05 Jul 5 Types of Fuel and Their Uses
There are different types of commercial fuel available around the world. We use fuel for heating, cooking, electricity, and also in our vehicles. Fuel can be used by individuals or commercial spaces, and is always used in our everyday lives. In this article, we will be giving you more ideas on the top types of fuel, their characteristics, and their uses.
1. Ethanol
This is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol. It is a colorless, flammable liquid that is made by the fermentation of sugars in certain plants such as corn stalks and leaves, switchgrass, and some varieties of cactus. Ethanol has a myriad of applications. It is mostly used in medical wipes, and in antibacterials that have sanitizer gels as an antiseptic. Most of the gasoline that we use today contains up to 10% of ethanol. Ethanol increases octane when added to gasoline which boosts engine power and performance.
2. Methanol
Similar to ethanol, methanol is a colorless, flammable liquid, and is the simplest alcohol. The process of converting raw materials to methanol is simpler than ethanol. These raw materials include coal, natural gas, and farm waste. Trash in landfills produce methane gas over time, which can be converted to methanol. Methanol is toxic and not safe for humans to consume. They are used to make antifreeze, solvent, and window cleaners.
3. Diesel
Diesel fuel undergoes refining process before it’s ready for use. Diesel is generally more efficient than gasoline and produces lower greenhouse gases. It is most commonly used as fuel for vehicles.
4. Biodiesel
This is vegetable oil that has glycerol removed. It can be produced from straight vegetable oil, animal oil, and fats or waste cooking oil. The process used to convert these oils are called transesterification. This is the process of exchanging the alkoxy group of an ester compound by another alcohol. Biodiesel is predominantly used in standard diesel engines and vehicles. It can also be used for generating energy and lubricant.
5. Natural Gas
Natural gas is a versatile, clean-burning and efficient fuel widely available in many countries. It is scentless, colorless, and tasteless. Natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuel energy sources. Vehicles with specially designed engines use natural gas since it produces lower harmful emissions than gasoline or diesel. It can also be used in the kitchen to produce heat for stoves.
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