Fossil Fuels: Driving Engines & Environmental Pollution - Research Paper

Introduction

Over the years, the use of petroleum and other fossil products to drive engines has been of much importance in the transport sector. The effects are however severe to an extent of people opting to use other power sources in driving vehicles. The emissions from fossil fuels have been linked to environmental pollution and global warming in general (Sequeira, 2008). Destruction of ozone has been regularly caused by the emissions from fossil fuels combustion in engines. Emissions such as carbon dioxide are the causes of acidic rain, therefore, poisonous to plants and animals.

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The development of a compressed natural gas car has been one of the concepts that have been introduced into the manufacturing industry to serve as a solution to the above-discussed effects. Tata Motors are among the manufacturing companies that introduced this idea. Tata Motors developed an idea of manufacturing a car that is empowered by compressed natural gas in the year 2007 (Sequeira, 2008). This company then set up a plan to involve other parties in developing this important locomotive that would conserve the environment; it was expected to cost $8,200 for manufacture (Sequeira, 2008).

The concept is important in avoiding issues such as global warming and pollution. The use of compressed gas ensures there is less production of gases that are poisonous for the atmosphere. The option also helps in countering the rapidly increasing prices of fossil fuels over the world. The idea can also serve as an option to the high taxes that are accompanied by the importation of petrol in countries where it is not produced. The need to have better vehicles through scientific ideas contain advantages and disadvantages as the context pertains.

Concept

Compressed Air Car by Tata Motors

The compressed air car is an automotive that is driven by air-consuming engine. The compressed air engine works by accumulating air in a tank. The air is compressed and made to move pistons through the expansion means. The pressure that is formed when the air is compressed is the one that drives the pistons. Any compression that is exerted on air is bound to make the gas to expand.

Due to the pressure that is in the gas storage tank, there is a need to have a strong tank that cannot burst in high pressures. This requirement, therefore, leads to the formation of a tank that is very strong but not heavy. The tank is made of carbon fiber with an opening that leads air out of the tank to the engine (Ahmed, 2011). The engine works by allowing air to expand, it is made in a way that allows air into it. The expansion of air in the engine is what releases the energy that was used to compress it.

In some engines, the gases used can turn into liquid when they are compressed. This option is vital when the density of compressed gas is too low. In other cases, gases that turn into solids when compressed find use to increase the density, carbon dioxide is a good example of the gases that turn into solid when compressed. This development is essential because it is not linked to any emissions (Shanmugam et al, 2010). Lack of emissions, therefore, means that it is the best option for the environment. It can be used to replace other engines which pollute the ecosystem. The car is expected in the market by the year 2020.

The following figure is an illustration of the way it is designed:

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1. Natural Gas Vehicles, US Department of Energy (2013)

Advantages of Compressed Air Cars

The compressed air cars do not need the use of fossil fuels for them to work. The car is therefore of benefit to many people who would need to drive in locomotives that do not pollute the environment. Gasoline engines emit dangerous gases into the atmosphere, hence are not healthy.

The production of this vehicle is so cheap when compared to the vehicles that utilize fossil fuels, the compressed air gases do not need to contain things such as the cooling systems and the starter motor. The two pieces of equipment are necessary when the gasoline engines are being constructed.

The compressed air cars take longer period of time with power for driving their engines (Ahmed, 2011). This is not the case with battery cars. The battery cars lose their power when they are not in use for a long period. These cars also tend to experience faster rate of power depletion when they are used for longer time.

The compression of air in most cases affects the environment by lowering temperatures in the car because the air consumes heat. The lower temperature is a feature that results when air is compressed. This characteristic of lower temperature works best for temperature regulation in the car.

The use of batteries and gasoline in driving cars makes them become risky when using such cars. The risky nature comes from any short circuit that may cause accidents in the electric vehicle and flammability that may cause an explosion in the gasoline vehicles. The use of compressed gas car engines allows for gases that are not dangerous to be used, hence preventing accidents.

Refilling gas into the gas tank can be done at home through the help of the air compressor; this makes it easy for the vehicle user to fill it. The gasoline-driven vehicles on the other hand only require the owner to refill them from refilling stations.

Disadvantages of Compressed Air Cars

Among the disadvantages of these cars is the fact that temperature is an issue in most cases. At some point, the temperatures may be so high yet at times they can be so low (Ahmed, 2011). This is a habit that requires installation of a heat exchanger to solve the problem. However, in some cases, the heat exchanger may fail to function hence making the vehicle user seem helpless in solving the issue.

During the process of filling the tank, there may be an increase in temperatures. The increase in temperature means that the pressure tank contains high pressure. The problem comes in when the tank cools after filling; there is a reduction that results in terms of pressure. The reduction, therefore, makes the output affected.

The process of filling the air tank when it is empty seems to take so long when away from the station; this is a disadvantage to the vehicle user that in most cases is forced to wait for up to four hours to have the tank full. At the station, the air tank takes less time when filling it.

When the air tank is full the car covers a distance of 7 kilometers (Shanmugam et al, 2010). When someone needs to go far using the car, he or she will be forced to constantly keep refilling the tank with air.

The car contains a battery that helps in starting the vehicle; this battery has some disadvantages because it releases carbon dioxide gas into the environment. This can make it hard for the manufacturer to claim that the vehicle does not produce any emission.

Opinion

This concept is interesting from compression of the air; instead of going for vehicles that require fossil fuels to move, the use of compressed cars can be economical. The combustion of gasoline can no longer be a monopolistic business in the locomotive fuels market. The compression of natural air can move vehicles easily without having to require petrol or even electricity. The availability of a starter engine cannot be used for dismissing this concept. The emissions from the starter engines are so low for them to be compared to the fossil fuel engines.

The compressed air engines, however, need to be made in a way that they contain enough compressed air to keep them in longer distances. There should also be a better way to refill the gases fast since it is tiresome to keep refilling while away from the station. Refilling may take too much time than the time that was set aside for the journey. The concepts need to be improved to avoid negative feedback that may come from the market. The cheap nature of this car can be beneficial in marketing, but much needs to be done to make it enjoyable and never demanding to travel in.

This concept may work because it is environmental friendly and cheap. This will reduce air pollutants such as carbon IV oxide which is emitted in form of smoke hence reducing the effect of global warming in the atmosphere. The prices of the car are bound to be lower when compared to vehicles that use fuel. This vehicle will also work because they are not prone to dangers associated with fuels such as fire accidents.

References

Ahmed, A. (2011). A PILOT COMPRESSED AIR ENGINE. Energy & Environment, 22(8), 1105-1113.

SEQUEIRA, J. (2008). A Toxic Issue: Air Pollution in New Delhi. Harvard International Review, 30(3), 10-11.

Shanmugam, R., Kankariya, N., Honvault, J., Srinivasan, L., Viswanatha, H., Nicolas, P., . . . Christian, D. (2010). Performance and Emission Characterization of 1.2L MPI Engine with Multiple Fuels (E10, LPG, and CNG). SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 3(1), 334-352. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26272661