NORA surveys marketers on biodiesel impact on service
We Women in Energy conference goes virtual
Advice for work-life balance, finances and returning to the office
In June, the We Women in Energy’s Annual Conference
met virtually. The organization stressed the
ongoing importance of support and networking within
the industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual Woman of the Year Award was presented to
all women in the essential energy industry.
“During these challenging
times, coming together as friends
and colleagues is critical to keeping
positive, staying engaged and
supporting each other,” said Roberta
Fagan, President of Women
in Energy.
Erica Leonor of Power Selling
Pros offered positive words and phrases for customer
service representatives (CSRs) to replace commonly used
negative words, such as “can’t” or “won’t.”
Cheryl Merchant, President & CEO of Taco Comfort Solutions,
and Jennifer Goldbach of Rhoads Energy, stressed
the importance of finding and involving smart and capable
team members and working to serve, not dictate.
“You need to treat people how you want to be treated,”
said Merchant, who urged women to reach for positions
that they may think are out of reach.
A separate panel of industry executives discussed the
work-life balance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. All
noted that time management tactics, such as blocking off
time just for work, phone calls or family time, have been
essential, as well as flexible work schedules, communication
and co-worker collaboration.
Attorneys from Saul Ewing Arnstein Lehr LLP offered
resources to help with reopening of businesses during the
pandemic, including the Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA), local health departments, the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC).
John Levey of Oilheat Associates gave the second part
of his “Technical Training for Non-Technical Personnel.”
After reviewing flame retention burner parts and tune-up
activities, Levey discussed how CSRs and/or technicians
can troubleshoot over the phone before scheduling a visit
with a set of clarifying questions for issues such as water
leakage, oil leakage, noise and smoke.
On July 22, We Women in Energy will present its Mentorship
Program awards online. The next Annual Conference
is set for May 23–24, 2021 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic
City, NJ. For more info, visit wewomeninenergy.com. ICM
The National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) has
conducted periodic surveys to assess the impact
that biofuels have in the marketplace. Many view
low-carbon fuels as the best path for the industry as it
reduces its environmental impact.
NORA has conducted ongoing research in this area and
has found the transition to higher blends of biodiesel can
occur with low costs and little impact on the consumer. A
number of retailers are already selling higher blends of
biodiesel. To verify/validate laboratory conclusions on biodiesel,
NORA recently conducted a wide-ranging survey
of retailers and service personnel.
To understand the relative impacts of various blends
of biodiesel, NORA recently asked for responses based
upon three biodiesel blending groups: 1-10%, 11-25%
and 26-90%.
NORA then asked a series of questions to identify
maintenance issues related to:
Fuel storage issues
Filter blockage
Low temperature flow
Tank/fuel line corrosion
Pump leakage
Summary
Two areas of concern that have been raised with biodiesel
are pump seizing and corrosion. The results of this survey
do not clearly support this. Low-blend users indicate
more of a concern with these than higher blend users.
NORA has invested significant research time analyzing
seized pumps recovered from the field as well as attempting
to replicate pump seizing in the lab by running
degraded biofuel & heating oil through them.
NORA’s analysis indicates that degraded polymers are
causing the pumps to stick. However, NORA has heated
and aged fuel but has failed to make the polymer that
causes the sticking pumps. NORA has also been unable to
determine whether the degraded polymers originate with
biodiesel or petroleum oil.
At this time, NORA’s operating hypothesis is that the
polymers are derived from inadequately filtered fuel. As a
responsive measure, NORA is now evaluating the effectiveness
of dual filtration.
Corrosion has also been identified as important. A
major report funded by fuel and diesel engine manufacturers
is currently in process and expected to be released
in the fall of 2020. However, it has already been delayed
multiple times.
Corrosion is very complicated, but the key source of
corrosion is related to the amount of water that the fuel
holds, picks up or releases to the tank. Ultra-low sulfur
diesel has also been identified as a potential for causing
corrosion. However, regardless of fuel, the key indicator
of corrosion problems is free-water. Therefore, while the
studies continue, greater emphasis on water removal and
prevention are strongly recommended.
Get the entire survey report at NORAweb.org ICM
Pump seizing
Nozzle fouling
Heat exchanger fouling
Operational efficiency
Fuel spray angle
24 ICM/July/August 2020