A new process of creating biofuels could lead to the US becoming an exporter of oil, instead of an importer, according to Purdue University Scientists, in an online report released on March 14, 2007. The new process is called H2CAR for "hybrid hydrogen-carbon process." "We could use H2CAR to provide a sustainable fuel supply to meet the needs of the entire U.S. transportation sector - all cars, trucks, trains and airplanes," said Rakesh Agrawal, Purdue's Winthrop E. Stone Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering. "Hybrid hydrogen-carbon process," or H2CAR, will enable us to use our current fuel delivery system and internal combustion engines, a huge economic advantage. The method can also be used to produce liquid gas from coal without the production of Carbon Dioxide, eliminating the need for proposed dangerous carbon dioxide "sequestering," storing it in expensive environmentally 'safe' deposits. A development that environmentalists should take note. According to the Purdue News Release, the professors involved were enthusiastically contemplating the dawning of a "hydrogen-carbon economy," with enormous potential benefits for the US economy. "This is the first concept for creating a sustainable system that derives all of our transportation fuels from biomass," according to Rakesh Agrawal, Purdue Professor of Chemical Engineering. Take note, when you see biomass, biofuel, think renewable resource. The process, at least three times more efficient than present fuel conversion methods, uses many kinds of biomass, such as fuel crops, wastes, manure, wood scraps, thus reducing the total stress on the environment, with less land needed, less pesticides and fertilizers used and less CO-2 released. This more efficient fuel process could potentially produce more fuel than even future needs for transportation. The gassification process uses hydrogen, now expensive to produce. To make the concept economically competitive with gasoline and diesel fuel, we need ways to produce cheap hydrogen from carbon-free sources and a new type of gasifier for the process. Advances in more economical production and use of hydrogen are under research and development by the Universities of Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin-Madison, among others around the world. Updates on these projects can be found on the Science Daily website, listed below. Benefits include three major points.
Take heart, Global Warming freaks. Help is on its way. But. It would behoove us all to keep a sharp eye on developments, lest certain corporations or foreign entities try to derail these projects, or deep six them. For Breaking News in Science: Science Daily Thanks to nukegingrich for the headsup. Nuke asked, "Is this big?" I'd say this is really BIG. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rene_O'Deay |
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Water For Fuel - New Biofuels Breakthroughs - Online Report - March 14, 2007
Water For Fuel - Take a Ride to the Future In A Hybrid Car
Utilizing the latest in advanced technology, hybrid cars might just provide a glimpse into the future of automobiles. Hybrid cars sport sleek and futuristic looks, but these cars aren't just for show. These scientific marvels make use of both electric and gas power to make for a cleaner, more cost efficient, and environmentally friendlier car. As the world's supply of oil inevitably runs out and the prices of gasoline continue to skyrocket to staggering new heights, more and more people have begun to look for an alternative way to power their cars, as well as to save some money. Thankfully, the rise of hybrid cars are providing a much needed solution to these problems and more. The popularity of hybrid cars continue to grow as more people begin to realize the many advantages that hybrid cars hold over conventional ones. So, what is a hybrid car and how does it work? As the name suggests, hybrid cars utilizes a combination of different technologies. Hybrid cars use an electric propulsion system together with of a gas propulsion system to great effect. Hybrids cars consist mostly of the same basic parts as normal gas cars. They contain a gasoline engine, a fuel tank, batteries, and a transmission. The difference is that hybrid cars also contain an electric motor and in some cases a generator, that work in conjunction with the gasoline engine to run the transmission. A hybrid car can work in different ways. In a parallel hybrid system, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor are connected to the transmission. The car alternates between the two and sometime uses them together. It typically works by using the electric motor to power the car at lower speeds and once the car reaches a certain speed, the car will automatically switch to the gasoline engine to give it extra power. Other cars use what is called a series hybrid system. In this method, the gasoline engine is used to power a generator. The generator is responsible for charging the batteries that power the electric motor, which in turn, turns the transmission causing the car to move. The gasoline engine in a series hybrid never actually runs the car directly. Some of the later hybrid models have a feature that stores up the kinetic energy that is built up when braking and uses it to further charge the car's batteries. The biggest advantage of a hybrid is that it uses a lot less fuel than normal cars. Hybrid owners will be very happy with the mileage that these cars are capable of. It also helps that hybrid cars tend to be built with lighter materials like aluminum and plastic. The engine is also typically smaller and specially designed to consume less fuel. Environmentalist will also be very pleased with hybrids seeing as how they emit far less air pollution. Using a hybrid car helps makes our world a cleaner and more beautiful place to live in. The government is also very fond of hybrid cars. So much so that they're offering buyers tax incentives and other benefits. In some states, hybrid car owners can drive their hybrids in the high occupancy lane, even if they're all alone in their cars. The earlier hybrid car models tended to have unique and special designs, but as more and more manufacturers are catching on to the hybrid craze, they have begun to create hybrid versions of their normal cars. The Honda Civic Hybrid for example, looks more or less exactly like a regular Civic. Buying a hybrid car will inevitably cost more than a regular one. However, the money that is saved from the lower fuel consumption, along with the tax deductions will eventually make up for the extra cost of a hybrid. Those who drive frequently will be the ones that benefit most from this. With all the of the benefits that hybrid cars give, it's no wonder that they're so quickly gaining in popularity. Hybrid owners figure that it's an excellent way to save money on gas and it gives them a good feeling, knowing that they're making a difference in the environment. So those who are in interested should go seriously consider owning one and join the ever growing number of people who are stepping into the future with hybrid cars. Lee Dobbins writes for http://hybridcars.unique-articles.com where you can get more news and information on hybrid cars. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins |
Water For Fuel - Natural Gas, the Clean Fossil Fuel
Of the fossil fuels, natural gas is the cleanest source of energy to use for many of our every day needs and activities. It plays an important part in reducing pollution so that a clean and healthy environment can be maintained. Because of its almost perfect combustion process, very few byproducts are emitted into the atmosphere as pollutants. The environmentally friendly attributes of natural gas reduce air pollution. Composed primarily of methane, the main products of the combustion of natural gas are carbon dioxide and water vapor which are the same compounds we exhale when we breathe. Unlike other fossil fuels, the combustion of natural gas releases very small amounts of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, virtually no ash or particulate matter, and low levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other reactive hydrocarbons. Transportation vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, and buses contribute greatly to the air pollution in the United States. This kind of air pollution makes for low visibility, smog, and various greenhouse gas emissions. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), more than 80 percent of air pollution in cities is produced by transportation vehicles. Natural gas can be used to cut down on these high levels of pollution from gasoline and diesel powered cars, trucks, and buses. According to the EPA, vehicles operating on compressed natural gas have reductions in carbon monoxide emissions of up to 97 percent and reductions in carbon dioxide emissions of 25 percent. Nitrogen oxide emissions, and other non-methane hydrocarbon emissions could all be reduced drastically. Because of the relatively simple makeup of natural gas, there are fewer toxic and carcinogenic emissions from vehicles running on natural gas. The natural gas industry is committed to ensuring that the process of producing natural gas is as environmentally clean as possible. Switching to natural gas eliminates the threat of oil spills, oil contamination and environmental clean up. Because natural gas burns so cleanly, no unpleasant odors, soot, or ashes are left behind. Natural gas is non-toxic, not poisonous or harmful to humans. Other advantages of choosing clean natural gas as an energy source are that it is convenient, efficient, and economical. Natural gas is brought directly to the customer's home through safe, efficient pipeline systems throughout the country developed and set up by companies like Triple Diamond Energy Corporation. There is an abundant supply of domestic natural gas making it not necessary to depend on an energy source supply susceptible to international events. Furthermore, natural gas is reliable in that the pipeline systems are not easily damaged or affected by changing weather conditions. Chris Jent is the chief marketing officer of Triple Diamond Energy Corp - Triple Diamond Energy specializes in acquiring the highest quality prime oil and gas properties. For more information, visit http://www.triplediamondenergycorp.blogspot.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=C._Jent |
Water For Fuel - Is Solar Power The Immediate Answer To Our Energy Woes ?
We are looking for an across-the-board solution for our present exorbitant consumption of gasoline and it seems as though there is none, at least for the present. We are looking at Ethanol additive to our present gasoline formulas, but this will only give us better miles per gallon and of course, much cleaner bi-products with its use. Ethanol becomes a temporary fix...at best. The reason, of course is the need for the corn base sugars(and other similar sugar and starch crops) to produce it. It is a simple deduction that it will eventually begin to deplete the food stock of our nation and also hurt our exports of these grains. We could, with the anticipated increase in need of our corn crop, grow the extra acreage that would be needed to meet any anticipated needs. We must keep in mind the amount of labor that would be required to accomplish this task. The question remains...Will the Ethanol approach keep the price below our present gasoline prices ? All in all, we must accept the fact that we will not be able to have our gas and eat our corn muffins too. There are also other crops which can be used to derive the Ethanol fuel, such as soybeans, sugar beet, raw sugarcane, etc.. The fact still remains...the choice will be gas for our automobiles and along with this will eventually come a vast depletion of one or more of our key domestic and export crops. It does not mean that this scenario will eventually come to be, but without other renewable energy fuels developed in tandem, such as the Hydrogen based fuel cell to assist the Ethanol fuel approach, this could lend itself to some key food staple shortages. The final question may be..."Do we prefer wheels beneath our feet, or food in our stomachs." Common sense tells us that at this point in time, we must proceed with great caution. Granted, the very large south American country of Brazil has embarked on their Ethanol program for approximately a decade now, with fairly good results and have enjoyed the weaning from foreign oil. Will it ever be 100% remains to be seen. Solar energy is one possible approach being tinkered with to produce Hydrogen in order to power our future power plants and it is hoped that electricity, which now helps to deplete our fossil fuels will help us to deliver the fuel needed to produce power for advanced "Fuel Cells" being developed to power the automobiles and trucks, etc. of the future. Unfortunately, producing Hydrogen by using solar energy electricity is very inefficient. This being said, solar energy is fully renewable and therefore must be considered. Along with the Hydrogen fuel from Solar approach comes recent announcements of some breakthroughs holding great promise using Solar to economically produce the hydrogen needed for fuel cells for both the automobile and our industrial needs and not using up all of our food resources in the process. Author: Lucien Beauley Website: http://www.ledlightingdesigns.com/EnergyConservation.html http://www.ledlightingdesigns.com/ Blog URL: http://www.lightinginfo.blogspot.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucien_Beauley |