AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants

The Holy Grail - convert anything that grows out of the Earth into oil

First all, thanks to a trusted friend and colleague, Gary Myers, Owner of "Best Lube Technology" in Ohio who passed along a great article by Joe Kovacs that appears in WorldNetDaily entitled "Anything that grows 'can convert into oil', and talks about a Georgia company called Bell Bio-Energy that finds a natural solution that turns plants into gasoline.

The article After three years of clandestine development, a Georgia company is now going public with a simple, natural way to convert anything that grows out of the Earth into oil.

J.C. Bell, an agricultural researcher and CEO of , says he's isolated and modified specific bacteria that will, on a very large scale, naturally change plant material – including the leftovers from food – into hydrocarbons to fuel cars and trucks.

"What we're doing is taking the trash like corn stalks, corn husks, corn cobs – even grass from the yard that goes to the dump – that's what we can turn into oil," Bell told WND. "I'm not going to make asphalt, we're only going to make the things we need. We're going to make gasoline for driving, diesel for our big trucks."

 

Wood pulp is among the many natural materials that can be converted into oil and gasoline, according to Bell Bio-Energy, Inc., of Tifton, Ga.

The agricultural researcher made the discovery after standing downwind from his cows at his food-production company, Bell Plantation, in Tifton, Ga.

"Cows are like people that eat lots of beans. They're really, really good at making natural gas," he said. "It dawned on me that that natural gas was methane."

Bell says he wondered what digestive process inside a cow enabled it to change food into the hydrocarbon molecules of methane, so he began looking into replicating and speeding up the process.

"Through genetic manipulation, we've changed the naturally occurring bacteria, so they eat and consume biomass a little more efficiently," he said. "It works. There's not even any debate that it works. It really is an all-natural, simple process that cows use on a daily basis."

 

Naturally occurring bacteria used to convert biomass into hydrocarbons.

But does he think it will make environmentalists happy?

"They love this. We had one totally recognizable environmentalist from Hollywood say this is everything they ever had hoped for," Bell said. "This could be considered the ultimate recycling of carbon. We are using the energy of the sun through the plant. We're not introducing any new carbon [to the environment]."

The research has received strong support from the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture and committees in both chambers of Congress, and Bell plans further discussions in Washington, D.C., next week.

Are there different types of biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from fats and oils such as soybeans and animal fats.

Biodiesel can be used in any concentration with petroleum-based diesel fuel in existing diesel engines with little or no modification. 

Biodiesel is not raw vegetable oil! Biodiesel must be produced by a chemical process that removes glycerin from the oil.

Biodiesel blend, nn. are a blend of biodiesel fuel meeting ASTM D 6751 with petroleum-based diesel fuel designated BXX, where XX is the volume percent of biodiesel. Common blends are b2, b5, b10, b20 and b100.

Why biodiesel and why now?

To begin with, we currently import over 50% of our petroleum needs  - this is expected to grow to 70% by 2025.  Once roughly half the oil has been extracted, it becomes harder – and more expensive – to get at the remainder.  The key date is not when the oil runs out, but when production peaks, meaning supplies decline.  The peak may come by about 2020.

Thus, we should be looking at biofuels seriously as an alternative to petroleum fuels. 
For example:

• B100 biodiesel has the Energy content of #1, 8% less than #2
• High Cetane (avg. over 50)
• Its Sulfur free
• Cold flow - B2 biodiesel has the same low temperature flow characteristics as #2 petroleum diesel
• It also has an Energy Balance (3.24 to 1)
• Finally, it's Biodegradable and Non-Toxic

Like synthetic lubricants, biofuels are an important part of our energy future.  There is no question that conventional energy reserves will peak, and this reality guarantees that the era of "cheap" petroleum products is over...  From here on, we better get used to higher prices for these products.

AMSOIL Motor Oil extended drain interval recommendations do not apply to vehicles using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratios with petroleum diesel. When using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratio, follow the OEM recommended oil drain interval.

That's why any place you can save money, by use of synthetic products (and their unique advantages), is just plain smart, don't you think?

What does AMSOIL say about bio-diesel ?

TSB: MO-2006-05-04
Date: 05/05/2006
Subject: Use of Biodiesel Fuel with AMSOIL Motor Oils Technical Service Bulletin
Product Description: ALL AMSOIL Motor Oils

OBJECTIVE:
To explain to AMSOIL Dealers the nature of biodiesel fuel and its effects on engine operation and lubricant service life.

TECHNICAL DISCUSSION:
Definition of Biodiesel (1)
Biodiesel is a mixture of methyl esters of long chain fatty acids like lauric, palmitic, steric, oleic, etc. It is produced by the transesterification of animal fats and vegetable oils. Typical examples are rapeseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, palm oil and its derivatives from vegetable sources. Beef and sheep tallow and poultry oil from animal sources and cooking oil are also the sources of raw materials.

The chemistry of conversion to biodiesel is essentially
the same. Oil or fat react with methanol or ethanol in the presence of catalyst sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to form biodiesel (methylesters) and glycerin.

Biodiesel is not the same as those vegetable oils or animal fats. The properties of biodiesel must adhere to the industrial standard (ASTM D6751). Raw vegetable oils and animal fats do not meet ASTM D6751 specifications.

Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum fuel to create biodiesel blends. These blends are designated as Bxx, where “xx” is the percentage of biodiesel in the blend. For example, a B5 blend is 5% biodiesel and 95% diesel fuel.

Advantage of Using Biodiesel
The physical and chemical properties of biodiesel are similar to petroleum based diesel in terms of operation of compression ignition engines. Therefore, biodiesel can be used in diesel vehicles without expensive alterations to the engine or fuel system. The other major benefits of using biodiesel include the following:

• Biodiesel is biodegradable, non toxic and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.
• Improved lubricity.
• High cetane number.
• Improved conductivity, particularly for Ultra Low Sulfur fuel.

Disadvantage of using Biodiesel
Lower Energy Content (2)
The energy content of neat biodiesel fuel is about eleven percent (11%) lower than that of petroleum based diesel fuel, resulting in a power loss in engine operation. Engine adjustment for the power losses could lead to violation of EPA antitampering provisions.

Engine Operation Problems (2)
Neat biodiesel and higher percentage biodiesel blends can cause a variety of engine performance problems, including filter plugging, injector coking, piston ring sticking and breaking, elastomer seal swelling and hardening/cracking and severe engine lubricant degradation. There is very little
information on the use of biodiesel with engine durability over the mileage and operating conditions of heavy-duty diesel engines. More information is needed.

Storage and Handling
Biodiesel fuels have shown poor oxidation stability, which can result in long-term storage problems. When biodiesel fuels are used at low temperatures, filters can be plugged and the fuel can thicken. Sub-standard biodiesel fuel might contain glycerin that can precipitate out of the biodiesel fuel and plug the filter at low temperatures.

Biodiesel fuel is an excellent media for microbial growth, which may cause operation problems, fuel system corrosion and premature fuel filter plugging.

Emissions
Oxygen and other biodiesel characteristics can contribute to increased NOx emissions.

Engine Manufacturer's Position (3-12)

Generally, diesel engine manufacturers accept blending biodiesel fuels up to 5% with petroleum diesel(B5). Concentration beyond 5% could have adverse effects on the engine performance and the fuel system integrity and durability.

Most OEMs express concern regarding the service life of lubricants when higher concentrations of biodiesel are used.

Ford Motor Company:
Ford is advising that any of their vehicles powered by a diesel engine, regardless of manufacturer, may exhibit engine or fuel system problems when using fuels with greater than 5% Biodiesel. Any problems when using fuels containing more than 5% Biodiesel should be referred to the fuel manufacturer. Ford only recomends using fuels containing no more than 5% Biodiesel (B5) in their diesel powered vehicles. In addition, as per World Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) catagory 1-3, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) must meet EN14214 and ASTM D 6751 specifications. This was published as Broadcast Message 0884, 3626

 Cummins:
“The oil change interval can be affected by the use of biodiesel fuels and some applications may require shortening intervals to half of the diesel equivalent.”

International:
“The use of higher biodiesel blends may reduce the engine service life and drain intervals.”

Volvo Truck:
“When the customer wishes to use fuels based on vegetable oils, we recommend that the oil changing intervals be halved in order to eliminate the risk of dilution of the engine oil.”

Effect of Biodiesel on Lubricants (13)

• Fuel dilution resulting in viscosity reduction.
• Sludge and varnish formation.
• Depletion of alkalinity reserve in the oil indicated by total base number decrease.
• Total acid number increases more rapidly, indicating oil degradation probably from more NOx acid formation.
• Certain metals such as copper and lead leached from bearing due to biodiesel fuel in the lubricant.
• Oil filters plugging from sludge.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
AMSOIL Motor Oil extended drain interval recommendations do not apply to vehicles using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratios with petroleum diesel. When using biodiesel fuels at any mix ratio, follow the OEM recommended oil drain interval.

REFERENCES:
1.www.biodiesel.org
2.http://www.enginemanufacturers.org/info/division.asp?ID=65
3.Caterpiller Machine Fluids Recommendation,SEBU 6250-14, April 005, Page 53-56
4.http://www.cummins.com/cmi/
5.http://www.detroitdiesel.com/Support/On-Highway/Manuals/Lubricants_Fuels_Coolants/
index.asp
6. www.biodiesel.org/resources/fuelfactsheets/standards_and_warranties.shtm
7.http://www.deere.com/en_US/ag/servicereport/tips/tractors/9000/biodiesel_in_John_Deere_Tractors.html
8.http://www.vw.com/contactus/faqs.html
9.International, Technical Service Information, TSI-05-12-21
10. https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/environmental_vehicles/biodieselTechnology.asp
11. General Motor, AltFuels, Fleet and Commercial,2004, Vol 5, Issue 1
12. Volvo Truck Corporation, Service Bulletin, Group 170, No. 44, Version 1, Page 3
13. www.eeci.net/archive/biobase/B10577.html

In the next decade, you could be driving on saltwater

Kudos to Gary Myers, a fellow TAAN Network business partner who just sent me over some exciting stuff on alternative fuels we may see in the future.

Gary provided me a captivating article on an engineer that's developing a process to turn saltwater into a fuel source.  Incredible, you might ask?  Read the article, and tell me what you think?

John Kanzius, a retired radio engineer, is causing water to split into hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) by adding energy into the system via bombarding salt water with radio waves.  Here's another video about the author, and his discovery of how to transform ordinary salt water into a fuel source

Check out these articles, and tell me what you think.