Alternative Fuels

Question 0

Diesel

Answer 0

C9 to C11

Question 1

Petrol

Answer 1

C7 to C8 hydrocarbons

Question 2

Paraffin

Answer 2

C12 to C16

Question 3

Characteristic of replacements?

Answer 3

Renewable sources need to burn ŵith similar rate

Question 4

Which molecule has highest and lowest energy?

Answer 4

Hydrogen highest, CO lowest

Question 5

Brazil cars

Answer 5

100% ethanol from sugar cane used, 30% less CO produced, HCs levels same, ethanol unreactive in photochemical smogs

Question 6

Consequence of lower oil prices

Answer 6

Less use of ethanol

Question 7

USA

Answer 7

Plants exist to make ethanol, blending petrol from corn/grain

Question 8

Oxyfuels

Answer 8

Petrol + methanol/ethanol/MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ethane), improve combustion, less u burnt HCs, more CO to CO2 conversions

Question 9

Problems

Answer 9

More carcinogens produced, PAN toxic to plants and cause gene mutations

Question 10

Rapeseed Methyl Esther

Answer 10

Renewable replacement for diesel, few sooty particles, no SOx

Question 11

Haly produced

Answer 11

22p/l compared to diesel 10p/l, no net CO2 contribution to atmosphere, CO2 released from taken in by plants

Question 12

Vegetable oils and animal fats

Answer 12

Triglycerides, by-products of glycerol, chars, clogs-engines

Question 13

Treatments

Answer 13

Oil with alkali (acid is released), react with methanol to form methyl ester, volatile

Question 14

Britain

Answer 14

Sugar beet but takes 1/3 size of Wales which is unlikely, large reserves of fossil fuels

Question 15

Hydrogen

Answer 15

Cheap production from water, good calorific value

Question 16

Problems

Answer 16

Low density, storage, unless liquified, hydrogen used in diesel car with spark plugs, stored in stainless steel vacuum insulated tank, only 8.5 miles per gallon

Question 17

LPG (liquid petroleum gas)

Answer 17

Less expensive than petrol, high octane rating (130), less power, storage problems, lack of filling facilities, feasible slow filling at mains pressure

Question 18

Gas power problem

Answer 18

Require large storage tanks, compromise storage space or range

Question 19

Electric vehicles

Answer 19

Performance same as combustion engines

Question 20

Electric vehicles problems

Answer 20

Weight and life of batteries, range compromise

Question 21

Fuel cells

Answer 21

Utilise liquid fuels (petrol),no pollutants from combustion, use existing supply network (not yet commercial)