Fuels

A Matter of Degrees: How Tank Temp affects Bacteria Growth

By Stephen Bennett A sharp difference in the temperature of fuel in a large tank and fuel being added to that tank can spell w-a-t-e-r, reported Brian Savage of Savage Associates, a bulk plant system designer based in Martinsville, N.J. “If there is a major difference in the temperature between B100 and diesel fuel or heating oil we see a ...

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Eight Stages of Oil Input

By John Vastyan It’s not often that you’ll find more than two oil-fired boilers serving the same hydronic system.  With a little creativity and a lot of technical aptitude, professionals at Petro Home Heating & Air Conditioning were able to provide a unique commercial solution in rural Rhode Island. This staged-fire oil installation recently proved its worth at the Brothers of ...

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Propane Outlook Going into 2015

By Keith Reid As we start the New Year, Fuel Oil News interviewed Propane Gas Association of New England President Joe Rose for a run down on the state of this industry segment, the organization’s ongoing initiatives and some of the issues it will be facing in 2015. PGANE exists to serve the propane industry in the six New England ...

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Nearsighted-Revisited: Cad Conundrum

I recently got involved in a debate on one of the many Facebook groups I belong too. This particular one is just for teachers apprentices and boy-oh-boy do the “greenies” have some great stories about the “old pros” and of course painting tubes and “shortcuts” came up.

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Regulation as Hand-to-Hand Combat

I have often described the process of working legislation, engaging the regulatory community for a necessary change in rule/regulation or permitting a new facility as “hand-to-hand combat.” It is often a long, drawn out, messy, unpleasant, metaphorically bloody, unpredictable and frustrating process. It is also said that the “first causality of war is the battle plan,” which is to say nothing ever goes as planned. If you have ever permitted a new bulk plant and struggled to get it done, you know of what I speak.

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Speaking Up for the Industry

By Stephen Bennett When proposed legislation could help or hurt fuel oil marketers, the industry needs to make itself heard. How does it do that? Chris Herb, for one, calls his “go-to people.” The president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association, based in Cromwell, said, “They’re extremely engaged. They want to be involved and they are actively looking to [participate], ...

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Future Energy Trends: A Roadmap

Dr. Tom Butcher The 2nd OESP Roadshow, held in Gettysburg, Pa., at the Wyndham Hotel on Sept. 21-23 featured a range of educational session. One highlight was Energy Trends, an open and informal discussion with Dr. Tom Butcher, Brookhaven National Laboratory, who will be leading the National Oilheat Research Alliance’s research efforts. He covered a range of trends and future ...

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Electronic Payments: Tips to Keep in Mind This Winter

With over ten years of experience in payment processing for the fuel industry, the AVATAS team understands that the electronic payment process can seem complex at first. However, it’s extremely beneficial to your bottom line to promote these types of payments over traditional forms, such as checks. Electronic payment options can drastically reduce the amount of time spent waiting for ...

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