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Unit 4, Lesson 9

Introduction

Unit 4: Transportation Fuel Use and Challenges – Lesson 9: Transportation Fuels: Alternatives

About Lesson 9

In this lesson, we will review alternatives to conventional gasoline- and diesel-fueled transportation. We will examine vehicles powered by biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel), electricity (hybrids, all electric and plug-in hybrids), hydrogen, propane, and natural gas.

What will we learn in Lesson 9?

With the successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • describe the difference between motors/engines that use different types of fuels;
  • discuss the relative merits of emerging transportation fuel technologies;
  • relate the consumption of transportation fuels to environmental impacts;
  • weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different vehicle alternatives.

What is due for Lesson 9?

The table below provides an overview of the requirements for Lesson 9. For details regarding the assignment, refer to the page(s) noted in the table.

Please refer to the Calendar in Canvas for specific time frames and due dates.

Lesson 9 Requirements
REQUIREMENT LOCATION SUBMITTED FOR GRADING?
Reading: (Biodiesel):
  • DOE "Energy Explained" (as designated)
  • fueleconomy.gov, "Biodiesel" vehicles
  • "Fuel Economy Guide" (as designated)

Page 2

No

Reading: (Ethanol):
  • DOE "Energy Explained" (as designated)
  • fueleconomy.gov, "Ethanol" (full page)
  • "Fuel Economy Guide" (as designated)
  • "Biofuels Might Hold Back Progress Combating Climate Change"
Page 3 No
Reading: (Electricity):
  • "How Hybrids Work" (and step through animation)
  • from fueleconomy.gov, "Hybrid Electric Vehicles"
  • from fueleconomy.gov, "Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles"
  • from fueleconomy.gov, "All Electric Vehicles"
  • "Fuel Economy Guide Model" (sections, as designated)
  • "Emissions from Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles" from the DOE
Page 4 No
Reading: (Hydrogen):
  • from fueleconomy.gov, "Fuel Cell Vehicles"
  • "Fuel Economy Guide" (as designated)
  • "Hydrogen Production Fact Sheet" from Department of Energy
  • View "Energy 101: Fuel Cell Technology" from Department of Energy
Page 5 No
Reading: (Natural Gas):
  • from Alternative Fuels.gov, "Natural Gas Vehicles"
  • "Fuel Economy Guide" (as designated)
Page 6 No
Lesson 9 Activity: Complete Lesson 9 Activity. (It's in Canvas, under Module 4.) Page 7 Yes
Unit 4 Discussion Forum: "Let's Go Shopping!" (It's in Canvas, under Module 4.) Page 8 Yes

Questions about EGEE 401?

If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions about EGEE 401? Discussion in Canvas. Use this Discussion Forum for general questions about course content and administration. I will check it daily to respond. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate or have a related question.

 

Biodiesel

Reading Assignment

Visit the Department of Energy, Energy Explained [1]. under Biofuels: Ethanol & Biodiesel read "Biodiesel" and all subpages.

Homemade

I have a buddy, Butch, who "makes" his own biodiesel in his basement from waste vegetable oil. Butch has arrangements with several local restaurants to take their used vegetable oil. He processes this oil into biodiesel which he uses to heat his house and run his truck. The process, called transesterification, is shown below. (And, depending on "what the biodiesel was made from it can smell a little like French fries, or Chinese food, or vegetable oil. Most users of biodiesel report that the smell is greatly improved over that of petrol diesel." UT Biodiesel [2])

Butch built his own setup, but you can buy ready-made systems. If you consider experimenting on your own, remember to abide by local rules and follow all safety guidelines.

Not required, but if you have time and interest, check out the Utah Biodiesel Supply [3] site (and source of graphic below). You'll find a many videos and plenty of other good hands-on detail!

How to make biodesiel:  See linked caption for a long description
Figure 9.1: How Biodiesel is Made (Text Version) [4]
Credit: Utah Biodiesel Supply [3]

Vehicles that use Biodiesel

Reading Assignment

  • Visit Fuel Economy.gov [5]. Read page about Biodiesel vehicles.
  • Download the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6]. Read pages i-4. Keep this document handy, you'll be using it throughout this lesson.

 

Ethanol

Reading Assignment

Visit the Department of Energy, Energy Explained [1]. Read the page, "Biofuels: Ethanol & Biodiesel" then read "Ethanol" and all subpages.

Visit fueleconomy.com, and read Ethanol [7](full page)

Return to the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6] and read the section on page 41, "Ethanol Flexible Fuel Vehicles."

How Ethanol is Made

As the name implies, the process of producing ethanol is fermentation. Most commercial ethanol production is done using the dry-mill method. The basic steps are as follows (source: Ethanol-Blended Fuels presentation [8], Chapter 2: Ethanol Science & Technology, from the Nebraska Ethanol Board):

  • Milling. The corn (or other grain) passes through a hammer mill. It comes out as a powder.
  • Liquification. A mixture made of this grain powder, water, and an enzyme enters a high-heat cooker, where it's liquefied. The enzyme helps to break down the grain compound to aide in the liquefaction process.
  • Saccharification. The liquefied mash is cooled, and another enzyme is added to the mix. This enzyme converts the starch into fermentable sugars (dextrose).
  • Fermentation. Yeast is added to the sugar mixture to begin the fermentation process. The sugars break down to ethanol (a form of alcohol) and carbon dioxide.
  • Distillation. The fermented mixture is distilled. The ethanol separates from the solids.
  • Dehydration. A dehydration process removes water from the separated ethanol.
  • Denaturing. A small amount of gasoline is added to the ethanol in order to make it undrinkable. All ethanol used as a fuel must be made nonpotable.

Byproducts of this process, including distiller's grain and carbon dioxide, are useful in the farming and ranching industries and may be sold by the ethanol-manufacturing plant for various purposes. But according to many experts in agriculture, making ethanol a major player in the fuel industry has serious drawbacks.

Controversy

Ethanol is made by fermenting corn or grain, products which are also food. Growing the crops requires a lot of land and a lot of energy for planting, fertilizing, harvesting, transportation, and so forth. There is considerable debate about ethanol as an alternative fuel source on several fronts. First, the diversion of large amounts of crop land that could be producing food. Secondly, according to some calculations, it takes more energy to produce ethanol than is available in the ethanol itself. (Source: "Ethanol – Is it worth It?," Chemical & Engineering News [9])

And there is a third question, when one takes into account all of the greenhouse gas emissions from the entire process of producing the ethanol, does ethanol actually result in less or more emissions than gasoline?

Emissions

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) [10] gives this definition for how greenhouse gas emissions from renewable fuels are calculated:

"The term lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions means the aggregate quantity of greenhouse gas emissions (including direct emissions and significant indirect emissions such as significant emissions from land use changes), as determined by the Administrator, related to the full fuel lifecycle, including all stages of fuel and feedstock production and distribution, from feedstock generation or extraction through the distribution and delivery and use of the finished fuel to the ultimate consumer, where the mass values for all greenhouse gases are adjusted to account for their relative global warming potential."

The Renewable Fuel Standard program is a national policy that originated with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (amending the Clean Air Act) and was expanded by EISA of 2007. Implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency, the RFS program "requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel." The EPA's lifecycle analysis of green house gas emissions under the RFS includes emissions related to feedstock production and transportation, fuel production and distribution and use of the finished fuel. (Not required, but for more detail see Lifecycle Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions under the Renewable Fuel Standard.) [11]

As fair as this may seem, however, the devil is in the details. Controversy continues regarding which measures are used and how these calculations are made, to fairly and objectively reflect the environmental impact of alternative fuels so that they may be evenly compared.

Reading Assignment

Read Biofuels Might Hold Back Progress Combating Climate Change [12]

Optional Reading

Ethanol Emissions: Higher or Lower? [13] from factcheck.org, presents an excellent review and discussion of research findings related to ethanol's envrionmental impact.

 

Electricity

Hybrid Vehicles

"Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, which uses energy stored in batteries. The extra power provided by the electric motor allows for a smaller engine. Additionally, the battery can power auxiliary loads like sound systems and headlights and reduce engine idling when stopped. Together, these features result in better fuel economy without sacrificing performance." (Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center [14]. If interested, please visit source for more good related reading!)

Reading Assignment

Read How Hybrids Work [15]. Step through (and read) the animation--it's great!

Return to the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6] and read the section on page 39, "Hybrid Electric Vehicles."

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (Plug It In or Fill it Up!)

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use batteries to power an electric motor and use another fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine.. Using electricity from the grid to run the vehicle some or all of the time reduces operating costs and petroleum consumption, relative to conventional vehicles. PHEVs might also produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source.

PHEVs generally have larger battery packs than hybrid electric vehicles do. This makes it possible to drive moderate distances using just electricity (about 10 to 40-plus miles in current models), commonly referred to as the "all-electric range" of the vehicle.

During urban driving, most of a PHEV's power comes from stored electricity if the battery is charged. For example, a light-duty PHEV driver might drive to and from work on all-electric power, plug in the vehicle to charge it at night, and be ready for another all-electric commute the next day. The internal combustion engine powers the vehicle when the battery is mostly depleted, during rapid acceleration, or when intensive heating or air conditioning is required.

(Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center [16]. If interested, please visit source for more good related reading!)

Reading Assignment

Read Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles [17] from fueleconomy.gov.

Return to the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6] and read page 37, "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles."

All-Electric Vehicles

"All-electric vehicles (EVs) use a battery to store the electrical energy that powers the motor. EVs are sometimes referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs). EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source. Although most U.S. electricity production contributes to air pollution, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency categorizes all-electric vehicles as zero-emission vehicles because they produce no direct exhaust or emissions [18]. Because EVs use no other fuel, widespread use of these vehicles could dramatically reduce petroleum consumption." (Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center [19]. If interested, please visit source for more good related reading!)

Reading Assignment

Read All-Electric Vehicles [20] from fueleconomy.gov.

Return to the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6] and read page 34, "All-Electric Vehicles."

Read Emissions from Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles [21] from the DOE.

 

Hydrogen

Fuel-Cell Vehicles (FCVs) have electric motors, but their fuel is hydrogen. A fuel cell stack in the car converts hydrogen into electricity which drives the motor.

diagram of a fuel cell vehicle.  See text version linked in caption
Figure 9.2: Fuel-Cell Vehicles (FCVs). (Text Version) [22]
Credit: fueleconomy.gov [23]

Reading Assignment

Visit fueleconomy.com, and read about Fuel Cell Vehicles [24]. Also, read (in full) the page "Benefits and Challenges." (Be sure to click through on more...)

Return to the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2017 [6] and read on page 36, "Fuel Cell Vehicles."

Read the "Hydrogen Production [25]" fact sheet from the Department of Energy

Viewing Assignment

Watch the short video Energy 101: Fuel Cell Technology [26], also from the Department of Energy.

 

Natural Gas

How Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) Work

Reading Assignment

Visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center and read Natural Gas Vehicles [27] (subpages, too, if you like, but not required)

The following sections, giving an expanded view of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs), are excerpts from HowStuffWorks [28]

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

The biggest advantage of NGVs is that they reduce environmentally harmful emissions. Natural-gas vehicles can achieve up to a 93 percent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, 33 percent reduction in emissions of various oxides of nitrogen and a 50 percent reduction in reactive hydrocarbons when compared to gasoline vehicles. NGVs also rate higher in particulate matter 10 (PM10) emissions. PM10 particles transport and deposit toxic materials through the air. NGVs that operate in diesel applications can reduce PM10 emissions by a factor of 10.

Natural-gas vehicles also offer these benefits:

  • NGVs are safer. The fuel storage tanks on an NGV are thicker and stronger than gasoline or diesel tanks. There has not been an NGV fuel-tank rupture in more than two years in the United States.
  • Natural gas costs are lower than gasoline. On average, natural gas costs one-third less than gasoline at the pump.
  • Natural gas is convenient and abundant. A well-established pipeline infrastructure exists in the United States to deliver natural gas to almost every urban area and most suburban areas. There are more than 1,300 NGV fueling stations in the United States, and more are being added every day.
  • Natural gas prices have exhibited significant stability compared to oil prices. Historically, natural gas prices have exhibited significant price stability compared to the prices of petroleum-based fuels. This stability makes it easier to plan accurately for long-term costs.
  • NGVs have lower maintenance costs. Because natural gas burns so cleanly, it results in less wear and tear on the engine and extends the time between tune-ups and oil changes.

Disadvantages

One of the biggest complaints about NGVs is that they aren't as roomy as gasoline cars. This is because NGVs have to give up precious cargo and trunk space to accommodate the fuel storage cylinders. Not only that, these cylinders can be expensive to design and build – a contributing factor to the higher overall costs of a natural-gas vehicle compared to a gasoline-powered car.

Another drawback is the limited driving range of NGVs, which is typically about half that of a gasoline-powered vehicle. For example, Honda's natural gas Civic, the Civic GX, can go up to 220 miles without refueling. A typical gasoline-powered Civic can go approximately 350 miles without refueling. If a dedicated NGV ran out of fuel on the road, it would have to be towed to the owner's home or to a local natural gas refueling station, which might be harder to find than a "regular" gas station.

Finally, it should be noted that natural gas, like gasoline, is a fossil fuel and cannot be considered a renewable resource. While natural gas reserves in the United States are still considerable, they are not inexhaustible. Some predict that there are enough natural gas reserves remaining to last another 67.1 years, assuming that the 2003 level of production continues.

Build vs. Buy

NGVs can be built from scratch to include the design enhancements described above. A brand-new natural-gas vehicle costs $4,000 to $8,000 more than a comparable gasoline vehicle. It's also possible to modify conventional gasoline vehicles to run on natural gas. This, too, can be expensive, with the modifications typically costing $3,000 to $5,000. Vehicles that run solely on natural gas are known as "dedicated" NGVs. Vehicles that can operate on both natural gas and gasoline are known as "bi-fuel" vehicles. In bi-fuel vehicles, the driver can safely switch from one fuel to another while driving.

 

Lesson 9 Activity

Complete the Lesson 9 Activity. (It's in CANVAS, under Modules, Unit 4.)

Unless noted otherwise, correct answers come directly from the content of this lesson and assigned readings.

The Activity consists of a variety questions of different types, which may include true/false, multiple choice, multiple select, fill in the blank, ordering, and short answer. The point value varies and is indicated for each. Some questions are graded automatically, and some are manually graded.

The quiz is not timed, but does close at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on the due date as shown in CANVAS.

Questions that are "manually graded" will be scored based on the correctness and quality of your answers. Thinking is good! Try to make your answers as orderly and clear as possible. Short is good, as long as you fully answer the question. Help me understand what you are thinking, and include data where relevant.

Numbers must ALWAYS be accompanied by units of measure (not "300" but "300 kW").

Proofread and spell check your work.

Discussion Forum

Unit 4 Discussion: "Let's Go Shopping!"

Years ago, friends of mine befriended their cranky old next door neighbor. They helped with her yard and groceries and snow removal. They took time to sit on her porch and shared meals. She wasn't always the best company, but they knew she was lonely and needed help, so they just did what they could as good neighbors. They never met any of her family. Eventually, Louise died. In her will, she left everything to my friends! This had never been discussed or even considered. Well, now my friends live in a beautiful place on the Maine shore! Point is, sometimes it pays to be nicer than necessary. (Actually, it always pays, just in different ways.) Anyway, I like the idea of  just being nicer than necessary and thought this story would be a fun way to set up the next discussion.

So, let's pretend through life's good graces you just ended up with a pile of cash, but Louise made a stipulation...you have to use it to buy a vehicle that is practical and kind to the environment. And you have one year to spend it.

Of all the vehicles and technologies discussed in this unit, what would you pick? Remember, it has to be practical. Think about the size of your family, your driving patterns (how far, how often), the availability of fuel. And it has to be good for the environment. Consider fuel source, emissions, mileage.

And you need to buy it in a year. Pick a real car.

In your posting, give the details of your chosen vehicle (include price and availability). Tell us why it is a practical choice for you. Tell us how it is good for the environment. Tell us where and how you will get fuel. Tell us other options you considered.

In addition to the resources used in this unit (including the Fuel Economy Guide Model Year 2016 [6]), here's a site you may find helpful Alternative Fuel Station Locater [6]

Please define and explain any acronyms or abbreviations you use (GHG = greenhouse gas) and wherever possible include links to your references. Any questions, just let me know!

Post your work in the Discussion, "Let's Go Shopping." You'll find it in Canvas, in the Unit 4 module. Please follow full instructions there.

Read the postings of others and respond to at least one. Follow up on any postings made to your comment.

Please see CANVAS calendar for due date of your FIRST posting and date when discussion ends (graded participation ends, all replies must be in).

Grading criteria

You will be graded on the quality of your participation. Be interesting and interested! Please see Syllabus for full Discussion grading criteria.

Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

In this lesson, you learned about alternative fuel sources for transportation and related topics including vehicles that use these fuels, and issues related to technology, infrastructure, costs, and environment.

Reminder—Complete all of the lesson tasks!

You have finished Lesson 9. Double-check the list of requirements on the Lesson 9 Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before beginning the next lesson.


Source URL: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/content/p9.html

Links
[1] http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=biofuel_biodiesel_home
[2] http://www.engr.utk.edu/~sae/utfaq.html
[3] http://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/makingbiodiesel.php
[4] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.egee401/files/image/lesson09/WVO%20to%20biodiesel_LD.html
[5] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/biodiesel.shtml
[6] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2000.htm
[7] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/ethanol.shtml
[8] http://ethanol.nebraska.gov/wordpress/resources/school-presentations/
[9] http://pubs.acs.org/email/cen/html/010207085554.html
[10] http://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P100B3F8.txt?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2006%20Thru%202010&Docs=&Query=%28the%20term%20%27lifecycle%29%20OR%20FNAME%3D%22P100B3F8.txt%22%20AND%20FNAME%3D%22P100B3F8.txt%22&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&UseQField=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A\ZYFILES\INDEX%20DATA\06THRU10\TXT\00000027\P100B3F8.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h|-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=p|f&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=2
[11] https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/lifecycle-analysis-greenhouse-gas-emissions-under-renewable-fuel
[12] http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/biofuels-might-hold-back-progress-combating-climate-change/
[13] http://www.factcheck.org/2015/11/ethanol-higher-emissions-or-lower/
[14] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_basics_hev.html
[15] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml
[16] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_basics_phev.html
[17] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/phevtech.shtml
[18] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions.php
[19] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_basics_ev.html
[20] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml
[21] https://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions.php
[22] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee401/sites/www.e-education.psu.edu.egee401/files/image/lesson09/fuel_cell_vehicle_LD.html
[23] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/fuel_cell_what_is.html
[24] http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fuelcell.shtml
[25] https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/downloads/hydrogen-production-fact-sheet
[26] http://energy.gov/eere/energybasics/articles/fuel-cell-basics
[27] http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/natural_gas.html
[28] http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/ngv4.htm