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| <back | home QUIZ: Can you tell your Methanol from your Biomass? by Suzanne Arthur In the near future, vehicle diversity is bound to be more commonplace, as more mopeds co-exist with Mercurys, and Integras share the streets with e-bikes. Local co-owner of B.O.B. Trailers, Inc., Philip Novotny, says he detects a slight shift in consciousness around the alternative energy issue. He suspects that “if gas continues upward in price ($5?) we’ll probably start seeing significant shifts in modes of daily transportation.” And we’re likely to have way more choices at the pump than regular or plus. You’re aware that an electric vehicle is, well, a vehicle powered by electricity. But did you know that B20 is a biodiesel blend, not a vitamin? Match the terms 1 through 9 with the definitions (a) through (i) to test your AFIQ (Alternative Fuels Intelligence Quotient). ANSWERS Terms: 1. Biomass 2. Natural Gas 3. Methanol 4. Hydrogen 5. Propane 6. Biodiesel 7. Liquefied Natural Gas 8. Fuel Cell 9. Gasoline Gallon Equivalent Definitions: a. The U.S. Department of Energy projects this to be a leading alternative vehicle fuel in the 21st century. We already have the infrastructure. b. An alcohol fuel formed by catalytically combining CO with hydrogen in a 1-to-2 ratio under high temperature and pressure. c. A unit for measuring alternative fuels so they can be compared with gasoline on an energy equivalent basis. d. Reframing people’s perceptions of this highly flammable fuel is one of GM’s current hurdles. They hope to begin using it in marketable cars by 2010. e. A non-alcohol, biodegradable fuel for use in diesel engines that is produced through transesterification of organically derived oils or fats. f. A mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons, primarily methane, occurring naturally in the Earth. g. An electrochemical engine with no moving parts that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. h. Compressed natural gas that is cryogenically stored in its liquid state. i. Renewable organic matter used for the production of energy. <back | top^ |