SEMINAR REPORT

ON

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY

IN

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SAM HIGGINBOTTOM INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE,

TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCES

SUMMITED TO SUMMITED BY

Dr.A.S DARBARI SIMON TOPPO

12BTMECH020

HOD, Mechanical Engineering 6TH SEMESTER

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 fuels, known as non-conventional or advanced fuels, are any materials or substances that can be used as fuels, other than conventional fuels. Conventional fuels include: fossil fuels (petroleum (oil), coal, and natural gas), as well as nuclear materials such as uranium and thorium, as well as artificial radioisotope fuels that are made in nuclear reactors.

Some well-known alternative fuels include biodiesel, bio alcohol (methanol, ethanol, butanol), chemically stored electricity (batteries and fuel cells), hydrogen, non-fossil methane, non-fossil natural gas, vegetable oil, propane, and other biomass sources.

Need for Alternative Fuels World today is facing the pinch of rising energy consumption. Green house gas emissions and global warming is also in the forefront of critical

issues. India is ranked 6th in terms of energy demands but its domestic crude oil

production satisfies only ¼th of our current demands. Cost of conventional fuels. In some cases, alternative fuels are more environmentally friendly. Some alternative fuels are more energy efficient.

Classification of Alternative Fuels

Solid Fuels

Liquid Fuels

Ethanol

Methanol Gaseous Fuels

Also, Biodiesel Hydrogen

Solid FuelsSolid fuel refers to various types of solid material that are used as fuel to produce energy and provide heating, usually released through combustion. Solid fuels include wood (see wood fuel), charcoal, peat, coal, Hexamine fuel tablets, and pellets made from wood (see wood pellets), corn, wheat, rye and other grains. Solid-fuel rocket technology also uses solid fuel (see solid propellants).

Solid fuels have been used by humanity for many years to create fire. Coal was the fuel source which enabled the industrial revolution, from firing furnaces, to running steam engines. Wood was also extensively used to run steam locomotives. Both peat and coal are still used in electricity generation today.

The use of some solid fuels (e.g. coal) is restricted or prohibited in some urban areas, due to unsafe levels of toxic emissions. The use of other solid fuels such as wood is increasing as heating technology and the availability of good quality fuel improves. In some areas, smokeless coal is often the only solid fuel used. In Ireland, peat briquettes are used for home heating. They are also used to start a coal fire.

Types of Solid Fuels Wood Wood is one of the most commonly used solid fuels.Wood is a unique fuel source in that it is a renewable resource. It is also greenhouse gas neutral which means that the log being burned cannot produce any more carbon than was used by it during its life. When burning wood, it is important to allow at least one year’s time for it to dry out completely. If burnt with water still inside it, or while it is “green”, heat will be wasted turning that water into steam and will produce acidic tars that can damage your heating appliances.

Biomass Biomass is plant material taken to be used as fuel. While wood is a type of biomass, other plants commonly used for fuel include wheat, straw, nut shells, or any fibrous material.

Peat Peat is a form of coal. In the life cycle of coal, biomass decomposes over thousands of years and becomes peat and then after thousands more years, becomes lignite, and then coal. Once it is dried, peat becomes extremely volatile.

Lignite Lignite is another stage in the coal making process. This fuel burns relatively easily. A disadvantage is that it will produce large amounts of ash.

Coke Coke is a coal-like fuel source that are produced by heating natural coal in specialized containers to burn only the oily surface off of the coal. The result is a hard brick that while difficult to light, can last extremely long.

Bituminous Coal Bituminous Coal is made from wood compressed by the earth’s crust and aged about one hundred million years. The coal is economically efficient and the flame produced is highly desirable with low ash output. However, The smoke produced by this fuel is dark and contains flammable gasses that if not properly contained, can produce a dangerous environment. Exploring new fuel - coal-oil agglomerates.

Anthracite Anthracite is a smokeless coal that was formed over the course of over three hundred million years. It’s density allows it to burn for long periods of time without producing very much smoke. Also due to its density, it is very difficult to light and often requires the use of a second, easier burning fuel to help in the process.

Briquettes Briquettes are generally non-organic blocks of fuel that are made of compressed minerals. Their flames will last long periods of time.

Advantages

Solid fuels, compared to liquid fuels or gaseous fuels, are more readily available.

Coal in particularly is utilized in the generation of 38.1% of the world’s electricity because it is less expensive and more powerful than its liquid and gas counterparts.

In homes, wood can be used for heating and cooking and depending on ones location, it can be much cheaper than other fuels.

Disadvantages

In an industrial situation, especially in the maritime industry, solid fuels become increasingly difficult to work with.

Compared to liquid and gas fuels, solid fuels require a much larger area to store because both liquids and gases will expand and contract more easily with pressure and temperature variants making them more easily compressible.

The solid fuel also tends to have a higher Nitrate and Sulphate emission rate. From 2009 to 2013, nearly 36% of the United States CO2 emissions were due to the burning of solid fuels.

Liquid FuelsLiquid fuels are combustible or energy-generating molecules that can be harnessed to create mechanical energy, usually producing kinetic energy; they also must take the shape of their container. It is the fumes of liquid fuels that are flammable instead of the fluid.

Most liquid fuels in widespread use are derived from fossil fuels; however, there are several types, such as hydrogen fuel (for automotive uses), ethanol, and biodiesel, which are also categorized as a liquid fuel. Many liquid fuels play a primary role in transportation and the economy.

Some common properties of liquid fuels are that they are easy to transport, and can be handled with relative ease. Also they are relatively easy to use for all engineering applications, and home use. (Fuels like Kerosene are rationed and available in government subsidized shops in India for home use.) Liquid fuels are also used most popularly in Internal combustion engines.

Some very technically important properties include: flash point, fire point, cloud point, and pour point.

EthanolWhat is it : It’s a cheap non-petroleum based fuel. As with methanol, E-85 is the primary ethanol alternative fuel. The use of ethanol in vehicles is not a new innovation. In the 1880s, Henry Ford built one of his first automobiles to run on ethanol. • Ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol. It’s the alcohol in beer,

wine, rum, vodka, etc.

How is it produced : It can be produced by fermentation of vegetables and plant materials. In India, its main source is molasses – a by-product of sugarcane.

Its done in three stages :

1) Extraction of juice from sugarcane

2) Fermentation of the juice

3) Distillation

Environmental Characteristics :

It has approximately 30-50% fewer smog forming emissions than a gasoline vehicle. Air toxics are also reduced by about 50% 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.

Disadvantages : Major problem with the ethanol is corrosion. Ethanol driven vehicles require lines, hoses and valves to be resistant to

corrosion that alcohol can induce. Alcohol corrodes lead-plated fuel tanks, magnesium, copper, zinc; and

aluminium parts; and some synthetic gaskets.

MethanolWhat is it : Methanol is an alcohol fuel. The primary alternative methanol fuel being used is M-85, which is made up of 85% methanol and 15% gasoline. In the future, neat methanol (M-100), may be used.

How it is produced : Methanol is created from a synthesis gas (hydrogen and CO), which is reacted in the presence of a catalyst. Methanol can be also produced from non-petroleum feed-stocks such as coal and biomass.

Environmental Characteristics : Emissions from M-85 vehicles are slightly lower than in gasoline powered vehicles. Smog-forming emissions are generally 30-50% lower; NOx and hydrocarbon emissions from M-85 vehicles are similar to slightly lower. However, CO emissions are usually equal or slightly higher than in gasoline vehicles.

Advantages :

High octane and performance characteristics. Only minor modifications are needed to allow gasoline engines to use

methanol. There is a significant reduction of reactive emissions when using M-

85.

Disadvantages :• Methanol is extremely corrosive, requiring special materials for delivery and

storage.• Methanol by itself is not a good CI engine fuel because of its high octane

number.

Gaseous FuelsGaseous fuels are best suited for IC engines since physical delay is almost zero. However, as fuel displaces equal amount of air the engines may have poor volumetric efficiency. There are quite few gaseous fuels that can be used as alternative fuels.

HydrogenHow it is produced : Hydrogen can be produced by 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.

Environmental Characteristics :When combusted, only water vapour is produced. When burned in an IC engine, small amounts of nitrogen oxides and small amounts of unburnt hydrocarbons and CO are produced, due to the use of engine lubricants.

Advantages :• Hydrogen-air mixture burns nearly 10 times faster than gasoline-air mixture.• Hydrogen has high self ignition temp. but requires very little energy to ignite it.• Clean exhaust, produces no CO2. • As a fuel it is very efficient as there are no losses associated with throttling.

Disadvantages :• There is danger of back fire and induction ignition.• Though low in exhaust, it produces toxic NOx.• Its difficult to handle and store, requiring high capital and running cost.

Natural Gas Natural gas is a mixture of hydrocarbons, mainly methane (CH4). Other components : ethane, propane, nitrogen, helium, CO2, hydrogen

sulphide, water vapour ,….

Production of Natural Gas : Water or sewage treatment. Gas wells. Crude oil production.

Use of Natural Gas as a Fuel : Light-duty applications - Natural gas vehicles Heavy-duty and medium-duty applications - Natural gas engines

Advantages of natural gas :

Its cheap Its Engine-Friendly Its safe There is lot of it in India Its clean, easy to trap, odourless.

Disadvantages : The storage cylinder takes a lot of space. CNG gas stations are not widely available in India.

CNG vehicles in India

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a popular alternative fuel choice

for vehicles because there is already an infrastructure of pipelines, processing facilities, and storage for its efficient distribution.

LPG produces fewer vehicle emissions than gasoline. Propane is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and crude oil

refining. The cost of a gasoline-litre equivalent of propane is generally less than that of

gasoline.

Environmental Characteristics : The LPG run vehicles have lower emission of hydrocarbons (about one-third less), NOx (20% less) and CO (60% less) than gasoline vehicles.

Advantages of LPG : Its cost is 60% of petrol with 90% of its mileage. Has a higher octane number and burns more efficiently. LPG has more of a storage and transportation advantages of liquids, along

with the fuel advantages of gases. Saves on the maintenance costs.

Biodiesel Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured

from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. Biodiesel is safe, biodegradable, and reduces air pollutants such as

particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. It is composed by mono-alkyl esters made from the transesterification of both

vegetable oils and animal fats. Glycerine is produced as a second product. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form but it may require certain engine

modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems and may not be suitable for wintertime use.

Need to heat storage tanks in colder climates to prevent the fuel from gelling

Obtaining Biodiesel :

Sources for Biodiesel : Vegetable oils Genetically modified vegetable oils Waste vegetable oils Bad quality vegetable oils

Comparison to Petroleum : Carbon monoxide: -50% Carbon dioxide: -78% Nitrogen oxide: +20%

BUT catalytic converters Biodegradable and non-toxic

Advantages of Biodiesel : Low emissions It is biodegradable and non-toxic Low cost High Cetane number High lubricity

Uses : Popularly used in vehicles and power generators.

Other Possible Fuels Biomass Is the most important source for energy productions supplied by agriculture Is a “carbon lean” fuel producing a fraction of the Carbon emissions of fossil  Anaerobic digestion converts biomass, especially waste product such as

municipal solid waste and market waste.

Uses : Can offer local business opportunities and support the rural economy Can be used as a domestic fuel Used for boilers

Electricity

Vehicles that operate only on electricity require no warm-up, run almost silently and have excellent performance up to the limit of their range.

Pure electric cars still have limited range. Batteries have a limited storage capacity and their electricity must be

replenished by plugging the vehicle into an electrical source. Electric Vehicles have lower "fuel" and maintenance costs than gasoline-

powered vehicles

Biogas During production, there is a solid by-product called digestate. This can be

used as a biofuel or fertilizer. Biogas consists of methane. Low-cost, renewable source of energy. Because of the gaseous nature of this fuel, it must be stored on-board a vehicle

in either a compressed gaseous state or in a liquefied state. A biogas-powered train has been in service in Sweden since 2005.

Emulsified diesel Fuel Emulsified diesel fuel is a mixture of diesel fuel with water and emulsifying

and stabilizing additives. Combustion is more efficient. Reduced NOx; and PM

Plastic Fuel The process involves heating shredded plastic waste with coal and a secret

chemical. This yields around 1 litre of crude oil for every kilogram of waste plastic.

Using infra-red energy to remove hydrocarbons from plastic without the use of a catalyst, transforming 82% of the original plastic material into fuel.

Conclusion 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

Thank You …The end