Loading...
The Pierce Transit Story Case Study
1/1/1998
In 1986, Pierce Transit made a commitment to the future of the transportation industry and to the environment by deciding to put buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) into everyday service. This case study outlines the company's success and how it was achieved.
Running Refuse Haulers on Compressed Natural Gas (Case Study)
11/1/1997
Since 1992, six new refuse haulers have logged more than 60,000 miles--cleaner, quieter miles, with miles with good horsepower and speed as compared to their diesel counterparts. The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors this project. The Alternative Fuels Data Center at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has been gathering data on these trucks since they went into service.
Diethyl Ether (DEE as a Renewable Diesel Fuel)
10/13/1997
Producing and using renewable fuels for transportation is one approach for a sustainable energy future for the United States, as wel l as the rest of the world. Renewable fuels may also substantially reduce contributions to global climate change. In the transportation sector, ethanol produced from biomass shows promise as a future fuel for spark-ignited engines because of its high octane quality. Ethanol, however, is not a high-quality compression-ignition fuel. Ethanol can be easily converted through a dehydration process to produce diethyl ether (DEE), which is an excellent compression-ignition fuel with higher energy density than ethanol.. DEE has long been known as a cold-start aid for engines, but little is known about using DEE as a significant component in a blend or as a complete replacement for diesel fuel. Dimethyl ether, the methanol analog to DEE, was recently reported to be a low-emission, high-quality diesel fuel replacement, but similar engine testing and process information on DEE is limited. To identify the potential of Dee as a transportation fuel, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of its utilization in engines and also conducted limited laboratory experiments. This paper presents the findings on fundamental engine and emissions performance of DEE, along with an estimated cost of producing DEE from biomass ethanol.
Authors: Bailey, Brent
The Ethanol Heavy-Duty Truck Fleet Demonstration Project
5/1/1997
This report presents the results of an ethanol heavy-duty truck demonstration project. The four trucks were equipped with specially modified Detroit Diesel Corporation engines and ran on E95 (95% ethanol and 5% light hydrocarbon denaturant). They were owned and operated by Archer Daniels Midland Trucking, Incorporated, and were used almost every day for deliveries to points in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. As a result of this project, a considerable amount of data was recorded, for the first time, on the performance, durability, economics, and emissions of heavy-duty trucks running on ethanol.
CMAQ Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program - Innovations in Transportation & Air Quality: Twelve Exemplary Projects
4/1/1996
The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program has been a hallmark of innovation and flexibility under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA). By targeting transportation funding to air quality improvement, it is also unique. The CMAQ program has transferred a far greater percentage of funds to transit improvements than any other "flexible funding" program in ISTEA. In addition, the CMAQ program has created opportunities to build new partnerships in the public and private sectors. This brochure highlights several exemplary projects that received CMAQ funds. These projects provide a range of benefits in addition to improved air quality and mobility.
Round 1 Emissions Test Results from Compressed Natural Gas Vans and Gasoline Controls Operating in the U.S. Federal Fleet
1/1/1996
The first round of emissions testing of light-duty alternative fuel vehicles placed in the U.S. federal fleet under the provisions of the Alternative Motor Fuels Act was recently completed. This undertaking included 75 Dodge B250 vans, of which 37 were dedicated compressed natural gas models, and 38 were standard gasoline controls. Data were collected on regulated exhaust emissions using the federal test procedures, and on a number of other quantities, through a statistically controlled program of investigation. All test vehicles were operated in routine federal service activities under normal working conditions, adhering as closely as possible to Chrysler's prescribed maintenance schedules. The data analysis conducted thus far indicates that the compressed natural gas vehicles exhibit notably lower regulated exhaust emission, on average, than their gasoline counterparts, and that these values are well within U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. In addition, lower levels of toxic constituents are emitted by the compressed natural gas vehicles relative to their gasoline counterparts and they produce lower levels of ozone precursors as well. Performance measures include driver acceptance, fuel economy, operational cost, cost and level of maintenance, and emissions output. The most extensive effort of its kind, the AMFA evaluation program targets three alternative fuels - methanol, ethanol, and compressed natural gas (CNG) - and encompasses several different types of vehicles, makes, and models operated in a number of federal service applications at various sites around the country. This paper specifically addresses the emissions performance of light-duty federal fleet AFVs operating on CNG. The data represents solely from Round 1 of a three-round testing program (hence, emissions deterioration is not specifically addressed).
Authors: Kelly, K.;Bailey, B.;Coburn, T.;Eudy, L.;Lissiuk, P.
Development of a Dedicated Ethanol Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) - Phase 2 Report
9/1/1995
The objective of this 3.5-year project was to develop a commercially competitive vehicle powered by ethanol that can meet California ULEV standards and equivalent corporate average fuel economy energy efficiency for a light-duty passenger car application. This report summarizes the second phase of this project, which lasted 12 months. It documents two baseline vehicles, the engine modifications to the original equipment manufacturer engines, advanced aftertreatment testing, and various fuel tests to evaluate the flammability, lubricity, and material compatibility of the ethanol fuel blends.
Authors: Dodge, L. G.;Bourn, G.;Callahan, T. J.;Naegeli, D. W.;Shouse, K. R.;Smith, L. R.;Whitney, K. A.
Alternative Fuels In Trucking, Vol. 4, No. 1
7/1/1995
This issue includes articles on: Ford liquefied petroleum gas-powered F-700 may set sales records; California considers fuel specifications; new ultra-safe LPG fueling nozzle; CNG 18-wheeler proves efficient; and alternative fuel alliance forms.
Clean Fuels Paving the Way for America's Future: A Source for Information on Clean Burning Alternative Transportation Fuels
4/1/1995
With so many alternative fuels being promoted by various groups, it is important for legislators, the public and all interested parties to understand the different fuels that are available, how they are made, how they are used and their impact on the environment. This brochure is intended to help legislators at all levels to make informed decisions and for the media, with a responsibility of informing the public, to be educated on these issues. The fuels covered in this brochure include: ethanol, ethyl tertiary butyl ether, methanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether, biodiesel, gasoline additives and combustion modifiers, electric vehicles, natural gas and propane. It also summarizes regional and state clean fuel policies and regulations.
Potential Impacts on Air Quality of the Use of Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel
9/1/1994
This study consisted of field tests to evaluate the potential air quality impacts of using ethanol-gasoline blends to fuel motor vehicles. Researchers took ambient air measurements at a centrally located site in Albuquerque, New Mexico during the summer of 1993 and the winter of 1994 for comparative analysis. Researchers also measured wind speed, wind direction, ozone, nitric oxide, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, peroxyacetyl nitrate, aldehydes, organic acids, daytime temperature, and ultraviolet-B radiation by using a wide array of analytical instrumentation. The results of the measurement studies are discussed and analyzed with regard to the potential primary emissions of acetaldehyde from ethanol in the fuel mixture. This report also assesses the potential for using carbon isotopic analysis to determine the relative roles of various sources of hydrocarbons (natural versus anthropogenic) and proposes this method as a means of better estimating the relative impacts of ethanol fuel usage on urban air quality.
Authors: Gaffney, J.S.;Marley, N.A.
Public Law 102-486 - October 24, 1992: Energy Policy Act of 1992
10/24/1992
This act is intended to provide for improved energy efficiency. It includes provisions for the following: energy efficiency; alternative fuels - general; alternative fuels - non-federal programs; availability and use of replacement fuels, alternative fuels, and alternative fueled private vehicles; electric motor vehicles; electricity; high-level radioactive waste; United States enrichment corporation; remedial action and uranium revitalization; uranium enrichment health, safety, and environment; renewable energy; coal; strategic petroleum reserve; octane display and disclosure; global climate change; additional federal power act provisions; oil pipeline regulatory reform; general provisions - reduction of oil vulnerability; energy and environment; energy and economic growth; policy and administrative provisions; non-federal power act hydropower provisions; coal, oil, and gas; Indian energy resources; insular areas energy security; nuclear plant licensing; and additional nuclear energy provisions.
