From the Burner Tip

New Book Gives Good Arguments On Using Fossil Fuels for Power

In the dawn of the “green” energy era, proponents of using fossil fuels for energy and power sources strike a “mother lode” of facts, data, and logic for the continued use of these materials. While many in the public sector and even some in the technical arena are fervently in favor of going with green power, author Robert Bryce in his new book, Power Hungry, makes a cogent argument why fossil fuels should be around for some time to come. Sure, their use presents certain deficiencies, but the social and economic benefits they bring are so much greater and needed by society!

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | July 2010 Vol. 237 No. 7

Technology Makes Gas Available But Brings New Problems As Well

Score another victory for technology! U.S. natural gas supplies have the potential of increasing by 20-40% because of advances in two major oil and gas field technologies. Increased abilities to do horizontal drilling and better ways to open shale gas formations - “fracing” – is resulting in new supplies of this major U.S. fuel.

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | May 2010 Vol. 237 No. 5

Natural Gas Price Forecast Confusing; Close to $6/MMBtu Industry Consensus

Forecasting the prices of commodities such as natural gas and crude oil is far from a scientific endeavor. Sure, statistics, computer modeling, mathematics and more scientific means play a role in the eventual outlook, but it is pure art. A ouija board would be an ideal instrument in the forecasting business.

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | March 2010 Vol. 237 No. 3

Liquid Fuels From Algae Show Many Advantages

Algae – black, slimy, and obnoxious – just may be the next black gold of energy products, especially for liquid fuels! While other agriculture products have gotten a head start as possible replacements for crude oil, the best candidate currently is one of the lowest forms in the plant kingdom, algae.

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | January 2010 Vol. 237 No. 1

Measurement Matters: Improvements In Multiphase Flow Measurement

I was reviewing some recent columns and realized that I've been ranting about knowledge management and training programs for much of this year.

November 2009 Vol. 236 No. 11

Gas Deregulation Valuable After 30 Year Transformation

Thirty years ago, with the passage of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (NGPA) as part of the much bigger National Energy Act, the long journey to deregulate natural gas sales in interstate commerce started!

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | October 2009 Vol. 236 No. 10

Natural Gas Outlook Uncertain As Supply/Demand Balances Vary

Natural gas might be clear and odorless gas but its future is as cloudy as a London fog!

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | August 2009 Vol. 236 No. 8

Measurement Matters: Are We In The Midst Of A Technology Gap?

I've written about the impending retirements we're facing in our industry. It's not just in our industry, it's a demographic phenomenon. It's been acknowledged, studied, written about, re-acknowledged and affirmed.

Authored by: Eric Kelner, P.E. | July 2009 Vol. 236 No. 7

Biofuels Have Questionable Path As New Fuels for Transportation

In recent years, fossil fuels, particularly coal and crude oil products, have become politically incorrect. Though they account for more than 75% of all fuels used in the U.S., for a handful of reasons, some groups want to replace them.

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | June 2009 Vol. 236 No. 6

New Administration Plans Sweeping Climate Controls

Economic calamities have taken center stage in the administration’s agenda. However, that hasn't taken anything from the other important programs actively pursued by President Obama’s administration.

Authored by: Carol Freedenthal, Contributing Editor | April 2009 Vol. 236 No. 4