The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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emphasis on demonstration can help make the case for re-authori- zation of NORA "next time around." Low-Cost, HigH-EffiCiEnCy AppLiAnCEs Researching the use of high-production, gas-designed heat exchangers was suggested by this discussion group, along with analyzing tankless coil options for improved efficiency. Also, Tom Tubman, executive director of the American Energy Coalition, said the group discussed development of low- cost, near-condensing boilers and ULS-specific heat exchangers for near- or full-condensing equipment. ControLs/EmErging tECHnoLogiEs Combustion monitoring and better diagnostics on oil-fired units were two research goals suggested by this group, said John Bohan of R.W. Beckett Corp., North Ridge, Ohio. A glossary of relevant terms, put into wide circulation, would support better communication among those in the industry. Wi-fi and apps for smart phones could be developed so that systems could "do more," Bohan added. Combustion/AdvAnCEd burnErs Research into, and development of, a B100 burner was proposed by this discussion group, headed by Butcher. A "mainstream unit" fired by B100 will be needed, Butcher told the meeting attendees. He added that B100 "could be a solution to environmental issues related to leaking tanks." Modulating burners and advanced atomizing concepts also need to be explored, Butcher said on behalf of the discussion group. Advanced atomizing, Butcher said, "is central to future burner and appliance concept develop- ment." fuEL QuALity A q u i c k , l o w - c o s t method to assess fuel qual- ity, along with creation of a best-practices manual and quality control programs were suggested by this discussion group. Establishing fuel handling and storage principles to avoid water contamination, and identifying characteristics of ULS heating oil and biofuel were also recommended. As emerging issues related to ULS fuel, the group identified lubricity assessment and corrosion concerns. Speaking for the discussion group, Tom Santa, president and CEO of Santa Energy Corp., Bridgeport, Conn., noted two different types of fuel quality problems. One is that when fuel is short, "off- spec Russian cargo" comes into the market "and everything falls apart at that point." The other is day-to-day variations in quality. Responsibility for fuel quality needs to be pushed back to regional wholesalers and refiners, Santa said on behalf of the discussion group. Further, surveys are needed to measure fuel quality problems in oil-fired equipment. Generally, greater turnover leading to less storage time results in delivered fuel that is fresher, Santa noted. The age of fuel affects filter change rates, Santa has found. He said that for many years he has tracked filter changes per 100,000 gallons delivered. Excluding rou- tine filter changes, he has found that filter changes can range from eight to as many as 30 per 100,000 gallons delivered. "It's directly related to the age of the fuel," Santa said, pointing out that filter changes regularly peak in October when fuel in customers' tanks is oldest, having been delivered in Spring and burned in the fall. 34 JULY 2014 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com BUSINESS OPERATIONS Tom Santa, president and CEO of Santa Energy Corp., Bridgeport, Conn., said that filter changes regularly peak in October when fuel in customers' tanks is oldest, having been delivered in Spring and burned in the fall. Speaking for the discussion group, Tom Santa, presi- dent and CEO of Santa Energy Corp., Bridgeport, Conn., noted two different types of fuel quality problems. One is that when fuel is short, "off-spec Russian cargo" comes into the market "and everything falls apart at that point." The other is day-to-day variations in quality.