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Originally Posted by REASON
So, what would it take to push for Methane now? I find it interesting that Methane is never really included in discussions involving alternative fuel sources, especially considering how plausible the two of you have just made it seem.
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While I like the idea, it also needs to be pointed out that natural gas is a fossil fuel. It is not renewable. Well, let me qualify that. Natural gas is not the only way to get methane.
Biogas refers to more renewable ways of obtaining it, which is also more expensive. Barring biogas, methane is not renewable. Like oil, natural gas reserves will run out.
Ethanol may be the better longterm solution.
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Originally Posted by REASON
I have a few questions that may be answered in one of the links mocdest provided, but that I think would be good to discuss here.
1. What kind of modifications would be required in today's motor vehicles to allow them to run on Methane?
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It's actually quite a few. The tanks that hold the gas are large and require a lot of space. They are also expensive as they need to be very durable. As moontanman pointed out, the fuel injection system must be different.
This link also mentions:
The engine must be forged aluminum, needs high-compression pistons, hardened nickel-tungsten exhaust valve seats, and a methane-specific catalytic converter.
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Originally Posted by REASON
2. What are the primary sources of Methane gas?
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Natural Gas.
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Originally Posted by REASON
3. Is there enough to supply the entire nation, or is something like this intended to be more of a supplement to fossil fuels?
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It is a fossil fuel. Without an undue increase in demand, US reserves are estimated to last another 67 years.
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Originally Posted by REASON
4. Do we have to rely on natural sources of Methane, or can it be manufactured?
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See biogas link above. I would add that ethanol is easier to make from plants than methane.
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Originally Posted by REASON
5. Methane is a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO2. Should we be concerned about increasing global warming if Methane fuel were to become widely used?
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Good question! I'll look into it.
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Originally Posted by REASON
6. What are the advantages/disadvantages of Methane vs. Hydrogen as a fuel.
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If hydrogen is produced from nuclear power there is no carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Burning methane is in and of itself a greenhouse problem as CO2 is a product of the reaction. You also bring up the point of methane as a greenhouse gas.
I'll look more into this - perhaps we need a dedicated thread
-modest
