Energy density

Fuel

Energy density (MJ/L)

Hydrogen

8.5 10.1 (Liquefied)

Methane (natural gas)

23.0 23.3 (Liquefied)

Liquefied petroleum gas

26

Methanol

15.9

Ethanol

18.4 - 21.2

Biodiesel

35.28

Effect on the environment

Fuel

Environmental effects

Hydrogen

Hydrogen leakage can occur during many steps

of its production and use. Science Magazine
reported in June 2003 that hydrogen leakage
from widespread use of hydrogen fuel would
destroy the ozone faster than CFCs do.

Methane (natural gas)

It is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels. The

main products of the combustion of natural gas
are carbon dioxide and water vapour.

Liquefied petroleum gas

Burning LPG releases carbon dioxide and

carbon monoxide.

Methanol

Carbon neutral.

Ethanol

Carbon neutral.
Reduces greenhouse emissions
Creating significant amounts of energy from
food crops would deplete the amount of land
available for growing actual food for people to
eat.

Biodiesel

Carbon neutral.
Biodegradable if spilt.

Availability and Cost

Fuel

Availability and Cost

Hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel is in infinite supply as it can be

obtained from water.
May be expensive due to transport costs (due
to its low density).

Methane (Natural Gas)

In large supply as it is the main component of

natural gas.
Cheaper than the majority of fuels as it can
also be obtained from landfill sites and animal
farms.

Liquefied petroleum gas

Produced in surplus in the UK because LP Gas

is a naturally occurring by-product of natural
gas extraction and crude oil refining.

Methanol

Widely available.

Ethanol

Widely available as it is made from can be

produced from a variety of feedstocks such as
sugar cane and corn.
Costs remain significantly higher than the cost
of producing fuels from petroleum.

Biodiesel

The price of biodiesel fuel costs a little more

than traditional fuels currently because the
demand is not very great.
In large supply as it is made from vegetable
oils.

Storage and Distribution

Fuel

Storage and Distribution

Hydrogen

The three main methods of storage are: high

pressure storage in the gaseous form; very low
temperature storage in the liquid form and
hydride based storage in the solid form.
Distributed by existing pipelines, high pressure
tube trailers and liquefied hydrogen tankers.

Methane (Natural Gas)

It is compressed in tanks/containers
Distributed by tankers.

Liquefied petroleum gas

Supplied by canisters, cylinders and in bulk

storage tanks.
Large amounts can be stored in bulk cylinders
and can be buried underground.

Methanol

Can be stored in steel drums.

Ethanol

Stored in plastic or stainless steel.

Cannot be distributed in pipelines that are not
watertight so is distributed by truck and train.

Biodiesel

Distributed in containers made from aluminium,

steel and more. Tanks designed to store and
transport petro-diesel can store biodiesel with no
problem.
Distributed by truck, train or barge.