1. High Volatility: Petrol is highly volatile and prone to evaporation, making it dangerous and difficult to transport and store in large volumes. This requires increased safety measures and handling precautions, adding complexity and cost to power plant operations.
2. Lower Heating Value: Compared to coal or natural gas, which are commonly used in power plants, petrol has a lower calorific value per unit volume. This means that more petrol would be required to produce the same amount of energy, making it less economical and efficient as a primary fuel source for power generation.
3. Emissions and Pollution: Petrol combustion produces higher emissions of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. This contributes to air pollution and environmental concerns. Power plants employing petrol as a primary fuel would require additional pollution control measures to comply with environmental regulations.
4. Engine Requirements: Petrol engines, which are used in vehicles, operate at higher revolutions per minute (RPMs) and require different design considerations compared to the large industrial turbines utilized in power plants. Adapting petrol engines for power generation requires specialized engineering and may impact their efficiency and durability in the context of continuous power generation.
5. Lack of Infrastructure: Unlike coal or natural gas, petrol is not commonly stored or transported through high-capacity pipelines. Developing the infrastructure necessary to transport and distribute large quantities of petrol to power plants would be a significant logistical challenge.
6. Cost: Due to its extensive use in transportation and its higher production costs, petrol is generally more expensive compared to other fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. This cost difference affects the overall economics and affordability of using petrol for large-scale power generation.
Therefore, coal, natural gas, and renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower, are more suitable and commonly used as primary fuels in power plants due to their cost-effectiveness, availability, and lower environmental impact.
