[CADude12]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

Getting More out of Crude.

An improved catalyst could help oil refineries get more gasoline out of a barrel of crude petroleum.

This might help the profit margin of the oil companies whom refine the crude, but I somehow doubt that the benefit would trickle down to the paying gasoline customer, but it would be interesting if the industry adopts this catalyst to see what the increase is regarding how it affects (decreases) the imported level of oil overall, i.e. to what percentage level does it have an impact.

-- Tom

Great article, Tom.

[lighthouse]

I endorse the Ormsby Gore attitude about Oil Politics - in that he'd rather the World wasn't run by it - but if we must why can't we at least use it to prevent rather than cause War?

[lotuseclat79]

US Dependency on Foreign Oil (Infographic) .

Until we find the renewables capable of replacing fossil fuels, oil and gas will remain the world's most important commodities, meaning the US will continue to import great volumes from overseas. But just how reliant is the US on the importing of foreign oil?



-- Tom

[lotuseclat79]

The Switch to Winter Gasoline and a Primer on Gasoline Blends.

Motorists can thank a mild hurricane season in the Atlantic for the lower gas prices, according to the American Automobile Association.

Other factors include the end of the summer driving season and a cheaper winter fuel mix.

Gas stations sell a special, more expensive fuel blend during the summer to cut down on smog during hot months. Stations nationwide will start selling a less-expensive winter fuel blend Friday, which could lead to even lower prices, analysts said.

So what does this mean, and why does it make winter gasoline less expensive?

-- Tom

[Couriant]

It's been about $2.41 here in AZ... $2.15 in VA.

[lotuseclat79]

Best and Worst Gas Prices.

Planning on traveling for the holidays? In the U.S., where you go will affect how expensive a trip by car may be. Here’s a look at where you’ll pay the most for a gallon of gas in the U.S. and the places where it’s cheap in comparison.

-- Tom

[Couriant]

can't see anything if there is a picture....

that's happened before with that site.

[lotuseclat79]

Hi Couriant,

What browser and add-ons are you using?

-- Tom

[Couriant]

FireFox. The only add-on that may affect it would be Ad-Block, but I have turned that off to confirm, still dont see it.

The other add-ons were added after the first time. (twitterbar, Chatzilla)

Edit: I figured out the problem. I did see it

[lotuseclat79]

Why your car might not run on pump gas next Summer.

The EPA will likely approve an increase to 15% ethanol next summer, perhaps for use only in cars of the 2001 model year and later. This raises the possibility that gasoline retailers might need to carry different ethanol blends in different pumps, and that drivers with older cars might have to be careful about which blend they buy.

-- Tom

[poochee]

State senator says Alaskans are gouged at gas pump
With all that oil up there?
By Megan Holland | The Anchorage Daily News
Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009

The state's oil refineries are making far more profit on their gasoline as the national average, according to the report released Wednesday by Sen. Bill Wielechowski and authored by the nonpartisan Legislative Research Services Division.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/81495.html

[Wino]

Originally Posted by poochee

State senator says Alaskans are gouged at gas pump
With all that oil up there?
By Megan Holland | The Anchorage Daily News
Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009



http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/81495.html

Their yearly dividend from the state of Alaska for oil revenues far exceeds their gouging. I believe each citizen got over $3K in 2008.

Not sure Alaska even has any refineries. If not they export crude and have to import finished product (gas, diesel, fuel oil, etc.)

[LuckyStrike]

Originally Posted by lotuseclat79

Why your car might not run on pump gas next Summer.

The EPA will likely approve an increase to 15% ethanol next summer, perhaps for use only in cars of the 2001 model year and later. This raises the possibility that gasoline retailers might need to carry different ethanol blends in different pumps, and that drivers with older cars might have to be careful about which blend they buy.

-- Tom

Early in it's operational development the Martin B-26 Marauder got the nickname "The Widowmaker" due to a series of catastrophic accidents. The B-26 was a two engined bomber that was originally designed to carry a larger bomb load than the four engined B-17. There was a series of accidents where the B-26 would rotate to become airborne on take off and then while climbing out, low and slow, the plane would suddenly nose over and dive into the ground. The crew all dead, no survivors to debrief, the planes splattered and burned, no clues to be found, the cause was a mystery for a time. Then one day a flight of B-26's were taxiing for takeoff when during the flight check run up the props on one engine suddenly fully feathered. The flight aborted and returned to the ramp. An investigation revealed that the hydraulic seals had degraded and blown on the airplane. Further investigation revealed that all of the hydraulic seals on all of the B-26's were in various states of degradation.

Turns out that the Army air force had replaced the hydraulic fluid in the B-26's with newer fire resistant types but had neglected to consult with or inform Martin about the change. The newer fire resistant hydraulic fluid was incompatible with the existing seals and caused degradation.

If E15 is mandated by the EPA or by congress, it will only a matter of time before that will be all you can get. Having more choices than you currently have is impractical. It would mean stations digging up their lots, burying more tanks, replumbing and replacing pumps.

Looks like we can look forward to the ruination of the engines in our chain saws, mowers, log splitters, tillers, lawn tractors, snow blowers, and trimmers, not to mention the fuel injectors in the 454 Vortec in my pick up truck.

[lotuseclat79]

Rising gas prices could be a drag on economic recovery (2 web pages).


SOURCE: AAA | The Washington Post - January 8, 2010

-- Tom