Gasoline is not a single substance. It is a complex mixture of components which vary widely in their physical and chemical properties. There is no such thing as pure gasoline. Gasoline must cover a wide range of operating conditions, such as variations in fuel systems, engine temperatures, fuel pumps and fuel pressure. It must also cover a variety of climates, altitudes, and driving patterns. The properties of gasoline must be balanced to give satisfactory engine performance over an extremely wide range of circumstances. In some respects, the prevailing quality standards represent compromises, so that all the numerous performance requirements may be satisfied.
Auto manufacturers have, for many years, used materials that are compatible with oxygenated fuels. However, with the widespread use of oxygenated fuels and reformulated gasoline, certain myths have resurfaced, so they warrant mention here. In earlier versions of this manual this topic was covered in greater detail, including photographs from various tests and applicable service bulletins.
The information presented was segmented into two categories, metals and elastomers.
Most metal components in automobile fuel systems will corrode or rust in the presence of water, air or acidic compounds. The gasoline distribution system usually contains water, and additional moisture may collect in the automobile tank from condensation. Gasoline may also contain traces of sulfur and organic acids. Gasoline has always been recognized as potentially corrosive. Pipelines which distribute gasoline routinely require that corrosion inhibitors be contained in gasoline to protect their plain steel pipe. Therefore, corrosion inhibitors have been routinely added to gasoline for many years.
Alcohols are more soluble in water than MTBE. The addition of ethanol will increase a gasoline’s ability to hold water. Therefore, an ethanol enhanced gasoline may have a slightly higher moisture content than non-blended gasoline. Several tests have been reported on ethanol enhanced gasolines. Vehicle fuel tanks and fuel system components from autos operated for extended periods on these blends were removed, cut open, and examined. These tests have generally concluded that ethanol does not increase corrosion in normal, everyday operation.
Auto manufacturers have indicated they do not have major concerns about metal corrosion, provided that all fuels contain effective corrosion inhibitors at the proper treatment levels. Responsible ethanol producers recognize that not all commercial gasolines are adequately treated for blending, and have, for some time, included a corrosion inhibitor in their ethanol.
Elastomer compatibility is more difficult to generalize. A number of gasoline ingredients can have an effect on elastomer swelling and deterioration. For instance, aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, have been shown to have detrimental effects on some fuel system elastomers. Gasolines sold today have a higher level of aromatics than those sold in the 1970s.
The addition of alcohols or ethers to gasoline can also cause swelling in fuel system elastomers. Swelling can be severe with methanol, but relatively insignificant with other alcohols. Ten volume percent ethanol contributes less swelling than the amount of additional aromatics needed to obtain the same increase in octane number. The combination of ethanol or MTBE with high aromatic levels may cause greater swelling than either product by itself.
Automobile and parts manufacturers have been responsive to the changes occurring in today’s gasoline. Materials problems are less likely to occur with newer vehicles because of the upgrading of fuel system materials that has occurred since the introduction of higher aromatic unleaded gasolines and the addition of alcohols and ethers. All major automobile manufacturers have indicated that their late model vehicles are equipped with fuel system components upgraded for use with these fuels.
While all auto manufacturers warrant the use of 10 percent ethanol blends or gasoline containing MTBE. Fuel systems in 1975 to 1980 model years were
upgraded, but not to the same extent as later models. Pre- 1975 models may have fuel system components that are sensitive to high aromatic gasolines, alcohols and ethers. Specific documentation of the effect fuel components have on older fuel system parts is often lacking.
Technicians who find themselves replacing parts on pre-1980 vehicles should specify that replacement parts be resistant to such fuel components. These products include Viton® (EGR valves, fuel inlet needle tips) and fluoro elastomers (fuel lines, evaporative control lines, etc.)
It is interesting to note that many of the aromatic components of gasoline such as benzene, toluene, and xylene do not fare very well on chemical compatibility charts with common elastomers used in modern day engines. However, many of the same elastomer components show a good to excellent rating in the presence of ethanol.
I have provided a link to a chemical compatibility chart so you too can see how ethanol and other components of aromatic gasolines fares in the presence of elastomers.
I have also provided a link to Changes in Gasoline III, The Auto Technicians Gasoline Quality Guide. Changes in Gasoline III is the latest in the ongoing series of Changes in Gasoline manuals. The first manual, entitled Changes in Gasoline & the Automobile Service Technician, was originally published in 1987. Over a four year period it was periodically updated to focus on fuel related areas of greatest interest to automobile service technicians. The first version of the manual achieved a circulation of 345,000 copies.
This is by far the most comprehensive guide that I have even seen concerning common components of gasoline and it effects on use in new and older model vehicles.
There is also a great deal of information on use in small engines including outboard motors. This manual is a must read for the automobile and small engine techicians.
Chemical compatibility chart
Changes in Gasoline III
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Corn Ethanol blamed for Gulf Dead Zones?
Saturday, June 27, 2009 |
In recent years, there has been great uncertainty regarding the cause of the hypoxic zone (low oxygen) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. This has often been the result of a lack of data to support many of the prevailing theories regarding the size, duration and source of the problem. This paper looks at the available information and draws thefollowing conclusions.
First, the hypoxic zone is seasonal. While localized effects can be severe, vast “dead zones” with widespread negative effects on the fishing industry may be overstated. On the contrary, it is possible that the water flow from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) delivers the basic nutrients required for the very existence of the northern Gulf fishing industry.
Second, fishing data since 1985 shows no negative impact nor any clear relationship between the fish catch, the flow of water through the MARB or the size of the seasonal hypoxic zone.
Third, there is also no clear evidence of a relationship between nitrogen and the size of the seasonal hypoxic zone. In recent years, as corn production has become more efficient and yields have increased, the nitrogen removed from corn fields in the grain may equal or exceed the amount of nitrogen applied in the fertilizer.
While many conclude that corn ethanol is the real reason for the large Gulf Dead Zones, a closer look shows that this is just not true.
There are several sources of nitrogen that contribute to algae growth in the Gulf.
1) Natural sources such as fixation, soil, etc.
2) Agricultural sources such as fertilizer application
3) Industrial sources such as waste water treatment
4) Municipal sources such as sewage, golf courses, and run‐off from lawns, etc.
There has been considerable finger‐pointing at agriculture as the source of N and, in particular, at corn because the total N application is relatively high.
We explored this further to determine the net N balance in relation to corn: our hypothesis was that since corn yield has increased considerably over the years then the nitrogen removed in the grain will have increased, thereby, resulting in a large increase in nitrogen use efficiency in corn.
It should be noted that between 1970 and 1980 the N removed was just over 50% of
the applied N. However, as yields corn increased without a corresponding increase in applied N, the ratio gradually improved until, for 2007, the N amount removed in the grain is about equal to the N amount applied.
Therefore, under present day cultural practices, the net balance for N applied and N removed in corn is such that there is no excess N available due to fertilizer use. The conclusion then is that any change in N entering the Gulf via the MARB, over time, is probably not related to the use of fertilizer N for corn.
Other possible sources.
The amount of N flowing through the MARB that originates from sewage has likely increased by a considerable amount. While difficult to calculate the exact number, we can assume that N output per person is relatively constant, while the population within the Mississippi watershed increased by 22% between 1970 and 2000.
Another source that is linked to population and the expansion of homes is that from the N applied to lawns.
The estimated area for lawns, which includes golf courses and other commercial grass areas, in 2005, was ~64K sq miles = 41 MM acres across the U.S. We estimate that 60% of the area falls within the Mississippi watershed, which would be 24.6 MM acres of lawns.
The typical recommendation for lawns works out to be 130 lb N/acre/season.
Therefore, the amount of N applied to lawns within the Mississippi watershed is 3.2 billion lbs, or 1.6 MM tons N per year.
Since most lawns are cut and mulched there is relatively little removal of N, unlike the grain in corn. Consequently, a major portion of the N applied to lawns may be available for leaching. While the total amount of N applied to lawns is approx 25% of the total N applied to corn, the net N available for leaching per acre is almost infinitely higher for lawns than from corn.
Complete study with charts
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First, the hypoxic zone is seasonal. While localized effects can be severe, vast “dead zones” with widespread negative effects on the fishing industry may be overstated. On the contrary, it is possible that the water flow from the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) delivers the basic nutrients required for the very existence of the northern Gulf fishing industry.
Second, fishing data since 1985 shows no negative impact nor any clear relationship between the fish catch, the flow of water through the MARB or the size of the seasonal hypoxic zone.
Third, there is also no clear evidence of a relationship between nitrogen and the size of the seasonal hypoxic zone. In recent years, as corn production has become more efficient and yields have increased, the nitrogen removed from corn fields in the grain may equal or exceed the amount of nitrogen applied in the fertilizer.
While many conclude that corn ethanol is the real reason for the large Gulf Dead Zones, a closer look shows that this is just not true.
There are several sources of nitrogen that contribute to algae growth in the Gulf.
1) Natural sources such as fixation, soil, etc.
2) Agricultural sources such as fertilizer application
3) Industrial sources such as waste water treatment
4) Municipal sources such as sewage, golf courses, and run‐off from lawns, etc.
There has been considerable finger‐pointing at agriculture as the source of N and, in particular, at corn because the total N application is relatively high.
We explored this further to determine the net N balance in relation to corn: our hypothesis was that since corn yield has increased considerably over the years then the nitrogen removed in the grain will have increased, thereby, resulting in a large increase in nitrogen use efficiency in corn.
It should be noted that between 1970 and 1980 the N removed was just over 50% of
the applied N. However, as yields corn increased without a corresponding increase in applied N, the ratio gradually improved until, for 2007, the N amount removed in the grain is about equal to the N amount applied.
Therefore, under present day cultural practices, the net balance for N applied and N removed in corn is such that there is no excess N available due to fertilizer use. The conclusion then is that any change in N entering the Gulf via the MARB, over time, is probably not related to the use of fertilizer N for corn.
Other possible sources.
The amount of N flowing through the MARB that originates from sewage has likely increased by a considerable amount. While difficult to calculate the exact number, we can assume that N output per person is relatively constant, while the population within the Mississippi watershed increased by 22% between 1970 and 2000.
Another source that is linked to population and the expansion of homes is that from the N applied to lawns.
The estimated area for lawns, which includes golf courses and other commercial grass areas, in 2005, was ~64K sq miles = 41 MM acres across the U.S. We estimate that 60% of the area falls within the Mississippi watershed, which would be 24.6 MM acres of lawns.
The typical recommendation for lawns works out to be 130 lb N/acre/season.
Therefore, the amount of N applied to lawns within the Mississippi watershed is 3.2 billion lbs, or 1.6 MM tons N per year.
Since most lawns are cut and mulched there is relatively little removal of N, unlike the grain in corn. Consequently, a major portion of the N applied to lawns may be available for leaching. While the total amount of N applied to lawns is approx 25% of the total N applied to corn, the net N available for leaching per acre is almost infinitely higher for lawns than from corn.
Complete study with charts
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President Obama Announces Over $467 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Geothermal and Solar Energy Projects
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 |
WASHINGTON – President Obama today announced over $467 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States. The funding announced today represents a substantial down payment that will help the solar and geothermal industries overcome technical barriers, demonstrate new technologies, and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come. Today’s announcement supports the Obama Administration’s strategy to increase American economic competiveness, while supporting jobs and moving toward a clean energy economy.
“We have a choice. We can remain the world’s leading importer of oil, or we can become the world’s leading exporter of clean energy,” said President Obama. “We can hand over the jobs of the future to our competitors, or we can confront what they have already recognized as the great opportunity of our time: the nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy. That’s the nation I want America to be.”
"We have an ambitious agenda to put millions of people to work by investing in clean energy technology like solar and geothermal energy,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "These technologies represent two pieces of a broad energy portfolio that will help us aggressively fight climate change and renew our position as a global leader in clean energy jobs.”
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a clean source of renewable energy that harnesses heat from the Earth for heating applications and electricity generation; geothermal plants can operate around the clock to provide significant uninterrupted “base load” electricity, or the minimum amount a power utility must provide to its customers.
The Recovery Act makes a $350 million new investment in this technology, dwarfing previous government commitments. Recovery Act funding will support projects in four crucial areas: geothermal demonstration projects; Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) research and development; innovative exploration techniques; and a National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment and Classification System.
* Geothermal Demonstration Projects ($140 Million)
Funding will support demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies to advance geothermal energy in new geographic areas, as well as geothermal energy production from oil and natural gas fields, geopressured fields, and low to moderate temperature geothermal resources.
* Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology Research and Development ($80 Million)
Funding will support research of EGS technology to allow geothermal power generation across the country. Conventional geothermal energy systems must be located near easily-accessible geothermal water resources, limiting its nationwide use. EGS makes use of available heat resources through engineered reservoirs, which can then be tapped to produce electricity. While the long-term goal of EGS is to generate cost competitive clean electricity, enabling research and development is needed to demonstrate the technology’s readiness in the near-term.
* Innovative Exploration Techniques ($100 Million)
Funding will support projects that include exploration, siting, drilling, and characterization of a series of exploration wells utilizing innovative exploration techniques. Exploration of geothermal energy resources can carry a high upfront risk. By investing in and validating innovative exploration technologies and methods, DOE can help reduce the level of upfront risk for the private sector, allowing for increased investment and discovery of new geothermal resources.
* National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment, and Classification System ($30 Million)
The long-term success of geothermal energy technologies depends upon a detailed characterization of geothermal energy resources nationwide. In 2008, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted an assessment of high temperature resource potential in the Western United States. To fully leverage new low-temperature, geopressured, co-production, and EGS technologies, DOE will support a nationwide assessment of geothermal resources, working through the USGS and other partners. Second, DOE will support the development of a nationwide data system to make resource data available to academia, researchers, and the private sector. Finally, DOE will support the development of a geothermal resource classification system for use in determining site potential.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a rapidly expanding industry with a double-digit annual growth rate in the United States. DOE is focused on supporting the U.S. industry’s scaling up of manufacturing, production, and distribution so the technology can become cost competitive with conventional sources of energy. DOE will provide $117.6 million in Recovery Act funding to accelerate widespread commercialization of clean solar energy technologies across America. These activities will leverage partnerships that include DOE’s national laboratories, universities, local government, and the private sector, to strengthen the U.S. solar industry and make it a leader in international markets.
* Photovoltaic Technology Development ($51.5 Million)
DOE will expand investment in advanced photovoltaic concepts and high impact technologies, with the aim of making solar energy cost-competitive with conventional sources of electricity and to strengthen the competitiveness and capabilities of domestic manufacturers.
* Solar Energy Deployment ($40.5 Million)
Projects in this area will focus on non-technical barriers to solar energy deployment, including grid connection, market barriers to solar energy adoption in cities, and the shortage of trained solar energy installers. Combined with new technology development, these deployment activities will help clear the path for wider adoption of solar energy in residential, commercial, and municipal environments.
* Concentrating Solar Power Research and Development ($25.6 Million)
This work will focus on improving the reliability of concentrating solar power technologies and enhancing the capabilities of DOE National Laboratories to provide test and evaluation support to the solar industry.
Department of Energy Press Release
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“We have a choice. We can remain the world’s leading importer of oil, or we can become the world’s leading exporter of clean energy,” said President Obama. “We can hand over the jobs of the future to our competitors, or we can confront what they have already recognized as the great opportunity of our time: the nation that leads the world in creating new sources of clean energy will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy. That’s the nation I want America to be.”
"We have an ambitious agenda to put millions of people to work by investing in clean energy technology like solar and geothermal energy,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said. "These technologies represent two pieces of a broad energy portfolio that will help us aggressively fight climate change and renew our position as a global leader in clean energy jobs.”
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a clean source of renewable energy that harnesses heat from the Earth for heating applications and electricity generation; geothermal plants can operate around the clock to provide significant uninterrupted “base load” electricity, or the minimum amount a power utility must provide to its customers.
The Recovery Act makes a $350 million new investment in this technology, dwarfing previous government commitments. Recovery Act funding will support projects in four crucial areas: geothermal demonstration projects; Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) research and development; innovative exploration techniques; and a National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment and Classification System.
* Geothermal Demonstration Projects ($140 Million)
Funding will support demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies to advance geothermal energy in new geographic areas, as well as geothermal energy production from oil and natural gas fields, geopressured fields, and low to moderate temperature geothermal resources.
* Enhanced Geothermal Systems Technology Research and Development ($80 Million)
Funding will support research of EGS technology to allow geothermal power generation across the country. Conventional geothermal energy systems must be located near easily-accessible geothermal water resources, limiting its nationwide use. EGS makes use of available heat resources through engineered reservoirs, which can then be tapped to produce electricity. While the long-term goal of EGS is to generate cost competitive clean electricity, enabling research and development is needed to demonstrate the technology’s readiness in the near-term.
* Innovative Exploration Techniques ($100 Million)
Funding will support projects that include exploration, siting, drilling, and characterization of a series of exploration wells utilizing innovative exploration techniques. Exploration of geothermal energy resources can carry a high upfront risk. By investing in and validating innovative exploration technologies and methods, DOE can help reduce the level of upfront risk for the private sector, allowing for increased investment and discovery of new geothermal resources.
* National Geothermal Data System, Resource Assessment, and Classification System ($30 Million)
The long-term success of geothermal energy technologies depends upon a detailed characterization of geothermal energy resources nationwide. In 2008, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) conducted an assessment of high temperature resource potential in the Western United States. To fully leverage new low-temperature, geopressured, co-production, and EGS technologies, DOE will support a nationwide assessment of geothermal resources, working through the USGS and other partners. Second, DOE will support the development of a nationwide data system to make resource data available to academia, researchers, and the private sector. Finally, DOE will support the development of a geothermal resource classification system for use in determining site potential.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a rapidly expanding industry with a double-digit annual growth rate in the United States. DOE is focused on supporting the U.S. industry’s scaling up of manufacturing, production, and distribution so the technology can become cost competitive with conventional sources of energy. DOE will provide $117.6 million in Recovery Act funding to accelerate widespread commercialization of clean solar energy technologies across America. These activities will leverage partnerships that include DOE’s national laboratories, universities, local government, and the private sector, to strengthen the U.S. solar industry and make it a leader in international markets.
* Photovoltaic Technology Development ($51.5 Million)
DOE will expand investment in advanced photovoltaic concepts and high impact technologies, with the aim of making solar energy cost-competitive with conventional sources of electricity and to strengthen the competitiveness and capabilities of domestic manufacturers.
* Solar Energy Deployment ($40.5 Million)
Projects in this area will focus on non-technical barriers to solar energy deployment, including grid connection, market barriers to solar energy adoption in cities, and the shortage of trained solar energy installers. Combined with new technology development, these deployment activities will help clear the path for wider adoption of solar energy in residential, commercial, and municipal environments.
* Concentrating Solar Power Research and Development ($25.6 Million)
This work will focus on improving the reliability of concentrating solar power technologies and enhancing the capabilities of DOE National Laboratories to provide test and evaluation support to the solar industry.
Department of Energy Press Release
Related Posts:
February Biodiesel Production Rises
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 |
February biodiesel production rose by just over 2 million gallons over January numbers.
February 2009 - 35,528,366 gallons
January 2009 - 33,394,510 gallons
December 2008 - 48,584,837 gallons
November 2008 - 62,218,170 gallons
October 2008 - 61,718,000 gallons
September 2008 - 64,134,000 gallons
August 2008 - 66,696,000 gallons
July 2008 - 67,410,000 gallons
June 2008 - 63,378,000 gallons
May 2008 - 52,500,000 gallons
April 2008 - 52,836,000 gallons
March 2008 - 49,056,000 gallons
February 2008 - 43,260,000 gallons
January 2008 - 50,736,000 gallons
2007 - 489,804,000 gallons
Source : U.S. Census Bureau
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February 2009 - 35,528,366 gallons
January 2009 - 33,394,510 gallons
December 2008 - 48,584,837 gallons
November 2008 - 62,218,170 gallons
October 2008 - 61,718,000 gallons
September 2008 - 64,134,000 gallons
August 2008 - 66,696,000 gallons
July 2008 - 67,410,000 gallons
June 2008 - 63,378,000 gallons
May 2008 - 52,500,000 gallons
April 2008 - 52,836,000 gallons
March 2008 - 49,056,000 gallons
February 2008 - 43,260,000 gallons
January 2008 - 50,736,000 gallons
2007 - 489,804,000 gallons
Source : U.S. Census Bureau
Related Posts:
February Ethanol Production Higher
Friday, May 01, 2009 |
The total amount of ethanol produced during February was down from the total from January due to the fact that February had 3 fewer days. The daily production volume increased from 630,000 barrels per day in January to 647,000 barrels per day in February.
Source: - Energy Information Administration
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Ethanol Production Numbers in Gallons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Production | Imports | Stocks | Consumption | |
February 2009 | 761,040,000 | 2,142,000 | 658,896,000 | 700,098,000 |
January 2009 | 820,890,000 | 15,582,000 | 595,812,000 | 837,858,000 |
December 2008 | 854,364,000 | 19,446,000 | 597,198,000 | 916,146,000 |
November 2008 | 842,268,000 | 11,676,000 | 639,534,000 | 852,474,000 |
October 2008 | 842,016,000 | 25,830,000 | 638,064,000 | 901,530,000 |
September 2008 | 806,274,000 | 103,572,000 | 671,748,000 | 863,142,000 |
August 2008 | 842,478,000 | 81,102,000 | 625,044,000 | 852,348,000 |
July 2008 | 799,764,000 | 57,120,000 | 553,812,000 | 819,840,000 |
June 2008 | 736,848,000 | 65,982,000 | 516,768,000 | 791,910,000 |
May 2008 | 778,806,000 | 36,372,000 | 505,848,000 | 793,968,000 |
April 2008 | 708,456,000 | 60,942,000 | 484,638,000 | 763,182,000 |
March 2008 | 730,674,000 | 15,456,000 | 478,422,000 | 707,238,000 |
February 2008 | 631,050,000 | 20,286,000 | 439,530,000 | 660,114,000 |
Source: - Energy Information Administration
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