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The removal of soot in the lubricating sumps of diesel engines is a formidable task, further compounded by the introduction of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). Efficient removal of soot would help ensure engine durability and engine performance while increasing oil drain intervals thus reducing maintenance costs. This paper describes a method by which soot can be separated from the oil with the application of an electric field by utilizing the small electrical charge on the soot particles. The electric field is applied to a network of electrodes that support an open porous network which stabilizes the weakly bound soot cake. Significantly higher filtration efficiency was achieved as compared to mechanical particulate filtration and centrifugation. The paper also discusses the controlling conditions while detailing the performance testing at both a bench scale level and pilot scale level.

The molecular filtration of sulfur components in ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel is described. A comprehensive screening of potential sulfur removal chemistries has yielded a sorbent which has the capability to efficiently remove organo-sulfur components in ULSD fuel. This sorbent has been used to treat ULSD fuel on a heavy duty engine equipped with NOx adsorber after-treatment technology and has been shown to lengthen the time between desulfation steps for the NOx adsorber. The fuel properties, cetane number and aromatics content, etc., have not been changed by the removal of the sulfur in the fuel with the exception of the lubricity which is reduced.

Extensive research has been carried out worldwide to find better plastic fuel barrier materials to meet increasingly stringent requirements due both to more restrictive emissions legislation and to the fact that widely different gasoline compositions are being used. This review accounts for the most recent progress in the field. Starting from a discussion of the fundamental aspects on permeation through polymer media, it also highlights current advancement in the areas of chemical surface treatment, multi-layered assembling and blending.

In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of a novel continuous regeneration process for cabin air humidity control. The technique does not require the use of moving wheels or beds, and may be powered using waste heat. The operation is based on the use of trilobal (wicking) fiber technology. The trilobal fibers are arranged in a continuous parallel array, which is formed into a flat panel water transfer element. The fibers are impregnated with desiccant salt solutions (calcium chloride, lithium chloride, etc.) which are capable of reversible capture of gas phase water molecules. Steady state water transfer was achieved using a number of dessicant salt solutions. The effects of critical variables such as residence time and the quantity of fiber on the level of water transfer were also determined.