Author Archive: Jim Lane

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Flex-Fuel Mixing Controlled Combustion Systems Enabled by Prechamber Ignition

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Flex-Fuel Mixing Controlled Combustion Systems Enabled by Prechamber Ignition

September 16, 2025 |

This 60% complete project, funded at $3.125M, is developing a heavy-duty flex-fuel (E10-E98) engine with prechamber ignition to mimic diesel combustion. This approach promises ~50% reduction in lifecycle CO2 using bioethanol, maintaining snap torque and efficiency. Experimental results with E98 fuel demonstrate robust “diesel-like” performance, lower NOx, and “zero” soot compared to conventional diesel. The […]

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Carbon-14 Analysis Validates the Biogenic Content of Biofuels

Carbon-14 Analysis Validates the Biogenic Content of Biofuels

September 15, 2025 |

By Jordan Turner, Marketing Coordinator, SGS Beta Special to The Digest The global market for biofuels is expected to grow to USD 207.87 billion by 2030 as demand for clean fuels grows and regulations are implemented.1 Keeping up with this growth and regulatory developments requires renewable bioenergy industry professionals to employ accurate, well-established scientific tools […]

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Who’s the Fairest Surfactant of All? The Ruby Bio Story, and the Science of Suds

Who’s the Fairest Surfactant of All? The Ruby Bio Story, and the Science of Suds

September 15, 2025 |

Queen Business-as-Usual loved her mirror. It gleamed, polished to perfection with petrochemical surfactants. She had a clean fetish, and this mirror was her pride — her proof that no molecule could be fairer than hers. Every morning she would ask: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest surfactant of all?” And every morning the mirror […]

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Simultaneous GHG and Criteria Pollutants Reduction for Off-Road Powertrains

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Simultaneous GHG and Criteria Pollutants Reduction for Off-Road Powertrains

September 15, 2025 |

This project, 38% complete with $2.98M total funding, targets ≥10% GHG and ≥90% NOx reduction (<0.04 g/kW-hr) for off-road powertrains by 2025. Key future engine technologies include cylinder deactivation and high-efficiency turbochargers, showing preliminary 10% CO2 reduction. Multiple aftertreatment configurations (e.g., dual SCR, e-heater, fuel burner) are being explored. An incremental cost analysis reveals a […]

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Multi-Phase Flow Studies of SAFs

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Multi-Phase Flow Studies of SAFs

September 11, 2025 |

This $550k (exp) + $175k (sim) FY24 project, running until 2027, focuses on X-ray diagnostics and high-fidelity CFD for SAF internal flow and atomization. Critical insights into as-built nozzle geometry (25 µm foreign object, micron-scale helical grooves) influencing spray morphology have been revealed. New window designs validate >150 bar performance for high-pressure experiments. A GPU-accelerated […]

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Combustion and Contrail Formation Research

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to SAF Combustion and Contrail Formation Research

September 10, 2025 |

This DOE-funded project, 60% complete with $450k in FY24 funding, investigates Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) combustion and contrail formation, particularly linking soot to ice nucleation. Research shows aromatics produce 4-8 times more soot, with cyclo-alkane blends offering an 80% soot reduction compared to traditional jet fuel components. A desktop aero-engine reactor network provides rapid, accurate […]

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Methanol-fueled Engines for Marine and Off-road Applications

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Renewable Methanol-fueled Engines for Marine and Off-road Applications

September 9, 2025 |

A four-year CRADA (FY23-26) with $2.0M DOE and $2.04M Caterpillar in-kind funding, this project is 35% complete, focusing on methanol as a promising decarbonization fuel for hard-to-electrify applications. Three combustion strategies are investigated, including port fuel injection and prechamber spark ignition. Maersk’s commitment to 730,000 tons of green methanol annually highlights the market. Accomplishments include […]

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The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Predictive CFD Tools for Low-Carbon Fueled Off-Road IC Engines

The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to Predictive CFD Tools for Low-Carbon Fueled Off-Road IC Engines

September 8, 2025 |

This project, 15% complete as of March 2024, is developing predictive CFD tools for hydrogen and methanol-fueled off-road engines. With $600k DOE funding and $450k industry cost-share in FY24, it aims to address limited understanding of low-carbon fuel impact. Key accomplishments include identifying hydrogen mixing model deficiencies, assessing combustion model shortcomings, and completing DNS setups, […]

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The Carbon Black Caper: Ecolomondo’s Tire-to-Treasure Story

The Carbon Black Caper: Ecolomondo’s Tire-to-Treasure Story

September 8, 2025 |

The velvet rope parts, the crowd presses in. Today, the master cutter will make his move. Somewhere behind us, Inspector Clouseau barges forward, notebook at the ready. “Zis is ze original cutting of ze Pink Panther, yes? I must investigate ze el sceno de crimo!” The guard frowns. The cover is lifted… and instead of […]

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EnSoil Algae’s Big Fertilizer Play: Aquaman’s tale

EnSoil Algae’s Big Fertilizer Play: Aquaman’s tale

September 8, 2025 |

I get it. You think Superman feeds the world, or Batman saves it. But the truth is, the planet runs on water — and what swims in it. I’m Aquaman, and while my Justice League buddies chase comets or clobber villains, I’m here to talk about algae. Not just any algae — EnSoil Algae, a […]

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