The world depends on a great deal of its energy in the form of fossil fuels. Examples of fuels include gasoline, coal and alcohol. Most of the fuels come from non-renewable sources; once used, they are gone forever. Each day, people bathe, cook, clean, do laundry and drive using various types of fuels. A quick review of different fuels reveals the important roles they play in daily life.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)
Important fuels used in everyday life include gasoline, coal, natural gas and diesel fuel.
Gasoline - Essential for Transportation
The most obvious fuel used in daily life runs cars, school buses and trucks. Gasoline and diesel are non-renewable fuels created from crude oil deposits in the ground or beneath the oceans. Lawnmowers and other maintenance equipment also run on gasoline. Construction sites power backhoes, dump trucks, cranes and other equipment with diesel.
Natural Gas - Heating and Cooking
Natural gas can power the heating systems, stove tops, water heaters and dryers in your home. Natural gas burns very cleanly and creates abundant energy when burning, according the Natural Gas.org. This type of fuel is mostly comprised of methane but can contain other gases as well. Natural gas often occurs as underground pockets near oil deposits. Oil emits gases that rise to the higher levels of underground pockets of oil trapped within rock layers. Wells tap into these pockets to remove the natural gas for use in your home.
Coal - Electric Power
Many electrical plants burn coal as the primary fossil fuel for powering the electrical supply for homes across the country. According to the American Coal Foundation, coal-powered electricity fuels the electrical needs for more than half of all U.S. homes. Machines crumble the coal into small particles that get placed inside a furnace. The coal gets burned to heat water that creates steam that fuels a turbine to create mechanical energy. This mechanical energy converts to electrical energy in a generator then gets transmitted through substations that deliver electricity to customers.
Alcohol - Gasoline Helper
Alcohol has played a major role as a fuel supply in recent decades. In particular, alcohol, or ethanol, made from corn is mixed with gasoline for much of the US liquid fuel needs. Properly designed, cars and trucks can burn the gasoline-alcohol mixture without problems. By adding US-made alcohol to gasoline, the country's fuel suppliers reduce the need for imported crude oil.
Uranium - Carbon-Free Power
Although uranium isn't "burned" to make heat like coal or natural gas is, it still counts as fuel as nuclear power plants consume it and extract energy from it. It is also like coal or other fuels in that it is non-renewable: when the supply is used up, it is gone for good. Unlike fossil fuels, uranium creates heat through radioactive decay, a process that, weight for weight, can yield as much as 1 million times the energy. The downsides of uranium include dangerous radioactivity and waste that remains radioactive for thousands of years.
Water
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Water is often called the fuel of life, and for good reason. Our bodies consist of 60 percent to 75 percent water. We use water to bathe, wash clothes, cook and drink every day. This form of fuel also generates power for homes in areas near running streams and rivers. Dams block the water flow, creating built-up energy as the water accumulates. When the sluices release, the water flows toward a large turbine. The energy converts from mechanical to electrical energy and then is transmitted to a transformer to boost the electrical output. This renewable source of energy limits air pollution and provides about 7 percent of U.S. electrical power, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Solar Energy
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We benefit from the sun's energy every day. It heats the Earth, provides heat, fuels the water cycle that produces weather and helps plants grow. Sunlight helps our bodies generate Vitamin D to absorb calcium. Solar energy dictates our daily life patterns of rest and activity.
Drive up to almost any gas pump in the United States and you will see three fuel options. What do these mean?
Most drivers choose the cheapest option or lowest grade fuel; however, others purchase the most expensive or highest grade because they assume it is best for their vehicle’s engine. If you are confused by the three buttons, don’t mistakenly pull up to the diesel pump because that’s a confusing territory, too. Basic knowledge of fuel types and grades is useful for any driver and will help you make decisions that will improve the function of your car. Below are the types of fuels available today, their characteristics, and their common uses.
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Types of Fuel for Cars
1
Gasoline
Gasoline is the most common automobile fuel and is used all over the world to power cars, motorcycles, scooters, boats, lawnmowers, and other machinery. It is a specialized fossil fuel made from petroleum, hence its nickname “petrol” in the U.K. It is also important to note that hydrocarbons in gasoline and carbon dioxide from producing it contributes to pollution and smog. Despite this, you can find gas stations all over the place.
Gas is commonly available in three octane ratings or “grades.” Grades are denoted by the research octane number (RON) and AKI of a specific formula. Stickers or labels will inform drivers which pump releases each grade. 87 AKI is generally the lowest octane rating and cheapest option. Next is mid-grade with 88-90 AKI. Lastly, premium or high-grade gasoline has an octane rating of 90-94 AKI.
The different grades of fuel don’t burn the same way. The less octane, or the lower the grade, the faster and stronger it burns when pressurized. SUVs and sports cars run better on plus or premium (higher octane) since their motors produce more fuel compression for better drivability. But most vehicles function just fine on the lowest and cheapest gasoline option. You won’t realize a better fuel economy if you opt for plus or premium gas for a car that recommends regular gas.
The following video gives you an idea of different grades and their usage:
2
Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuel is also made from petroleum but is refined using a different method than that used to create gasoline. Many large and industrial trucks use diesel fuel, as do transfer trucks and agricultural equipment. There are two types of diesel fuel, one specifically for automobiles and one for off-road vehicles.
A resurgence of diesel-powered vehicles has taken place in the past few years because of the rising price of all fuels, including gasoline and diesel. Diesel-powered cars typically get better gas mileage or fuel efficiency than gasoline-powered vehicles. Also, some drivers feel that they get a better value for their money even if diesel is more expensive. Volkswagen is a well-known manufacturer of diesel cars. The next video will illustrate the difference between petrol and diesel engines:
3
Bio-diesel
Diesel fuel that is created using vegetable oils or animal fats is called bio-diesel. It can be made using soybean oil, lard, algae, and vegetable oils. Some inventive drivers have found ways to recycle used cooking oils into biodiesel that powers altered car engines. Watch the following video to learn more about biofuels:
4
Ethanol
Although ethanol is not widely used as general automobile fuel, it is added to our common gasoline as an additive. Many car manufacturers are designing vehicles that can be powered by ethanol because it is a cost-effective fuel made from renewable resources like corn and sugarcane. If you are in the market for an ethanol-powered vehicle, there are a few car models that can run on 100 percent ethanol.
Most cars these days run on gasoline, but others are increasing in popularity, especially battery powered vehicles. Make sure that you are purchasing the correct type of fuel for your vehicle for peak performance.
And finally, those new drivers, who are still learning how to pump gas, will find the following guide useful:
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