Eco Factor: Dissolving polystyrene in biodiesel increases the power output.
In a study, researchers Najeeb Kuzhiyil and Song-Charng Kong of Iowa State University found an interesting phenomenon that could be used to boost the power output of biodiesel. Published in Energy and Fuels, the study claims that biodiesel power output could be increased by dissolving polystyrene, commonly found in packing peanuts, cups and plates. When this mixture of biodiesel and polystyrene was tested on a tractor, it was found that power output increased as polystyrene concentrations increased up to 5%. The researchers explain this phenomenon in terms of increased viscosity, which creates greater pressure inside the generator’s fuel injector. Due to increased pressure, fuel injection time reduces, which in return increases the output.
However, at higher concentration thickness makes it difficult to burn all the fuel and the output drops and the engine overheats. The researchers are not completely at the gaining end as it doesn’t solve the problem of carbon emissions. Still, they hope to find better fuel injection technology so that the fuel could be burned completely to achieve minimum emissions.
Via: Physorg
