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Biogas for Transport Sector: Current Status, Barriers, and Path Forward for Large-Scale Adaptation

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Alternative Fuels and Their Utilization Strategies in Internal Combustion Engines

Part of the book series: Energy, Environment, and Sustainability ((ENENSU))

Abstract

Global demand for conventional petroleum fuels for powering transport vehicles is enormous and is increasing sharply with time. However, depleting petroleum reserves, and negative impacts of vehicular emissions on human health remain the most important concerns, which motivate researchers to look for alternative and eco-friendly fuels for the transport sector. On the other hand, emerging stringent regulations are forcing engine researchers and manufacturers to develop appropriate and newer engine technologies to comply with these emissions regulations in addition to improving the fuel economy. Among different alternative fuel options, biogas certainly can be regarded as one of the most attractive options since it is mainly produced from waste materials such as agricultural wastes, municipal solid wastes, food wastes and vegetable market waste, in addition to human and animal excreta, which are unlimited resources. Though biogas technology is considered as a matured technology, its full potential is yet to be explored globally. Raw biogas contains some impurities hence it cannot be used directly in engines/vehicles, therefore it must be upgraded for these applications. This chapter explores the state-of-the-art technologies associated with the biogas generation, biogas upgradation, storage, and utilization. Biogas-to-useable fuel conversion techniques are also discussed. An estimate of biogas generation potential worldwide is explored, and techno-economic feasibility is addressed. Recent case studies on assessing performance of biogas operated vehicles are reviewed. Finally, the main barriers in biogas adaptation for vehicular applications are identified, and necessary recommendations are made.

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Abbreviations

AD:

Anaerobic digester

AM:

Accumulation mode

BGV:

Biogas vehicles

CBG:

Compressed biogas

CBM:

Compressed bio-methane

CHP:

Combined heat and power

CSTR:

Completely stirred tank reactor

ETC:

European transient cycle

FM:

Fresh matter

GHGs:

Greenhouse gases

GoI:

Government of India

GST:

Goods and services tax

HRT:

Hydraulic retention time

LBM:

Liquefied bio-methane

LIP:

Local Investment Program

LNG:

Liquefied natural gas

MIDC:

Modified Indian driving cycle

MMT:

Million metric tons

MSW:

Municipal solid waste

Mtoe:

Million ton oil equivalent

NIER:

National Institute of Environmental Research

NM:

Nucleation mode

NMHC:

Non-methane hydrocarbons

O&M:

Operations-and-maintenance

PAHs:

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PM:

Particulate matter

PSA:

Pressure swing adsorption

PWS:

Pressurized water scrubbing

R&D:

Research and development

RNG:

Renewable natural gas

SATAT:

Sustainable alternative towards affordable transportation

STP:

Standard temperature and pressure

TFC:

Total final energy consumption

THC:

Total hydrocarbons

TS:

Total solid

VOC:

Volatile organic compounds

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Correspondence to Avinash Kumar Agarwal .

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Mustafi, N.N., Agarwal, A.K. (2020). Biogas for Transport Sector: Current Status, Barriers, and Path Forward for Large-Scale Adaptation. In: Singh, A., Sharma, Y., Mustafi , N., Agarwal , A. (eds) Alternative Fuels and Their Utilization Strategies in Internal Combustion Engines. Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0418-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0418-1_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-15-0417-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-15-0418-1

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

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