ENEE 2210U – Introduction to Alternative Fuels

This course examines the categories of fuels in terms of conventional (traditional), primarily fossil fuels-based fuels, and alternative fuels, including those with reduced environmental impacts (including lower carbon footprint), such as hydrogen and ammonia. Three types of fuels, such as solid (covering natural ones, including wood, coal, etc. and manufactured ones, including charcoal, coke, briquettes, etc.), liquid (gasoline, diesel, kerosene, methanol, ethanol, etc.) and gaseous (natural gas, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, producer gas, refinery gas, furnace gas, syngas, biogas, dimethyl ether (DME), hydrogen, acetylene, etc.) are discussed, along with the specific production methods/processes. Biofuels are studied in solid, liquid and gaseous forms by considering 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generations of them. E-fuels are also examined, due to their climate neutrality, since they are produced using clean (renewable) electricity, water and CO2 from air. In conjunction with this, power to gas options are discussed. Furthermore, the course covers alternative fuel production, storage, distribution and use, along with fuel combustion and conversion methods and technologies. Their applications in various sectors, including transportation, residential and industrial, are discussed. Impacts of fuel production are considered. Implications for technologies are also considered, including efficiencies, materials, operating characteristics, centralized vs distributed infrastructure, fleet vs private vehicles. Moreover, transition approaches and requirements for the shift to ‘net zero’ and/or sustainable fuels and propulsion in various transportation sectors, including aviation, are introduced. Finally, the role of fuels and energy in sustainable development is discussed.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Tutorial hours: 1
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 1800U and ENGR 1025U
Experiential learning: Yes