DIGITAL ASSIGNMENT FOR

CHEMISTRY
ON
COMPARISON OF FUEL CELLS AND
BIODIESEL OVER ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT

NAME :- SHASHANK
REG

:- 15BIT0292

FACULTY :- V.K. KARI SIR

CONTENT:Biofuels
definition ................................ page 3
Biodiesels
... page 3-5
Fuel cells
definition

.............................

............................. page 6

Details on fuel
cells .............................. page 6-8
Summary (comparing fuel
cells and
biodiesel) ............................... page 8

What is a biofuel?
A biofuel is a fuel whose energy is gained
through a process of biological carbon
fixation. It's a biological process of obtaining
product to use as fuels rather than
geological methods from dead plants and
animals.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF BIOFUELS:Two very common types of biofules are:1)BIOETHANOL

2)BIODIESEL

BIODIESEL :It is produced from oils and fats by a process

called transesterification. It produces liquid
similar to that of fossil/mineral diesel. Its

chemical composition is mainly fatty acid

methyl or ethyl . Biodiesel are obtained from
1) Animal fats.
2) Vegetable oils.
3) Soy
4) Jatropa.
5) Mahua.
6) Mustard.
7) Sunflower.
8) Hemp.

The advantage of BIODIESEL are that it can

be used with all kinds of diesel engine and
reduces emissions upto 60% in comparison
to normal diesel.

GREEN DIESEL:It is also produced from vegetable oils and

animal fats by a process called

hydrocracking. Hydrocracking is a refining

process which is done in high temperature
and pressure to break down larger molecule
into smaller hydrocarbon chains . It
resembles the chemical properties of
petroleum.

Vegetable oil :-

Lower quality oil are generally used to

synthesize these kind of biofuels. Mostly
used vegetable oils are used to make
biodiesels of these kind.

FUEL CELLS:A fuel cell can convert the chemical energy

from a fuel into electricity through a
chemical reaction of positively charged
hydrogen ions with oxygen or any other
oxidizing agent.

Advantages of fuel cell:1)Since there is no combustion in fuel cells

so fuels are converted to electricity more
efficiently than any other electrical
generating technology available today.
2)There are no moving parts in a fuel cell,
thus they are sound pollution free. Even the
ancillary systems (fans, pumps, controls,
etcetera) in a complete fuel cell unit are
relatively mature and simple technologies
that should prove extremely reliable.

3)Unlike batteries that must be disposed of

once their chemicals are used up, fuel cell
reactions do not degrade over time and can
theoretically provide continuous electricity.
4)Are very scalable and can be easily
embedded in small system to make portable
devices.
5) Because fuel cells are clean and efficient
at any size, they can be located almost
anywhere, including dense urban areas
where both air quality and transmission
congestion may be of concern. Fuel cells can
offer an alternative to building new power
lines, while also reducing American
dependence on foreign oil. Fuel cells can
provide more reliable power wherever
electricity is needed, making the whole
electric power grid more robust and reliable.
Distributed application of small fuel cells will
also enhance security of key infrastructures,
such as our communication and water
systems.
6)Economically, fuel cells represent a
prudent path to provide the country's
electric power because they can be installed

quickly, are fuel flexible, and can be put in

place incrementally.

Disadvantages of fuel cells:1) Discarded fuel cells generated a lot of

chemical waste.
2)Hydrogen which is an essential component
of hydrogen fuel cells, though easily
available but still storing it is very difficult
thereby making it unfeasible.

Comparison of Fuel cells and

Biodiesels:Its crystal clear that Biodiesels are more
environment friendly than fuel cells .
Because biodiesel are prepared from plants
which when grown consumes CO2 from the
environment , So the amount of pollutants
produced by vehicles by using Biodiesels

gets neutralised at some extent as we are

growing plants to get the fuel. And all the
study and data clears that Biodiesels are
produces less pollutants when used. But on
the other side , yet there are lots of research
needed to be fully able to use Biodiesels to
full extent as biodiesels get limited infront of
fuel cells when compared in terms of
usability.

Biodiesels cannot be used in embedded

devices for the purpose of portability which
is the need of the era because of the high
demand of electronic gadgets. But till then
in order to protect our environment me
should switch to biodiesels and bio fuels as
they are less polluting. Currently DELHI is
the only city where all the buses and autos

have been forcefully transformed to use

Biofuels which resulted in a great decrement
of pollution level in Delhi. Which is a crystal
clear example of that Biofuels such as
Biodiesels etc. are very environment
friendly.