Optimum reaction time, performance and exhaust emissions of biodiesel produced by microwave irradiation

While transesterification is well established, there remain considerable inefficiencies in existing transesterification processes. In this study an alternative energy stimulant, "microwave irradiation" was used for the production of the alternative energy source, biodiesel. The optimum parametric conditions obtained from the conventional technique were applied using microwave irradiation in order to compare both systems. The results showed that application of radio frequency microwave energy offers a fast, easy route to this valuable biofuel with advantages of enhancing the reaction rate and improving the separation process. The methodology allows for the use of high free fatty acid content feedstock, including used cooking oil; hence it helps to reduce the cost of production which constitutes a major hurdle towards widespread commercialization of biodiesel. The study also showed that the optimum reaction time for microwave-enhanced biodiesel production should be highly respected. Exceeding the optimum reaction time will lead to deterioration of both biodiesel yield and purity. This paper also reported the performance and exhaust emissions from a diesel engine when fuelled with a petroleum diesel fuel and two different biodiesel fuels; one obtained by the conventional technique and the other by microwave irradiation. It was concluded that microwave-enhanced biodiesel is not, at least, inferior to that produced by the conventional technique

Smoking habits and drug abuse among Menoufeya University students

The aim of the present work was to study smoking habits and drug abuse among Menoufeya University students. Four faculties were randomly chosen : Faculties of Commerce and Laws as academic faculties and faculties of Medicine and Science as practical ones. A representative sample of 5300 students was selected randomly from first and fourth grades of academic faculties, while all students from the practical ones were included in the study. All students were subjected to a modified Arabic Version of the World Health Organization standard questionnaire for young people. Results revealed that the prevalence rate of regular smoking was 27.4%, and for drug abuse was 5.6% among Menoufeya University students. Smoking was higher among males [36.5%] than females [6.2%]; among academic faculty students [31.5%] than practical ones [19.5%]; among urban students [29%] than rural ones [26%]. It was also significantly higher among students lacking parental supervision and among those who did not play sports as well as among students who had smoking friends [62%], had at least one member of their families smoking [53.7%] and had teaching staff smoking [30.4%]. Bango was the most common substance used [2.5 vs 1.2%] among academic and practical students respectively. Most of students obtained the drugs from sources inside their faculties [69.7% vs 47.82%]. Peer pressure and imitation were the main reasons for smoking and drug abuse followed by curiosity. Most students were knowledgeable about smoking and drug abuse mainly from media and with attitude against it, however, practical faculties were significantly more knowledgeable than those of academic ones. The authors recommend an urgent need to implement [antismoking anti-addiction] program among university students