Alternative Fuel

Alternative Fuel

The natural resources in the world have been used by man in a rapid way and they will be exhausted soon. The traditional fuel that we use today including petroleum are non renewable and they would be depleted soon. It is estimated that coal will last for 148 years, petroleum for 40 years and natural gas for 61 years. So we need to find alternative sources of energy. More over fossil fuels emit harmful gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide which pollute the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels also cause temperature rise in the earth’s atmosphere. Many believe that fuel which does not cause pollution is needed to enhance the quality of our environment. Some of the alternative fuels are given below.

Bio diesel

Bio diesel is a fuel obtained from vegetable oils such as soya bean oil, jatropha oil, corn oil, sunflower oil, cotton seed oil, rice-bran oil and rubber seed oil.

Hydrogen - The future fuel Hydrogen could be the best alternative fuel in the future. It is a clean fuel as it gives out only water whileburning. Moreover, it has the highest energy content. It does not pollute air.

Wind energy

Wind energy is obtained with the help of wind mills. When wind blows, they rotate the blades of the wind mills and electricity is produced by the dynamo. Wind mills are mostly located at Kayathar, Aralvaimozhi, Palladam and Kudimangalam in Tamil Nadu.

Gobar Gas

Gobar gas is obtained by the fermentation of cow dung in the absence of air (anaerobic conditions). It mainly contains methane and a little ethane. It is widely used in rural areas for cooking and operating engines.