Camden Central High School
Camden, TN
Teacher: Wanda Allen
“Operation Clean Air”
By Jenna French
12th Grade
Have you ever wondered what causes the awful smell that infiltrates through the vents? Have you ever wondered what causes those dark, black clouds of smoke in the air? Have you ever wondered what all the fuss was about global warming? Who, or what, causes all of these things? I bet you never guessed you were one of the very people to blame for such problems. Every time you jump in your car and start the engine, you are contributing to air pollution. Gasoline- fueled vehicles not only emit pollutants, but they are also using up fossil fuels. What is going to happen if we continue to waste gasoline? You guessed it; one day we are going to run out!
You may ask, “Well what other option do I have? Without gasoline, my car won’t run.” WRONG! There are alternatives out there; we just have to be willing to make a few changes. One such change that we could make would be to drive cars powered by fuel cells running on hydrogen. This is definitely a positive aspect due to the fact that you will get up to three times the amount of energy out of hydrogen than you would out of a regular car engine.
As with any source of fuel, hydrogen does produce excretions; however, these excretions are not harmful to our environment. When you burn hydrogen in a vehicle, water excretes from the tail pipe. Along with the water, small amounts of oxides of nitrogen and even smaller amounts of hydrocarbons are emitted into the air. In response to this, many people might say, “How is that a more efficient fuel than gasoline? It still puts off wastes into the air.” You’re right, it does put off wastes into the air, but they are less detrimental to our planet and society. The earth is made up of 2/3’s water; how does that make water excretion a negative result? The air we breathe contains nitrogen; therefore, where is the fault in putting back what is already contained in the atmosphere? The emission of hydrocarbons into the air is caused by the traces of lubricants in the combustion chambers of the engine and is so miniscule that it is not significantly noticeable or harmful to the environment.
One of the main arguments against hydrogen fuel comes from the negative portrayal of the element by the media. Television is plagued by the dramatic footage of the exploding airship, the Hindenberg, which was filled with hydrogen. Another common relation made toward hydrogen is the construction of hydrogen bombs. This is not a valid argument. You could make a case for any source, even the presently used gasoline. Gasoline is used to start fires by arsonists. Gasoline is a highly flammable substance and has caused many explosions. Gasoline is used as an inhalant by many teenagers and has resulted in several deaths. When you compare the pros and cons of each fuel source, you see that hydrogen is essentially more beneficial.
Using hydrogen to power our vehicles is not given the attention or credit that it deserves. If we were to convert to using hydrogen, we would no longer have to smell those potent fumes while we are filling up our cars. We would no longer have to worry about polluting the air with more and more carbon dioxide emissions, not to mention, we would no longer be dependent upon uneven supplies of fossil fuels. The most abundant element in the entire universe is hydrogen; doesn’t it make more sense to use it instead of a limited, nonrenewable resource? The answer to all of society’s questions that addresses both energy and clean atmosphere can be summed up in one word: hydrogen.
Opponents…conjure up images of heavy, clunky cars that do not match up to today’s speed and performance. They try to infringe upon society’s reasoning skills and make them believe that the future of clean air does not lie in hydrogen-fueled automobiles. Automobile companies such as BMW are trying to offset this contorted vision. They designed their hydrogen fueled cars to look as appealing as the rest of their products.
In the past, [pollution] has never been [a main consumer] concern. Think about it: the last time you were considering…a new car [purchase], not once did you take into consideration the damage it could cause to the atmosphere. Hopefully, times are changing. The next time you venture out to make a purchase, consider the most important factors: your health, your environment, and your overall well being.
Answers To Questions
1. Gassahol is a by product exclusively from_________ and _________ whereas cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural waste such as ________ and _________.
• corn and sugar cane, wood chips and corn husks
2. Why did auto makers produce cars that could operate using ethanol as well as gasoline before there was an adequate number of service stations that could provide ethanol?
• To get a break from fuel-economy standards
3. When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?
• 1812
4. In a paragraph,
describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune
article claim was Brazil’s key to success?
• When they experienced a sugar-cane shortage in 1990, they found themselves
completely out of gas. Flex fuel had 6% of the market for Brazilian-made
cars in 2003. As of last December, 73% of the cars sold in Brazil came with
flex-fuel engines. They no longer have to import oil. Money that originally
would have gone elsewhere has stayed in the country and is revitalizing
rural areas. Their key to success is that consumers are choosing to buy
ethanol instead of being forced to buy it.
5. What is the
significance of a yellow gas cap?
• To draw attention to E85-ready vehicles.
6. Describe bio-diesel.
• Renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils
7. Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
• Vehicles that let drivers switch between ethanol and gasoline, Ford
8. Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site. (dates introduced, amended, pass or rejected) http://www.eei.org/industry_issues/electricity_policy/federal_legislation/index.htm
• It has enhanced protection for electricity consumers and has encouraged energy efficiency and conservation. The EEI has identified the law’s implementation requirements and is responding to important rulemakings issued by the FERC, the DOE, and other regulatory agencies that are responsible for implementing the various provisions of the legislation.
9. What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?
• To improve technologies for the commercialization of hybrid/flexible fuel vehicles. It is intended to reduce petroleum consumption by bringing new clean technologies to the market faster.
10. What is the nation’s largest renewable energy resource?
• Hydroelectric dams
11. What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative?
• To develop the technology to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen for use in fuel-cell vehicles.
12. List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.
• Tax credits for the contractors of new energy efficient homes if the homes achieve an energy savings of 50% or more.
•Tax credits for the purchase of water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, furnaces, and other equipment that achieve certain efficiency levels.
• Tax credit for manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
•Tax credit for the purchase of solar, photovoltaic and fuel cell properties for use in residences.
• A tax deduction equaling the cost of energy efficient equipment installed if the equipment reduces the energy and power consumption of a commercial building by 50%.
• Expands an existing business solar investment tax credit from the current 10% to 30% for the purchase of solar equipment.
•Efficiency and conservation tax credits encourage the construction of energy-efficient offices and homes, the purchase of energy efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances.
References
Kruszelnicki, K. (n.d.). Hydrogen car. Retrieved Apr. 03, 2006, from
Karl Trek Web site: http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/4wd/hydrogen.htm.
1. very informative—a slight pro reform bias
Marsha, W. (2001). Could hydrogen be the fuel of the future?.
Retrieved Apr. 03, 2006, from Sci-Tech Web site: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/science/03/16/hydrogen.cars/.
2. Very informative—a slight anti reform bias