This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Global Warming Impact of Gasoline vs. Alternative Transportation Fuels
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The phenomenon of global warming, caused by the increased emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (CH4 and N2O), has received considerable attention from policy makers and environmental groups. The current focus is on the development of global warming strategies based on choice of various transportation fuels for motor vehicles. This paper examines this issue by assessing the global warming impact of gasoline and other alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), methanol, and ethanol. The analysis accounts for all emission sources and greenhouse gases that are associated with the entire fuel cycle under a variety of process and engine technology scenarios. Results show that CNG and LPG are comparable to gasoline in total greenhouse gas emissions, while methanol and ethanol generally yield more greenhouse gases than gasoline. The exact differences depend on the assumed process efficiencies, vehicle fuel economy and emissions, and the relative warming affects of CH4 and N2O to CO2. In view of these uncertainties and the fact that transportation fuels are not major contributors to global warming, switching from gasoline to either natural gas or alcohol-based fuels will have little impact on reducing total greenhouse gas emissions.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Ho, S. and Renner, T., "Global Warming Impact of Gasoline vs. Alternative Transportation Fuels," SAE Technical Paper 901489, 1990, https://doi.org/10.4271/901489.Also In
References
- “Global Temperature Variation Between 1861 and 1984,” Jones P. D. Wigley T. M. L. Wright P. B. Nature 322 430 1986
- “Observational Determination of the Greenhouse Effect,” Raval A. Ramanathan D. Nature 342 758 1989
- “Global Warming,” Hammerle R. H. Shiller J. W. Schwarz M. J. Ford Motor Company Report 1989
- “Global Climate Changes,” Gushes D. E. CHEMTECH 470 August 1989
- “Atmospheric CO 2 : Causes, Effects, and Options,” Nierenberg W. A. Chem. Eng. Progress 27 August 1989
- “Options for Controlling the Global Warming Impact from Motor Vehicles,” EPA Report No. 89-08 1989
- “Fuel Ethanol and Global Warming,” Segal M. Congressional Research Service Report March 1989
- “Comparing the Impacts of Different Transportation Fuels on the Greenhouse Effect,” Unnasch S. Moyer C. B. Lowell D. D. Jackson M. D. Acurex Corporation for the California Energy Commission March 1989
- “Global Warming as Affected by Fuel Choices,” Unnasch S. Moyer C. B. Jackson M. D. 1989 SAE Government/Industry Meeting Washington D. C. May 2-4 1989
- “Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from the Use of Gasoline, Methanol, and Other Alternative Transportation Fuels,” Deluchi M. A. John Hopkins Methanol Conference December 4 1989
- “Global Warming Impact of Ethanol vs. Gasoline,” Ho S. P. 1989 National Conference on Motor Fuels and Air Quality Washington D. C. October 3-5 1989
- Correspondences from Amoco Oil to Congressional Research Service and Information Resources October 16 December 20 1989
- Private meeting between Amoco Oil and Acurex Corporation Mountain View, Ca. January 11 1990 private communications with M. A. Deluchi of UC Davis January 1990
- “Methanol vs. Natural Gas Vehicles: A Comparison of Resource Supply, Performance, Emissions, Fuel Storage, Safety, Costs, and Transitions,” Deluchi M. A. Johnston R. A. Sperling D. SAE Paper No. 881656 1988
- “Natural Gas Vehicles - A Review of the State of the Art,” Weaver C. S. SAE paper No. 892133 1989
- “Definition of a Low-Emission Motor Vehicle in Compliance with the Mandates of Health and Safety Code Section 39037.05,” California Air Resource Board Report May 19 1989
- “Nitrous Oxide N 2 O in Engines Exhaust Gases--A First Appraisal of Catalyst Impact,” Prigent M. DeSoete G. SAE Paper 890492
- “Costs and Sources of Natural Gas Feedstock for Methanol Manufacturing Plants,” Graham J. C. Beyaert B. Chevron, USA San Francisco, California January 25 1990
- “Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization on Methane Uptake in Temperature Forest Soils,” Steudler P. A. et. al. Nature 341 314 1989