Developing Fuels : Trouble with emissions / Other fuels Flashcards
Is diesel sustainable
No; crude oil is running out
Benefits of diesel (2)
- Less CO2 produced than from a petrol engine
2. Already sold at petrol stations
Risks of diesel (2)
- Produces more NOx and particulates than a petrol engine
2. Particulates can irritate lungs
Is LPG / autogas sustainable
No; crude oil is running out
Benefits of LPG / autogas (2)
- Less CO, CO2, CxHy & NOx than from a petrol engine
2. Petrol engines easily converted
Risks of LPG / autogas
Needs to be stored under pressure so that it is a liquid
Is ethanol sustainable
Possibly not
- large amounts of energy needed for cultivating sugar cane for fermentation
Benefits of ethanol (4)
- Less CO, SO2 & NOx than from a car engine
- Has a high-octane number
- Sugar cane absorbs CO2 in growth
- Carbon neutral
Disadvantages of ethanol (2)
- Energy to distribute the ethanol could come from fossil fuels producing CO2
- Land used to grow crops fro fermentation could be used for food production
Risks of ethanol (2)
- Highly flammable
2. Too volatile
Are biodiesel / green diesel / biogas sustainable
Can be made from waste plant and animal oils & fats = renewable
But fossil fuels may be used as energy source in production
Benefits biodiesel / green diesel / biogas (4)
- Living things have absorbed CO2
- Biodegradable
- Less CO, CxHy, SO2 & particulates than from a Diesel engine
- Biodegradable if split
Disadvantages of biodiesel / green diesel / biogas
More NOx than conventional fossil fuels
Risks of biodiesel / green diesel / biogas
NOx emissions higher than a Diesel engine
Is hydrogen sustainable
Only if the electricity needed for electrolysis of water is from a renewable source such as solar cells
Benefits of hydrogen (4)
- Water is the only product of combustion
- Can be stored and pumped through pipes
- Can be used in internal engines or fuel cells to generate electricity
- No CO, CO2 or hydrocarbons
Disadvantages of hydrogen (3)
- Source of electrolysis must be renewable
- Less energy per gram than petrol
- Oxides of nitrogen are produced when used in internal combustion engine
Risks of hydrogen (2)
- Highly flammable
2. High-pressure fuel tank needed to store it as a liquid
How is carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) formed
Complete combustion of C in fuel
Potential problems of carbon dioxide (CO2)
Green house gasses leading to global warming
Ways to reduce the problems of carbon dioxide (CO2 )
Burn less fossil fuel
How is carbon monoxide ( CO ) formed
Incomplete combustion of C in fuel
Problems of carbon monoxide (CO )
Toxic
Ways to reduce the problems of carbon monoxide (CO)
Catalytic converters oxidise CO to CO2
How is Carbon ( soot ) formed
Incomplete combustion of C in fuel
Problems of carbon ( soot )
Penetrate human body to cause lung cancer and heart attacks
How to reduce the problems of carbon ( soot )
Ensure there is a good supply of air/ oxygen when burned
How is sulphur dioxide ( SO2 ) formed
Oxidation of sulphur impurities in fuels
Problems of sulphur dioxide ( SO2 )
Acid rain
Ways to reduce the problems of sulphur dioxide ( SO2 )
Remove sulphur from fuel = desulphurisation
How are nitrogen oxides ( NOx ) formed
Reaction of N2 in air with O2 in air at very high temperatures ( often in engines of furnaces )
Problems of nitrogen oxides ( NOx )
Acid rain
Ways to reduce the problems of nitrogen oxides (NOx )
Catalytic converter reduces NO to N2
How are unburned fuels formed
Not all fuel burns
Problems of unburned fuels
- Wastes fuel
- Harmful
- Green house gas form photochemical smog
Ways to reduce the problems of unbend fuels
Provide excess oxygen
