Untitled document
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Differentiate between traditional and "alternative" fuel.
2. Identify and describe fuels classified as "alternative" to gasoline.
3. Explain the origin, manufacture and use of alternative fuels.
4. Relate specific alternative fuels to their appropriate application.
5. Identify and describe alternative fuel processing and fuel combining technologies.
6. Locate and utilize current information on research, invention, and innovation.
Untitled document
I. Clean fuels: An overview
A. Traditional fuels
B. Alternative fuels
C. Clean air legislation
D. Electricity as a fuel
II. Fuel types, origin, manufacturing and use
A. Gaseous fuels
1. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas or propane)
2. CNG (compressed natural gas)
3. LNG (liquefied natural gas)
4. Gasoline as a source of hydrogen
5. Hydrogen fuel compressed from hydrocarbon chain
B. Bio-fuels
1. Methane
2. SVO (straight vegetable oil)
3. Bio-diesel
4. Ethanol
5. Methanol
6. Sun diesel
7. Hydrogen fuel compressed from electrolyzed water
8. Water as a fuel
C. Electric fuels
1. Hydrogen cells
2. Wave generators
3. Solar cells
4. Geothermal
5. Hydrogrid
6. Free standing generators
7. Wind
8. Earth turbine
III. Fuel Processing Technologies
A. Direct injection / compression ignition diesel motors
B. Gasoline direct injection
C. Jet engine processing technologies
D. Electric fuel processing technologies
1. Lithium ion batteries
2. Nano-coating cell technology
3. In-wheel hub electric direct drive
4. Compressed air (France)
IV. Fuel Combining Technologies
A. Hybrid
B. Plug-in hybrids
C. Hydraulic hybrid
D. Regenerative braking
V. Centers of Research, Invention, and Innovation
A. Rocky Mountain Institute
B. NBEAA (North Bay Electric Automobile Association)
C. CalCars
D. E-Traction
E. Landfill Energy Systems
F. Sonoma County Sustainable Transportation Center (SOCOSTC)
G. Research programs
H. National and regional associations and organizations
I. National, state, and local government programs
Untitled document
Representative assignments:
1. Readings (approximately 5-10 pages per week) and discussion of traditional and alternative fuels.
2. Field trips (1-4 during regularly scheduled class session(s)) to local alternative fuel facilities and/or refining facility.
3. Field notes.
4. Group research reports (1-2) on topics such as: existing technology, existing research and development projects, public alternative fuel uses, case studies. 3-5 pages each and oral presentation of findings.
5. Final project: research and written report (5-7 pages) on a selected alternative fuel technology or related topic. In-class presentation.
6. Final exam.
Untitled document
Instructor prepared materials
Alternative Fuels: The Future of Hydrogen, by Michael Hordeski. Fairmont Press, Incorporated, 2008.
Alternative Fuels and Electric Vehicle Technology, by David Lang. Spirit Publications, 2005.
ASME Turbo Expo: Biomass and Alternative Fuels, Innovations. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 2004. (Classic)
Alternative Diesel Fuels. Society of Automotive Engineers, Incorporated, 2004. (Classic)