The past few months have seen unprecedented turmoil in worldwide financial markets. With the global economy in a recession and the decreased price of oil, many may be wondering what the future holds for biofuels.
The International Fuel Quality Center recently released a ranking of the top 100 countries based on the lowest benzene limits in gasoline. Colombia was at the top of the ranking with the lowest limit, followed by Canada and Luxembourg.
Low-carbon fuel production is a recognizable need if the world is to kick its dependence on petroleum-based fuels and reduce the release of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide and other emissions into the atmosphere. But fuel designers face challenges with chemistry and component reactions if they truly are to bring cleaner-burning fuels to fruition.
Looking down from space, the night sky in the Gulf of Guinea offshore Nigeria is lit up by the flares that burn natural gas from oil fields. This gas is burned without a use and contributes greenhouse gases to the global warming problem. This gas is not only an untapped resource, but also a potential gold mine for producing carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol.
Fuel prices have been on the rise since February 1999, but the increase has been most prevalent since May 2003. An industry expert analyzes the reasoning behind the hike.
Hart Energy Publishing's International Fuel Quality Center recently released a ranking of the top 100 countries based on sulfur limits on on-road diesel. Sweden was found to be at the top of the ranking, followed by Germany and Japan, being sole position-holders of second and third place, respectively.
Airports, which represent localized sources of jet aircraft emissions, particularly particles, are growing worldwide, and so are emissions associated with ground-level operations (taking off and landing).
Sustainability is a buzzword among domestic and international policymakers as well as UN representatives. As such, climate change and rising fuel prices have some in the aviation community nervour, but experts offer analysis and viable solutions.
The International Maritime Organization recently revised the MARPOL Annex VI so regulations are clearer and nitrogen oxides emissions are further reduced.
