Ethanol fuel is made from the fermentation and distilling of starch vegetation like corn, although it also can be made from trees and grasses. Ethanol is widely available in two varieties, commonly referred to as E10 and E85. E10 Ethanol, sometimes referred to as gasohol, is a mixture of 90% standard gasoline and 10% ethanol. Almost all manufacturers approve of the use of E10 Ethanol in their gasoline powered vehicles. E85 Ethanol is a mixture of 85% ethanol and only 15% gasoline. To run a car on E85 ethanol it has to be a specially designed flex fuel automobile that is capable of using E85. Flex fuel automobiles are becoming more and more common and most vehicle manufacturers offer at least one model.
The cost of ethanol, either E10 or E85, does vary from region to region. Usually it is found to be cheaper than gasoline in more rural areas and somewhat more expensive in more urban areas, possibly having something to do with how closely the consumer is located to where it is grown and manufactured. The only widely reported change in vehicle performance when using E85 ethanol is a small drop in the gas mileage, thought to be due to the lower energy output of ethanol.
Diesel-like fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, recycled vegetable oil, or animal fats is called biodiesel. Biodiesel is a cleaner burning biodegradable option to conventional petroleum based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is not pure vegetable or cooking oil, these oils do have to go through a manufacturing process. Biodiesel can be used both pure and blended with standard diesel fuel. B2 and B5, 2% biodiesel and 5% biodiesel respectively, are the most common blends of biodiesel and can safely be used in almost any standard diesel engine. Some warranties may be voided if using biodiesel at a greater strength than 5%, like B20 (20% biodiesel).
Biodiesel can be produced domestically from vegetation grown specifically for the production of fuel. The cost can vary for using biodiesel from higher to lower than the price of gasoline, although if manufactured at home (which is possible) the price is significantly lower. Biodiesel is safer to handle and emits less greenhouse gases than conventional diesel fuel. Fuel economy can suffer minimally with the use of biodiesel and research is being done on its effects on engine parts.
Electric cars are nothing new to the alternative fuel scene and, in fact were quite popular in the early 1990's. The need for long recharging periods and limited travel distances impeded the Electric car's progress in the open market. Hybrid cars are available now that are powered partly by gasoline and partly by an electric generator. Hybrid cars have preserved the main benefit of electric cars by giving outstanding fuel economy and solved the problems of recharging periods needed (none) and range of travel (unlimited, as long as there's fuel). There are biodiesel hybrid cars in the development or early marketing stage that would even solve the petroleum based gasoline problem of current hybrids.
One of the absolute cleanest burning alternative fuels available is natural gas. Cars and trucks can use either compressed or liquefied natural gas as a fuel source. Dual fuel cars can run on natural gas or gasoline/diesel fuel. This is a very efficient use of the technology as now when natural gas is not available, the car can be filled up and ran on gasoline or diesel. The downside to this is that storage or passenger space may be limited by the need of the car to have two complete fueling systems on board. Cars designed to run on natural gas only do not have this problem, but they may have the problem of it sometimes being inconvenient to find a location to fuel their vehicle. Natural gas powered cars and trucks are not widely produced yet but there are after market kits available to convert a standard gasoline or diesel engine into a natural gas powered car.
Natural gas produces up to 90% less smog related pollutants than conventional gasoline. The gas itself is less expensive than gasoline and much of it can be produced instead of imported. Though substantially cheaper, natural gas does get fewer miles on a tank of gas.
Hydrogen power is being heavily researched as an alternative fuel source. Hydrogen can be used either in fuel cells to power electric engines or burned like conventional fuel in an internal combustion engine. When used in fuel cells, hydrogen produces no smog causing emissions or greenhouse gases, and it produces a very limited amount of emissions when burned like conventional fuel. While Hydrogen is readily available, it currently is very expensive to produce. The storage room needed for enough Hydrogen fuel to fuel a car for a longer trip is another challenge facing Hydrogen. Also, currently the vehicles able to run on fuel cells are priced far too high for most consumers to be able to afford.
Though cost and a vehicle's performance vary from situation to situation, almost all alternative fuels benefit the environment and reduce a nation's reliance on oil producing countries. In the future, because of the wide variety of needs of the world's consumers, there will most likely not be just one alternative fuel in use, but many. Diversifying the sources of potential fuel can lead to more benefits from the pursuit of alternative fuel development. For now, it is important to have the knowledge that there are other options than petroleum based fuel powered cars.
Mark Allen is a strong supporter of the continued serch for a viable alternative-fuel. More information at www.biodieselplans.info
No comments:
Post a Comment