A fatty ester formed when organically derived oils are combined with ethanol in the presence of a catalyst. After water washing, vacuum drying, and filtration, the resulting ethyl ester has characteristics similar to petroleum-based diesel motor fuels.
Can be produced chemically from ethylene or biologically from the fermentation of various sugars from carbohydrates found in agricultural crops and cellulosic residues from crops or wood. Used in the United States as a gasoline octane enhancer and oxygenate, it increases octane 2.5 to 3.0 numbers at 10% concentration. Ethanol also can be used in higher concentration in alternative fuel vehicles optimized for its use.
A colorless hydrocarbon gas of slight odor having a gross heating value of 1,773 Btu per cubic foot. It is a normal constituent of natural gas.
See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ester-An organic compound formed by reacting an acid with an alcohol, always resulting in the elimination of water.
Passed by Congress to enhance U.S. energy security by reducing our dependence on imported oil. It mandates the use of alternative fuel vehicles, beginning with federal, then state, then fuel provider fleets.
Limits or ranges established for pollution levels emitted by vehicles as well as stationary sources. The first standards were established under the 1963 Clean Air Act. Emission limits are imposed on four classes of vehicles: automobiles, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty gasoline trucks, and heavy-duty diesel trucks.
A device associated with the loading and unloading of fuel that can deactivate/shutdown the entire operation if activated. The E-Stop device is usually a manually activated large, red mushroom-shaped push button within easy access by anyone in the immediate area.
Electric current used as a power source. Electricity can be generated from a variety of feedstocks, including oil, coal, nuclear, hydro, natural gas, wind, and solar. In electric vehicles, onboard rechargeable batteries power electric motors.
Ethanol/gasoline mixture that contains 95% denatured ethanol and 5% gasoline, by volume.