About Alternative Fuel Systems

Alternative fuels are any substances that can be used as fuel, other than the common conventional choices. Alternative fuels are becoming increasingly more important in the United States and the international community. Popular alternatives include biodiesel and bioalcohol.

The Facts

An alternative fuel is any alternative fuel to crude oil, or petroleum.The use of alternative fuels is considered important in the United States to increase air quality for all and to decrease the country's dependence upon foreign oil imports. There are a variety of alternative fuels available to consumers. There are 6 types of alternative fuels are that commonly used and which have been commercially available to users. There 9 other types that are currently being developed.

The Most Common Alternative Fuels

The 6 most commonly recognized and used alternative fuels are biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen, natural gas, and propane. Biodiesel is a clean-burning renewable resource and is made from such components as used or new animal fats and vegetable oils. Ethanol, which has the same chemical compound as the one in alcoholic drinks, is made from a variety of plant materials. This combination of materials is also called biomass. As number 1 on the periodic table of elements, hydrogen is the most abundant source we have in the universe. Hydrogen is being looked at because it's clean burning and research is showing that it will be 2 to 3 three times more efficient than crude oil.

Types

There are 9 other fuels that are being created as alternative fuels. These fuels are biobutanol, biogas, biomass to liquids, coal to liquids, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, gas to liquids, hydrogenation-derived renewable diesel, P-series and ultra-low sulfur diesel. Biobutanl is very similar to ethanol because it is a liquid alcohol that can be used in most modern internal combustion engines. It is made of domestically-grown crops such as corn and beets.Biogas is created from the anaerobic digestion, which is a sequence of processes where microorganisms break down biodegrable material, of material like sewage, animal manure or municipal solid waste. It is a renewable substitute for vehicles that use natural gas only after is has been processed to its required standards of purity. The fuels listed here are either currently under development or are not listed as an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Environment

Alternative fuels are being created not only to lessen our dependence upon foreign oil and foreign counties but also to improve the health of our citizens and our planet. Each alternative fuel has their own particular advantage from its use. Whether it's biodiesel, which is biodegradable and non-toxic, or electricity, which has no tailpipe emissions, which equals better air, each alternative fuel is in some way more advantageous for everybody's health than crude oil.

Financial Significance

Along with with the increase in better air quality, citizens in the United States may also be able to qualify to receive money back from the government when using alternative fuels. The IRS has created the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, which allows users of alternative fuels to claim a tax credit. Any person who uses an alternative fuel that falls under their specific definition will be eligible.

Resources

• The Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
• The Energy Policy Act of 1992
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit