Alternative fuel overview
Alternative Fuel Overview
Alternative Fuels Defined
The fuel sources we know of include kerosene, gasoline and diesel. Alternative fuel defined is the option of other fuel sources other than the traditional fuel selections we know of mentioned above.
Alternative Fuel Selections
Ethanol: Ethanol is an alcohol fuel. Ethanol is primarily produced from grain.
Blends: Blends are what we refer to as transitional fuel. This form of fuel is a mixture of traditional fuels (such as gasoline or diesel) with alternative fuels. Examples of blends include E85 or B20.
E85: an alcohol fuel blend typically contains up to 85% ethanol mixed with gasoline or some hydrocarbon. In undenatured ethanol, the blend is contains less ethanol, approximately 70% to a little over 80%. E85 is becoming more common in the U.S., especially in the Midwest. Corn is generally the primary source material for ethanol fuel production such as E85 and B20.
B20: is petroleum diesel blended with pure biodiesel. It can be used in unmodified diesel engines.
Natural Gas: Natural gas is by-product that comes from of oil drilling and coal mining. It is possible to harvest natural gas from natural gas fields.
Propane: Propane is basically liquid petroleum gas. Propane is a by-product of natural gas and the fining of crude oil.
Hydrogen: There are two ways to derive hydrogen for consumption as a car fuel. The first is to refine petroleum. The second is by passing electric current through water, which is referred to as electrolysis.
Electricity: Electric current is already being widely used in hybrid vehicles.
Biodiesel: Biodiesel is generally made from vegetable oil or animal fat. It is commonly used as a replacement for diesel fuel or it can be used as an additive.
Biomass: This is produced primarily from vegetation. Biofuels like biodiesel and ethanol all fall under biomass.
P-series: This is a clear or colorless liquid fuel, which is designed to be used as a flex-fuel for vehicles.
There is some discussion on incorporating liquid nitrogen, compressed air or nuclear power with modern automobiles. The goal is to create a fuel with less emissions are harm top our environment. We’ll see what the future holds.