Alternative Fuels

Introduction



Alternative fuels, as defined by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), include ethanol, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, biodiesel*, electricity, methanol, and p-series fuels. These fuels are being used worldwide in a variety of vehicle applications. Learn more about how the EPAct Program works by going to the EPAct Web site.









Biodiesel


Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel that can be manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. Biodiesel is safe, biodegradable, and reduces serious air pollutants such as particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and air toxics. Blends of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines; however, users should consult their OEM and engine warranty statement. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but it may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems and may not be suitable for wintertime use. Users should consult their engine warranty statement. For more information on fuel blends of less than 20% biodiesel, please see our site on fuel blends.





Electricity


Electricity can be used as a transportation fuel to power battery electric and fuel cell vehicles. When used to power electric vehicles or EVs, electricity is stored in an energy storage device such as a battery. EV batteries have a limited storage capacity and their electricity must be replenished by plugging the vehicle into an electrical source. The electricity for recharging the batteries can come from the existing power grid, or from distributed renewable sources such as solar or wind energy.
Fuel cell vehicles use electricity produced from an electrochemical reaction that takes place when hydrogen and oxygen are combined in the fuel cell "stack." The production of electricity using fuel cells takes place without combustion or pollution and leaves only two byproducts, heat and water.






Ethanol



Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feedstocks for this fuel include corn, barley, and wheat. Ethanol can also be produced from "cellulosic biomass" such as trees and grasses and is called bioethanol. Ethanol is most commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline.
Ethanol can be blended with gasoline to create E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85 and blends with even higher concentrations of ethanol, E95, for example, qualify as alternative fuels under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and are offered by several vehicle manufacturers. See the ethanol vehicles page for more information on FFVs.







Hydrogen

Hydrogen (H2) will play an important role in developing sustainable transportation in the United States, because in the future it may be produced in virtually unlimited quantities using renewable resources. Hydrogen has been used effectively in a number of internal combustion engine vehicles as pure hydrogen mixed with natural gas. For more information on this fuel blend, see the hydrogen/natural gas blend site.



After to have analyzed the text, answers the questions.
(Após ter analisado o texto, responda as questões.)


1. O que é biodisel ?

2. O que é etanol e como é feito ?

3. Quais os beneficios que os combustuveis alternativos oferecem ?

4. De onde é extraido o biodisel ?

5. Por que o hidrogenio tem um importante papel para os Estados Unidos?




Vocabulary
(vocabulário)

* Fleet- frota
* Higher- mais altamente
* Blends- misturas
* Purchased- comprado
* Enviromental- ambiental
* Pricing- fixar o preço
* Pages- paginas
* Being- sendo
* Fats- gorduras
* Greases- graxas
* Safe- seguro
* Blends- mistura
* However- mas
* Warranty- garantia
* Suitable- apropriado

Components of the group

(componentes do grupo)

Dayse Moura n°01
Elaine Santos n°04
Evelyne Ferrari n° 05
Giseli Molina n°11
keith Yukari n°22