A linear (1 × 36) colorimetric sensor array has been integrated with a pre-oxidation technique for detection and identification of a variety of fuels and post-combustion residues. The pre-oxidation method permits the conversion of fuel vapor into more detectable species and therefore greatly enhances the sensitivity of the sensor array. The pre-oxidation technique used a packed tube of chromic ...

A continuous process involving gasification, syngas cleaning, and Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis was developed to efficiently produce synthetic aviation turbine fuels (SATFs). Oak-tree wood chips were first gasified to syngas over a commercial pilot plant downdraft gasifier. The raw wood syngas contains about 47% N(2), 21% CO, 18% H(2), 12% CO(2,) 2% CH(4) and trace amounts of impurities. A pur...

The world is presently confronted with the twin crises of fossil fuel depletion and environmental degradation. The search for alternative fuels, which promise a harmonious correlation with sustainable development, energy conservation, efficiency and environmental preservation, has become highly pronounced in the present context. The fuels of bio-origin can provide a feasible solution to this wo...

T Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta is a complex mosaic of waterways that forms the transition zone between San Francisco Bay and its watershed (fig. 1). Over the last century, the original dominant marsh habitat has been lost through filling and diking. Water flows have changed radically. Exotic plants and animals have invaded or been introduced intentionally, and toxic contaminants have beco...

An enormous new greenhouse project in southern Britain aims to heighten awareness of the human relationship with plants and the growing potential of plant-derived compounds to find new uses, reports Nigel Williams

Lead is currently banned from most gasoline because it is harmful to humans. While aviation gasoline still contains lead, this may change in the near future due to increased regulation in the interest of public safety. This has created a research opportunity to verify that new unleaded aviation fuels are compatible with equipment currently in use. The Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) engine is ...

In 2008-09, the mining sales value in Western Australia (WA) was AUD71.3 billion [1]. The resource industry continues to generate significant infrastructure investment and supply expansion developments in remote and arid regions of the state. The sector is also a major driver of liquid fuel demand growth, and currently represents approximately 40% of total transport fuel use, and around 60% (mo...