Showing papers by "Heather D. Willauer published in 2006"
TL;DR: In this article, an automated rotary atomizer has been constructed to produce fuel aerosols and measure their mist flammability properties, and a particle analyzer has been coupled directly to the atomizer to provide drop size distribution information on the aerosols.
Abstract: The flammability characteristics of jet fuel aerosols are critical to the development of fire-safe fuels. In efforts to design and characterize fire-safe fuels, an automated rotary atomizer has been constructed to produce fuel aerosols and measure their mist flammability properties. A particle analyzer has been coupled directly to the atomizer to provide drop size distribution information on the aerosols. The size distribution measurements provide crucial evidence regarding the droplet formation mechanism of the constructed atomizer. This paper focuses on the evaluation of water aerosols as a function of disk speed, flow rate to the atomizer, and liquid surface tension utilizing this instrumental design.
9 citations
01 Jan 2006-Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A-toxic\/hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering
TL;DR: The question is: would the biofuel help or exacerbate fuel stability and furnace maintenance issues?
Abstract: It is environmentally enticing to consider replacing or blending petroleum derived heating fuels with biofuels for many reasons. Major considerations include the soaring worldwide price of petroleum products, especially home heating oil, the toxicity of the petroleum-derived fuels and the environmental damage that leaking petroleum tanks afford. For these reasons, it has been suggested that domestic renewable energy sources be considered as replacements, or at the least, as blending stocks for home heating fuels. If recycled soy restaurant cooking oils could be employed for this purpose, this would represent an environmental advantage. Renewable plant sources of energy tend to be less toxic than their petroleum counterparts. This is an important consideration when tank leakage occurs. Home fuel oil storage tanks practically always contain some bottom water. This water environment has a pH value that factors into heating fuel stability. Therefore, the question is: would the biofuel help or exacerbate fuel stability and furnace maintenance issues?
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, some petroleum-based hydraulic fluids have been observed to be a fire safety hazard in situations where high-pressure leaks can result in aerosol formation, and these fire hazards cannot be adequately explained based solely on flash point considerations of the hydraulic fluids alone.
Abstract: Hydraulic fluids for the most part are considered to be much less flammable than middle distillate fuels. Petroleum-based hydraulic fluids have high flash points, while water-based hydraulic fluids (because of their high water content) are definitely nonflammable. The major problem with water-based hydraulic fluids is corrosion. Petroleum-based fluids are much less corrosive and thus equipment lifetime is considerably increased. However, some petroleum-based hydraulic fluids have been observed to be a fire safety hazard in situations where high-pressure leaks can result in aerosol formation. These fire hazards cannot be adequately explained based solely on flash point considerations of the hydraulic fluids alone.
4 citations