Environmental significance of the combustion of liquid petroleum fuels: A review

Abstract

Since the time of the Industrial Revolution, there has been a dramatic increase in human dependence on energy derived from fuel combustion. Yet, environmental pollution derived from liquid fuel combustion threatens human health and endangers plant and animal lives. Also, the associated corrosion sentences material resources to waste. An understanding of the undesirable pollutant chemical reactions, their products as well as their pollution and corrosion in the environment, is therefore, of prime importance as a prerequisite for addressing the challenges. The review paper examines the chemical reactions and the environmental significance of pollutant products from the combustion of liquid petroleum fuels, as well as the way forward in terms of measures to contain the pollution and corrosion effects and alternative energy sources. © 2011 Asian Network for Scientific Information.