Alternative fuels, definition

As just discussed, fuel properties affect many aspects of vehicle design, fuel storage and distribution, and safety hazards. Following are definitions of the fuel properties of most interest and an explanation of their significance. Later in this chapter, properties and specifications for the alternative fuels will be presented and compared to typical gasoline and diesel fuel. 

While most would not consider petroleum derived diesel fuel to be an alternative fuel, given that the U.S. light duty fleet consists of less than 1 percent diesels, diesel in the light duty sector is definitely an alternative to gasoline. 

If international air travel is to continue to flourish and expand as projected in the face of definite prospects that some countries may be unable to obtain adequate supplies of petroleum at all times, it becomes mandatory either that all nations agree to share their petroleum fuel supplies or that they adopt an alternate fuel that can be commonly produced without hazard of control by a cartel. 

Alternative fuels should be substantially non-petroleum in order to provide energy security and environmental benefits, and to substitute for conventional fuels such as gasoline and diesel. Natural gas consisting mainly of methane fits this definition, and the natural gas is mainly stored as compressed natural gas in pressure vessels or as adsorbed gas that can be stored in a porous solid at a low pressure. An important advantage of zeolites over activated... 

If we now consider prototypical chemistry-related issues from the debate about sustainable development and green chemistry many of them meet these criteria. Chemistry-related issues of sustainable development, like a more intense production and use of alternative fuels or bioplastics, are discussed in mass media. Regulations on their use will potentially have an impact on the students consumer choices. The use of alternative fuels or bioplastics is still controversial pro and con arguments are given in societal debate and can be used in students open debate. And, finally, these issues are definitely questions of chemistry and technology corresponding arguments are used in public debate. 

However, despite all the stress around the development of new alternatives to fossil fuels, the world is not at all running out of oil. In fact, and in parallel to the sustainability dilemma, we are confronted with the challenge of economic definitions and harmonization of concepts given the uncertainty that surrounds the definition of remaining reserves , reinforced by the lack of data to support better estimations. Consequently, as observed by Mitchell et al. (2001) there is a definitional problem since remaining reserves means the quantity of in-place resources that can be recovered economically, and this is far from a consensus around the world. 

The technology is rapidly approaching a state of development that can provide reliable commercial design data. Just as rapidly, the critical nature of the world energy outlook is becoming more definitized, making it obvious that any reasonable alternatives to crude oil as a source of fuel and petrochemicals must be evaluated for commercial potential as expeditiuosly as possible. 

The word "dilemma derives from two Greek words—"di meaning two and "lemma" meaning assumption, and hence the definition presented earlier with a slight variance—"A choice between unpleasant alternatives." When one considers the alternative to petroleum supply uncertainties and shortfall, and certainly the events that we have seen around in recent days, the expanded use of coal and coal-derived synthetic fuels may not really be an unpleasant alternative, but indeed more one of a logical and necessary challenge. 

The diversification of energy sources tailored to the requirements and resources of each country using nature s renewable resources such as the sun (photovoltaics), wind power, geothermal energy and biomass is a definite requirement. If solar cells are chosen to provide an alternative to fossil fuels, significant research work is needed (i) to develop new routes for the production of crystalline silicon, (ii) in the development of amorphous silicon hybrid materials that could result in enhanced efficiencies, (iii) for further development of thin-layer technology, (iv) in concerted efforts for cheaper and more stable dyes, (v) in improving the efficiency of the dye-sensitized cells and (vi) in process development to deliver enhanced device performances, ensure sustainability and reduce production costs on an industrial scale. 

The definite amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has yet to be calculated. It depends on population, the per capita consumption of fossil fuel, deforestation, forestation activities and countermeasures that balance the extra carbon dioxide in the air. This could include planting more trees. Another factor is the use of alternative energy and conservation. Trades in fuel carbon will also have an effect. Transfers may occur from coal-rich to coal-poor nations. 

These technologies might fall within the definition of Green Chemical Technologies . They may use alternative feedstocks to synthesize existing desirable molecules, make more efficient use of fossil-fuel (oil) derived materials, and/or, finally, create substances which give the same effect (utility) than those used currently but with less environmental or public health impact. 

V and therefore the cell reaction occurs spontaneously. These cells are sometimes referred to as Mackereth sensors . Such galvanic sensors are also often termed fuel cell sensors and it is possible to measure either the resulting current or the cell voltage. In the former case, the term amperometric sensor in its widest definition is still correct, although the cell is fundamentally different from the usual Faradaic amperometric systems. Note that for the determination of atmospheric oxygen an alternative has become available in recent years in the form of optical sensors based on fluorescence. These sensors are very robust as they do not contain electrodes or a liquid phase and show very fast response times. 

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