Biomass can be used to create ethanol fuel. It can also be used to generate electricity, that can then be used to charge electric vehicles (EVs). In this problem, you will determine whether ethanol or electricity can provide a higher biomass‐to‐wheel efficiency. Assume that one hectare of cropland can produce 14 tons of dry switchgrass per year and that dry switchgrass has an energy density of 15 MJ/kg. a. Each ton of dry switchgrass can be processed to produce 73 gallons of ethanol. Ethanol has an energy density of 92 MJ/gallon. Assume that the internal combustion engine (ICE) is 23% efficient in converting fuel energy to useful work at the wheels (motion). With what efficiency is biomass energy delivered to the wheels in this ICE car? b. Alternatively, each ton of dry switchgrass could be used directly to generate electricity, and this electricity could in turn be used to operate an EV. Assume that a biomass‐fueled power plant has a first law efficiency of 28%. There is a 7.5% loss for transmission and distribution of electricity from the power plant to the car charging station. The motor plus battery is 88% efficient in converting electrical energy delivered from the charging station to mechanical work. With what efficiency is biomass energy delivered to the wheels in this EVICE car?

University Physics Volume 1

18th Edition

ISBN:9781938168277

Author:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny

Publisher:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny

Chapter8: Potential Energy And Conservation Of Energy

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 23P: A cat’s crinkle ball toy of mass 15 g is thrown straight up with an initial speed of 3 m/s. Assume...

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Biomass can be used to create ethanol fuel. It can also be used to generate electricity, that can then be used to charge electric vehicles (EVs). In this problem, you will determine whether ethanol or electricity can provide a higher biomass‐to‐wheel efficiency. Assume that one hectare of cropland can produce 14 tons of dry switchgrass per year and that dry switchgrass has an energy density of 15 MJ/kg.

a. Each ton of dry switchgrass can be processed to produce 73 gallons of ethanol. Ethanol has an energy density of 92 MJ/gallon. Assume that the internal combustion engine (ICE) is 23% efficient in converting fuel energy to useful work at the wheels (motion). With what efficiency is biomass energy delivered to the wheels in this ICE car?

b. Alternatively, each ton of dry switchgrass could be used directly to generate electricity, and this electricity could in turn be used to operate an EV. Assume that a biomass‐fueled power plant has a first law efficiency of 28%. There is a 7.5% loss for transmission and distribution of electricity from the power plant to the car charging station. The motor plus battery is 88% efficient in converting electrical energy delivered from the charging

station to mechanical work. With what efficiency is biomass energy delivered to the wheels in this EVICE car?

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