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