Conceptual Design & Development of Automobile by Using Acetylene Gas as a Fuel

Abstract

: The growing demand for renewable energy and the reduction of harmful emissions have driven the exploration of alternative fuels. Acetylene gas, produced from calcium carbide and water, offers a promising solution as it exhibits properties comparable to hydrogen. This research investigates the application of acetylene gas in a single-cylinder engine operating on a dual-fuel mode. A detailed study of the performance, efficiency, and emission characteristics was conducted, revealing significant advantages such as reduced smoke and emissions, alongside improved thermal efficiency. Challenges such as higher NOx emissions and operational drawbacks are discussed, along with future directions for acetylene-powered vehicles.

Introduction

Acetylene, a high-energy, colorless gas produced by reacting calcium carbide with water, is explored as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fuels. This study focuses on designing and developing a vehicle powered by acetylene, aiming to reduce emissions and improve thermal efficiency.

Literature reviews show acetylene’s compatibility with internal combustion engines, noting benefits like lower smoke and CO emissions, but also challenges including knocking, ignition delay, and safety concerns with gas handling.

The methodology involves generating acetylene gas via calcium carbide and water reaction, filtering and storing the gas safely, and delivering it to a modified engine through a carburetor. The vehicle uses optimized components such as disc brakes and wishbone suspension for performance.

Results indicate acetylene provides better thermal efficiency and lower emissions than petrol, though engine modifications and emission control measures are necessary to address operational challenges.

Conclusion

This research underscores the potential of acetylene gas as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels. While challenges such as NOx emissions and infrastructure limitations persist, the environmental and economic benefits of acetylene make it a promising candidate for future automotive applications.

References

[1] G. NagarajanandT. Lakshmanan, \"Acetylene as an Alternative Fuel for IC Engines.\" [2] Ashok Kumar et al., \"Suitability ofAcetylene in SI Engines.\" [3] Swami Nathan et al., \"High Thermal Efficiency in HCCI Engines Using Acetylene.\" [4] John W.H. Price, \"Safety Measures for Acetylene Cylinders.\" [5] Prabin K. Sharma et al., \"Use of Acetylene as an Alternative Fuel in IC Engines.\"

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Jignesh Soni, Milan Patel, Sahil Patel, Himesh Rathod, Yash Nayka. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.