Diff’rent Strokes Alternative Power for Automobiles Matt Merritt

Background: Internal Combustion An engine, such as an automotive gasoline or diesel piston engine, in which fuel is burned within the engine rather than in an external furnace, as in a steam engine. First design drawn by Christian Huygens in 1680 and used gun powder as fuel. Established primary use in automobiles by Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in the late 19 th Century.

How It Works Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine: 4 stages of movement: –Intake- fuel is added –Compression- fuel is compressed –Combustion- fuel explodes –Exhaust- burn-off leaves cylinder

Pros and Cons Pros Dependable and long-lasting Already has stations for refueling, no need for upgrades or brand new pump stations Relatively inexpensive Cons Emissions cause pollution Very inefficient, only 25-30% average Rate of consumption of fossil fuels expected to leave oil reserves dry by the mid 21 st Century

Background: Hybrid Engine Hybrid engines: Internal combustion engines that utilize electronic motors for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Has been proven to nearly double overall fuel efficiency in automobiles. Cars can get excess of 50 to 60 miles per gallon (mpg)

Pros and Cons Pros Much more fuel efficient and emission-less than conventional engines Maintains reputation carried over by conventional engines for reliability Cons Many sacrifice power for efficiency, or vice versa Higher in price Only certain car companies currently using Hybrids

Background: Hydrogen Hydrogen vehicles can be used in a variety of ways –Replace intakes on internal combustion engines to use hydrogen rather than gasoline –Use hydrogen in cells, much like a battery, to power an electric motor –Run gasoline through a generator, discharging the carbons and toxins so that only hydrogen is used and burnt off.

Pros and Cons Pros Clean and very efficient Requires no fossil fuels (unless gasoline is used for separation of hydrogen) Cons Production and distribution of hydrogen projected to be vastly worse on the environment than the production of gas. Very inconsistent in reciprocating engines, best used in Wankel Rotary Engine Still in development stages

References Southern Illinois University How Stuff Works National Hydrogen Association /