Chemical engineering IMPROVING ‘DIESEL Gary Flanders, 2 chemical engineer, is changing how the country uses fuel. Most of the country uses fossil fuels for energy. Gary is making breakthroughs with alternative fuel He's starting with diesel, which powers buses and trucks. He's working on a new fuel called biodiesel. Because it comes from plants instead of petroleum, its completely biodegradable and non-toxic. It is also 100% renewable. ISSSSSSI__ But some people don't like biodiesel. They say BANS that it requires too much farmland, And creating additional farmlands would destroy animal habitats. Critics are also worried that farmers would grow crops for biodiesel instead of food. This \, would cause food shortages. Get ready! @ Before you read the passage, talk about these questions. 1 What is chemical engineering? 2 How does chemical engineering affect the world? Reading Vocabulary @ Read this newspaper article about chemical © Match the words (1-7) with the engineering. Then, choose the correct answers. definitions (A-G). 1 What is the article about? 1 —diesel : A how biofuel damages farms 2 _chemical engineer B the damage caused by fossil fuels 3 —petroleum © the types of work chemical engineers do 4 biodiesel D the risks and benefits of an alternative fuel 5 —renewable a 6 _fossil fuel 2+ What can you infer from the article? 7 ee A. Biodiesel works in any veticle. | B Biodiesel is as poisonous as fossil fuels. A. energy source made from vegetable oils or animal fat not poisonous a type of oil energy source like coal and oil © Crop shortages slow the spread of biodiesel. D People use alternative fuels less than fossil fuels. 3. Which of the following is NOT true? A. Biodiesel breaks down naturally B Biodiesel has a renewable source ei Goes wii caine © Biodiesel requires a lot of farmland. SEE initio D Biodiesel contaminates animal habitats. chemical industry able to be replaced o7™mooa 26@ Use the words from the word bank to fill in the blanks, biodegradable fuel alternative fuel 1. Switch to ain) — like biodiesel 2 _____ materials break down quickly. 3. Most cars today use gasoline for © @ Listen and read the article. Why are some people against biodiesel? Listening @ @ Listen to a conversation between a chemical engineer and a reporter. Mark the following statements as true (T) or false (F). 1 _ The engineer admits that biodiesel has risks. 2. __ Biodiesel can be made from non-food crops. 3. Aigae has failed as a source of biodiesel @ @ Listen again and complete the conversation. So what do you think about the 1 of biodiesel? What do you mean? Many critics say that 2____will cause a food shortage, 13 ____. There are enough crops in the word to supply both food and fuel. But as the population grows, 4 or both will increase. That's why we're starting to make biodiesel from § Really? What crops are you using? = Well, we've had 6 making biodiesel from algae. (ATT Speaking © With a partner, act out the roles below, based on task 7. Then switch roles, What do you think about y There are enough .. What crops are you using? Student A: You are a reporter. Ask Student B questions to find out about: © tisks of biodiesel © food shortages ‘© non-food crops ‘Student B: You are a chemical engineer. Answer Student A's questions about biodiesel. Writing © Use the newspaper article and the conversation from Task 8 to complete the reporter's notes. Interview with: About: —_ Engineer's thoughts on risks: | Alternatives: Having success with: —__ S| -