9
Fuels and Trends
gasification or electrolysis of water. Hence, even a small percentage substitution of different alternative fuels reduces the crude oil
import significantly.
ii. Alternative fuels generally reduce the vehicle exhaust emission and
hence improve the environmental air quality.
Alternative fuels are capable of reducing the engine emissions as
compared to petroleum products. The molecular structure of alternative fuels (CH 3 OH, C 2 H 5 OH, and CH 4 , etc.) is much simpler than
gasoline/diesel (mixture of different molecules). Moreover, a low
C:H ratio of alternative fuels generates less hydrocarbon emissions
on combustion. Hydrogen is the clean fuel and generates nil hydrocarbon emissions. Emissions released from a centralized plant can
be more easily controlled than vehicular emissions.
iii. Some alternative fuels have the potential to operate at a lower cost
compared to petroleum products.
Success of any new product or fuel depends on its cost. Currently,
cost of the most alternative fuels is a little bit higher than conventional fuel. However, the cost of biodiesel and compressed natural
gas (CNG) are cost competitive with petroleum. For the development of alternative fuels, government legislations and incentives are
required to a certain extent. The large-scale production of alternative
fuel could make these alternative fuels cost competitive (Maxwell
and Jones 1995).
The following parameters are to be considered while deciding the alternative fuel (Agarwal 1999):
• The fuel should have high volumetric and mass energy density.
• Ease of transportation from production site to delivery points.
• Long-storage life of fuel, minimum handling, and distribution
problems.
• Environmental compatibility: While using alternative fuel, the
engine performance is expected to improve significantly with regard
to regulated emissions and unregulated emissions.
• Manufacturer’s warranty: The alternative fuel must guarantee the
lifetime of the equipment; its reliability and operational capability
are not modified.
• Investment cost: Additional investment on an existing engine must be
small to ensure that the operation is competitive with petroleum fuel.
• Modification of existing engines: Engine modification should be
simple, inexpensive, and easily reversible. Such modification should
not affect the use of traditional fuel in order to preserve engine
Fuels and Trends
gasification or electrolysis of water. Hence, even a small percentage substitution of different alternative fuels reduces the crude oil
import significantly.
ii. Alternative fuels generally reduce the vehicle exhaust emission and
hence improve the environmental air quality.
Alternative fuels are capable of reducing the engine emissions as
compared to petroleum products. The molecular structure of alternative fuels (CH 3 OH, C 2 H 5 OH, and CH 4 , etc.) is much simpler than
gasoline/diesel (mixture of different molecules). Moreover, a low
C:H ratio of alternative fuels generates less hydrocarbon emissions
on combustion. Hydrogen is the clean fuel and generates nil hydrocarbon emissions. Emissions released from a centralized plant can
be more easily controlled than vehicular emissions.
iii. Some alternative fuels have the potential to operate at a lower cost
compared to petroleum products.
Success of any new product or fuel depends on its cost. Currently,
cost of the most alternative fuels is a little bit higher than conventional fuel. However, the cost of biodiesel and compressed natural
gas (CNG) are cost competitive with petroleum. For the development of alternative fuels, government legislations and incentives are
required to a certain extent. The large-scale production of alternative
fuel could make these alternative fuels cost competitive (Maxwell
and Jones 1995).
The following parameters are to be considered while deciding the alternative fuel (Agarwal 1999):
• The fuel should have high volumetric and mass energy density.
• Ease of transportation from production site to delivery points.
• Long-storage life of fuel, minimum handling, and distribution
problems.
• Environmental compatibility: While using alternative fuel, the
engine performance is expected to improve significantly with regard
to regulated emissions and unregulated emissions.
• Manufacturer’s warranty: The alternative fuel must guarantee the
lifetime of the equipment; its reliability and operational capability
are not modified.
• Investment cost: Additional investment on an existing engine must be
small to ensure that the operation is competitive with petroleum fuel.
• Modification of existing engines: Engine modification should be
simple, inexpensive, and easily reversible. Such modification should
not affect the use of traditional fuel in order to preserve engine