Distilled technical cashew nut shell liquid (DT-CNSL) as an effective biofuel and additive to stabilize triglyceride biofuels in diesel

We report distilled technical cashew nut shell liquid (DT-CNSL) as a non-transesterified biofuel and also as an additive to convert triglycerides to biofuel, without the need for the formation of methyl esters. DT-CNSL blends of diesel obey physico-chemical parameters of diesel. DT-CNSL offers stability to blends of straight vegetable oil (SVO) and tallow oil in diesel. Fluorescence studies using charge transfer probes show that the blend of DT-CNSL, triglycerides and diesel is a uniform solution, and fluorescence behavior is similar to that of diesel. The economics for the cultivation of cashew (Anacardium occidentale), its industrial use and rich carbon sink properties indicate that DT-CNSL could complement or replace traditional biodiesel crops like Jatropha and improve income for farmers. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Enhancing the carbon yield of cellulose based carbon fibres with ionic liquid impregnates

Here we show that ionic liquids (ILs), protic or aprotic in nature containing a phosphate anion, can be used as effective impregnating compounds resulting in a 50% improvement of the carbon yield of cellulose based carbon fibres and a 70 °C reduction in the onset of the depolymerization temperature. Using 13C NMR and FTIR spectra, we characterize the carbonized fibres with and without IL impregnates. The oxidative step in the formation of carbon fibres from cellulose precursors is very important in determining the final material properties, as such we examine this stage and show that the IL reduces the onset of the cellulose depolymerization temperature while improving the oxidative stability. This study highlights the ability of ILs to act as novel impregnates which can successfully reduce the formation of tar and volatile substances during carbonization of cellulose based carbon fibres resulting in an improved carbon yield and significant cost savings due to reduced maintenance and wear of equipment. This journal is