Рhysical and mechanical properties of asphalt concrete obtained from bitumen modified by epoxide of vegetable origin

The properties of fine-grained asphalt concrete and its modified by bio based epoxy rape oil (BERO) form were studied. Rapeseed oil epoxide (ROE) obtained from renewable and ecological raw materials, rapeseed oil in a composition with initiators (hardeners) was used as a modifier. It was found that the introduction of BERO in the amount of 3 % of the mass. allows to increase indicators of limit of durability of asphalt concrete at compression at a temperature of 20 °C and 50 °C. The efficiency of BERO composition and its positive effect on physical and mechanical prop- erties of asphalt concrete is established.

Evaluation of Potential Biodiesel Feedstocks: Camelina, Turnip Rape, Oil Radish and Tyfon

Background: One of the most promising alternative biofuels, competitive with regular petrol, diesel or jet fuel is biodiesel, especially derived from plant oils. Until now, various technological approaches, as well as oil sources, have been proposed for biodiesel production, but an industrially scalable technology with high end-product quality and production efficiency has not been developed and brought to the market yet. Biodiesel is produced in Europe and North America mainly from rapeseed, or canola, sunflower and soybean oil. However, other underutilized plant species could also be considered as potential oil feedstocks for biodiesel. The great perspective holds Brassicaceae family, especially such species as false flax (Camelina sativa) and Ethiopian mustard (Brassica carinata), but many other Brassicaceae crops are still out of sight. Objectives: This research has been conducted aiming to identify and compare the productivity of several Brassicaceae crops (camelina or false flax (C. sativa), turnip rape (B. campestris), oil radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleifera) and tyfon (B. rapa ssp. oleifera f. biennis × (ssp. rapifera × ssp. pekinensis)), that are suitable for biodiesel production under conditions of temperate climate regions (Northern America, Europe); and to obtain biodiesel by transesterification of fatty acids present on these species using bioethanol. Methods and Materials: Seed oil content, yield and fatty acid profiles have been studied and analysed in different genotypes of C. sativa (10), winter (6) and spring (4) B. campestris, R. sativus var. oleifera (8) and tyfon (5). The most productive crops have been identified: false flax variety ‘Evro-12’ (1620 kg of oil per hectare) and ‘Peremoha’ (1657 kg/ha); winter turnip rape variety ‘Oriana’ (1373 kg/ha), oil radish variety ‘Kyianochka’ (1445 kg/ha) and tyfon varieties ‘Fitopal’ (1730 kg/ha) and ‘Obriy’ (1860 kg/ha). According to chromatographic analysis results, oils of winter turnip rape and tyfon contain high levels (38-42,8%) of erucic (22:1) acid, while oils from spring turnip rape, false flax and oil radish possess high amounts of short-chained fatty acids (not longer than C18) – up to 85,37% in camelina breeding line FEORZhYaFD. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) were produced from oil of best genotypes and proved to comply with all main quality requirements for diesel. Results: Moreover, a new solvent-based technology of high-yield (up to 96%) FAEE production, has been firstly proposed for C. sativa oil conversion. Conclusion: Best genotypes that can be used as a plant oil source for biodiesel production have been identified for camelina, turnip rape, oil radish and tyfon species. The data obtained on seed oil content, yield and fatty acid profiles suggested that they are: false flax – breeding form FEORZhYaFD; winter turnip rape - variety ‘Oriana’; oil radish - variety ‘Rayduha’ and tyfon hybrid - variety ‘Fitopal’. Biodiesel samples obtained from these plants fit the Ukrainian standards for diesel fuel and can be used in car engines. The proposed new technological approach to produce fatty acid ethyl esters allows to reduce reaction time and to increase esters yield and quality.

Chemical thinning of apple blossoms in organic production

An experiment on chemical blossom thinning on apple variety 'Summerred'/ M9 was performed in an experimental plantation in Brdo pri Lukovici. Different chemical thinners were applied on apple’s fruitlets in organic production. The experiment was designed in 7 randomized block with 13 treatments: 1. unthinned trees (as a control), 2. hand thinning in June, 3. 1% NaCl, 4. 1,5% NaCl, 5. 1% CH3COOH, 6. 3% CH3COOH, 7. 3% CaSx, 8. 1% rape oil, 9. 3% rape oil, 10. 3% of sunflower oil, 11. 3% soybean oil, 12. 5% dextrin, 13. emulsifier 100 + OCA 30. Chemical thinners were applied in a phenological stage at peak blooming with a manual knapsack sprayer. The best thinning of fruitlets (similar to hand thinned trees) was observed with 3% rape oil, however, relatively strong russeting of fruit skin was detected in this treatment. Statistically significant reduction of final fruit set also occurred when 1,5% NaCl and 3% soybean oil were applied, but with less fruit russeting.

Environmental Impacts of Rapeseed and Turnip Rapeseed Grown in Norway, Rape Oil and Press Cake

Many Norwegian consumers eat more red meat than is recommended by the Government. Of the protein currently consumed, 75% is of animal origin. Natural conditions in Norway favour the production of meat, dairy and seafood but high-protein plants can also be grown in the country. This study analysed the environmental impact of growing turnip rapeseed (Brassica rapa) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) and the processing of rapeseed into dietary oil and press cake. The results were then compared with some common animal protein food sources. Impacts were calculated for 24 impact indicators. The climate impact of dried seeds was 1.19 kg CO2-eq/kg, for rape oil—3.0 kg CO2-eq/kg and for rapeseed press cake—0.72 kg CO2-eq/kg. The environmental impact of rapeseed production is higher than in most other countries, predominantly due to lower yields. Press cake from rapeseed could be a valuable source of protein in foods. In Norway, the environmental impacts of this material (climate impact—2.5 kg CO2-eq/kg protein) are at the same level as other plant protein sources, but far lower than some of the most common animal protein sources (climate impact—16–35 kg CO2-eq/kg protein). When comparing the impacts while taking nutrient content into account, these differences remained the same. Improvements in the environmental performance of oilseed and its products can be achieved both by improving yields through better agronomic practices and increasing the proportion of winter rapeseed.

DETERMINATION OF RATIONAL METHOD OF HEATING OF MIXED MINERAL AND VEGETABLE FUELS FOR AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL ENGINES

Research objective is to provide the set temperature condition of mixed mineral and vegetable fuel (MMVF). The use of fuel systems with smart heating will increase the volume of mineral diesel fuel, replaced by renewable re-sources. The technique and results of research of heating with external and internal supply of heat and also with hashing of the heated environment are given. Researches were conducted on specially developed laboratory in-stallation. MMVF on the basis of flax, soy and rape oils were investigated. Concentration of a vegetable component made 40% on volume. The 1000 W external heater and also the 1000, 500 and 300 W external heaters of all types were used. It is established that when heating MMVF the external source of warmth provides good heating on all volume without use of extra for mixing, overheating is 50% of necessary size. When leading warmth without hash-ing of MMVF warming up came from an internal source (the 1000 W heater) unevenly, the unevenness was 60%. When using mechanical mixing of MMVF with heating from an internal source of warmth the unevenness of warm-ing up was 3.1…4.65% depending on heater power. By results of a research it was established that when using the heater with a power of 300 W when heating 1 liter of mixed mineral and vegetable fuel on the basis of rape oil with the maintenance of a vegetable component of 40% on volume time of heating to 60±2 °C was 230 s, the unevenness of heating was 3.1%, overheating was 3.1%. Recommendations about the most rational modes of heating of MMVF in a power supply system of the diesel are made.