Atkins
1
The Effects of Engines on Society and the Environment
Tripp Atkins
Dr. Chris Boese
English 102, section 101
April 23, 1999
The Effects of Engines on Society and the Environment
Society uses engines everyday, in many facets of life. There are several types of engines which operate in completely different ways but use the same basic principle of transforming heat, chemical, or electrical energy into mechanical energy (Engine 155). Engines have many different uses from transportation to power tools to kitchen appliances. They all serve one basic purpose, which basically makes human life easier. On the negative side, engines[KW1] also produce harmful exhaust. This exhaust is harmful not only to the environment but also to all living creatures. This paper will discuss how internal combustion, external combustion, and electric engines operate and their effects on society and the environment. Even though there are several types of engines that serve the same and different purposes, I feel that humankind can not live[KW2] without the internal combustion engine because of its’ usefulness and ability.
An internal combustion engine changes the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical energy that can be used to power the machine (Engine 155). There are basically four steps in the operation of internal combustion engines. They are intake, compression, power, and exhaust. These are basically the steps of a four-stroke engine. Other types of internal combustion engines are the two-stroke engine and diesel engine. All other internal combustion engines operate on the same idea, but their steps are combined. First, a mixture of the fuel and air is added to the cylinder. The pistons compress the fuel and air mixture inside the cylinder. A spark plug[KW3], which is located in the cylinder head of the engine, causes a spark, and the start of the combustion. The explosion that is a[MH4]result of the combustion forces the piston to the bottom of the cylinder. When the piston is at the bottom of its stroke, the exhaust valve opens in the cylinder and when the piston returns to the top of the stroke the remaining gas is pushed out of the cylinder. This allows for a new mixture of air and fuel to enter the cylinder and the reactionprocess to start over again. For the entire process to take place there are two required strokes that the piston[MH5]takes.[KW6]
The electric motor is a machine that changes electric energy in to[KW7] mechanical energy (Electric Motor 178). There are two different types of electric engines, separated only by which form of electric current they use (Electric Motor 178). The two currents are alternating and direct currents. The alternating current is the current that is found in the outlets in homes. Therefore many household appliances such as hairdryers and power drills use the ac electric motors. are household appliances such as hairdryers and power drills. Alternating current reverses its direction many times (over 60) per second (Electric Motor 178). A direct current flows only in one direction and the amount of electricity flowing stays constant. Electric motors can vary in size and the style of work that they are to be used for. As mentioned before electric motors can be used for household appliances or can be complex enough to run large trains and cars.
The development of electric motors began in the 1800’s when Hans Christian Oersted discovered the electromagnet wasdiscovered byHans Christian Oersted (Electric Motor 181). After the discovery of the electromagnet, scientists began trying to produce stronger and stronger magnets. With the increased knowledge in electric currents and electricity, more and more physicists and scientists improved on the electromagnet and made it. The electromagnet became even more more and more [KW8]powerful. The first working example of a direct current (DC) motor was introduced by Belgian Electrical Engineer, Zénobe Théophile Gramme in 1873 at an exhibition in Vienna (Electric Motor 181). Fifteen years later Nikola Tesla invented the alternating current (AC) motor (Electric Motor 181). In the early 1900’s motors were later made more advanced (Electric Motor 181).
There are three main principles that govern the way that an electric engine operates. The first of these is the having a magnetic field produced by an electric current. The next principle is that the direction the current is running determines the placement of the location of the magnetic poles. And finally, the magnetic poles attract or repel each other (Electric Motor 179). An electromagnet consists of The wire that the electric current is passed through is wrapped around a metal rod forming a coil. When a the current is run through the wire, an electromagnet is formed. There are several parts that make up the electric motor. The “electric motor consists chiefly of a rotating electrical conductor situated between the north and the south poles of a stationary magnet” (Electric Motor 179). Now[MH9]these parts of the motor have specific names. “The conductor is known as the armature, and the stationary magnet called the field structure” (Electric Motor 179). A final and important part of the electric motor is the commutator. The commutator is mainly used in DC motors. Its purpose is to change the direction of the current in the armature (Electric Motor180). The field structure upholds “a constant magnetic field in the motor” (Electric Motor 179). And the armature becomes the electromagnet once the electricity is passed through it (Electric Motor 179).
As stated above, when the electricity is passed through the armature, the armature becomes an electromagnet. This [MH10]forms a magnetic field which is opposite of the field that is produced by the field structure. The magnetic fields oppose each other. This forces the armature to rotate on its drive shaft. Once the electromagnet has made one half turn, the commutator forces the direction change of the electricity (Electric Motor 180). If this alternating of poles did not occur, the rotation would stop after only one half rotation (Electric Motor 180). The attraction and opposition of the electromagnet and the magnetic field formed by field structures keep the armature spinning. The rotation that is caused by the magnetic fields is what drives the engine. The size of the load that an electric motor has to bear makes a difference on the amount or work needed and amount of resistance that is produced by the motor.
If a motor drives a light load, the armature will spin rapidly and generate a large counter-electromotive force. When the load is increased, the armature rotates more slowly. It cuts fewer lines of magnetic force, thereby decreasing the counter-electromotive force. A motor that carries a heavier load thus operates more efficiently, because it uses less energy to do more work (Electric Motor 180).
The AC powered electric motor operates in almost an identical fashion. They “are easier to build and convenient to use” (Electric Motor 181). These engines do not have a commutator, but one is not needed since alternating current switches directions on its own. These engines are convenient because they can be plugged into the outlet of a home and charged that way.
Another type of electric motor is the Universal motor. The Universal motor is constructed to run on either alternating or direct current (The World Book Encyclopedia 181). “A universal motor uses a commutator, and its basic construction resembles the design of a DC series motor” (The World Book Encyclopedia 181). This is a popular form of the electric motor because of the flexibility of its actions (Electric Motor 181).
Many of these points make the electric motor sound intriguing and better than the internal combustion engine that is so common in our society. The electric motor sounds cleaner and more efficient. However, I feel that that is a lie. Electric motors, even if they are run from a battery, must be charged somehow. Solar energy lasts only so long, and also, there is no solar energy on overcast days and at night. These electric motors are charged by gasoline powered generators, which happen to be run by internal combustion engines. These generators also cause pollutants, and if everyone owned a generator in order to charge their electric vehicle, just as much pollution is caused as if everyone in the world owned an automobile with an internal combustion engine. Another way of charging an electric motor is by plugging into an electric outlet. The power plants that provide this electricity are large plants that produce a much larger amount of air pollution than any internal combustion engine, especially if the power plants have to produce more electricity because of a higher demand. In my opinion, the electric motors are more of a hassle than a gas-powered automobile. Also [MH11]the top speeds of electric automobiles are much slower on average than gas-powered cars.
“In theory, any ‘working substance’ (gas) could be heated and used to drive an external combustion engine; in practice, however, only steam has been employed” (External Combustion Engines 156). Steam is used mainly because it has the most energy available of “any other readily obtainable working substance” (External Combustion Engines 156). The external combustion engine has a boiler in which the water is boiled and is transformed into steam. The steam travels from the boiler into the cylinder, which forces the piston out of the cylinder. The piston rotates the crankshaft which is how the chemical energy is transformed into the mechanical energy. The piston has to make two complete revolutions in order to complete the cycle. The first revolution is when the steam forces the piston out of the cylinder, and the second revolution is where the piston pushes the steam back out of the cylinder through the exhaust port. Then the cycle begins again.
For now in society, each engine has its’ own function. The internal combustion engine is used in automobiles, lawnmowers, and power generators. The external combustion engine is used in steam engines such as a locomotive and large ships. The external combustion engine was also used in automobiles in the 1700’s, but had some difficulties gaining popularity after the institution of the use of internal combustion engines in automobiles. There are not very many uses for the steam engine because they are very inefficient, heavy (especially since water is the source of fuel), and they have very low maximum speeds[MH12]compared to other engines (Internal Combustion Engines 160). The electric motor is now used in many home appliances and power tools. It is also used in many transportation methods such as electric trains and automobiles. The electric automobiles have not caught on very much and are almost too expensive for anyone to own.
I feel that most people prefer to use internal combustion engines to the external combustion and the electric engines in their automobiles. First of all, most people really do not have a choice about what type of engines they want in their automobile. I would dare to say that not one car dealership on the “Motor Mile” in Greenville, South Carolina has an electric engine to offer; much less a steam engine. But other than the fact that people do not have much of a choice, there are other reasons. Internal combustion engines seem to be more reliable and more convenient than other types of engines. With an electric engine, if the car is not charged, it will not operate. In an external combustion engine, the user must shovel coal or stack wood in order to keep the fire going so the water can be boiled and produce steam. In an internal combustion engine, people only have to get in the car and turn the key. Gasoline only has to be added once or twice a week depending on the size and shape of the car, as well as the size and type of the engine. It also helps to change the oil of the car every 3000 miles. This act only prolongs the engine’s life and helps to save you money. Why would anyone want to plug their car in after they drive it every day, or have to chop wood as a power source for their automobile? I do not think that there is any good reason[MH13]for anyone to own anything other than an internal combustion engine. You may say that electric engines are cleaner. I would disagree. Most electric engines are charged by plugging them into an electrical outlet in your house or by plugging them into a power generator. Where does the energy come from? Electric energy in your home comes from electric power plants. These plants can be more[KW14] harmful to the environment than any internal combustion engine automobile. A generator is a usually an internal combustion engine which can change chemical energy into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy. There [KW15]is no environmental relief by using an electric engine.
Internal Combustion Engines run on chemical fuel. At present the main type of fuel used is gasoline. Gasoline is usually a blend from several natural gases and petroleum. I feel this is the main type of fuel for the internal combustion engine because car companies do not produce any other type of engines. I think that the petroleum companies are in complete control of the automobile business. The only automobile engines that are produced for public usage are engines which use gasoline. The oil companies have “gas shortages” occasionally, in which they hold back their supply of natural gas in order to raise the price of gasoline in the United States as to increase their profit. Such a “gasoline shortage” is going on right now. I have received emails about a proposed “Gas Out.” “Gas Out” is a boycott of gasoline that is taking place on April 30, 1999. This shows how society is upset about the prices of gasoline rising. An article on ABCNEWS.com says that the proposed boycott “won’t have any net effect” (Brewster). I feel like this shows that if people want to drive their automobiles or run their lawnmowers, they have no choice but to pay whatever the oil companies want to charge. The “Gas Out” email read like this, “Know what I found out? If there was just ONE day when no one purchased any gasoline, prices would drop drastically” (Brewster). But according to analysts of the oil industry, the only effect a boycott would have would be to raise the prices of gasoline the day of or the days following the boycott. I believe that I would like to find another way to power my car. There is several another types of fuel that can be used with internal combustion engines, if the engines are built to operate with them. One of these types of fuel is Ethanol[KW16]. Ethanol is made “by the fermentation of sugars” (Ethanol Information). Which basically means that ethanol is made from corn. Ethanol has been used by itself for fuel, but has also been mixed with gasoline. Because ethanol contains oxygen, it is able to combust more completely ( What is Ethanol). This translates into a more efficient engine and a cleaner environment. “Since ethanol is produced from plants that harness the power of the sun, ethanol is also considered a renewable fuel” (What is Ethanol). This is very interesting, especially when it comes to the possibility of eliminating the oil companies from the entire picture. If ethanol is instituted as the fuel for the next generation of internal combustion engines, who needs oil or oil companies. There will be no rise in prices because there can not be a decrease [KW17]in the production of ethanol due to the nature of its construction.
All of the different types of engines give off some sort of pollution whether it is direct or indirect. The internal and external combustion engines have exhaust emissions. The electric motor has no exhaust when it is in use, but the act of charging the electric motor causes the emissions. An analogy to describe the exhaust emissions is that people smoke cigarettes, they hurt their body (environment), and they die. Then the cigarette manufacturers get sued. Automobiles smoke (exhaust), hurts the environment, and people die. Does this, in turn, mean that engine manufacturers can be sued? The source of the exhaust emissions comes from the combustion reaction itself (About Automobile Emissions). Exhaust from an internal combustion engine is made up of Hydrocarbons, Nitrogen Oxides, and Carbon Monoxide. “Hydrocarbon emissions result when fuel molecules in the engine do not burn or burn only partially” (About Automobile Emissions). This produces ozone and is a major cause of smog (About Automobile Emissions). The ozone is damaging to the human body. It “irritates the eyes, damages the lungs, and aggravates respiratory problems” (Fuelsaver Prozone Product Description). Nitrogen oxides also aid in the formation of ozone and are causes or acid rain (About Automobile Emissions). This further damages humans and the environment that they live in. Carbon Monoxide is caused when the combustion is incomplete. The carbon is only partially oxidized rather than if it is completely oxidized to form Carbon Dioxide (About Automobile Emissions). “Carbon Monoxide reduces the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream and is particularly dangerous to persons with heart disease” (About Automobile Emissions). But since 1961, there have been huge decreases in the amounts of pollution that is emitted by automobiles (Patterson 15). In 1970, the Clean Air Amendments Act “called for a further reduction in” hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide by “90 % by 1975” (Patterson 15). The external combustion engines do not run on gasoline, their source of fuel is water. Therefore, external combustion engines do not produce the types of emissions as internal combustion engines do. The electric engines, themselves, also do not produce the exhaust emissions that internal combustion engines do. But how do electric engines get the power they need to operate? They have to be plugged into an electrical outlet, if they are AC electric engines, or they have to be charged by a generator, which is an internal combustion engine. The electricity from the wall outlet is generated from an electric power plant which puts out more emissions than automobiles do. Which is equally or more detrimental to society and the environment. Based on this I do not see how society can function without the internal combustion engine. There is new technology that makes the internal combustion engine even cleaner and more efficient to use. One of the brands of this type of technology is the Fuelsaver Prozone. This is attached inside the engine as closely to the carburetor as possible (Fuelsaver Prozone Product Description). The Fuelsaver Prozone has a catalyst, which bonds the oxygen and the fuel more easily. This improves the combustibility of the fuel (Fuelsaver Prozone Product Description). There is also “a ferrite core which creates a magnetic field within the unit, altering the free electron structure of the fuel molecules” (Fuelsaver Prozone Product Description). This new technology results in less exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines as well as improved performance and prolonged engine life (Fuelsaver Prozone Product Description).[KW18]