Cooking Fuels and Respiratory Infirmity in Rural Barak Valley: An Analysis of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Period

2021 ◽  
pp. 097674792110470
Author(s):  
Monalisa Das ◽  
Alok Sen
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Smoking Habit ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Clean Fuel ◽  
Barak Valley

This study is an attempt to examine the fuel use pattern and its impact on the respiratory health of the users in the rural area of Barak Valley region of southern Assam. The effectiveness of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) in mitigating the practice of unclean fuel has also been analysed in this study along with other related issues. The results based on personal information of 2,541 individuals from 530 households of Barak Valley reveal that incidence of respiratory illness is more profound in the households of solid biomass fuel users. The study further reveals that though PMUY has equipped the rural households with clean fuel connections but failed to change the fuel use practice of the beneficiaries. Among the barriers of clean fuel use practices, insufficient income of the households and availability of free and low-cost alternative fuels are found to be more prominent. The ordered probit model to examine the factors posing risk to respiratory illness reveal that women are at higher risk of developing respiratory syndromes as they spend more time in cooking space. While among others, smoking habit and age of the person are significant in increasing the risk pulmonary syndromes. JEL: I15, I38, Q52, Q58

LNG Use in Freight Rail Industry as an Economic and Environmental Driver: A Technical, Operational and Economic Assessment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fábio C. Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Rail Freight ◽  
Emission Standards ◽  
Rail Industry

Freight rail carriers have been continuously challenged to reduce costs and comply with increasingly stringent environmental standards, into a continuously competing and environmentally driven industry. In this context, current availability and relative abundance of clean and low cost non conventional gas reserves have aroused a comprehensive reevaluation of rail industry into fuel option, especially where freight rail are strongly diesel based. Countries in which rail sector is required to play an important role in transport matrix, where fuel expenditures currently accounts for a significant share of operational costs, like Australia, Brazil, United States and other continental countries, can be seen as strong candidates to adopt fuel alternatives to diesel fueled freight railways. Moreover, from an environmental perspective, the use of alternative fuels (like natural gas) for locomotive traction may allow rail freight carriers to comply with emission standards into a less technologically complex and costly way. In this context, liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled freight locomotives are seen as a strong potential near-term driver for natural gas use in rail sector, with its intrinsic cost and environmental benefits and with the potential to revolutionize rail industry much like the transition from steam to diesel experienced into the fifties, as well as the more recent advent of use of alternating current diesel-electric locomotives. LNG rail fueled approach has been focused on both retrofitting existing locomotive diesel engines, as well as on original manufactured engines. Given the lower polluting potential of natural gas heavy engines, when compared to diesel counterparts, LNG locomotives can be used to comply with increasingly restrictive Particulate Matter (PM) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emission standards with less technological complexity (engine design and aftertreatment hardware) and their intrinsic lower associated costs. Prior to commercial operation of LNG locomotives, there are some technical, operational and economic hurdles that need to be addressed, i.e. : i) locomotive engine and fuel tender car technological maturity and reliability improvement; ii) regulation improvement, basically focused on operational safety and interchange operations; iii) current and long term diesel - gas price differential, a decisive driver, and, finally, iv) LNG infrastructure requirements (fueling facilities, locomotives and tender car specifications). This work involved an extensive research into already published works to present an overview of LNG use in freight rail industry into a technical, operational and economical perspective, followed by a critical evaluation of its potential into some relevant freight rail markets, such as United States, Brazil and Australia, as well as some European non electrified rail freight lines.

The practical implementation of methanol as a clean and efficient alternative fuel for automotive vehicles

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Sun ◽  
Wesley Wang ◽  
Kim-Pui Koo
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Gasoline Engine ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Oxidation Catalyst ◽  
Automotive Application ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Emission Standard ◽  
Gasoline Engines ◽  
Toxic Pollutant ◽  
Aldehyde Emission

Ever since the energy crises in 1970s, the methanol, among other alternative fuels, has been studied for automotive application. The methanol has been widely used for auto racing due to its superior anti-knock characteristics. However, aldehyde is a highly toxic pollutant and aldehyde emission out of alcohol fuel combustion could be considerably higher than spark-ignited gasoline engines. The corrosion and durability of methanol fuel components were also concerns for mass production of methanol-fueled vehicles. The authors have worked with an automotive manufacturer in China to investigate the brake thermal and emission improvement potentials of a methanol-fueled, spark-ignited engine over the original gasoline engine on a passenger car application and to demonstrate the performance and China V emission compliance over its useful life of 160,000 km. The study found that the methanol-fueled engine has 4%–6% brake thermal advantage over the original gasoline engine, and a three-way oxidation catalyst has successfully managed the tailpipe emissions under China V emission limit, consistently over the journey of 160,000 km. The test data show that the tailpipe aldehyde emission is actually reduced to a level that is below what is required by US LEV III emission standard, largely due to the three-way oxidation catalyst and the gasoline cold start assistance at the beginning of the transient emission cycle. This study indicates that methanol-fueled engine might be an attractive low-cost alternative for a more efficient and clean powertrain over conventional gasoline when a light-duty diesel engine faces challenges from future China VI emission regulations.

scholarly journals Urinary Levels of Free 2,5-Hexanedione in Italian Subjects Non-Occupationally Exposed to n-Hexane

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5277
Author(s):  
Fabiola Salamon ◽  
Andrea Martinelli ◽  
Andrea Trevisan ◽  
Maria Luisa Scapellato ◽  
Giovanni Battista Bartolucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Smoking Habit ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Vehicular Traffic ◽  
Urinary Levels ◽  
Occupationally Exposed ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Occupational Settings ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the urinary levels of free 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) in Italian subjects non-occupationally exposed to n-hexane, in order to define background values in non-occupational settings. The study was carried out on 99 subjects of the general population. The analysis of free 2,5-HD was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Personal information about the subjects was ascertained by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The urinary levels of free 2,5-HD were in the range of <12.0–77.9 µg/L (5th–95th percentiles). The urinary excretion of the metabolite did not seem to be influenced by gender, age, smoking habit or area of residence. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.03) were found between the free 2,5-HD urinary levels according to the vehicular traffic intensity within the area of residence and to body mass index of subjects. The background levels of free 2,5-HD found in this study could contribute to the definition of reference values of general population non-occupationally exposed and could be useful to the toxicologists and industrial hygienists to determine whether workers have been exposed to higher levels of n-hexane than the general population.

Fuel Use and CO2 Emissions Under Uncertainty From Light-Duty Vehicles in the U.S. to 2050

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Bastani ◽  
John B. Heywood ◽  
Chris Hope
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Light Duty ◽  
Co2 Equivalent ◽  
The Future ◽  
Light Duty Vehicles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

On-road transportation contributes 22% of the total CO2 emissions and more than 44% of oil consumption in the U.S. Technological advancements and use of alternative fuels are often suggested as ways to reduce these emissions. However, many parameters and relationships that determine the future characteristics of the light-duty vehicle fleet and how they change over time are inherently uncertain. Policy makers need to make decisions today given these uncertainties, to shape the future of light-duty vehicles. Decision makers thus need to know the impact of uncertainties on the outcome of their decisions and the associated risks. This paper explores a carefully constructed detailed pathway that results in a significant reduction in fuel use and GHG emissions in 2050. Inputs are assigned realistic uncertainty bounds, and the impact of uncertainty on this pathway is analyzed. A novel probabilistic fleet model is used here to quantify the uncertainties within advanced vehicle technology development, and life-cycle emissions of alternative fuels and renewable sources. Based on the results from this study, the expected fuel use is about 500 and 350 billion litres gasoline equivalent, with a standard deviation of about 40 and 80 billion litres in years 2030 and 2050 respectively. The expected CO2 emissions are about 1,360 and 840 Mt CO2 equivalent with a spread of about 130 and 260 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2030 and 2050 respectively. Major contributing factors in determining the future fuel consumption and emissions are also identified and include vehicle scrappage rate, annual growth of vehicle kilometres travelled in the near term, total vehicle sales, fuel consumption of naturally-aspirated engines, and percentage of gasoline displaced by cellulosic ethanol. This type of analysis allows policy makers to better understand the impact of their decisions and proposed policies given the technological and market uncertainties that we face today.

scholarly journals Household Fuel Use for Heating and Cooking and Respiratory Health in a Low-Income, South African Coastal Community

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikhumbuzo Buthelezi ◽  
Thandi Kapwata ◽  
Bianca Wernecke ◽  
Candice Webster ◽  
Angela Mathee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Informal Settlement ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Tract Infections

In low-income communities, non-electric fuel sources are typically the main cause of Household Air Pollution (HAP). In Umlazi, a South African coastal, informal settlement, households use electric- and non-electric (coal, wood, gas, paraffin) energy sources for cooking and heating. The study aimed to determine whether respiratory ill health status varied by fuel type use. Using a questionnaire, respondents reported on a range of socio-demographic characteristics, dwelling type, energy use for cooking and heating as well as respiratory health symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression was used to obtain the adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) for the effects of electric and non-electric energy sources on prevalence of respiratory infections considering potential confounding factors. Among the 245 households that participated, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI, n = 27) were prevalent in respondents who used non-electric sources compared to electric sources for heating and cooking. There were statistically significant effects of non-electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.2–10.1, p < 0.05) and cooking (adjusted OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1–7.9, p < 0.05) on prevalence of URTIs. There was a statistically significant effect of electric sources for heating (adjusted OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1–6.4, p < 0.05) on prevalence of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) but no evidence for relations between non-electric sources for heating and LRTIs, and electric or non-electric fuel use type for cooking and LRTIs. Energy switching, mixing or stacking could be common in these households that likely made use of multiple energy sources during a typical month depending on access to and availability of electricity, funds to pay for the energy source as well as other socio-economic or cultural factors. The importance of behaviour and social determinants of health in relation to HAP is emphasized.

Alternative Microturbine Fuels Feasibility Study Through Thermal Stability, Material Compatibility, and Engine Testing

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Arias Quintero ◽  
Joshua Schmitt ◽  
Richard Blair ◽  
Jayanta Kapat
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Operation Costs ◽  
Turbine Performance ◽  
Engine Testing ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Historically, gas turbine fuels have been procured based on availability and low cost criteria. However,in the past few decades, with the growing concern over the negative environmental impacts produced by emissions, alternative fuels have been developed and tested under the objective of reducing such negative effects. The physical properties and broad chemical composition of fuels, including trace elements, may result in engine performance issues found only after extensive operation. This, in turn, results in higher maintenance and operation costs. This paper studies the feasibility of several renewable fuels for microturbine application, identifying key relationships between the physical and chemical properties, thermal stability, materials compatibility, and turbine performance.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS FOR VEHICLES

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Лемешева ◽  
E. Lemesheva ◽  
Кочегаров ◽  
D. Kochegarov ◽  
Тихомиров ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Vegetable Oils ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Ecological Situation ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Motor Fuels ◽  
Harmful Substances

The growing demand for alternative motor fuels is dictated by aggravating energy and environmental problems. In article the analysis about possibility of use of alternative types of fuel for vehicles is carried out. Application of suitable alternative types of fuel will allow to improve in the future an economic and ecological situation in the country. Alternative fuel has to conform to the following requirements: to have necessary raw material resources, low cost, not to worsen operation of the engine, it is as little as possible to throw out harmful substances, whenever possible to be combined with the developed system of supply with fuel, etc. It is shown that natural gas and fuels derived from vegetable oils are most economical to use

Fuel Use and CO2 Emissions Under Uncertainty From Light-Duty Vehicles in the U.S. to 2050

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Bastani ◽  
John B. Heywood ◽  
Chris Hope
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Fuel Use ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Light Duty ◽  
Co2 Equivalent ◽  
The Future ◽  
Light Duty Vehicles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

On-road transportation contributes 22% of the total CO2 emissions and more than 44% of oil consumption in the U.S. technological advancements and use of alternative fuels are often suggested as ways to reduce these emissions. However, many parameters and relationships that determine the future characteristics of the light-duty vehicle (LDV) fleet and how they change over time are inherently uncertain. Policy makers need to make decisions today given these uncertainties, to shape the future of light-duty vehicles. Decision makers thus need to know the impact of uncertainties on the outcome of their decisions and the associated risks. This paper explores a carefully constructed detailed pathway that results in a significant reduction in fuel use and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in 2050. Inputs are assigned realistic uncertainty bounds, and the impact of uncertainty on this pathway is analyzed. A novel probabilistic fleet model is used here to quantify the uncertainties within advanced vehicle technology development, and life-cycle emissions of alternative fuels and renewable sources. Based on the results from this study, the expected fuel use is about 500 and 350 × 109 l gasoline equivalent, with a standard deviation of about 40 and 80 × 109 l in years 2030 and 2050, respectively. The expected CO2 emissions are about 1360 and 840 Mt CO2 equivalent with a spread of about 130 and 260 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2030 and 2050, respectively. Major contributing factors in determining the future fuel consumption and emissions are also identified and include vehicle scrappage rate, annual growth of vehicle kilometres travelled in the near term, total vehicle sales, fuel consumption of naturally aspirated engines, and percentage of gasoline displaced by cellulosic ethanol. This type of analysis allows policy makers to better understand the impact of their decisions and proposed policies given the technological and market uncertainties that we face today.

scholarly journals Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis of Some Oil Plants Found in Bihar, India: A Comparative Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Manish Kumar Kanth ◽  
Chandrawati Jee ◽  
Anit Kumar ◽  
Abhijeet Kashyap ◽  
Rupam Kumari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Methyl Ester ◽  
Fatty Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acid Methyl Ester ◽  
Seed Kernel ◽  
Acid Methyl ◽  
Soxhlet Apparatus ◽  
Common Fatty Acid

Today’s developmental world needs large amount of energy. Due to the limited fossil fuel source, there is need of some alternate fuel sources among which biodiesel from vegetable oil widely practiced. There is an increasing interest in India to search for suitable low cost alternative fuels that are Eco friendly. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and non toxic fuel. In this paper an attempt has been made to study and compare the oil percentage and Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) components of three non edible oil seed plants abundantly found in Bihar, India. Oil from the seed kernel was extracted by solvent extraction technique through Soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane as solvent. Percentage oil content for Jetropha, Mahua and Castor are found around 76 %, 41% and 33% respectively. Further extracted oil were analysed by GC-MS for their FAME components. Palmitic, linoleic, oleic are most common fatty acid found among three.

scholarly journals Fair Exchange and Anonymous E-Commerce by Deploying Clone-Resistant Tokens

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayoub Mars ◽  
Wael Adi
Keyword(s):  
Private Information ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Fair Exchange ◽  
Open Networks ◽  
Payment Schemes ◽  
Generic System

The majority of E-commerce transactions reveal private information such as customers' identities, order contents, and payment information during the transaction. Other personal information such as health conditions, religion, and even ethnicity may be also deduced. Even when deploying electronic cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, anonymity cannot be fully guaranteed. Also, many anonymous payment schemes suffer from possible double spending circumstances. E-commerce privacy is basically a difficult problem as it involves parties with concurring interests. Three major e-commerce requirements are highly difficult to resolve: anonymous purchase, anonymous delivery, and anonymous payment. This work presents a possible e-commerce system addressing all three anonymity requirements for electronic-items business on open networks. The system offers anonymous entities authentication mechanisms up to completing a fair anonymous e-commerce transaction. The system is based on deploying a physically clone-resistant hardware token for each relevant involved party. The tokens are made clone-resistant by accommodating a Secret Unknown Cipher (SUC) in each hardware-token as a digital PUF-like identity. A set of novel generic system-setups for units, protocols and e-commerce schemes is introduced. The proposed anonymization is basically attained by virtually-replacing relevant e-commerce entities by low-cost, unique and clone-resistant tokens/units using SUCs. The units act as trustable anonymous, authenticated and non-replaceable entities monitored by their acting users.

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