Total U.S. ethanol production jumped 832,000 barrels (bbl), or 1,471 barrels per day (bpd), to 24.424 million bbl, or 787,871 bpd, in December as plants boosted run rates by 0.17 percent to an average of 92.71 percent of operable capacity, according to a Telvent DTN analysis of its own data as well as data out Thursday from the Energy Information Administration. That is a big jump over November production.
It is pretty amazing that there were those that were declaring ethanol dead just few months ago. Many of the plants shuttered due to hard times that everyone was facing during the recession have now reopened under new ownership.
To date there are 212 plants in operation with a combined annual capacity of over 13 billion gallons.
March 13, 2010
February 11, 2010
General Motors Announces B20 Biofuel Capability For New, 2011 Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel
GM announced today that its new lineup of heavy-duty diesel pickups will have B20 biodiesel capability. B20 fuel is a blend of 20-percent biodiesel and 80-percent conventional diesel, which helps lower carbon dioxide emissions and lessens dependence on petroleum. The announcement was made at the National Biodiesel Conference.
GM’s new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel engine has been substantially revised to include B20 capability, as well as meet strict new emissions standards effective this year. The new Duramax will power the redesigned 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Chevrolet will unveil the 2011 Silverado heavy-duty trucks at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 10.
“B20 capability in our new heavy-duty trucks is the latest addition to a growing number of alternate fuel options offered by General Motors,” said Mike Robinson, vice president, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. “We are seeking different paths to fuel solutions in order to maximize efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize the dependence on petroleum.”
GM already leads in the marketing of FlexFuel vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol with more than 4 million vehicles on the road today. Like ethanol, biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel made primarily of plant matter – mostly soybean oil. In pure form, biodiesel lowers carbon dioxide emissions.
“The 2007 federal energy bill mandates increased biodiesel production and more states and municipalities are requiring it,” said Robinson. “Biodiesel production is growing and GM is excited and ready to satisfy demand with our new B20 capable Duramax 6.6L engine.”
Estimates by National Biodiesel Board indicate about 700 million gallons of the fuel were produced in 2008 – up from about 500,000 gallons in 1999. Market fluctuations caused production to decrease in 2009, but it expected to rise with more mandates and the availability of approved vehicles, such as the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks.
Validated and approved fuel
Extensive testing and validation was performed on the Duramax 6.6L using B20 that meets ASTM International’s standard D7467, which covers biodiesel blends between B6 and B20.
“True biodiesel is created through transesterfication and that’s what the Duramax 6.6L is designed to use,” said Coleman Jones, GM biofuels implementation manager. “Strict testing and validation was performed to ensure the new engine is B20-capable, however approved biodiesel is the only way to guarantee engine performance and longevity.”
The Duramax diesel is covered by GM’s five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included an upgraded fuel filter that includes a coalescing element. It improves the separation of water that may be present in the fuel, because biodiesel can attract and absorb water. Also, additional heating of the fuel circuit was added to reduce the chance of fuel gelling or waxing that could plug filters.
The Duramax 6.6L’s diesel particulate regeneration system features a downstream injector that supplies fuel for the regeneration process. This greatly reduces potential oil dilution, important with using biodiesel. Downstream injection saves fuel and works better with B20 than in-cylinder post injection.
Source : GM Press Release
GM’s new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel engine has been substantially revised to include B20 capability, as well as meet strict new emissions standards effective this year. The new Duramax will power the redesigned 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups, as well as the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. Chevrolet will unveil the 2011 Silverado heavy-duty trucks at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 10.
“B20 capability in our new heavy-duty trucks is the latest addition to a growing number of alternate fuel options offered by General Motors,” said Mike Robinson, vice president, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. “We are seeking different paths to fuel solutions in order to maximize efficiency, reduce emissions and minimize the dependence on petroleum.”
GM already leads in the marketing of FlexFuel vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol with more than 4 million vehicles on the road today. Like ethanol, biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel made primarily of plant matter – mostly soybean oil. In pure form, biodiesel lowers carbon dioxide emissions.
“The 2007 federal energy bill mandates increased biodiesel production and more states and municipalities are requiring it,” said Robinson. “Biodiesel production is growing and GM is excited and ready to satisfy demand with our new B20 capable Duramax 6.6L engine.”
Estimates by National Biodiesel Board indicate about 700 million gallons of the fuel were produced in 2008 – up from about 500,000 gallons in 1999. Market fluctuations caused production to decrease in 2009, but it expected to rise with more mandates and the availability of approved vehicles, such as the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty trucks.
Validated and approved fuel
Extensive testing and validation was performed on the Duramax 6.6L using B20 that meets ASTM International’s standard D7467, which covers biodiesel blends between B6 and B20.
“True biodiesel is created through transesterfication and that’s what the Duramax 6.6L is designed to use,” said Coleman Jones, GM biofuels implementation manager. “Strict testing and validation was performed to ensure the new engine is B20-capable, however approved biodiesel is the only way to guarantee engine performance and longevity.”
The Duramax diesel is covered by GM’s five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
To make the Duramax 6.6L and its fuel system compatible with B20, GM upgraded some seals and gasket materials to withstand the ester content of biodiesel and included an upgraded fuel filter that includes a coalescing element. It improves the separation of water that may be present in the fuel, because biodiesel can attract and absorb water. Also, additional heating of the fuel circuit was added to reduce the chance of fuel gelling or waxing that could plug filters.
The Duramax 6.6L’s diesel particulate regeneration system features a downstream injector that supplies fuel for the regeneration process. This greatly reduces potential oil dilution, important with using biodiesel. Downstream injection saves fuel and works better with B20 than in-cylinder post injection.
Source : GM Press Release
Posted by
Michael A. Gregory
at
3:42 PM
August 02, 2009
Ethanols Effects On Classic Cars Fuel Systems
Almost a year ago, I reported that the Hagerty Insurance Agency had enlisted Kettering University to study the effects of ethanol blended gasoline on the fuel systems of classic cars and boats. The study attempted to simulate 3000 hours of use in a manner that would duplicate a typical classic vehicle's use cycle.
The preliminary results were released in the Spring 2009 issue of Hagerty’s Magazine.
The preliminary results seem promising but it should be noted that only the results from studying one vehicle's fuel system have been released to date. The results from the other five vehicles being studied will be released in a future addition of Hagerty’s Magazine.
Spring 2009 Issue of Hagerty’s Magazine (PDF)
The preliminary results were released in the Spring 2009 issue of Hagerty’s Magazine.
After several months and a full 3,000 hours of testing, the Hagerty study found that there was no difference between the performance of the SU carburetors (from a 1962 MGA) running E10 and the ones flowing E0 (gasoline without ethanol). The carburetor jets were unobstructed, the needle valves and floats were functioning properly and the throttle shafts were moving freely. Both fuel pumps continued to put out more than 3psi and were flowing fuel at an acceptable rate — regardless of the fuel.
The preliminary results seem promising but it should be noted that only the results from studying one vehicle's fuel system have been released to date. The results from the other five vehicles being studied will be released in a future addition of Hagerty’s Magazine.
Spring 2009 Issue of Hagerty’s Magazine (PDF)
Posted by
Michael A. Gregory
at
6:58 PM
July 30, 2009
May Ethanol Production Hits New High
Ethanol production hit a new high in May with over 871 million gallons produced. Imports and consumption numbers were also higher. Daily production volume reached 669,000 barrels per day.
Source: - Energy Information Administration
Ethanol Production Numbers in Gallons | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Production | Imports | Stocks | Consumption | |
May 2009 | 871,584,000 | 21,168,000 | 587,958,000 | 928,284,000 |
April 2009 | 807,240,000 | 7,014,000 | 623,490,000 | 848,148,000 |
March 2009 | 833,154,000 | 3,276,000 | 657,384,000 | 837,942,000 |
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 |
Source: - Energy Information Administration
Posted by
Michael A. Gregory
at
3:38 PM
July 25, 2009
Valero says all 7 ethanol plants at capacity
Top U.S. oil refiner Valero Energy Corp said all seven of the ethanol plants it bought in March from a bankrupt producer were now running at capacity and making money.
"Ethanol is kind of a bright spot for us right now. They are generating cash flow," Valero spokesman Bill Day said of the plants, which have the combined capacity of about 780 million gallons a year, or about 7.5 percent of the total U.S. operating capacity to make the fuel.
Valero began production at the 110-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Welcome, Minnesota, during the first week of July, Day said by telephone.
The company bought the plants from VeraSun Energy, which filed for bankruptcy protection after locking in pricey contracts for corn, the main input cost for making ethanol.
Source : Reuters India
"Ethanol is kind of a bright spot for us right now. They are generating cash flow," Valero spokesman Bill Day said of the plants, which have the combined capacity of about 780 million gallons a year, or about 7.5 percent of the total U.S. operating capacity to make the fuel.
Valero began production at the 110-million-gallon-per-year ethanol plant in Welcome, Minnesota, during the first week of July, Day said by telephone.
The company bought the plants from VeraSun Energy, which filed for bankruptcy protection after locking in pricey contracts for corn, the main input cost for making ethanol.
Source : Reuters India
Posted by
Michael A. Gregory
at
8:27 PM