Team:Washington/Alkanes/Background

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The world is based upon petroleum based fuels. However, these fuels are non-renewable, and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Several attempts have been made to replace petroleum with biologically derived fuels that can

be made in a renewable manner, with emitted Carbon dioxide being reused to make more fuel (ethanol and other

alchohols, and biodiesel). However, our current infrastructure and engines are designed to run on alkane based

fuels. These "alternative" fuels are characterized by increased corrosivity, and often have lower