FUELS FOR TOMORROW. PT. 2 (SHALE OIL, COAL-BASED LIQUID FUEL, ELECTRICITY)

Oil from shale is a prime candidate fuel for offsetting the declining U.S. oil production and the need to reduce imports. Although several methods exist for processing the shale, the technology is still in formative stages. Shale oil can be converted to useful petroleum products by using current refining technology. The first alternate fuels derived from oil shale are likely to be similar to gasoline and diesel fuel. Current research is directed at the development of engines with broad fuel tolerance in order to maximize the use of a barrel of crude oil. The energy density of various fuels is compared, with diesel fuel providing more than twice the energy of methanol. Environmental issues surrounding oil shale development include strip mining, water use, rainwater contamination, dust generation, and socioeconomic impact. For coal-derived motor fuels, there is a choice between methanol (made directly from coal) and gasoline (made either from methanol or directly). Gasification and liquefaction techniques are used for coal conversion. The technology is not exotic but requires upgrading for commercial volume production. Environmental and health problems associated with coal mining must be effectively resolved. Exxon predicts that by 2010, eight million barrels of oil equivalent from western shale and seven million from coal could be produced (the total American consumption predicted for 2000). Efforts are continuing to develop practical and economical electric cars, powered by batteries, fuel cells, or a combination of the two.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00357189
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Part 1 is HS-030 896.
• Corporate Authors:

  CBS Consumer Publishing West

  1499 Monrovia Avenue
  Newport Beach, CA  United States  92663
• Authors:
  • Wakefield, R
• Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 72-78
• Serial:
  • Road and Track
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: DCI, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0035-7189

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Coal; Development; Diesel fuels; Dust; Electric vehicles; Environmental impacts; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Health; Methanol; Research; Shale oil; Socioeconomic factors; Strip mining; Technology; Water pollution
• Uncontrolled Terms: Research and development
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Environment; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00369651
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-031 101
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1983 12:00AM