Alternative Energies
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Title: Audi creates green 'e-diesel fuel of the future' using just carbon dioxide and water
Source:
International Business Times, UK
URL Source: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/audi-creat ... t-carbon-dioxide-water-1498524
Published: Apr 27, 2015
Author: Ewan Palmer
Post Date: 2015-04-27 10:34:58 by Tooconservative
Keywords: None
Views: 11555
Comments: 26
German car manufacturer Audi says it has created the "fuel of the future" made solely from water, carbon dioxide and renewable sources. The synthetic "e-diesel" was made following a commissioning phase of just four months at a plant in Dresden, Germany. Unlike regular diesel, the clear fuel does not contain any sulphur or fossil oil, while it has an overall energy efficiency of around 70%. Germany's federal minister of education and research, Dr Johanna Wanka, said she has already used the fuel in her Audi A8, while the company hopes the Dresden factory, operated by clean tech company Sunfire, will produce 160 litres of it every day in the coming months. "This synthetic diesel, made using CO2, is a huge success for our sustainability research," Wanka said. "If we can make widespread use of CO2 as a raw material, we will make a crucial contribution to climate protection and the efficient use of resources, and put the fundamentals of the 'green economy' in place." Creation of the fuel, which Audi and Sunfire are calling blue crude, first requires heating water to 800C (1,472F) to trigger a high temperature electrolysis to break down the steam to hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen then reacts with the CO2 in synthesis reactors, again under pressure and at a high temperature. The reaction product is a liquid made from long‑chain hydrocarbon compounds, known as blue crude. This synthetic fuel, which is free from sulphur and aromatic hydrocarbons, is suitable for mixing with fossil diesel or being used as a fuel in its own right. Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi, said: "In developing Audi e-diesel we are promoting another fuel-based on CO2 that will allow long‑distance mobility with virtually no impact on the climate. Using CO2 as a raw material represents an opportunity not just for the automotive industry in Germany, but also to transfer the principle to other sectors and countries." Poster Comment: One of a number of promising alt energy technologies on the horizon.
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 18.
#11. To: TooConservative, *Science and technology*, *Gear Heads* (#0)
70 percent efficient? YIKES!
YIKES! So that means were looking at what about 2 gallons per mile of driving? Hell you might as well get out and push the damn thing.
YIKES! So that means were looking at what about 2 gallons per mile of driving? What are you talking about? That is more efficient than either gasoline or diesel.
I was kidding. In my career field (HVAC) 70% efficiency was 50 years ago or so. You can get natural gas furnaces as efficient as 98% nowadays, they will cost you but they are available. The problem with them is if something goes wrong it will cost you an arm and a leg to get it fixed. I "wouldn't" recommend anything over 92% because they are still reasonable to install and repair.
#19. To: CZ82 (#18)
I didn't know that. I had a 250k Modine forced air furnace put in my shop last fall,and it was supposed to be one of the most efficient,and was only somewhere in the 80's. Mostly because it was vented. Mine burns propane because I can't get NG where I live,but I doubt there is that much,if any,difference in the efficiency. I will say this. Once that thing gets wound up it doesn't take but a few minutes to get to t-shirt temps in the shop.
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#16. To: sneakypete (#11)
70 percent efficient?
#17. To: CZ82 (#16)
70 percent efficient?
#18. To: sneakypete (#17)
Replies to Comment # 18. You can get natural gas furnaces as efficient as 98% nowadays,
End Trace Mode for Comment # 18.
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