An Alternative to Hydrocarbon Fuels

A hydrocarbon is an organic chemical compound composed only of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They are
highly combustible and produce carbon dioxide and water when burned in sufficient oxygen (Equation 1). In incomplete
combustion carbon monoxide and water are produced (Equation 2).
(In)complete combustion equations in terms of ​x ​and ​y:

​ y​ + (4​x​+​y​/2)O​2​ → 2​x​CO​2​ + ​y​H​2​O

2C​xH​ (1)
2C​x​H​y​ + (2​x​+​y​/2)O​2​ → 2​x​CO + ​yH ​ ​2​O (2)

Hydrocarbons have covalent bonds that store a large amount of energy, which is released when the molecules are
burned. Therefore, they are highly effective and desired as a source of fuel. Hydrocarbons are mostly found deep
underground, in porous rock formations such as sandstone, limestone, and shale, which are mostly found in large
bodies of water (Investopedia). Oil and natural gas exploration companies use advanced engineering techniques to
pinpoint these reservoirs and use their resources for human use (Fernando). Hydrocarbon fuels are essentially the same
as fossil fuels or diesel. The importance of hydrocarbons cannot be stressed enough as it is collectively responsible for
about 85% of global energy consumption (Investopedia). On the other hand, hydrocarbons are not only used as a
source of energy. For example, refined petroleum has been used to produce myriad derivative materials. These play
significant roles in the world’s economy, such as lubricants, plastics, and solvents (Fernando).
Alternative fuels can considerably reduce harmful exhaust emissions such as Carbon Dioxide, Carbon
Monoxide, and Sulfur Dioxide. When searching for alternative fuels, three aspects should be taken into consideration, ​i​)
accessibility, ​ii)​ efficiency, and ​iii​) renewability. These aspects all define the features of the most ideal fuel. The effects
of the fuels that humans are currently using are harming the environment in terms of greenhouse gases. The issue
caused by the current fuels is also due to their lack of renewability due to the source of production. Humanity's
objective is to develop fuels, specifically biofuels, which are considered to be renewable and carbon-free. However, the
efficiency and price of biofuels seem a problematic aspect of their practicality (Seeker). In terms of biofuels’ efficiency,
energy density (the energy contained in a region of space per volume or energy per mass) should be taken into
consideration. On the other hand, the current energy source that we use, fossil fuels, and its products hold common to
their lack of renewability, and depletion is approaching. To that end, one must ask: to what extent does mankind need
to find alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels?
The alternative fuel that will be talked about is Biodiesel. ​It is a form of diesel fuel obtained from plants or
animals and consisting of long-chain fatty acid esters (Wikipedia). ​Due to the various blends involving gasoline, this
essay will be focused on Biodiesel B100, where the fuel is 100% composed of biodiesel. This green fuel was chosen
because it is clean-burning, domestically produced and a renewable substitute for petroleum diesel. Using biodiesel as
fuel can improve energy security and air quality. On the contrary, hydrogen fuel (Equation 3) is also a very good
alternative, however, storing the fuel is very dangerous as hydrogen can easily explode. Hydrogen fuel equation
(UNLV):

2H​2​ + O​2​ → 2H​2​O (3)

There are a couple of issues regarding the efficiency and accessibility of biofuels for multiple reasons, including the
different properties from conventional hydrocarbon fuels, such as conventional diesel (Moser). The cetane number of
biodiesel normally ranges from 46 - 52 when it is produced by vegetable sources (CARB). For optimal engine
performance, a higher cetane number is ideal as it correlates with shorter ignition delays (LZDesiel). Biodiesel,
compared to diesel, requires less air to combust, therefore there is a higher occurrence of complete combustions. This
results in reduced engine knocking, thereby maintaining long-term functionality (Biodiesel.org). Biodiesel has an energy
density of 38 MJ/kg or 33.4 MJ/L (Rentar). A common engine in the USA, 1.9 TIL, could travel 33km/gal when using
diesel fuel (EnergyEducation), generating about 90 horsepower under optimal performance conditions, meaning
(ITSTILLRUNS). Similarly, the same vehicle could only travel about 24.4km/gal and generate 75 horsepower, when using
biodiesel as the fuel source, as it has an energy density that is 26% lower than conventional diesel (EnergyEducation).
There is a range of fuels that may be considered as diesel, however, the average chemical formula is C​12​H​24
(Goshen), where diesel forms an unsaturated hydrocarbon. Here the focus will be on pure conventional diesel, due to
the different blends of diesel. Several issues are faced in regards to efficiency. One of them would be incomplete
combustion, which is caused by oxygen deprivation within the oxygen (Technetium). Since not all reactants are
consumed in incomplete combustion, the energy released is lower. This means that the 1.9 TIL is unable to travel
32km/gal (ITSTILLRUNS). The combustion of diesel is 6.2 MJ/mol (Chemguide) but under incomplete combustion
(ScienceDirect) (Equation 4):
C​12​H​24​ + 12O​2 (g)​ → 12CO​(g)​ + 12H​2​O​(g) (4)

only a fraction of the energy produced along with byproducts such as carbon monoxide (HowStuffWorks). These issues
include increased viscosity of oil in the engine which wears down valves, reducing engine efficiency over time
(HowStuffWorks). In temperatures lower than -9.5ºC, paraffin wax crystallizes, increasing the viscosity of the fuel,
sometimes solidifying the mixture (Fuel and Friction). This is a problem in colder countries such as Alaska, where
temperatures reach -16ºC in winter, making diesel unusable without an alternative blend (Forbes). Diesel can only be
created through fossil fuels, thus it is a non-renewable resource, estimated to be depleted by 2060
(Co-operativeEnergy). While current consumption rates are sustainable, as the supply depletes, prices will start
increasing rapidly, becoming inaccessible to the typical consumer (The Balance).
The renewability, efficiency, and accessibility are important factors that affect the economy, as energy sources
should be cheap to produce and promising in use. The aspect of renewability of biodiesel comes from its source of
production, which would be the fermentation of biomass to create a carbon-based fuel (Seeker). This instigates several
issues ranging from biodiversity loss to expensive prices which restrict its accessibility. Biofuels are renewable and can
maintain power prices in the long term, thus they are an ideal source of energy for the stability of the economy. On the
contrary, diesel is projected to have a 145% increase in price by 2050 (EIA). Higher prices will affect the stock market
because the general consumer will have less money to spend. Higher fuel prices will also affect transportation, as will
the prices of trucks that run on diesel. Prices of importing and exporting goods will rise, along with a fall in profits made
(Investopedia). A transport truck(average tank size of 25 gallons) refilled daily would have a yearly price of $86,688 per
truck compared to the present price of $35,383 (EIA). This will affect the prices of products as they rise in correlation
with fuel prices (Investopedia), resulting in prices that cannot be purchased by the average consumer, decreasing the
economy’s activity and causing unemployment over time. The demand for biofuels is rising and proves impossible to
keep going, furthermore, the expansion of farmland must be increased meaning in huge loss of wildlife.
The alternative solution is biodiesel. Although the price of biodiesel is higher than diesel at the moment, the
depletion of fossil fuels will make mankind focus on an alternative fuel source. Even though efficiency and energy
density are much lower than diesel, funding in research allowed for a change in the focus of different generation fuels,
which are more efficient and developed from inedible parts of crops. This means they would now interfere with the
global food supply. So, to answer the research question ‘To what extent does mankind need to find alternatives to
hydrocarbon fuels?’, the answer is to a major extent. Due to the depletion of hydrocarbon fuels and negative effects
that they have on the environment as well as the economy, it would be better for mankind to consider using biodiesel
fuel as an alternative to hydrocarbon fuels in the future.
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