September 21, 2009
Volume: 13
Issue: 19

Regulation & Legislation

CARB Diesel, Biodiesel Meetings This Week

Work groups will discuss research about comparing emissions results of biodiesel as well as California Air Resources Board diesel vs. ordinary diesel fuel in California this week.

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Manitoba Mandates 2% Biodiesel Blending on Nov. 1

A 2% biodiesel blend becomes mandatory in Manitoba, Canada, starting Nov. 1.

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Anti-Diesel SCAQMD Buys 483 Natural-Gas Trucks for Ports

Keeping to a pattern established years ago, the metro Los Angeles air regulator SCAQMD is funding natural-gas trucks to replace diesel trucks at the biggest marine port complex in the United States.

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CARB Seeks Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Workgroup Members

Low-carbon fuel standard experts in biofuels impact on greenhouse emissions are sought for a new CARB work-group.

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Technology

Supercritical Diesel Fuel Might Solve Problems, but Needs More R&D

While the idea of converting diesel fuel from a liquid to a supercritical state to cut emissions and boost efficiency isn’t new, Syracuse University researchers believe they may have hit-upon a better method.

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Hydrocracking/FCC Capacity Proportions Will Flip-Flop: Hart Study

Hydrocracking capacity in future will easily exceed that of fluid catalytic cracking capacity because of long-term demand trends, according to a new Hart study.

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‘Boxer’ Diesel Engine Developer Names ex-GM Exec as CEO

The developer of a novel opposed-cylinder technology for low-emissions, high-efficiency diesel just named a former top General engineering exec as its chief executive officer.

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Linc Completes GasTech Acquisition for Wyoming UCG Project

Linc Energy aims to start-up its first underground coal gasification project in Wyoming following coal lease acquisitions.

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Feature

VW Debuts 170-mpg Diesel Car

The world’s lowest-carbon-dioxide and best-fuel-economy series-production car is expected to hit the market in 2013 in a diesel-hybrid configuration, according to VW.
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Transport News

Volvo, Ford Unveil 99-Grams CO2 Diesel Cars

Diesel cars that emit only 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer will debut in Europe later this year.

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Greens Slam Diesel Cruise-Ship Air Pollution

Only one cruise-ship line is taking significant measures to slash diesel air pollution, according to an environmental group survey.

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China Yuchai Inaugurates Big Diesel Plant

A new diesel engine plant with capacity of up to 100,000 units per year was launched this month in Fujian Province, China.

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US Railcar Confirms CRM Buyout

Diesel-powered railcars are a rarity in the United States (unlike in Europe), but they might make a comeback thanks to US Railcar’s purchase of CRM.

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Distillate Markets

Market Report: Distillate Stocks Bulge, Price Weakness Continues

Prices for middle distillates in major world markets continued to look fairly weak last week as a stock overhang grew.

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Distillate Watch

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Darling, Valero Ink Renewable Diesel Production Deal

Big U.S.-based animal fats renderer Darling International proposes a new venture with U.S. refiner Valero on a “renewable diesel” project in Louisiana.

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SulphCo Testing Trans-Mix Desulfurization Scheme

A trans-mix operator in New Mexico will test SulphCo’s “Sonocracking” diesel desulfurization scheme, under a deal announced last week.

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India’s State-Owned Refiners Promised 100% Compensation on Price Controls

India’s government price controls continue to cause huge losses for refiners with compensation payments promised but not yet delivered.

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Malaysia ‘Stuck with Dirty Diesel’

Malaysia is suffering from air pollution thanks to dirty, high-sulfur fuels, but the problem isn’t oil companies; it’s the government.

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