In the context of proposals to the use of hydrogen-enriched CNG (H-CNG) as fuel for buses in public transport, consider the following statements :
- 1.The main advantage of the use of H-CNG is the elimination of carbon monoxide emissions.
- 2.H-CNG as fuel reduces carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions.
- 3.Hydrogen up to one-fifth by volume can be blended with CNG as fuel for buses.
- 4.H-CNG makes the fuel less expensive than CNG.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: H-CNG cuts carbon monoxide emissions by about 70% compared with CNG, but does not eliminate them. Statement 2 is correct: adding hydrogen means less carbon is burnt, so carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon emissions fall (hydrocarbons by about 25%). Statement 3 is correct: the blend used is about 18% hydrogen by volume, roughly one-fifth. Statement 4 is wrong: making the hydrogen adds cost, so H-CNG is not cheaper than CNG. So 2 and 3 only.
Watch for: The word 'elimination' in statement 1 is an overstatement that students miss.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because CO emissions are reduced, not eliminated.
- C. Wrong because H-CNG is not cheaper than CNG.
- D. Wrong because statements 1 and 4 are false.
Source to check: Indian Oil Corporation R&D statements on H-CNG (18% hydrogen); Supreme Court of India order of 2018 directing an H-CNG pilot in Delhi buses
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.