Non-uniform combustion, as encountered in diesel and gas turbine engines, furnaces, and boilers, is responsible for the conversion of fossil fuel to energy and also for the corresponding formation of pollutants. In spite of great research efforts in the past, the mechanism of non-uniform combustion has remained less explored than that of other combustion types, since it consists of many, mostly transient processes which influence each other. In view of this background, a group research project, "Exploration of Combustion Mechanism", was established to explore the mechanism of combustion, especially that of diffusive combustion, and also to find efficient ways to control the combustion process for better utilization of fuel and the reduction of pollutant emission. The group research was started, after preparatory activity of 2 years, in April 1988, for a period of 3 years, as a project with a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research of Priority Area subsidized by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan. The entire group of 43 members was set up as an organizing committee of 13 members, and five research groups, consisting of 36 members. The research groups were: (1) Steady combustion, (2) Unsteady spray combustion, (3) Control of combustion, (4) Chemistry of combustion, and (5) Effects of fuels. At the beginning of the project it was agreed that we should pursue the mechanism of combustion from a scientific viewpoint, namely, the target of the project was to obtain the fundamentals, or "know why", rather than "know how" of combustion.

This book explores the use of nanomaterials as diesel fuel additives. It extensively reviews the diesel engine characteristics and the most frequently used nanomaterials and nanofuels and discusses the practical issues regarding the viability of nanomaterials as fuel additives from technical, environmental, and human health viewpoints. Special attention is focused on questions related to the short-term use of nanomaterials in diesel engines, such as: · What are the most important nanomaterial activities in diesel engines? · What happens to nanomaterials at various stages, from the fuel tank to exhaust? · What are the effects of nanofuel usage on diesel engine characteristics? and · What are the effects of nanomaterials on diesel engine parts and systems? Given its scope, this book is a valuable resource for researchers and engineers in environmental science, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering fields, as well as for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Various combinations of commercially available technologies could greatly reduce fuel consumption in passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, minivans, and other light-duty vehicles without compromising vehicle performance or safety. Assessment of Technologies for Improving Light Duty Vehicle Fuel Economy estimates the potential fuel savings and costs to consumers of available technology combinations for three types of engines: spark-ignition gasoline, compression-ignition diesel, and hybrid. According to its estimates, adopting the full combination of improved technologies in medium and large cars and pickup trucks with spark-ignition engines could reduce fuel consumption by 29 percent at an additional cost of $2,200 to the consumer. Replacing spark-ignition engines with diesel engines and components would yield fuel savings of about 37 percent at an added cost of approximately $5,900 per vehicle, and replacing spark-ignition engines with hybrid engines and components would reduce fuel consumption by 43 percent at an increase of $6,000 per vehicle. The book focuses on fuel consumption-the amount of fuel consumed in a given driving distance-because energy savings are directly related to the amount of fuel used. In contrast, fuel economy measures how far a vehicle will travel with a gallon of fuel. Because fuel consumption data indicate money saved on fuel purchases and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, the book finds that vehicle stickers should provide consumers with fuel consumption data in addition to fuel economy information.