Ethanol Performance: Rauch vs. Lynch (Part I)
By Robert Bradley Jr. -- September 18, 2019Editor Note: An interesting historical note is that ethanol as a motor fuel was victimized by Prohibition, a subject discussed back in 2016 by Marc Rauch. In this discussion/debate, ethanol-proponent Rauch and ethanol-critic Michael Lynch share their thoughts on the quality and competitiveness of ethanol as a viable alternative to petroleum-based transportation products. Part II tomorrow concludes this series.
Lynch Technically, a wide variety of engines and fuels can be used to power vehicles, from steam and electricity to hydrogen and even water. At present, although compressed natural gas and electric vehicles are in use, most road transport remains powered by gasoline or diesel. For its part, gasoline must have a certain octane level or it burns imperfectly, creating engine knock. A number of additives have been used historically to ensure the octane rating is high enough for best engine performance, including lead, MTBE, and ethanol. …
Continue ReadingNew Oil & Gas Drilling: A Schematic (‘Time for Tiramisu’)
By Jim Scherrer -- September 17, 2019“Current technology liberates, at best, 5 percent of the available oil in shale so continued technology advances would significantly improve future resource recovery.”
Oil and gas drillers continuously evolve and enhance their drilling techniques. Their more recent revolutionary technique to drill horizontally along the rock formation has come to be known as “unconventional” drilling.
To illustrate, we can compare the confectionery jelly donut to tiramisu, which is a delicious Italian dessert that coincidentally means, “carry me up” or “lift to heaven.”
Versus prior drilling, new generation hydrocarbon production provides an “energy lift” as illustrated below.
Conventional Drilling: Jelly Donut
Basic Vertical Penetration; Limited Formation Contact
Illustration © James Scherrer
New Drilling: Tiramisu
Sophisticated Horizontal Penetration; Extensive Formation Contact
Illustration © James Scherrer 2014
What’s So Unconventional About it?
Oil and gas resources are commonly divided into two distinct types, conventional versus continuous or unconventional.…
Continue ReadingEnergy & Environmental Newsletter: September 16, 2019
By John Droz, Jr. -- September 16, 2019The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving national, state, and local energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for more information).
A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate MasterResource for their assistance in publishing this information.
Some of the more important articles in this issue are:
How AWEA misrepresents the cost of wind
energy
California raises the caution flag on
‘green jobs’
Sometimes, a greener grid means a 40,000%
spike in power prices
McKinsey Report: Renewables Threaten German Economy &
Energy Supply
12 Reasons Why Wind & Solar Power
Make No Sense
Russia Announces Plans for Coal-Digging
Surge
Good Short Video: Battery Fantasy
Letter: Transitioning to a Non-Fossil Fuel Economy
Renewables Reality: Isn’t It Time We
Faced Up to It?…