Alternative fuels heat up

This is a rich time for combustion researchers. The need for better fuel efficiency and improved emissions has never been greater. Computer simulations with improved test procedures are accelerating advances.

With concerns over fuel prices, even availability, there is a lot of pressure to look at alternative fuels, such as CNG and biofuels. Other motivations may be surprising.

For example, in the developing world, there is a relative shortage of diesel fuel compared to gasoline, according to Terry Alger, Manager of Advanced Combustion and Emissions at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI.) In the developed world, diesel needs expensive and bulky aftertreatment equipment to meet emissions standards. Alger sees opportunity.