TheKneeslider.com – Since we cover diesel motorcycles here, I thought it might be interesting to note this ethanol diesel blend called O2Diesel. I had never heard of this and ran across it yesterday. The benefits cited on their website are:
* O2Diesel™ is a “fill and go” clean diesel technology available for centrally-fueled fleets in large urban areas plagued with air quality problems.
* O2Diesel™ reduces diesel equipment regulated and unregulated exhaust emissions, including greenhouse gases.
* O2Diesel™ reduces harmful emissions from diesel engine exhaust including particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.
* O2Diesel™ provides cleaner combustion with decreased engine corrosion, reduced cylinder wear and extended lubricant life.
* O2Diesel™ can be used engines designed for conventional diesel fuel without special modifications or changes.
It seems like a good idea and is currently being used in trucks and buses. With the fast approaching clean diesel coming to our pumps this year, plus this technology, diesels are definitely moving into the clean zone.
It’s getting hard to keep all of the alternative fuels straight without some kind of reference. There are all of the various blends of ethanol and gasoline in varying percentages, diesel, clean diesel with low sulfur content, biodiesel made from all different kinds of feed stock and in various concentrations, straight vegetable oil when used with a preheater of some sort, and of course all of the various regional blends of gasoline in various octane ratings.
Let’s not forget, natural gas, hydrogen, both burned directly in the engine or used in a fuel cell and all of the electric power variations whether all electric or in a hybrid vehicle with a gasoline or diesel engine.
I probably left something out but the wide range of potential fuels is truly amazing. It also points out the difficulty of settling on any one with rapid improvements coming in so many areas, the best choice today could be a bad choice tomorrow. But if you find this type of technology interesting, this is a great time to be watching it and learning.
Matt says
I’m curious what happened to direct injection 2 cycles, Ficht Fuel Injection, Orbital, and other “clean” 2 strokes?
The marine industry has 2 strokes that are beating the 4 strokes in the race for lower emissions, why haven’t they made it to bikes yet? Maybe we’re just missing out on this side of the pond…
/stupidest move I made was selling the ’85 Yami RZ350. Still looking for a ’79 Daytona Special.
Casey says
How about a car that runs on compressed air , think you will find this interesting
http://www.beyondtomorrow.com.au/stories/ep17/frenchaircar.html
http://www.theaircar.com/
coho says
I still don’t get why we have to pick just one fuel for everything. That seems like how we got into this pickle in the first place. Why can’t the urban commuters quietly hum to work in their electric transpo-pods alongside the compressed-air car, a fuel-cell VW GX3, and my (someday) diesel motorbike?
hoyt says
coho,
good call — i’m still amazed that the 1st deisel engine was powered by bio-deisel. Imagine 100 years of development of biodeisel. Imagine the money and corruption around the world due to primarily one fuel source.
coho says
hoyt,
I can imagine the money and corruption, but since I seem to be unable to lay my hands (or ethics) on any of it, I try not to think about it too much.