Alternate Fuels for IC Engine :

Ethanol & Hydrogen

P re s e nte d by, Va m a n A . S h e n o y,
M e m b e r, A C M E

Index:

Abstract Introduction Ethanol

Why ethanol? Use of ethanol in IC engines Modification required for using ethanol Results and discussions

Hydrogen

Hydrogen in internal combustion engines

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Alternative energy technologies can provide a hedge

against rising fuel prices. Emission-free or Eco- Friendly.

An additional environmental benefit could be the

"brightfields" concept. Strict emissions norms like EURO NORMS, BHARAT NORMS, KYOTO PROTOCOL etc. Increased demand for petroleum products.

ETHANOL

Most promising option for countries like India.

Availability from agriculture products.

Basic methods of usage:

Injection

of ethanol with inlet air using carburetion of diesel and ethanol

Emulsion

Why ethanol?

Can be produced in large quantities at low cost from these molasses.

Its high oxygen content improves the combustion characteristics.

It also reduces harmful emissions from IC

engines such as sulphur-di-oxide, oxides of

nitrogen, particulate emissions.

Use of ethanol in IC engines

Blend formation Dual injection Spark ignition Ignition improvers Surface ignition Fumigation

 Blend formation:
The

easiest method by which ethanol could be

used is in the form of diesel ethanol blend.

But

ethanol has limited solubility in diesel [

typically 20%]
Major
Cost Poor

Drawbacks:
of emulsifiers.
low temperatures physical properties.

 Dual injection:
Nearly 90% Displacement of diesel by ethanol is possible. The drawback of this method includes the complexity and expense of a second injection system and a second fuel tank and system.

Spark ignition:
Provides a way of displacing 100% of diesel. A spark plug and the associated ignition system components must be added to the engine.

 Ignition improvers:
Increase cetane numbers sufficiently with ignition improving additives to ensure that compression ignition will occur. Saves the expense and complexity of engine components changes, but adds fuel costs.

Surface ignition:
Surface ignition occurs when the temperature of the air-fuel mixture adjacent to a hot surface exceeds its self-ignition limit.

 Fumigation:

Ethanol is introduced into engine by carbureting or vaporizing the ethanol into the intake stream. Requires addition of a carburetor or vaporizer along with a separate fuel tank, lines and controls.

Emergence of electronic injection techniques the fumigation technique has been made possible by using an injector in the intake

Modification required for using ethanol

Modification like hot surface ignition, continuously operated glow plugs, spark plugs, fuel additives, exhaust gas re-circulation, diesel injection, special piston design like Sonex combustion system (SCS), intake air heating either by controls on flow from turbocharger or by electric heater are some of the successful methods by which the best performance and also higher percentage of energy replacement are achieved.

Results and discussions:

It is observed from the graph that the engine running with ethanol shows higher brake thermal efficiency when compared with engine running with diesel.

Results and discussions:

The variation of TFC with power of the engine operated with diesel and substitution of diesel with ethanol by fumigation and emulsification is shown in the graph.

HYDROGEN

Hydrogen is a clean fuel because water is the product after combustion in an internal combustion engine.

NOx produced is still less than that from petrol/diesel internal combustion engines.

Hydrogen in IC engines

Research shows that Hydrogen can replace Fossil fuels. With the introduction of Hydrogen fuel cell technology, the use of internal combustion engines may be phased out. The volumetric efficiency of Hydrogen is roughly five times lower than petrol. This is why Hydrogen must be compressed if there is to be a useful amount of energy.

 Hydrogen cars generally use the Hydrogen

in one of the two methods:

Combustion Fuel-cell conversion

In combustion, Hydrogen is burnt in

engines in traditionally the same method as traditional gasoline cars. In fuel-cell conversion, the Hydrogen is converted into electricity through fuel cells which then powers electric motors.

 With either method, the only byproduct is

water. Some Hydrogen cars use the common internal combustion engine, usually fueled with gasoline or diesel liquids, can be converted to run on gaseous Hydrogen. The most efficient use of Hydrogen involves the use of fuel cells and electric motors instead of a traditional engine. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen inside the fuel cells, which produces electricity to power the motors.

Research and Innovation

The first Hydrogen refueling station was opened in Reykjavik, Iceland on April 2003 In 2005, an Israeli company claimed it succeeded in conquering most of the problems related to producing Hydrogen internal combustion engine by using a device called a Metal-Steam combustor. Research is ongoing at companies like BMW, Hyundai, and Nissan, among many others.

A few examples

Hondas first FCX with Home Hydrogen Refueling.

Hydrogen postmans bike.

 The BMW Hydrogen 7

Series IC Engine [135KW power output]

The hydrogen internal

combustion engine inside a bus.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion finally it can be inferred that hydrogen is the best and efficient alternate fuel for engines. Clean and high efficiency. Only drawback at present is handling and storage problem.

References:

Michael Frank Hordesky,

Alternative Fuels: The David

future of hydrogen.

David Blume and Richard Buckminster Fuller,

Blumes Alcohol can be fuels!.