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Alternative Fuels for Transportation
13.1 Introduction
Energy is the prime mover of economic growth of any country and is vital
to the sustenance of modern economies. Future economic growth crucially
depends on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly as well. Most developing countries are net importers of energy, more than 25% of primary energy needs are
being met through imports, mainly in the form of crude oil and natural gas.
Petroleum products are not only extensively used for the transport sector
but also are being used by industries to meet peak demand and domestic
purposes.
Renewable energy is a basic ingredient for overall sustainable development.
Renewable fuel sources have the potential to provide energy supplies for an
indefinite period of time. A lot of research and development activities on
alternative fuels are being investigated around the world. However, biomass
derived fuels can contribute significantly toward the problems related to the
fuel crisis because these can be produced from locally available resources.
Biomass origin fuels include alcohols, vegetable oils, and synthesis gases,
and these can be formulated to bring their properties closer to that of conventional petroleum fuels.
Use of biofuels had been initiated at the time of the invention of the internal combustion engine. However, due to the abundant availability of petroleum distillates at that time, the use of biofuels for engine applications did
not materialize. Because of recent concern over the environment and the
energy crisis, vegetable oils and ethanol usage is again picking up. Use of
biodiesel in diesel engines and ethanol in gasoline engines has become a
commercial success in recent years. Most of the countries in the world have
made their own national energy policies to blend biofuel with petroleum
fuels to improve energy security and reduce environmental pollution. The
biofuel produced from vegetable oils like sunflower, soybean, and palm,
and ethanol produced from sugar cane, are called first-generation biofuels
(Ramadhas 2009).
13.2 First-Generation Biofuels
While analyzing the commercial viability of any new fuel, particularly
biofuels, the following are to be considered:
• Availability of land for future expansion on commercialization
• Economics of the project—feedstock, production process, and
application
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
13.1 Introduction
Energy is the prime mover of economic growth of any country and is vital
to the sustenance of modern economies. Future economic growth crucially
depends on the long-term availability of energy from sources that are affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly as well. Most developing countries are net importers of energy, more than 25% of primary energy needs are
being met through imports, mainly in the form of crude oil and natural gas.
Petroleum products are not only extensively used for the transport sector
but also are being used by industries to meet peak demand and domestic
purposes.
Renewable energy is a basic ingredient for overall sustainable development.
Renewable fuel sources have the potential to provide energy supplies for an
indefinite period of time. A lot of research and development activities on
alternative fuels are being investigated around the world. However, biomass
derived fuels can contribute significantly toward the problems related to the
fuel crisis because these can be produced from locally available resources.
Biomass origin fuels include alcohols, vegetable oils, and synthesis gases,
and these can be formulated to bring their properties closer to that of conventional petroleum fuels.
Use of biofuels had been initiated at the time of the invention of the internal combustion engine. However, due to the abundant availability of petroleum distillates at that time, the use of biofuels for engine applications did
not materialize. Because of recent concern over the environment and the
energy crisis, vegetable oils and ethanol usage is again picking up. Use of
biodiesel in diesel engines and ethanol in gasoline engines has become a
commercial success in recent years. Most of the countries in the world have
made their own national energy policies to blend biofuel with petroleum
fuels to improve energy security and reduce environmental pollution. The
biofuel produced from vegetable oils like sunflower, soybean, and palm,
and ethanol produced from sugar cane, are called first-generation biofuels
(Ramadhas 2009).
13.2 First-Generation Biofuels
While analyzing the commercial viability of any new fuel, particularly
biofuels, the following are to be considered:
• Availability of land for future expansion on commercialization
• Economics of the project—feedstock, production process, and
application