Nonconventional fuels are needed as substitutes for fossil fuels to improve air quality and reduce environmental impacts from vehicle emissions. As natural fossil fuel reserves are dwindling, nonconventional fuels like hydrogen, biodiesel, and solar energy can power vehicles. Hydrogen vehicles can run on fuel cells or combustion, with only water as a byproduct. Biodiesel vehicles can run on fuel made from plant oils with minor engine modifications. Solar-powered electric vehicles convert sunlight to electricity through photovoltaic panels but have limited practicality for daily use currently.
2. Different types of Vehicle
Vehicles have been classified on basis of fuels they use :-
• Conventional and Nonconventional
Conventional fuels
• Fuels we use commonly in our vehicles or the fossil fuels
• Ex. Petrol ,Diesel ,Steam etc.
Nonconventional fuels
• Fuels that are substitute to fossil fuels
• Ex. Hydrogen ,Biodiesel ,Solar energy etc.
3. Why we need nonconventional fuels
The real need of nonconventional fuel is to improve environmental
conditions
• Fuels like diesel and petrol produces large amount of toxic gases on
burning like mono-nitrogen oxide ,ozone etc.
The other need of nonconventional fuel is :-
• That the natural fuels or fossil fuels are getting to end ,so the price is
getting high ,to overcome this we need Nonconventional fuels
• And to get more power from fuel at low consumption rate we need
nonconventional fuels.
4. Vehicle nowadays
Nowadays vehicle generally moves on petrol & diesel , earlier they use to
run on steam power
How basically engine works :-
5. Diesel and Patrol Vehicles
Vehicles running on diesel and petrol uses engine designed according to
fuel type.
In them Petrol or Diesel is being used to move piston :-
6. Steam vehicle
One of the earliest mechanical powered vehicles were the steam engine
powered vehicle.
They uses steam to move piston and the piston moves crank shaft , thus
vehicle moves.
7. Nonconventional Fuel Vehicle
Nonconventional Fuel Vehicles are the vehicles using non-
conventional fuels like Hydrogen , Biodiesel , Solar energy etc. as there
source of energy for locomotion.
Bus running on soybean
biodiesel
A propane fueled school bus in the
United States.
8. Hydrogen Vehicle
Uses hydrogen as its primary source of power for locomotion.
In this case hydrogen can be used for combustion or fuel-cell conversion :-
• In combustion hydrogen is burned in same manner as in gasoline car.
• In fuel-cell hydrogen is turned into electricity which then powers electric-
motor.
As only water as by-product its totally safe.
Ex :- Honda FCX Clarity etc.
9. Air Engine Vehicle
These vehicle are emission free piston engine that uses compressed air as
a source of energy.
The expansion of compressed air may be used to drive piston in modified
piston and crank shaft engine.
The compressed air is stored in pressurized carbon-fiber tank at temp. as
low as (-15 C).
11. Biodiesel Vehicle
Biodiesel is basically “Fatty acid Methyl Ester”
It have more fuel efficiency (44%) as compared to gasoline (25-30%)
With minor modification Diesel-powered vehicles can run on 100% pure
biodiesel
In other case it can be used by mixing with diesel
Biodiesel (B20) pump
12. Solar energised Vehicles
It is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar
energy
Photovoltaic (PV) cells in solar panels convert sun’s energy directly into
electric energy
Solar vehicles are not sold as practical day-to-day transportation devices at
present , but are primarily demonstration vehicle and engineering
exercises.
Solar panels are used to
charge electrical cars
Nuna car at racetrack
