Alternative fuel infrastructure and application
For fleet managers, putting an alternative fuel truck—specifically natural gas—to work depends on two major factors: Infrastructure and application. According to the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, there are currently 713 public and 666 private CNG fueling stations and 54 public and 41 private LNG fueling stations in the U.S. The Department
Corn-based ethanol is swimming upstream
Corn-based ethanol production is currently about 10% of U.S. gasoline production, but overall sales volumes are down due to Americans driving more fuel efficient cars 9% less distance than they did in 2007. U.S. producers are exporting a lot of ethanol to keep their businesses profitable. Australia recently eliminated government ethanol production subsidies. Government subsidies
Clean fuel corner: Clear & bright—ISO cleanliness levels
When people talk about clear and bright, they could be chitchatting about the weather. However, in the domain of fuels and lubricants, this expression has been used since the ’80s. The oil industry calls it the Standard Test Method for Free Water and Particulate Contamination in Distillate Fuels (Visual). In all fairness, using the above
Clean fuel corner: Delivery and storage
Now that you understand how fuels are produced, the final product is ready to be delivered to customers that are spread across a wide geographical area. Fuels can be transported via pipe lines, rail carts, road tankers and sea [bulk cargo carriers]. The customer can be a bulk fuel depot that distributes the fuel to
Clean fuel corner: Additives in diesel fuel
Raw ultralow sulfur diesel fuels coming out of today’s modern refineries require various additives to bring them into specification. Although the details of each fuel spec vary in different parts of the world, the function of an additive is generally the same: to give the fuel a characteristic that it otherwise wouldn’t have right out
Clean fuel corner: Emissions driving changes and we say goodbye to sulfur
As we last discussed, many new engines employ high pressure common rail (HPCR) technology, injecting diesel fuel upwards of 2,700 bar. These engines are being challenged to meet stricter (read: cleaner) emissions requirements from governments around the world. To meet that challenge, engine OEMs are employing both on-engine and exhaust aftertreatment solutions. HPCR is an
Clean fuel corner: New engine technology and the need for clean fuel
Welcome to the Clean Fuel Corner! This column is an opportunity for you to learn more about how evolving diesel engine technology is driving the need for cleaner fuel. While that may seem to be fairly straightforward, delivering clean and dry fuel consistently to your engine’s fuel injection system can be a great challenge. We’ll
Blu., Comdata partner to accept card payments at LNG fueling stations
Blu., an operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling stations and provider of LNG technology solutions, announced details of its partnership with Comdata— a relationship that will allow Comdata to manage card payments at all Blu. LNG fueling stations nationwide. “This partnership with Comdata helps set Blu. apart within the LNG fueling industry,” said Merritt Norton chief
3M, xperion develop a new line of CNG tanks
3M and xperion announced an agreement to develop a new line of 3M-branded compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for use in the heavy-duty transportation industry. The tanks will integrate 3M’s Matrix Resin technology with xperion’s engineering and proprietary design technology. A new xperion facility, currently being constructed near Columbus, Ohio, in the city of Heath,
Royal Purple introduces commercial lubricant line
Synthetic lubricant manufacturer Royal Purple introduced its new commercial lubricant product line Duralec. The new line of high performance lubricants has been specifically developed for the over-the-road trucking, construction, mining, agriculture and heavy-duty fleet markets with technology to optimize equipment performance, said Royal Purple. Duralec commercial products include heavy-duty motor oils, transmission fluids, gear oil, multi-purpose
CNG usage is growing rapidly
It’s gratifying to see how rapidly compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid natural gas (LNG) are being incorporated into both power generation and transportation. For several reasons, biofuels have not been able to keep pace. Gaseous fuels usage is increasing in spite of the fact that we still have no reasonable national energy policy. The
Racor releases GreenMAX fuel filter brochure
Racor Division of Parker Hannifin Corp. made available its new GreenMAX Fuel Filter Water Separator brochure. The brochure offers complete product information on the new GreenMAX fuel filter. The GreenMAX is a heavy-duty, high-capacity, fuel filter water separator with options for all weather operations, says Racor. There are three heating options available, including a patented