Potential Of Alternative Fuels Research Articles

GHG emission reduction measures and alternative fuels in different shipping segments and time horizons – A Delphi study

The bodies governing the global maritime industry have set short- and long-term targets for reducing GHG emissions from shipping. Various emission abatement measures exist, but their applicability in different contexts widely varies. The situation is unclear, especially for the so-called alternative fuels. These fuels hold the biggest emission reduction potential. Conversely, they are expensive, and the feasibility of investments in those technologies has high uncertainty. Despite a growing body of knowledge on the characteristics and potential of alternative fuels, no consensus exists as to which fuels would be best for each segment of the maritime industry – in the near future and the long run. We contribute with a Delphi study to fill this gap. Our results pinpoint the differences between the shipping segments and the short- and long-term choices for alternative fuels.

Research on technological innovation and application of modern diesel engines

Diesel engines have been instrumental in driving industrial advancement. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution and application of diesel engine technology across various sectors, set against the backdrop of the global energy crisis and swift technological progress. The research emphasizes technological breakthroughs like turbocharging and common rail fuel injection, which have been pivotal in augmenting combustion efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The potential of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, synthetic diesel, and water-emulsified diesel, in curbing emissions and bolstering combustion efficiency is also critically assessed. The diverse applications of diesel engines, spanning marine vessels to aviation, are explored, highlighting the adaptability of these engines to evolving environmental norms and market needs. The paper further investigates strategies to enhance thermal efficiency and performance, spotlighting innovative combustion methods like HCCI and RCCI. The pivotal role of accurate fuel injection control and injector design in refining combustion quality is also accentuated. In summation, while the study underscores the persistent relevance of diesel engine technology amidst modern challenges, it also advocates for sustained innovation to harmonize performance with environmental concerns. The prospective trajectory for diesel engines might encompass an amalgamation of traditional and novel energy solutions to address shifting energy and emission standards.

Experimental Investigation of the Rail Pressure Fluctuations Correlated with Fuel Properties and Injection Settings

Injection-induced rail pressure fluctuations are proven to cause nonuniform spray development. These fluctuations are also responsible for generating lower injection pressures, to the detriment of jet penetration length and break-up timing. Despite the vast literature dealing with such issues, several aspects of rail pressure fluctuations remain unclear. Additionally, the need for compliance with the emission legislation has shed light on the potential of alternative fuels, which represent a pathway for sustainable mobility. This scenario has motivated the present study dealing with the assessment of the time history of rail pressure correlated with fuel properties. Tests have been performed using a last-generation common rail injection equipment under various injection settings, employing diesel and 2-methylfuran-diesel blend. This paper describes the research activity and aims to provide new insights into the correlation of rail pressure fluctuations with fuel properties.

The Potential of Alternative Fuels in Kenya: Entrepreneurial Opportunities from Imperfect Markets

Overview Kenya's fuel industry exhibits characteristics of both a highly inefficient market as well as those found in markets with potential for generating lucrative business, depending on whether it can solve the fuel supply equation. Given the logistical and financial restraints, Kenya's indigenous oil and gas industry does not seem viable in the short term as an aspiration of achieving self-sufficiency in fuels and energy. The ongoing increase in transportation fuel demand is putting upward pressure on oil prices, worsening Kenya's dependence on oil imports and deteriorating the country's balance of payment as a result, which together with the introduction of market-friendly policies, such as the elimination of the tax on ethanol, open up an attractive ethanol market. Methodology We take a market research analysis approach to the question before us: the fuel market in Kenya. A comprehensive review of Kenya's fuel industry reveals a number of constraints to achieving fuel security. Conversely, the same chain of constraints shows scalable and profitable market niches for a local fuel industry to emerge. We examine how Kenya may harness its strengths and geographic position within East Africa to play a strategic role in the fuel supply chain. We examine the following approaches: 1. Government policies toward alternative fuels. 2. Supply chain: a. Local production: Is there enough feedstock? b. Distribution channels. 3. Demand response. 4. Impact on Kenyan balance of payments. Results The current imperfect fuel market in Kenya creates fertile terrain for an alternative fuel industry to flourish. The conditions that create momentum are as follows: Refined petroleum products are entirely imported in the absence of Kenyan indigenous oil and gas supplies. Poor infrastructure and logistics create cost differences for fuels across counties, allowing niche markets for petroleum substitutes to prosper. Growing demand puts a strain on existing infrastructure that needs substantial upgrading. Meanwhile, alternative ways of meeting the fuel logistics emerge from such physical constraints. Market-friendly policy actions, such as the elimination of taxes on ethanol, may encourage consumers to take a second look at ethanol as a feasible replacement for petroleum fuels. Conclusions Our research concludes that by diversifying its fuel portfolio and by developing a local ethanol market, the Kenyan government would not only be more energy secure in the medium and long term but it would also improve its balance of payments with annual savings offsetting annual investment in the new fuel. Moreover, shifting investment from oil imports to local ethanol resources would have a significant positive effect on the national GDP, benefiting the country as a whole.

A Simplified Approach for Evaluation of the Burnup Potential of Alternative Fuels

To evaluate the burnup potential of a fuel pin, a simplified fuel rod analysis code called FUEL-SIMplified model (FUELSIM) was developed using the general-purpose software VENSIM. FUELSIM is based on FRAPCON-3 models and validated against it. A sensitivity analysis was done using FUELSIM to determine the fuel parameters that have high importance in limiting the burnup potential of a fuel material. Among 16 parameters, 10 were identified as having high importance. For six fuel materials (uranium metal, UC, UN, Th/U metal, UO2/ThO2 fuels, and UO2), a simplified model for the pressure rise and volumetric changes inside the fuel is developed to estimate the operational index of each fuel; these models include only the variables with high importance. It was found that the highest burnup potential is that of the nitride fuel, followed by the UO2/ThO2 fuel.