Session-6-Alternative EnergyFuels

Alternative
Fuels
CHM 181 | Environmental Chemistry
Contents
Biomass
Algae-based fuel
Biodiesel
Ammonia
Carbon-neutral fuel
Alternative
Types of Alternative Fuels
Fuels
Alternative fuels include biofuels like biodiesel,
bioalcohol, and refuse-derived fuel; and other
Alternative fuels are fuels that come from
renewable fuels like hydrogen and electricity.
sources other than petroleum, such as plants or
renewable energy. These sources offer a
sustainable alternative to traditional fuels like
gasoline and diesel, which contribute
significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and
environmental pollution.
Biomass
A renewable organic energy that comes from
plants and animals. It can be burned directly for
heat or be converted to liquid and gaseous fuels
through different processes.
Direct Pyrolysis Gasification Anaerobic
Combustion Digestion
Breaking down of biomass into Converts biomass to a

Biomass is burned directly in the solid, liquid and gaseous combustible gas (syngas) Decomposing of organic matter
presence of oxygen to generate products through heating in the through a high temperature without oxygen to produce
heat. This heat is used to absence of oxygen. This results process. These syngas generate biogas, which is primarily
produce heat or electricity. in the production of biochar, electricity and heat, and serve as composed of methane and
bio-oil, and syngas feedstock for chemical carbon dioxide.
production.
Pros Benefits &
Renewable Energy
Carbon Neutrality
Reduced reliability on fossil fuels
Disadvantages
Cons
Deforestation
Competition with Food Production
Infrastructure Requirements
Air Pollution
Algae-based Fuel
A renewable energy produced from algae, which
is an organism that grow in an aquatic
environment. The lipid part of the algae can be
extracted and converted into biodiesel a process
similar to that with vegetable oil.
Open Pond Closed Loop Photobioreactors
System System
An algae system which utilized enclosed

The simplest form of algae This was adapted to produce tubular bioreactors such as borosilicate
production. Algae are grown in algae more quickly and glass, which is exposed to sunlight. Algae
an open pond under very warm efficiently. The algae were can be grown at maximum levels with
and sunny environments. placed in clear plastic bags to these tubes. This approach results in a very
allow them to be exposed in high output of algae. However, a
light. photobioreactor is more expensive and
difficult to use than the other systems.
Algae to Fuel
Pros Benefits &
Carbon Neutral
Extremely Productive
Versatility
Disadvantages
Cons
Limited Information
Cost
High - Water Demand
Complicated Process
Biodiesel
An alternative fuel that can be produced from
straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats. The process
used to convert these oils is called
transesterification.
Transesterification
Pros Benefits &
Improved Air Quality
Safer to use
Better Lubricant
Reduced Emissions
Disadvantages
Cons
Lower Energy Content
Cold Weather Performance
Undergoes degradation
Land Use Concerns
Ammonia
Ammonia is known as a colorless and
pungent - smelling gas at room
temperature, and is one of the most
commonly produced chemicals around the
world. More than 75% of ammonia is used
for agricultural sector as fertilizer.
Green ammonia is emerging as a promising
alternative fuel due to its high density and
potential for carbon - neutral production.
Green Ammonia to Fuel
Pros Benefits &
Carbon Neutral
High energy density
Storable
Disadvantages
Cons
Cost
Toxicity
Infrastructure Adaptation
Carbon-Neutral
Carbon-neutral fuels are synthetic alternatives to
traditional liquid fuels used in vehicles. They're designed
to have a zero net carbon footprint, meaning they don't
add to or subtract from the amount of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere when burned. Some carbon-neutral
fuels are renewable, meaning they can be replenished
naturally and used indefinitely.
1. Carbon 2. Hydrogen 3. Synthesis
Capture Production
The captured CO2 and

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is Hydrogen is produced from
hydrogen are combined under
captured from industrial renewable energy sources like
high pressure and temperature
processes (like power plants or solar or wind power through
in a chemical reaction to create
cement manufacturing) or electrolysis.
synthetic fuels like methanol,
directly from the atmosphere.
gasoline, or diesel.
Pros Benefits
Reduced greenhouse emission
Energy Independence
Economic Growth
Improved Air Quality
Versatility
References
Baird, C. and Cann, M. (2012). Environmental Chemistry, 5 th edition. W.H. Freeman and Company
Biomass explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.).
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/#:~:text=Biomass%20is%20renewable%20organic%20material,gase
ous%20fuels%20through%20various%20processes.
Hannon, M., Gimpel, J., Tran, M., Rasala, B., & Mayfield, S. (2010). Biofuels from algae: challenges and potential.
Biofuels, 1(5), 763–784. https://doi.org/10.4155/bfs.10.44
Ho, D. (2023, March 9). Carbon-Neutral fuels: a Net-Zero alternative to fossil fuels. Terrapass.
https://terrapass.com/blog/carbon-neutral-fuels-a-net-zero-alternative-to-fossil-
fuels/#:~:text=Carbon%2Dneutral%20fuels%20provide%20an,atmosphere%20when%20they%20are%20combusted.
Iberdrola. (n.d). Green ammonia. https://www.iberdrola.com/about-us/our-activity/green-hydrogen/green-
ammonia
My WordPress. (2024, August 27). Biomass Conversion Technologies - SteamaxIndia. Steamaxindia - Manufacturer of
Clean Biomass Combustion Technologies and Solid Biomass Fuel, Astillas. Pan-India Operations.
https://steamaxindia.com/biomass-conversion-technologies/
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Alternative

Breaking down of biomass into Converts biomass to a

An algae system which utilized enclosed

The captured CO2 and

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