ABSTRACT
This chapter examines alternative fuels for internal combustion engines (ICEs), focusing on their potential to reduce environmental impacts and support the transition to sustainable mobility. It explores the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of a range of fuels, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG/LNG), hydrogen, biofuels, and e-fuels.
For each fuel, the chapter details production methods, storage requirements, and combustion dynamics within ICEs. LPG and natural gas are highlighted for their cleaner combustion profiles compared to traditional fossil fuels, while hydrogen is explored as a zero-carbon option with significant potential for heavy-duty and long-range applications. Biofuels, derived from renewable biomass, and e-fuels, synthesized using renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide, are discussed as versatile solutions for decarbonizing hard-to-abate transportation sectors.
The chapter also addresses technical and infrastructural challenges, such as methane slip in natural gas applications, the high flammability of hydrogen, and the need for extensive refuelling networks. Innovations in fuel injection systems, dual-fuel engines, and advanced combustion strategies are introduced to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Through a comprehensive analysis, this chapter underscores the importance of alternative fuels in extending the viability of ICEs while mitigating their environmental footprint, especially during the transition to a fully electrified transportation system.
