Need help with Achieving a Readable Style.
Memorandum
TO: Jerry Bradshaw DATE: March 29, 2011
FROM: Bill Jones
SUBJECT: The Best Approaches in Alternative Fuel Research
Purpose
Alternative fuels are becoming an important area of research. There are two main reasons researchers are looking for a new and reliable fuel source. The first is to combat the reliance of the U.S on foreign oil. The second is to reduce the amount of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The heavy reliance on gasoline is harmful to both our economy and the environment. In this report I will discuss the best approaches in alternative fuel research. The three main approaches that will be covered are ethanol, the hydrogen fuel cell, and biodiesel. For each approach I will explain the process of producing the fuel, the benefits, costs, and the negative aspects. The information provided will show what the best alternative fuel will be.
Research Methods
The data and information collected was obtained from several web sites and online databases. I found which alternative fuels were currently in use from the U.S. Department of Energy website. It had useful information about new alternatives being researched and also information about fuels currently in use. After determining which three fuels had the most potential I went into more in depth research and looked for articles on the online databases.
Findings
Approach 1-Ethanol
Ethanol is an alcohol produced by the fermentation of the grains or seeds of a plant. The most common ingredient used in ethanol production is corn. The production process of ethanol begins with the harvesting of the corn. The kernels of corn are shipped to a plant where they are first ground and then cooked in a large cooker. After the ground corn is cooked, the fermentation process can begin. For fermentation to take place a single celled fungus called yeast is added to the processed corn. The yeast feeds on the starches in the grain and produces alcohol as a by-product. Ethanol is retrieved from the fermentation chamber by distilling the fluid inside the chamber. Then trucks are used to transport the ethanol to consumers. Pipes are not used because ethanol is corrosive and would damage the pipes after a certain amount of time.
The main benefit of producing ethanol is that it is renewable. However, most cars cannot use straight ethanol because it is more corrosive than gasoline. Many times ethanol is mixed with gasoline in different ratios so that regular cars are able to function properly without any corrosive damage. The ethanol/gasoline mixture still emits carbon dioxide, but it is cleaner burning than pure gasoline. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, so the carbon dioxide released by the ethanol is recycled by the plants that are used to produce the ethanol.
Some researchers argue that because of all the farm equipment used to produce the corn and the energy needed by the factory, we use more energy producing ethanol than we get out of it. Mass production of corn also takes a heavy toll on the environment. The fertilizers used on the corn release N2O, which is a very strong green house gas. Farming only corn also takes essential minerals from the soil and can cause erosion. There are efforts being made to negate these problems by finding new processes that will use the whole plant to produce cellulose ethanol instead of just the corn kernels. Using the whole plant would allow ethanol production to become more efficient. It would also allow us to use different grass species. The use of native grass species would require less fertilization and not damage the soil.
Approach 2-Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Fuel cells are able to convert chemical processes into electricity. The type of fuel cell that is best suited to power a vehicle is called a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The main reaction that these cells use is converting Hydrogen and Oxygen into water. There are four main components of the PEMFC and each component has a specific job. First is the anode. The anode captures the electrons that are freed during the reaction. These electrons are used in an external circuit that is able to produce work. It also disperses the Hydrogen evenly over the surface of the catalyst. The catalyst is what helps the reaction take place. For this process the catalyst is usually made of platinum nanoparticles that are thinly spread on a thin carbon sheet. The nanoparticles allow for the highest surface a possible, which increases the reaction rate. Third is the electrolyte or proton exchange membrane. This membrane only conducts positively charged ions, while blocking electrons. A downside is that the membrane must remain hydrated in order to function properly. Last is the cathode, it distributes the Oxygen across the catalyst and conducts the electrons from the outer circuit to complete the reaction of Oxygen and Hydrogen to make water. The overall process has four main steps. First the H2 splits when it contacts the catalyst and releases 2 electrons. These electrons travel to the anode and through the outer circuit to the cathode. Second the O2 also splits forming two highly negative ions. Third, the O- ions attract the H+ ions and draw them through the membrane. Last the Hydrogen and Oxygen pair up with the electrons from the circuit and form water.
This is complicated, but has some excellent benefits. First is the amount of pollution reduction. The only by-product is water. Second is that the process is said to be 64% efficient compared to 20% efficiency of gas combustion engines. However, since the process is complicated the components are expensive, especially the platinum catalysts. The membranes are also not very durable. They tend to degrade under the conditions of turning on and off your car. Very high or low temperatures are also a problem for the membranes. The membranes must stay hydrated to function and in high temperatures they dry out, while in cold temperatures there is the possibility of freezing. There is also a problem with the fuel. To be able to travel a considerable distance, a lot of hydrogen is needed, and we don’t have the technology to compress the hydrogen into a small enough tank. We also have no infrastructure to distribute the hydrogen. Therefore this process may need to wait until we have better technology to utilize the fuel cell’s capabilities.
Approach 3-Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a form of diesel that is produced from organic renewable oils like vegetable oils and animal fat. Production from these oils is a benefit because they are non-toxic, biodegradable, and renewable. The process of making biodiesel is a simple process. First the recycled oils or fats are filtered and preprocessed to remove any water or contaminants. The oils and fats are then mixed with an alcohol, usually methanol, and a catalyst like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The oil molecules are broken apart and reformed into methyl esters and glycerin. Glycerin is a by-product that can be separated out and used in other industries. The methyl esters become the biodiesel.
Using biodiesel has many advantages. Unlike ethanol which is produced from corn, biodiesel can be created from non-food crops or recycled greases. Soybeans are of the major crops that are used in biodiesel production. The oils are extracted from the soybeans and used to make fuel while the rest of the soybean can still be used for livestock feed or other applications, so nothing is wasted. Algae are another source for biodiesel production. Oils can be extracted from the algae and processed. Algae allow for a renewable resource that grows rapidly and is easy to maintain, so it is an excellent option. Some researchers have found that the biodiesel produced contains 3.2 times the amount of energy it takes to produce. This shows that biodiesel production is an efficient process. Most diesel engines are already compatible with using biodiesel, so fewer changes need to be made. However, biodiesel still needs to be mixed with petrodiesel in order to get the right viscosity, so cars can’t run entirely on biodiesel.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why we must take steps to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. One of the main reasons is to regain energy independence. If we find an alternative fuel that is efficient and easy to produce, we will lessen our dependence on foreign oil and form a more stable economy and country. The three approaches that I researched are some of the best possibilities. Each one has their pros and cons. Although ethanol is renewable it relies too much on food crops and is not efficient enough yet. More research is needed to produce a more efficient procedure. Fuel cells are also a great idea that have no harmful emissions and are very efficient, but we still don’t have the technology to make them practical yet. Therefore the most reliable fuel source is biodiesel. The production of biodiesel is simple and efficient. The renewable resources used are abundant, easy to obtain and aren’t specifically food crops. Algae are an especially good resource. They would be cheap and easy to mass produce, yet they would provide enough oil for a processing plant. Biodiesel could have an impact on our fossil fuel consumption in the future.
Please go over your paper with the following in mind. Thanks to PsyDAG for the following:
After writing your material, put it aside for a day — at least several hours. (This breaks mental sets you might have that keep you from noticing problems.) Then read it aloud as if you were reading someone else's work. (Reading aloud slows down your reading, so you are less likely to skip over problems.)
(You can also either read it aloud to someone else or have someone else read it aloud to you! The latter works really well!)
If your reading goes smoothly, that is fine. However, wherever you "stumble" in your reading, other people are likely to have a problem in reading your material. Those "stumbles" indicate areas that need revising.
Once you have made your revisions, repeat the process above. Good papers often require many drafts.
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And here are some really good websites that will help, too:
http://teachro.publiccomputingservices.org/writing/proofreading.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/proofing.htm
To achieve a readable style in your writing, there are several things you can do:
1. Use clear and concise language: Avoid using overly complex words and sentences. Use simple and straightforward language to convey your ideas effectively.
2. Organize your content logically: Use headings, subheadings, and paragraphs to break up your text and make it easier to read. Present your ideas in a logical order, using transitions to guide the reader from one point to another.
3. Use bullet points or numbered lists: When presenting information or describing a process, consider using bullet points or numbered lists. This helps to make the information more digestible and easily understandable.
4. Avoid excessive jargon and technical terms: Unless you are writing for a specialized audience, try to avoid using excessive jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your readers. If you do need to use technical terms, make sure to define them or provide explanations to ensure clarity.
5. Focus on readability: Use appropriate font styles, sizes, and spacing to make your text easy to read. Avoid using long paragraphs or blocks of text as they can be overwhelming. Break up your text into shorter paragraphs and use headers to guide the reader.
6. Proofread and revise: Before finalizing your writing, make sure to proofread and revise your work. Check for grammar and spelling errors, as well as inconsistencies in language or style. Reading your work aloud can also help you identify any awkward phrasing or unclear sentences.
By following these tips, you can achieve a more readable style in your writing. Remember to consider your audience and purpose when crafting your message, and always strive for clarity and simplicity.