This document discusses several alternative fuels including ethanol, propane, biodiesel, hydrogen, and compressed natural gas. Ethanol is produced from sugar or ethylene fermentation and is cleaner burning but can increase food prices. Propane is a liquefied petroleum gas that is widely used and produces fewer emissions than gasoline but has limited availability. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils, animal fats, and greases and can be used in diesel engines but may not be suitable in cold temperatures. Hydrogen produces only water emissions but is expensive and dangerous. Compressed natural gas is safer than other fuels if spilled and produces lower emissions than gasoline but vehicles have higher costs and less cargo space.
2. INTRODUCTION
Conventional fuels
Fossil fuels (petroleum), coal, and nuclear materials
such as uranium.
Alternative fuels
also known as non-conventional fuels,
any materials or substances that can be used as
fuels, other than conventional fuels.
which is consumed to provide energy to power an
engine.
4. Mainly produced by the sugar fermentation process.
Can also be manufactured by the chemical process of
reacting ethylene with steam.
A clear colorless liquid, it is biodegradable, low in toxicity
and causes little environmental pollution if spilt.
Ethanol is a high octane fuel and has replaced lead as an
octane enhancer in petrol.
Widely sold in the United States.
5.
6. Advantages
Much cleaner, it burns
more cleanly (more
complete combustion)
Can reduce the net
emissions of greenhouse
gases
The fuel spills are more
easily biodegraded or
diluted to non toxic
concentrations.
Can use any plant for
production.
Disadvantages
Destroyed habitats
including rainforests.
Will increase food prices
around the world.
Pure ethanol is also
difficult to vaporise
Not as efficient as
petroleum
8. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Not RPG
Clean-burning fossil fuel that can be used to power
internal combustion engines.
Lower amounts of some harmful emissions and the
greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2)
Most LPG used in U.S
Transportation fuel since 1912
9. How Propane Vehicles Work?
Propane is stored as a liquid in a relatively low-pressure
tank
The supply of propane to the engine is controlled by a
regulator or vaporizer, which converts the liquid propane
to a vapor
The vapor is fed to a mixer located near the intake
manifold, where it is metered and mixed with filtered air
before being drawn into the combustion chamber where
it is burned to produce power
10. Advantages
90% of propane used in U.S. comes from domestic
sources
Less expensive than gasoline
Potentially lower toxic, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon
monoxide (CO), and nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC)
Propane is clean, cost effective, safe and a reliable
alternative fuel
11. Disadvantages
Limited availability
A few large trucks and vans can be special ordered from
manufacturers; other vehicles can be converted by
certified installers
Less readily available than gasoline & diesel
Fewer miles on a tank of fuel
13. Biodiesel contains no petroleum, but it can be blended at
any level with petroleum diesel
To create a biodiesel blend in different concentrations of
B100, B20, B5, B2.
It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines
with little or no modifications.
Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from
vegetable oils,
animal fats,
recycled restaurant greases.
14. Biodiesel Compared to
Petroleum Diesel
Advantages
Disadvantages
• Can be used in most diesel • Use of blends above B5
engines, especially newer
not yet approved by many
ones
auto makers
• Less air pollutants (other
• B100 generally not
than nitrogen oxides)
suitable for use in low
• Less greenhouse gas
temperatures
emissions (e.g., B20
• Concerns about B100's
reduces CO2 by 15%)
impact on engine
• Non-toxic
durability
16. A potentially emissions-free alternative fuel produced
from domestic resources.
Not widely used today as a transportation fuel
Not occur free in nature in useful quantities, but it is
manufactured in a number of ways.
17. Advantages
Emits only water vapour, assuming there is no leakage
of hydrogen gas
It can store up to 3x as much energy as conventional
natural gas.
Produced domestically.
Environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages
It still costs a considerable amount of money to run a
hydrogen vehicle
Dangerous
19. a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline (petrol), Diesel fuel and
propane/LPG
a more environmentally "clean" alternative to conventional
fuels.
It is much safer than other fuels in the event of a
spill, because natural gas is lighter than air and disperses
quickly when released
made by compressing natural gas (which is mainly composed
of methane, CH4), to less than 1 percent of the volume it
occupies at standard atmospheric pressure
20.
21. Advantages
it can be efficiently and
safely stored.
more environmentally
friendly due to its low
emissions after burning.
most of the natural
reserves of natural gas
field are underutilized.
Improve lubrication
because the cylinders are
not washed by petrol
excess
Disadvantages
still does create greenhouse
gas emissions.
highly volatile and can be
dangerous is handled or
transported carelessly.
they aren't as roomy as
gasoline cars.
higher overall costs of a
natural-gas vehicle
compared to a gasolinepowered car.