Types of Fuel Flashcards
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What is the most common fuel in the US?
Gasoline – 55% of transportation energy in US
What types of vehicles use Gasoline?
- Cars, trucks, motorcycles
- Recreational vehicles and boats
- Small aircrafts
- Tools/equipment
- Generators
What is the difference between unleaded and leaded gasoline?
Leaded gasoline has Tetraethyl lead. Added to improve octane and reduce engine knock
What seasonal cycles do the demand for gasoline follow?
Demand is lower in the colder months and higher in warmer months
What process is used to refine crude oil?
Simple distillation: crude oil is heated and put into a distillation column and different products boil it off
When is gasoline recovered during the refining process?
Recovered at lower temperatures
What is downstream distillation?
- Additional processing of crude oil.
- Takes heavy low valued feedstock and processes it to lighter higher valued output
Why are additives used in Gasoline?
An attempt to increase its octane rating. Octane rating is the fuel’s resistance to vehicle engine “knock”
What are the main additives used in Gasoline?
- Oxygenates (reduces carbon monoxide emissions)
- Antioxidants (fuel stabilizer to reduce oxidation)
- Anti-knock agents (reduces engine knock)
- Fuel dyes
- Metal deactivators (fuel stabilizer by deactivating metal ions)
What are the most common vehicle emissions caused by gasoline?
- Hydrocarbons
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen oxide
- Particulate matter
What are the uses of diesel fuel?
- For Diesel engines in trucks, trains, and boats
- Public and school buses
- Farm and construction equipment
- Diesel engine generators
What is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel?
EPA and Environmental Canada makes efforts to reduce sulfur content and emissions level from diesel fuels. The result is ULSD
Why is USLD valuable in North America?
It’s worth more in the United States, where the maximum allowable sulfur is 0.05 percent by weight, than in Africa, where the maximum can be 10 to 20 times higher.
At which point is diesel recovered in the distillation process?
Recovered at a higher temperature between 356-716 degrees
What is cetane and how is it measured?
A colorless gas that requires low amount of heat to ignite. The cetane number is a measure of ignition delay of diesel fuel.
Why is water a concern in diesel fuel?
Microbes can form at the meeting point between the fuel and water.
What can happen to diesel fuel and the equipment that it is used in if there is a microbial contamination in the fuel?
Microbial colonies cause acid formation, rust, corrosion and filter plugging. Fuel can become unusable.
Why are additives used in diesel fuel?
- Increase mileage
- Clean injectors and engine deposits
- Remove water
- Increase cetane rating
- Lubricate the top cylinder
- Stabilize fuel
What terms are used to characterize the cold flow properties of diesel fuel?
The low temperature effect on diesel fuel is characterized by the cloud point and the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) or the low temperature filterability test (LTFT)
What is the cloud point of a diesel fuel?
The temperature where small solid crystals are formed as the fuel is cooled
What is the cold filter plugging point?
The temperature where fuel will cause a filter to plug due to its components beginning to crystallize or gel
How is diesel fuel kept warm in most modern engines?
Recycled through the engine back into the fuel tank. Many trucks have fuel tank and fuel filter heaters.
What are the leading options to treat diesel in the cold weather?
- Blend it with kerosene
- Utilize an additive that enhances cold flow properties
- Utilize fuel tank, fuel filter or fuel line heaters
- Store vehicles indoors when not in use
How can you find certified retrofitted technologies to reduce diesel emissions?
Retrofit technologies are evaluated by EPA and CARB and verified technology lists are maintained by each program
What vehicle emissions are listed by the DOE and EPA as problems?
- Particulate matter
- Nitrogen oxide
- Hydrocarbons
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
What are the effects of the problematic emissions?
All of these, except carbon dioxide, are directly harmful to humans and contribute directly to climate change
What is Particulate emission and why is it controlled?
Particle emission from diesel exhaust is the most tightly controlled emission.
What is ozone and what are the health risks associated with it?
Ground level ozone is a health risk. Vehicle emissions mix in sunlight and produce ozone smog.
What are some other problems associated with vehicle emissions?
- Dirty air
- Global warming
- Energy dependence
What are the two types of national ambient air quality standards?
- Primary standards provide public health protection
- Secondary standards provide public welfare protection
What might US states in non-attainment areas for ground level ozone have to do?
- Impose new controls on industrial plants
- Restrict transportation
- Require tougher vehicle inspection programs
- Require use of special cleaner burning gasoline
Define alternative fuels.
Alternative fuel or non-conventional fuels are any materials or substances that can be used as fuel other than conventional fuels.
What is the main purpose of fuel?
To store energy in a form that is stable and can be easily transported from the place of production to the end user.
What is the major environmental concern according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change?
The increase in global averaged temperatures is due to the increase in greenhouse gas concentrations
Describe the peak oil theory concern.
Predicts a rising cost of oil-derived fuels caused by severe shortage of oil. The increase of ethanol supply decreases the demand for conventional fuels and would lower prices.
What are sustainable alternative fuels?
source of renewable energy or sustainable energy as a source of the fuel.
Ex. Hydrogen
Why would non-sustainable alternative fuels be used?
Causes less pollution at the point of use
What is Biomass?
Living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Refers to plant matter grown for biofuel.
What is Non-Conventional Oil?
Fossil fuel chemically identical and with the same origin as conventional or traditional oil but in a different form.
What are the sources of Non-Traditional Oil?
Tar sands, oil shale and bitumen
What is the Fischer-Tropsch process?
Converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into heavier liquid hydrocarbons, including synthetic oil.
What is Methane Hydrate?
A form of natural gas
How can methanol and ethanol be used as energy sources?
Convenient way to store the energy for transportation. This energy can be supplied by the original source or from other sources like fossil fuel reserves, or solar radiation, hydro, wind or nuclear energy.
What are the alternative fuels being considered to power today’s fleet vehicles?
- Biodiesel
- Renewable diesel
- Ethanol
- Electric
- Hybrid technology
- Hydrogen
- Natural gas
- Propane
What is Biodiesel?
A clean-burning alternative fuel produced from renewable resources. Contains no petroleum but can be blended with petroleum diesel.
How can Biodiesel be used?
In compression-ignition (diesel) engines
How is Biodiesel made?
A chemical process called transesterification. The glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil.
Why use Biodiesel?
Better for the environment than conventional diesel because it’s made from renewable resources. Has lower emissions compared to petroleum diesel.
Are renewable diesel and Biodiesel similar?
Both use similar feedstocks but have different processing methods and create chemically different products.
What is renewable diesel?
A class of fuels from biomass feedstocks including oils and animal fats.
How is renewable diesel made?
Through hydrotreating process. Hydrogen replaces other atoms such as sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen and converts the oil’s triglyceride molecules into paraffinic hydrocarbons.
What are the benefits of renewable diesel?
Offers energy security, economic and environmental benefits. Helps US and Canada offset the need for foreign oil imports.
How might the use of renewable diesel be able to impact carbon emissions?
Reduce emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
What is Ethanol?
Clean-burning, high octane motor fuel that is produced from renewable sources. A grain alcohol produced from crops like corn.
How can ethanol be used as a fuel?
A % of ethanol is added to unleaded gasoline. Decreases cost and increases octane rating.
What is E10?
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline. Approved for most makes and models in US/Canada
What is E85?
84% ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. Alternative fuel for flexible fuel vehicles.
Are all vehicles ethanol compatible?
All vehicles can operate with fuel up to 10% ethanol
What is the ultimate blend level of ethanol?
E20 and E30 blends
What is cellulosic ethanol?
Made from cellulosic feedstocks like grass, wood and crop residues. More challenging to process.
What is an electric vehicle?
A vehicle with one or more electric motors for propulsion
What sources might the energy used to power the electric vehicle come from?
- Batteries
- Fuel cells
- Generator
What sources of energy could hybrid electric vehicles use?
Onboard rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled propulsion power source (internal combustion engine)
What is a hybrid electric vehicle?
Vehicle that has two or more major sources of propulsion power. Has both conventional gasoline and electric motors
What are some of the considerations when looking at hybrid fuel sources?
Hydrogen, propane, CNG and solar energy
How does a gasoline electric hybrid function?
Has one or two auxiliary electric motors that supplement the main gasoline engine. Gasoline engine in hybrid cars are smaller, less powerful and more efficient.
What is a hydrogen vehicle?
Vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for power
What are the two broad categories of hydrogen fueled vehicles?
- Combustion
- Electrochemical conversion in a fuel cell
What is the source of hydrogen fuel?
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water and electricity which powers the motor
What are the benefits of using hydrogen as a fuel?
Lead to decreased emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone precursors.
How does a fuel cell function?
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells uses hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity
What are the most significant issues involved in using hydrogen as a fuel source?
- Onboard hydrogen storage
- Cold weather operation
- Getting hydrogen to consumers
- Vehicle and fuel
What are some of the issues with storing hydrogen?
- Only small weights of hydrogen can be stored in onboard fuel tanks.
- Cold weather can cause the water in the fuel cell system to freeze.
- Transportation and storing is different from gasoline, requiring their own setup.
What are the temperature concerns with hydrogen powered vehicles?
The fuel cells need to reach a certain temperature to attain full performance.
What are some of the current limitations of hydrogen powered vehicles?
- Fuel cell vehicles aren’t widely available in the US.
- Lack of hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
What are some of the safety concerns involving the use of hydrogen as a fuel?
Handling compressed hydrogen is new to consumers. Developers need to make storage and delivery safe for everyday use.
How has the competition from other fuel sources affected the adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source?
FCVs offer an alternative in performance, durability, and cost to survive in the ultra-competitive market.
How can natural gas be used to decrease our dependence on foreign oil?
US Natural gas reserves are abundant and can be domestically produced and used to offset petroleum.
How might the use of natural gas-powered vehicles reduce vehicle exhaust emissions?
Natural gas is less carbon intensive than other fossil fuels, producing lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline and diesel fuel.
Why is natural gas the lowest producer of greenhouse gases out of all fossil fuels?
Even though it emits methane, it offsets by the reduction of CO2 compared to other fuels. Natural gas produces up to 20% less greenhouse gas than gasoline.
What are the safety benefits of using natural gas as a fuel?
- CNG dissipates into the atmosphere in an accident, while gasoline pools on the ground creating a fire hazard.
- NGV storage cylinders are much stronger than gasoline fuel tanks.
- NG has a higher ignition temperature compared to gasoline.
How common are natural gas vehicles and their refueling infrastructure?
There are 1250 NGV fueling stations in the US.
How expensive is natural gas as fuel?
Natural gas is 25-42% cheaper.
Is propane an alternative fuel?
Propane is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
What is a bi-fuel propane vehicle?
Bi-fuel propane vehicles have two separate fueling systems that enable the vehicle to use either propane or gasoline.
How do propane powered vehicles handle in comparison to gasoline powered vehicles?
Power, acceleration, and cruising speed are similar to gasoline powered vehicles, but range is less due to the 25% lower energy content of propane and lower efficiency.
How expensive is it to maintain a propane vehicle?
Lower maintenance costs due to high octane rating and low carbon and oil contamination characteristics. Engine life can be up to 2x that of gasoline engines.
What are some of the other benefits of propane powered vehicles?
They produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions and increase US energy security.
Why is reformulated gasoline (RFG) used?
RFG has lower sulfur levels and has an oxygenate to promote complete burning.
Is RFG an alternative fuel?
No, RFG is mandated by the EPA for producing less carbon monoxide. It is a cleaner fuel but not considered an alternative.
How common is the use of RFG?
RFG is used in over 1/3 of US vehicles.
What tools are available to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
The Alternative Fuels Data Center provides saving methods like replacing vehicles, using alternative fuels, reducing idling time, mileage, and driving efficiently.
What tools can be used to help calculate greenhouse gas emissions in Canada?
The results measured include petroleum reduction per year, greenhouse gas reduction per year, fuel cost savings per year, and % of impact on the overall plan.
Why is it important to understand the dynamics of fuel supply and demand?
- It makes it easier to anticipate price changes.
- It helps follow fuel standards.
- It identifies steps and technologies to improve fuel efficiency.
Why is oil imported?
Demand exceeded the supply, which increased imports.
What are some concerns of our growing appetite for oil?
It will eventually become scarce and will run out more quickly.
Have the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 or 2005 achieved their goals of reducing the importation of foreign oil?
They are far from being achieved but have slowed down the momentum of rising import numbers.
How does OPEC influence oil supply?
OPEC manages world oil prices by adjusting production quotas. Sometimes members overproduce to make more money.
How can market speculation affect the price of crude oil?
It drives up the price due to assumptions of low supply and high demand.
What is the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
It is located in underground salt domes in Texas and Louisiana and serves to buffer the market in case oil imports are temporarily reduced.
How much oil is stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?
695 million barrels.
How much oil is consumed in Canada vs. the US?
Canada consumes 2 million barrels/day, while the US consumes 19.4 million barrels/day.
How much oil is imported in Canada vs. the US?
Canada imports 643,000 barrels/day, while the US imports 9.4 million barrels/day.
How much oil is refined in Canada vs. the US?
Canada has 19 refineries, while the US has 141 refineries.
What is the North American Pipeline System?
Refineries from multiple companies enter the same pipelines.
What three elements make up the price of gasoline?
- Crude oil (makes up the majority of the cost)
- Cost of refining, distribution, and marketing
- Taxes
What is the methodology for assigning the costs of the fuel to its pump price?
The components for gasoline and diesel fuel pumps are calculated in cents per gallon and then converted to a percentage.
What is fuel hedging?
A contractual tool that large fuel-consuming companies use to reduce their exposure to volatile and potentially rising fuel costs. For example, airlines, cruise lines, and trucking companies use it to establish a fixed fuel cost.
What would happen if a company were to purchase a fuel swap and the price of fuel were to decline?
The company will effectively be forced to pay an above-market rate for fuel.
What is a fuel call option?
- If the price of fuel increases, the company will receive a return on the option that offsets their actual cost of fuel.
- If the fuel call option requires an upfront premium cost and the price of fuel decreases, the company will not receive a return on the option but will benefit from buying fuel at the then-lower cost.
