Browsing by Author "Perera, B.S.S."

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Biodiesel and Its Importance as an Alternative Energy Source for the Fuel Crisis
(Young Scientists Forum (YSF) National Science and Technology Commission Sri Lanka, 2023) Perera, B.S.S.; Kadigamuwa, C.C.
Upsurging of the population throughout the world has given a negative effect on daily energy consumption. Fossil fuel reserves are decreasing gradually due to the energy demand and the need of finding alternatives is growing. Biodiesel is such an alternative that derived from crops and animals. It is also contributing to the green environment as it does not emit carbon dioxides, carbon monoxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter comparative to petroleum diesel. There are several types of oils and fats that are used in deriving biodiesel such as edible oil and non-edible oils. Palm oil, jatropha oil, soybean oil, castor oil, algae and animal fats are some of the feedstocks used in producing biodiesel. Waste cooking oil is an economical alternative for the sources of biodiesel. The triglycerides of oils and fats are used to produce alcohols and esters which could be result from catalytic or non- catalytic reactions. Biodiesel is composed of mono-alkyl esters of long-chain fatty acids and is synthesized mainly by pyrolysis, microemulsion and transesterification. The transesterification is the most common and widely used method of manufacturing biodiesel. Acid catalyzed transesterification, alkali catalyzed transesterification, enzyme catalyzed transesterification and non-catalytic esterification are broadly used in the transesterification process. Properties, such as, cetane number, cloud and pour point, density and viscosity have an enormous impact on the quality of biodiesel. This chapter provides an overview of the manufacturing process and characteristics of biodiesel.
Geochemical Release and Environmental Interfaces
(John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2023) Kadigamuwa, C.C.; Perera, N.T.; Perera, B.S.S.
The geochemical release is the process of chemical weathering of minerals from their parent materials. These minerals originate from naturally occurring solids which interact with the environment through their surfaces. Depending on different environmental conditions that affect these surfaces, they could release minerals and gases to the environment. These released minerals and gases could transfer through environmental interfaces. Environmental interfaces are broadly de need as any surface in equilibrium with its surrounding environment. There are various types of environmental interfaces including geochemical, atmospheric aerosols, nanomaterials, and indoor surfaces. Thus, investigating the connection between geochemical release and these varied and complex environmental interfaces is necessary to understand both beneficial and adverse effects on living organisms.