Fuel Study Guide

Question 1

What is the most common fuel in the US? (p.6)

Answer 1

Gasoline

Question 2

What types of vehicles use Gasoline? (p.6)

Answer 2

cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and boats, small aircraft, equip and tools used in construction, farming, forestry and landscaping, generators for portable and emergency power. Light vehicles, (cars, sport utility vehicles, and small trucks), consume 90% of all gasoline used in the United States. If you combine 47% of all petroleum consumption and 17% of total U.S. energy consumption, gasoline accounts for about 64% of total energy consumption in the transportation sector.

Question 3

What is the difference between unleaded and leaded gasoline? (p.7)

Answer 3

leaded gasoline has tetraethyl lead

Question 4

What seasonal cycles do the demand for gasoline follow? (p.7)

Answer 4

demand is lower during the colder months and higher in warmer, refinery producition cycles mirror those cycles. As refineries shift into lower gasoline demand periods in the early autumn, refiners routinely perform plant maintenance

Question 5

What process is used to refine crude oil? (p.8)

Answer 5

simple distillation. Crude oil is heated and put into a still and different products boil off and can be recovered at different temperatures

Question 6

When is gasoline recovered during the refining process? (p.8)

Answer 6

at the lowest temperatures

Question 7

What is downstream distillation? (p.8)

Answer 7

additional processing that is designed to take heavy, low-valued feedstock, often itself the output from an earlier process, and change it into lighter, higher-valued output. A catalytic cracker, for instance, uses the gasoil (heavy distillate), output from crude distillation as its feedstock and produces additional finished distillates (heating oil and diesel) and gasoline. Sulfur removal is accomplished in a hydrotreater. A reforming unit produces higher octane components for gasoline from lower octane feedstock that was recovered in the distillation process. A coker uses the heaviest output of distillation, the residue or residuum, to produce a lighter feedstock for further processing, as well as petroleum coke.

Question 8

Why are additives used in Gasoline? (p.9)

Answer 8

in an attempt to increase octane ratings and to inhibit corrosion, add lubrication and increase compression ratios

Question 9

What are the main additives used in Gasoline? (p.9)

Answer 9

oxygenates, antioxidants, aniknock agents, fuel dyes, metal deactivators, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers

Question 10

What are the most common vehicle emissions caused by gasoline? (p.10)

Answer 10

• Hydrocarbons (HC)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• Particulate Matter (PM10/2.5)

Question 11

What are the uses of diesel fuel? (p.10-11)

Answer 11

trucks, trains, boats, barges, construction, military, generations etc. has more energy than reg gas.

Question 12

What is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel? (p.11)

Answer 12

lower sulfur contect than other diesel fuel

Question 13

Why is USLD valuable in North America? (p. 11)

Answer 13

because max allowable suluf is 0.5 percent by weight which is less than other places.

Question 14

What can happen to diesel fuel and the equipment that it is used in if there is a microbial contamination in the fuel? (p. 12)

Answer 14

acid formation, rust, corrosion, and filter plugging

Question 15

Why is water a concern in diesel fuel? (p. 12)

Answer 15

water can make microbes form at the meeting point between the fuel (rag layer) and water that has settled on the bottom of the tank, once formed they cause issues in the fuel

Question 16

What is cetane and how is it measured? (p.12)

Answer 16

colorless gas that requires a low amount of heat to ignite. Primart measure for gauging diesel fuel quality. Higher is better. Measure of the ingition delay of diesel fuel

Question 17

At which point is diesel recovered in the distillation process? (p. 11-12)

Answer 17

356-712 xdegrees F and is a middle distillate

Question 18

Why are additives used in diesel fuel? (p.13)

Answer 18

• Increase mileage
• Clean injectors and engine deposits
• Remove water
• Increase cetane rating
• Lubricate the top cylinder and also stabilize fuel

Question 19

How is diesel fuel kept warm in most modern engines? (p.14)

Answer 19

Excess fuel is brought to the engine and warn engine that has come close to the engine is reccled back to the fuel tannk. Some also have fuel tank heaters and fuel filter heaters.

Question 20

What are the leading options to treat diesel in the cold weather? (p.14)

Answer 20

• Blend it with kerosene
• Utilize an additive that enhances cold flow properties
• Utilize fuel tank, fuel filter or fuel line heaters
• Store vehicles in a building when not in use

Question 21

What is the cloud point of a diesel fuel? (p.14)

Answer 21

The temperature at which small solid crystals are first visually observed as the fuel is cooled. This is the most conservative measurement of cold flow properties.

Question 22

What is the cold filter plugging point? (p.14)

Answer 22

The temperature at which a fuel will cause a fuel filter to plug, due to fuel components which have begun to crystallize or gel.

Question 23

What terms are used to characterize the cold flow properties of diesel fuel? (p. 13-14)

Answer 23

cloud point, and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) or the low temperature filterability test (LTFT).

Question 24

What vehicle emissions are listed by the DOE and EPA as problems? (p. 15)

Answer 24

Particulate matter, nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide

Question 25

How can you find certified retrofitted technologies to reduce diesel emissions? (p.15)

Answer 25

EPA or CARB website (California Air Resources Board)

Question 26

What are the effects of the problematic emissions? (p. 16)

Answer 26

damange to trees/crops respirtory/ eye ittitation, hinders breathing, impairs coordination, acid rain component, ozone contributor, respiratory irritation

Question 27

What is ozone and what are the health risks associated with it? (p. 16)

Answer 27

great thing in the upper atmosphere where it blocks harmful ultra-violet radiation. Unfortunately, ground-level ozone is a major health risk. Vehicle emissions including unburned fuels (volatile organic compounds (VOC), mix in the presence of sunlight on a calm day and produce ozone/smog which dapamge trees and crops and cause respiratory and eye irritatio

Question 28

What is Particulate emission and why is it controlled? (p. 16)

Answer 28

solid particles such as ash or soot from exhaust and caues respitory irritation

Question 29

What are some other problems associated with vehicle emissions? (p.17)

Answer 29

dirty air, global warming, energy dependence

Question 30

What are the two types of national ambient air quality standards? (p.17)

Answer 30

• Primary standards provide public health protection, including protecting the health of “sensitive” populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly.
• Secondary standards provide public welfare protection, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.

Question 31

What might US states in non-attainment areas for ground level ozone have to do? (p.17)

Answer 31

• Impose new controls on industrial plants
• Restrict transportation
• Require tougher vehicle inspection programs
• Require use of special, cleaner-burning gasoline

Question 32

Define alternative fuels. (p.18)

Answer 32

The definition of alternative fuel varies according to the context of its usage. In the context of petroleum substitutes, the term ‘alternative fuel’ can refer to any available fuel or energy source, and does not necessarily refer to a source of renewable energy. In the context of environmental sustainability, ‘alternative fuel’ often implies an ecologically benign renewable fuel. Often, these fuels produce less pollution than gasoline or diesel

Question 33

Describe the peak oil theory concern (p.19)

Answer 33

predicts a rising cost of oil-derived fuels caused by severe shortages of oil during an era of growing energy consumption.

Question 34

What are sustainable alternative fuels? (p.19)

Answer 34

fuels that can be derived from living and recently dead biological material which can be turned into fuel (plant matter for biofuel)

Question 35

What is Biomass? (p.19)

Answer 35

refers to living and recently dead biological material which can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as biofuel, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibers, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burned as fuel. exlcude coal or petroluem

Question 36

What is the main purpose of fuel? (p.19)

Answer 36

store energy in a form that is stable and can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user.

Question 37

What is the major environmental concern according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change? (p.19)

Answer 37

“…most of the observed increase in globally-averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations.

Question 38

Why would non-sustainable alternative fuels be used. (p.19)

Answer 38

because they cause less pollution at the point of use, and perhaps less pollution overall.

Question 39

What are the sources of Non-Traditional Oil? (p.20)

Answer 39

tar sands, oil shale and bitumen.

Question 40

What is Methane Hydrate? (p.20)

Answer 40

form of natural gas. This substance consists of methane molecules trapped within the crystalline structure of water ice and is found in deposits under ocean sediments or within continental sedimentary rock formations

Question 41

What is Non-Conventional Oil? (p.20)

Answer 41

fossil fuel chemically identical and with the same origin as conventional or traditional oil, but existing in a different form. These fuels often contain more contaminants and are more energy intensive to produce, thus raising environmental concerns about their sustainability.

Question 42

What is the Fischer-Tropsch process? (p.20)

Answer 42

converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into heavier liquid hydrocarbons, including synthetic oil. It is used today in South Africa to produce most of that country’s diesel from coal

Question 43

How can Biodiesel be used? (p.21)

Answer 43

It can be used in compression-ignition (diesel) engines with little or no modifications.

Question 44

How can methanol and ethanol be used as energy sources? (p.21)

Answer 44

Methanol from any source can be used in internal combustion engines with minor modifications

Question 45

What are the alternative fuels being considered to power todays fleet vehicles? (p.21)

Answer 45

• Biodiesel (B5 - B20)
• Renewable Diesel (R20 – R99)
• Ethanol (E10 – E85)
• Electric
• Hybrid technology
• Hydrogen (Internal Combustion & Fuel Cell)
• Natural Gas (Liquefied & Compressed)
• Propane (LPG)

Question 46

What is Biodiesel? (p.21)

Answer 46

Biodiesel is defined as mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats which conform to ASTM-D6751 specifications for use in diesel engines.
Biodiesel refers to the pure fuel before blending with diesel fuel. Biodiesel blends are denoted as, “BXX” with “XX” representing the percentage of biodiesel contained in the blend (i.e.: B20 is 20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel).

Question 47

Are renewable diesel and Biodiesel similar? (p.22)

Answer 47

both use similar feedstocks, but they have different processing methods and create chemically different products.

Question 48

How might an organization adopt biodiesel for purposes such as federal or state statute? (p.22)

Answer 48

use it as a substitue for reguar diesel

Question 49

Why use Biodiesel? (p.22)

Answer 49

Biodiesel is better for the environment than conventional diesel because it is made from renewable resources and has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel. It is less toxic than table salt and biodegrades as fast as sugar. Since it is made in North America from renewable resources such as soybeans, its use decreases dependence on foreign oil and contributes to our own economy.

Question 50

How is Biodiesel made? (p.21-22)

Answer 50

Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called transesterification whereby the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products – methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct usually sold to be used in soaps and other products).

Question 51

How can ethanol be used as a fuel? (p. 23)

Answer 51

combined with unleaded gasoline

Question 52

How is renewable diesel made? (p. 23)

Answer 52

The most advanced of these alternatives is produced through hydrotreating, a process which is being utilized in today’s petroleum refineries. During this process, hydrogen replaces other atoms such as sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen and converts the oil’s triglyceride molecules into paraffinic hydrocarbons

Question 53

What is renewable diesel? (p. 23)

Answer 53

Renewable diesel is a broad class of fuels derived from biomass feed stocks including oils or animal fats, but processed by other means.

Question 54

How might the use of renewable diesel be able to impact carbon emissions? (p.23)

Answer 54

From an environmental perspective, renewable diesel can reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Diesel vehicles are naturally 20-40 percent more energy efficient than gasoline vehicles, resulting in a 10-20 percent reduction in GHG emissions. Using renewable diesel fuels can further reduce carbon dioxide emissions anywhere from 20-60 percent.

Question 55

What are the benefits of renewable diesel? (p.23)

Answer 55

energy security, economic and environmental benefits. One of the most frequently-cited benefits is its ability to help Canada and the United States offset the need for foreign oil imports and move toward energy independence. It has also drawn strong support from the agricultural community which would benefit from increased farm income.

Question 56

What is E10? (p.23)

Answer 56

10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline. E10 is approved for use in any make or model of vehicle sold in Canada and the U.S. Many automakers recommend its use because of its high performance and clean-burning characteristics. About 46% of America’s gasoline contains a portion of ethanol.

Question 57

What is Ethanol? (p.23)

Answer 57

Ethanol is a clean-burning, high-octane motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources. At its most basic, ethanol is grain alcohol, produced from crops such as corn or other starch-based crops.

Question 58

Are all vehicles ethanol compatible? (p.24)

Answer 58

All vehicles are “ethanol vehicles” and can use up to 10% ethanol with no modifications to the engine

Question 59

What is an electric vehicle? (p.24)

Answer 59

a vehicle with one or more electric motors for propulsion. This is also referred to as an electric drive vehicle.

Question 60

What is cellulosic ethanol? (p.24)

Answer 60

made from cellulosic feedstocks such as grass, wood and crop residues.

Question 61

What is E85? (p.24)

Answer 61

85% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E85 is an alternative fuel for use in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). There are currently more than 6 million FFVs on America’s roads today, and automakers are rolling out more each year. In conjunction with more flexible fuel vehicles, more E85 pumps are being installed across the country. When E85 is not available, these FFVs can operate on pure gasoline or any ethanol blend up to 85%.

Question 62

What is the ultimate blend level of ethanol? (p.24)

Answer 62

most likely e20 or e30

Question 63

What are some of the considerations when looking at hybrid fuel sources? (p. 25)

Answer 63

fuel efficient, power, driving range, or reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Question 64

What is a hybrid electric vehicle? (p. 25)

Answer 64

an automobile that has two or more major sources of propulsion power

Question 65

What sources of energy could hybrid electric vehicles use? (p. 25)

Answer 65

hydrogen, propane, CNG, and solar energy

Question 66

How does a gasoline electric hybrid function? (p.25)

Answer 66

gasoline-electric hybrid car has one or two auxiliary electric motors that supplement the main gasoline engine. Compared to conventional automobiles, the gasoline engine in a gas-electric hybrid is smaller, less powerful, and more efficient. Although

Question 67

What sources might the energy used to power the electric vehicle come from? (p.24-25)

Answer 67

batteries, fuel cells or a generator. The energy used to propel the vehicle may be obtained from several sources. Some of the sources are more ecological than others, such as on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS), called Full Electric Vehicles (FEV). Power storage methods include: • Chemical energy stored on the vehicle in on-board batteries known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
• Static energy stored on the vehicle in on-board super capacitors
• Kinetic energy storage or flywheels
• Direct connection to land-based generation plants, as is common in electric trains and trolley buses
• Renewable sources such as wind or solar
• Generated energy on-board using a fuel cell: fuel cell vehicle

Question 68

What is a hydrogen vehicle? (p. 26)

Answer 68

A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its on-board fuel for power.

Question 69

What are the two broad categories of hydrogen fueled vehicles? (p. 26)

Answer 69

combustion, or electrochemical conversion in a fuel-cell.

Question 70

What is the source of the fuel? (p. 26)

Answer 70

natural gas from coal, liquefied petroleum gas, biomass, or as a microbial water product, or water

Question 71

What are the benefits of using hydrogen as a fuel? (p.26)

Answer 71

decreased ghg emissions and ozone precursors. less reliance on petro products, he conversion of fossil fuels would be moved from the vehicle, to centralized power plants in which the byproducts of combustion or gasification can be better controlled than at the tailpipe.

Question 72

How does a fuel cell function? (p.27)

Answer 72

uses hydrogen fuel and owygen from the air to produce electricity

Question 73

What are the most significant issues involved in using hydrogen as a fuel source? (p.27)

Answer 73

• Onboard Hydrogen Storage
• Cold Weather Operation
• Getting Hydrogen to Consumers
• Vehicle and Fuel Availability
• Safety
• Competition with Other Technologies
• Public Acceptance

Question 74

What are some of the current limitations of hydrogen powered vehicles? (p.28)

Answer 74

It is currently difficult to store enough hydrogen onboard a FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle) to allow it to travel as far as a conventional vehicle on a full tank of fuel. Fuel cells are more energy-efficient than internal combustion engines in terms of the amount of energy used per weight of fuel and the amount of fuel used compared to the amount wasted. Hydrogen gas, however, is very diffused, and only a small amount (in terms of weight) can be stored in onboard fuel tanks of a reasonable size.

Question 75

What are some of the issues with storing hydrogen? (p.28)

Answer 75

the amount of hydrogen stored in a vehicle does not allow it to travel as far as a regular ICE vehicl

Question 76

What are some of the safety concerns involving the use of hydrogen as a fuel? (p.28)

Answer 76

proper handling is needed and can explode

Question 77

What are the temperature concerns with hydrogen powered vehicles? (p.28)

Answer 77

fuel cell systems always contain water, both as a byproduct and for humidifying the fuel cell, which can freeze at low temperatures. The fuel cells must also reach a certain temperature to attain full performance.

Question 78

How has the competition from other fuel sources affected the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source? (p.29)

Answer 78

Manufacturers are still improving the efficiency of gasoline and diesel-powered engines, and gasoline-electric hybrids are gaining popularity. FCVs will have to offer consumers a viable alternative, especially in terms of performance, durability, and cost, to survive in the ultra-competitive automobile market

Question 79

How can natural gas be used to decrease our dependence on foreign oil? (p.30)

Answer 79

U.S. natural gas reserves are abundant, this alternative fuel can be domestically produced and used to offset the petroleum currently being imported for transportation use

Question 80

How might the use of natural gas-powered vehicles reduce vehicle exhaust emissions? (p.30)

Answer 80

contains less carbon than any other fossil fuel and produces lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than gasoline and diesel fuel

Question 81

How expensive is natural gas as fuel? (p.31

Answer 81

1/3 less expensive than conventional gas

Question 82

How common are natural gas vehicles and their refueling infrastructure? (p.31)

Answer 82

approx 120k NGV on the US roads and about 15 million worldwide, approx 1250 fueling stations in the us and about half public use

Question 83

What are the safety benefits of using natural gas as a fuel? (p.31)

Answer 83

dissapates in the atmosphere versus pooling, storage cylinders stronger, fuel sysytems are seale, high ignition temp, narrow range of flammability, not toxic or corrsive and will not contaimate ground water

Question 84

Why is natural gas the lowest producer of greenhouse gasses out of all of the fossil fuels? (p.31)

Answer 84

less carbon and while it emtis methane, that increase is offset by the substantial reduction in CO@ emissions.

Question 85

How do propane powered vehicles handle in comparison to gasoline powered vehicles? (p.32)

Answer 85

vehicle power, acceleration, and cruising speed are similar to those of gasoline-powered vehicles. The driving range for bi-fuel vehicles is comparable to that of gasoline vehicles. The range of dedicated gas-injection propane vehicles is generally less than gasoline vehicles because of the 25% lower energy content of propane, and lower efficiency of gas-injection propane fuel systems. Extra storage tanks can increase range, but the additional weight displaces payload capacity. Liquid Propane Injection engines, introduced in 2006, promise to deliver fuel economy more comparable to gasoline systems.

Question 86

How expensive is it to maintain a propane vehicle? (p.32)

Answer 86

less expensive - Propane’s high-octane rating (104 to 112 compared with 87 to 92 for gasoline) and low carbon and oil contamination characteristics, have resulted in documented engine life of up to two times that of gasoline engines. Because the fuel mixture (propane and air), is completely gaseous, cold start problems associated with liquid fuel are eliminated

Question 87

Is propane an alternative fuel? (p.32)

Answer 87

yes

Question 88

What are some of the other benefits of propane powered vehicles? (p.32)

Answer 88

lower harmful emissions and increases us energy security

Question 89

What is a bi-fuel propane vehicle? (p.32)

Answer 89

two separate fueling systems that enable the vehicle to use either propane or gasoline

Question 90

Why is RFG used? (p.32)

Answer 90

It is mandated by the EPA in specific regions to make sure that the fuel produces less carbon monoxide, so it burns cleaner.

Question 91

How common is the use of RFG? (p.33)

Answer 91

Reformulated gasoline (RFG) is now used in over 1/3 of U.S. vehicles

Question 92

Is RFG an alternative fuel? (p.33)

Answer 92

no

Question 93

What tools are available to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions? (p.33)

Answer 93

replacing vehicles, using alternative fuels in existing vehicles, reducing idling time, reducing mileage, and driving efficiently.

Question 94

What tools can be used to help calculate greenhouse gas emissions in Canada? (p.33)

Answer 94

petroleum reduction calculator -Environment Canada offers a tool to calculate GHG and other emissions can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-funding/tools-for-applying/calculator-greenhouse-gases-air-contaminants.html

Question 95

Why is it important to understand the dynamics of fuel supply and demand? (p.33)

Answer 95

makes it easier to anticipate price changes, follow key fuel standards and identify the steps and technologies to improve fuel efficiency. Crude oil and finished fuels are traded as commodities in a global market and, as such, they are governed by the economies of supply and demand

Question 96

What are some concerns of our growing appetite for oil? (p.34)

Answer 96

It will eventually become scarce and will run out more quickly as China, India and other countries develop energy intensive economies like those of North America, Europe and other parts of Asia.

Question 97

Why is oil imported? (p.34)

Answer 97

domestic demand outpaced supply

Question 98

Have the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 or 2005 achieved their goals of reducing the importation of foreign oil? (p.36)

Answer 98

no

Question 99

How does OPEC influence oil supply? (p.36)

Answer 99

OPEC manages world oil prices by adjusting production quotas of members and therefore, the supply. Sometimes members overproduce to make more money or satisfy political aims. However, by controlling production on the margin in a market with little surplus production capacity, OPEC has largely been successful at supporting the price of oil on the world market.

Question 100

How can market speculation affect the price of crude oil? (p.37)

Answer 100

Speculators bet on the future price considering possible disruptions to the delicate balance of supply and demand. Can drive up costs based on fear

Question 101

What is the benchmark price for crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange? (p.37)

Answer 101

East Texas Sweet Crude

Question 102

How much oil is stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve? (p.38)

Answer 102

695 mill barrels with capacity of 713.5 mll barrels

Question 103

What is the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve? (p.38)

Answer 103

This reserve serves to buffer the market in case oil imports are temporarily reduced

Question 104

How much oil is consumed in Canada vs. the US? (p.39)

Answer 104

canada 2m v US 19.4m consumed

Question 105

How much oil is imported in Canada vs. the US? (p.39)

Answer 105

canada imports 634,000 barrels per day vs US 9.4 million per day

Question 106

How much oil is refined in Canada vs. the US? (p.39)

Answer 106

141 operable refineries in US and 19 in canada

Question 107

What three elements make up the price of gasoline? (p.40)

Answer 107

crude oil, cost of refining/distribution/marketing, taxes

Question 108

What is the North American Pipeline System? (p.39-40)

Answer 108

Refineries from multiple companies enter the same pipelines. Multiple fuel types and grades travel in the same pipeline, with some mixing occurring at interface.

Question 109

What is the methodology for assigning the costs of the fuel to its pump price? (p.41)

Answer 109

calculated in cents per gallon and converted to a percentage, crude oil, refining costs and profits, distibution and marketing and profits, and taxes

Question 110

What is a fuel call option? (p.42)

Answer 110

If the company buys a fuel call option and the price of fuel increases, the company will receive a return on the option that offsets their actual cost of fuel. If the company buys a fuel call option, which requires an upfront premium cost, much like insurance, and the price of fuel decreases, the company will not receive a return on the option but they will benefit from buying fuel at the then-lower cost.

Question 111

What is fuel hedging? (p.42)

Answer 111

Fuel hedging is a contractual tool some large fuel consuming companies, such as airlines, cruise lines and trucking companies, use to reduce their exposure to volatile and potentially rising fuel costs. A fuel hedge contract is a futures contract that allows a fuel-consuming company to establish a fixed or capped cost, via a commodity swap or option.

Question 112

What would happen if a company were to purchase a fuel swap and the price of fuel were to decline? (p.42)

Answer 112

the company will be forced to pay an above market rate for fuel

Question 113

How can you test for residual water in a fuel storage tank? (p.45)

Answer 113

Fuel tank monitors test for water. Paste on the end of a measurement stick can also be used to test for water. The paste changes color in the presence of water telling you how deep the layer is on the bottom of the tank (

Question 114

How will residual water in a storage tank affect gasoline blended with ethanol? (p.45)

Answer 114

Any water in the tank will bind with ethanol causing a reaction creating phase separation which makes fuel unusable.

Question 115

What issues might be caused by water contamination in a fueling system? (p.45)

Answer 115

agitation from refilling tanks will temporarily mix water with fuel at higher levels

Question 116

Why might an organization consider an in-house fueling system? (p.45)

Answer 116

cost or efficiency reasons.

Question 117

What are suitable conditions for the reproduction of microbes in diesel fuel? (p.46)

Answer 117

presence of water or warm humid conditions

Question 118

What is an underground storage tank? (p.46)

Answer 118

a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10% of its combined volume underground

Question 119

What types of biological contamination are found in diesel fuel? (p.46)

Answer 119

bacteria, yeasts, nand funguses

Question 120

How does the EPA allow local governments to manage UST regulation? (p.47)

Answer 120

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act allows them to operate in lieu of the federal EPA program.

Question 121

What three things did the EPA mandate that fuel storage tanks be designed with or upgraded with. (p.47)

Answer 121

corrosion, spill, and overfill protection,

Question 122

What types of storage tanks are not regulated by the EPA? (p.47)

Answer 122

Tanks not regulated by the EPA include:
• Farm/residential tanks 1,100 gallons or less containing motor fuels used for noncommercial purposes
• Tanks storing heating oil for on-site consumption
• Emergency spill and overfill tanks
• Tanks on or above the floor of underground areas, such as basements or tunnels
• Septic tanks and systems for collecting storm water and waste water
• Flow-through process tanks
• Tanks of 110 gallons or less capacity

Question 123

What are the environmental impacts of faulty or leaking underground fuel systems? (p.48)

Answer 123

environmental damage to such elements as the underground aquifer and plants. Leaking underground fuel storage tanks can contaminate surrounding soil, groundwater, or surface waters and affect indoor air spaces.

Question 124

What is required to replace an existing UST with an AST? (p.48)

Answer 124

requires closing the existing UST properly which includes notifying your regulatory authority at least 30 days before you close your UST, conducting any necessary site assessment and remedial action, having the tank emptied and cleaned safely, and either removing the tank or leaving it buried but filled with an inactive solid, such as sand

Question 125

What might be required for AST’s to meet local state/province requirements? (p.48)

Answer 125

state/province and local fire codes, which usually have some mix of construction, installation, operation and maintenance requirements that are intended to prevent fires and other hazards that can come from mismanaged or substandard ASTs. Some ASTs may need to meet additional state/province and local regulatory requirements that safeguard human health and the environment from potential threats from ASTs

Question 126

What responsibilities do the owners of underground storage tanks have? (p.48)

Answer 126

Owners of underground storage tanks have legal requirements (federal, state, and local) associated with their ownership as well as liability associated with leaking tanks

Question 127

Where can you find more information on American and Canadian UST regulations? (p.48)

Answer 127

ASTs are covered by regulations from Environmental Protection Agency, National Fire Protection Association, Clean Water Act of 1972, Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Program, State Agencies, and Local Agencies.
Canadian regulations are outlined in part three of the ‘Code of Practice for Storage Tank Systems Containing Petroleum and Allied Products’.

Question 128

What are some of the safety issues regarding above ground storage tanks? (p.49)

Answer 128

secondary containment, vehicle impact protection, tank shell integrity testing, site security and control of storm water run off

Question 129

What are the best leak detection methods? (p.49)

Answer 129

10 percent difference between what was put in the tank and what is actually in the tank there is a strong chance of a leak. Also, alarm will sound in the event of a leak.

Question 130

What are the environmental concerns of AST’s? (p.49)

Answer 130

serious contamination of soil and water supply.

Question 131

What is subject to The Spill, Control and Countermeasure regulation (SPCC)? (P.50)

Answer 131

facility that stores, processes, refines, uses or consumes oil and is non-transportation-related is subject to the SPCC rule. Containers that are 55 gallons or larger are subject to SPCC rules. Entities subject to the SPCC must have a plan in place to prevent oil spills, along with control measures and countermeasures related to containment and cleanup.

Question 132

What steps can fleet managers take to prevent oil spills? (p.50)

Answer 132

• Use containers suitable for the oil stored. For example, use a container designed for flammable liquids to store gasoline.
• Provide overfill prevention for oil storage containers. Use a high-level alarm or audible vent.
• Provide appropriate-sized secondary containment for bulk storage containers, such as a dike or a remote impoundment. The containment needs to hold the full capacity of the container plus possible rainfall. The dike may be constructed of earth or concrete. A double-walled tank may also suffice.
• Provide general secondary containment to catch the most likely oil spill where you transfer oil to and from containers and for mobile refuelers and tanker trucks.
• Periodically inspect and test pipes and containers. Visually inspect above ground pipes and oil containers according to industry standards. Buried pipes need to be leak tested when they are installed or repaired. Include a written record of inspections in the plan.

Question 133

What are the best release prevention methods? (p.49-50)

Answer 133

Standard tank filling practices should be used to prevent spills and overfills. econdary containment areas to help contain spills. This also makes leaks easier to detect. The containment area should have a capacity of 110% of the tank’s contents. The containment must be impermeable.
One of the most important preventative measures is routinely monitoring your AST to ensure it is not leaking.monthly, daily, or every time a delivery is made reconciolation audit that reviews tank height levels, fuel temperatures and the amount of fuel that was distributed and replenished in the tank
Aside from in-house reconciliation, the EPA mandates that each tank be tested or inspected for integrity on a regular schedule and whenever material repairs are made.

Question 134

What are the inspection requirements of the SPCC? (p.51)

Answer 134

designed to detect oil leaks, spills, or other potential integrity or structural issues before they can result in a discharge of oil to navigable waters of the U.S. or adjoining shorelines. More information about inspection requirements of the SPCC rules can be obtained United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website8.

Question 135

What should an SPCC plan address? (p.50-51)

Answer 135

spill prevention practices, discharge or drainage controls and identify the equipment and resources at the facility to prevent oil from reaching bodies of water or other vulnerable sites. Should include • Operating procedures to prevent oil spills
• Control measures to prevent oil spills
• Countermeasures to contain, cleanup, and mitigate the effects of an oil spill

Question 136

What is wet hose fueling? (p.51)

Answer 136

mobile fueling or on-site fueling, simply refers to the process of bringing fuel to the location where the vehicle/equipment is parked or domiciled

Question 137

What are the disadvantages of wet hose fueling? (p. 52)

Answer 137

environmental issues and cross fueling, more expensive

Question 138

What are the advantages of wet hose fueling? (p.52)

Answer 138

productivity savings associated with not having the driver stop for fuel, easier to track fuel usage - can reduce the risk of fuel theft, misuse and management, and offers versatility to change fuel sites

Question 139

What is the wet hose fueling process? (p.51-52)

Answer 139

1. A fuel truck travels to the specified location.
2. The driver individually fuels all vehicles and equipment that need fuel.
3. The driver tracks how much fuel goes into each vehicle. This can be done by scanning the bar codes assigned to the vehicles being refueled which corresponds to an electronic inventory system. 4. The fleet manager receives and manages the data in an online wet hosing fuel account

Question 140

How can fuel cards help to manage decentralized fleets? (p.53)

Answer 140

no need to carry cash, product control is enhanced, no reimbursement needed, data collection, fuel discount

Question 141

What are alternatives to wet hose fueling? (p.53)

Answer 141

onsite bulk tanks and fleet fuel cards

Question 142

What is a universal/co-branded card? (p.54)

Answer 142

card system offers more control and security than its T and E counterpart. Universal/Co-Branded cards have the capability to identify the actual product that was purchased at the point of sale and determine which products may or may not be purchased.

Question 143

What level of data is available from a corporate T&E card? (p.54)

Answer 143

less than from a universal fleet fuel card. The T and E card may provide a range from none to a moderate level of purchasing profile data management and limited ability to block or not authorize certain purchases

Question 144

What is a corporate T&E card? (p.53-54)

Answer 144

travel and exp card that can be used to pruchase goods realted to travel and bus exp and allow for restructions to be put on the cars

Question 145

How can universal fuel cards aid a fleet manager or fleet management company to manage their fuel program? (p.55)

Answer 145

minimize fuel costs and reduce time spent managing fleet fuel. lots of location access for lower drive time to stations and also most cards provide comprehensive driver, vehicle, and exception reports to help you track your fleet’s activity within parameters set by you.

Question 146

What data is available from universal/co-branded cards? (p.54-55)

Answer 146

optimized fuel data management and repair shop data if the card is set up for it

Question 147

What are company branded fuel cards? (p.56)

Answer 147

issued by and associated exclusively with one fuel provider.

Question 148

What are the common features offered by fleet fuel card providers? (p.55-56)

Answer 148

purchase control, exceptions monitoring, flexible reporting options, tax exemptions, convenience, online customer service, flexibile billing and payment options

Question 149

What is a private site card? (p.57)

Answer 149

card that can only be used at one location and is the most restrictive type of card

Question 150

What methods incentivize fleets to use a certain type of card? (p.57)

Answer 150

rebates, prompt payment incentive, online fleet data management

Question 151

What data and controls are available for company branded cards? (p.56-57)

Answer 151

high level of control over where and what is purchase and ease to track and obtain discounts. But may have limited avail of stations and the companies vary in the robustmess of information and reporting

Question 152

How is fuel data used for maintenance purposes? (p.58)

Answer 152

odometer redings and transactional history to help predecit when services are needed

Question 153

What types of information can fleet managers access online? (p.58)

Answer 153

types of products purchased, how much was purchased, how much was spent on these purchases, where products are purchased, and what taxes were incurred on purchases, odometer readings and transactional histort

Question 154

How can data be used to monitor driver behavior? (p.59)

Answer 154

see when products are purchased and detect irregular purchases. Managers can also track out-of-state purchases. Additionally, managers can monitor driving habits by viewing miles per gallon. With this, managers can determine if drivers are optimizing best practices for fuel efficiency and whether they are idling excessively. Beyond driver behavior on the road, managers can also monitor purchases that may be unnecessary or fraudulent. Managers can also view what locations users fuel up at and determine if a driver is using a vehicle for personal use.

Question 155

What controls are available to managers? (p.59)

Answer 155

hard controls suchs a restricted times or soft controls such as alerts

Question 156

What are some of the emergencies that should be considered in the plan? (p.60)

Answer 156

weather events, man made disasters such as industrialaccidents or terrorist attacks

Question 157

What does emergency plan survivability refer to? (p.60)

Answer 157

Survivability means that your plan for your drivers and vehicles can continue at some level during the disaster. You may need to acquire trailers, power generators, portable popup tents or potable water. Your plan will need to provide for back-up plans that address where or how you intend to meet these basic needs.

Question 158

What is emergency plan adaptability? (p.60)

Answer 158

Adaptability describes the need for your plan to be flexible and adapt to your given emergency.If you are bringing in people to help with company operations, there is a strong possibility that there will not be any local rental vehicles available. You will need alternate transportation plans to provide for this requirement. This might include bringing in company vehicles from neighboring states or transporting stock purchases significant distances. Drivers may have difficulty with travel as some areas may be closed or even unrecognizable due to the amount of damage that may have occurred. Your plan should address how they will locate and reach their destinations. GPS units may be needed for employees that are not familiar with the disaster area and can be helpful when seeking alternate routes, especially when street signage has been destroyed

Question 159

What points should be kept in mind when developing an emergency response plan? (p.60)

Answer 159

1. Develop response plans for most likely events
2. Keep the plan flexible
3. Use three principles to guide the plan…Survivability, Adaptability, and Sustainability
4. Write an Emergency Operations Manual
5. Train staff
6. Develop staffing plans for 24/7 operations
7. Safeguard your lines of supply
8. Conduct security planning

Question 160

What does fleet emergency plan sustainability refer to? (p.61)

Answer 160

Sustainability recognizes that your fleet must be able to function for long periods of time. Access to fuel will be an important consideration. Some fueling stations may be closed and if you are operating during evening hours, some 24-hour fueling sites may not be available. Knowing where, and when to fuel is an important consideration.

Question 161

What roles does regular service and following a pm schedule play in emergency planning and emergency operations? (p.61)

Answer 161

Vehicles that are well-maintained can be counted on to serve in time of emergency until you are able to rotate them out for PM or other maintenance. Additionally, you should plan to service your vehicles differently during a crisis – your own shops may be down, or your existing service providers may be suffering from the same disaster. Another contingency might be the acquisition through short-term lease or rental of a couple of “extra” vehicles so your vehicles can be rotated out periodically for routine maintenance

Question 162

Why are extra security precautions recommended during a time of emergency? (p.61)

Answer 162

Random theft is a common problem during disasters and this can cripple your ongoing business operations.

Question 163

Write an Emergency Operations Manual (p.61)

Answer 163

Your Fleet Emergency Operations Manual must be considered company policy, and is to be treated as such at all times. Given this, it must be written only after careful consideration of the credible threats and disasters as well as your overall corporate Emergency Response Plan. Your plan must coordinate with other segments of your organization; for example, the resources listed in your manual as being necessary to implement your plan must be accessible through your purchasing/procurement departments

Question 164

What elements are present in a good Emergency Response Plan? (p.62)

Answer 164

who and what will be impacted, how wi8ll you get good information and pass that information to those above you. communication up and down the chain, flexibilty, succession plan

Question 165

What should your Emergency Response Plan address? (p.62)

Answer 165

1. Do you have back-up phone and email numbers for your fleet, your direct reports, your co-workers, and your superiors?
2. Have you communicated locations for your people to report to if they are cut-off from normal communication channels?
3. Do you have back-up sources for vehicles, fuel, or maintenance?
4. Do you have good lines of communication with your fuel provider, leasing company, service provider, insurance company, or other key providers?
5. Does your fleet operate on multiple shifts?
6. Will it need to do so in the event of a disaster?
7. Can you either get by on a single shift, or do you have access to other equipment and/or operators if necessary?

Question 166

What should be included in your emergency operations manual? (p.61-62)

Answer 166

Your plan must include contact information for those in your organization as well as your key vendors, customers, and business partners. You also need to list whatever equipment, replacement vehicles, temporary help, and office and other supplies you’ll need to get you through the disaster and how those items are to be procured. In addition, the manual should list all documents vital to your fleet operation – Excel spreadsheets, scanned and stored contracts, email addresses, and other documentation, and where those are to be located in a disaster. Also include a phased set of tasks for the duration of the disaster

Question 167

How should the Emergency Response Plan be communicated to staff? (p.63)

Answer 167

The key to a good training program is to make emergency operations a clear and ever-present priority by thought, word and deed. As the fleet manager, you have to not only “talk the talk” but “walk the walk”. Without commitment by the organization from the top down, training will not be effective. Take emergency planning seriously. Classroom training and other training such as local resopuces etc provide copy of plan and communicate their roles in the event of an emergency

Question 168

What additional training opportunities are available? (p.63)

Answer 168

local finre departments fopr first aid, CPR and search and rescue, FEMA, other wel based self study, other state and county emergency services cooridators

Question 169

What are some considerations when developing a 24-hour emergency operations staffing plan? (p.64)

Answer 169

plan must be capable of operating two or more shifts not exceeding twelve hours each. Divide staff into two or more teams. Ensure employees basic needs for themselves and familes are met and develop and employee notification system

Question 170

How can a fleet manager protect their fuel supply during an emergency situation? (p.65)

Answer 170

back up systems as well as ability to be used in manual mode. Storage acpacdity should be enough to fuel operations for at least 72 hours, also plan for local or regional fuel shortage and have alternate sources of suppy. Possibly a mobile tank or service truck

Question 171

What risk mitigation strategies should be employed during an emergency? (p.65)

Answer 171

develop contingency plans. Have redundany and independent dupplies

Question 172

What are your lines of supply and how can they be safeguarded during an emergency situation? (p.64-65)

Answer 172

build redundent, independente, and secure lines of supply. Availablity of vheciles. Fuel, maintenance, and roads

Question 173

What emergency maintenance considerations should you have if you have an in-sourced maintenance operation? (p.66)

Answer 173

back up location and supplies. staffing plan, ncecessary parts, security of vehicles, employeese, and facilities. regarding facilities • Is it built to or can it be feasibly upgraded to essential facility standards?
• Does it have an independent emergency power supply?
• Is the facility located in a flood plain or other location susceptible to damage?

Question 174

What emergency maintenance considerations should you have if you have an outsourced maintenance operation? (p.65-66)

Answer 174

redundent and independent suppliers - mostly same considerations for insource just have to work with supplier

Question 175

What is the Incident Command System and why might is be critical to understand it? (p.67)

Answer 175

a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination ofemergency responseproviding a common hierarchy within which responders from multiple agencies can be effective. It is important to stay sustainable and make sure everything is organized

Question 176

What lines of communication might be needed in an emergency situation? (p.67)

Answer 176

emnergenc ops or incident command. Also with other memebers of the team and suppliers and vendors

Question 177

Why should fleet managers be wary of over committing resources or committing them in haste? (p.67)

Answer 177

A steady sustained commitment of resources is almost always more effective in the long run than an unorganized overabundance of personnel, equipment and supplies in the initial stage of the disaster. Remember the first responders have to assess and organize before a large-scale response and recovery can become effective. Use this time rationally to asses and organize your fleet operation so that when the Incident Command team is ready for your help, you are ready to respond.

Question 178

What security risks should be planned against? (p.66-67)

Answer 178

plan for risks regardingvehicles, employees and facilities. In a major disaster or emergency, desperate people will do desperate things to improve their personal situation. Your fleet, employees, facilities, tools, supplies, fuel and food may be at risk from vandals, looters or just normal people responding in panic to a difficult situation. Work with your organization’s security personnel to understand the risks, assess the vulnerabilities and develop security upgrades and plans to protect

the life, health and property of your employees and employer.

Question 179

What should you consider adding in your contract with vendors before an emergency? (p.68)

Answer 179

emergency clauses

Question 180

What are the record keeping requirements for a Sacrificial Anode System and an Impressed Current System? (p.70)

Answer 180

last two cathodic protection tests

Question 181

What are the three basic requirements that UST leak detection systems must meet? (p.70)

Answer 181

1. Able to detect a leak from any portion of the tank or its piping.
2. Install, calibrate, operate, and maintain leak protection in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Meets the performance requirements described in the federal regulations for leak protection.

Question 182

What are UST owners required to keep records of by law? (p.70)

Answer 182

The law requires organizations to keep records of the activities related to the maintenance of their UST system. You must keep records about any upg

Question 183

What revisions were made to the Underground Storage Tank Regulation in 2015? (p.70)

Answer 183

The changes established federal requirements that are similar to key portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, EPA added new operation and maintenance requirements and addressed UST systems deferred in the 1988 UST regulation.

Question 184

Where can you find additional information for all of the changes to UST regulation? (p.70)

Answer 184

https://www.epa.gov/ust/revising-underground-storage-tank-
regulations-revisions-existing-requirements-and-new

Question 185

What are the three leak detection methods that are mandated by the EPA? (p.71)

Answer 185

• Interstitial method
• Internal method
• External method

Question 186

What are the two methods of monitoring the pressurized piping of a fuel system installed on or before April 11 2016? (p.71)

Answer 186

Automatic line leak detector, annual line testing

Question 187

What are the two types of release detection methods available to the owner of a tank installed on or before April 11 2016? (p.71)

Answer 187

monthly monitoring or monthly inventory control and tank tightness tesing every 5 years

Question 188

What is required on Pressurized piping installed or replaced after April 11 2016. (p.71)

Answer 188

Use an automatic line leak detector which:
1. Shuts Off Product Flow
-or-
2. Restricts Flow
-or-
3. Triggers Audible or Visual Alarm
AND
Secondary Containment with Interstitial Monitoring

Question 189

What are the release detection methods available for suction piping installed before and after April 11 2016? (p.72)

Answer 189

1. Monthly Monitoring* (except automatic tank gauging)
   -or-
2. Line Testing Every 3 Years
   -or-
3. No Requirements if the following characteristics are readily determinable:
   • Below-grade piping is sloped so that its contents will drain into the storage tank if the suction is released.
   • Each suction line has only one check valve which is located directly below the suction pump.
   • System must operate at less than atmospheric pressure.

Question 190

What should you do after a leak has been confirmed? (p.72)

Answer 190

attempt to identfy the location and notify approp gov agencies and follw state/trival requirements. Take emvergency respose actions if necessary

Question 191

How can corrosion be protected against? (p.73)

Answer 191

Steel tanks require cathodic protection; either sacrificial anodes or impressed current. An impressed current system uses a rectifier to convert alternating current to direct current. The UST system is protected because the current going to the UST system overcomes the corrosion-causing current, normally flowing away from it. A sacrificial anode system uses retrofitted anodes to protect the tank from corrosion. If your UST is one of the non-corrodible types, i.e. clad, jacketed, sti-p3, or fiberglass, your tank meets the requirements for corrosion protection without cathodic protection.

Question 192

How can Overfills be protected against? (p.73)

Answer 192

making sure there is enough room in the tank for the delivery before the delivery is made and watching the entherdelivery to prevent overfill or spilling. Also overfill alarms, auto shutoff

Question 193

How can spills be protected against? (p.73)

Answer 193

catchment basin is a bucket sealed around the fill pipe to capture spills when the delivery hose is uncoupled from the fill pipe. Basins range in size from those capable of holding only a few gallons to those that are much larger. The larger the catchment basin, the more spill protection it provides

Question 194

How is monitoring the ground water used as a method of leak detection? (p.73)

Answer 194

This method monitors the groundwater table near an UST for the presence of released free product on the water table. Monitoring wells near the UST are checked frequently to see if petroleum can be detected. The regulations describe several requirements for the use of this method. For example, this method cannot be used if the water table is more than 20 feet below the surface of the ground.

Question 195

Where can you find information on how to properly store alternative fuels? (p.74)

Answer 195

The EPA has outlined compatibility requirements which should be considered before alternative fuel storage systems are put into place. Follow this link for more information and compatibility requirements:
https://www.epa.gov/ust/alternative-fuels-and-underground-storage-tanks-usts

Question 196

What are the three groups of UST operators in the revised underground storage tank regulations? (p.74-75)

Answer 196

Class A - Persons having primary responsibility for operation and maintenance of UST; Class B - Persons having daily responsibility for operation and maintenance of UST systems;
Class C - Daily on-site employees having primary responsibility for emergency release from UST systems.

Question 197

What training must class A operators have? (p.75)

Answer 197

• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response
• Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration
• Financial responsibility
• Notification and storage tank registration
• Temporary and permanent closure
• Related reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections
• Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases
• Training requirements for Class B and Class C operators

Question 198

When do class A, class B, and class C operators need to be trained by? (p.75)

Answer 198

10/13/2018 or for class a and b within 30 days of assuming duties and class c must be trained before assuming duties

Question 199

What training are class B operators required to have? (p.75-76)

Answer 199

regulatory requirements and typical equipment used at UST facilities; or site-specific requirements which address only the regulatory requirements and equipment specific to the facility:
• Operation and maintenance
• Spill and overfill prevention
• Release detection and related reporting
• Corrosion protection
• Emergency response • Product and equipment compatibility and demonstration
• Reporting, recordkeeping, testing, and inspections
• Environmental and regulatory consequences of releases
• Training requirements for Class C operators

Question 200

What are the retraining requirements of class A and B operators who are out of compliance? (p.76)

Answer 200

must be retrained withing 30 days of the determination of non compliance. For retraining, the program or comparable examination must be developed or administered by an independent organization, the implementing agency, or a recognized authority. Retraining must, at a minimum, cover those areas found to be out of compliance.

Question 201

What operator records must be kept? (p.76)

Answer 201

Owners and operators must maintain a record identifying all currently designated operators at the facility. The record must include the operator name, operator class, date assumed duties, and training or retraining dates. In addition, owners and operators must have records verifying completion of training or retraining. This record must have the trainee name, date trained, operator training class completed, name of training company or examiner, and the training company’s name, address, and phone number

Question 202

What training are class C operators required to have? (p.76)

Answer 202

Each designated Class C operator must either: be trained by a Class A or Class B operator; complete a training program; or pass a comparable examination. The training option chosen must teach or evaluate the Class C operator’s knowledge to take appropriate actions, (including notifying appropriate authorities), in response to emergencies or alarms caused by spills or releases resulting from the operation of the UST system

Question 203

How do local factors affect the best method to clean a release site? (p.77-78)

Answer 203

type of soil and proximity to ground water

Question 204

How does the EPA work to help clean up UST releases? (p.77)

Answer 204

EPA works with its state, territorial, tribal and industry partners to clean up releases from USTs.

Question 205

What are the LUST Corrective action resources? (p.78)

Answer 205

• Release Discovery and Confirmation - Information about detecting UST releases early, determining the source of releases, identifying the fuels released, locating imminently threatened receptors, and initiating appropriate responses
• Site Characterization and Conceptual Site Model - Information about determining location of USTs and transmission piping, which contaminants are present, where contamination may have moved, the site assessment process, and potential technical and reporting requirements
• Corrective Action - An overview of the corrective action process, as well as operation, maintenance, and monitoring requirements which will likely be an integral part of the process
• Site Closure - Information about characterizing risk and closure, maintaining and abandoning sampling points, documenting and reporting, and closure records

Question 206

Where can a complete version of the law which governs UST’s be found? (p.78)

Answer 206

U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 82, Subchapter IX.

Question 207

What are some industry codes and standards that must be followed? (p.79)

Answer 207

all UST systems must be designed, constructed, and protected from corrosion in accordance with a code of practice developed by a nationally recognized association or independent testing laboratory. The EPA has also included the use of industry codes for other sections of the rule, such as upgrading, repairing, and closing USTs. Industry codes and standards provide a means for improving methods or developing alternative methods of UST system management in a timely manner.

Question 208

When does the State Program Approval regulations require states and territories to reapply by? (p.79)

Answer 208

10/13/2018

Question 209

What is the red tag program? (p.79-80)

Answer 209

Delivery prohibition programs physically identify USTs that are ineligible to receive product. The mechanisms are usually red tags, but the mechanisms and their colors can vary by state. The mechanisms are generally attached to the fill pipes of ineligible tanks. If an UST does not have a red tag, then one can assume that the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery.

Question 210

What is the green tag program? (p.80)

Answer 210

If a green tag or permit is present, then the one can assume the tank is compliant and eligible for delivery. The absence of a green tag or permit prohibits deliveries to the UST.

Question 211

Are the majority of states in the red or green tag program? (p.80)

Answer 211

yes, most states are in the red tag program

Question 212

What is required when closing a UST? (p.81)

Answer 212

notifying your regulatory authority 30 days before, conducting any necessary site assessments and remedial action, having the tank emptied and cleaned and either removing the tank or leaving it buried but filled with an inactive solid such as as sand

Question 213

What do most AST’s need to meet as a minimum? (p.81)

Answer 213

state and local fire codes

Question 214

What are some of the other requirements of AST’s? (p.81)

Answer 214

secondary containment; vehicle impact protection; tank shell integrity testing; site security including fencing and lockout devices; night lighting; and control of storm water runoff.

Question 215

How are AST’s inspected? (P.82)

Answer 215

Facility must combine visual inspection with another testing technique such as hydrostatic testing, radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, acoustic emissions testing or another system of non-destructive shell testing

Question 216

What secondary means of containment are required for AST’s? (p.82)

Answer 216

must have entire capacity of the largest single container and sufficient freeboard to contain precipitation. Diked areas must be sufficiently impervious to contain discharged oil. While dikes, containment curbs, and pits are commonly employed for this purpose, an alternative system consisting of a drainage trench enclosure must be arranged so that any discharge will terminate and be safely confined in a facility catchment basin or holding pond may also be used.

Question 217

What detection devices must be installed in AST’s? (p.82-83)

Answer 217

at least one of the following: High liquid level alarms with an audible or visual signal at a constantly attended operation or surveillance station, high liquid level pump cutoff set to stop flow at a predetermined container content level, direct audible or code signal communication between the container gauge and the pumping station, a fast response system for determining the liquid level of each bulk storage container such as digital computers, telepulse, or direct vision gauges (NOTE: If you use this option, a person must be present to monitor gauges and the overall filling of bulk storage containers.)

Question 218

What is required of new UST’s? (p.83)

Answer 218

New underground storage tanks must have a location and maintenance schedule which allows the system to be withdrawn from service if necessary. They must be composed of double-walled tanks with interstitial space which can be easily maintained. They must have a spill containment device on the fill pipe, liquid/vapor-tight connections, an overfill protection device, corrosion protection. If the tank is steel, a corrosion-resistant coating and cathodic protection are required.

Question 219

What is required of new UST’s that store used oil? (p.83)

Answer 219

must comply with other regulations. A 50mm suction pipe must be used to remove product that can be taken off to clear a blockage. Product-removal or transfer connections should be located inside a spill containment device. If the tank is filled by pump or remote manual fill, an overfill device is necessary. If the fill port is outside, there must be a spill containment device of at least 25 liters. This device must have a rain cover and screen to prevent objects from entering a tank. It must also have an in-take vent with an open area of at least twice the open area of the suction pipe to avoid vacuum collapse.

Question 220

What materials must UST piping be made of? (p.83)

Answer 220

copper, steel, black and hot-dipped, zinc-coated, or be welded and seamless. They must have flexible underground hose connectors and non-metallic underground piping.

Question 221

What are the secondary containment requirements of UST piping? (p.84)

Answer 221

must be designed and installed so that leaks either (a) accumulate in a containment sump that can be easily inspected, or (b) are detected by a monitoring system. Underground piping up to and including 75 mm in diameter must have secondary containment as specified. Pipes must have a thermal relief valve and an anti-siphon device if piping is located below the maximum product level in the tank. A lockable manual shut-off valve is also required. Piping needs to have mechanical joints which are not buried or concealed and a liquid/vapor-tight connection at the fill point if the storage tank capacity is over 5000 liters.

Question 222

What must be completed for leaking single walled UST’s? (p.84)

Answer 222

Leaking single-walled underground tanks must be immediately and permanently withdrawn from service and removed within 2 years of the owner/operator becoming aware of the leak

Question 223

What standards are AST’s held to in Canada? What is the primary purpose of the act? (p.84)

Answer 223

Aboveground storage tanks in Canada are subject to standards set by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999), which went into effect in June 2008. The primary objective of the regulations put in place by the CEPA was to prevent soil and groundwater contamination from storage tank systems which are located on federal and aboriginal lands.

Question 224

What is required for an AST to be in good standing with the NFCC? (p.84)

Answer 224

The design, fabrication and installation must conform to NFCC standards and rules. The AST, as well as its components and accessories, should only be used as initially intended and indicated.

Question 225

Who should be involved in the installation of an AST? (p.84)

Answer 225

Aboveground storage tanks should be installed by a company or individual that has proper authorization. This often requires enlisting the expertise of a contractor or engineer outside of one’s company. Additionally, it’s required to have a third-party company or individual, and an entity that has jurisdiction, to inspect your aboveground storage tank to ensure it meets the requirements of the code. In compliance with CCME PN1180, your aboveground storage tank should be equipped to control emissions of volatile organic compounds.

Question 226

What should be included in the drawings of an AST to be submitted to a local regulatory authority? (p.85)

Answer 226

1. The outline of all storage tanks
2. The centerline of all piping or piping groups
3. The centerline of all underground electrical power and monitor sensor conduit
4. Building foundation outlines
5. Secondary containment systems
6. Property lines

Question 227

What three criteria should be met before installing an AST? (p.85)

Answer 227

1. Possess required permits or approvals from the authority having jurisdiction
2. Have plans, drawings and specifications of the system or equipment which have been examined and approved by the authority having jurisdiction
3. The drawings, plans and specifications (listed above) have the stamp and signature of a professional engineer licensed to practice in the province/territory

Question 228

What three things must Canadian and American AST’s possess? (p.85)

Answer 228

must have proper corrosion protection, be outfitted with a secondary containment system, have proper leak detection which meets guidelines and also have adequate overfill protection.

Question 229

Who should be involved in designing a proper corrosion protective system? (p.86)

Answer 229

it should be designed by a corrosion expert and conform to proper guidelines.

Question 230

How should spills and run off be treated? (p.86)

Answer 230

Spills, overfills, and storm water from product transfer areas shall be contained, treated and disposed of in conformance with the applicable provincial or territorial regulations, guidelines or policies. Containment area floors within dikes must slope away from the tank base towards a sump at a slope greater than 1%. An oil-water separator used to treat storm water runoff, overfills, or a spill from the product transfer area shall be sized for a minimum hydraulic flow rate of a ten-year return, one-hour storm event. It should be designed with conformance to ULC-S656-2000 “Oil-Water Separators.”

Question 231

What are alternative fuel vehicles? (p.88)

Answer 231

Alternative fueled vehicles are vehicles that do not run solely on gasoline or diesel. The vehicle is powered by a power source other than or in addition to the traditional gasoline or diesel engine.

Question 232

What are Hybrid-Electric vehicles? (p.88)

Answer 232

hybrid electric - use both an internal combustion engine and electric power

Question 233

What advanced technologies do hybrid-electric vehicles use? (p.88)

Answer 233

battery pack and generator, regenerative braking, electric motor drive/assist, automatic start/shutoff

Question 234

What is a “Mild” Hybrid vehicle? (p.88)

Answer 234

It uses automatic engine shut-off/startup technology to marginally improve fuel economy. In addition to restarting the engine, a large battery pack under the rear seat powers 20-amp AC outlets under the rear seat and in the bed. There is no electric motor which drives the wheels. Nonetheless, these vehicles are listed as hybrids on government web sites.

Question 235

How do hybrid electric drive systems function? (p.89)

Answer 235

Hybrid-electric vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors to provide improved fuel economy. The engine provides most of the vehicle’s power, and the electric motor provides additional power when needed, such as for accelerating and passing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. Hybrid electric motors supplement internal combustion (IC) engine by turning wheels

Question 236

What is a Full Hybrid? (p.89)

Answer 236

Full hybrids can use the electric motor as the sole source of propulsion for low-speed, low-acceleration driving, such as in stop-and go traffic or for backing up. This electric-only driving mode can further increase fuel efficiency under some driving conditions. In a full hybrid the electric motor and IC engine turn wheels alone or together depending on demand and battery charge.

Question 237

What is a Series Hybrid vehicle? (p.89)

Answer 237

An internal combustion engine powers an electric generator and only the electric motor drives the wheels. This is the simplest hybrid configuration. In a series hybrid, the electric motor is the only means of providing power to get your wheels turning. The motor receives electric power from either the battery pack or from a generator run by a gasoline engine. A computer determines how much of the power comes from the battery or the engine/generator set. Both the engine/generator and regenerative braking recharge the battery pack. The engine is typically smaller in a series drivetrain because it only has to meet average driving power demands; the battery pack is generally more powerful than the one in a parallel hybrid (see below) in order to provide remaining peak driving power needs. This larger battery and motor, along with the generator, add to the cost, making series hybrids more expensive than parallel hybrids.

Question 238

In what conditions does a Series Hybrid perform optimally? (p.90)

Answer 238

While the engine in a conventional vehicle operates inefficiently in order to satisfy varying power demands of stop-and-go driving, series hybrids perform at their best in such conditions. This is because the gasoline engine in a series hybrid is not coupled to the wheels. This means the engine is no longer subject to the widely varying power demands experienced in stop-and-go driving and can instead operate in a narrow power range at near optimum efficiency. This also eliminates the need for a complicated multi-speed transmission and clutch. Series type hybrids are appropriate for large vehicles allowing internal combustion engines to generate the electricity to power powerful electric motors. “Diesel” locomotives are the epitome of this technology.

Question 239

What is a Parallel Hybrid vehicle? (p.90)

Answer 239

both the engine and the electric motor generate the power that drives the wheels. The addition of computer controls and a transmission allow these components to work together. This is the technology in the Insight, Civic, and Accord hybrids from Honda. Honda calls it their Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology. Parallel hybrids can use a smaller battery pack and therefore rely mainly on regenerative braking to keep it recharged. However, when power demands are low, parallel hybrids also utilize the drive motor as a generator for supplemental recharging, much like an alternator in conventional cars

Question 240

How can a Parallel Hybrid system serve as an AWD system? (p.91)

Answer 240

Some up-and-coming hybrid models use a second electric motor to drive the rear wheels, providing electronic all-wheel drive that can improve handling and driving in bad weather conditions. Parallel hybrids run the full gambit in production sizes including sedans, medium-duty trucks and buses.

Question 241

What is a Series/Parallel Hybrid system? (p.91)

Answer 241

This drivetrain merges the advantages and complications of the parallel and series drivetrains. By combining the two designs, the engine can both drive the wheels directly (as in the parallel drivetrain) and be effectively disconnected from the wheels so that only the electric motor powers the wheels (as in the series drivetrain). The Toyota Prius has made this concept popular, and a similar technology is also in the new Ford Escape Hybrid. As a result of this dual drivetrain, the engine operates at near optimum efficiency more often. At lower speeds, it operates more as a series vehicle, while at high speeds, where the series drivetrain is less efficient, the engine takes over and energy loss is minimized. This system incurs higher costs than a pure parallel hybrid since it needs a generator, a larger battery pack, and more computing power to control the dual system. However, the series/parallel drivetrain has the potential to perform better than either of the systems alone

Question 242

What is a two mode Hybrid system? (p.93)

Answer 242

patented hybrid technology with two modes optimized for city and highway driving. Two mode hybrid systems are expected to reduce fuel consumption at highway speeds much more effectively than available single mode systems and achieve at least a 25% improvement in composite fuel economy in full-size truck applications

Question 243

How can Hybrid technologies help to operate a power take off shaft without the use of an internal combustion engine? (p.93)

Answer 243

Many work trucks idle their internal combustion engines just to turn the power take-off shaft to operate hydraulic lifts, air compressors or similar chassis-mounted equipment. Some hybrid designs use electric motors supplied by batteries to perform this work instead, thereby saving significant fuel, pollution and internal combustion engine wear.

Question 244

What types of fuel reductions were seen in the Hybrid International Truck and Engine utility vehicles that were tested as part of the HTUF pilot program? (p.93-94)

Answer 244

40% to 60% decrease in the amount of fuel used for utility trucks and 20-60% savings for aerial bucket trucks

Question 245

What is the difference between an Electric Vehicle and a Hybrid Vehicle? (p.94)

Answer 245

The difference between an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle is that in a true electric vehicle only the all-electric motor supplies power to the wheels of the car at all times. The electric motor gets its energy from a very powerful high voltage battery pack that can store enough energy to drive the car a limited number of miles.

Question 246

How can natural gas be used by fleet managers as a fuel? (p.94-95)

Answer 246

It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel cars and trucks.

Question 247

What are the advantages of using Natural Gas as a fuel? (p.95)

Answer 247

nearly 87 percent of U.S. natural gas used is domestically produced, it produces 60-90 percent less smog-producing pollutants and 30-40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, and it is less expensive than gasoline.

Question 248

What is a Flex-Fuel vehicle? (p.95)

Answer 248

A flexible-fuel vehicle is designed to run on gasoline or a blend of up to 85 percent ethanol. This mixture is referred to as gasohol and labeled with an “E” followed by the percentage of ethanol.
Except for a few engine and fuel system modifications, flex fuel are identical to gas only vehicles

Question 249

How is Ethanol used as a fuel for vehicles? (p.95)

Answer 249

Ethanol is obtained from sugar or starch in crops and other agricultural produce such as grain, sugarcane or even lactose. E85 ethanol is an alternative fuel to gasoline. It is a high octane, cleaner burning fuel that is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Ethanol is domestically produced and mostly renewable, typically produced from grain, switch grass, willow, and other biomass resources

Question 250

What are some of the drawbacks of using Ethanol as a fuel? (p.95)

Answer 250

Ethanol is caustic and can slowly decompose certain rubber compounds such as are found in the fuel lines and seals in vehicles produced before the mid-1980s. Because gasoline is more volatile than Ethanol, it can be harder to start some engines using higher ethanol percentages than they were designed to use. Ethanol is also electrically conductive, unlike gasoline which is an effective insulator, and can cause problems with some early electric fuel pump designs and fuel tank sensors. Corrosion of magnesium and aluminum parts is also a concern at higher ethanol percentages. Ethanol has less energy per volume than gasoline, so miles-per-gallon ratings with ethanol mixtures are significantly worse than with pure gasoline

Question 251

What program was enacted by the EPA and Department of transportation’s National Traffic Safety Administration in 2016 to reduce greenhouse gasses? (p.96)

Answer 251

the “HD National Program” -designed to address the urgent and closely intertwined challenges of dependence on oil, energy security, and global climate change. At the same time, the program enhances American competitiveness and job creation, benefits consumers and businesses by reducing costs for transporting goods, and spurs growth in the clean energy sector

Question 252

How much might these standards reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)? (P.96)

Answer 252

Estimates state the combined standards have the potential to reduce GHG emissions by nearly 250 million metric tons and save approximately 500 million barrels of oil over the life of vehicles sold during 2014 to 2018, while providing an estimated $35 billion in net benefits to truckers, or $41 billion in net benefits when societal benefits are included.

Question 253

What are the projected results of the standards? (p.96)

Answer 253

• Result in an average industry fleet wide level of 163 grams/mile of carbon dioxide (CO2) in model year 2025, which is equivalent to 54.5 miles per gallon (mpg) (if achieved exclusively through fuel economy improvements);
• Cut 6 billion metric tons of GHG over the lifetimes of the vehicles sold in model years 2012-2025;
• Save families more than $1.7 trillion in fuel costs; and
• Reduce America’s dependence on oil by more than 2 million barrels per day in 2025.

Question 254

What are two intertwined and critically important needs of the US? (p.97)

Answer 254

to reduce oil consumption and to address global climate change.

Question 255

How can the government help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil? (p.97)

Answer 255

Setting fuel consumption standards for the heavy-duty sector will improve our energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil

Question 256

How does the transportation industry contribute to greenhouse gas emissions? (p.97)

Answer 256

Transportation sources emitted 29 percent of all U.S. GHG emissions in 2007 and have been the fastest-growing source of U.S. GHG emissions since 1990. The primary GHGs of concern from transportation sources are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). The heavy-duty sector addressed in this joint proposal accounted for nearly six percent of all U.S. GHG emissions and 20 percent of transportation GHG emissions in 2007. Within the transportation sector, heavy-duty vehicles are the fastest-growing contributor to GHG emissions.

Question 257

What are the costs of the proposed HD National Program? (p.97)

Answer 257

$7.7 billion

Question 258

What are the benefits of the proposed HD National Program? (p.97-98)

Answer 258

total societal benefits of $49 billion, providing $41 billion in net benefits as a result of the standards over the lifetimes of model year 2014¬ 2018 vehicles, discounted at three percent. Using technologies commercially available today, the majority of vehicles would see a payback period of one to two years, while others, especially those with lower annual miles, would experience payback periods of four to five years. For example, an operator of a semi-truck could pay for the technology upgrades in under a year, and have net savings up to $74,000 over the truck’s useful life. There are also many potential benefits of the proposed program which the agencies have not yet quantified, including benefits from reductions in emissions of non-GHG pollutants. The benefits that are currently calculated into dollar amounts include benefits from GHG reductions, energy security, and other externalities such as reduced time spent refueling.

Question 259

What are the three main regulatory categories of the HD National Program proposed by the EPA and the NHTSA? (p.98)

Answer 259

(1) combination tractors; 5 (2) heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans; and (3) vocational vehicles

Question 260

What types of vehicles are included in the proposal? (p.98)

Answer 260

heavy-duty fleet incorporates all on-road vehicles rated at a gross vehicle weight at or above 8,500 pounds, and the engines that power them, except those covered by the current GHG emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards for model years 2012-2016. Heavy-duty vehicles include both work trucks and commercial medium and heavy-duty, on-highway vehicles as defined by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). Heavy-duty engines affected by the proposed standards would generally be those that are installed in commercial medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses

Question 261

Are trailers with engines covered by the proposal? (p.98)

Answer 261

trailers with engines are not covered

Question 262

How are the EPA and NHTSA collaborating in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? (p.98)

Answer 262

the EPA is proposing GHG emissions standards under the Clean Air Act, and NHTSA is proposing fuel efficiency standards under EISA. The goal of the joint rulemakings is to produce coordinated federal standards that help manufacturers to build a single fleet of vehicles and engines that can comply with both.

Question 263

What are the proposed standards for N2O and CH4 emissions? (p.99)

Answer 263

cap emissions of future engines to increase significantly aove the currently controlled low levels

Question 264

How do air conditioning systems contribute to GHG emissions? (p.99)

Answer 264

Air conditioning (A/C) systems contribute to GHG emissions in two ways – direct emissions through refrigerant leakage and indirect emissions due to the extra load on the vehicle’s engine to provide power to the air conditioning system. HFC refrigerants, which are powerful GHG pollutants, can leak from the A/C system

Question 265

How does the proposed HD National Program provide flexibility to manufacturers to comply? (p.99)

Answer 265

The primary proposed flexibility provisions are an engine averaging, banking, and trading (ABT) program and a vehicle ABT program. These ABT programs would allow for emission and/or fuel consumption credits to be averaged, banked, or traded within each of the regulatory subcategories; however, it is proposed that credits would not be allowed to be transferred across categories.
In addition to the general ABT programs, EPA is proposing to allow engine manufacturers the added option of using CO2 credits to offset CH4 or N2O emissions that exceed the applicable emission standards based on the relative global warming potentials of these emissions.

Question 266

What additional credit opportunities are available in the proposed HD National Program? (p.100)

Answer 266

The agencies are proposing three additional optional credit opportunities. The first is an early credit option intended for manufacturers who demonstrate improvements in excess of a proposed standard prior to the model year that it becomes effective. The second is a credit program intended to promote implementation of advanced technologies, such as hybrid powertrains, Rankine cycle engines, and electric or fuel cell vehicles. The last is a credit intended to apply to new and innovative technologies that reduce vehicle CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, but for which the benefits are not captured over the test procedure used to determine compliance with the standards (i.e., “off-cycle”).

Question 267

What vehicles are covered in the proposed standards? (p.100)

Answer 267

the majority of vehicles carry payloads of goods or equipment, in addition to passengers

Question 268

What two metrics are proposed in the standard? (p.100)

Answer 268

payload-dependent gram per mile (and gallon per 100-mile) standards for pickups and vans; and gram per ton-mile (and gallon per 1,000 ton-mile) standards proposed for vocational vehicles and combination tractors. These proposed metrics account for the fact that the work to move heavier loads burns more fuel, and emits more CO2 than in moving lighter loads.

Question 269

How did the SmartWay Transportation Partnership contribute to the HD National Program? (p.100)

Answer 269

identify technologies as well as operational approaches that fleet owners, drivers, and freight customers can incorporate. NHTSA and EPA believe that operational measures promoted by SmartWay can complement the proposed standards and provide benefits for the existing heavy-duty fleet

Question 270

How are the proposed corporate average standards for Heavy-Duty pickup trucks and vans determined? (p.101-102)

Answer 270

EPA is proposing to establish standards for this segment in the form of a set of target standard curves based on a work factor that combines a vehicle’s payload, towing capabilities, and wehther it is 4 wheel drive.

Question 271

What are Vocational Vehicles? (p.102)

Answer 271

vocational vehicles consist of a very wide variety of truck and bus types including delivery, refuse, utility, dump, cement, transit bus, shuttle bus, school bus, emergency vehicles, motor homes, tow trucks, and many more

Question 272

How will the proposed standards regulate them? (p.102)

Answer 272

the agencies are proposing to regulate chassis manufacturers for this segment and divide this segment into 3 regulatory subcategories based on engine classification, light heavy (class 2b through 5), Medium Heavy (Class 6 and 7), and Heavy (Class 8)

Question 273

What is Variable Valve Timing? (p.103)

Answer 273

In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions

Question 274

What is Active Fuel Management? (p. 103)

Answer 274

Active Fuel Management (formerly known as displacement on demand (DoD)) is a trademarked name for the automobile variable displacement technology from General Motors. It allows a V6 or V8 engine to “turn off” half of the cylinders under light-load conditions to improve fuel economy. Estimated performance on EPA tests show a 5.5%-7.5% improvement in fuel economy. GM’s current Active Fuel Management technology uses a solenoid to deactivate the lifters on selected cylinders of a pushrod V-layout engine (Figure 4.10 on the next page).

Question 275

What is the Atkinson Cycle engine and how might its implementation help improve fuel economy? (p. 104)

Answer 275

The Atkinson-cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycle is designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density, or total power extracted per unit of displacement per rotation.

Question 276

What is a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle? (p. 105)

Answer 276

A partial zero emissions vehicle is a vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year (or at least 150,000-mile) warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) tailpipe-emission standard.

Question 277

What is Electronic Fuel Injection? (p.105-106)

Answer 277

Electronic fuel injection (EFI) replaced carburetors back in the mid-1980s as the preferred method for supplying air and fuel to engines. The basic difference is that a carburetor uses intake vacuum and a pressure drop in the venturi (the narrow part of the carburetor throat) to siphon fuel from the carburetor fuel bowl into the engine whereas fuel injection uses pressure to spray fuel directly into the engine.

Question 278

How can Electronic Fuel Injection help improve fuel efficiency? (p. 106)

Answer 278

Fuel injection generally increases engine fuel efficiency. With the improved cylinder-to-cylinder fuel distribution of multi-point fuel injection, less fuel is needed for the same power output (when cylinder-to-cylinder distribution varies significantly, some cylinders receive excess fuel as a side effect of ensuring that all cylinders receive sufficient fuel).

Question 279

How can Exhaust Systems help reduce emissions? (p. 106)

Answer 279

Exhaust emissions are cleaner because the more precise and accurate fuel metering reduces the concentration of toxic combustion byproducts leaving the engine. The more consistent and predictable composition of the exhaust makes emissions control devices such as catalytic converters more effective and easier to design

Question 280

What are the differences between direct and indirect injection? (p.107)

Answer 280

Earlier electronic diesel fuel systems, relying on simpler injectors, often injected into a sub-chamber shaped to swirl the compressed air and improve combustion; this was known as indirect injection. However, this was less efficient than the now common direct injection in which initiation of combustion takes place in a depression (often toroidal) in the crown of the piston.

Question 281

What is Exhaust Gas Recirculation? (p.107)

Answer 281

In internal combustion engines, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions reduction technique used in petrol/gasoline and diesel engines. EGR works by recirculating a portion of an engine’s exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) is being used widely to reduce and control the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission from diesel engines. EGR controls the NOx because it lowers oxygen concentration and flame temperature of the working fluid in the combustion chamber. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is an effective strategy to control NOx emissions from diesel engines. The EGR reduces NOx through lowering the oxygen concentration in the combustion chamber, as well as through heat absorption.

Question 282

What is the history of vehicles that have used EGR? (p.108)

Answer 282

From 1972/73 to the late 1980s EGR was commonly used for NOx control in gasoline fueled passenger car and light-duty truck engines in North America. After the early 1990s, some gasoline-fueled applications could dispense with EGR. Following the early gasoline application, EGR was also introduced to diesel passenger cars and light-duty trucks and then heavy-duty diesel engines. While there were applications to heavy-duty di.esel dating back to the 1970s, it was not until the early 2000s that cooled EGR became very common in heavy-duty diesel engines in North America. After 2010, the application of EGR into light-duty gasoline engines was expanded—not for NOx control but for fuel economy purposes. Using EGR in downsized, direct-injected gasoline engines can reduce pumping losses, improve combustion efficiency, improve knock tolerance and lessen the need for fuel enrichment

Question 283

How can EGR be used in conjunction with other technologies to reduce GHG’s? (p.108)

Answer 283

More than one technical route exists to meet a given NOx limit, and EGR can sometimes be used as one of several alternative technologies. Such competition exists, for example, between cooled EGR and urea-SCR technology in heavy-duty Euro IV, Euro V and US 2010 diesel engines. However, to meet more stringent NOx emission limits, it may be necessary to use EGR in combination with NOx reduction catalysts (Figure 4.14).

Question 284

What is a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)? (p.109)

Answer 284

device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust has of a diesel engine.

Question 285

How effective can DPF’s be at reducing emissions? (p.109)

Answer 285

reduce 85 to 90 percent or more of diesel emissions

Question 286

What is Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)? (p.109)

Answer 286

Selective Catalytic Reduction is an advanced active emissions control technology system that injects a liquid-reductant agent through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine. The reductant source is usually automotive-grade urea, otherwise known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Question 287

How can SCR reduce emissions? (p.109-110)

Answer 287

Reduces particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. SCR can reduce NOx emissions up to 90% while simultaneously reducing HC and CO emissions by 50-90 percent, and PM emissions by 30-50 percent. SCR systems can also be combined with a diesel particulate filter to achieve even greater emission reductions for PM. Small quantities of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) are injected into the exhaust upstream of a catalyst, where it vaporizes and decomposes to form ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia (NH3) is the desired product which in conjunction to the SCR catalyst, converts the NOx to harmless nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O).
This reduces the oxygen content to a lower combustion temperature resulting in a reduction of NOx formation. The exhaust gas is cooled as it flows through an EGR cooler, and then is mixed with the compressed fresh air from the turbocharger before entering the intake manifold.

Question 288

What is the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL)? (p.110)

Answer 288

The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) leads the development of science and research in support of EPA’s regulations in the transportation sector. The lab plays a crucial role in supporting the Office of Transportation and Air Quality’s technology assessment and test method development programs for light-duty cars and trucks, heavy-duty engines, and small off-road engines. NVFEL is a leading innovator in finding novel ways to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles, engines, and fuels, and holds over 90 U.S. patents on advanced technology developed at the lab.

Question 289

What sort of Certification and Compliance testing does the NVFEL perform on Light – Medium Duty Engines? (p.110-111)

Answer 289

The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) tests a portion of all heavy-duty diesel and small gasoline engines intended for sale in the United States to confirm compliance with EPA’s exhaust emissions standards. This includes on road and off-road diesel engines 200 horse power (HP) and larger, and non-road gasoline engines 30HP and smaller.

Question 290

What system is being used by NVFEL in order to analyze different engine and transmission combinations in order to predict their emissions? (p.111)

Answer 290

In 2012, NVFEL’s National Center for Advanced Technology (NCAT) developed a special laboratory test program to assess the effectiveness of a broad range of key light-duty vehicle technologies to better understand their potential for enabling manufacturers to meet EPA’s 2017-2025 light-duty vehicle Greenhouse Gas standards. NVFEL is leading the integration of the laboratory data into a comprehensive light-duty vehicle modeling tool (ALPHA), which may be used to predict the greenhouse gas reductions possible from various combinations of vehicle technologies.

Question 291

What tests does the NVFEL perform on Heavy Duty Engines? (p.112)

Answer 291

the engine testing center has been mapping out the fuel consumption of heavy-duty engines at various operating conditions and using the results to validate Office of Transportation and Air Quality’s (OTAQ) heavy-duty Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM).

Question 292

What is Natural Gas? What two forms are used as fuel for vehicles? (p.113)

Answer 292

Natural gas, a fossil fuel comprised mostly of methane, is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels. It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel cars and trucks.

Question 293

What is the difference between a Dedicated Natural Gas Vehicle and a Bi-Fuel Natural Gas Vehicle? (p.113)

Answer 293

Dedicated natural gas vehicles are designed to run on natural gas only, while dual-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles can also run on gasoline or diesel.

Question 294

What are the advantages of Natural Gas-Powered Vehicle’s? (p.113)

Answer 294

The advantages of natural gas include the fact that nearly 87 percent of U.S. natural gas used is domestically produced, it produces 60-90 percent less smog-producing pollutants and 30-40 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, and it is less expensive than gasoline.

Question 295

How available is the technology today? (p.113)

Answer 295

• There are over 150,000 NGVs on U.S. roads today and over 15.2 million worldwide.
• There are over 1,800 NGV fueling stations in the U.S. - over half are available for public use. • Over 50 different manufacturers produce 150 models of light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles and engines.

Question 296

How common are Propane powered vehicles? (p.114)

Answer 296

There are more than 270,000 on-road propane vehicles in the United States and more than 10 million worldwide. Many are light and heavy-duty trucks, buses, taxicabs, police cars, and rental and delivery vehicles.

Question 297

What is the power of a Propane powered vehicle in comparison to a Gasoline powered vehicle? (p.114)

Answer 297

Propane vehicle power, acceleration, and cruising speed are similar to those of gasoline-powered vehicles

Question 298

How costly are propane powered vehicles to maintain? (p.114)

Answer 298

lower maintenance costs are a prime reason behind propane’s popularity for use in delivery trucks, taxis, and buses. Propane’s high-octane rating (104 to 112 compared with 87 to 92 for gasoline) and low carbon and oil contamination characteristics have resulted in documented engine life of up to two times that of gasoline engines. Because the fuel mixture (propane and air) is completely gaseous, cold start problems associated with liquid fuel are eliminated. Compared with vehicles fueled with conventional diesel and gasoline, propane vehicles can produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions.

Question 299

How do Propane powered vehicles work? (p. 114)

Answer 299

Propane vehicles work much like gasoline-powered vehicles with spark-ignited engines. Propane is stored as a liquid in a relatively low-pressure tank (about 300 pounds per square inch). Liquid propane travels along a fuel line into the engine compartment. The supply of propane to the engine is controlled by a regulator or vaporizer, which converts the liquid propane to a vapor. The vapor is fed to a mixer located near the intake manifold, where it is metered and mixed with filtered air before being drawn into the combustion chamber where it is burned to produce power, just like gasoline.

Question 300

How can Propane powered vehicles be acquired? (p.114-115)

Answer 300

Propane vehicles can either be from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or conversions. Certified installers can economically and reliably retrofit many light-duty vehicles for propane operation.

Question 301

What are the benefits of reducing the duration of engine idling? (p.115-116)

Answer 301

• Decreasing fuel costs
• Decreasing engine maintenance costs
• Extending engine life
• Improving operator well-being by decreasing noise levels
• Decreasing emissions that are harmful to the environment.

Question 302

What are the two ways of reducing idling? (p.116)

Answer 302

• Modified driver behavior
• Idling reduction technologies, which are assessed and verified by EPA

Question 303

What is an Auxiliary Power Unit? (p.116)

Answer 303

that provide power for climate control and electrical devices in trucks, locomotives, and marine vehicles without idling. These systems are generally composed of a small internal combustion engine (usually diesel) equipped with a generator to provide electricity and heat.

Question 304

How can a Cab Heating system reduce fuel consumption? (p.116)

Answer 304

These diesel-fired heaters supply warm air to the cab or bunk. An engine block heater can also be included. Diesel heaters use only small amounts of fuel and have very low emissions because they supply heat directly from a small combustion flame to a heat exchanger. Standard diesel fuel is used. Cab or bunk heaters can be coupled with air conditioners if the trucker’s service area includes both cold winters and hot summers.

Question 305

What is a coolant heater? (p.116)

Answer 305

Coolant heaters use the truck’s regular heat-transfer system. The heater is mounted in the engine compartment, draws gasoline or diesel from the fuel tank to heat the vehicle’s coolant, and pumps the heated coolant through the engine, radiator, and heater box. Coolant heaters keep the engine warm, reducing the impact of cold starts.

Question 306

How can an energy recovery system help heat a transport cab? (p.117)

Answer 306

Energy recovery systems use the vehicle’s heat-transfer system, much like a coolant heater, but without a separate piece of equipment. A very small electric pump is connected to the water line, which keeps the truck’s cooling system and heater operating after the engine is turned off, using engine heat that would otherwise dissipate. Energy recovery systems typically do not provide enough warmth to be a sole source of overnight heat.

Question 307

How do Thermal Energy Storage Systems Function (TES)? (p.117)

Answer 307

Thermal energy storage (TES) is a technology that stocks thermal energy by heating or cooling a storage medium so that the stored energy can be used at a later time for heating and cooling applications and power generation. TES systems are used particularly in buildings and industrial processes.

Question 308

What are the three types of TES systems? (p.117)

Answer 308

There are three kinds of TES systems, namely: 1) sensible heat storage that is based on storing thermal energy by heating or cooling a liquid or solid storage medium (e.g. water, sand, molten salts, rocks), with water being the cheapest option; 2) latent heat storage using phase change materials or PCMs (e.g. from a solid state into a liquid state); and 3) thermo-chemical storage (TCS) using chemical reactions to store and release thermal energy.

Question 309

What is the difference between a centralized and distributed systems? (p.118)

Answer 309

Thermal energy storage systems can be either centralized or distributed systems. Centralized applications can be used in district heating or cooling systems, large industrial plants, combined heat and power plants, or in renewable power plants (e.g. CSP plants). Distributed systems are mostly applied in domestic or commercial buildings to capture solar energy for water and space heating or cooling. In both cases, TES systems may reduce energy demand at peak times.

Question 310

What does a TES systems economic performance depend on? (p.118)

Answer 310

A TES system’s economic performance depends substantially on its specific application and operational needs, including the number and frequency of storage cycles. In general, PCM and TCS systems are more expensive than sensible heat systems and are economically viable only for applications with a high number of cycles. In mature economies (e.g. OECD countries), a major constraint for TES deployment is the low construction rate of new buildings, while in emerging economies TES systems have a larger deployment potential.

Question 311

What TES storage mediums available? (p.118)

Answer 311

The most popular and commercial heat storage medium is water, which has several residential and industrial applications. Underground storage of sensible heat in both liquid and solid media is also used for typically large-scale applications. However, TES systems based on sensible heat storage offer a storage capacity that is limited by the specific heat of the storage medium. Phase change materials (PCMs) can offer a higher storage capacity that is associated with the latent heat of the phase change. PCMs also enable a target-oriented discharging temperature that is set by the constant temperature of the phase change. Thermo-chemical storage (TCS) can offer even higher storage capacities.

Question 312

What are the costs and performance of available TES systems? (p.119)

Answer 312

TES systems based on sensible heat storage offer a storage capacity ranging from 10-50 kWh/t and storage efficiencies between 50-90%, depending on the specific heat of the storage medium and thermal insulation technologies.
Costs of latent heat storage systems based on PCMs range between €10-50/kWh while TCS costs are estimated to range from €8-100/kWh. The economic viability of a TES depends heavily on application and operation needs, including the number and frequency of the storage cycles

Question 313

What are some barriers to market entry that TES systems face? (p.119)

Answer 313

cost is a major issue. Storage systems based on TCS and PCM also need improvements in the stability of storage performance, which is associated with material properties.

Question 314

What technologies might be replaced by TES systems? (p.119)

Answer 314

Battery-electric air conditioners (storage cooling) derive energy to recharge the storage device from the truck’s engine during operation or from plugging in to external power sources at truck stops. The engine uses a small quantity of extra diesel for recharging the air conditioner. The emissions from burning this fuel (which are controlled by the engine’s emissions control system) occur on the highway rather than at the truck stop or depot

Question 315

How can Electrified Parking Spaces reduce emissions and benefit truck operators? (p.120)

Answer 315

Electrified parking spaces (EPS), also known as truck stop electrification (TSE), provide truck drivers the necessary services, such as heating, air conditioning, or appliances, without requiring them to idle their engine. Since it’s three times harder on an engine to idle than to pull a load, it can be very beneficial for the trucks. While there is no limit to the length of time a truck can access power, a lack of adequate infrastructure has prevented widespread adoption of this technology.

Question 316

What is Single-System Electrification? (p.120)

Answer 316

In single-system electrification, off-board equipment at the truck stop provides internet, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). These HVAC systems are contained in a structure above (called a gantry) or on a pedestal beside the truck parking spaces. A hose from the HVAC system is connected to the truck window and, in some cases, to a computer touch screen that enables payment.
These stand-alone systems are generally owned and maintained by private companies that charge an hourly fee. To accommodate the HVAC hose, an inexpensive window template may be required in the truck.

Question 317

What is a Dual-System Electrification? (p.120)

Answer 317

Dual-system electrification, also known as “shorepower,” requires both onboard and off-board equipment so trucks can plug into electrical outlets at the truck stop. To use dual-system electrification, trucks must be equipped with AC equipment or an inverter to convert 120-volt power, electrical equipment, and hardware to plug into the electrical outlet. Necessary electrical equipment might include an electrical HVAC system.
Truck stop outlets are owned by the truck stop or by a private company that regulates use and fees. The trucking company or driver owns and maintains the onboard equipment.