Review on Alternate Fuels: Need for Cleaner Fuels to Meet Future Energy Demands

Abstract

On comparison with the current usage of fossil fuels, it is estimated that by the year of 2040, the requirement for global oil will increase to 5.7 million barrels per day for diesel fuel alone. The use of fossil fuels leads to high emissions of Carbon dioxide (CO₂), Nitrous Oxides (NO_x), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM). The release of Particulate matter (PM) from these vehicle sources is one of the major concerns to human health and linked with antagonistic health effects. There particulate matter (PM) emitted from the combustion of conventional fuels leads to diseases related to cardiopulmonary mortality and sickness which also includes cancer. This rapid diminution of readily available conventional fuels, environmental concerns, has led to the increasing demand for energy towards clean alternative renewable fuels. Depletion of fossil fuels and the toxic emissions from it has made us to look for alternatives. Biodiesels are one effective greener alternative out of the biofuels compared to the conventional fossil fuels. They also have a decreased effect on health, environment and no uncertainties related to the unstable costs of the fossil fuels. This review shows the importance of immediate change in the use of fossil fuels, comparison of various alternate fuels for engines and the challenges faced to implement alternate fuels in real time.