Diesel vs Regular Gasoline – Which is Better for the Environment?
Posted by admin in Environment on October 15, 2011
With the implementation of alternative fuel sources on the minds of many, diesel is now under the microscope more than ever. Although diesel-powered vehicles have been around for a long time, gasoline is still the primary fuel source for most North American vehicles. Why has diesel not been used as a fuel source in more vehicles? Which is better for the environment? These are questions that are being asked more frequently as the search for alternative fuels is weighing heavily on more people’s minds.
Gasoline vs. Diesel
It turns out that gasoline is more volatile than diesel, not because of what its base consists of, but because of the additives it contains. In addition, vehicles that use diesel tend to be more fuel-efficient and produce less greenhouse gases. In that respect, diesel is more environmentally friendly. Diesel actually produces 15% more in greenhouse gases than gasoline when compared by the litre rather than the gallon. Yet it is through the 20-40% improvement in fuel economy over gasoline that offsets the higher emissions per litre. In actuality, the carbon dioxide emissions are considerably less than gasoline, but diesel does contain 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon, whereas gasoline contains 2,421 grams per gallon. But, again, it is the fuel economy of diesel that accounts for the smaller rate of carbon emissions.
Then again, diesel fuel contains larger quantities of sulfur. The United States has what is considered to be the dirtiest diesel, but as of June 1, 2010 this is going to be different. U.S. diesel fuel has a lower measure of ignition quality. This means that when it is cold outside, ignition performance is poor and can result in higher emissions. This is why you see truck drivers idling their trucks all night long in cold weather rather than risk a troublesome start in the mornings. Read the rest of this entry »
Wind + Limestone = Gasoline
Car manufacturers and governments are trying to make you buy-in to the electric car hype. Personally, I don’t think it is going to work, despite the subsidies (by governments from your tax dollars) and the heavy advertising by the manufacturers (paid for by you upon a new vehicle purchase). There is a simple alternative.
How to store electricity
The storage of alternative (electric) energy, as from wind and solar sources is the real problem. Compared to gasoline or diesel, even the best batteries do not come anywhere close to the energy storage density of the liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Gasoline or diesel have a storage density of approximately 50 times that of the best alternative. So, why not make gasoline from wind and solar power rather than trying to store the electric energy directly?
In fact, the process of converting electricity to gasoline is very simple. It requires only limestone and water (and, of course, electricity). Read the rest of this entry »