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New Report Analyzes Biodiesel Feedstocks & Fuel

RobertD — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:26:23 GMT

New Report Analyzes Biodiesel Feedstocks & Fuel

Comment on this post Posted by John Davis November 20th, 2009

Iowa-based biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group has released a report that looks at a wide variety of biodiesel feedstocks and the characteristics of both that feedstock and the fuel produced from it.

In the Feedstock and Biodiesel Characteristics Report, a first-of-its-kind of publication, REG, in cooperation with the Iowa Power Fund Board and the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, evaluated 36 biodiesel feedstocks and produced fuel from 34 of them:

These feedstocks varied from traditional fats and oils to novel feedstocks from around the world

Each feedstock was tested for the following characteristics: moisture, free fatty acid, kinematic viscosity, FAC color, saponification value, moisture and volatile matter, insoluble impurities, unsaponifiable matter, MIU, oxidation stability, sulfur, phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium. If a feedstock exceeded 10 ppm phosphorous, 5 ppm calcium and magnesium, it was pretreated using the phosphoric acid procedure and dried. Feedstocks having free fatty acid in excess of 0.5 wt % were esterified using Amberlyst BD 20. The feedstocks were transesterified using identical reaction conditions and production protocols. Each biodiesel was characterized according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6751 and other properties. These characteristics were: cloud point, cold filter plugging point, cold soak filtration, fatty acid profile, relative density, kinematic viscosity, sulfated ash, carbon residue, water and sediment, visual inspection, free and total glycerin, flash point, copper corrosion, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, total acid number, moisture, sulfur, oxidation stability, and FTIR.

What makes the project so unique is that all of the wide range of feedstocks were pretreated, esterified, and transesterified using the same procedures and conditions to allow for uniform comparisons of critical fuel properties.

You can read the report for yourself here.

Forum: Biodiesel Production

1983 Mercedes 300SD for sale SVO/Biodiesel

Grubby — Thur, 19 Nov 2009 22:59:27 GMT

I have a 1983 300sd, 230K miles; leather; rebuilt transmission; rebuilt injectors; rebuilt vac pump (goooood vac now); new bridgestone tires on the biggest rims that go on this chassis; an SVO system installed (Dana Linscott type), many new AC parts, new driveline parts, tranny recently serviced to perfection; suspension is tight: shocks, tie rods, etc. have been replaced along the way. Motor is strong, fastest 300SD I've ever had (I've had a few) at 12 seconds 0-60 on diesel, 12.5 on SVO. Many other new parts. Needs a few things still, but this car is very tight and very strong for its age. It could use a paint job, but no significant rust, just a good environmental buffing that gives it character . I'm asking $3500 but will definitely take best offer.
I'm near Athens.
Call me: (706) 340-7623.

Forum: Vehicles For Sale / Wanted

THE HEAVY TOLL OF IMPORTED OIL.

RobertD — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:09:04 GMT

http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2009/20090086.html

November 11, 2009 Vol.14 No.34

THE HEAVY TOLL OF IMPORTED OIL.
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News

In October 2009, still in the midst of job losses unprecedented since the Great Depression, the United States exported more than $850 million a day, in cash, to buy oil. True, thats less than $3 a day for every man, woman and child in the country. Thats more than $90 per person for the month. For a family of four thats nearly $375 for the 31 day month.

Energy expert T. Boone Pickens likes to use more dramatic numbers saying the nation sent more than $ 594,359 per minute overseas to foreign governments. Pickens wants the nation to switch to natural gas, which it has in abundance, and/or to renewable energy.

The nation imports 60 percent of its oil. In October 2009 more than 350 million barrels arrived in U.S. ports representing about $26.5 billion. October was no anomaly. That figure has been roughly the same all year, and even higher in 2008. Imagine what $26.5 billion every month would do for the U.S. economy if it stayed here and was not sent overseas?

Much, but not a majority, of our exported cash for oil goes to OPEC nations. Right now our friendly northern and southern neighbors are the top one and two exporting nations for the oil we consume.

Some of the crude oil the U.S. imports from Canada comes from the oil sands of Alberta. For green-leaning Canada the oil sands projects should be at least an embarrassment for the nation. However, the Canadian government says the mining can be clean. (Its hard to imagine the U.S., or many other nations, allowing the kind of mining operations now being performed there.)

The tar sands are considered the biggest reserve of oil outside Saudi Arabia. Deposits are spread out over an area the size of Florida in a landscape thats now being permanently altered and possibly permanently polluted.

Before it became technologically and economically feasible to extract the oil, the area was mostly covered in Boreal forest. The extraction process begins with the removal of those carbon-capturing, carbon-storing trees. After the trees are cut and hauled away, the top soil and other vegetation is removed to reveal sand coated in a mix of water and bitumen, a heavy oil.

Satellite view of an oil sands project on the Athabasca River in Alberta, Canada.
The dark green is remaining Boreal forest. Note how close the tailing pond is to the river.
Courtesy NASA

In one project (there are many in the region) oily sands are washed with heated water from the nearby Athabasca River. Oil and water dont mix, of course, so the oil can be skimmed off. The process isnt perfect. The water used to cleanse the sand of its oil is contaminated and cant be pumped back into the Athabasca. Instead, the water is pumped into tailing ponds where it sits, perhaps waiting for evaporation to remove it. That tainted water may get into the water table and the Athabasca and is a concern.

With luck the mines will all be reclaimed, with forest regrown. It will be decades before the truth is known.

Tar sands operations, continually growing, are now producing over a million barrels of oil per day. What tar sands oil that isnt being consumed in Canada is being shipped to the U.S. and elsewhere.

Americans go on their merry way each day not realizing that money shipped overseas may do little to improve their lives. Nor do they realize how much keeping $850 million every day would do for their country and themselves. Nor do they realize the permanent damage to the planet they are leaving behind for their children to deal with, simply because they refuse to demand something different or conserve the source of energy they have.

Forum: Off Topic / Rants / Opinion

WTS Grease trailer, tanks, pump

Leonidas — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:02:40 GMT

My truck died and I need cash.

I have a very nice all metal trailer I used to collect grease. It is 4x6 feet long, all metal construction, and can carry 2000 pounds. It comes with a mounted 65 gallon polypro heavy duty translucent tank from Tractor Supply Co. and a working trash pump that needs to be unclogged. The trailer runs $400 new, the tank runs $200 new, and the trash pump is $125 new. $300 takes the lot.

I also have two 110 gallon heavy duty polypro translucent tanks. They run $250 each new. $250 takes them both.

I have a very nice Italian made heavy duty dispensing pump rated at 20 gallons per minute for diesel. It has been fitted for a spin-on cannister filtration unit and has a pump handle assembly in addition to an intake and dispensing hose. This will come with a spare unused handle assembly and a bunch of new filters. This cost over $600 all together for everything. $300 takes it.

I have a bunch of other related odds and ends as well that you can look at when you come to get your purchase. If you are interested, please call me at 770-265-4425 or email me at poikilotrm@aol.com for pictures.

Thanks,

Jeff

Forum: Marketplace

Forbes ranks Atlanta as top US toxic city

RobertD — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:11:57 GMT

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/02/toxic-cities-pollution-lifestyle-real-estate-toxic-cities.htmlWhat%27s

Forum: Off Topic / Rants / Opinion

Oil Sector Investment

BevGroth — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:22:35 GMT

Today the oil industry is the strongest as compared to the past 150 years. This is more so with the natural gas industry growing and the oil supply shrinking. It is believed that by 2030, the worldwide consumption of oil and gas will exceed 115 million barrels per day. This is almost 30 million barrels more than what is consumed today.

Although the oil sector is volatile, this has not discouraged investors from making oil and gas investments. This is owing to the great returns and other incentives. It is known facts that with the world driving towards more consumerism, the price and demand for the oil will never move down.

This makes the oil sector, a safe and relatively lucrative investment. However, every oil investment should be attempted with expert advice and not as a hobby. The expert advice can be provided by portfolio managers. The investors can also visit and learn about geographical characteristics of drill sites as well as seismic and structural features of oil industry sectors while considering potential investment.

Forum: Off Topic / Rants / Opinion

FREE! WVO misc supplies

nikbristow — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:50:17 GMT

Cleaning out my apartment I came across a box of misc. WVO conversion supplies.

I've got:

- a coil of probably 20ft of bendable aluminum fuel line

- a coil of probably 25ft of PEX fuel line

- 10 or 15 feet of 3/4 heater hose

- 10 or 15 feet of 5/8 heater hose

- Various lengths of rubber fuel line

- all kinds of misc. brass hose barbs, brass connectors, brass ferules, plastic barbs, plastic connectors, under-car hose hangers from GreaseCar etc. etc.

All of this was leftover from my WVO conversion several years ago. As I only run biodiesel in my current ride and don't plan to convert another car anytime soon, it's up for grabs.

I don't want to throw all this stuff away. I'd much rather give it to someone who might use it. But if it's not gone by the end of this week, Nov. 6, it'll end up in the trash. Sad face.

Gimme a call and come get it. I'm on Ponce or I can bring it to my office in Buckhead during the day.

Nik

913-240-4457

Forum: Vegoil WVO / SVO /Veg My Ride systems

Savannah Fire Responds to Report of Biodiesel Explosion

RobertD — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:50:55 GMT

http://www2.wsav.com/sav/news/local/article/savannah_fire_responds_to_report_of_biodiesel_expl osion/56984/

Savannah Fire Responds to Report of Biodiesel Explosion

By Tuquyen Mach | Reporter
Published: October 13, 2009

0 Comments | Post a Comment

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah fire crews responded to a report of an explosion at a biodiesel plant on Savannahs westside.

Savannah Fire spokesman Mark Keller said the call came around 2:45 pm Tuesday at Xenerga Biodiesel, located at 1926 West Gwinnett Street.

Officials said a so-called reactor is where the explosion happened. Keller said a reactor is a container where the finished biodiesel product is held.

Authorities said there were few flames when they arrived, since the explosion caused a water sprinkler supply line to burst and shower the area with water. Firefighters did spent some time putting out a few hotspots.

One worker apparently suffered a broken leg. No other injuries were reported.

West Gwinnett Street was closed to traffic for a short time. Investigators are working to determine what caused the explosion.

Forum: Biofuel News

ATLANTA TDI Thread

SilverDieselDemon — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:53:22 GMT

I am looking to see who else is using BIO in their TDI and in what blends. I have seen a few around Rob's ReFuel site, and the town.

Forum: Biodiesel Users

Man Builds 100 MPG Lotus Replica that Runs on Homebrewed Biodiesel

RobertD — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:17:53 GMT

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/diy-max-100-mpg-biodiesel-lutos-replica-homemade.php

Man Builds 100 MPG Lotus Replica that Runs on Homebrewed Biodiesel

by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada on 09.25.09 Cars & Transportation

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

Kudos to Kinetic Vehicles!
There are tons of project cars all around the internet, but my favorites are DIY green super-efficient cars, especially those made for very little money. The 95 MPG Aerocivic is a good example, but MAX (short for Mother's Automotive X Prize), a 100 MPG Lotus Seven replica (kind of) that runs on biodiesel, is something else altogether!

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

The Goal
The goal was to make a two seater that could be entered into the X Prize Challenge (though that didn't end up happening, see below). It should be fun, practical (to a degree), affordable ($10k for a DIYer), and get great fuel economy (100 MPG at cruising speed on the highway).

Picture above is the engine that was used. It's a turbo-charged 100cc Kubota is rated at 32 horsepower.

They haven't quite reached the MPG goal yet (they're around 70 MPG), but the car is a work in progress and they're still tweaking it and improving it (the latest news, from last month, are that they're working on the body).

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

Above is the CAD of the body. It had to be aerodynamic to reduce drag, but also streamlined and simple to keep it low cost.

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

Donor Car
A 1980s Toyota Corolla wagon was used as donor to get recycled driveline and suspension components. MAX truly has humble origins.

Jack McCornack writes: "Any rear wheel drive Corolla would do for our needs; the major components are pretty light (the five-speed overdrive transmission and the rear axle are of particular interest) and they were among the most common cars in America for about a decade...and that decade was a while ago so they're pretty dang cheap."

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

Photos of the first drive of the early, skeletal version of MAX.

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

First Drive
Jack describes the first drives: "It's an exciting little car, and from a seat-of-the-pants standpoint, it doesn't seem lacking in horsepower. The low-end torque is admirable, and after half a dozen starts we quit using first gear starting in second saves a shift and it gets off the line smartly that way. We were having too much fun for a car that accelerated faster than it stopped, and man, it corners great, but we really shouldn't have been pushing it like that before getting it a bit more finished...so after an hour or so, we parked it 'till it gets brakes and seats and belts and rollbar. But it goes all right and it's going to be lots of fun."

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

If you're curious to know what was used to make it, you can see a list of parts used to make MAX and their prices.

Photo: Kinetic Vehicles

The photo above is of Son of MAX, a car that was built after the original MAX was totalled after being rear-ended during one of its inaugural drives. Lots of parts from the original could be re-used, and Son of MAX was even better than the original in that it was given the capability to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO), as well as diesel and biodiesel.

Sadly, Son of MAX has been withdrawn from the Automotive X Prize because it was too expensive to make it meet the new rules:

The final rules have no place for a DIY car, and preparing MAX (even on paper) for factory production -- as in 10,000 cars a year -- has been sucking up our resources like you wouldn't believe. In the last year I have literally spent more hours filling out X Prize Foundation paperwork than I've spent developing MAX, and MAX has suffered for it. Instead of working on streamlining to improve the car's gas mileage, I've been writing business plans and tech documents and getting price quotes, for every single part in the car. Imagine trying to figure out the cost of 20,000 windshield wiper blades to be delivered in five years, etc., etc., etc.

But Jack McCornack and Sharon Westcott won the Escape From Berkeley alternative fuel race using vegetable oil. They drove Son of MAX 800 miles without burning a drop of oil and won the $5,000 prize.

Via Kinetic Vehicles

Forum: Biofuel News

NBB, RFA Submit Biodiesel, Ethanol Comments to EPA

RobertD — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:15:05 GMT

http://domesticfuel.com/2009/09/25/nbb-rfa-submit-biodiesel-ethanol-comments-to-epa/

NBB, RFA Submit Biodiesel, Ethanol Comments to EPA

Posted by John Davis September 25th, 2009

The comment period for the EPAs proposed Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) has come and gone, and the leaders in the biodiesel and ethanol industries have turned in the comments theyve collected from their members and interested parties.

The National Biodiesel Boards main contention is that the proposal contains several significant flaws:

EPAs GHG methodology relies on outdated data that artificially penalizes U.S. biodiesel. GHG emission reductions associated with biodiesel produced from vegetable oils compared to petroleum will significantly exceed the 22 percent assumed by EPA in its proposed rule if the agency relies on scientifically valid analysis and practices. Even with EPAs assumptions and methodology, correcting the outdated data pertaining to nitrogen fixation, energy balance and co-product allocations would give biodiesel produced from vegetable oil a 62 percent GHG reduction compared to baseline petroleum. When just some of the major flawed assumptions from EPAs indirect analysis are corrected, the GHG emissions lifecycle reduction for biodiesel from vegetable oils is 99% percent lower than diesel fuel. This number includes penalties to biodiesel for international indirect land use change.

NBB also took issue with the international Indirect Land Use provisions of the RFS2 a stance echoed by Bob Dinneen, RFA president and CEO:

International indirect land use change simply should not be included, Dinneen said. Congress did not intend to penalize Americas ethanol producers for decisions made by farmers and governments in other countries.

Now, well have to wait to see if anyone at EPA is paying attention.

Forum: Biofuel Agenda

Imperium Renewables Comments on EPA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

RobertD — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:13:37 GMT

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090925005309&newsLang=en

Imperium Renewables Comments on EPA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Company stresses importance of biodiesel mandates on overall health of the industry

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Imperium Renewables participated in the public comment process on the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) proposed rulemaking on the Renewable Fuels Standard-2 (RFS-2). Imperium submitted a 10-page document detailing its concerns, hopes and requests for the EPA as it evaluates changes to the RFS-2. Among the key requests were for existing biodiesel facilities to be grandfathered in the Advanced Biofuels Program, and for the EPA to revise its methodology for calculating greenhouse gas lifecycle analysis of biodiesel.

Imperium stated its concerns that the EPA has not yet implemented the biomass-based diesel requirements under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, and that the lifecycle analysis in the proposed rule has essentially eliminated U.S. biodiesel from being able to meet the biomass-based diesel requirement. The company advocated policies that would ensure that the Advanced Biofuel goals established by statute would be met, including:

Recognize that existing facilities produce biodiesel that can be met using existing feedstock which does not have any land use impacts, and should for practical purposes be grandfathered in the Advanced Biofuels program.
Utilize a greenhouse gas emission methodology for rulemaking purposes that is based on sound science, is consistent with applicable case law concerning consideration of international impacts, and does not unfairly penalize U.S. biofuel production for unrelated land use shifts in foreign nations.

As the EPA moves forward with the RFS-2 rulemaking, Imperium noted that it is important to remember that the U.S. biodiesel industry produces the only renewable fuel in the marketplace today when it comes to commercial-scale production of biomass-based diesel as defined in RFS-2. Imperium also stressed that there is no indication that Congress sought to impose a penalty on existing production of biodiesel, which does not significantly impact land use change.

There are a number of other key points Imperium made in its comment to EPA, including:

Existing production of biodiesel should be deemed to meet the 50 percent greenhouse gas emission reduction requirement for biomass-based diesel.
- Existing feedstock sources are already available to meet 2008s 690 million gallons of production. As such, no land use changes, and therefore no significant emissions from those changes, can be associated with existing production.
The lifecycle greenhouse gas methodology for biodiesel is flawed and should not be used to regulate the biofuels industry.
- There are a number of valid concerns about the methodology, including the inaccurate and nearly incalculable impacts of foreign policy and macroeconomic drivers that cause land use changes in other countries, and inaccurate data on energy balance and N20 emissions, as well as other erroneous assumptions in the EPA models.
The costs associated with registration, recordkeeping, and reporting outweigh enforcement benefits.
- The EPA proposal requires a number of new compliance and certification provisions that will place a significant regulatory compliance burden on the industry, the majority of which is comprised of small businesses. Many of the proposed compliance provisions do not have practical application and will not work in practice as part of the day-to-day operation of producing biodiesel.

We look forward to working with the EPA to address the proposals shortcomings and implement a final rule prior to January 1, 2010. We are concerned, however, that a final rule may not be issued until the end of 2009 or may not be made effective until after January 1, 2010, said John Plaza, Imperiums founder and CEO. As such, we urge the EPA to issue an interim rule to effectuate Congressional intent and address the adverse impacts any further delay of implementing the RFS-2 requirements will have on the biodiesel industry or the obligated parties for RIN compliance.

Biodiesel is an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum diesel fuel made from oils derived from crops, plants and waste products, which can be used in any conventional diesel engine. It can be used in pure form (100 percent biodiesel) or in a blended form, in which it replaces a percentage of petroleum diesel. A National Renewable Energy Lab study shows biodiesel emits about 78 percent less carbon dioxide than petroleum diesel. Imperiums high-quality fuel meets or exceeds ASTM D-6751 specifications.

About Imperium Renewables

Founded in 2005, Seattle-based Imperium Renewables owns and operates a production facility in Grays Harbor County with a nameplate capacity of 100 million gallons per year. It is the largest BQ-9000 certified production facility in the United States and the second largest facility overall. More information on the company is available via the website at http://www.imperiumrenewables.com.

Forum: Biofuel Agenda

Ford Debuts B20 Biodiesel, E85 Compatible Trucks

RobertD — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:53:50 GMT

http://domesticfuel.com/2009/09/24/ford-debuts-b20-biodiesel-e85-compatible-trucks/

Ford Debuts B20 Biodiesel, E85 Compatible Trucks

2 Comments Posted by John Davis September 24th, 2009

Back at the end of August, I told you about how Ford was getting ready to debut a new engine that would be compatible with more blends of fuels, including B20 biodiesel. Today, at the State Fair of Texas, the automaker unveiled its new line of F Series trucks that will not only take the higher blend of biodiesel but also a line of engines that will take E85 ethanol.

This company press release says the new engine, which was code-named Scorpion, should make a pretty big, green splash:

* The 2011 F-Series Super Duty boasts all-new powertrains, led by the Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine, which delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy while maintaining best-in-class towing and payload capability; new engine also has biodiesel compatibility up to B20

* A new 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline engine also is added to the lineup; it also delivers significantly improved torque and horsepower as well as class-leading fuel economy; new gas engine can run on regular-grade gasoline, E85 or any blend in between

Ford says the new trucks, due to the market in 2011, will have a six-speed transmission that gets the new diesel engines low-end torque to the ground faster and will come in an automatic or manual option.

Forum: Biofuel News

Forget the Prius: MINI Cooper D to get 72.4 mpg

RobertD — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:49:18 GMT

Forget the Prius: MINI Cooper D to get 72.4 mpg

http://www.autospies.com/news/Forget-the-Prius-MINI-Cooper-D-to-get-72-4-mpg-15567/

To put the icing on the cake for customers, MINI Cooper D owners will continue to benefit from the car falling into VED tax band B. So savings are not only made in carbon emissions, but at the fuel pumps and the Post Office when replacing an annual road fund licence too. Little wonder then that MINI UK is again celebrating a month of record car sales!

BMW will be giving their MINI models technological revisions later this year that will result in increased performance while delivering amazing fuel efficiency; both without the use of hybrid technology.

When production of the new lineup begins in August 2007, all MINI model variants will be supplied with high-tech engine tweaks as standard, providing exceptional economy and minimal emissions without compromising performance. To achieve this BMW will use technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display. All this will come at no extra cost to future MINI customers.

The MINI Cooper D, which currently has a fuel consumption range of 64.2 mpg, will get an amazing 72.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 104 g/km.

Can we please have one in the US to?

Press Release:

72.4 mpg. 104 g/km C02. No batteries required.

MINI hatch models are to receive technological revisions later this year, resulting in jaw-dropping performance and efficiency figures. Already BMW Groups cleanest ever car, the MINI Cooper D will be capable of returning an astonishing 72.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 104 g/km.

When production of the revised models begins in August 2007, there will be no requirement for alternative fuel sources or hybrid technology to achieve these stunning stats. All model variants will instead be supplied as standard with high-tech engine tweaks, providing exceptional economy and minimal emissions without compromising the MINI driving experience.

Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display complete a package that will come at no extra cost to future MINI customers.

Brake Energy Regeneration works by using an Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, which saves fuel. The IAC reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery, whereas a traditional alternator is always pulling power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was previously wasted. Now this lost energy is utilised by the IAC to charge the battery.

The Auto Start-Stop Function, available with manual transmission cars, automatically switches the engine off when the vehicle is stationary and the driver puts the car into neutral. To restart the driver only need engage the clutch again before pulling away in the normal manner. The system may be de-activated at the touch of a button when not required.

Switch Point Display aids drivers of manual transmission MINIs in selecting the most economical gear in which to drive. The engine management system analyses speed, road situation and accelerator pedal position and based on this data calculates optimum gearing. The ideal gear is then displayed by number in the cockpit display.

Even without these technology advancements in place, MINI leads the new car market for year-on-year improvements in clean engine manufacturing. C02 output per car has been reduced in the last year by an impressive 14 per cent. Putting that into perspective, the industry average was recorded at a lowly 0.3 per cent.

Forum: Biofuel News

Fire, Explosions Reported at Fla. Biodiesel Plant

RobertD — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:49:42 GMT

http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Fire--Explosions-Reported-at-Fla-Biodiesel-Plant/46$65744

An explosion at a biodiesel plant in Osceola County Thursday afternoon sent one worker running for his life.

Osceola County fire officials said more than 30 units responded to the scene at R and J Development Site at 6555 Nova Road, which is east of St. Cloud. The Orange County Fire Department and the Division of Forestry are also assisting.

By 5 p.m., the fire was out, but firefighters continued to spray water on hot spots. The facility was almost burned to the ground, and numerous vehicles and tanks on the property were severely damaged.

About 3,000 gallons of methanol, 500 gallons of sodium methane, 55 gallons of sulphuric acid and 4,000 gallons of biodiesel apparently exploded during the blaze, which has nearly leveled the facility.

Pictures from Chopper 2 shortly after arriving at the scene showed thick black smoke and flames raging through the building, which caught fire before 3 p.m.

The only worker who was inside at the time the fire erupted ran out and called 911 as soon as he heard popping noises.

Officials said there are no fire hydrants in the area because it is out of county, so 1,000-gallon water trucks from the Osceola County Fire Department have been dispatched to the scene.

Nova Road is closed. Residents of the Eden subdivision should take U.S. Highway 192 to state Road 419 to Nova Road.

There are currently no evacuations or injuries.

Chopper 2 over fire in Osceola County.

Reports list New Eden Energy as the parent company for R and J Site Development. New Eden Energy is the only provider of biodiesel in St. Cloud, Florida area.

According to biodiesel.org, biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel made from renewable resources. It is made through the chemical process of transesterification, where glycerin is separated from fat and vegetable oil. Methanol is a flammable poisonous liquid alcohol most commonly used in antifreeze it is highly toxic to humans and animals. It is also a liquid transportation fuel. Sulphuric acid is a strong mineral acid that is used in lead-acid batteries and for oil refining. Known as a commodity chemical.

Forum: Biofuel News