FuelClub Discount

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace has formed a partnership with Airbus, JetBlue Airways and others to find a way to make jet fuel from renewable sources, such as algae and a hearty arid plant called jatropha.

The technology could help break the airline industry’s tie to high-cost fossil fuels, leading to more profitable operations and lower fares. It also could help temper global warming by reducing greenhouse gases emitted by aircraft.

The green fuel will be tested in Phoenix in an auxiliary power unit made by Honeywell. The small turbine engines provide electricity to the aircraft when the main engines are off. Honeywell Aerospace has been working on developing engines that burn alternative fuels.
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If Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the principle that bears his name, looked under the hood of today’s diesel-powered vehicles, he probably wouldn’t recognize the engine as a relative of the original compression ignition concept he patented 115 years ago.

In truth, the modern diesel has nothing in common with its older counterpart other than the fact it burns the same fuel.

Consider Audi’s victories at the fabled Le Mans 24-hour race with a diesel-powered race car. It went head-to-head with the best gasoline-powered engines the world has to offer and whipped them all. Obviously, the racing engine is different from the road-going version, but it demonstrates how the once lowly oil-burner is now capable of speed, enduring performance and terrific overall efficiency.
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UPS, the world’s largest shipping carrier, said Tuesday it has ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles and another 300 compressed natural gas vehicles as it seeks to make its fleet more fuel efficient and environment-friendly.

The Atlanta-based company, also known as United Parcel Service Inc., did not say how much it is paying for the 500 vehicles, which will increase UPS’ alternative fuel fleet from 1,718 to 2,218 low-carbon vehicles — more than 2 percent of its worldwide fleet of 93,000.

The 200 hybrid electric vehicles, which will be used starting in 2009, are expected to save 176,000 gallons of fuel annually. The 300 compressed natural gas vehicles will be used starting later this year.
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A former computer programmer has developed a process by which waste cooking oil can be converted into a fuel which can be used to run diesel-powered cars.

According to the Scotsman, Alexander MacDonald, using a simple process, converts old cooking oil into biodiesel that can go directly into the fuel tank of any diesel-powered car.

The newly developed fuel has far lower levels of harmful emissions than traditional fuel, and at 96 pence a litre, is also cheaper.

For collecting the cooking oil that would otherwise be thrown away, MacDonald visits about 100 restaurants in Glasgow.
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Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it plans to greatly increase the use of more fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmissions, doubling their number by the end of next year and putting them in 98 percent of its North American vehicles by 2012.

Ford said the six-speed automatic transmissions offer 4 percent to 6 percent better fuel economy than four- and five-speed automatics.

The Dearborn-based automaker says its 6F35 six-speed transmissions will debut in the 2009-model Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossover vehicles, which now have four-speed automatic transmissions. They also will go into the 2009 Mazda Tribute and two other vehicles early next year, Ford said.
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Neste Green diesel suitable for all diesel engines, contains at least 10% renewable fuel

A pioneer in the renewable fuel business, Neste Oil, has commercially launched a unique renewable diesel, the Neste Green diesel, in Finland. Neste Oil is the first company in the world to bring out a renewable diesel that suits all diesel motors.

Neste Oil guarantees that Neste Green diesel contains at least 10% renewable fuel in the form of Neste Oil’s unique NExBTL component. Using the NExBTL component improves the air quality in cities due to reduced particle emissions and reduces also greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Neste Green diesel will first become available in the metropolitan region around Helsinki after which distribution will be extended to other parts of Finland on a phased basis.
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