Fuels and Technologies
Ethanol
E85 is the term for motor fuel blends of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Besides its superior performance characteristics, ethanol burns cleaner than gasoline; it is a completely renewable, domestic, environmentally friendly fuel that enhances the economy and energy independence of Illinois and of the nation. Tests have shown that E85 vehicles reduce harmful hydrocarbon and benzene emissions when compared to vehicles running on gasoline. Although carbon dioxide is released during ethanol production and combustion, it is recaptured as a nutrient to the crops that are used in its production. Use of ethanol results in low increases to the carbon cycle.
Ethanol produced from corn has a positive energy balance, and it is predicted that the energy advantage of ethanol will increase with future innovations such as the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol production. For more on this issue, this summary of a 2005 study (PDF) by Michael Wang of Argonne National Laboratory or this presentation (PDF) given at a spring 2006 CACC seminar by Ye Wu, also of Argonne National Laboratory. Other authorities on the topic of the energy balance and sustainability of biofuels include Hosein Shapouri of the Office of the Chief Economist at USDA and John Sheehan at National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
For more information on Ethanol E85, visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ethanol/index.html/.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel a diesel substitute fuel made from biomass, which means that it is inherently renewable and it, in itself, contributes nothing to carbon-dioxide loading of the atmosphere. Biodiesel commonly uses soybean or canola oil as its base, but animal fat or recycled cooking oil can also be used. Diesel-powered vehicles require no modification at all to run on 20% biodiesel mixed with regular diesel (known as B20). Thus any diesel-powered truck or bus is, potentially, already an alternative-fueled vehicle! Since biodiesel is not a fossil fuel, it can cut greenhouse-gas emissions as well as ordinary pollutants (particularly soot) by displacing petroleum diesel fuel. B20 can be stored and dispensed in exactly the same manner as petroleum diesel fuel.
The energy balance of soy biodiesel is quite positive: approximately 3.2 units of usable energy are obtained per unit of energy expended in the fuel production.
For more information on Biodiesel, contact Judd Hulting of the Illinois Soybean Association and CACC board member or visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel.html
Propane (LPG)
Liquefied petroleum gas is basically the same type of gas that is used in home barbeques. For automotive applications, it is a mixture of propane gas and butane gas. The LPG mixture is kept under heavy pressure in a special tank in the car, so it is liquid there. LPG assures a very clean combustion. That's because before entering the engine, LPG is converted from liquid to gas, so it can be perfectly mixed with the air, unlike gasoline. The exhaust emissions of engines running on LPG are very low.
For more information on LPG, visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/propane.html
Natural Gas
Compressed natural gas is the same natural gas that is used in home heating, except that it has been compressed to 3600 psi in a high-pressure tank for use in a vehicle. CNG is the cleanest-burning of the commonly used alternative fuels. However, the space required for in-vehicle storage is prohibitive for some vehicles, limiting the availability of CNG for use in certain applications. The fueling infrastructure is also more complicated and expensive than that of other commonly used alternative fuels.
For more information on CNG, contact George Krass of Dual Fuel Systems and CACC board member or visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/natural_gas.html
Hydrogen
Hydrogen will play an important role in developing sustainable transportation in the United States, because in the future it may be produced in virtually unlimited quantities using renewable resources. Hydrogen has been used effectively in a number of internal combustion engine vehicles as pure hydrogen or mixed with natural gas and in a growing number of demonstration fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen and oxygen from air fed into a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack produces electricity to power an electric automobile without producing harmful emissions.
The challenges ahead lie in producing hydrogen in a renewable and efficient manner, storing and transporting great quantities of hydrogen, building a hydrogen fueling infrastructure and lowering the high costs of producing fuel cells.
Chicago Area Clean Cities has a demonstration hydrogen fuel cell car that produces its own hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, then runs on that hydrogen and oxygen.
For more information on hydrogen, visit http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/hydrogen.html
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are propelled by an electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. Electric motors have several advantages over internal combustion engines (ICEs):
• Energy efficient. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheel. Where as internal combustion engines, (ICEs) only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.
• Environmentally friendly. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them.
• Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration and require less maintenance than ICEs.
• Reduce energy dependence. Electricity is a domestic energy source. Currently researchers are working on improved battery technologies to increase driving range and decrease recharging time, weight, and cost.
For more information on Electric Vehicles, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml
Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools. Some of the technologies that hybrid vehicles use to achieve their objectives are:
Regenerative Braking. The electric motor applies resistance to the drive train causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
Electric Motor Drive/Assist. The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
Automatic Start/Shutoff. Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.
Idle Reduction Technology
Every month, Argonne National Laboratory publishes the National Idling Reduction Network News. Each issue contains announcements and news of grant solicitations and awards, conferences, meetings, legislative action and other items of interest regarding idle reduction efforts across the country. For the archive of past issues, visit www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/resources/fcvt_national_idling.html.