Introduction to Technology

Unit 4: Biotechnologies

WebQuests

Alternative Fuels

Introduction
The price of gasoline often fluctuates. It rises especially during the summer travel season. Many people depend on personal vehicles to get from one place to another. As a result, changes in the price of gasoline have a great impact on the choices we make.

Gasoline is one of the products of the petroleum refining process. Much of the petroleum used in the United States is imported from countries overseas. This means that gasoline prices are tied to the prices they charge for crude oil. The price of crude oil has other economic impacts as well. For example, trucks use diesel fuel to move goods from one place to another.

For more than 30 years, people have been researching alternatives to gasoline and other petroleum-based fuels. Some alternative fuels have been developed that can be added to gasoline to reduce the overall cost. Other alternative fuels can be used directly in present-day engines.

Another advantage of alternative fuels is that most of them can be considered renewable resources. They can be replenished easily and can never run out. On the other hand, petroleum is a nonrenewable resource that can be used up. The use of alternative fuels also has benefits for agriculture and reduces damage to the environment.

What are alternative fuels? Where do alternative fuels come from? What alternative fuels are in use today? In this WebQuest, you will explore the topic of alternative fuels and find the answers to these questions.

Task
Your job in this WebQuest is to explore alternative fuels and their properties. You will also find out how the use of such fuels can reduce air pollution from vehicles and provide other benefits. To demonstrate what you have learned, you will answer a set of questions about alternative fuels.

Process
Read through the following questions. Then research the Internet sites that are listed after them. As you explore each site, look for answers to the questions. Keep a record of the sites where you find answers.

Questions about Alternative Fuels
1. Find an example of an alternative fuel. List its main source(s).

2. What is biomass?

3. Name two types of fuels made from biomass.

4. What is methanol made from?

5. What is ethanol made from?

6. Compare the cost of using a gas and ethanol blend to the cost of pure gasoline.

7. Find out if ethanol and gasoline blends are available in the area where you live. If they are available, find out if they are more or less expensive than pure gasoline. Report your findings.

8. How does the use of biofuel help agriculture?

9. How does the use of biofuel reduce air pollution?

10. Fuel cells are a new source of power that is still being developed. Name one advantage of using fuel cells for vehicles.

Resources
Look at the Web sites given here to find the information that will enable you to answer questions about alternative fuels.

ABC's of Biofuels Go to this site for basic information about biofuels.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/abcs_biofuels.html

Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center: Alternative Fuels Visit this U.S. Department of Energy site to learn all about alternative fuels. Click on "Fuels" to find sources and other properties of various types of fuel.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/

NREL: Biomass Research Go to this U.S. Department of Energy site to read about biomass.
http://www.nrel.gov/biomass/

Alternative Fuels Go to this Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) site to learn more about alternative fuels. Scroll down to Fact Sheets on Alternative Fuels for information about ethanol, methanol, biodiesel fuel, and others. Go to the fact sheet for ethanol for a discussion about the cost (affordability) of gasoline and ethanol blends.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm

Topical Reports: Alternative Fuels for Fleet Vehicles Visit this site by the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center. You can find out how government and private industry have experimented with alternative fuels in their vehicles. Scroll down to learn more about alternative fuels such as natural gas, propane, ethanol, methanol, electricity, hydrogen, and biodiesel fuel.
http://www.pprc.org/pubs/altfuels.cfm

Biomass Program Biofuels can supply the U.S. with alternatives to imported oil. Visit this site to learn about biobased products used for fuel.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/

Fill 'Er Up . . . With Soybeans and Corn Please Go to this site for information about the benefits of using biofuels.
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/kids/transportation/story4/biodiesel.tw.sfk.htm

Fuel Cells and Vehicles This EPA site provides information about research on using fuel cells in vehicles.
http://www.epa.gov/fuelcell/basicinfo.htm

NREL: Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) site provides information about hydrogen and fuel cells research.
http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/

Conclusion
In the process of completing this WebQuest, you have developed research skills as you explored the Web sites given and identified the relevant information to answer the questions. You have learned how alternative fuels can help us save on the cost of gas and protect the environment. You have learned what biomass is and how it can be used to produce a wide variety of alternative fuels. The use of alternative fuels is one example of how science and technology can be used to solve problems and improve our lives.