RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

BANGALORE – 560 032DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING

ALTERNATE FUELS FOR ALTERNATE FUELS FOR AUTOMOBILESAUTOMOBILES

INTRODUCTION The increase in energy consumption particularly in the past several

decades has raised fears of exhausting vital natural resources.

Rapid industrialization and massive growth in population has increased the dependence and use of natural fuels.

Approximately 90% of our energy requirement are met by fossil fuels.

Studies suggest that if exploited at the same rate, the coal reserves will deplete in the next 200-300 years and petroleum deposits will deplete in the next few decades.

So, it is important for us to engage in research and development of alternative fuels so we may not face scarcity of natural resources in the future.

Alternative Fuels :Alternative fuel, also known as non-conventional fuels, is any material or substance that can be used as a fuel, other than fossil fuels, or conventional fuels.

The term "alternative fuels" usually refers to a source of which energy is renewable.

Alternative fuels include : • Methanol and ethanol (Alcohol fuels). • Natural gas (compressed or liquefied). • Hydrogen. • Biodiesel. • Electricity (Batteries and Fuel Cells).

METHANOLMETHANOLMethanol: is an alcohol fuel. The primary alternative

methanol fuel being used is M-85, which is made up of 85 percent methanol and 15 percent gasoline.

In the future, neat methanol (M-100), may also be used.

Methanol is created from a synthesis gas (hydrogen and CO), which is reacted in the presence of a catalyst.

CO2 + 3H2 → CH3OH + H2OMethanol can also be produced from non-petroleum

feed-stocks such as coal and biomass. Emissions from M-85 vehicles are slightly lower than

in gasoline powered vehicles.

Smog-forming emissions are generally 30-50 percent lower; NOx and hydrocarbons emissions from M-85 vehicles is slightly lower.

However, CO emissions are usually equal or slightly higher than in gasoline vehicles.

Advantages:• High octane and performanc characteristics.

• Lower emissions• Lower risk of flammability• Methanol can be used to easily make hydrogen• Can be used in flexible fuel vehicles.• Methanol as a fuel in spark-ignition engines can offer an

increased thermal efficiency and increased power output (as compared to gasoline) due to its high octane and high heat of vaporization.

ETHANOLETHANOL

It is a renewable energy source. Ethanol is an alcohol made by fermenting from a variety

of feedstock such as sugar cane, potatoes, sweet potatoes, molasses, corn, etc.

The liquid ethanol or ethyl alcohol can be used as a fuel when blended with gasoline or when its in original states.

Methanol is made by fermenting almost any material that contains starch and other farm plants and wastes are also suitable.

There are three primary ways that ethanol can be used as a transportation fuel:

As a blend of 10% ethanol with 90% gasoline.

Use directly as a fuel with 15% gasoline known as E- 85.

It has approximately 30-50% fewer smog forming emissions than a gasoline vehicle.

Air toxics are also reduced by about 50 percent when compared to gasoline.

As with all internal combustion engines, vehicles using ethanol emit minor amounts of aldehydes. This is resolved by installing advanced catalytic converters on the vehicles.

Advantages Of Ethanol: Higher latent heat vaporization

Higher flash point.

No hazardous component.

Higher compression operation of the engine.

Output and efficiency.

Increased safety during use.

The 1996 Ford Taurus was the first flexible fuel vehicle produced with versions capable of running with either ethanol (E85) or methanol (M85) blended

with gasoline.

The 2003 VW Gol 1.6 Total Flex was the first commercial flexible-fuel vehicle in the Brazilian market, capable of running on any mixture of gasoline (E20 to E25 blend) and ethanol (E100).

NATURAL GASNATURAL GAS

Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon mainly methane (CH4).

Natural gas is primarily extracted from gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil production; it can also be produced as a "by-product" of landfill operations.

It can be stored on a vehicle either in a compressed gaseous state (CNG) or in a liquefied state (LNG).

A natural gas vehicle can be less expensive to operate than a comparable conventionally fueled vehicle depending on natural gas prices.

In India CNG costs less than petrol.

CNG is made by compressing natural gas (which is mainly composed of methane [CH4]), to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure

It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 200–248 bar (2900–3600 psi), usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes.

1.CNG is the cheapest, cleanest and least environmentally impacting alternative fuel.

2.Vehicles powered by CNG produce less carbonmonoxide and hydrocarbon (HC) emission.

3.It is less expensive than petrol and diesel.

4.The ignition temperature of CNG is about 550°C.

5.CNG requires more air for ignition

The use of CNG is mandated for the public transport system of India's capital New Delhi as well as for the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat.

The Delhi Transport Corporation operates the world's largest fleet of CNG buses.

Natural gas has low CO emissions, virtually no PM (particulate matter) emissions, and reduced volatile organic

compounds.

Natural gas contains less carbon than any other fossil fuel, leading to lower CO2 emissions per vehicle mile traveled.

Advantages: 1. Its cheap

2. It’s Engine-Friendly

3. It’s safe

4. Lower emissions

5.Lower smog producing gases (60-90% Light-Duty use, 90% in Mid to Heavy-duty use)

6.Can be used to make hydrogen to power the future fuel cell technology.

LPG FUELLPG FUEL

The LPG run vehicles have lower emission of reactive

hydrocarbons (about one-third less), NOx (20 percent less), and CO (60 percent less) than gasoline vehicles.

A propane-fueled school bus in the United States.

Advantages: 1.LPG consists of hydrocarbons, so it burns cleanly

without leaving any residue.

2.The LPG (hydrocarbons) has higher calorific value than the other gaseous fuels containing H2 or CO. The calorific value is 7 times higher than coal gas and 3 times higher than natural gas.

3.LPG is characterized by high thermal efficiency and heating rate.It is easy to manipulate.

4.Comparatively it is less of health hazard, even in case of leakage.

5.Needs little care for maintenance.

6.It is free from CO, so it is less hazardous

The Brazilian Fiat Siena Tetrafuel1.4, the first multifuel car that runs as a flexible-fuel on pure gasoline , or E25, or E100; or runs as a bi-fuel with natural gas (CNG)

Buses powered with CNG are common in the United States.

BIODIESELBIODIESEL

Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oil, animal fats, and used restaurant grease.

Although, it can be used as a straight replacement to diesel, the blend of biodiesel to diesel can be as low as 20% biodiesel, 80% diesel.

Biodiesel can be produced through a transesterfication process, forming fatty esters.

One of the byproducts of production is glycerol, which can then be sold as an independent product.

Biodiesel has no aromatic content and only trace amounts of sulpur.

In vehicle tests, it has lower emissions of carbon monoxide and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons than conventional diesel. With adjustments in the injection engine timing, it is possible to reduce the Nox emissions.

In a blended state with traditional fuel it can lower emissions such as a 20% blend lowers CO2 emissions by 15%.

100% Biodiesel can lower CO2 emissions by 75%.

Biodiesel produces fewer particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and sulpur dioxide emissions.

It’s safe to store, handle, and transport cause of a high flash point of 150 degrees Celsius instead of 77 degrees Celsius for traditional fuels.

ADVANTAGES:• Biodiesel is environmentally friendly. • It can help reduce dependency on foreign oil. • It helps to lubricate the engine itself, decreasing engine

wear.

• It can be used in almost any diesel with little or no engine modification.

• It is safer than conventional diesel.

HYDROGEN FUELHYDROGEN FUEL Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe,

but it does not exist by itself In nature. Instead, it is found bonded to other elements in compounds

such as water, natural gas, coal, or biological material. Hydrogen can be produced from a number of different

sources, including natural gas, water, methanol etc. Two methods are generally used to produce hydrogen:

(1) Electrolysis

(2) Synthesis gas production from steam reforming or partial oxidation.

Hydrogen and oxygen from air fed into a proton exchange membrane fuel cell produce enough electricity to power an electric automobile, without producing harmful emissions. The only byproduct of a hydrogen fuel cell is water

.

When burned in an internal combustion engine, small amounts of nitrogen oxides and small amounts of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide are produced, due to the use of engine lubricants.

Advantages:• Hydrogen is the perfect fuel to run fuel cells cause pure

hydrogen reacts only with oxygen releasing water thus no emissions.

• Hydrogen burns more efficiently and creates energy more efficiently than gasoline.

• Hydrogen has high self-ignition temperature but requires very little energy to ignite it.

• As a fuel it is very efficient as there are no losses associated with throttling.

Hydrogen fueling station inCalifornia.

The 2009 Honda FCX Clarity is an hydrogen fuel cell automobile launched to the market in 2008.

ELECTRIC CARSELECTRIC CARS

Electricity is a type of energy,Electricity is used as fuel in the form of batteries and fuel cells.

Batteries are the storage "tanks" for electricity, and the quantity of potential power available from them is given by the battery rating.

Battery powered electric vehicles are almost zero emission vehicles. Fuel cell emissions, using hydrogen as the fuel, are water vapor and heat.

Batteries are a source of power but have limited range and require frequent charging and are more suited to short range community use.

Fuel cells do not store energy; instead chemical energy is converted into electricity. An external source of hydrogen (for example, from natural gas, gasoline, or one of the alcohol fuels) and oxygen (from air) are fed to the fuel cell. The electrolyte fuel cells employ the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity.

Fuel Cells are more promising because they use other fuels to create the electrical energy.

If pure hydrogen is used the car produces only two by-products Water and Heat.

Range of a dedicated electric is typically 50-130 miles.

ADVANTAGES:• Readily available.

• Relatively cheaper.

• Zero pollution.• For electric cars it would mean no emissions.

• Although batteries have a short range, vehicles that use them can be used in communities to get around.

• For fuel cells, if hydrogen is used it can have a longer range vehicle with no emissions.

The Nissan Leaf is the world's top selling highway-capable all-electric car in history, with global sales of about 140,000 units by early October 2014.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Alternative fuels generally lower emissions making them appealing for environmental concerns.Many of these fuels are renewable and would lessen the need for petroleum products.

A lot of these fuels are going to be used with the developing fuel cell technology. With making the public aware of these alternatives it could hasten the development of these fuels and the technologies to run them.

The alternative fuel sources are environment-friendly as opposed to fossil fuels.

By using alternative sources we can reduce, Air pollution, soil pollution and water pollution.

Using alternative fuel helps diminish Global Warming. Due to technological advancements vehicles are made with

improved fuel efficiency and also perfect hybrid vehicle are available.

Throughout the year these sources are available without affecting the Environment.

Helps conserve natural resources.

Thus, it is important to compare all types of fuels, in order to determine the best ones, economically and environmentally short term and long term. For this we

need to develop alternative fuels.

Reference "Automobiles and Truck Trends". Plunkett

Research Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.

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John Voelcker (2014-10-03). "Toyota Racks Up 7 Million Hybrids Sold Since 1997”

Honda Press Release (2012-10-15). "Cumulative worldwide sales of Honda hybrids passes 1 million units“.

Roger Schreffler (2014-07-14). "Toyota Strengthens Grip on Japan EV, Hybrid Market".

Roger Schreffler (2014-08-20). "Toyota Remains Unchallenged Global Hybrid Leader".

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