This paper aims to verify the possibility of utilising water-in-diesel emulsions (WiDE) as an alternative drop-in fuel for diesel engines. An 8% WiDE was produced to be tested in a four-stroke, indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine and compared to EN590 diesel fuel. An eddy current brake and an exhaust gas analyser were utilised to measure different engine parameters such as torque, fuel consumption, and emissions at different engine loads. The results show that the engine running on emulsified fuel leads to a reduction in torque and power, an increase in the specific fuel consumption, and slightly better thermal efficiency. The highest percentual increment of thermal efficiency for WiDE is obtained at 100% engine load, 5.68% higher compared to diesel. The emissions of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are reduced, but carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) emissions are increased, compared to traditional diesel fuel. The most substantial decrease in NO and CO2 levels was achieved at 75% engine load with 33.86% and 25.08% respectively, compared to diesel.
Oil spill clean-up is a long-standing challenge for researchers to prevent serious environmental pollution. A new kind of oil-absorbent based on silicon-containing polymers (e.g., poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)) with high absorption capacity and excellent reusability was prepared and used for oil-water separation. The PDMS-based oil absorbents have highly interconnected pores with swellable skeletons, combining the advantages of porous materials and gels. On the other hand, polymer/silica composites have been extensively studied as high-performance functional coatings since, as an organic/inorganic composite material, they are expected to combine polymer flexibility and ease of processing with mechanical properties. Polymer composites with increased impact resistance and tensile strength without decreasing the flexibility of the polymer matrix can be achieved by incorporating silica nanoparticles, nanosand, or sand particles into the polymeric matrices. Therefore, polymer/silica composites have attracted great interest in many industries. Some potential applications, including high-performance coatings, electronics and optical applications, membranes, sensors, materials for metal uptake, etc., were comprehensively reviewed. In the first part of the review, we will cover the recent progress of oil absorbents based on silicon-containing polymers (PDMS). In the later details of the review, we will discuss the recent developments of functional materials based on polymer/silica composites, sand, and nanosand systems.
The porous carbon/Ni nanoparticle composite was prepared by a freeze-drying method using NaCl as the template. It was applied in the effect of the concentration, adsorption time, and temperature of adsorption on the adsorption behavior. The kinetic model and the adsorption isothermic fitting results show that the adsorption behavior fits with the pseudo-secondary dynamics and the Langmuir isothermal model, indicating that the adsorption process is monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic results indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous physicochemical adsorption. The fitting showed that the porous carbon/Ni nanoparticle composites reach 217.17 mg·g-1, at 313 K indicates good adsorption for Congo red.
The purpose of this study is to investigate customer satisfaction with quality of service known as SERVQUAL improvement or service quality competitiveness in emerging markets. Using Indonesian government medical care as an example the author examines the satisfaction of patients. Information and data were collected through a survey of 399 BPJS users in Indonesia. All data were analyzed using Smart PLS. This study demonstrates that there is a negative value associated with the five-dimensional gap. As a result, the care provided to BPJS patients is below par. Specifically, the sensitivity dimension has the largest disparity at 0.15, while the physical evidence dimension has the smallest at 0.49. In order to raise the level of service provided, it may be necessary to take direct measures or examine tangible evidence. This study develops the relationship between different quality service models. There appears to be a substantial increase in the body of literature in the area of service quality, allowing for constant updates and the incorporation of the lessons learned from the experiences of the departed. These revised guidelines are intended to aid SERVQUAL study participants. The study gives practical support to academics and practitioners in directing service quality improvement through the use of data collected from large-scale surveys of patients and medical professionals as doctors in Indonesia.
The development status of flat panel solar water heater and the composition of water heater are described. The solar radiation in three typical weather conditions of sunny, cloudy and rainy days is studied. The hot water temperature, heat and heat collector efficiency are studied. The results show that the influence of the weather on the solar irradiance is large, and the irradiance has a great influence on the water temperature.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) goes beyond its function as a business to maximize profits for the shareholders to work for societal purposes. Meanwhile, the green credit policy in China is still in its infancy, and the impact of green loans on the efficiency of commercial banks is significantly different. In this context, this paper details the company’s performance in crucial aspects such as low-carbon operations, eco-friendly financial innovation, a sustainable economic system, data security and the development of organizational capabilities to provide a sustainable development paradigm for supply chain finance technology peers. Based on ESG portfolio, we found that adding ESG holdings to a company affects its compliance with delivery or environmental rules, and anode and cathode of ESG combined Dual Carbon (DC) are presented in terms of emission levels. Our further research indicates the implementation of Green Credit Guideline has a positive impact on ESG performance of both green and polluting firms in comparison with others. The result was fully supported by different methods and models including PSM-DID (Propensity Score Matching-Differences-in-Differences), QDID (Quantiles Differences-in-Differences), and Kernel approaches, which can provide more implications and references for policy makers. Investors, politicians, and other essential stakeholders perceive ESG as a strategy to protect enterprises from future risks.
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