Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

Typically mixing spark-ignited fuels isn’t a very good idea. If you try to run a vehicle that is calibrated for petroleum-based gasoline on an alternative fuel like ethanol, chances are you’ll find yourself hitch-hiking to the closest mechanic. Until now, that is. Argonne, a laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy is currently working to create an omnivorous engine for consumer vehicles. The engine will reach optimal performance by combining the use of several kinds of fuel from both fossil and renewable resources. As an omnivore, myself, I think it sounds like a pretty great way to make cars more fuel efficient.

Argonne’s goal in developing the omnivorous engine is to achieve higher levels of fuel efficiency and in turn reduce fuel consumption. The engine will optimize fuel injection with an engine management network of electronic sensors that detect the fuel composition best suited for various driving conditions. Don’t worry, you won’t be tested on that. The engine does the work; the consumer just drives. The idea is to allow a vehicle to travel further on the same amount of fuel. If the technology takes off and achieves sustainability in fuel consumption, it could mean getting 60 mpg on the highway without having to drop $40,000 on a hybrid.

Argonne is not the first to tackle the concept of the omnivorous engine. Lotus Engineering debuted their breakthrough omnivorous engine prototype at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2009. The Lotus design was unveiled a year after the company’s release of their Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel, a synthetic fuel combining gasoline with alcohol-based fuels. Argonne’s version of the omnivore engine is similar to the Lotus model, in that it is a single cylinder model, though necessary changes were made to increase the engine’s efficiency.

Eco-based fuels, like ethanol or butanol provide a great alternative to fossil fuels because of the renewable resources they are derived from. Unfortunately, using foodstuffs like corn to produce eco-fuel makes them pricier than their petroleum based counter parts, plus it affects other costs, like the price of milk and beef. Capitalism is a vicious cycle, isn’t it? Argonne engineers are developing technology concepts allowing for extraction of eco-fuels from alternative resources like biomass and waste products, reducing waste, reducing prices and ultimately reducing dependency on foreign oil.

Argonne Mechanical Engineer, Thomas Wallner, explains the concept of the omnivore engine:

While the omnivore engine provides hope in alternatives to our current addiction to natural gas and fossil fuels, it may be a while before we see the conceptual data available for consumer use. Until scientists develop practical technology in the realm of affordable alternative fuels, make a concerted effort to reduce your own fuel consumption. Drive less. Carpool. Do a little research on the potential of alternative fuel use for your vehicle.

Check out Global Green USA for other smart solutions to green your life.

Photo by Argonne National Laboratory, flickr.