Crude Oil: Black Gold or Black Menace?
Crude Oil: Black Gold or Black Menace?
With all the publicity nowadays surrounding the price of Crude Oil, I resolved to write an enlightening article on the backdrop of the so-called “Black Gold.” I’ll briefly go over history, environmental effects, pricing and the future of the thick black sludge that is coveted by every major economy in the world. Hopefully you can reach a better point of view on the subject.
The history of Crude Oil is too immense to discuss in this brief editorial so I will limit it to a general overview. The first oil wells were drilled in China in the 4th century. They where as much as 243 meters deep and were drilled utilizing drill bits attached to bamboo poles. The contemporary history of crude began in 1846, with the breakthrough of the process of refining kerosene from coal by Atlantic Canada’s Abraham Pineo Gesner. The first rock oil mine was built in Bobrka, Poland the following year. These breakthroughs rapidly spread around the world, and Meerzoeff built the first Russian refinery in the mature oil fields at Baku in 1861.
James Miller Williams in Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada in 1858, excavated the first commercial oil well drilled in North America. The American petroleum industry commenced with Edwin Drake’s discovery of oil in 1859, near Titusville, Pennsylvania. The industry matured slowly in the 1800s, driven by the demand for kerosene and oil lamps. It became a major national business in the early part of the 20th century. With the introduction of the internal combustion engine came a need that has largely sustained the industry to this day.
While we all need to get to work in some way or another, rarely does anyone consider the environmental effects of the fuel that powers our mode of transportation. Yes we know that the emissions from are cars, buses and trains have a green house effect on our delicate environment; but what about the rest of our ecology?
Oil extraction is costly and occasionally environmentally detrimental, although Dr. John Hunt from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution revealed in a 1981 paper that over 70% of the reserves in the world are associated with visible macroseepages, and numerous oil fields are found due to natural leaks. Offshore exploration and extraction of oil agitates the encompassing marine environment. Exploration could call for dredging, which stirs up the sea bottom, stamping out the ocean plants that nautical creatures need to survive. Not to mention the typical Crude Oil and refined fuel spills from tanker ship accidents. All of these factors have tainted frail ecosystems all over the world.
Petroleum products are priced like most commodities: supply and demand. While this may sound simple, the actual start to finish process can be a lot more complex subject. References to oil prices are generally related to the spot price of either WTI/Light Crude as traded on New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Priced by the barrel, Crude Oil is rapidly becoming the most costly commodity on the market (second only to Gold).
Oil pricing is extremely reliant on both its grade and location. The vast majority of oil will not be traded on an exchange but on an over-the-counter basis, typically with reference to a standard crude oil grade that is quoted via a pricing agency such as Argus Media Ltd or Platts. It is often claimed that OPEC arranges the oil price and the real monetary value of a barrel of oil is in the area of $2, which is equivalent to the cost of extraction of a barrel in the Middle East. These appraisals of costs disregard the cost of finding and developing oil reserves.
You can’t talk about the future of oil without talking about the “Hubbert Peak” oil theory. This hypothesis depicts the long-term rate of production of conventional oil and other fuels. It assumes that oil reserves are not replenishable. It also predicts that future world oil production must unavoidably reach a crest and then decline as these reserves are exhausted. Like every other theory of any importance it is highly controversial. “When will the Oil actually start to run out?” is the big question.
No matter how you look at it, our society needs to concentrate more efforts on either alternative fuels or more fuel-efficient modes of transportation. While I’m sure that the oil won’t peter out in my life time I would like to think we can leave this world a better place for future generations.
In closing, I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the topic and made you a more informed consumer. So the next time your grumbling at the price of gas, at least you’ll understand what you re complaining about. If you would like to read more on the topic of Crude Oil, you can vistit http://www.crudeoilrefineryhome.com/ or read one of the books listed at the end of this article.
Books about the petroleum industry:
James Howard Kunstler (2005). The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century. Atlantic Monthly Press.
C.J. Campbell (2004). The Coming Oil Crisis.
Peter Odell (2004). Why Carbon Fuels Will Dominate the 21st Century’s Global Energy Economy. Multi Science.
Amory B. Lovins (2004). Winning the Oil Endgame. Rocky Mountain Institute.
Vaclav Smil (2003). Energy at the Crossroads : Global Perspectives and Uncertainties. The MIT Press.
Stephen Nelson is a professional commodity trader that specializes in the energy market. http://www.crudeoilrefineryhome.com/
10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency
1] Slow Down On The highway
Your car is optimized to drive at 40-60mph(80-100km/hr), when you drive 70-80+mph fuel efficiency drops by up to a whooping 33% . Yes 33% , that is not a typo. I had heard this before and thought it was an exaggeration, then I drove the new Chevrolet Cobalt which has a fuel efficiency gauge in it and I saw it first hand, what a surprise.
Is it worth speeding to save 5 minutes off your commute to work so you can just get held up in city traffic? Between the lost fuel efficiency, the extra wear and tear on the car driving beyond optimized speeds and inherent safety concerns I will need a good reason to start speeding on the highway from now on.
2] Cruise In The City
The same idea applies in city driving. Speeding up to make the next red light guzzles gas and is hard on your car. This can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%.
Why hurry up just to make the next red light? Let’s face it, speeding in the city doesn’t get you anywhere’s faster. If you drive like a bat out of hell you might make an extra light or two and chop a mere 2-4 minutes off your commute assuming you make it there alive.
I drive at sane speeds throughout the city while most others fly by me and hard brake at the next red light, I then pull up beside them or even pass them as I may not of needed to stop as the lights are usually synchronized for sane driving speeds not surprisingly (it also takes more gas to get back up to speed than to maintain it). So have some fun watching people fly by you and seeing them at the next red light knowing your car is much better off.
3] Tire Pressure
Here’s one everyone can do easily. It only takes a couple minutes to check your tires pressure. Under inflated tires can result in 3% less fuel efficiency.
4] Link Your Trips/Errands
Plan your trip to include as many destinations or errands as possible. Fewer trips means less cold starts, better fuel efficiency and less driving than multiple small trips.
5] Avoid Unnecessary Idling.
You’re getting 0 mpg for this one. If you’re going to wait 5-10 minutes for a friend give your car and wallet a break.
For those who live in colder climates this is a bigger issue. We all want our cars toasty warm in the winter time when we get inside. Today’s cars really only needs 30 second of idling to warm up even in cold weather, then 1-2 minutes of driving to get it fully warmed up. So bundle up and save yourself a bundle.
6] Maintain Your Car
Inexpensive oil and air filter changes can boost your cars performance and increase your cars lifespan. A blocked air filter can decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10% and a misfiring spark plug won’t help either. So try to follow your cars service manual.. It beats dealing with an unexpected major repair and major inconvenience..
7] Monitor Your Fuel efficiency
I like to measure how many miles / KM I get on half a tank after filling it up. It’s easier to measure this way as we don’t let our gas tanks completely run dry and its impossible to estimate how much was left when you fill it up again.
You can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy and if your habits haven’t changed and you fuel economy drops off, then maybe its time for some car maintenance.
Purchasing a fuel consumption gauge (if you car doesn’t already have one) can give you real time feedback and more accurate reading. This provides great instant feedback on driving habits.
8] Remove Unnecessary Items From Your Car
For each extra 100lbs you lose 1-2% fuel efficiency, so get the golf clubs out of the trunk until your next tee off time.
Leaving items on your roof rack also creates extra drag which makes your car work harder, so lock your mountain bikes up till the next trip.
9] Jack Rabbit Starts
Some people like to suddenly accelerate by putting their foot to the floor. This guzzles gas and gives marginal speed improvement to a gradual acceleration.
10] Back Off
Tail gating results in unnecessary breaking and accelerating. Hang back a little more and you can avoid the added stress and save some gas. It’s also safer to drive this way, give yourself an extra second to avoid an accident !
Paul Fezziwig writes for and administers 'Green Cars Now', <a href="http://www.greencarsnow.com">http://www.greencarsnow.com</a> , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and driving habits.
Diesel Air Intakes To Improve Performance
Like most diesel truck owners, you are probably always looking to improve your diesel performance. Luckily, there are many tools at your disposal to help make your truck run more efficiently as well as more powerfully. Whether you?ve been making performance modifications to your vehicle for some time, or you?ve just started, a quality intake is probably something you?ve been thinking of incorporating into your diesel performance plan.
Quadzilla
Quadzilla intakes are one of the most popular, and when you see green, you know are you are looking at a Quadzilla intake as they use green exclusively. All Quadzilla intakes are built from steel and are powder-coated wrinkle black. Quadzilla is considered superior to other brands for a variety of reasons including the green woven cotton that wears better, and has better filtering capabilities. Quadzilla also uses just two layers, instead of up to seven, which obviously allows more airflow. With Quadzilla you can see up to 35 horsepower gains, which is quite remarkable.
AFE Trueflow
AFE Trueflow is another diesel air intake that you might want to look into. If you are tired of changing your paper air filter, AFE Trueflow might be just what you are looking for. This air intake filter involves five cotton gauze layers and two non-woven synthetic layers. With the AFE Trueflow you?ll benefit from high filtration and a long service life. The AFE Trueflow has been specifically designed for your Chevy Duramax, Dodge Cummins, or Ford Powerstroke that is operating under heavy-duty work conditions. This is definitely a great buy, and a brand you can believe in.
Of course, when you mention diesel intakes, the Banks brand is one that fits right in. Banks has developed a series of intakes that will allow your engine to maximize efficiency by balancing the air and fuel ratio leading to safe engine temperatures, engine durability, fuel efficiency, and powerful performance every time. Banks has a theme of ?First Air, Then Fuel? and this carries over to their intakes, which will enhance your performance every time. When you match their intakes with power chips, you?ll find that you have a great combination to work with!
Bully Dog
Bully dog is another of the obvious choices for a diesel performance air intake solution. Bully dog cold air intakes deliver more oxygen for more power, in every truck, every time. While Bully dog is known for just about every thing diesel and even Bully dog propane, it?s a brand that you can really trust and comes through every time. If you want more horsepower, a Bully dog air intake is what you need to get the job done. Even better, Bully dog has consistent prices so that you can improve your diesel performance as cost effectively as possible.
Diesel performance is definitely affected by air intake, so if you haven?t already, you should consider the intakes above to work with your diesel tuners, diesel chips, and even your diesel exhaust to improve your performance even more! You?ll be amazed at what the right air intake can do for your truck.
If you are looking for any diesel performance products such as diesel chips, air intakes and exhaust please visit <a href="http://www.dieselsmoke.com" title="http://www.dieselsmoke.com" target="_blank">http://www.dieselsmoke.com</a>
Battle of the Traffic Schools: Traditional versus Online
The cost of driving increases every year and due to this most drivers are often willing to do whatever it takes to keep their costs down. That means going to traffic school if they commit a traffic vi
Gas Prices Soaring Up And Up
Prices of gasoline are rising every day. The price per barrel has increased a whopping 60% since the year 2000. How mind-boggling is that? Yes there may be some days when we go to the pumps and the prices are slightly down but they never seem to stay that way too long. How many of us are searching for that gas station with the cheapest gas of the day? What a waste of gas, time and money that is especially when you have to sit there and wait in a long line to purchase the fuel. Well my friends I do not see any light at the end of the tunnel as far as the price of gas goes, and unless we all decide we are taking public transportation, bicycles or just going to walk, we have no choice. Saving on the amount of fuel you are burning in your car right now is one of the only ways you are going to save money on gasoline because the cost for fuel will increase further. There might be days of lower prices, but in general it will only go higher and higher. There are a lot of great automobiles that will get better gas mileage then others; the thing is a lot of us just can not afford to buy one; we have to drive what we have. Is there a solution for new cars, used cars, trucks, motor-bikes, etc. to save on fuel, and therefore save money? We all have to drive and I believe as long as that is our only option fuel savings should be one of our highest priorities. So how do we go about saving money on our fuel costs? Well you can always take a look at your driving habits. There are plenty of good articles and tips on the internet that will help you develop good driving habits. The other way to save money on fuel is to research and test some of the additives and fuel conditioners that are on the market today, however be careful, study the science of the product, make sure it s EPA registered so you know it s safe for your vehicle, check to make sure the product has been properly tested, and what s the cost verses the savings. These are just a few of the factors you ll want to consider when buying a fuel additive or conditioner. There are a lot of different products out there and deciding which one to try can be a difficult choice. Just use your common sense and don t get fooled by unrealistic claims. We have researched a number of different products that help save on fuel. There are some great products out there that really do work. For a report on our findings please feel free to contact us at: Ken Flegel or Brenda Larsen (306)545-4535 or (306)501-7424 E-mail kenflegel@sasktel.net
Ken Flegel works as a certified electronic technician , part time mechanic, and purchaser for the local school board. One of his responsibilities is the purchasing of the fuel for all the board s vehicles therefore giving him extensive knowledge in fuel quality, condition, and price.
Diesel Fuel Quality Is A Question Not A Guarantee
Diesel engine designs striving to increase engine performance have made great advancements in engine fuel delivery to the combustion chamber. Today’s diesel engine is quieter, smoother, and more powerful. But today’s diesel engine owners are overlooking one important factor. The quality of today’s diesel fuel has not advanced at the same rate as the engine improvements.
Diesel fuel begins to deteriorate as soon as it is produced. Within 30 days of refining, all diesel fuel regardless of brand, goes through a natural process called re-polymerization and oxidation. This process forms varnishes and insoluble gums in the fuel by causing the molecules of the fuel to lengthen and bond together. These components now drop to the bottom of the fuel tank and form asphaltene also known as diesel sludge. The fuel begins to turn dark in color, smell bad, and in most cases causes engines to smoke. The engines smoke because some of these clusters in the early stages are small enough in size to pass through the engine filtration and into the combustion chamber. As these clusters increase in size, only part of the molecule gets burned. The rest goes out the exhaust as unburned fuel and smoke. With increases in cluster size they begin to reduce the flow of fuel by clogging filters. The filters only address the symptom and not the cause.
It is estimated that eight out of every ten diesel engine failures have been directly related to poor quality and contaminated fuel. The build-up of contaminates in the fuel systems and storage tanks can quickly clog filters, thus resulting in engine shut down, fuel pump wear, and diesel engine damage.
Understand that most fuel has some amount of water in it from either condensation or vents. This threat requires that we realize the added burden placed upon diesel fuel as opposed to gasoline. Gasoline acts as a fuel only. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, also must cool and lubricate injection system parts. These parts are engineered to very close tolerances - up to 0.0002 of an inch - and any contamination means rapid part wear. Water displaces the diesel fuel. When the fuel is displaced wear occur because lubrication is now absent.
Water that enters the combustion chamber results in even more serious damage. When it comes in contact with the heat of the combustion chamber (in excess of 2000 degrees F), it immediately turns to steam and often explodes the tip of the injector. Water causes corrosion of tanks, lines, injectors, and greatly reduces combustibility.
Other areas of concern include the producing more exhaust emissions and effecting EPA standards.
Bacteria also present a serious problem. Bacteria feed on nitrogen, sulfur, and iron that may be present in the fuel or tank.
Then there are algae. There are absolutely no algae in diesel fuel. You may have fungus and microbial contamination but no algae. This is a misnomer for diesel sludge. So if you have a diagnosis of ALGAE and add a biocide, you have done two things, 1) found a mechanic that is wrong and 2) done nothing to fix the problem.
Why is there so much bad fuel?
The number one reason is due to the increased popularity of diesel power and the accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel. There was a time when diesel fuel remained in the refinery storage tanks long enough to naturally separate and settle, allowing the clean fuel to be drawn off. Now with increased demand, diesel fuel never remains stationary long enough for settling, and the suspended water and solids are passed on to you, the user.
The change in refinery techniques is another problem. In order to get more products per dollar; diesel fuel is now being refined from more marginal portions of the crude oil barrel. This results in a lower-grade product that is inherently thicker and contains more contamination.
Thirdly, current fuel distribution methods also have a negative impact on the condition of the fuel at the time of delivery. In many cases, brokers control fuel sales to major distribution terminals and determine delivery dates. There is no telling how long that fuel has been in the distribution network and how many times it has been transferred. Seldom do these distributors filter the fuel as they transfer it.
The solution: Multifunctional diesel additive packages and hardware.
For your single vehicle or fleet the improvement of fuel quality by the use of additives and current technology is always a good choice.
Many diesel fuel additive packages address the key issues with respect to fuel performance; some improve fuel economy, increase lubricity, improving cold flow, and improve cetane number. And some only address the issue of rust and corrosion, but all should be considered.
Most diesel fuel additives contain combustion improvers that release oxygen during the compression stroke. This allows combustion to start sooner, providing for a more complete fuel burn. A more complete burn provides all the power your fuel and engine is capable of producing. As combustion improvers and you get a smoother running engine, an increase in horsepower that improves fuel economy and the reduction in black smoke emissions.
Cetane is a performance rating of a diesel fuel, a higher cetane number or cetane rating indicates greater fuel efficiency. The fuel’s cetane influences, duration of white smoking after start-up, drivability before warm-up, and intensity of diesel knock at idle. Increase the cetane number of a fuel and you have improved performance.
In diesel fuel systems, the fuel provides lubrication for the fuel pump and injectors. A fuel with poor lubricity can cause excessive wear and premature failure of these components. Improve lubricity and extend engine life.
Diesel fuels have pour points (the lowest temperature at which an oil or other liquid will pour under given conditions) within the range of normal winter temperatures. As a fuel approaches its pour point, paraffin in the fuel form wax crystals that prevent it from flowing. Flow-improver additives modify the wax crystals, lowering the pour point of the fuel and give better cold weather performance.
For on-sight storage tanks other issues must be looked at. On-sight storage tanks always have a small amount of the first gallon of fuel ever put in them, unless it is drained 100% and cleaned. So adding new, fresh fuel always has a bit of the bad added to it every time fuel is purchased. Diluting the bad with good over time is a loosing battle. The fuel will always be bad fuel until the core problem is addressed
The order of treatment for fuel related problems should always begin with a determination of whether there is water in the fuel and if the fuel has microbes (fuel bugs) in it. Water Paste and Fuel Test Kits can be used for this stage of maintenance. If microbes are detected, then the use of biocides is needed. Biocides have no effect on and will not eliminate the sludge problem. Biocides kill bacteria, that’s all!
The water issue should always be remedied first by the use of fuel water separators on the tank or on the equipment. Next a multifunctional chemical additive should be added to improve fuel performance and then if needed a problem specific additive to dissolve diesel sludge and or a rust inhibitor to protect steel tanks. For long-term prevention, the use of magnet fuel conditioners is recommended. These devices continually reverse the re-polymerization of the fuel during circulation and reduce the need for ongoing additive use. All the needed cures are available from Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering at www.dieselcraft.com
Conclusion
There is no good time to find out that your engine won’t operate or that half its life span is gone prematurely because of contaminated or poor quality diesel fuel. Since no one can predict a breakdown, the only safe method is prevention.
Realize now that you do have a problem, and manage it now, or deal with the unexpected catastrophe and reduced equipment life that comes at the absolutely wrong time and is not in the budget!
John T. Nightingale President of Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering, Auburn CA 95604,manufactures of diesel fuel purification systems. <a href="http://www.dieselcraft.com" target="_blank">http://www.dieselcraft.com</a>