naturally occurring diametrical temperature gradient during freezing and thawing cycle leads to distinct behaviors of organic contaminants in groundwater. In this study, the pore-scale distribution of diesel oil in the porous media was quantitatively divided into capillary fluid state (CFS) and free fluid state (FFS) based on multiphase flow dynamics, employing low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technology. The pore-scale distribution of diesel oil depends not only on the freezing and thawing cycle but also on the temperature gradient according to LF-NMR results. The content of diesel oil in the CFS generally increases with a positive temperature gradient (e.g. freezing) compared to a negative temperature gradient (e.g. thawing), while the content of diesel oil in the FFS generally decreases. This dependence of the temperature gradient on pore-scale distribution of the diesel oil is positively correlated with the particle size of the porous medium. Furthermore, the pore-scale distribution of the diesel oil during the freezing and thawing cycle is influenced by the kinematic viscosity of the diesel oil. There is an exponential relationship between the diesel oil content and the kinematic viscosity, independent of the freezing or thawing process. During the freezing process, the diesel oil migrates from FFS to CFS, while this migration is reversed during the thawing process. The reverse migration of the diesel oil between the freezing and thawing processes leads to a spatial redistribution of the diesel oil, which is controlled by both the fluid energy and the capillary force. The present work provide meaningful guidance for the remediation of groundwater contamination in cold regions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil pollution caused by diesel oil and heavy metals has become an increasingly serious environmental issue, with negative global-scale impacts. The remediation of contaminated soil requires special attention, in which phytoremediation has emerged as an ecofriendly solution. However, the response of plants to the combined stress of diesel oil and heavy metals remains largely unknown. In this study, the aim was to investigate the potential of Populus alba and P. russkii for phytoremediation by examining their response to combined diesel oil and heavy metal stress. In a greenhouse experiment using soil contaminated with 15 mg kg−1 of diesel oil and varying concentrations of Sr (0, 10, or 100 mg kg−1), we studied the physiological and biochemical changes, as well as the Sr absorption, of P. alba and P. russkii. The results showed that at high concentrations of Sr and diesel oil, the growth of both species was substantially inhibited, but P. alba exhibited higher resistance due to its higher antioxidant enzyme activities and increased accumulation of soluble sugar and proline. Additionally, P. alba concentrated Sr in the stem, whereas P. russkii accumulated Sr in the leaf, exacerbating its negative effects. Diesel oil treatments were beneficial for Sr extraction due to cross-tolerance. Our findings indicate that P. alba is more suitable for the phytoremediation of Sr contamination due to its superior tolerance to combined stress, and we identified potential biomarkers for monitoring pollution. Therefore, this study provides a theoretical basis and implementation strategy for the remediation of soil contaminated by both heavy metals and diesel oil.

Background: Remediation of heavy metals contaminated soils is a crucial issue. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano Fe-oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes(MWCNs) on diesel oil bio-degradation in the soil polluted with Pb and Cd and enriched with vermicompost under ornamental sunflower cultivation. Methods: Treatments were soil application of MWCNs at the rates of 0, 1, and 2 % (W/W); 0, 15, and 30 t/ha vermicompost; 0 and 0.5 % (W/W) nano Fe-oxide in soils polluted with Pb and Cd as well as 0, 4, and 8 % (W/W) diesel oil. After harvesting, the Pb and Cd concentrations of plant and soil were determined using AAS. Furthermore, the diesel oil bio-degradation in the soil was measured. Results: Using 1 and 2 % (W/W) MWCNs significantly increased the diesel oil biodegradation by 15.3 and 17.4%, while the Pb concentration in soil decreased by 13.1 and 15.8%. In addition, the Cd concentration, decreased by 14.2 and 16.1%, respectively. The Pb and Cd concentrations in plant showed the similar trends. Using vermicompost significantly increased the diesel oil bio-degradation. Conclusion: Using nano-Fe oxide and MWCNs significantly increased the biodegradation of diesel oil in soils polluted with Pb and Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of the ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts modified by Au only, Mn only and both Au and Mn for catalytic cracking of light diesel were evaluated in this study. The gold-manganese modified catalyst showed better catalytic activity than the manganese-only or gold-only modified catalysts, as indicated by the improved propylene selectivity and micro-reaction activity index. It was found that small and uniform manganese nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 20 nm were homogeneously dispersed on ZSM-5 while uneven larger Au (> 100 nm) particles were deposited separately on the ZSM-5 surface. Significantly higher values of surface acidity were obtained for the Au–Mn/ZSM-5 catalysts compared to those for the Mn/ZSM-5 catalysts and ZSM-5 itself. With increasing manganese content, the acid strength and total acid content first increased and then decreased. The AuMn-modified ZSM-5 catalysts largely retain the crystal structure of ZSM-5 after a hydrothermal treatment, showing that the hydrothermal stability of the catalysts was enhanced and the loss of their surface acidity was reinforced by the double AuMn modification. Among all of the catalysts, 1%Au-3%Mn/ZSM-5 shows the best performance, since it maintains the intact structure and even narrower pore size distribution of the parent ZSM-5 zeolite as well as moderate acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the micron-scale activated carbon (MAC) immobilized diesel-oil-degrading bacteria (bio-MAC) used as remediation materials for the removal of diesel-oil-contaminated water. The high-efficiency indigenous diesel-oil-degrading bacteria were firstly screened and enriched, then the MAC was used as a diesel oil sorbent and biocarrier for the immobilization of degrading bacteria to prepare the bio-MAC material. The removal performance of the bio-MAC was evaluated via a comparison with the freely degrading bacteria and MAC. The SEM results demonstrated that the diesel-oil-degrading bacteria were effectively immobilized and grew well on the surfaces of MAC particles. The concentration of MAC significantly influenced the growth and activity (DHA and LPS) of immobilized bacteria, and the MAC addition of 3.0 g/L was proven to be an optimum amount for the preparation of bio-MAC. The high-throughput sequencing analysis further indicated that the bacteria immobilized on MAC showed higher abundance levels and diversities index values compared to freely suspended bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Bacillus and Microbacterium. The FTIR spectroscopy results showed that the bio-MAC could effectively degrade the aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkenes and aromatic compounds of diesel oil to carboxylic acids, esters, alcohols and other metabolites. When the concentration of diesel oil was 1 g/L, the removal efficiency for the diesel oil of bio-MAC reached 86.35% after 15 days, while only 23.82% and 70.97% of the diesel oil was removed using the same amount of free bacteria and MAC, respectively. The prepared bio-MAC showed a synergic effect of adsorption and biodegradation and efficiently removed diesel oil from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromagnetic properties (electrical permittivity and electrical conductivity) of three different soil mesocosms polluted with diesel oil were monitored using a time-domain reflectometry probe for 8 months. The main target of the research was to establish a relationship between the development of biological activity within the mesocosms and the temporal behaviour of electromagnetic properties. The trend of the electromagnetic properties exhibited different responses that could be related to the composition of the mesocosms and their variation with time during the runs. We considered three different mesocosms with similar soil conditions and the same diesel oil concentration: porosity of 45%, volumetric diesel oil content of 9%, and volumetric water content of 15%. The first one was subjected to a natural attenuation (NA), the second one was biostimulated without inoculation (BS), and the third one was biostimulated with inoculation (BS + IN). The biostimulated mesocosms showed a marked decrease in electrical permittivity and electrical conductivity, whereas the naturally attenuated mesocosm did not show these variations. Between the biostimulated mesocosms, the inoculated one showed the fastest variations in the electromagnetic properties. The microbial activity and the pollutant degradation were evidenced by the analyses performed at the end of the experiment. As demonstrated by the results for the fluorescein diacetate analysis, the microbial activity was a bit higher for the inoculated microcosm, which also showed faster variations of the electromagnetic properties. In the biostimulated mesocosms, the removal of diesel oil was 66% and 72%, respectively. With natural attenuation, there was a limited removal efficiency, in the order of 2%. Even if the electromagnetic properties evidenced different kinetics of bioremediation in BS and BS + IN, both were able to successfully degrade similar percentages of the contaminant after 8 months. The long monitoring revealed that a substantial decrease in the electromagnetic properties happened only in the first month after contamination. Additionally, an increasing trend of the permittivity was detected in the following months, before reaching a steady-state condition. This study revealed that biodegradation processes with acceptable overall removal efficiency can be monitored successfully by observing the variations in the electromagnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides technological processes; logistics; and the use of petrol and light solvents, which are widely known as pollutants, the sources of BTEX hydrocarbon contributing to air pollution may also include other petroleum products and fuels that feature higher boiling points and that have not yet been associated with this issue. In this study, the contents of benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; and o-, m-, and p-xylene were evaluated in 25 commercial samples of diesel oils; the gaseous phase in thermodynamic equilibrium with liquid diesel oil at 40 °C was then evaluated. Based on the experimental results, it was found that benzene concentration in the gaseous phase is five to more than fifteen times higher than the limits set by regulations for benzene concentration in the air at a work place (1.6 mg/m3) and cannot be compared with the limits set by regulations for annual average basal levels of benzene concentration in the air (5 µg/m3). The research revealed that diesel oil is a potential source of environmental contamination from BTEX hydrocarbons, in particular benzene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research work, selenium dioxide (SeO2) nanorods have been prepared by a solvothermal method in which a strong reducing agent (NaBH4) was used to reduce precursor salt into SeO2 nanorods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique was applied to observe the crystal structure which confirmed its tetragonal geometry. Moreover, morphology and particle size were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM fully described the 1-dimensional morphology of SeO2 nanorods which then arranged themselves to create a 3-dimensional flower-like structure with an average particle size of 50 nm. Also, the catalytic activity of SeO2 nanorods as diesel-additive was studied by defining different parameters such as fire and flash points, calorific value, cloud and pour points, specific gravity, and kinematic viscosity. Subsequently, SeO2 nanorods proved to be an excellent diesel additive due to higher total heat content and lower value of kinematic viscosity which enhances the better performance of the diesel engine.

Aims: This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates and ZnSO4 on the nutritional status of wheat plant in a soil contaminated with Cd and diesel oil. Materials and Methods: Treatments were consist of foliar application of Zn amino acid chelate (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) and ZnSO4 at the rate of 0, 0.1, and 0.2% (W/V) in the soil co-contaminated with Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (0 and 8% [W/W]). Results: Application of Zn amino acid chelates had a significant effect on increasing plant nutrient status, however, soil pollution with Cd and diesel oil had an adverse effect. Based on the results of this study, application of 0.2% (W/V) (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) significantly increased the grain Zn concentration of the plants grown in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 11.3% and 10.1%, respectively. For co-contaminated soil with Cd and diesel oil, it was increased by 9.8%. Soil microbial respiration has affected by Zn amino acid chelate and soil pollution. According to our results, application of 0.2% (W/V) Zn(Arg)2 chelate significantly increased the soil microbial respiration in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 12.5% and 13.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Zn amino acid chelate had a significant effect in increasing plant nutrient status such as Zn and Fe that is a positive point environmental study.

Low-rank bituminous coal has a low degree of metamorphism, a high oxygen content, and poor hydrophobicity. When using a conventional collector, it renders a low yield of clean coal, making it difficult to improve the quality via flotation. In this work, a type of diesel microemulsion (C1) was prepared using primary alcohol ethoxylate (AEO-3), which was adopted to conduct flotation. The results demonstrated that compared with a conventional diesel collector, the yield of clean coal was increased by 44.37%; the content of tailing ash was increased by 37.60%; the combustible recovery rate was improved by 55.65%, respectively; and the flotation kinetic constant was increased by 0.505. The addition of AEO-3 could significantly reduce the surface tension and generate smaller emulsion droplets, which could also adhere to coal particles, easily enhancing their hydrophobicity. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and its contact angle verify a significant enhancement in the hydrophobicity of the coal surface. More importantly, a molecular dynamic simulation revealed that adding AEO-3 could augment the electrostatic interaction between the collector (diesel) molecules and coal particles, as well as reduce the mean square displacement, i.e., the adsorption strength between the collector molecules and coal particles. On the other hand, the microemulsion could improve the hydrophobicity and floatability of coal particles and enhance the wrap angle of particle-bubble. And accelerating the generation of stable mineral flocculation, which was the main reason for the faster flotation process. (1) The adsorption and flotation behaviors of LRC with AEO-3 were explored. (2) Microscopic adsorption mechanism of AEO-3 on LRC was investigated by MSD. (3) The changes in functional group content after coal particles with different collectors. (4) the interaction between the bubbles and samples could be monitored while simulating the adhesion time of the particles and bubbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goal: This study analyzes the impacts of the transportation sector on air pollution within the scope of one major Brazilian metropolitan region. Design / Methodology / Approach: A literature review was conducted on the subject's constructs, with subsequent reasoning grounded on the fleet's characteristics and data obtained from in-depth interviews from a government transportation agency. Results: The results show Brazil's contextual evidence that risk management for the haulage sector should consider air pollution's negative impacts. With air quality standards as an essential reference, it is possible to observe that the city of Uberlândia does not effectively manage air quality. Limitations of investigation: One limitation of this research is related to the representativeness of the sample. The research also recommends future studies to use government policies for the improvement of the framework. Practical implications: The local and contextual addressing of air pollution and transport correlation in one focal point for cargo transportation at a national level pontentially contributes to environmental public policies. Originality / Value: Originality value resides in considering emissions from cargo vehicles as a significant factor in this process of air pollution in a specific context of a metropolitan area of an emerging economy that has its transportation modal grounded on trucking freight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the biodiesel enters the crankcase, its degradation can lead to the formation of organic acids and polymerisation, to the point of clogging the system and the internal combustion engines. Therefore, this article proposed the study of lubricant oils in order to trace its biodiesel contamination. The results showed that in relation to the viscosity at 40°C there was reduction above the limit allowed for some samples. The viscosity index results showed considerable changes. Using infrared spectroscopy was noted that the contamination by fatty acid esters does not follow a pattern related to time of use in the motor. However, as the lubricant oil samples were used, they probably contain degradation products that altered the levels of oxygenated compounds. For this reason, the mass spectrometry coupled to gas chromatography quantified the predominant oil and fat steroids contents and confirmed the contamination by biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalysis is a very promising technique to address the serious issues of environmental pollution. Among the common photocatalysts, the graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is widely used for the photodegradation of organic pollutants due to its proper band structure. To further improve the photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4, a novel composite photocatalyst of Co3O4/PT-C3N4 has been prepared by using a one-pot calcination method, in which cobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles as the cocatalyst are introduced on the surface of rectangular hollow g-C3N4 substrate (PT-Co3O4). As a result, the obtained composite photocatalyst (Co3O4/PT-C3N4) delivers an excellent photodegradation performance for diesel oil under a simulated sunlight, which can improve the separation efficiency of the photo-induced electron–hole pairs. The Co3O4/PT-C3N4 composite photocatalyst exhibits a high degradation efficiency of 96.27% after 2 h of visible light, which is much higher than that of the PT-C3N4 photocatalyst. Moreover, the composite photocatalyst can still maintain a high photodegradation efficiency after 10 cycles, exhibiting an excellent cyclic stability. The photo-induced carriers generated by the Co3O4/PT-C3N4 composite photocatalyst follow the Z-scheme heterojunction transfer mechanism. This work gives a fresh idea for the exploration of new high-performance photocatalyst for the treatment of organic environmental pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon aerogel (CA) was prepared using the cellulose extracted from luffa sponge (LS). Trichlorosilane was employed to modify CA to enhance the adsorption capacity for diesel oil. The physical and chemical properties of aerogel, CA and modified CA were analyzed using XRD (X-ray diffraction), XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscope) and TGA/DTG (Thermogravimetric analysis/Derivative Thermogravimetry). Modified carbon aerogel (MCA) had better adsorption capacity for diesel oil (49.62 g/g) than aerogel (5.2 g/g) and CA (32.34 g/g). In addition, the adsorption capacity of MCA for other organics was also investigated, which indicated the abroad application scope for MCA. The reuse method (burning, suction filtration and pyrolysis) for diesel oil adsorption using MCA was investigated and pyrolysis shown the optimal effect for MCA regeneration. The cycle times of MCA for diesel oil adsorption was studied using pyrolysis to regenerate MCA and MCA still had good adsorption capacity for diesel oil (45.14 g/g) in the sixth use. This paper provides a novel strategy for resource utilization of LS and a fast and green method for diesel oil treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of Piriformospora indica (P.indica), drought, and soil salinity stress on diesel oil biodegradation in a soil that was polluted with Pb and Cd. Methods: Treatments consisted of corn inoculated with P.indica and white clover intercropping system under the salinity (3.1 and 6 dS/m) and drought (normal and intensive) stress which cultivated in the Pb and Cd polluted (naturally) soil which simultaneously contaminated with diesel oil at the rates of 0 and 4 % (W/W). After 10 weeks, plants were harvested and the diesel oil biodegradation in the soil was determined. In addition, the soil microbial activity, the APX and POX enzyme activates were measured. Results: Diesel oil biodegradation significantly increased in the soil under cultivation of plants inoculated with P.indica, while it significantly decreased under salinity and drought stress by 12.9 and 9.8%. However, the intercropping system had positive effects on increasing the soil microbial activity and biodegradation of diesel oil in the soil. Conclusion: Corn inoculation with P.indica significantly affected the biodegradation of diesel oil in the heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil that is under salinity and drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies involving oil-contaminated lateritic fine-grained soils are still scarce in literature, especially regarding treatments for improving soils mechanical properties. In this study, geotechnical properties and microstructure of a diesel-contaminated lateritic soil treated with lime are investigated and compared to tests conducted on lime-treated soil (2% to 8% lime) and diesel-contaminated soil (2 to16% diesel). The presence of diesel had no significant effect on soil plasticity but decreased soil strength. Lime stabilization applied to diesel-contaminated soils significantly improved soil properties after 6% of lime stabilizer. The diesel presence led to an inhibition of lime reaction due to reduction of cation exchange capacity and flocculation, which reflected in loss of its effectiveness in improving strength as compared to natural soil response. The water retention behavior and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil were affected by diesel contamination, leading to curve shapes similar to clay materials. Adding 2% of lime to the contaminated soil, increase in the soil pores and changes in the shapes of water retention curve and k-functions were observed with similar behavior of a course-grained material. Overall, this study highlights how the presence of diesel and lime affects lateritic soil properties and microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viscosity of a nanofluid is one of its fundamental thermophysical properties, and it is an important consideration in heat transfer applications. Although the viscosity can be reliably obtained from experimental measurements, the development of models to predict the viscosity is a faster and more convenient approach. This study focuses on creating a machine learning model for the viscosity of different carbon nanomaterials dispersed in diesel oil. The nanomaterials considered here include multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, and their hybrid combinations. A support vector regression-based model was developed and validated using 120 experimental data points in the temperature range 5–100 °C. The model inputs are the nanoparticle mass fraction, the fluid temperature, and the viscosity of the diesel oil. The developed model yields very good predictive performance on the training and testing datasets. The correlation coefficient and the root mean square error were 99.98% and 0.0076 Pa s, respectively, for the training dataset, and 99.99% and 0.0026 Pa s for the testing dataset. These results indicate that the developed model is extremely accurate for predicting the viscosity of carbon-based nanomaterials in a diesel oil medium, and it was found to outclass all existing models. This model could therefore be extremely useful in the design of heat transfer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the soil samples were contaminated with 0.05% and 0.1% of cadmium and lead. Seventy pots containing 200 g of soil were polluted with 5% diesel (w/w) (10 g). The physicochemical parameters of the soil were determined. There was a decrease in the pH, and electrical conductivity but the nitrogen, phosphorous, organic carbon and organic matter increased during the 84 days of biodegradation. The bacteria isolated from diesel oil contaminated soil were species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The GC-MS analysis revealed a significant decrease in the alkane and an increase in the ester constituents of the biodegraded oil samples after 84 days. Diesel oil co-contaminated soil supplemented with 0.1% of cadmium and lead had a percentage degradation of 89.5% and 80.54% respectively while compared to the un-supplemented samples (28.36%) after 84 days. This indicates that lead and cadmium as co-contaminant in diesel contaminated soil improved the rate of biodegradation of diesel.

Bioremediation is one of kind method which use of bacteria to degrade of hydrocarbon to be another compound. This study aims to get isolation of indigenous bacteria and potential test with Gordonia terrae on diesel oil bioremediation. The water sample was taken from Tanjung Perak Port of Surabaya, Indonesia where contaminated with diesel oil. Analysis of in-situ water quality parameters were consist of Dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, salinity. Strain isolate bacteria were isolated by Bushnell-Hass medium. The bacterial density result shows in IN6 shows that bacterial density increased up to 9 × 108 cells/ml at day 2 incubation and decrease up to 1.79 × 108 cells/ml at final incubation, IN8 increased up to 8.6 × 108 cells/ml, then decrease up to 3.57 × 108 cells/ml. While, EX8 increased up to 9.1 × 108 cells/ml, and then decrease up to 3.06 × 108 cells/ml. While, results of degradation diesel oil hydrocarbon show treatment IN6, TPH values showed a decrease in the initial hydrocarbon concentration of 30 ppm to 16 ppm. IN8 TPH value shows a decrease in the initial hydrocarbon concentration of 30 ppm to 16 ppm. EX8 TPH value shows a decrease in the initial hydrocarbon concentration of 30 ppm to 24 ppm. In this experiment was found that Bacillus cereus was effectively degrading of diesel oil and can be agent bacterial for bioremediation.

This article discusses current testing methods for motor vehicle engines. Traction engines have so far been tested, for example, according to WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) driving tests, but due to the “VW—gate” incident, these are now to be supplemented by RDE (Real Driving Emissions) tests, conducted under real road conditions. The analyses of the state of knowledge and the directions of research to date unequivocally indicate the need for the construction of a stand that allows: testing of a complete vehicle admitted to traffic; testing of a motor vehicle with the possibility of simulating real operating conditions; load setting with the possibility of its regulation; feeding the engine with various fuels; modification of the software of controllers having a direct impact on the control strategies of the engine; transmission and traction control system; reading, recording and analysis of the parameters of the operation of control systems in real time; detailed recording and analysis of the combustion process occurring directly in the combustion chamber; and the measurement of emitted toxic substances. On a bench with the above features, tests were carried out on a diesel motor vehicle, which were based on recording changes in the parameters of the combustion and injection process. The tests were conducted under static and dynamic conditions. Tests under static conditions were conducted on a chassis dynamometer. They consisted of indicating the engine for different fuel dose control maps. The vehicle equipped with the test engine was driven at a constant speed on the chassis dynamometer and loaded with a drag force of 130 Nm. Tests under dynamic conditions were conducted under real traffic conditions. They were limited to the presentation of results under static conditions. The main results of the tests are given in the conclusion and include a general summary. In particular, the presented results of the diesel tests demonstrate an attempt to adapt the engine to co-power with hydrogen.

Increased demand for commercial petroleum derivatives, including diesel has increased the possibility of numerous spills and leakages into the aquatic environment worldwide that can directly or indirectly pollute waterbody disrupting the health status of fish species and other aquatic organisms. This study was conducted to understand the effects of commercial diesel oil on freshwater species of rui (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla), and mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala) fingerlings. The fingerlings were exposed to four different concentrations (0; 0.25; 0.50 and 0.75 ppm) of diesel oil, each containing three replications for 96 h. After 96 h lethal concentration (LC50) for rui, 0.35 ppm; catla, 0.30 ppm; and mrigal fingerlings 0.3625 ppm, were calculated through probit analysis. Maximum mortality occurred at the highest concentration of diesel oil, and treated fingerlings showed behavioural and external morphologic alterations. Dissolved oxygen decreased with the increasing of oil concentrations, and water quality was poor among all the treatments. This study demonstrated that commercial diesel oil directly affects the survivability, behaviour, and external morphology of rui, catla, and mrigal fingerlings. It is expected that the present results will be beneficial to make awareness of the fretful effects of commercial diesel oil and other oils uses in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalysis of graphtic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) material has been widely used for the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. However, g-C3N4 still has some drawbacks, such as the high recombination of photo-induced electron–hole pairs and weak absorption of light irradiation. To further improve the photodegradation performance of g-C3N4, a novel composite photocatalyst (CoO/ PT-C3N4) has been prepared by using a one-pot calcination method, in which cobalt oxide (CoO) as a cocatalyst are introduced on the rectangular hollow substrate of g-C3N4 (PT-C3N4), The CoO/PT-C3N4 composite photocatalyst delivers an excellent photodegradation performance for diesel oil under a simulated sunlight. It exhibits a high degradation efficiency of 95.92% after light irradiation for 2 h, which is much higher than that of pristine PT-C3N4. Free radical capture experiments manifest that the free radical of ·O2− plays a major role for the photodegradation and main active radicals abide by the sequence: ·O2− > ·OH > h+. Moreover, the CoO/PT-C3N4 composite photocatalyst delivers an excellent cyclic stability, which only degrades 8.71% photodegradation efficiency after 10 cycles. The improvement of CoO/PT-C3N4 composite photocatalyst is ascribed to the formation of a heterojunction between CoO and PT-C3N4, which promotes the separation of photo-induced carriers. This work paves a new way for the exploration of photocatalyst for the organic pollutant degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradation is a cost-effective process commonly used to eliminate many xenobiotic hydrocarbons such as diesel oils. However, their hydrophobic character reduces the biodegradation efficiency. In order to overcome this hurdle, kurstakins isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis strain 7SA were used as emulsifying agents. The influence of kurstakin molecules on diesel oil degradation by Acinetobacter haemolyticus strain 2SA was evaluated in the presence and absence of the aforementioned lipopeptide. The degradation rates and gene expressions of alkane hydroxylases were evaluated at days 4, 10, 14 and 21. Results showed that kurstakin molecules increased the hydrophobicity of 2SA. Moreover, diesel oil degradation activities were higher in the presence of kurstakin with 29%, 35%, 29% and 23% improvement at 4th, 10th, 14th and 21st day respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the difference between the degradation rates in the presence and absence of kurstakin was significant with p = 0.03. The detection of three different hydroxylase genes namely alkB, almA and cyp153 in 2SA genome, might have allowed more efficient degradability of alkanes. According to the real-time PCR results, cyp153 was the most induced gene during diesel oil degradation in the presence and absence of kurstakin. Yet, the three genes demonstrated higher levels of expression in the presence of kurstakin when compared to its absence. This study showed that kurstakins enhance the diesel oil biodegradation rate by increasing the hydrophobicity of 2SA. In addition to their anti-fungal activities, kurstakins can be used as biosurfactant to increase biodegradation of diesel oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the survival rates, growth, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) of four hybrid aspen (14, 191, 27, 291) and two European aspen (R3 and R4) clones cultivated in creosote- and diesel oil-contaminated soil treatments under three different plant densities: one plant per pot (low density), two plants per pot (medium density), and six plants per pot (high density) over a period of two years and three months. Evaluating the survival, growth, and Fv/Fm values of different plants is a prerequisite for phytoremediation to remediate polluted soils for ecological restoration and soil health. The results revealed that contaminated soils affected all plants’ survival rates and growth. However, plants grown in the creosote-contaminated soil displayed a 99% survival rate, whereas plants cultivated in the diesel-contaminated soil showed a 22–59% survival rate. Low plant density resulted in a higher survival rate and growth than in the other two density treatments. In contrast, the medium- and high-density treatments did not affect the plant survival rate and growth to a greater extent, particularly in contaminated soil treatments. The effects of clonal variation on the survival rate, growth, and Fv/Fm values were evident in all treatments. The results suggested that hybrid aspen clones 14 and 291, and European aspen clone R3 were suitable candidates for the phytoremediation experiment, as they demonstrated reasonable survival rates, growth, and Fv/Fm values across all treatments. A superior survival rate for clone 291, height and diameter growth, and stem dry biomass production for clone 14 were observed in all soil treatments. Overall, a reasonable survival rate (~75%) and Fv/Fm value (>0.75) for all plants in all treatments, indicating European aspen and hybrid aspen have considerable potential for phytoremediation experiments. As the experiment was set up for a limited period, this study deserves further research to verify the growth potential of different hybrid aspen and European aspen clones in different soil and density treatment for the effective phytoremediation process to remediate the contaminated soil.

In soil bioremediation, the main target is the removal of pollutants to the maximum extent. Careful monitoring of pollution concentration provides information about the process efficacy and removal efficiency. Moreover, a detailed analysis of residual pollution composition provides a detailed picture of single compound removal or presence, especially of interest when pollution is constituted by a mixture of chemical species. This paper shows the first results of a study on the speciation of diesel oil compound removal from soils by aerobic remediation. The experimental study was carried out in a microcosm using indigenous microorganisms and adopting the biostimulation strategy with a mineral salt medium for bacteria. The microcosm contained 200 g of dry soil and 14 g of diesel oil with a carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N) equal to 180 and water content (u%) equal to 12% by mass. The residual pollution concentration in soil was monitored for 138 days to evaluate both the overall removal efficiency and that for the main groups of hydrocarbons. The results showed that the pollution composition changed during the test because of the different rate of metabolization for the single compounds: the overall removal efficiency was about 65%, and that of different hydrocarbon clusters was between 53% and 88%. The monitoring data also allowed the kinetic study of the degradation process, which was better modeled by a second-order kinetic model than by a first-order one. These findings were confirmed by analyzing other microcosms with different operative conditions (C/N = 120, 180 and u% = 8%, 12%, 15% by mass). The proposed methodology may be useful for the evaluation of compliance to concentration limits imposed by law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meiobenthos has been considered as an excellent tool for biomonitoring assessment. Elevated temperature and oil pollution are considered as the most pervasive aspects of global environmental changes and matter of concern for contemporary society. Presently, very limited information is available about the synergistic effect of these stressors on meiobenthic community structure and tolerance potential from tropical intertidal environment. Here, we assessed their impacts on meiobenthic community by conducting a 60 days long benthocosm experiment selecting three sets of temperature (25°, 30° and 35 °C) and two sets of diesel oil (low and high) combinations. Gradual changes in their community composition were revealed discernibly with exposures to both the disturbances after 30 and 60 days of experimental period. Diversity profiles for the nematodes were less affected, but copepods showed a graded response of decreasing density with increasing dose of both the stressors. Other meiobenthic taxa such as halacarid mite, turbellaria and polycheate juveniles were adversely affected and eliminated from the treatments, howbeit abundance of ostracods, foraminiferans and bivalve settlers varied significantly. A 3-factor PERMANOVA indicated a significant effect of temperature, diesel, between their interaction and interaction among stressors and time on meiofaunal abundances. In case of free-living nematodes, temperature rise and diesel contamination synchronously led to an elimination of k-selected species like Halalaimus gracilis, H. longicaudatus, Oxystomina aesetosa and Pomponema sp. with a significant decrease in abundance of H. capitulatus and Oncholaimus sp. The r-selected species Daptonema invagiferoum, Sabatieria praedatrix, Theristus acer, Monhystera sp. and Thalassomonhystera sp. had endured even at high doses of diesel treatment in three different temperatures set up. The effects were evident in term of changes in life strategies with an increment of opportunistic species and increased trophic diversity of deposit feeders in treated sediments. Overall, elevated temperature together with diesel oil contamination were found to alter species dynamics within shallow intertidal meiobenthic communities, which might have significant Armageddon on benthic ecosystem functioning.

About 80% of the total pollution from ships is caused by operational oil discharges into the sea, often made deliberately and in violation of international rules; the main reasons can be due to cost savings or lack of adequate facilities in ports to receive waste oils. Therefore, reducing waste oil discharges is crucial for a proper protection of the marine environment. In this regard, the paper presents the preliminary feasibility of a particular waste recycling technology, aimed at obtaining marine fuel oil from sludge, through a pyrolysis process to be carried out in a small reactor onboard. The originality of the research consists in the adaptation of pyrolysis to oily waste produced by ships, since this technology is traditionally applied to solid waste and biomass. Furthermore, the plant has to be designed for operation on board the ship, therefore under very different constraints compared to traditional land plants. Although the preliminary lab tests and simulation results in the chemical process are promising enough, there are still some technical criticalities due to the energy optimization of the reactor for an efficient use onboard of the whole system. In addition, the possibility of recycling waste, directly onboard ships, is not yet covered by mandatory regulations, which is why shipowners generally still feel unmotivated to invest in such technologies.

Diesel oil contamination is a growing environmental concern in most crude oil processing regions of the world. This study assessed the efficacy of both fresh and powdered Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) as potential biostimulants in the remediation of diesel oil contaminated soils using three test concentrations (50 g, 100 g and 150 g) and a control (0 g). The remediation process was monitored by assaying the total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and soil pH before and after amendment with the fresh and powdered E. crassipes for 90 days. The result showed increase in soil pH, TOC, TPH and volatile matter (VM) in comparison with the control due to soil contamination by diesel oil. However, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in soil pH and TOC with the introduction of fresh and powdered E. crassipes at different concentrations. Contaminated soil amended with 100 g of fresh E. crassipes showed the highest TOC loss (59.7%) alongside soil amended with 100 g of powdered E. crassipes (47.36%) while the control showed the least TOC loss (0.91%). Similarly, soil TPH decreased significantly across all concentrations after amendment (p < 0.05). Overall, soil amended with fresh E. crassipes showed higher TPH loss than soil amended with powdered E. crassipes. This study reveals the potentials of using E. crassipes in the remediation of diesel oil contaminated soils. Above all, we demonstrate that fresh E. crassipes is a potentially stronger biostimulant than powdered E. crassipes.

Water accumulation in low-lying areas of product oil pipelines always leads to corrosion damage of pipelines. Predicting the law of product oil carrying water can provide reference for the optimization of pipeline operation parameters and corrosion protection. A Volume of Fluid (VOF) model of oil-water two-phase flow based on Large Eddy Simulation (LES) was established to investigate the diesel oil carrying water behaviors in inclined uphill pipes. Through comparative study of experimental and simulation results based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method, it is proved that the two-phase flow model based on LES-VOF can capture flow pattern characteristics such as wavy stratified flow, stratified flow and dispersed flow under different flow conditions. The model was used to simulate the oil carrying water process at different inlet oil flow velocities and inclination angles of uphill pipe on experimental scale. It was found that the shear rate of the oil-water interface increases with the increase of the inlet oil velocity, which leads to the increase of oil carrying water capacity. With the increase of slope angle, the two-phase flow pattern gradually transits from wavy stratified flow to dispersed flow. The model established in this paper provides a new method for the study of oil carrying water in product oil pipeline.

Aims: This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of foliar applications of synthesized zinc-amino acid chelates and ZnSO4 on the nutritional status of wheat plant in a soil contaminated with Cd and diesel oil. Materials and Methods: Treatments were consist of foliar application of Zn amino acid chelate (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) and ZnSO4 at the rate of 0, 0.1, and 0.2% (W/V) in the soil co-contaminated with Cd (0, 10, and 20 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (0 and 8% [W/W]). Results: Application of Zn amino acid chelates had a significant effect on increasing plant nutrient status, however, soil pollution with Cd and diesel oil had an adverse effect. Based on the results of this study, application of 0.2% (W/V) (Zn(Arg)2 and (Zn(His)2) significantly increased the grain Zn concentration of the plants grown in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 11.3% and 10.1%, respectively. For co-contaminated soil with Cd and diesel oil, it was increased by 9.8%. Soil microbial respiration has affected by Zn amino acid chelate and soil pollution. According to our results, application of 0.2% (W/V) Zn(Arg)2 chelate significantly increased the soil microbial respiration in the soil polluted with Cd (10 mg Cd/kg soil) and diesel oil (8% [W/W]) by 12.5% and 13.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Zn amino acid chelate had a significant effect in increasing plant nutrient status such as Zn and Fe that is a positive point environmental study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engines have been introduced as a promising alternative to compression ignition engines, especially in reducing emissions. It is common practice in an RCCI engine to use two fuels with distinctly different reactivity to control the combustion process. Also, abundant biogas fuel could be considered as a potential and suitable alternative to conventional fuels. Biogas can easily be derived from renewable resources and is basically composed of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), a small amount of hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). In this paper, biogas as an alternative fuel together with diesel oil is used for reactivity-controlled compression ignition in a modified heavy-duty engine. The biogas fuel with low reactivity is fed through the inlet port and diesel oil with high reactivity directly injected into the engine cylinder. Then, a detailed study of biogas composition, engine speed, intake temperature, fuel metering and injection strategies on combustion characteristics such as engine efficiency and emission levels is carried out. It is demonstrated that the amount of CO2 in biogas composition plays a significant role in combustion and emission processes. Typically, at IMEP = 9.4 bar, as the amount of CO2 in biogas composition is changed from 0 to 40%, the maximum in-cylinder temperature and pressure are reduced about 143 K and 4.6 bar, respectively, while NOx emission is reduced drastically by 75%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential oil-degrading isolate Staphylococcus argenteus MG2 was used for bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil. Hydrocarbon degradation by the soil microorganisms was evaluated in a soil experimentally contaminated with diesel oil. The effects of six different biological treatments on hydrocarbon degradation were determined during a 50 days incubation period to evaluate biostimulation via inorganic fertilizers (NPK) or manure (compost) with and without inoculum of Staphylococcus argenteus MG2. Eight soil samples were used: (S) uncontaminated control soil; (CS) contaminated soil; (CSF) contaminated soil + N-P-K fertilizer; (CSC) contaminated soil + compost; (CSI) contaminated soil + Inoculum; (CSFI) contaminated soil + N-P-K fertilizer + Inoculum; (CSCI) contaminated soil + compost + Inoculum; (SCSCI) sterile (oil) contaminated soil + compost + Inoculum. Percentage of oil degradation during bioremediation treatment of 50 days was found to be (CS) - 32%, (CSF) - 70.80%, (CSC) - 75%, (CSI) - 84.40%, (CSFI) - 91%, (CSCI) - 93%, (SCSCI) - 94% respectively. Results showed that not only inorganic nutrients NPK and compost stimulated hydrocarbon biodegradation but inoculation of Staphylococcus argenteus MG2 also enhanced hydrocarbon degradation. The microbial count was found to be higher in SCSCI soil sample. The germination percentage and growth of leguminous plant (Vigna radiata) in the treated soil was also notably greater. It may be concluded that the Staphylococcus argenteus MG2 bacteria possess remarkable oil-degrading properties and can be effectively employed in the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils and can be used for agriculture purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to apply ultraviolet radiation as an alternative treatment to inhibit microbial growth in diesel fuel. Samples of fuel were placed in a reactor equipped with ultraviolet C (UV‐C) radiation lamps (40 W, 253 nm) and a fuel recirculation system. Assays were performed using different UV‐C exposure times (0–360 min), volume (40 and 60 L), and with / without a circulation system. The microorganisms present in diesel were quantified using the drop‐plate technique and spectrophotometric detection (600 nm), and were identified by genetic sequencing. Parameters such as color, specific mass, and kinematic viscosity were evaluated to verify whether UV radiation promotes changes in phyco‐chemical fuel properties. The assay with 360 min of radiation exposure, with a circulation system, caused the microorganism concentration to decrease from 1.50 × 1010 to 3.33 × 102 CFU mL−1, but otherwise did not lead to any significant changes in fuel physicochemical properties. Microorganisms of the genera Staphylococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Clostridium sp., Enterobacter sp. and Bacillus sp. were identified. It could be concluded that the use of UV radiation as a microbiological control method resulted in a reduction of around 99% in the concentration of the microorganisms. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of soil contamination with diesel oil (0, 5, 10 and 15 mL/kg d.m. of soil) on the macroelement content (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium) in the above-ground parts of oats (Avena sativa L.). A remediation effect of sludge as a substance which reduces the negative impact of this petroleum product on its element content in oats was also evaluated. Sewage sludge was applied in doses 0, 4, 8 and 12 g/kg of soil. The macroelement content in the above-ground parts of oats depended on the soil contamination with diesel oil and on the addition of sewage sludge to the soil. Soil contamination with diesel oil caused significant changes in the content of all macroelements in the above-ground biomass of oats. Increasing doses of the petroleum product in the series without sewage sludge decreased the content of all macroelements, except phosphorus and calcium. The highest effect was observed for the content of sodium in oats. The addition of sewage sludge to the soil alleviated the negative impact of diesel oil on the chemical composition of the plants. The application of sewage sludge to soil resulted in an increase in average content of nitrogen, sodium and magnesium (as opposed to phosphorus and partly calcium) in the above-ground parts of oats, compared to the series without sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel oil contamination is a growing environmental concern in most crude oil processing regions of the world. This study assessed the efficacy of both fresh and powdered Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) as potential biostimulants in the remediation of diesel oil contaminated soils using three test concentrations (50 g, 100 g and 150 g) and a control (0 g). The remediation process was monitored by assaying the total organic carbon (TOC), total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and soil pH before and after amendment with the fresh and powdered E. crassipes for 90 days. The result showed increase in soil pH, TOC, TPH and volatile matter (VM) in comparison with the control due to soil contamination by diesel oil. However, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in soil pH and TOC with the introduction of fresh and powdered E. crassipes at different concentrations. Contaminated soil amended with 100 g of fresh E. crassipes showed the highest TOC loss (59.7%) alongside soil amended with 100 g of powdered E. crassipes (47.36%) while the control showed the least TOC loss (0.91%). Similarly, soil TPH decreased significantly across all concentrations after amendment (p < 0.05). Overall, soil amended with fresh E. crassipes showed higher TPH loss than soil amended with powdered E. crassipes . This study reveals the potentials of using E. crassipes in the remediation of diesel oil contaminated soils. Above all, we demonstrate that fresh E. crassipes is a potentially stronger biostimulant than powdered E. crassipes . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the essential characteristics of diesel oils is their cetane number (CN) which indicates the ignition delay of the fuel in the process. In this study, using PSO-ANFIS technique, CNs of biodiesel and conventional diesel (called petrodiesel) oils were modeled and estimated based on the fatty acid methyl ester compositions of biodiesel oils and carbon type structure of the diesel fuels. For the first time, novel correlations were developed for the estimation of CNs of biodiesel and conventional diesel oils. For the models development, as the raw data, 232 biodiesel and 134 conventional diesel oils samples were derived from the literature. Based on the obtained results, the coefficient determinations (R2) of 0.91 and 0.93 and %AARD of 6.4 and 9.6 were obtained by PSO-ANFIS and MNR models for the estimation of biodiesel oil CN, respectively. The R2 of 0.98 and 0.96 and %AARD of 2 and 2.9 were resulted using PSO-ANFIS and MNR models for the prognostication of diesel oil CN, respectively. Based on the gained results, PSO-ANFIS and MNR algorithms are capable of estimating the biodiesel and diesel oils CNs. The novelty of this study is the development of novel correlations and smart models with high accuracies. Image 1 • Cetane numbers (CNs) of biodiesel oil and diesel oil are estimated. • CN of diesel oil is modeled based on carbon type structure. • CN of biodiesel is modeled based on fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) compositions. • PSO-ANFIS and a mathematical model are proposed for estimating CNs. • Statistical and graphical methods prove accurate performances of the models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most desirable effect of motorization development is providing a drive unit with high performance parameters and reduce the environmental impact. This study presents the results of tests of a self-ignition engine power output and torque. The tested engine was powered with diesel oil and a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters in the proportions of 10%, 30% and 50% with performance additives, for standard settings of the fuel injection system. The tests were carried out on a chassis dynamometer for full load of the engine. The vehicle was placed on the dynamometer rollers and attached to the base by means of belts. The analysis shows that application of the mixture decreases the engine performance parameters to such a degree that the engine is not put at any risk of damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Chemical conversion of Calophyllum inophyllum oil (raw oil) over presulfided NiMo/Al2O3 catalyst was conducted to generate organic liquid products (OLP) containing bio‐hydrocarbons (OLP‐1). Reacted in ±273 mL autoclave for 200 minutes at 375°C, PH2 of 1 MPa, and 1% of catalyst loading, the raw oil was converted into 78.24% OLP‐1 with a heating value of 47.93 MJ/kg. The OLP was refined through distillation and grouped into boiling point (bp) range as 13.9% of gasoline (bp at 72.6°C‐184°C), 10.8% of kerosene (bp at 184.1°C‐235°C), 47.9% of diesel oil (bp at 235.1°C‐400°C), and 26.3% of heavy fractions (bp at 400.1°C‐688.5°C). Besides OLP‐1, oxygenated compounds (OLP‐2) were also contained as by‐products. The catalytic reaction mechanism of C inophyllum oil was also confirmed using fatty acid model compounds. The OLP‐1 mainly consisted of paraffinic hydrocarbons of C10‐C18. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diesel oil (DO) as a mixture of alkanes and aromatic compounds causes damage to the ecosystem in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. One of the best methods of treating contaminated areas is to use microorganisms in a bioremediation method that can degrade pollutants. The aim of this study was to isolate indigenous bacteria with high biodegradation potential of DO from oil-contaminated wastewater. Bacterial isolation was performed using a mineral medium containing contain 1% DO as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolates were identified using differential biochemical tests and 16S rDNA gene analysis. The effects of 2, 3, 4 and 5% concentrations of DO on isolate growth were evaluated. Gas chromatography (GC) was used to determine the quantity of degraded DO. Enterobacter sp. CASPIAN1394 (EC strain) could degrade 99.44% of 1% DO over two weeks as the studied bacterium. Alkanes C11, C12, C16-C18 and C29-C32 had been completely degraded. The amount of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) at 2, 3, 4 and 5% DO concentrations were 93.25%, 86%, 95.7% and 86.49%, respectively. Increasing DO concentration had no toxic effect and did not reduced bacterial growth, even to some extent increased its growth. With regard to the rate of degradation of different DO concentrations by EC strain and the good potential of this strain for the degradation of different DO hydrocarbons, EC strain may be a candidate for bioremediation in DO-contaminated wastewater. However, the environmental variables need to be studied affect the degradation of DO by this strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large residual fraction of aliphatic components of diesel prevails in soil, which has adverse effects on the environment. This study identified the most bio-recalcitrant aliphatic residual fraction of diesel through total petroleum-hydrocarbon fractional analysis. For this, the strain Acinetobacter sp. K-6 was isolated, identified, and characterized and investigated its ability to degrade diesel and n-alkanes (C18, C20, and C22). The removal efficiency was analysed after treatment with bacteria and nutrients in various soil microcosms. The fractional analysis of diesel degradation after treatment with the bacterial strains identified C18-C22 hydrocarbons as the most bio-recalcitrant aliphatic fraction of diesel oil. Acinetobacter sp. K-6 degraded 59.2% of diesel oil and 56.4% of C18-C22 hydrocarbons in the contaminated soil. The degradation efficiency was further improved using a combinatorial approach of biostimulation and bioaugmentation, which resulted in 76.7% and 73.7% higher degradation of diesel oil and C18-C22 hydrocarbons, respectively. The findings of this study suggest that the removal of mid-length, non-volatile hydrocarbons is affected by the population of bio-degraders and the nutrients used in the process of remediation. A combinatorial approach, including biostimulation and bioaugmentation, could be used to effectively remove large quantities of aliphatic hydrocarbons persisting for a longer period in the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For diesel oils containing fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), an important problem is their susceptibility to oxidation processes as this shortens the maximum storage time of such fuels and may result in deterioration of oil properties and thus affect the engine operation. One of the fuel ageing processes is the formation and release of resins from the fuel. The physical stability of mixtures may be evaluated by means of a physical stability index, determined with using a Turbiscan analyser [3, 19, 20]. The authors attempted to explore the possibility of using this index for evaluating the changes that take place during the ageing of diesel oil. Additionally, the impact of the presence of selected metals on the fuel ageing process was examined. Within the research, diesel oil samples containing various metals were prepared and subjected to the ageing process. Spectrophotometric tests were also carried out with using a Turbiscan instrument [4, 10, 11]. The samples were subjected to oxidation stability tests before and after the ageing process. The physical stability index and, additionally, the oxidation stability of the samples were examined by accelerated ageing methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]