FACTOID # 44: Three quarters of Japanese kids read comics.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

FACTS & STATISTICS    Simple view

  1. Select countries to view: (hold down Control key and click to select several)

     

     

    Compare:

     

     

  1. Select fact or statistic: (* = graphable)

     

     

     

  2. (OPTIONAL) Compare to statistic: (both need to be graphable)

     

     

     

  3. View result as:

     

       
(OR) SEARCH ALL encyclopedia, stats & forums:   

Encyclopedia > Alternative propulsion

Alternative propulsion is a term used frequently for power train concepts differing to the standard internal combustion engine concept used in gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles. It has been suggested that Car engine be merged into this article or section. ...

Contents


Definition

The term alternative propulsion or "alternate methods of propulsion" includes both

This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... For songs called Electricity, see Electricity (song title). ... General Motors EV1 An electric vehicle is a vehicle whose motion is provided by electric motors. ... A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...

Motivation

The motivation for the research in alternative propulsion in transport is primarily to achieve more sustainable methods of transportation than those relying on fossil fuels. Coal rail cars in Ashtabula, Ohio Fossil fuels, also known as mineral fuels, are hydrocarbon-containing natural resources such as coal, oil and natural gas. ...


Application fields

Most work in alternative propulsion concepts is focused on replacing traditional internal combusion engines in automobiles. Several contests, such as Michelin's Challenge Bibendum and the North American Solar Challenge, are designed to provide motivations for effective concepts utlizing alternative propulsion. Hybrid vehicles, which combine an internal combustion engine with an alternative system, are perhaps the most visible example of alternative propulsion systems in use today. Honda Insight, a hybrid gas-electric vehicle 2004 Toyota Prius, a hybrid gas-electric vehicle Whispering Wheel Bus, a hybrid bus with an in wheel motor design. ...


Alternative propulsion is not limited to automobiles, however; it can also apply to types of spacecraft propulsion beyond solid- or liquid-fueled rockets. Propulsion methods such as the ion thruster and solar sail are examples of alternative propulsion options for spacecraft. A remote camera captures a close-up view of a Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi Spacecraft propulsion is used to change the velocity of spacecraft and artificial satellites, or in short, to provide delta-v. ... An ion engine test An ion thruster, one of several types of spacecraft propulsion, uses beams of ions for propulsion. ... Concept image of a solar sail spacecraft in the process of unfurling sails. ...


Criteria for successful application of alternative propulsion

In order to supplant traditional propulsion systems, alternative propulsion systems must be able to equal or exceed the performance and convenience of traditional systems in several areas:

  • operating radius
  • acceleration and top speed
  • stability of the stored energy (degradation over time, losses or leakages)
  • refueling procedure
  • environmental effects (minimizing odor, noise, vibrations, radiation, emission of noxious substances, etc.)

See also

A remote camera captures a close-up view of a Space Shuttle Main Engine during a test firing at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi Spacecraft propulsion is used to change the velocity of spacecraft and artificial satellites, or in short, to provide delta-v. ... A low-energy vehicle is any type of vehicle that uses less energy than a regular vehicle. ...

External links

  • Sustainable Green Fleets EU-sponsored Dissemination project for alternative propelled cars and alternative fuels
  • Alternative Fuel Vehicle Training National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, West Virginia University U.S.
  • Alternative Propulsion Strategy at General Motors
  • Alternative Propulsion at Opel: Hydrogen Cars
  • Berlin Environmental Challenges for Alternative Propulsion Systems Reinhard Kolke Umweltbundesamt Lecture (pdf) at the Well-to-Wheels Conference 2001 14-16 May 2001, Nice
  • Green Progress Alternative Transportation Technology


  Results from FactBites:
 
Alternative propulsion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (345 words)
Alternative propulsion is a term used frequently for power train concepts differing to the standard internal combustion engine concept used in gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles.
Alternative propulsion is not limited to automobiles, however; it can also apply to types of spacecraft propulsion beyond solid- or liquid-fueled rockets.
Propulsion methods such as the ion thruster and solar sail are examples of alternative propulsion options for spacecraft.
Fuel cell - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (2810 words)
Manufacturing hydrogen requires a hydrogen carrier (typically fossil fuels, though water is an alternative), as well as electricity, which is widely generated by conventional fuels (fossil fuel or nuclear power).
While alternative energy sources like wind and solar power could also be used, they are prohibitively expensive at present.
As an alternative to electrolysis, hydrogen can be generated from methane (the primary component of natural gas) with approximately 80% efficiency, or with other hydrocarbons to a varying degree of efficiency.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.