Prospects Of Alternative Transportation Fuels

This book discusses different types of alternative fuels, including biodiesel, alcohol, synthetic fuels, compressed natural gas (CNG) and its blend with hydrogen, HCNG, and provides detailed information on the utilization of these alternative fuels in internal combustion (IC) engines. Further, it presents methods for production of these alternative fuels and explores advanced combustion techniques, such as low-temperature and dual-fuel combustion, using alternative fuels. It includes a chapter on the soot morphology of biodiesel, which focuses on the toxicity. There are also four chapters on hydrogen-fueled engines, which discuss use of hydrogen in IC engines and also provide important information on the methodologies. This book is a valuable resource for researchers and practicing engineers alike.

A continuous rise in the consumption of gasoline, diesel, and other petroleum-based fuels will eventually deplete reserves and deteriorate the environment, Alternative Transportation Fuels: Utilisation in Combustion Engines explores the feasibility of using alternative fuels that could pave the way for the sustained operation of the transport secto

The transportation sector cannot continue on its current path: The volatility of oil prices threatens the U.S. economy, the large proportion of oil importation threatens U.S. energy security, and the massive contribution of greenhouse gases threatens the environment. The development of domestic sources of alternative transportation fuels with lower greenhouse emissions is now a national imperative. Coal and biomass are in abundant supply in the United States and can be converted to liquid fuels that can be combusted in existing and future vehicles. Their abundant supply makes them attractive candidates to provide non-oil-based liquid fuels to the U.S. transportation system. However, there are important questions about the economic viability, carbon impact, and technology status of these options. Liquid Transportation Fuels from Coal and Biomass provides a snapshot of the potential costs of liquid fuels from biomass by biochemical conversion and from biomass and coal by thermochemical conversion. Policy makers, investors, leaders in industry, the transportation sector, and others with a concern for the environment, economy, and energy security will look to this book as a roadmap to independence from foreign oil. With immediate action and sustained effort, alternative liquid fuels can be available in the 2020 time frame, if or when the nation needs them.

A review is undertaken of several approaches to producing alternative transportation fuels using feedstocks that are under the control of the United States. The objective of the review is to provide the non-specialist reader with a general understanding of the several approaches, how they compare regarding process energy efficiency, their individual abilities to provide for national transportation fuel needs, and their associated capital costs. It is noted that, in principle, vehicle missions determine fuel and propulsion plant requirements rather than the other way around. In reality, of course, there is a tradeoff among desired mission capabilities and fuel and propulsion plant technologies. The review results suggest these conclusions about alternative transportation fuels: if necessary, the United States can manufacture the transportation fuels it needs; the capital investments needed to manufacture fuels beyond petroleum will be substantial, regardless of the particular alternative fuel selected. In this regard, the steam reformation of methane (SMR) processes, because of their higher efficiencies and substantially lower capital costs, would seem to warrant special attention. The associated fuels are not carbon free or carbon neutral; the capital investments associated with the manufacture of renewable-- carbon free or carbon neutral-- fuels will be especially large; serious commercial investment in alternative fuels, in contrast to standard petroleum-based fuels, will be difficult to obtain as long as low-cost petroleum is available.

With the vitality and economic growth of the U.S. being linked to affordable transportation, the use of alternative fuels is beginning to play a larger role. The use "alternative fuel" has been used to describe any fuel suggested for use in transportation vehicles other than gasoline or diesel. Since 1998, more than half of the petroleum the U.S. economy requires has been supplied by imports. In addition, the climatological and scientific community has warned that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will cause global change. Alternative Fuels examines the accepted alternative fuels, providing historical background, physical and chemical properties, production technology, and forecasts for each fuel. Alternative transportation fuels addressed include: methanol, ethanol, propane, natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen, and electricity. Chapters include: The Argument for Alternative Fuels Methanol Ethanol Propane Natural Gas Electricity and more