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Future of Automobile fuel

2^nd part

In the 1^st part, we considered prospects of battery-operated vehicles. In this part, we shall see prospects of much discussed and propagated option of biofuels based on process called transesterification.

Transesterification process requires methanol and a suitable catalyst to crack chemically given vegetable oil to get biodiesel and with that, we get glycerine. This process is, much appreciated, without giving adequate thought to the difficulties involved.

In this article's context, biodiesel refers to alkyl esters made from the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, and typically produces about 60% less net carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based diesel, as it is itself, produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants. Some vehicle manufacturers are positive about the use of biodiesel, citing lower engine wear as one of the benefits of this fuel. However, as biodiesel is a better solvent than standard diesel, it 'cleans' the engine, removing deposits in the fuel lines, and this may cause blockages in the fuel injectors. For this reason, car manufacturers recommend that the fuel filter is changed a few months after switching to biodiesel (this part is often replaced anyway in regular servicing). Most manufacturers release lists of the cars which will run on 100% biodiesel. Pure biodiesel is available at many gas stations in Germany.

The standards ensure that the following important factors in the fuel production process are satisfied:

1. Complete reaction. 2. Removal of glycerin. 3. Removal of catalyst. 4) Removal of alcohol.

5) Absence of free fatty acids. 6) Low sulfur content.

Many claim to make good quality biodiesel at home or such places not properly equipped to observe above given standards. Obviously one can understand that such claims are false. We can say that it is a false propaganda to publicize this alternative to normal diesel. To produce reasonably good quality of alkyl esters from vegetable source needs expensive and well-maintained plant.

In 1977, Brazilian scientist Expedito Parente produced biodiesel through the use of transesterification and ethanol. This process, the first patented in the world, is classified as Biodiesel by international norms, conferring a "standardized identity and quality. No other proposed biofuel has been validated by the motor industry". Currently, Parente's company Tecbio is working with Boeing and NASA to certify bioquerosene, another product produced and patented by the Brazilian scientist.

Biodiesel has a viscosity similar to “petrodiesel”, the industry term for diesel produced from petroleum. It can be used as an additive in formulations of diesel to increase the lubricity of pure Ultra- Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which is advantageous because it has virtually no sulfur content. Much of the world uses a system known as the "B" factor to state the amount of biodiesel in any fuel mix, in contrast to the "BA" or "E" system used for ethanol mixes. For example, fuel containing 20% biodiesel is labeled B20. Pure biodiesel is referred to as B100.

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel and it is manufactured from (algae), vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled restaurant greases. It can be produced locally in most countries. It is safe, biodegradable and reduces air pollutants, such as particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Blends of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100) by making required certain changes in engine to avoid maintenance and performance problems. The industry standard for the amount of time it takes to produce biodiesel used to be 4 hours, but a San Antonio based company is currently experimenting, and has claimed to produce biodiesel fuel in a fraction of what it formerly was, with a 1.4-minute contact time.

We have seen plus point of this transesterified biofuel from its application as a fuel in engine. Now we shall see other aspects influenced by this fuel. Important amongst them are availability of methanol. To produce a certain quantity of this biofuel we need almost same quantity of methanol.

To get it from Where? That is a question. Another problem faced by this activity is about abundant quantity of glycerin produced as a by-product. We so far do not have any use for this chemical and dumping it is also not possible. Glycerin is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of explosives. Nitroglycerin is produced and this explosive will be available to extremists to make bombs. Creating new problems in our already difficult law and order situation.

Vegetable oils used for this fuel is also required for other important uses such as food, medicine and soap making. If fuel production consumes most of this oil then that will adversely affect these activities. Much of the land will be occupied by oil production and then there will be no land for production of our food. Considering these effects of this biofuel many people think that this option is better not accepted. Worldwide production of vegetable oil and animal fat is not yet sufficient to replace liquid fossil fuel use. Furthermore, some environmental groups object to the vast amount of farming and the resulting over-fertilization, pesticide use, and land use conversion that they say would be needed to produce the additional vegetable oil.

Many advocates suggest that waste vegetable oil (WVO) is the best source of oil to produce biodiesel. However, the available supply is drastically less than the amount of petroleum-based fuel that is burned for transportation and home heating in the world. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), restaurants in the US produce about 300 million US gallons (1,000,000 m³) of waste cooking oil annually. Although it is economically profitable to use WVO to produce biodiesel, it is even more profitable to convert WVO into other products such as soap. Therefore, most WVO that is not dumped into landfills is used for these other purposes. Animal fats are similarly limited in supply, and it would not be efficient to raise animals simply for their fat. However, producing biodiesel with animal fat that would have otherwise been discarded could replace a small percentage of petroleum diesel usage. Waste vegetable oils are the end products of food supply industries (Hotels, restaurants etc.). By some food standards cooking oils cannot be used twice after it is used for frying and so it must be discarded. Such oil is called WVO. In India this is not practiced. Considering ever-increasing population of humans many are opposing the idea of accepting this option as a viable alternative to conventional petro-fuel.

These articles will help you understand the issue in the right perspective so that you will not be fooled by any propagandistic writing supporting any of the options mentioned in the list given above. Final solution is not listed in there.

In the 3^rd part we shall consider prospects of using either pure alcohol or mixture of petrol and alcohol.

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