National Childrens Science Congress-2013-14

Theme-Energy: Explore, Harness & Conserve

Sub-theme: Energy Planning and modelling

Project Title:
Energy Planning For Transport Sector

Project Team:

1. Aswin A, Class 10, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta-

Team Leader

2. AkshayAugaustine , Class 11, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta

3. AkshayKishan, Class 11, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta
4. Sanya V, Class 10, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta
5. Emisha Elias, Class 10, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta

Guides:

1. Mrs.Susmitha Mary Robbins, PGT, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta

District:
State:

Abstract
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Wayanad

Kerala

Harvesting fuel is a burning issue all over the world. The

growing population cant survive in this world without
vehicles. And these vehicles require large quantity of
energy or fuel. This leads to energy and fuel shortage.
The proven crude oil reserves will only last for 50 years at
this rate of consumption. We the project team believe
that we cannot depend on fossil fuels for vehicles in the
future. The only way to solve this crisis is to reduce the
fossil fuel consumption and switching to alternate fuels.
Nowadays the authorities and experts suggest reducing
fuel consumption. It is does not get sufficient support
from the consumers because it is very difficult to avoid
the use of vehicles nowadays. So we thought of a plan
about to manage and decrease use of energy by
designing and planning vehicles and methods for energy
saving formulations. According to these, we planned to
study about the energy consumption by vehicles,
frequency of its use and its emissions. For this we met
vehicle owners, drivers, and experts in this field. We
collected so many reliable information about the topic we
analysed it and came to conclusion that conventional
type of vehicles and fuels are not sufficient to meet the
energy problem and most modern scientific energy
saving technologies in the field of alternate fuels and
automobiles can do much more in this matter. It is our
duty to share our findings and propagate strategies and
technologies about energy saving and conservation. In
this report we shall suggest some innovative methods,
alteration of the vehicle and alternate fuels for minimal
fuel consumption.
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Contents

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1. Introduction
Transport sector is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels which are nonrenewable and polluting. So renewable and non-polluting fuel will be a better
alternative to fossil fuels presently used in transport sector.

This study mainly

focuses on understanding current use of fossil fuels and suggesting alternate

fuels and methods to increase fuel efficiency.
2. Aims and Objectives
The aim of the study was to explore the possibilities of renewable and nonpolluting fuel and its sources.
The following were the objectives of this study:
a) Understanding energy consumption by transport sector at various
levels.
b) Understanding possible solutions Studying about alternate fuels and
its possibilities to substitute fossil fuels.
c) Identifying and suggesting the best alternate fuel which is less
polluting, economical and renewable.
3. Hypothesis
Use of renewable and non-polluting fuel for transport sector can reduce the
pollution and dependence on conventional fuels like fossil fuels. Renewable
and non-polluting fuels are sourced from bio waste, solar energy, plants,
wind energy etc. Some of these fuels can be directly use in present day
vehicles which are designed for fossil fuels and this makes the switch of the
fuel easy and fast. Some changes can also be made to present day vehicles
to reduce the fuel consumption.
4. Need Statement
Nowadays we face shortage of all types of fuel especially fossil fuel like
petrol and diesel. High rate of fuel or energy consumption in transport sector,
especially private vehicles and public transport vehicles leads to shortage of
conventional fuels. At this rate it is believed that the proven crude oil
reserves will only last for 50 years from now. These fuels are not only at the
verge of exhaustion but also polluting. With the number of vehicles
increasing for a country like India it will be difficult to meet its fuel
requirement and manage pollution.The only solution to this crisis is to switch
to renewable and non-polluting fuels. If we take care of energy management
techniques at the very beginning of the designing and construction of
vehicles do a much in this regard. Type of engine, fuel used, style of driving,

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traffic management, good roads, design of the vehicle of the vehicle etc. can
reduce the fuel and energy consumption.
Propagation and publicity about energy management system among
driver, engineers, vehicle owner and common people is necessary. This study
is a small footmark to find solution to energy crisis and save energy.
5. Work Plan
A team consisting of Aswin A (Team Leader), Akshay Augustine,
AkshayKishan, Emisha Eliasand SanyaVimalwould do the project work under
the guidance Mrs.Susmitha Mary Robbins, PGT, KendriyaVidyalaya, Kalpetta.

The following table illustrates the tasks and time frame:

No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

Task
Observation of energy use in Transport
Sector
Preparation of questionnaires
Interviews & interaction with experts
Collection of data
Compilation & analysis of data
First draft of report
Final report

Time frame
By 2 October 2013
By 7October 2013
By 10October 2013
By13October 2013
By 15October 2013
By 18October 2013

6. Methodology
Step 1- The first step was to observe the use of fuel in the transport sector
and identify problem that reduce fuel efficiency and disadvantages of fuels
used now.
Step 2-Many surveys and prepared questionnaires to gather information
from vehicle owners, drivers regarding the frequency of use of vehicles and
fuel consumption.
Step 3- We also used internet, books, reports and other available resources
to extend our knowledge about the subject and to find possible solutions to
the problem.
Step 4- Compilation and analysis of the collected data.
Step 5-Suggesting the best option for solving the problem.
7. Observations
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During various stages of the study, the project team observed/understood

many important facts related to the issue in question. The major ones are
noted below:
a) Almost all vehicles use fossil fuels mainly petroleum products like petrol,
diesel and LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas)
b) They are not aware of alternate fuels and vehicles that use alternate fuel
like electricity, bio diesel etc.
c) People who know about alternate fuel vehicles dont want to use them
due to the high cost of vehicles and many other reasons.
d) Alternate fuels like bio diesel, methanol, ethanol etc. are not available in
all parts of the country.
e) Bad roads and traffic blocks can also decrease fuel efficiency.
8. Data analysis and interpretation
a) In India there are 18 cars per 1000 people. And in a state like Kerala
almost everyone owns a vehicle and they use it very frequently.
b)
Sl.
NO

2
3
4

Number, Name
and type of
vehicles
owned.
1, TATA
NANO(CX),
CAR
1,SWIFT(VDI),C
AR
1,PASSION
PRO,BIKE
1,PASSION
PLUS, BIKE
1,
ALTO(LXI),CAR
1,SWIFT,CAR

Type of fuel
(petrol or diesel
or any other)

Frequency of use

Amount of Fuel
used

PETROL

6Days/week

8L/week

DIESEL

1-2/day

15L/month

PETROL

daily

13L/month

PETRROL
PETROL

DAILY
10DAYS/MONTH

12-14L/MONTH
6-7L/MONTH

DIESEL

5DAYS/WEEK

5L/WEEK

c) From the survey conducted we can understand that vehicles are used very frequently and 6
liters to 15 liters per month.
d) CO2 emissions of vehicles

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Vehicle type
Small petrol car 1.4 litre engine
Medium car (1.4 2.1 litres)
Large car
Average petrol car
Small diesel car (>2 litres)
Large car
Average diesel car
Articulated lorry, diesel engine
Rail
Air, short haul ( 500km)
Air, long haul
Shipping

Kg CO2 per litre

0.17/km
0.22/km
0.27/km
0.20/km
0.12/km
0.14/km
0.12/km
2.68/km (0.35litres fuel per km)
0.06 per person per km
0.18 per person per km
0.11
0.01 per tonne per km

e)
Total
No
of Total number of Number
of Number of people
houses visited
vehicles in all the vehicles that run who use public
houses.
on alternate fuels transport instead
of private
25
17
1
8
9. Result
a) The most important result obtained from the analysis of collected data is
that almost all vehicles are run on fossil fuels. Most of the people dont
care about reducing the use of vehicles.
b) Some used energy saving techniques like walking, carpooling, reducing
the use of vehicles, using public transport of instead of private cars. This
helped to reduce the fuel consumption and their monthly expense on fuel
or transportation.

10.

Conclusion

From the study we can conclude that use of vehicles is very high and it will increase
in the near future. And almost all the vehicles today use fossil fuels which is limited
and polluting. We can reduce fuel and energy consumption by practising many
methods like carpooling, reducing use of vehicles, switching of engine in traffic.
Technological advancements can also be used to reduce fuel efficiency. Switching
to alternate fuels can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Alternate fuels like bio
diesel can be used directly in present day diesel vehicles without any changes. This
makes the switch to alternate fuels easier. Even though initial cost of fuel efficient
vehicles like hybrid, electric vehicles is high but it can refund the extra expense
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spend by reducing fuel consumption. Some alterations to the vehicle and energy
saving practices can also increase fuel efficiency.

11.

Solution to the problem

From the above analysis and discussions, we suggest that well-designed

vehicles with nature friendly energy saving techniques shall minimise the
consumption of energy. So we suggest the following recommendations from
our project study and analysis:
a) Avoid idling
For every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes
to go about one mile. Research indicates that the average person idles their car five
to 10 minutes a day.
In automobiles, a start-stop system or stop-start system automatically shuts down
and restarts the internal combustion engine to reduce the amount of time the
engine spends idling, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This is
most advantageous for vehicles which spend significant amounts of time waiting at
traffic lights or frequently come to a stop in traffic jams. The car or vehicles that
have this feature is called micro-hybrids, fuel economy gains from this technology
are typically in the range of 5 to 10 percent.

Following is its working principle

Vehicle has come to halt due to traffic signal/jam, is in neutral gear.

The engine will shut down automatically after 10 seconds. Just before stopping, the
indicator in the cluster will blink indicating the engine is going to stop shortly.

The indicator will glow on your instrument cluster indicating the engine has stopped due
to stop start device.

Once the Signal turns green, press the clutch pedal & engine starts immediately.

The indicator on the cluster goes off indicating that engine has started again & you are
ready to drive on with the vehicle.

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So making this technology a compulsory can reduce fuel consumption.

Laws can also be made to make anti-idling strict which reduces pollution and fuel
consumption.

b)

Biodiesel from Rubber seed oil.

The extensive biodiversity of ASEAN countries includes many

plants producing fatty-oils with yield potentials sufficient for
biodiesel production. Seed of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis)
is perhaps one with significant potential because of the extensive
areas of rubber plantations within ASEAN. Rubber seed oil is
virtually unexploited commercially, probably because it is nonedible. Consequently it has the potential to replace/substitute for
edible oils such as palm oil, coconut oil, etc. as a raw material for
biodiesel during periods of high food sector demand. Currently,
the main product of the rubber tree is rubber milk, the raw
material for latex and rubber industries. Rubber seed is a byproduct. The kernels constitute 50 to 60% of the seed and contain
40 to 50% brown oil.
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Natural rubber producer in the world are Thailand (35%),

Indonesia (23%), Malaysia (12%), India (9%), and China (7%).
Normal seed production yields vary from 70 to 500 kg/ha/year
while the annual rubber seed production potential in India is
about 150 kg per hectare.
There are different blends of Rubber seed biodiesels. First type is
B100 which is neat biodiesel fuel. And second type is B5 which is
a blend of 5 percent biodiesel by volume with diesel fuel.
When comparing bio diesel B5 produces less emissions and it
produces similar output to diesel.
Following are the properties of B5 RSB (Rubber seed biodiesel)
BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) for B5 fuel was comparable to
that of diesel fuel.
The B5 blend produced lower exhaust emissions including CO,
THC and smoke opacity.
RSB reduced wear of fuel-contact engine components due to its
better lubricity.
Pure RSB and B5 reduce deposits on the cylinder head but RSB
increases deposits on the piston due to the high concentration of
unsaturated fatty acids.
B5 does not significantly affect the lubricating oil viscosity.
Overall the results indicate that Rubber Seed biodiesel can be
used as a partial substitute for diesel fuel. A 5 % blend of RSB
with diesel fuel can be used to fuel DI diesel engines providing
comparable performance, reduced emissions, wear reduction of
engine components and neutral effect on lubricating oil. No
significant engine modifications are required. The properties of
RSB meet both ASTM and SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia)
standards for Biodiesel.
c) Hybrid Vehicles

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A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power

sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to
hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal
combustion engine and one or more electric motors.
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle and
electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal
combustion engine (ICE) propulsion system with an electric
propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is
intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a
conventional vehicle or better performance. There are a variety of
HEV types, and the degree to which they function as EVs varies as
well. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car,
although hybrid electric trucks (pickups and tractors) and buses
also exist.
Modern HEVs make use of efficiency-improving technologies such
as regenerative braking, which converts the vehicle's kinetic
energy into electric energy to charge the battery, rather than
wasting it as heat energy as conventional brakes do. Some
varieties of HEVs use their internal combustion engine to
generate electricity by spinning an electrical generator (this
combination is known as a motor-generator), to either recharge
their batteries or to directly power the electric drive motors. Many
HEVs reduce idle emissions by shutting down the ICE at idle and
restarting it when needed; this is known as a start-stop system. A
hybrid-electric produces less emission from its ICE than a
comparably sized gasoline car, since an HEV's gasoline engine is
usually smaller than a comparably sized pure gasoline-burning
vehicle.

Fuel consumption and emissions reductions

The hybrid vehicle typically achieves greater fuel economy and
lower emissions than conventional internal combustion engine
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vehicles (ICEVs), resulting in fewer emissions being generated.

These savings are primarily achieved by three elements of a
typical hybrid design:
1. Relying on both the engine and the electric motors for peak power needs,
resulting in a smaller engine sized more for average usage rather than peak
power usage. A smaller engine can have less internal losses and lower weight.
2. Having significant battery storage capacity to store and reuse recaptured energy,
especially in stop-and-go traffic typical of the city driving cycle.
3. Recapturing significant amounts of energy during breaking that are normally
wasted as heat. This regenerative braking reduces vehicle speed by converting
some of its kinetic energy into electricity, depending upon the power rating of
the motor/generator;
d) Electric Rickshaw
Electric powered or combined electric and human powered rickshaws can
substitute the use of auto rickshaws which are usually powered by fossil fuel.
Soleckshaw is a Solar Powered electric Rickshaw which is commonly used in
Delhi and near by regions.
The pedicab has been named SOLECKSHAW; SOL stands for solar,
E for Electric and CKSHAW for Rickshaw. It is a tricycle i.e. three
wheeled vehicle driven by electric power, supplied by battery,
which is charged from solar energy.
Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has
developed Soleckshaw of which rear wheels are driven by manual
power and front wheel is driven by Brush Less DC (BLDC) electric
hub motor. The vehicle is powered by battery, which is charged at
a solar power charging station during off time. This vehicle
provides driving comfort with reduced drudgery to the driver due
to addition of electric motor.

12.

Future Plan

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a) Conduct awareness campaigns among common people,

vehicle owners about methods to increase fuel efficiency.
b) Suggest alternation to cars that reduce fuel consumption.
13.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone participated in our

surveys and responded to our question positively. We would like to thank
everyone who helped us in this project work. We are indebted to our beloved
teacher, Susmitha Mary Robbins, for encouraging and guiding us till this day.
14.

References

Website

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/
2) http://www.carblogindia.com
3) http://auto.howstuffworks.com/
Publications

1) THE EFFECT OF BIODIESEL FUEL FROM RUBBER

2) Characteristics and Thermal Efficiency of Biofuels: Rubber Seed Oil as a Renewable
Energy Source

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