Evolution of the Standardization of Fuels, all kind of Fuels

What is it about?

The primary source of energy in all kind of engines and power systems is the “Fuel”. This term includes a range of different types from gas to distillate or synthetics and to heavy liquid fuels. The primary function of a fuel is to offer the requested amount of energy to the power system in all conditions and in all operations (ground, sea and air). Additionally, fuel is an important source of emissions that strongly impact air quality but also a pollutant for land and sea environments. The continuous effort to impose stricter limits led to the alteration of the fuel characteristics. Simultaneously, compatible advance alternative fuels (ex. biofuels such as biomethane, biodiesel, bioethanol, etc.) and renewable and synthetic fuels entering into the market. This chapter presented an overview of Fuel characteristic associated with the development of different standards (civil and military) for different kind of fuels which are associated with different propulsion systems. The continuous development of the fuel standards for compressed ignition engines in association with the biodiesel standards will be analyzed. For spark ignition engines, unleaded petrol in association with ethanol fuel as blending components for petrol will be examined. The development of marine fuels including the biofuels and the new synthetic fuels from synthesized hydrocarbons will be presented. The Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be examined. An important analysis will be presented for the aviation turbine fuels through the development of synthesized hydrocarbons.

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Photo by arnaud girault on Unsplash

Photo by arnaud girault on Unsplash

Why is it important?

As the transportation platforms get more complicated, the equipment manufac-turers face the challenge of adopting and constructing complex systems for their propulsion. The powertrains options have expanded beyond conventional fuels. Alternative powertrains may rely on alternative fuels from different primary sources or feedstocks from many different production paths with different de-grees of efficiency. This chapter will focus on the fuels which have been standardized to be commer-cially available. It will try to present the current state of the art of the fuel proper-ties, which are responsible for the powertrain’s continuous operability. In this attempt, the guide will be the international available standardization documents which are necessary first to establish the market and second to resolve any mar-ket failures. The fuel technology influences the machines and powertrains design devel-opment and their environmental performance. Fuel is one of the pillars that helps powertrains be efficiently productive. Fuel characteristics depend on the specifi-cations of the engine operating at different loads, in order for this cooperation to be efficient. It must always be borne in mind that the working environment of each powertrain determines its performance. On the other hand, the fuels must have sustainable characteristics. As a result of the above approach, the fuels used in the three domains (land, sea, and air) will be examined.

Perspectives