Posts Tagged ‘alternative fuel’

The United States is the country that leads all others in the use of fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels are those that are formed in the ground over a period of millions of years from dead plants and animals.  Oil, natural gas, and coal are fossil fuels and we use a lot of them!

Fossil fuel use by humans is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide which is one of the greenhouse gases that allows radiative forcing and contributes to global warming.  When you burn fossil fuels, they let out a large amount of carbon dioxide.  The atmospheric concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, is increasing.  This raises concerns that solar heat will be trapped and the average surface temperature of the Earth will rise in response.

We use fossil fuels to power our vehicles, heat and cool our houses, and generate electricity.  As we said, it takes millions of years to form certain fossil fuels and over-use of them has resulted in a concern that we will soon deplete our supply.  Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy, so once they are used up, they are gone.

In the United States, we use about twelve barrels of oil – the most valuable fossil fuel -   per person per year.  That is why we are so dependent on foreign oil to meet our energy needs.  While the United States does have its own supply of oil, it doesn’t compare to what the Middle East has to offer.  So in order to meet the demand, we have to increase the supply.  Pretty much the only way to do that is to buy it from other countries – usually places like Venezuela or Saudi Arabia.

The increased levels of fossil fuel use in this country has given birth to the green movement urging people to start exploring alternative forms of energy to avoid depleting our fossil fuel supplies completely.  But a bigger reason is because the greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming that can have a huge effect on the lives of people all over the world – not just in the United States.

If we can reduce our use of fossil fuels and start looking at alternate sources of energy, we not only improve the quality of the environment, but we also reduce our dependence on other countries for our energy resources.  The phrase “American Made” has always meant something in the U.S., but when it comes to decreasing our fossil fuel use and becoming self-sufficient with alternative fuels, it can mean so much more!

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When it comes to cars that use alternative fuels, you will have to have a fuel cell to convert the fuel into energy to run the car.  It’s important to conduct full testing of your fuel cells at various times to make sure that the fuel cells are operating at their full capacity so that your car will run efficiently.

What does a fuel cell do?  Well, it converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes.

Fuel cells are the lifeblood of alternative energy cars and testing them can mean the difference between an efficient engine and a less efficient engine.  When you conduct regular testing of your fuel cells, you can be sure that the alternative fuel you have chosen to power your car is giving you the maximum performance of your alternative car.

In the same vein of emission testing, testing of fuel cells can help make sure that your alternative fuel is powering your vehicle the way it was meant to be.  Fuel cell testing stations can be found online or in your local car supply store.  When you look for an effective fuel cell testing station, you need to consider the brand, the power, and the reputation of the company who has manufactured it.

Taking a fuel cell and putting it into your alternative fuel vehicle during a conversion is only the first step.  You also need to make sure that your fuel cells are effectively able to process the hydrogen, propane, or ethanol that you are putting into your car to power it.  When you conduct extensive testing of your fuel cells, you can be sure that you have a “green” vehicle that won’t harm the environment while giving you the power and performance that you desire.

Many fuel cell testing stations come with computer readouts so that there’s no doubt that your fuel cells are operating at their full capacity.  The advantage to these fuel cell testing stations is that you will be able to identify any problems and then fix them before they become a problem.

Technology has come a long way in recent years.  Fuel cell testing is brought down to almost an exact science just as tuning a car engine that isn’t working with alternative fuels.  This is the best thing you can do for your alternative fuel vehicle.  Testing the fuel cells will insure that you have a car that is operating to do what it is supposed to do – reduce harmful emissions and provide transportation without harming the environment.

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There are several types of fuel cells that have been developed with emerging technologies in the alternative fuel industry.  Fuel cells convert energy like hydrogen into electricity providing a cleaner burning fuel that emits no pollution into the air.  Fuel cell technologies have proven to be life-changing for many people – and the world as well.  With the development of a part that can power a car with little to no emissions will help the environment and reduce global warming.

A polymer exchange membrane fuel cell was developed through technologies that are endorsed by the Department of Energy.  The DOE is focusing on the PEMFC as the most likely candidate for transportation applications.  This type of fuel cell has a higher power density and a relatively low operating temperature (140 – 176 degrees Fahrenheit.  The low operating temperature of this fuel cell means that it doesn’t take very long for the fuel cell to warm up and begin generating electricity.

Most of the fuel cell technologies being explored today are based on using hydrogen as the main fuel source.  With the PEMFC, that is the case.  It is the most prominent type of fuel cell that is currently being looked at to be used in alternative fuel vehicles.

There is also a direct methanol fuel cell that compares with the PEMFC as far as its operating temperature.  However, these fuel cells aren’t as efficient.  Another disadvantage to this fuel cell is that it requires a large amount of platinum to act as a catalyst.  That alone makes it very expensive to run.  We’re sure, however, that emerging technologies in the fuel cell market will improve on this and make it more cost efficient for the average consumer.

One problem with fuel cells that technology has yet to solve is that they are expensive to make.  Many of the components of a fuel cell are expensive thus making the whole fuel cell costly.  In order to be competitively priced (compared to gasoline-powered vehicles), fuel cell systems must cost $35 per kilowatt. Currently, the projected high-volume production price is $110 per kilowatt.

Another problem with fuel cell technologies is that they have yet to be converted enough to allow them to operate in various weather conditions.  The membranes must by hydrated in order to transfer hydrogen protons.  Therefore, researches must find a way to develop fuel cell systems that can continue to operate in sub-zero temperatures, low humidity environments and high operating temperatures. At around 80 degrees Celsius, hydration is lost without a high-pressure hydration system.

Fuel cell technologies are emerging and becoming more and more in-depth every day.  Before long, we’ll have a great alternative to the gasoline powered car just with these tiny fuel cells.

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Right now in the United States, there is a huge push for people to use alternative fuels as opposed to gasoline.  There are many reasons for this push.  Generally, it’s because alternative fuels are kinder to the environment and can help to combat the ever-growing problem of global warming.

The price of driving a car is rising at an alarming rate.  It has become very expensive to drive a car, so people are looking out for ways to save money on their fuel.  Scientists are developing alternative fuels that can help not only the environment, but also the consumer’s checkbook.  The new alternative fuels offer advantages in so many ways that people are really starting to take a look at these as an option over paying astronomical gasoline prices.

When consumers use alternative fuels both to gas up their car as well as heat and cool their homes, they are helping the environment as well as helping themselves.  The toxins that are released into the air when we burn gasoline and other fuels have shown to contribute to global warming and before we know it, winter will be as warm as summer.

In the simplest form, an alternative fuel is one that is not produced by using crude oil.  They are simply fuels that replace conventional gasoline as a means of powering vehicles.  Alternative fuels have desirable energy efficiency and pollution reduction features. The 1990 Clean Air Act encourages development and sale of alternative fuels.

There are many different kinds of alternative fuels – the most prominent one as well as the one that has been around the longest is ethanol.  Ethanol is made from corn which is a great help to our farmers as well as to consumers and the environment.  Ethanol is sometimes called grain alcohol.  It can also be made from organic materials including agricultural crops and waste, plant material left from logging, and trash including paper.

The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages is ethanol. However, the ethanol used for motor fuel is denatured, which means poison has been added so people can’t drink it. Some people believe that producing ethanol takes more energy than it gives back and for the most part, this is true.  However, technologies have evolved in such a way that it is possible to increase the efficiency of producing ethanol.

The growing trend toward alternative fuels will probably grow as we become more and more conscious of how we are damaging our environment through our habits and products we use.  New alternative fuels are being developed all the time and having a choice will certainly be a nice alternative itself.

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