Kurt's Car: September 2007

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Natural gas vehicle or NGV

The technology behind a solar-hydrogen-powered car has been known for years, but commercial development remains unrealistic, in part because of the high cost of using solar power to produce the hydrogen from water.

“””A Natural gas vehicle or NGV is a vehicle that uses compressed natural gas (CNG) or, less commonly, liquified natural gas (LNG)) as a clean alternative to other automobile fuels. Worldwide, there are roughly 5 million NGVs as of 2006, with the largest number of NGVs in Argentina, Brazil, India, Pakistan and Italy. They are also popular in Germany.””

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· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas_vehicle

Ethanol Fuel

Using ethanol means that we use a little bit less gasoline (a nonrenewable fuel). Unlike gasoline, ethanol is nontoxic (safe to handle) and biodegradable, it quickly breaks down into harmless substances if spilled. When small amounts of ethanol are added to gasoline, usually less than 10 percent, there are many advantages.

“””Ethanol fuel (ethyl alcohol), the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, is made from common materials, like corn. Ethanol can be mass-produced by fermentation of sugar or by hydration of ethylene from petroleum and other sources. Generally considered a biofuel alternative to gasoline, ethanol provides fuel for automobiles and other forms of transportation, particularly in Brazil.”””^”””

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· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioethanol

Solar Car

A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the car which convert the sun’s energy directly into electrical energy. Solar cars are not currently a practical form of transportation. Although they can operate for limited distances without sun, the solar cells are generally very fragile.

“””A solar car is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the car. Photovoltaic (PV) cells convert the sun's energy directly into electrical energy. Solar cars are not practical day-to-day transportation devices at present, but are primarily demonstration vehicles and engineering exercises.””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_car

water fuel cell

I just saw this short clip from fox news on youtube about someone who just patented a water fuel system. He drives his car to work on water and says he gets about 100 miles on 4 ounces of water. Anybody else seen this yet? What are your thoughts?

“””The water fuel cell, named by American Stanley Meyer, is a device designed to convert water into its component elements, hydrogen and oxygen (2H2O → 2H2 + O2). The Water Fuel Cell is designed to utilize less energy to break molecular bonds than the quantity capable of being recovered by combustion of the product hydrogen and oxygen gases; the validity of the design is controversial.”””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_fuel_cell

electric car, EV

Electric vehicles, especially EVs powered by fuel cells, are a compelling alternative to gasoline-powered cars. They use environmentally friendly technology to get you to your destination without the need for costly, supply-limited gasoline.

“””The electric car, EV, or simply electric vehicle is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that utilizes chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. Electric vehicles use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs). Vehicles using both electric motors and ICEs are examples of hybrid vehicles, and are not considered pure BEVs because they operate in a charge-sustaining mode. Hybrid vehicles with batteries that can be charged externally to displace some or all of their ICE power and gasoline fuel are called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and are pure BEVs during their charge-depleting mode. BEVs are usually automobiles, light trucks, neighborhood electric vehicles, motorcycles, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, golf carts, milk floats, forklifts and similar vehicles.”””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_electric_vehicle

Monday, September 3, 2007

Hydrogen Vehicle

With fossil fuels in limited supply, the ever-increasing consumption of this commodity causes problems ranging from global warming to dependence on outside oil sources. Hydrogen is a possible fix, and the technology to take advantage of it is already out there.

“””Hydrogen vehicle refers to a personal transportation vehicle, such as an automobile, that uses hydrogen as its on-board fuel for motive power, but can also refer to other vehicles, such as an aircraft, that use hydrogen in a similar fashion. The power plants of such vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy (torque) in one of two methods: electrochemical conversion in a fuel-cell or combustion .””

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· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_vehicle

hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)

Many of us find ourselves commuting an hour or more twice a day, five days a week! Whether it’s the price of gas or the greenhouse effect that worries you more, the solution could be as follows. Learn more about hybrid :

“””A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle which combines a conventional propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle without being hampered by range from a charging unit like an electric vehicle. The different propulsion power systems may have common subsystems or components.”””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_vehicle

Air Car

Have you been to the gas station this week? Considering that we live in a very mobile society, it's probably safe to assume that you have. While pumping gas, you've undoubtedly noticed how much the price of gas has soared in recent years. One possible alternative is the air-powered car.

“””Air Cars are powered by air engines, fuelled by compressed air, which is stored in a tank under high pressure such as 30 MPa (4500 psi or 300 bar). The tank is likely to be made of carbon-fiber in order to reduce its weight while achieving the necessary strength. Instead of mixing fuel with air and burning it to drive pistons with hot expanding gases; Air cars use the expansion of compressed air to drive their pistons. All four major manufactures who are developing CAT cars have designed safety features into their containers as opposed to hydrogen's issues of damage and danger involved in high-impact crashes. Air, on its own, is also non-flammable. Though no company has yet demonstrated the effectiveness of an imploding (ZAP) engine vs a quick-release (MDI) standard, and other safety designs; it is expected that large-scale production may lead specific governments to set their own standards. It was reported on Discovery's Beyond Tomorrow that on its own carbon-fiber is brittle and splits; but creates no shrapnel.”””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_car

Biodiesel

You probably know that soybean byproducts are nutritious and healthy. But did you know they can power a car? Find out how soybean and other plant oils, as well as animal fats, are used to create the environmentally friendly fuel -- biodiesel.

“””Biodiesel is biodegradable and non-toxic, and typically produces about 60% less net lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions than petroleum-based diesel,[2] [3] as it is itself produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide via photosynthesis in plants. Though this figure can actually differ widely between fuels depending upon production and processing methods employed in their creation. Pure biodiesel is available at many gas stations in Germany.[4]””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel

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Alternative fuel

When gas prices rise, people's thoughts naturally jump to alternative fuel sources. Early adapters are already making the shift to hybrid cars, and eventually, we'll all be driving gasoline-free vehicles. Check out the articles below to learn all about the growing technology of alternative fuel.

“”The definition of alternative fuel varies according to the context of its usage. In the context of petroleum substitutes, the term 'alternative fuel' can imply any available fuel or energy source, and does not necessarily refer to a source of renewable energy. In the context of environmental sustainability, 'alternative fuel' often implies an ecologically benign renewable fuel.””

=Source=

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_fuel