STUDY OF PERFORMANCE OF

ALTERNATE FUELS
(METHANOL,ETHANOL AND BIO-DIESEL)

PREPARED BY:
KRUSHNAPALSINH PUVAR(14816)
MALVIYA GAURAV(14817)
MODI SUPAL(14819)
 NEED FOR ALTERNATE FUELS

 Fast vanishing resources.

 Irreplaceable nature of
petroleum fuels.

 Environmental pollution.
 CO- causes impairments to
physiological functions.
 NOx & HC cause photochemical smog,
irritation, plant damage.
 CO2 causes global warming
Effects of Global Warming
 ALTERNATE FUEL OPTIONS
 Alcohols
The use of alcohol as a motor fuel is itself not a new idea.

The pioneering German engine designer Nikolaus Otto suggested it as

early as 1895.

As crude oil was plentiful and inexpensive, gasoline derived from it was
the most economical fuel for the internal combustion engine.

-Ethanol (C2H5OH)
-Methanol (CH3OH)

 Biodiesel
 ALCOHOLS

METHANOL
 Flexible fuel permitting wider variation from ideal A:F ratios.

 Good lean combustion characteristics.

 Desirable combustion and emission characteristics.

 Low combustion flame temperature (leading to low NOx emissions).

 Low fuel volatility (leading to low evaporative emissions).

 Low photochemical reactivity (tendency to produce smog).

 PRODUCTION OF METHANOL
STEP 1 • Methane to Methanol
Pressure

Synthesis Gas
Water
Methane

Carbon Hydrogen
Monoxide

Heat Pressure
STEP 2 Heat

Methanol

Catalyst

Methane

• Methane & Catalyst

Methanol

Iron

Oxygen
PROPERTIES OF METHANOL
Sr. No Property Methyl
alcohol(CH3OH)

1 Molecular weight 32
2 Boling point at 1 bar °C 66

3 Freezing point °C -161.8

4 Specific Gravity 0.79

5 Latent Heat(kJ/kg) 1110
6 Viscosity(centipoise) 0.596
7 Stoichimetric A:F(ratio) 6.45
8 Mixture heating value(kJ/kg) for stoic-mixture 3070

9 Ignition limits(A/F) 2.15 to 12.8

10 Self ignition Temp. 574
11 Octane Number 112
(a)Research 91
(b)Motor

12 Cetane Number 3
13 Lower C.V(kJ/kg) 19740
14 Vapour pressure at 38°C(bar) 0.313

15 Flame Speed(m/sec) 0.76

16 Auto-ignition temperature(°C) 467
 PERFORMANCE OF METHANOL AS FUEL
 Brake power versus
equivalence ratio •Brake power vs Speed
60 60
50

Brake Power (kw)

50
brake power (kw)

40 40 methanol
petrol
30 30 methanol
methanol
20 20 petrol
10 10
0 0
0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
equivalence ratio
speed (RPM)

•Volumetric Efficiency vs Speed

0.9
volumetric n

0.8 petrol
methanol
0.7

0.6
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
speed
 COMPARISION OF PETROL & METHANOL
EMISSIONS
• NOx Emissions
• Hydrocarbon Emissions 5000
2000
4000
1600

NOX (ppm)
3000 methanol
HC (ppm)

1200 methanol
methanol methanol
800 2000
petrol petrol
400 1000
0 0
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
equivalence ratio
equvalent ratio

• CO Emissions • Aldehyde Emissions

300
8

aldehydes (ppm)
co (% volume)

6 200
methanol petrol
4 methanol methano
petrol 100
2

0
0
0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3

equivelent ratio equivalent ratio

PROBLEMS & SOLUTION OF METHANOL
FUEL SYSTEM AND COLD STARTING
 Methanol in pure form is inferior compared to petrol for cold starting.

 By preheating, methanol dissociated into (CO+2H2) to obtain gaseous H2

which gives broad flammability limit.

CORROSION
 Corrosion of the engine parts was one of the main reason for not using
alcohols as fuels. Corrosion is server during starting and idling

 It swells or softens many parts of plastic or rubber which are commonly

used for gaskets or floats in carburettor.

 Solved by using Elastomers instead of rubber or plastic.

 Once the engine starts and gets heated, Corrosion does not take place.

 The Corrosion by methanol was prevented by using Corrosion inhibitor

LZ541 which is manufactured by M/s Lubrizol India.
 ETHANOL
 Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is a clear, colourless liquid with a faint odour.

 High latent heat of vaporisation.

 Ethanol is a known ‘octane enhancer’ and ‘oxygenate’ to reduce engine

knock .

 Ethanol can be produced in two forms: hydrated and anhydrous.

 Ethanol can be used as an automotive fuel by itself and can be mixed with
petrol to form.

 Ethanol are often added to petrol to induce a lean shift in engine’s

operation.
PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL
Three different class of sources can be used:

 starch as grain, corn and tubers like cassava

 sugar plants (sugar beet or sugar cane)
 cellulose plants (general tree and biomass)

Processes involved :
ETHANOL PERFORMANCE
FUEL CONSUMPTION

 Ethanol has a lower calorific value than petrol.

 Analysis work has revealed that about 4% more fuel is required in an E10 blend to
achieve the same MJ/L. On an energy content basis, it is estimated that for E20 fuel
consumption will increase by about 7%.
EMISSION
 With better combustion, the ethanol blended gasoline provides a reduction in total
hydro-carbon emissions.

 CO emission also gets reduced as confirmed by many studies.

 As ethanol does not contain sulphur, a corresponding decrease in SO2 emission

results.

 There is a slight increase in the emission of acetaldehyde. With catalyst converters

now being used in vehicles reduces aldehydes level by ten times.

 Hydrocarbon emissions decreased with higher blends:

at 10% ethanol, HC emissions decreased by about 18%.
at 20%, HC emissions decreased by about 22%.

 CO emissions were lowered by higher blends:

at 10%, CO reduced by about 18%.
at 25%, CO reduced by over 30%.

 NOx emissions increased with higher ethanol volume:

at 10%, NOx emission increase was about 10%.
at 20%, NOx emission increase was about 14%.

 CO2 emissions initially increased at ethanol volumes from 10% to 20%.

SOME DISADVANTAGES OF ETHANOL
(i) higher aldehyde emissions

(ii) corrosiveness, affecting metallic parts

 Blends above 15% ethanol would require a few engine modifications to
address –
 Compatible elastomers for oil seals and rubber components.
 Larger orifice for more flow of fuel through carburetor/injector.
 Retarding ignition timing
 Increasing compression ratio to take advantage of higher cetane number of
ethanol.

(iii) higher latent heat of vaporisation causing startability problem

(iv) higher evaporation losses due to higher vapour pressure

(v) requiring large fuel tank due to lower calorific value .

However, below the 10% value, the disadvantages are not serious and
there is no need of modifying the engine, i.e it would be compatible with
the blends.
 BIO-DIESEL
 Bio-diesel is fatty acid ethyl or methyl ester made from virgin or used vegetable oils
(both edible & non-edible) and animal fats. The main commodity sources for bio-
diesel in India can be non-edible oils obtained from plant species such as Jatropha
Curcas (Ratanjyo t), Pongamia Pinnata (Karanj) , Calophyllum inophyllum
(Nagchampa), Hevca brasiliensis (Rubber) etc. .

 bio-diesel operates in compression ignition engine; which essentially require very little
or no engine modifications because bio-diesel has properties similar to petroleum
diesel fuels.

 Its higher cetane number improves the ignition quality even when blended in the
petroleum diesel.

 Bio-diesel would help in improving the lubricity of low sulphur diesel.

 Bio-diesel has been accepted as clean alternative fuel by US and its production
presently is about 100 million Gallons.
 Bio-diesel Compared to
Petroleum Diesel
Advantages
 Domestically produced from
non-petroleum, renewable
resources
 Can be used in most diesel
engines, especially newer ones
 Less air pollutants (other than
nitrogen oxides) and
greenhouse gases
 Biodegradable
 Non-toxic
 Safer to handle
Disadvantages
 Use of blends above B5 not yet
warranted by auto makers

 Lower fuel economy and power
(10% lower for B100, 2% for B20)
 Currently more expensive
 More nitrogen oxide emissions
 B100 generally not suitable for use
in low temperatures
 Concerns about B100's impact on
engine durability
PRODUCTION OF BIO-DIESEL
RAW MATERIAL:
 Vegetable oil
 Alcohol
 Animal Fats
 Waste Vegetable Oil
 Esters Of Vegetable Oil

JATROPHA CURCAS – SOURCE OF BIODIESEL

 It can be grown as a quick yielding plant even in adverse land
situations.

 The seeds of Jatropha are available during the non-rainy season,

which facilitates better collection and processing.

 oil cake left behind is an excellent organic manure.

 Retains soil moisture and improve land capability and environment.

FLOW DIAGRAM OF PRODUCTION OF BIO–DIESEL
FROM JATHROPHA
PROPERTIES OF BIO-DIESEL
 Density/ Sp. Heat
Slightly heavier than conventional diesel fuel (specific gravity 0.88 compared to 0.84
for diesel fuel).

 Cetane number
Bio-diesel has higher cetane number than conventional diesel fuel.

 Viscosity
Viscosity specifications proposed are same as that of the diesel fuel.

 Flash Point
The flashpoint of bio-diesel is higher than the petroleum based diesel fuel.

 Cloud Point
Biodiesel generally has higher cloud point than diesel fuel.

 Stabilty
Oxidation stability – more related to engine operation as engine components attain
high temperatures during operation.
Storage stability
Thermal stability
BIO-DIESEL EMISSIONS COMPARED TO
CONVENTIONAL DIESEL

B100 B20
Emissions

Regulated Emissions

Total Unburned Hydrocarbons -93% -30%

Carbon Monoxide -50% -20%

Particulate Matter -30% -22%

Nox +13% +2%

Non-Regulated Emissions

Sulphates -100% -20%*

Polyciclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)** -80% -13%

NPAH (Nitrated PAHs)** -90% -50%***

Ozone Potential of Speciated HC -50% -10%

Life-Cycle Emissions

Carbon Dioxide (LCA) -80%

Sulphur Dioxide (LCA) -100%

GRAPHS DEPICTING EMISSIONS COMPARING DIESEL &
BIODIESEL
STORAGE OF BIO-DIESEL

 Esterification of vegetable oil increases its water hazard.

 Store bio-diesel in clean, dry and approved tanks.

 Underground storage is preferred in cold climates but is stored in open

proper insulation, heating and other equipment should be installed.

 Additives can be used for low temperature storage and pumping.

 Condensation of water in the tank should be avoided as hydrocarbon-

degrading bacteria and mold can grow and use bio-diesel as food.

 Bio-diesel can be store up to a maximum period of 6 months Some anti-

oxidant additives are also used for longer periods of storage.
HANDLING OF BIO-DIESEL
 Bio-diesel vegetable methyl esters contain no volatile organic compounds that can
give rise to poisonous or noxious fumes.

 There is no lead or sulfur to react and release any harmful or corrosive gases.

 On eye contact bio-diesel may cause eye irritation.

 Hot fuel may cause burn. Bio-diesel should be handled with gloves as it may cause
soft skin. Mild irritation on skin can occur.

 Any accidental discharge/ spill of small amounts of bio-diesel should have little impact
on the environment.

 Spilling bio-diesel in water is as illegal as spilling petroleum.

 CONCLUSION
Since the fossil fuels are fast dwindling
and moreover give out harmful emissions
during combustion. So the need of the
hour is to relace these fossil fuels with
fuels that are renewable and are clean
burning.
With a little modification and development
of infrastructure alcohols and bio-diesel
can be worthy substitute for fossil fuels
 REFERENCES
WEBSITES:
 www.wikipedia.org
 www.google.com
 www.howstuffworks.com
 www.amazon.com
 www.environment.gov.au
 www.cetiner.tripod.com

BOOKS:
 I.C. Engines by Domkundwar
 Report on BIO-FUELS by Planning Commission, Govt. of India.
 Automobile Engg by R.B. Gupta
THANK YOU