An internal combustion engine can be considered a thermodynamic open system. Investigation on blends of distilled plastic oil was performed on a constant speed diesel engine at various loading conditions. The thermal balance sheet was prepared concerning useful work i.e. heat equivalent to useful work, heat loss in jacket cooling water, heat loss in the exhaust gas, and unaccounted heat i.e. heat loss in radiation. Blends up to 20% by volume of various high-grade plastic fuels were used. The thermal balance sheet indicates that heat equivalent to brake power of 5PDB is higher than diesel at low load and 10PDB has higher HBP than diesel at high load. All blends of PDB indicate higher heat conversion into useful work. The exhaust gas temperature of all blends of high-grade plastic fuel is lower than that of diesel which shows a better conversion rate of produced heat in the cylinder into useful work.

The aim of this research was to investigate experimentally the performance and combustion characteristics of a four‐stroke, single‐cylinder, water‐cooled variable compression ratio diesel engine using rice bran oil biodiesel blends with zinc oxide nanoparticles. Rice bran oil biodiesel was prepared using a transesterification reaction with a 6:1 methanol‐oil molar ratio and 1% w/w potassium hydroxide as catalyst. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a green method incorporating Psidium guajava leaf extract as a capping agent to reduce precursor use and to reduce the toxicity of the nanomaterial. The synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy to confirm the formation of highly crystalline pure zinc oxide nanoparticles with a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with an average diameter of 20.963 nm. Rice bran‐oil biodiesel‐diesel blend was prepared by volumetrically mixing 20% biodiesel and 80% mineral diesel and was considered as a base fuel for comparison. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were diffused in the base fuel at dosage levels of 25, 50, and 75 ppm, with the aid of ultrasonication. Measurement of the major physicochemical properties of test fuels showed an increase in the cetane number and calorific value and a reduction in viscosity with an increase in the zinc oxide concentration. The overall properties of all the test fuels were found to be similar in comparison with commercial diesel. An experimental engine test was carried out under different loading conditions with a constant speed of 1500 RPM and two different compression ratios – that is, 17.5:1 and 15:1. Among all the test fuels at both compression ratios, engine performance and combustion properties improved with an increase in the zinc oxide concentration. Test fuel with 75 ppm of zinc oxide additive at 17.5 compression ratio resulted in an overall improvement at full load: brake thermal efficiency increased by 2.45%, brake specific fuel consumption reduced by 5.45%, cylinder peak pressure increased by 3.27% and net heat release increased by 10.32% in comparison with base fuel.

Cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) is one of the major, yet underdiagnosed cause of morbidity and mortality following invasive coronary interventions. The major risk factors are elderly, male, atherosclerotic disease, anticoagulation and femoral access route. This multisystem disease affects skin, kidney, brain, eye and gastrointestinal tract. Only few cases of cholesterol embolization syndrome manifesting as an ischemic stroke are reported. We present a case of an elderly man, admitted to our ICU after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who developed neurological deficits along with skin changes and renal failure. cholesterol embolization syndrome was suspected based upon the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, invasive cardiovascular intervention and clinical signs. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke made through plain MRI brain, revealed multiple areas of lacunar infarcts. He was treated with intermittent hemodialysis, statins and anti-platelet agents. On follow up, skin lesions and renal functions were improved; but slurring of speech and paresis persisted.