The end of the assembly line: Shifting patterns of automotive burns.

INTRODUCTION: As recently as 2006, carburetor flash burns comprised as much as 27% of admissions for car-related burns, despite the fact carburetors were last installed in pre-1990 automobiles. The prevalence of this injury pattern is related to the estimated 14 million cars on the road today that were manufactured prior to that year. The aim of this study was to investigate modern sources of automotive burns and describe any new trends in automotive burn-related epidemiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all burn admissions from the years 2009-2013 to identify patients who suffered automotive-related burns. Pediatric patients (<18 years old) were excluded. Demographic information including age, gender, mechanism of injury, occupation, TBSA, number of operations, and length of hospital stay were recorded. RESULTS: From 2009-2013, the burn center saw 83 admissions for automotive-related burns. 14.5% of patients were mechanics. The most common injury pattern was from radiator burns (47%), followed by gasoline related burns (30%). There were only two carburetor burns (2.4%). 67.4% of patients were treated for less than two hospital days and there was one death (1.2% mortality). CONCLUSION: Despite the removal of carburetors from engines and a decrease in this specific mechanism, a significant morbidity remains with gasoline-inflicted burns. More public awareness is needed for the safe removal of radiator caps and handling of chemicals in overheating engines.

Desempenho de um conjunto motogerador adaptado a biogás / Performance of a motogenerator adapted for biogas

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido na Estação de Produção e Uso de Biogás, da Universidade Federal de Lavras. O objetivo foi desenvolver e avaliar um sistema de alimentação de um motor estacionário com biogás. Foi utilizado um motor de 4 tempos com 4077 W de potência nominal à rotação de 4200 rpm acoplado a um gerador de 2400 W com rotação operacional de 3600 rpm. O biogás utilizado foi produzido em um biodigestor modelo indiano a partir de esterco bovino, contendo, em média, 63 por cento de metano. Os experimentos foram realizados com o motor operando, inicialmente, a gasolina na sua versão original e, posteriormente, com o sistema de alimentação a biogás. Para os ensaios foram medidas as rotações e o consumo energético do motor, além da tensão e corrente gerada para alimentar três potências resistivas iguais a 1000, 1200 e 1500 W. Para o conjunto motogerador alimentado a gasolina na sua versão original, observou-se uma potência média gerada de 840,2 W com tensão de 109 volts e eficiência do conjunto de 12,14 por cento. Para o conjunto motogerador operando a biogás utilizando o sistema de alimentação desenvolvido, observou-se uma potência média de 934,59 W, tensão 100,90 volts e eficiência de 8,22 por cento. Foi possível operar estavelmente o conjunto motogerador com combustível alternativo, biogás, utilizando o sistema de alimentação desenvolvido, substituindo em 100 por cento o uso de gasolina.

The present work was conducted at the Unity of Production and Use of Biogas of Lavras Federal University. Its objective was to develop and to evaluate the biogas powering system in a stationary motor using biogas. A four-timing stationary motor with 4077 W nominal potency at a 4200 rpm rotation was used coupled to a generator of 2400 W with operational rotation of 3600 rpm. The biogas used in the experiment was produced in an Indian model biodigestor operated with bovine manure, containing an average of 63 percent methane. The experiments were accomplished with a gasoline operating motor on its original version adapted for biogas. For the experiment, the rotation and the energy consumption of the motor were measured, besides the tension and current generated to feed three resistance potencies of 1000, 1200, and, 1500 W. For the motogenerator group using the gasoline in its original version we observed an average potency of 840.2 W with an average tension of 109 volts and an average group efficiency of 12.14 percent. For the motogerador group operating with biogas using the supply system developed here, we observed an average potency of 934.59 W, an average tension of 100.90 volts and an average efficiency of 8.22 percent. It was possible to steadily operate the motogenerator with biogas as the alternative fuel, using the supply system developed substituting 100 percent of the gasoline used.