1.1 Introduction....................................................................................................1

1.2 Energy Security..............................................................................................3

1.3 Environmental Pollution...............................................................................6

1.4 Alternative Fuels ............................................................................................8

1.4.1 Alcohols............................................................................................... 10

1.4.1.1 Methanol .............................................................................. 10

1.4.1.2 Ethanol.................................................................................. 11

1.4.2 Vegetable Oils and Biodiesel ............................................................ 11

1.4.3 Gaseous Fuels ..................................................................................... 12

1.4.3.1 Natural Gas.......................................................................... 12

1.4.3.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas ................................................... 13

1.4.3.3 Hydrogen ............................................................................. 13

1.4.4 Ethers ................................................................................................... 14

1.4.5 Electric/Fuel Cell/Hybrid Vehicles ................................................ 15

1.4.6 Future Fuels ........................................................................................ 16

References............................................................................................................... 19

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Fuels and Trends
Arumugam Sakunthalai Ramadhas
CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction
Energy is the prime mover for economic growth of any country and is vital
to the sustenance of modern economy. Future economic growth crucially
depends on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly as well. The major sources of
energy in the world are fossil fuels (petroleum oil, coal, and natural gas),
renewable energy (hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, marine energy, and combustible wastes), and nuclear energy. These primary energy sources are
converted into secondary energy sources; that is, coal and crude oil are converted into electricity and steam.
Combustible wastes include animal products, biomass, and industrial
wastes. Coal is the major source of energy for electric power generation where
as petroleum products are for the transport sector. Energy consumption is
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