Skip to main content

ALTERANATIVE FUELS USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

 

What are alternative fuels?

Alternative fuel refers to any type of fuel that is outside of the recognized traditional petroleum fuels.  Alternative fuels are also known as unconventional or advanced fuels

The followings are some of alternative fuels

•     Alcohols, e.g., ethanol and methanol.

•     Biomass-based diesel fuels. Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) ...

•     Methane, e.g., natural gas, biogas and synthetic natural gas (SNG)

•     Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

•     Hydrogen.

•     Synthetic fuels.

•     Dimethyl ether (DME) and other heavier ethers.

•     Ammonia.

Need of alternative fuels

•     Conventional fuels going to run out

•     To reduce pollution

•     To reduce waste

•     To save money

•     To protect global warming

•     Fuel economy

VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE FUELS ARE USED IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

THEY ARE EXPLAINED BELOW

ALCOHOL

•         Various alcohols are used as fuel for internal combustion engines. Like methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol

•         methanol is produced from natural gas, although it can be produced from biomass

•         Ethanol is a renewable fuel made from various plant materials

•         It is also known as ethyl alcohol

•         biobutanol is currently more difficult to produce than ethanol or methanol.

•         One advantage shared by the four major alcohol fuels is their high octane rating than gasoline

•         This tends to increase their fuel efficiency

•         It providing premium blending properties.

•         Ethanol’s impact on fuel economy is dependent on the ethanol content in the fuel

Blending of fuels

•         Blends are mixtures of traditional and alternative fuels in varying percentages.

•         Examples of low-level fuel blends include E10 (10% ethanol/90% gasoline), E15 (10.5% to 15% ethanol blended with gasoline), B5 (5% biodiesel/95% diesel), and B2 (2% biodiesel/98% diesel).

•         Blends can also consist of two types of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG),

•         Which can be a combination of 20% hydrogen/80% CNG. B20 (20% biodiesel/80% diesel) and E85 (51% to 83% ethanol blended with gasoline depending on geography and season) are not considered low level blends.

GASEOUS FUELS

Gaseous fuel means a material that is in the gaseous state at standard atmospheric temperature and pressure conditions and that is combusted to produce heat and/or energy.

Examples : CNG, LPG, H2 and Bio gas

CNG (Compressed natural gas)

·      Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fuel gas made of petrol which is mainly composed of methane

·      CNG is used in traditional petrol/internal combustion engine vehicles that have been modified

·      CNG has been used in auto rickshaws, pickup trucks

·      Being a gaseous fuel, CNG mixes easily and evenly in air.

·      CNG emits significantly less pollution directly than petrol when combusted

·      Compressed natural gas vehicles require a greater amount of space for fuel storage than conventional petrol-powered vehicles.

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

·      The liquefied petroleum gas (L.P.G) consisting mainly of butane and propane is also used as engine fuel.

·      It is stored in liquid form in special cylinders and the engine is provided with a special fuel system.

·         LPG is prepared by refining petroleum or "wet" natural gas,

·         As its boiling point is below room temperature and heat, LPG will evaporate quickly at normal temperatures and pressures

·         A full LPG cylinder contains 86% liquid

·         LPG is used for cooking in many countries for economic reasons

·         When LPG is used to fuel internal combustion engines, it is often referred to as autogas or auto propane

·         Not all automobile engines are suitable for use with LPG as a fuel.

ADVANTAGES

·      Better mixing with air and improved distribution, which means lesser emissions.

·      No need of fuel pump

·      No carbon deposited

·      No crank case dilution because of vapour form. This means lesser oil consumption

·      High octane rating

·      Less engine wear

·      Lower maintenance

 

HYDROGEN

·      Hydrogen fuel is a zero-carbon fuel burned with oxygen

·      it is the lightest element

·      Hydrogen can also serve as fuel for internal combustion engines.

·      It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications.

·      Water can be separated into oxygen and hydrogen through a process called electrolysis.

·      Solar-driven processes use light as the agent for hydrogen production.

·      Hydrogen can be extracted from fossil fuels and biomass, from water, or from a mix of both. Natural gas is currently the primary source of hydrogen production

·      Hydrogen fuels are an attractive alternative source of energy since they are clean, non-toxic and renewable

NATURAL GAS

·      Natural gas is a fossil energy source that formed deep beneath the earth's surface.

·      Natural gas contains many different compounds.

·      The largest component of natural gas is methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).

·      Natural gas also contains smaller amounts of natural gas liquids (NGLs, which are also hydrocarbon gas liquids), and nonhydrocarbon gases, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.

·      We use natural gas as a fuel and to make materials and chemicals.

·      Natural gas is obtained by boring tube wells, similar to petroleum wells.

·      It is the cheapest and most efficient of all fuels, when properly burned; but it requires a large amount of air for its combustion, and special burners must be used.

 

BIOGAS

·      Biogas is a renewable fuel produced by the breakdown of organic matter such as food scraps and animal waste.

·      It also helps to control the green house effects, climate change, global warming and so on

·      Biogas is a mixture of gases, primarily consisting of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide

·      Biogas is produced when bacteria digest organic matter (biomass) in the absence of oxygen. This process is called anaerobic digestion.

·      Biogas is environment friendly and has various applications in cooking, drying, cooling, heating etc.

·      Production of biogas are not efficient.

·      Biogas or biofuel is called a clean fuel because it does not produce any residue or any kind of harmful gases at the time of combustion

ADVANTAGES

·      It has high calorific value so it is more efficient for engines

·      It produces a great amount of heat energy with combustion of only one kg fuel.

·      It does not leave any ash on burning unlike the solid and liquid fuels.

·      Gases are easily compressed hence it can be easily stored.

·      Easily controllable

·      Easy transportation

DISADVANTAGES

·      Very large storage tank needed for them.

·      They are highly inflammable, so chances of fire hazards are high in their use.

·      They are more costly as compared with solid and liquid fuels.

Comments

Post a Comment

POPULAR POSTS

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PARTS

   VIDEO LECTURE ON BASIC COMPONENTS OF IC ENGINE INTERNAL COMBUSTION COMPONENTS An Internal combustion engine has various parts. Some important parts are listed below. Cylinder block Cylinder head Cylinder liner Crankcase Piston Connecting rod Crankshaft Cam shaft Flywheel Valve and valve mechanism Gaskets Lubrication system Cooling system Spark plug and fuel injector Cylinder block It is the main body of the engine. It contains cylinder. It is made by casting method. Cast iron, grey cast iron and its alloys are used. Crank shaft, cam shaft are available inside of the cylinder block Water jackets are provided for water cooled engine blocks. Air cooled cylinder block contains fins to reduce the heat produced inside of the engine. The piston reciprocates inside the cylinder. Cylinder head is placed at the top of cylinder block. The crank case is provided at the bottom of the cylinder block.   CYLINDER BLOCK Cylinder head It is made by casting. CI, GCI and its alloys are us
Post a Comment
Read more

Working of four stroke petrol engine

   •        A four stroke engine is an internal combustion engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crank shaft. •        A four stroke engine delivers one power stroke for every two cycles of the piston. •        Following strokes are continuously taking place. ü   Suction stroke – Suction of air fuel mixture takes place. ü   Compression stroke – Adiabatic compression of air fuel mixture. ü   Power stroke – Combustion and adiabatic expansion taking place. ü   Exhaust stroke – Burnt gases are exhausted from the cylinder.       SUCTION STROKE :- •        During suction stroke, inlet valve is opened and exhaust valve is closed. •        Piston moves TDC to BDC •        When the piston moved TDC to BDC vacuum is created inside the cylinder. •        Due to the vacuum air fuel mixtures is drawn into the cylinder. •        Inlet valve is closed at the end of suction stroke. COMPRESSION STROKE :- •        In compression stroke
Post a Comment
Read more

POLLUTION CONTROL IN THERMAL POWER PLANT

Pollution control in thermal powerplant   The major devices used to control pollution in thermal power plant are as below Cyclone Seperator Wet Scrubber Electro Static Precipitator     Construction and working of these devices are explained in our YouTube video. Here you can download the PDF  by clicking the following link.    Video link - Click here PDF link - Click here
Post a Comment
Read more

Does heat transfer takes place in vaccum space?

  Of course!  How earth receives heat energy from sun? Here is answer for these two questions. Heat can transfer in vacuum space. In this article you may know how heat is transferred in vacuum space.   How earth receives heat energy from sun? First we should understand the modes of heat transfer. There are three modes available to transfer heat. They are, Heat conduction, Heat convection and radiation. Let's see one by one.   Heat conduction In heat conduction mode of heat transfer heat is transferred by means of molecules present in the object. In this mode, energy will be transferred among the molecules. Example: I am holding a metal bar in my hand. I am going to heat that. What will happen. The bar gets heat from the source. Unfortunately, I can feel heat transfer in another side which is hold by means of hand. There is no objects present in the space. So heat cannot transfer by  conduction mode in space.   Heat convection In this mode of heat transfer heat is tr
Post a Comment
Read more

BASICS OF THERMODYNAMICS

    VIDEO LECTURE ON BASICS OF THERMODYNAMIC   Contents Definition of thermodynamics Basic terms used Laws of thermodynamics System, Boundary and Surroundings Equilibrium Intensive and Extensive properties State, Process, Cycle Point and path functions Definition Thermodynamics is the branch of science deals with relationship between heat and work. It deals with transfer of energy within the system and across the boundary of the system.  Basics Terms Used Mass Weight Volume Density Specific weight Specific gravity Specific volume Pressure Temperature Heat Work Power Energy   Mass Mass is the amount of matter contained in an object, and does not depends on gravity. Unit of mass is gram, kilogram. W=mg It is denoted as 'm' Weight The amount of mass depending upon gravity is called weight. It is the product of mass and acceleration gravity. W=mg. Unit is Kgm/sec 2 (or) Newton. It is denoted as'W' Volume Space occupied by the mass. Ratio of mass t
Read more

LECTURE NOTES ON THERMODYNAMICS AND AIRCYCLES

        Lecture notes on Heat power engineering for engineering and diploma students Topic : Thermodynamics      Definition – gauge and absolute pressure – temperature – absolute temperature – heat – specific heat – thermodynamic systems – properties of a system – laws of thermodynamics  – properties of perfect gases – laws of perfect gases –  general gas equation – characteristics equation of gas –  universal gas constant – specific heat of a gas – specific heat and constant volume – specific heat at constant pressure – relation between specific heats – ratio of specific heats . Thermodynamics processes of perfect gases – constant volume process – constant pressure process – isothermal process – adiabatic process – polytropic process   PDF link                     : Click here Video Lectures link : Click here Topic : Air cycle      Introduction – Assumptions – Reversible cycle – Irreversible cycle – types of thermodynamic cycles – Carnot cycle – Otto cycle – Diesel cycle – PV and T
Post a Comment
Read more

LECTURE NOTES ON NON CONVENTIONAL MACHINING PROCESSES

      What is unconventional (or) non conventional machining process? Non conventional or unconventional machining processes are the machining process by using a form of energy to remove the unwanted material in a given work piece. There are some types in non conventional machining available as follows. Ultrasonic machining process Chemical machining process Electro chemical machining process Electro chemical grinding machining process Electro chemical discharge machining process Laser beam machining process Plasma arc machining process  Video lectures and lecture notes are available about the non conventional machining process. To study about construction and working of unconventional machining process click the below links.  PDF link                     : Link-1 , Link- 2 Video Lectures link : Click here
Post a Comment
Read more

COMPLETE LECTURE NOTES ON PROCESS PLANNING AND COST ESTIMATIONS

      Download  complete lecture notes for process planning and cost estimation in PDF format here. Process planning is the systematic determination of methods by which a product is to be manufactured economically. The following topics are available in separate PDF files. Video lectures also available in our Youtube channel. Process Planning -  PDF link : Download Video link: Click here Process Selection -  PDF link : Download Video link: Click here Problems on make or buy decision - PDF link : Download Video link: Click here     Work study, Method study and time study - PDF link : Download Video link: Part-1 Part-2     Selling price of a component -  PDF link : Download Video link: Click here   Components of cost-  PDF link : Download Video link: Click here     Calculation of standard time -  PDF link : Download Video link: Click here  
Post a Comment
Read more

NOTES FOR HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

HERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD COMPLETE NOTES FOR HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER FOR ALL TECHNICAL EXAMS IN PDF FORMAT PDF contains brief explanation about modes of heat and mass transfer Governing equations Previous year question papers Heat transfer in composite walls are given PDF Link : Click here
Post a Comment
Read more

ENGINE AND ITS CLASSIFICATIONS

  VIDEO LECTURE ON ENGINE AND ITS CLASSIFICATIONS ENGINE What is engine ? It is a power generating machine which converts power into motion. Otherwise we can define as, engine is a device which converts heat energy of the fuel into mechanical energy. Example : Petrol engine, Diesel engine INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE What is heat engine? Heat engine is a device which converts heat energy into work. Example: IC engine, EC engine EXTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE   What is IC engine ? IC engine also called as internal combustion engine. The combustion of fuel takes place inside of the cylinder. During combustion process, chemical energy of the fuel is converted into heat energy. Further it is converted into useful work. Example : Petrol engine, Diesel engine, Gas turbine.   TURBINE What is EC engine ? EC engine also called as external combustion engine. The combustion of fuel takes place externally. In external combustion engine heat energy is converted into mechanical wo
Post a Comment
Read more