Alternative Fuel Use in Iraq: A way to Reduce Air Pollution

Abstract

The Iraq air is polluted highly by pollutants emitted from automobiles and trucks as well as power stations. This pollution resource is well known it is the burning of oil and natural gas. Iraq has been subjected to a series of wars and economic blockade for more than 40 continuing years. The war and blockade conditions have affected all the country's infrastructure causing huge deterioration in the services provided to Iraqi citizens. The Iraqi refineries as well have been subjected to major destruction and reconstruction several times. Unfortunately, the reconstruction in Iraq conditions was not in appropriate level, and for that reason we find the Iraqi gasoline and diesel are one of the worst fuels in the world. All reports demonstrated that the Iraqi gasoline contains high levels of sulfur (500ppm), as well as high levels of lead compounds to increase octane. The Iraqi diesel contains sulfur up to 1 to 2.5% of its weight which makes it the worst globally.In Iraq there are many alternative fuels that generate better engine performance and emit lower exhaust pollutants while improving fuel consumption. This paper reviews some of the Iraqi experimental work during the past ten years and the available results about using gaseous fuels such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and hydrogen. In addition, the study focus on the use of some additives to gasoline and diesel, such as alcohols and biofuels to reduce the effects of sulfur associated with these types of fuel. The Iraqi research works have found many solutions and alternative methods of operation to eliminate the various engines emitted pollutants. The role has now come to the decision makers to legislate the laws and decisions necessary to switch to new types of alternative fuels.