Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
This study investigates a risk-based approach to evaluate the effectiveness of sprinklers in residential buildings to offset the risk premium imposed by combustible cladding (expanded polystyrene and aluminium composite panels) installed on such buildings in Victoria, Australia. This approach builds upon the Initial Fire Spread in Cladding Assessment Number (IF-SCAN), a concept pioneered by Cladding Safety Victoria as a triage tool in their rectification program. The analysis uses published data from real fires in buildings with and without sprinkler systems installed. It considers three criteria: death rates, injury rates, and construction cost. The construction cost was determined using an existing costing model currently employed in Victoria. The results of this study suggest a higher risk tolerance can be accepted for combustible cladding on buildings equipped with sprinkler systems over that set out in government policy. More specifically, it was found that a building fully protected by sprinklers can generally counterbalance the fire risk posed by combustible cladding spanning up to seven apartments, while a span of up to ten apartments could be considered for buildings without balconies or a private courtyard....
The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions requires the development of safe and efficient systems for hydrogen utilization. Hydrogen, with its high energy density and clean combustion characteristics, has become a promising alternative for heating applications. However, conventional combustion technologies often suffer from inefficiencies and safety concerns, such as NOx emissions and explosion risks. To address these challenges, this study aimed to design and evaluate a catalytic heat generator utilizing hydrogen–air mixtures under controlled conditions to eliminate the need for pure oxygen and mitigate associated risks. A single-bed catalytic system was developed using palladiumbased catalysts supported on ceramic fibers, followed by its heating, activation, and further characterization using the SEM-EDS technique. A multi-bed generator was later constructed to enhance scalability and performance. Thermal imaging and temperature monitoring were employed to optimize activation processes and assess system performance under varying hydrogen flow rates. The experimental results demonstrated efficient heat transfer and operational stability....
Currently, residual frying oil has three purposes: it is used again in the preparation of fried foods, mixed with new vegetable oil, which can cause cardiovascular disease in the consumer; it is collected by government institutions, without having an exclusive use; or it is thrown into the drain, causing serious pollution problems to water resources. An alternative is to transform it into biodiesel, through transesterification with methanol, to be used in internal combustion engines, biodiesel-diesel mixtures of 10:90, 15:85 and 20:80 (v/v), according to international regulations in such a way that, in the combustion process, less CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions are generated. Residual frying oil served as raw material, which was collected, mixed and homogenized to evaluate physicochemical properties before transformation. The biodiesel generated had a density of 0.886 g L−1, an acidity of 0.516%, a viscosity of 7.535 mm2 s−1, a flash point of 166.8 ◦C and an oxidative stability of 49 days at 25 ◦C. Additionally, the content of functional groups characteristic of biodiesel formation was evaluated by Infrared Spectroscopy. The Biodiesel obtained is of good quality for use in internal combustion engines and agricultural machinery, thus validating its continuous production and complying with the standard values of international regulations....
This study evaluated the fire properties of various particleboard (PB) types, including those made from sound spruce particles, degraded wood (brown and white rot), and recycled materials (blockboard, pallets, thermally modified wood, raw and laminated PBs, or mixtures). Laboratory-manufactured PBs showed densities ranging from 587 to 654 kg·m−3, with higher densities generally correlating with longer ignition times, although no statistically significant relationship was observed. Ignition times varied depending on material composition, with PBs made from sound spruce particles exhibiting the longest ignition times (103 ± 4.89 s). In contrast, PBs containing recycled or degraded particles ignited faster, influenced by additives such as adhesives and laminates. The burning rate peaked between 90 and 180 s, with PBs containing recycled raw PB particles and those degraded by brown rot showing the highest maximum burning rates (0.214 and 0.213 %·s−1, respectively). Recycled laminated PBs reached peak burning rates in the shortest time, while control PBs required the longest time. Mass loss was higher in PBs with recycled or degraded particles, ranging from 47.52% to 51.71%, compared to 44.89% for control PBs. These findings highlight the trade-offs between fire resistance and the use of recycled materials, emphasizing the impact of additives on combustion behavior....
The present paper is a review of the use of different types of blends of Jet A aviation fuel with biodiesel and alcohols, respectively, as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). The scientific literature published from 2017 to 2024 was addressed and highlighted that the use of Jet A fuel blended with alcohols and biodiesel has gained attention as a potential pathway to reducing aviation emissions and enhancing sustainability. Alcohol-blended Jet A fuels, such as ethanol and methanol mixtures, offer advantages including lower carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions due to their improved combustion efficiency. Similarly, biodiesel blends contribute to reduced particulate matter (PM) and CO emissions, while their oxygen content promotes cleaner combustion. Both types of blends have the potential to decrease the aviation sector’s carbon footprint and enhance fuel diversification. However, several gaps and limitations remain, including lower energy density leading to increased fuel consumption, material compatibility issues, increased nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and concerns over fuel stability. Further research is needed to optimize blend ratios, improve combustion control strategies, and ensure the safe and efficient integration of these alternative fuels in aviation....
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