Exploring New Alternative Marine Fuels A Case Study on the Use of Biofuels and Methanol

The maritime industry is facing increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact and comply with stricter regulations. One of the major contributors to the industry's emissions is the use of fossil fuels in ships. To address this issue, alternative marine fuels are being developed and tested as a more sustainable and eco-friendly option. Biofuels are one such alternative fuel that can be derived from various sources such as algae, vegetable oil, and animal fat. They are considered a promising option as they can be blended with traditional fuels and used in existing engines with minor modifications. Yet, their production cost and availability are still a challenge. Hydrogen is another alternative fuel that has gained attention in recent years. It can be produced using renewable energy sources and has the potential to significantly reduce emissions. Nevertheless, the infrastructure required for its production and distribution is currently lacking, which makes it costly and challenging to implement. Ammonia, Liquified Natural Gas, and methanol are other alternative marine fuels that are being explored. They both have lower carbon emissions than traditional fuels, but their production and transport also present challenges.The research initially focuses on these alternative fuels to advance the progress of their usage in the marine sector. Then a marine emission tool is used to explain the sense of the expected amount of emission released. Furthermore, a case study for using a dual-fuel engine with heavy fuel oil and biodiesel is addressed which showed that a percentage of 90% biodiesel and 10% heavy fuel oil could decrease Sulphur and particulate matter emissions by 89.5% and 72.56% respectively and gives a fair reduction according to energy efficiency design index. Moreover, numerical analysis is completed to show the reduction of emissions from using alternative fuel in a specific percentage added to fossil fuel. The result shows a reduction of 35.8% CO, 8% CO2, 15% NO, and 11% NO2.Overall, the use of alternative marine fuels is essential to reduce the environmental impact of the maritime industry. While each fuel type has its advantages and challenges, a combination of different options may be necessary to achieve the industry's sustainability goals. It is crucial to continue research and development in this area to create a more sustainable future for the maritime industry.