Alternative Fuel Sources

Airlines Going Green With BioFuel Solutions

2009-01-26T01:55:00.000-08:00

It appears that commercial airlines will beat land based transportation vehicles in converting from traditional fuel to biofuels. In fact, 3 airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Continental Airlines and Air New Zealand have successfully tested unmodified airplanes using biofuels made from algae, oils and plants.

In February 2008, Virgin Airlines successfully flew one of its 747s from Heathrow airport in London to Amersterdam using a biofuel made of coconut and babassu oil.

Virgin Atlantic's partners in this event were Boeing, GE Aviation and Imperium Renewables. The joint press release is after the jump. Advisers on the plane were monitoring the one engine that was using the biofuel (the other three were using standard fuel as a safety measure) and other systems to learn how to apply the knowledge to future flights.

In December of 2008, Continental Airlines flew a test airplane on biofuel made out of algae and weed. However, in this test, one of the two engines was powered with a mix of 50% kerosene and a blend of fuel derived from algae and jatropha, a weed that bears oil-producing seeds.

This is a first for a U.S. based carrier and one of only a handful of airlines that are testing a new generation of so-called sustainable biofuels that could help airlines cut fuel costs and reduce carbon emissions.

Also in December 2008, Air New Zealand Ltd. became the world's first airline to fly a plane powered partly by jatropha-based fuel.

Japan Airlines Corp. is planning a test flight using fuel refined from camelina, a flowering plant that wheat farmers grow in the high plains of the U.S.

With the latest milestone, a regularly scheduled passenger flight could be powered by biofuel in three years, pending further tests and Federal Aviation Administration certification.

Airlines began seriously looking at potential new fuel sources as oil prices skyrocketed last year and led several carriers to file for bankruptcy. But despite oil prices slumping sharply since then, industry officials said airlines didn't want to be burned again by being too dependent on a single source of fuel.

Algae and jatropha are among some of the more promising biofuel sources because they don't compete with food production or contribute to deforestation, industry officials said.

But airline officials and jet makers cautioned that although tests have been promising, it may take a decade or more before biofuels become a significant source of fuel for airlines. In addition to expanding production sharply, many new refineries would have to be built to produce fuel needed by the carriers.

Air New Zealand, which has been one of the more ambitious in developing alternative fuels, hopes to use biofuel for 10% of its needs by 2013.

Continental's test flight was considered a bit more risky because it involved a plane with two engines compared with four engines for other test flights. The test included powering the right engine with the biofuel mix, turning it off and on as well as abruptly accelerating and slowing down the plane.

Continental and its partners in the project -- Boeing, engine maker CFM International and a refining subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc -- will be analyzing post-flight data to see whether biofuel can be a suitable substitute for traditional fossil fuel " or of

Expect the other airlines to follow suit with testing of biofuels and other alternative fuel solutions.

The Alternative Fuel Data Center

2008-09-04T00:22:00.001-07:00

The U.S. Department of Energy has created a website called the Alternative Fuel Data Center. It is a collection of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles and contains just about everything you want to know about alternative fuels.

The site describes the chemical makeup and facts for each of the alternative fuels, they include: bio-diesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane. Thousands of documents are available that also provide an interactive fuel station mapping system and lots of alternative fuels related links.

Another reason the site was created is because of the growing popularity of alternative fuels in the auto industry as well as do-it-yourselfers who are making the modifications on their vehicles to run on alternative fuels. The site acts as an "information center" to answer any questions Americans might have without having to wait hours for a government worker to pick up the phone.

More benefits of the website include educational and promotional resources for teachers and students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Links to alternative fuel training sites to learn how to maintain these vehicles. Another advantage is it provides a plan and information for shifting your usage toward alternative fuels.

The Alternative Fuel Data Center website is located online at www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/.

Here's another great source of information on Alternative Fuels.

2007 Hybrid Vehicles

2008-09-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

The era of the purchasing the gasoline running vehicle is coming to an end. Ever since the Gulf War in 2003 the price of gasoline has soared. With prices now hovering around $4.00 a gallon consumers are demanding that the automakers respond by producing hybrid vehicles.

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to power the vehicle.[1] Common power sources include:

Rechargeable energy sources and a fuel cell or combustion engine
Air engine and internal combustion engines
Human powered bicycle with electric motor or gas engine assist
Human-powered or sail boat with electric power

The term hybrid vehicle usually refers to Hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). This includes internal combustion engines and electric motors.

Purchasing a hybrid vehicle will cost you more that the standard vehicle. As the auto industry refines the technology the prices should come down.

Here is a quick rundown of the 2007 Hybrids:

Is 2007 the year to jump on the bandwagon for hybrid vehicles? Consider that using hybrid technology will be more expensive compared to purchasing a standard vehicle. Some of the top vehicle makers have already released an impressive line of hybrid vehicles for 2007 that will likely make car buyers scamper to showrooms similar to bored wives going to a mall sale.

The 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a 4-door sedan that can carry 5 passengers powered by a standard I4, 2.4-liter hybrid engine boasting of 192-horsepower. This hybrid vehicle achieves 43-mpg in city driving and 37-mpg on highway drives. The Camry has automatic transmission and overdrive is standard.
Consumers have complained that their vehicles do not get the mpg advertised.

2007 Ford Escape Hybrid
The 2007 Ford Escape is a 4-door sport-utility vehicle that can carry a maximum of five passengers. This hybrid vehicle comes in two trims, the 4WD and FWD. It's powered by a I4, 2.3-liter, 155-horsepower engine that can achieve 36-mpg in city driving and 31-mpg in highway driving.
This vehicle is a favorite among vehicle critics. Fuel economy is excellent and owners say the mpg is only a shade under the mpg advertised.

2007 Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Mercury has updated the Mariner Hybrid for 2007. It is powered by an I4, 2.3-liter, 133-horsepower hybrid engine. This vehicle can achieve 33-mpg in city driving and 29-mpg highway.

2007 Lexus GS 450h
This hybrid vehicle is a 4-door luxury sedan powered by a standard V6, 3.5-liter, V6, 339-horsepower hybrid engine. This hybrid vehicle can achieve 28-mpg in city driving and 28-mpg when cruising on the highway.

Cellulosic Ethanol To The Rescue

2008-08-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

There have been public concerns of food shortages as we continue to use corn as the source for the alternative fuel called ethanol. These concerns have driven scientists to study the sustainability of producing bio alcohol and bio fuels, products made from renewable resources. Ethanol is the same alcohol we consume when we drink beer, wine or liquor. Ethanol is being produced as an additive to gasoline in an attempt to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Scientists have developed a new source of ethanol, it is called cellulosic ethanol. It is made from the stems, leaves, stalks and trunks of plants that are not used for human consumption. Using cellulosic materials do not put a strain on land resources and as the science grows into large-scale production the yields will increase and new renewable materials such as greases and wood materials will be maximized.

An added advantage making cellulosic ethanol is the crops can be grown on less than prime farm land.

All the evident suggests that full blown large-scale biofuel and bio alcohol production is expected to increase worldwide.

Learn more about alternative fuels

Product Review: Water4Gas

2008-08-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

The country is buzzing about the skyrocketing cost of energy and gas. So much so that consumers are taking energy matters into their own hands and trying to save energy and save costs. More consumers are taking mass transit, consolidating shopping runs and when possible, walking instead of driving. Others have got a bit deeper and are applying proven technologies to increase the efficiency of their car engines.

Water4Gas is one of the top selling products in the "water for gas" category. It is very detailed guide and digs deeper than most to explain how the conversion of H2O and HHO occurs.

This guide presents an easy to follow style to explain the method of using HHO (two hydrogen one oxygen) to make your car a water burning one. This technology has exited for years and the latest rise in gas prices is making this very attractive.

This product provides all the information needed to make your car a water burner. It explains the technology behind it and provides many, many testimonials of folks who have double and even tripled their gas mileage by applying this system.

This ebook is divided into two sections one that provides the step-by-step tutorial and another that explains how to maximize your fuel economy.

Other benefits of the book include discussions on the safety of the technology, why you haven't heard about this technology before, how it helps the environment and how you will save money.

Conclusion
This technology provides an immediate, cost effective solution to the current gas and smog problems. And it not only gives you the opportunity not only the ability to save money on gas but also to help clean the environment and prevent global warming. The product is not a scam and I do recommend it!

Why more about Water 4 Gas

10 Things You Should Do To Save Gas

2008-08-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

Everyone is talking about the price of gas these days. Grass root groups are popping up all over in an effort to fight the exponential rise of gas prices. Others have turned to developing and learning new driving techniques (some not so safe) that save gas. This practice is highly controversial and dangerous. They are not recommended.

Here are 10 legal and safe tips to help you save gas, save money and reduce your carbon footprint:

Only Go The Speed Limit

Inflate Your Tires To The Right Air Pressure

Take out Excess Baggage From Trunk

Keep Your Engine At Top Performance

Take Off The Roof Luggage Rack

Start Out Slow

Don't Let Your Car Idle After Starting

Consolidate errands

Use Cruise Control

Investigate Alternative fuels

Why not learn more about alternative fuels and saving money - using water four gas

Alternative Energies Do Work

2008-08-26T23:09:00.000-07:00

Things are getting tense with the economy, election and the topic of all topics - the cost of gasoline. Many folks are looking at ways to conserve energy+ money. Some are actually doing something about it this time - even if it took a hit in the pocketbook to make them spring into action.

People will respond to the increase in gas prices in one of three ways:

The majority of us fall into the first category. This group will do nothing to change their living habits in response to the increase in gas prices.

The next group will make conscious efforts to reduce energy.

The third group are going to do something about it.

Here are great ideas for saving yourself some bucks and saving the earth