Heavy fuels combustion in the atmosphere: Impact on oxygen partial pressure drop, environment and health

Abstract

The study deals with some modelling study of measured outdoor oxygen concentration to describe the formation of CO, CO sub(2), NO, H sub(2)O, coke particulates etc. from octane or diesel fuel reacting O sub(2) - N sub(2) mixture from air. Fossil fuel combustion needs large amount of oxygen, which is taken from atmospheric air for generating required amount of energy, besides also generates significant combustion products as pollutants. Out of the total amount of energy generated, a significant quantum is lost as heat and friction in driving the vehicle. It appears that there is a growing imbalance in the production and consumption of oxygen in the atmosphere due to heavy fuel combustions. It may be shocking that heavy combustion may lead to oxygen drop in atmospheric air mostly in cities where plantations and vegetations are scanty. This drop of oxygen and combustion pollutants are of great concern to health for all as slow poison.