Types of Fuel

Substances that generate heat and light with the burning are known as fuel. The matter used for burning is known as fuels.  There are three types of fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas. According to the physical condition of the fuels can be classified into three categories. These three categories are- solid, liquids, and gases. Most of the engines run on the liquid and gases. Some of the solid fuels engines are reported in history.

1. Solid fuel

A fuel, which is in a physical solid-state at atmospheric temperature, is called solid fuel. In old days, vehicles with external combustion used solid fuels. Examples of solid fuels are coal, charcoal, wood, etc.

Burning wood-Solid Fuel

2. Liquid fuel

A fuel, which is in a physical liquid state at room temperature, is called liquid fuel. Liquid fuel obtained from the crude oil. Most of the IC engines run on liquid fuel. The most additive used in a pre-mixed condition with the diesel. Handling with liquid fuels is quite easy to compare with gas fuels. There are two types of Liquid fuels. One who gets vaporized easily E.g. Petrol, alcohol, etc. This type of fuel used in the spark ignition based engine. The second types of liquid fuels are those who do not vaporize easily ex. Diesel, kerosene, etc. they are also known as the hydrocarbon because of the hydrogen and carbon atom.

Liquid Fuel

3. Gases fuel

A fuel, which exists in the gas state at atmospheric temperature, is called gas fuel. Many fuel gases are known as hydrocarbon (methane, propane). These fuels are best suited for the IC engine. Gases fuel has significant heat and light energy.  E.g. hydrogen, Coal gas, CNG, etc.

CNG Cylinder-Gas fuel