Blending Low Carbon Fuels for Sustainable Transportation

Abstract

The growing demand for a carbon-neutral future underscores the critical need to decarbonize the transportation sector. However, achieving this goal faces significant challenges, including the lack of cost-effective advanced renewable fuels and infrastructure coupled with the inflexibility of current end-use technologies. Research indicates that substituting traditional transportation fuels with low-carbon alternatives represents the most effective pathway to decarbonization. In recent years, the use of low carbon fuels has been on the rise to reduce environmental pollution and the depletion of fossil fuels. Low carbon fuels have been demonstrated to enhance performance and reduce emissions in on-road transportation. Despite the existing research on the impact of low carbon fuels on conventional fuels used in maritime transportation, a comprehensive analysis is still lacking. The present study investigates the physicochemical properties, performance, and emission characteristics of major fuels used in both on-road and maritime transport when blended with low carbon fuels. The findings indicate that blending low carbon fuels with both road and marine diesel significantly reduces exhaust emissions. The properties of light diesel-low carbon fuel blends perform better than those of heavy diesel-low carbon fuel blends. An analysis of research trends demonstrates a significant increase in studies focused on low-carbon fuel-conventional oil blends within the past five years. However, the application of low-carbon fuels as fuel blends has garnered more attention in road engine applications compared to marine engines. This chapter highlights the critical importance of low-carbon fuel research and its application, particularly within the shipping industry. By addressing the aforementioned challenges and fostering continued research in this area, we can pave the way towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation sector.