Preface
Two problems currently confronting the world are the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Energy consumption in the world is increasing faster
than its generation. It is estimated that the existing petroleum oil and natural
gas reserves will be sufficient for only another few decades. The transportation sector and decentralized power generation completely depend upon
petroleum products, particularly gasoline and diesel. The transportation
sector is growing at a faster rate than reserves due to rapid technological
development in the automotive industry and an increase in the use of personal vehicles in developed and developing countries. Thus the demand for
petroleum accelerates the crude oil petroleum production peaks as well as
its cost.
Vehicle pollution has been a serious concern for the past few decades all
over the world. Combustion products of petroleum fuels, such as carbon
dioxide, are a major contributor to greenhouse gases. An increase in the
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will lead to global
climate change.
In the early 1960s, the United States initiated laws to control vehicle emissions and most other counties in the world have followed its lead. Moreover,
the increasing operating cost of refineries to meet the latest emissions norms
has put pressure on refining margins, and remains a problem converting
refinery streams into products with acceptable fuel specifications.
The combination of a short supply of fossil fuel reserves, environmental
pollution, and volatility in crude oil prices has generated interest for using
alternative fuels. In the long term, the role and interrelationship of alternative
energy sources with other markets demand further attention and consideration. Renewable alternative fuels (i.e., biofuels) have low-net greenhouse
gases; hence, many countries are promoting them as a part of their national
plan to reduce greenhouse gases and to improve their energy security.
Stringent emission standards have been enforced in many countries which
has led to improvement in automotive technology and the use of alternative
fuels like biofuels and gaseous fuels at an optimum blend.
This book addresses the need for energy researchers, engineers (mechanical, chemical, and automobile), doctoral students, automotive power train
researchers, vehicle manufacturers, oil industry researchers, and others
interested in working on alternative fuel sources. Each chapter in the book
contains the potential of the alternative fuels, production methods, properties, and vehicle tests, as well as their merits and demerits.
The structure of this book is such that each chapter—describing a particular fuel—is completely self-contained. The book is intended for anyone in
need of comprehensive understanding of alternative fuels. Anyone would be
xi
Two problems currently confronting the world are the energy crisis and environmental pollution. Energy consumption in the world is increasing faster
than its generation. It is estimated that the existing petroleum oil and natural
gas reserves will be sufficient for only another few decades. The transportation sector and decentralized power generation completely depend upon
petroleum products, particularly gasoline and diesel. The transportation
sector is growing at a faster rate than reserves due to rapid technological
development in the automotive industry and an increase in the use of personal vehicles in developed and developing countries. Thus the demand for
petroleum accelerates the crude oil petroleum production peaks as well as
its cost.
Vehicle pollution has been a serious concern for the past few decades all
over the world. Combustion products of petroleum fuels, such as carbon
dioxide, are a major contributor to greenhouse gases. An increase in the
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will lead to global
climate change.
In the early 1960s, the United States initiated laws to control vehicle emissions and most other counties in the world have followed its lead. Moreover,
the increasing operating cost of refineries to meet the latest emissions norms
has put pressure on refining margins, and remains a problem converting
refinery streams into products with acceptable fuel specifications.
The combination of a short supply of fossil fuel reserves, environmental
pollution, and volatility in crude oil prices has generated interest for using
alternative fuels. In the long term, the role and interrelationship of alternative
energy sources with other markets demand further attention and consideration. Renewable alternative fuels (i.e., biofuels) have low-net greenhouse
gases; hence, many countries are promoting them as a part of their national
plan to reduce greenhouse gases and to improve their energy security.
Stringent emission standards have been enforced in many countries which
has led to improvement in automotive technology and the use of alternative
fuels like biofuels and gaseous fuels at an optimum blend.
This book addresses the need for energy researchers, engineers (mechanical, chemical, and automobile), doctoral students, automotive power train
researchers, vehicle manufacturers, oil industry researchers, and others
interested in working on alternative fuel sources. Each chapter in the book
contains the potential of the alternative fuels, production methods, properties, and vehicle tests, as well as their merits and demerits.
The structure of this book is such that each chapter—describing a particular fuel—is completely self-contained. The book is intended for anyone in
need of comprehensive understanding of alternative fuels. Anyone would be
xi