Biodiesel has emerged as a progressively widespread and significant alternative to traditional diesel fuel within the transportation sector. Despite its growing popularity, the issue of corrosive tendencies upon interaction with both moving and static components of diesel engines and fuel systems poses a serious concern. This research endeavors to assess the corrosion characteristics of materials commonly found in automotive fuel systems when exposed to various blends of rapeseed oil biodiesel and diesel. The study involved static immersion tests, lasting 3360 h at room temperature, using B0, B20, B40, B60, B80, and B100 fuels. Copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, and stainless steel plate samples were subjected to these tests. The evaluation at the conclusion of the study included weight loss measurements, corrosion rate calculations, and observation of changes in the exposed metal surfaces. Surface morphology was scrutinized using a Bresser LCD MICRO 5MP digital microscope. Additionally, the total acid number (TAN) was employed to assess alterations in fuel acidity before and after the immersion tests.

Noise exposure in rubber manufacturing poses significant risks to worker health, safety, and productivity. This study explores these challenges via an integrated approach that combines task-based and group noise measurements as required by Directive 2003/10/EC, noise mapping, real-time monitoring, and worker feedback. Noise levels were found to range from 81 to 89 dB(A) across worker groups, with task-specific peaks exceeding 91 dB(A) near high-noise machinery. To mitigate these risks, engineering controls, including acoustic barriers and machine isolation, were proposed alongside administrative measures such as task rotation and improved access to personal protective equipment. The analysis demonstrated a link between noise levels and reduced productivity, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Integrating IoT sensors and AI for real-time noise monitoring offers opportunities to increase compliance, reduce exposure, and improve safety outcomes. Whilst engineering controls involve higher initial investments, cost-benefit analysis highlights their long-term advantages in reducing health-related expenses and improving productivity. This study reinforces the importance of a proactive, worker-centered approach to noise management in rubber manufacturing, emphasizing sustainability, risk mitigation, and the adoption of innovative technologies to create safer and more efficient workplaces.

Bioethanol and dimetyl carbonate (DMC) are considered alternative fuels and additives to the synthesis compounds used now, since bioethanol is a biofuel and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is non-toxic, biodegradable and can be produced in a cleaner way. In this study, the effect of adding dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol to gasoline on the volatility was investigated. The volatility was the main goal of this research but also, the effect on the antiknock properties was studied. Mixtures of gasoline with DMC or with bioethanol were prepared in different proportions of additive: 3%, 6% and 9% v/v. Additionally, mixtures with 3% v/v ethanol plus 3% or 6% v/v DMC, and3% DMC plus 6% v/v ethanol were prepared. For the volatility evaluation, the ASTM distillation curve and vapor pressure of these mixtures were determined experimentally in order to predict the performance of the resulting fuels. When adding oxygenated compounds, the increase in vapor pressure was proportional to the additive quantity. Additionally, modifications of the ASTM distillation curves were observed, with these indicating the formation of minimum boiling point azeotropes and the corresponding increase in volatility, with good effect on the ease of ignition in the engine. Based on the experimental results, the vapor lock index VLI, drivability index DI and vapor–liquid ratio temperature T_(V/L=20) were calculated to quantify the volatility. The experimental results showed that gasoline mixtures with these oxygenated compounds show a significant increase in antiknock properties. Thus, for mixtures with ethanol, the research octane number (RON) increases by up to 2.2 units and the motor octane number (MON) increases by up to 1.2 units. Gasoline mixtures with DMC have another behavior: RON increased by up to 1.5 units, while the MON value increased by up to 2.5 units. For an initial gasoline with RON = 94.7 and MON 84.7, these increases are important and make the difference by exceeding the RON = 95 limit. Adding dimethyl carbonate to gasoline–ethanol blends improves the sensitivity of the fuel.

This study evaluated the individual and psychosocial impacts of personal protective equipment on firefighters by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. While PPE is necessary for the protection of firefighters, it can also lead to a number of challenges, which may be both physical and psychological. This assessment incorporates insights from several studies that discuss the factors of stress related to the use of PPE by firefighters. The key aspects of the assessment include the adverse effects of overheating, the restriction of free movements, the inability to speak normally, and various other factors that increase stress. Studies have revealed that the use of PPE increases physical and mental stress levels by 10–25%, which increases overall anxiety by 35% and stress levels by 20–30%. The results suggest that the use of PPE is correlated with heightened levels of both physical and mental stress, leading to a 35% increase in anxiety and a 20–30% increase in stress. This study highlights the need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to address and reduce the effects of PPE use on stress. Policy directions are aimed at improving PPE design, applying stress prevention programs, and controlling organizational strategies to protect firefighters’ safety and well-being.

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in carbonate and siliceous formations presents a promising solution for managing intermittent renewable energy. However, experimental data on hydrogen–rock interactions under representative subsurface conditions remain limited. This study systematically investigates mineralogical and petrophysical alterations in dolomite, calcite-rich limestone, and quartz-dominant siliceous cores subjected to high-pressure hydrogen (100 bar, 70 °C, 100 days). Distinct from prior research focused on diffraction peak shifts, our analysis prioritizes quantitative changes in mineral concentration (%) as a direct metric of reactivity and structural integrity, offering more robust insights into long-term storage viability. Hydrogen exposure induced significant dolomite dissolution, evidenced by reduced crystalline content (from 12.20% to 10.53%) and accessory phase loss, indicative of partial decarbonation and ankerite-like formation via cation exchange. Conversely, limestone exhibited more pronounced carbonate reduction (vaterite from 6.05% to 4.82% and calcite from 2.35% to 0%), signaling high reactivity, mineral instability, and potential pore clogging from secondary precipitation. In contrast, quartz-rich cores demonstrated exceptional chemical inertness, maintaining consistent mineral concentrations. Furthermore, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) pore distribution analyses revealed enhanced porosity and permeability in dolomite (pore volume increased >10×), while calcite showed declining properties and quartz showed negligible changes. SEM-EDS supported these trends, detailing Fe migration and textural evolution in dolomite, microfissuring in calcite, and structural preservation in quartz. This research establishes a unique experimental framework for understanding hydrogen–rock interactions under reservoir-relevant conditions. It provides crucial insights into mineralogical compatibility and structural resilience for UHS, identifying dolomite as a highly promising host and highlighting calcitic rocks’ limitations for long-term hydrogen containment.

The analysis of the corrosion phenomenon of the installations of the largest refinery in Romania confirmed the existence of its conditions, in the atmospheric distillation plants of crude oil, in the heat exchangers, and in the petrol and diesel hydrofining plants. However, the slightest effect of this phenomenon was found in the dome, the plates, and the exhaust pipes at the top of the distillation column, as well as in the reflux vessel of the atmospheric distillation plant. The main cause of the corrosion phenomenon and the increase in the corrosion areas of the material of the crude oil refining installations is the presence of hydrochloric acid, obtained after incorrect desalination (hydrolysis of calcium and magnesium chloride). To prevent this phenomenon, in laboratory conditions, we tested an antacid inhibitor (alkyl phenol) and a residual product (undistilled polyamine), with the role of supplementing the commercial inhibitor with a cheap product. The effectiveness of these additives was evaluated by introducing specimens made from the material taken from the refining column and from the reflux vessel into a solution of hydrochloric acid of various concentrations (5–15%). This solution was treated with the two corrosion inhibitors, the analysis of their effectiveness being performed at concentrations ranging between 0.05 and 0.2%. In addition, in this article, we deduced the equations of variation of the corrosion rate, depending on the working temperature of the refinery.