Alternative fuels are needed to meet rising energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. India relies on imports for 3/4 of its oil needs. Biofuels like biodiesel from palm and jatropha oil and bioethanol from sugarcane offer alternatives. Algal fuels from algae lipids offer high yields without using farmland. Natural gas and biogas can fuel vehicles when compressed as CNG or liquefied, and have lower emissions than gasoline. Electric vehicles powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells produce no emissions but have limited range, though fuel cell vehicles could go further. Plastic and emulsified diesel also show potential as alternative transport fuels.

1. Alternative Fuels

2. Need for Alternate FuelsWorld today is facing the pinch of rising energy consumption. Green house gas emissions and global warming is also in the forefront of critical issues.India is ranked 6th in terms of energy demands but its domestic crude oil production satisfies only ¼th of our current demands.

3. Conventional fuels include: fossil fuels (petroleum,coal), and nuclear materials such as uranium. Alternative fuels, also known as non-conventional fuels, are any materials or substances that can be used as fuels, other than conventional fuels.

4. Bio Fuels There are 4 chief Biofuels categories:The 1st generation of biofuels comes from sugar, starch & vegetable fats that are solely dependent on food-crops. It also can be sourced through animal fats. e.g;biofuels are bio-diesel, Bioethanol & biogas.

5. 2nd generation comes from non food crops.e.g.biofuels are bio-diesel, Bioethanol & biogas.

6. 3rd generation is established on the basis of biofuels got through algae. e.g. Algae oil4th generation Fuels based on the conversion of vegetable oil and biodiesel into gasoline.

7. Bio DieselIt can be manufactured from vegetable oils such as palm, rapeseed, soy, linseed, jatropha and coconut oil.

8. Avoiding the need for expensive additional infrastructure.

9. Reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter.

10. Biodiesel and Bioalcohol contains no sulphur. It has natural lubricity and thus lubricity enhancing additive is required.BioethanolBrazil stands 1st in terms of Biofuel consumption.

11. According to UNCTAD report, Brazil uses pure ethanol in 20% of their vehicles and a 22 to 26 % ethanol-petrol blend in the rest of their vehicles.

12. CO emission from automobiles decreased from 50g/km in 1980 to 5.8g/km in 1995

13. The USA and Australia use a 10% ethanol blend.

14. India is 4th largest producer and the government mandated the use of a 5% ethanol blend in petrol sold in nine sugarcane producing states.Projected Demand…….

15. Algal FuelMicroalgae contains Lipids and fatty acids

16. Over 30%

17. The biodiesel yield is higher than high traditional yielding crops.

18. It can be grown in sewages and in the industrial pollutants.

19. Algal biomass is also a good feed to animals.Natural GasNatural gas is produced either from gas wells

20. or in conjunction with crude oil production.