[AT] Diesel Fuel from Waste?

[pga2 at hot1.net]

I hope you mean a "larger muffler and Y pipe" instead of smaller. Smaller
would increase back pressure in the exhaust system and decrease the engine's
pumping efficiency, thus cut the power output. Less power would mean pushing
harder on the throttle to keep the performance up. That, in turn, would
decrease MPG. 
I'm not 100% convinced that these mods would pay for themselves unless one
keeps a vehicle for longer than it takes to pay for it, currently about 5
years for me. Since my old f150 is now 15 years old and has over 200,ooo miles
on it, these mods would make sense for me.

Phil




----- Original Message -----
>From    : "Sheppard, Charles E" <sheppard at indiana.edu>
Sent    : Mon, 5 Feb 2007 11:15:21 -0500
To      : at at lists.antique-tractor.com
Subject : [AT] Diesel Fuel from Waste?


>I am not a frequent list reader, so I hope this isn't something already
discussed.  

 

The idea of waste-to-fuel is explained at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_depolymerization  The break-even
price of the fuel oil is around $60.00.  If I were an oil producer
interested in making as much money as possible, I would form a cartel
(read monopoly) to control the market price.  I would restrict
production, forcing prices up.  When my customers complained too loudly
or threatened to develop alternative fuel sources (read ethanol,
butanol, soydiesel....), I would increase production to quiet the
complaints and discourage new ventures.  After a respite, I would go at
it again.  Sound familiar?  IMHO, this is a political problem and not a
technical one.

 

Slightly different theme:  Did anyone see DIY over the weekend?  The
program "Weekend Mechanic" described modification of a F-150 to improve
mileage by 10 mpg.  They installed a cold air induction system, a
throttle body spacer, a smaller muffler and 'Y' pipes and a tonneau
(sp?) cover for the bed.  Then they changed the engine computer program.
This is all supposed to be street legal.  Any opinions on whether this
is hype?  IF we could all get 10 mpg improvement, that would go along
way toward helping the energy crisis.  It also begs the question, "Why
isn't this included on a factory vehicles?"


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