[thackney]

The miles per barrel comparison is very misleading. The are using the average gasoline/diesel production and portraying it like a limit.

Those ratios are only the result of current market conditions in the US. Process units like Catalytic Crackers and Hydrotraters are designed to maximize gasoline production because the US demand is so great.

In places like Europe and South America, more diesel is produced.

Brazil (Petrobras) is currently in the early engineering phase of two new refineries that will produce no gasoline and maximize diesel production. My company is being evaluated to provide some of the technology.

[sitetest]

Dear thackney,

The author recognizes your point, but states that to get significantly more diesel per barrel, it would require replacing all our existing refineries. What do you think of that comment?

What's implied in YOUR post is that getting as much gasoline out of the barrel as we do is a result of using EXTRA refining equipment. Could refineries be re-tooled by removing that extra equipment from the process? Or is the author not too far off?

Thanks,

sitetest

[Rocketwolf68]

Diesel is where the smart money is- it holds energy longer without evaporation, degradation, or storage in high pressure tanks, and is not as volatile or prone to explosions like the alternatives (although it does gel at sub-zero temps). Can't wait to see those 100,000 psi hydrogen tanks go off in some soccer mom's van- Yikes! The comparison of miles per barrel compared to gasoline is totally misleading. The apt comparison is how much farther you can travel on a gallon, and the savings over the life of the vehicle, resale value and time saved refueling due to the 700 mile tank range, not to mention the peace of mind that comes when you are not in a rolling flame thrower. I do think the grass, canola and other seed oils, with other farm grown fuels (algae) could save America's small farms, but of course zero would not approve of self reliance without massive gov’t control. It is far too easy for people to make their own diesel fuel with a seed press, and the government wouldn't be able to tax the crap out of it, so the EPA ties up foreign (and domestic) car companies with ridiculous diesel particulate emissions restrictions. (see: Mahindra diesel trucks). I fear they prefer a fuel that has to be funneled through their multi-tiered taxing system before it can be OK'ed for use by us...