VFM Flashcards
1.1.1 What is the most common fuel in the US? (p.6)
Gasoline
1.1.2 What types of vehicles use Gasoline? (p.6)
Cars - SUVs - Light Trucks - Motocycles - RVs - Boats - Small aircraft
1.1.3 What is the difference between unleaded and leaded gasoline? (p.7)
Charles Kettering ‘s resolve for silicening the “knocking” was to add Tetraethyl lead to fuel.
- Manufacturers met the new lead-free and emission restrictions by incorporating catalytic converters in automobiles
1.1.4 What seasonal cycles do the demand for gasoline follow? (p.7)
Demand is lower in colder months
1.1.5 What process is used to refine crude oil? (p.8)
Simple Distillation - mixture of hydrocarbons; so this first and most basic refining process is aimed at separating the crude oil into its “fractions,”
1.1.6 When is gasoline recovered during the refining process? (p.8)
The lighter products, such as liquid petroleum gases (LPG) and so-called “straight run” gasoline, are recovered at the lowest temperature
1.1.7 What is downstream distillation? (p.8)
downstream (or closer to the refinery gate and the consumer
Breaking it down further
1.1.8 Why are additives used in Gasoline? (p.9)
- Added as an attempt to increase octane rating. octane ratings are numerical values of the fuel’s resistance to vehicle engine “knock”
- Inhibit corrosion
- Librication
- Increase compression ratios
1.1.9 What are the main additives used in Gasoline? (p.9)
• Oxygenates: Fuels infused with oxygen that reduce carbon monoxide emissions. They are either based on alcohol or ether.
• Antioxidants: Used as a fuel stabilizer to prevent oxidation.
• Antiknock agents: Reduces engine knocking and increases fuel octane rating.
• Fuel Dyes: Some countries dye fuel that is taxed at a lower rate to monitor unauthorized use. Untaxed fuels are colored (usually blue, red or yellow) while taxed fuels are clear
• Metal deactivators: Fuel and lubricant additives used to stabilize fuel by deactivating metal ions and inhibiting the formation of gummy residues. This compound has been approved for both military and commercial use.
• Corrosion inhibitors: Chemical compounds that slow corrosion.
• Stabilizers: Used to maintain the quality of gasoline during idle periods. Stabilizers delay the oxidation process and prevent the separation of heavier and lighter compounds contained within gasoline.
1.1.10 What are the most common vehicle emissions caused by gasoline? (p.10
• Hydrocarbons (HC)
• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• Particulate Matter (PM10/2.5)
1.2.1 What are the uses of diesel fuel? (p.10-11)
Diesel engines in trucks, trains, boats, and barges help transport nearly all the products people consume
1.2.2 What is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel? (p.11)
- From EPA and Environment Canada
- A Specially refined diesel fuel that has a dramatically lower sulfur content than regular on-highway diesel and can be used in any diesel engine just like regular diesel fuel
1.2.3 Why is USLD valuable in North America? (p. 11)
Its 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.
1.2.4 At which point is diesel recovered in the distillation process? (p. 11-12)
Gasoline is at lower Temps; Diesel is recovered at higher temp (356-716 degrees F) and is considered Middle Distilate, like Jet Fuel and Kerosene)
1.2.5 What is cetane and how is it measured? (p.12)
- Similar to Gas fuels being rated in Octane numbers, Diesel is measured by it’s cetane content.
- Cetane is a colorless gas that requires a low amount of heat to ignite.
- the higher this number, the higher the quality of the diesel fuel
1.2.6 Why is water a concern in diesel fuel? (p. 12)
Algae, Microbes and Water Contamination
1.2.7 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)
- Diesel fuel is food for microbes, so when there is free water in a diesel tank, microbes have all the resources they need to multiply into a microbial colony
- These colonies can consume up to 1% of your fuel investment, while destroying the rest.
- Warm temp accelorates growth
1.2.8 Why are additives used in diesel fuel? (p.13)
• Increase mileage
• Clean injectors and engine deposits
• Remove water
• Increase cetane rating
• Lubricate the top cylinder
• Stabilize fuel
1.2.9 What terms are used to characterize the cold flow properties of diesel fuel? (p.13-14)
- The low temperature operability, of petroleum-based diesel fuel
- Low Temp Operability is characterized by the cloud point, and the Cold Fulter Plugging Point (CFPP)
1.2.10 What is the cloud point of a diesel fuel? (p.14)
Temperature at which small solid crystals are first visually observed as the fuel is cooled
1.2.11 What is the cold filter plugging point? (p.14)
Temperature at which a fuel will cause a fuel filter to plug, due to fuel components which have begun to crystallize or gel
1.2.12 How is diesel fuel kept warm in most modern engines? (p.14)
Excess Fuel to Engine - - warm fuel that has come close to engine is recycled back through the tank.
1.2.13 What are the leading options to treat diesel in the cold weather? (p.14)
- Blend with Kerosene
- Additive w/ cold Flow properties
- Fuel Tank, Filter, line heaters
- Store indoors when not in use
1.2.14 How can you find certified retrofitted technologies to reduce diesel emissions?(p.15)
Retrofit technologies are evaluated by EPA and CARB and verified technology lists are maintained by eachprogram
1.2.15 What vehicle emissions are listed by the DOE and EPA as problems? (p. 15)
Particulate Matter - NO - Hydrocarbins - CM - CD
1.2.16 What are the effects of the problematic emissions? (p. 16)
ll of these, except carbon dioxide, are directly harmful to humans and contribute directly to climate change
4.1.1 What are alternative fuel vehicles? (p.88)
Don’t run solely on Gas or Diesel
Powered by a souce other than or in addition to the traditional gas or diesel engine
4.1.2 What are Hybrid-Electric vehicles? (p.88)
Vehicles that use both internal combustion engine and electric power
4.1.3 What advanced technologies do hybrid-electric vehicles use? (p.88)
Battery pack - gen power and start internal combustion engine /
4.1.4 What is a “Mild” Hybrid vehicle? (p.88)
uses automatic engine shut-off/startup technology to marginally improve fuel economy - There is no electric motor which drives the wheels.
4.1.5 How do hybrid electric drive systems function? (p.89)
combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors to provide improved fuel economy.
4.1.6 What is a Full Hybrid? (p.89)
Can use eletric motor as sole source/ Elecrtic only Driving mode / siries
4.1.7 What is a Series Hybrid vehicle? (p.89)
Hybrid-electric vehicle systems come in three basic varieties: Series - Parallel - and Combo
The series/parallel hybrid system is the most common
1. Series: engine powers an electric generator and only the electric motor drives the wheels - Simplist - More expensive than parallel
4.1.8 In what conditions does a Series Hybrid perform optimally? (p.90)
satisfy varying power demands of stop-and-go driving - Large Vehicles - Diesel locomotives
4.1.9 What is a Parallel Hybrid vehicle? (p.90)
Most common
Both Engene and Electric motor generage power for wheels
4.1.10 How can a Parallel Hybrid system serve as an AWD system? (p.91)
Both engeine and electric motor generate power that drives vehicle. - Honda IMA ( Intregrated Motor Assist) - quite efficient on the highway
4.1.11 What is a Series/Parallel Hybrid system? (p.91)
merges the advantages and complications of the parallel and series drivetrains -
Engine can both Drive wheels directly ( Parallel ) and disconnect from wheels so that only motor powers wheels ( series )
Prius
Dual Drivetrain - Engine Optimum Efficient more often.
Low Speeds ( series ) - High speeds, where the series drivetrain is less efficient, the engine takes over
