Use Of Alternate Fuels

This report will probe into the increased use of diesel for transportation services for private as well as for commercial purposes. Firstly, it will highlight how diesel emission has affected the environment and the health of people. Next, it would discuss alternative fuels and why/how it can be used in Ontario and other regions. Finally, it will conclude with recommendations on how biomethane and other forms may be used as substitutes to diesel.

In most countries like the United States of America, diesel running vehicles and locomotives are used by a large section of people. In the case of Ontario, the dependence on fossil fuels is maximum. More than 63 percent of Ontario’s population consists of vehicles using diesel emissions in the urban localities (Yadav et al., 2020). However, the constant use of diesel as the prime mover for vehicle engines leads to certain health implications. One of the most effective impacts of diesel-based emissions is that it leads to cancer, respiratory irritations among people and other cardiovascular disorders in people. In terms of environmental implications, different states of Ontario have seen effects causing global climatic changes, air pollution, soil pollution, and water pollution. To deal with such problems, environmentalists have been planning to work out on reduced use of diesel and the use of alternative fuels to deal with climatic changes associated with the use of diesel(Gautam & Agarwal 2017).

Alternative applications being used:

One of the greatest substitutes for diesel is by using electricity for freight transport. The center for American progress has presented reports suggesting that around one-third of moving fuels drawn in America, are using diesel contribute to a major amount of pollution. It is the main reason why manufacturers have started to move towards alternative fuels and sources. Some of the main forms are the use of electric drive trains, hybrid electric drive trains, hydraulic hybrid power systems, natural gas sources. One may even use biodiesel sources to run vehicles or propane-fueled sources. To replace the use of diesel, Freightliner custom chassis corp. (FCCC) has already started their research and development for developing electric-based controls, especially for light and heavy-duty vehicle systems. One example is Enova’s 120 kilowatt all drive FCCC’s new MT 45 chassis. Another most economical and environment-friendly fuel replacing diesel is natural gas(Singh & Goel 2018). It is available domestically. The overall content of methane is just good to reduce pollution from carbon. Daimler Trucks, North America and Navistar use these for special development of pollution-free super trucks. The class 8 tractor-trailer will suitably be designed so that it does not create harmful effects on the environment. In terms of thermodynamics, it will be efficient. At the same time, in terms of engine idling system, it will be improved in standards. The basic objective is to replace the use of diesel emissions for heavy commercial vehicles as well as other private cars. An overall of $115 million would be spent on the same purpose. The American officials believe that by creating energy-efficient cars, they will even be able to deal with climatic changes(Vaillancourt & Levasseur 2019). The successful output of all this is a development of long haul trucks. Cummins has been researching on developing mechanisms to reduce emissions as much as possible. It is possible because of NOx absorber catalysts, diesel particulate filters, diesel oxidation catalysts, and cooled exhaust gas circulation systems. There should be sufficient incentives for judicious public transit however the Ministry Of Energy has not made any regulation regarding the use of fuels for transportation in energy plans and regulations(Krishna  & Radha 2017). s

Therefore, it is by far the cleanest alternatives to replace diesel and therefore it is highly recommended for use. Similar to LPG, one may even use CNG as a perfect replacement to petro diesel sources. However, certain compliances need to be followed in case of using compressed natural gas. It needs to be maintained a pressure ranging up to 3600 pounds per square inch, as per D.O.E. reports. Another very significant mentioning in this respect is that areas around Houston and Ontario is even trying to develop ways to create alternate fuels from landfills(Tamilselvan & Nallusamy 2017). Biodiesel is a very good alternative. It can be produced from animal oils, animal fats and also from greases. Other individuals may consider it a byproduct of food processing much significant to reduce lesser carbon emissions. The National Biodiesel Board suggests that the low content of carbon emissions is attributed to the fact that it uses renewable resources for production. Earlier to this, diesel emissions have met with several cases of premature death in elderly persons and children, i.e. the most sensitive age groups by far. In the year 2014, transportation contains around 36 percent, with the advent of electric vehicles, the scenario will take a turn for good. The initiative had been forward by the Paris Agreement of Climate Change. Electricity sources are available in Ontario, which is why electric vehicles will find a future here. They are equipped with ample extra capacity as well. At the same time, with the introduction of electric vehicles, there will be less usage diesel consumption, ad tackles the house emissions by improving quality within the atmosphere. All this will deal wt climatic changes. It can be expected that there will be around 45,000 electric vehicles available for use. More than 1.77 billion liters of gasoline will be used less(Dincer & Raso 2017).

Conclusion:

This report has effectively discussed numerical as well as qualitative aspects associated with the overuse of diesel. Scientists are also thinking of using alternative fuels like biodiesel, butanol, dimethyl ether, hydrogen and other forms as alternative fuels. Use of such fuels are highly recommended. Even though diesel is considered as most useful for a prime mover, it leads to short and long term implications upon the environment. For example, it leads to ozone as well as the accumulation of highly suspended particulate matter on the surface. It is because of all such reasons that the American Government has started to adopt special initiatives in controlling the present state and shift towards energy-efficient and green fuels. In other ways, it will eventually protect people suffering from respiratory problems and stay in a safe and green environment free from harmful pollutants(Karimi & Kazerani 2017, April).

References:

Yadav, S. P. R., Saravanan, C. G., Karthick, S., Senthilnathan, K., & Gnanaprakash, A. (2020). Fundamental droplet evaporation and engine application studies of an alternate fuel produced from waste transformer oil. Fuel, 259, 116253.

Krishna, P. S., & Radha, G. (2017). Applications of Emulsions as an Alternate Fuel for Bi-Fuel Engines-Review. In Proceedings of Global Conference on Advances in Science, Technology, and Management.

Tamilselvan, P., & Nallusamy, N. (2017). Reduced emissions using blends of diesel fuel and Chicha oil biodiesel. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 39(10), 1050-1055.

Gautam, A., Misra, R. N., & Agarwal, A. K. (2017). Biodiesel as an Alternative Fuel for Diesel Traction on Indian Railways. In Locomotives and Rail Road Transportation (pp. 73-112). Springer, Singapore.

Singh, P., Chauhan, S. R., & Goel, V. (2018). Assessment of diesel engine combustion, performance and emission characteristics fuelled with dual fuel blends. Renewable energy, 125, 501-510.

Karimi, E., & Kazerani, M. (2017, April). Impact of renewable energy deployment in Canada's remote communities on diesel generation carbon footprint reduction. In 2017 IEEE 30th Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (CCECE) (pp. 1-5). IEEE.

Dincer, I., Bicer, Y., Vezina, G., & Raso, F. (2017). Ammonia (NH3) as a Potential Transportation Solution for Ontario.

Vaillancourt, K., Bahn, O., & Levasseur, A. (2019). The role of bioenergy in low-carbon energy transition scenarios: A case study for Quebec (Canada). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 102, 24-34.