Alternative fuels: How about an algae update?
I prefer the use of materials such as algae, switch grass and waste to produce feed stocks for alternate fuels. Primarily because these materials can be grown on land unsuitable for agriculture. I went shopping with my wife the other day. We observed that the price of ground chuck has risen from $4.02 per pound
Fuel Transfer and Filtration Systems
Maintaining diesel oil has always been a science, but with the advent of commercially prepared biodiesels, new threats have arisen from the depths of your fuel tank in the form of algae, sludge and other contaminants. Dangers of Biofuel: Biofuel contamination occurs when organic compounds are left clinging to the sides of a fuel tank
Fuel and oil: a year-end update
Much has happened this year in the areas of diesel engine oils and alternative fuels. We have approximately one year under our belts with the new API CK-4/FA-4 API performance categories. CK-4 is an improvement over CJ-4 in the areas of oxidative stability, viscosity control (shear stability), air entrainment (aeration), and catalyst/particulate trap durability. CK-4
What’s the alternative? A look at hydrogen, natural gas and zero-emissions trucks
Physicists tend to be long-term thinkers. If you recall, I mentioned in January 2010 that we would eventually end up using hydrogen fuel for our vehicles and nuclear energy to generate electricity. I also mentioned that gaseous fuels made perfect sense as an interim alternative fuel for our fleets. I had high hopes for algae-based
California, GHG Phase 2 and trucking
California’s government, its governor and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) continually amaze me by their apparent lack of logic. California recently passed legislation requiring electricity retailers to purchase at least 125 MW of biomass power within five years. They claim the biomass will be provided by dead or dying trees from high-hazard fire zones. Yet,
Fuels and oil: Finding truth in the noise
We live in a confusing age. Considerable information is available thanks to the internet, but there is no easy way of assessing its validity. Anyone can make a statement on the internet—and it is up to us to decide the truth of the statement. Let’s take a look at some recent claims that impact your
Alternate fuels update
Several interesting things are happening currently in the alternate fuels arena; so I feel readers need an update. My focus will be limited to alternate fuels for diesel engines only. Biodiesel has been taking some hits lately. Low crude oil prices have slowed biodiesel research dramatically. Even the introduction of natural gas has been slowed
How to develop a national energy dependency policy
I think I’m as patriotic an American as anyone. I believe we as a country can continue to lead the world with innovative thinking. However, when it comes to energy independence, we have suffered because politicians from both parties refuse to work together for the good of our nation. The United States has little control
Wix Filters offer water absorbers, test kits for diesel systems
Wix Filters is offering mobile and stationary water absorbers and test kits for diesel and gasoline systems. “These new offerings further strengthen Wix’s position as a global leader of filtration solutions,” said Edward Covington, vice president of global quality for Wix Filters. “We continuously seek out opportunities to solve our customers’ challenges and these products
Wix Filters introduces proactive molecular hydraulic oil water absorber
Wix Filters introduced a new tool for removing all forms of water in hydraulic oils—the proactive molecular hydraulic oil water absorber. According to the company, Wix’s hydraulic oil water absorber offers ongoing protection by removing all forms of water—bound, free and emulsified—in all hydraulic oils. The new product also neutralizes acids that cause metal surface