MITIGATION OF IN-DOOR AIR POLLUTION AND GREEN HOUSE GASES BY USE OF RETROFITTED PRESSURE LAMP UTILIZING STRAIGHT VEGETABLE OIL

Abstract

The  potential  of  traditional  fossil  fuels  to be  exhausted  has  increased  of  late.  This  has  affected  the  many sectors of the economy which rely on petroleum products. Apart from depletion of fossil fuel and escalating oil prices, there is also need to conserve the environment to reduce global warming, ozone layer depletion, and climate change. This will reduce health issues associated with pollutant emissions from fossil fuel use. Among the efforts being made is the search for alternative renewable fuels. The objectives of the study were to study the performance characteristics of pressure lamps while using pure kerosene, kerosene-straight vegetable oil (SVO) blends and finally to modify the pressure lamp to utilize higher SVO/ kerosene blends. The performance of  unmodified  lamp  was  investigated  and  compared  to  that  of  a retrofitted  pressure lamp  utilizing  straight vegetable oil/kerosene blends at 1.5 bar, 2.0 bar and 2.5 bar lamp pressure. Light output, carbon monoxide (CO)  emission,  carbon dioxide (CO2)  emission,  particulate  matter  (PM)  emission,  fuel consumption and heat generated  were  compared.  Using  a  portable  air  compressor,  air  regulators  and  hoses,  the  lamps  were maintained at constant pressures. Carbon dioxide data logger was used to monitor and record CO2 in real time. Easy  Log carbon  monoxide  data  logger  was  used  to  record  carbon  monoxide  concentrations. University of Caronia, Barkley (UCB) particle monitor was used to monitor and record particulate matter in the room. Light output was measured using lux meters. Heat generated was measured using thermocouple. The unmodified lamp  handled  a  maximum  of  30%  blend.  Retrofitted  lamp  had  an  average  of  17%  CO  reduction,  18%particulate matter reduction, 5.5% fuel consumption reduction, 10% temperature reduction, 5% CO2 increase while light output increased between 11% and 23% compared to the unmodified pressure lamp. In conclusion, the  retrofitted  pressure  lamp utilizing  SVO  was  designed  and  fabricated.  This  lamp  emitted  comparatively more light and CO2 but less PM and CO than the unmodified lamp at all pressures and fuel blends. The fuel consumed  increased  with  increase  in  lamp  pressure  for  both  lamps. It  is  recommended  that  the  lamps  be tested  in  households  to  compare  the  outcome  with  the  lab  results.  Further  work  should  also  be  done  to improve atomization of the fuel in lamps. Other emissions like NOx, and SOx should also be measured.