Non Conventional Energy

Total Questions: 59

41. Which is the first Indian airline company that used biofuel as ATF in August 2018? [64th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Jet Airways
(b) Vistara
(c) Air India
(d) Spicejet
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above.

Correct Answer: (d) Spicejet

Solution:On August 27, 2018, Spicejet, successfully conducted India's first ever Bio Fuel powered flight. The airline successfully undertook the flight on the Dehradun-Delhi route. Spicejet used its Bombardier Q400 aircraft for this flight.

Jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. ATF is a mixture of a variety of hydrocarbons. Because the exact composition of jet fuel varies widely based on petroleum source, it is impossible to define jet fuel as a ratio of specific hydrocarbons.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)is a fuel that is produced from sustainable feedstocks and has chemistry similar to conventional ATF, which is derived from crude oil. Its carbon footprint is significantly lower than ATF. A committee on SAF constituted by the petroleum ministry had recommended an initial SAF blending mandate of 1% from 2025, and scaling it up over subsequent years in phases.

42. Which of the following statement is incorrect in reference to compost? [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) In this, biodegradable waste is decomposed in pits.
(b) It is rich in organic matter and nutrients.
(c) The process of decomposition in pits is slowed down by earthworms.
(d) The waste material decomposed is farm waste material like livestock excreta, vegetable waste etc.

Correct Answer: (c) The process of decomposition in pits is slowed down by earthworms.

Solution:Earthworms are a part of worm composting and thus they speed up the process of decomposition. Worm composting is using worms to recycle food scraps and other organic material into a valuable soil amendment called vermicompost or worm compost. This process uses earthworms to decompose organic matter like food scraps, yard waste, and other biodegradable materials. Earthworms consume these materials, converting them into a valuable soil amendment called vermicompost.

The excrement of earthworms, or castings, are packed with essential nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that enhance soil health and plant growth. Certain species of earthworms, such as Eisenia foetida (red wigglers) and Lumbricus rubellus, are commonly used in vermicomposting. Worms also contribute to the development of beneficial microorganisms in the compost, further improving soil fertility.

43. With reference to green hydrogen, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre), 2023]

1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.

2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.

3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Correct Answer: (c) All three

Solution:Hydrogen is available as a tangible product from industries including chloro-Alkali, ammonia, and refineries. Hydrogen can also be produced from the splitting of water using electro- lyzers coupled with renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, etc.). Green hydrogen (GH2) is hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water, using renewable electricity. Hydrogen-powered engines :-- There are two technologies: hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE). FCEVs generate electricity from hydrogen in a device known as a fuel cell that is used to power the electric motor, whereas H2ICE burn hydrogen in an internal combustion engine. Hence all the statements are correct.

44. Which one of the following fuels creates the least pollution? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017 U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015, 2013, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]

(a) Diesel
(b) Coal
(c) Hydrogen
(d) Kerosene

Correct Answer: (c) Hydrogen

Solution:Diesel, Coal and Kerosene, when comes in contact with atmospheric oxygen, produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which is a major factor for pollution. On the other hand, hydrogen, when comes in contact with oxygen, forms water and produces a huge amount of energy. Thus, it is a highly efficient fuel with minimum pollution. Upto 2020 it targets to set up 1000 MW Hydrogen based power generation capacity. Hydrogen gas is called as the future fuel.

45. Which of the following fuels produces least environmental pollution? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Hydrogen
(b) Power alcohol
(c) Petrol
(d) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

Correct Answer: (a) Hydrogen

46. Which of the following fuels would produce minimum environmental pollution? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Hydrogen
(b) Diesel
(c) Kerosene
(d) Coal

Correct Answer: (a) Hydrogen

Solution:Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications. Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to store, move, and deliver energy produced from other sources. Today, hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods. The most common methods today are natural gas reforming (a thermal process), and electrolysis. Other methods include solar-driven and biological processes

47. Which of the following is the source of 'Green Fuel'? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010]

(a) Pine
(b) Karanja
(c) Fern
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (d) All of the above

Solution:Ethanol also known as ethyl alcohol is used as a green fuel. Ethanol is mainly formed from sugar cane, glucose etc. Ethanol is also formed from the fermentation of Pine, Karanja and Fern. These are also included in the green fuel sources. No such proper definition lies for green fuels but can be perceived as renewable fuels which are actively produced from renewable sources and mainly make use of elements such as green hydrocarbons.

These fuels are produced with the help of several processes that include both thermo chemical as well as biological processes and mainly make use of biomass as their source. Several examples are there such as biofuels and fuels of hydrogen. The examples of biofuels cater to several vegetable oils such as methanol, ethanol that are derived from clean energy, biodiesel and carbon dioxide or biomass. Hydrogen energy is mainly derived from renewable energy resources.

48. Concerning 'fuel cells' in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as a by-product.

2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.

3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct:

(a) 1 Only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a) 1 Only

Solution:A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen with oxygen. In this process, fuel cell produces electricity and as by-product, water and heat. Hence statement (1) is correct. Stationary fuel cells are used for commercial, industrial and residential purposes and backup power generation. Hence statement (2) is not correct. Fuel cells generate Direct Current (DC). Hence, statement (3) is incorrect.

49. Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy, Why? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates.

2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates.

3. They can be installed in wastewater treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3

Solution:A Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) is a bio-electrochemical device that harnesses the power of respiring microbes to convert organic substrates directly into electrical energy. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect. The most immediately foreseeable application of MFC is in waste- water treatment. Microbes love sewage and the conditions of a wastewater treatment plant are ideal for the types of bacteria that can be used in MFC. Hence statement (3) is correct.

50. It is possible to produce algae-based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitations of developing countries in promoting this industry? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. Production of algae-based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.

2. Setting up and engineering the algae-based biofuel production requires a high level of expertise/ technology until the construction is completed.

3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Solution:The production of algae-based biofuel is possible in both seas and continents. Thus, statement (1) is incorrect. The high level of expertise is required for the production and engineering of these fuels, as well as knowledge and experience are required for higher production and innovation. It is difficult to produce such type of fuel in developing countries because it requires heavy capital investment, apart from this, establishing facilities for large scale production, ecology and society can be adversely affected.

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