My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on July 16, 2006

Although I didn’t comment about the explosion and death at a Biodiesel Production Facility in Idaho, I’ve been following this accident on the Biodieselnow forum. The investigation that followed determined that the cause was the use of a torch in attaching a vent pipe onto a tank. The tank contained about “30 to 40 gallons of glycerin and methanol liquid mix.” Methanol, in particular, is extremely flammable and is perhaps the most dangerous ingredient used to produce biodiesel, although glycerin is also a fuel when near flames. According to an article from KTVB’s website, 25-year-old Blaise Black was killed by the explosion after lighting his torch.

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Posted By RichC on July 15, 2006

That was painful. I upgraded both my server and my version of WordPress blog software this weekend. Hopefully there will be a slight speed improvement as well as some added functionality. I’m maintaining the same ‘theme’ for simplicity and my ease of use. For those attempting to access this weekend … my apology.

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Posted By RichC on July 13, 2006

We’re semi in the market for a new vehicle to replace the family Goobermobile (Chrysler Town & Country Minivan) that we’re donating to a family in need of a car. Although I’m struggling to get a grip on new car prices, I realized that anything replacing my all-wheel drive Limited Edition van is going to cost my kids a couple years of college or require a mortgage bigger than that of our first house! So … as the list begins I might as well start at the top although I did just talk about the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to my buddy Dieter Zetsche, head honcho over at DaimlerChrysler, the new BLUETEC 3.2L engine will be put in the E-Class sedan, the R-Class tourer, ML-Class SUV and new GL-Class full size SUV. While I’m interested in all 4, only two of them come close to replacing the cargo and people carrying ability of the minivan — and I really don’t want another van. It looks as if the GL offers the most room and a macho-ness that someone coming from a kid carrying minivan ‘needs’ when dealing with a looming mid-life crisis. With an outstanding towing capability, it also functions as a ‘real’ cargo U-Hauler for moving kids to college and from one apartment to the next. The diesel option, said to be coming sometime in the 2007 model year, looks to be the only option for me and my biodiesel desires. According to Zetsche, the Bluetec-equipped GL-Class will get 26 mpg. Not to bad for such a big vehicle. Who knows where the price will be, but like I said, I’m ‘just looking’ and starting at the top.

My second ‘just looking’ choice is the R-class cross over wagon-ish ‘tourer’ as Mercedes Benz calls it. It to will also get the Bluetec diesel sometime next year and if it is matched to the current 7 speed transmission should even improve on the GL’s 26 mpg boasting. The R class hugs the ground a bit more, offer tremendous amounts of space and comfort and offers a ride close to the S class luxury sedan. (driven a gas version) Its an impressive car and is currently the best vehicle for the money that Mercedes sells in my opinion. It will be worth a close look when the diesel arrives. Again no prices or firm dates.

All in all my search has just begun and there’s nothing like starting at the top and working your way down. (actually I’d like to know if VW is going to bring its smaller diesel Touareg to the US in the Touareg even better, the rumored Acura MDX Honda diesel … although I don’t think I can wait until 2009.) Looking is suppose to be the fun part right?

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Posted By RichC on July 12, 2006

Here’s a “what I did over my summer vacation” summer camp type story … only it wasn’t me. (my life is a bit dull in comparison to my teenage son)
🙂
My high school son was privileged to go on a military oriented leadership camp this summer up in the Green Mountains of Vermont. This was something he had applied, submitting letters of reference, etc and really wanted to do. There were few downsides, but my wife and I concluded that a military oriented Future Leaders Camp would actually be an excellent experience.
1) It would help develop character traits required for leadership in life — particularly in the military
2) It would expose him to the rigors of a military oriented education — be it an academy, a military college or ROTC program
3) It would promote or de-mote Norwich University as a college option.

My son returned this past weekend full of the stories and camp comradely often part of team building and in-depth time together. From inspections, to marching drills and heavy physical training, it was about what I expected from a group of future and ex-military folks; there was no soft-selling the program. The days were broken down into learning tasks centered around leadership and the development of those qualities. Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was studied for his leadership qualities and was part of the daily study. From the 0530 role call to the surprise 3 AM wake up calls due to instructors finding a stray sock in the bathroom, it was all part of the discipline one assumes in military service. (its interesting to see how quickly terms are acquired and repeated once he returned home) It was fun to hear about all the after-the-fact humorous moments as well as the ‘roasting’ of instructors when the camp concluded.

A couple of highlights that I found funny: A Major ‘Somebody’ drove a VW Golf TDI (diesel) and ‘according to my son,’ biodiesel was available everywhere in Vermont. I asked if he talked with him? “Dad … you don’t just go and talk to a Major without being spoken too.” Another one was the slide presentation before heading out for a ‘survival camp’ or perhaps a one of the hike up Camel’s Hump Mountain. The instructor displayed items of danger on the screen. There were several joking slides of things like squirrels with a rocket launcher to black bears with smiley face hats. Then the most ‘serious danger’ … a photo of a Vermont hippie with the long hair, peace signs, etc.
😀
Of course it is funny, but it does go to show the contempt between those seen as the anti-military ‘liberal left’ and the more conservative ‘right leaning’ mindset. It would be nice to see a couple of the mouthpieces on the ‘left’ ease up on their disdain for the US troops and treat those serving our country with the respect they deserve. Agree or disagree with the administration and what foreign policy we are involved in, but support America’s military men, women and families — a reference to funeral protesting. Who knows, it might go a long way in improving the attitude ‘most’ serving and supporting the US military have regarding anti-war ‘political’ positions? I respect most political views, but have little tolerance for the degradation of our country and those fighting and dying out of duty.

Back to the story. My son came away far wiser than he left. One of the conversations with an instructor as he was being driven to camp was very insightful. It went like this — Instructor: “Do you want to attend a military academy or university?” My son stated truthfully, “I don’t know.” Instructor: “Right answer, how could you know if you want a 7 day a week military environment.” The beauty for parents and son alike, is that after returning he better understands what life under Uncle Sam’s control 24/7 is like. He concluded, at least for now, tip-toeing into the military might be a better option. Oh, he still wants to be a pilot for the military someday, but might he might just look at a few avenues other than a full Military education due to this excellent Future Leaders Camp.

Category: Millitary, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: military, norwich, school, taylor, vermont

Posted By RichC on July 11, 2006

Diesel car lovers in the US are going to have a lean year in 2007 before several manufacturers have their North American ready diesels figured out. Volkswagen, the number one diesel car manufacturer announced that it will not be producing a TDI for 2007. The new common rail diesel will replace it and will not be available until 2008. (VW says it will continue to sell 2006 vehicles well into the 2007 model year.) Even with this dim news, the future looks bright for more US diesel cars, vans and SUVs unless you need to purchase something in 2007.
One vehicle that will be available according to the Chrysler Group is the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. Its a full size Sport Utility Vehicle with some heavy duty features unlike many in the current crossover vehicle trend. Unfortunately with that ‘heavy duty’ comes reduced efficiency even with the Mercedes 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine. According to press releases, the new Jeeps should arrive at dealers during the first quarter of 2007 making them one of the few diesels available. (Mercedes is promising several diesels in the US next year too … from the E class sedan, to the R class crossover and the M and GL class SUVs.)

Jeep might be slightly ahead of most domestic auto manufacturers when it comes to fitting diesels into their line up, as they currently offer the Liberty 2.8-liter CRD and have some US diesel techs already trained in the States. Consider that they also share some technology with the DaimlerBenz side of the business, this will no doubt improve the diesel adoption. (unfortunatly there is some negative Jeep Liberty CRD news) E

The new 3.0-liter Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD engine that is going into the 2007 model produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. (not spectacular if you are in need of efficiency) The Grand Cherokee CRD has an outstanding towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and a driving range of approximately 425 miles. The 3.0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Laredo, Limited and Overland models. According to Bob Lee, Vice-President of the PowerTrain Product Team, “The 3.0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance. Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems.”

Interestingly like most international automotive companies, diesel is not something all that new to them since more than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3.0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany. Currently no pricing has been release.

Category: Automotive, Diesel | 6 Comments »
Tags: diesel, jeep, mercedes, SUV, test drive

Posted By RichC on July 10, 2006

Tobia Bucknell of BloggingOhio posted on biofuels in Ohio and how they fit in with our agricultural heritage. Considering Ohio is one of the top ten states in both corn and soybean production, we have much to gain in “growing” (pun intended) the biodiesel and ethanol markets. Mr. Bucknell highlighted several articles from Ohio farming community newspapers pointing to the industry expansion in right in our backyard. ASAlliance Biofuels LLC is building a “$120 million facility that will take some 40 million bushels of corn from local farmers for its operation.” Whether its producing crops for his facility, farmers like Ron Rockhold runs biodiesel in “all his vehicles, along with a handful of other farmers.” Tobias Bucknell stresses that “they do it because they indicate it burns cleaner, gums up their equipment less, and many of them believe it is more patriotic to invest in biodiesel which is American-made.”

It’s nice to see articles mentioning what Ohio farmers and local industry are doing to promote clean, renewable, domestic fuel. Let’s circulate the dollars here at home, keep our the air clean and do something about reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

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Posted By RichC on July 10, 2006

Frank Giovinazzi pointed out in CarBuyersNotebook, an automotive website I read regularly, that the term “biodiesel” has made it into the 2006 Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the 11th edition. I’m not sure if ‘making Webster’s dictionary’ is the definition of success, but at least everyone will know how to spell it correctly.
🙂
As for Webster’s definition, well its about as generic as a dictionary can get: “a fuel that is similar to diesel fuel and is derived from usually vegetable sources (as soybean oil).”

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Posted By RichC on July 9, 2006

I’ve been battling a storm water problem since we built our house and every year tweak my existing water routing plan contemplating new ways to deal with it. I spotted a “This Old House” video clip that offered a solution … a few more dollars than I want to spend, but I appreciated the engineering ideas. I might be able to use a modified version if my latest French drain project fails to satisfactorily solve my problem.

Here’s a photo of my recent French Drain Project behind our house.

Storm Water – “This Old House”

Category: Misc, Personal, Photos | 2 Comments »
Tags: drainage, home, house, rocks, tootsie, video, yard

Posted By RichC on July 8, 2006

I’m cheering for a group of students from University of Minnesota who will be racing their entry, Borealis III on September 17th in the World Solar Rally. Last year they took 2nd place in a 2005 race from Austin Texas to Calgary, Canada and have rebuilt and modified their vehicle in order to compete in Taiwan. The project manager, Patrick O’Connor and his team held a press event to show off their evolving project with the press this past week. Project vehicles are judged on a variety of factors including style, use of technology and overall race efficiency.

University students have been working on Borealis III since January 2004. The U of M Solar Vehicle Project was founded by a group of undergraduates in the Institute of Technology in 1990. The team is an undergraduate project and remains true to its origins as a student administered, designed and built project that teaches members about engineering and management in a complete product development environment.

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Posted By RichC on July 7, 2006

As a boy, the first movie I ever saw was “The Love Bug” at the Skyline drive-in theater in the back seat of my dad’s Chevrolet Corvair. (actually I think it was it “Born Free” not that it matters.) In an article sent to me by a VW TDI driving friend, German engineers at Volkswagen are coming closer to bringing a “Herbie,” or at least a close relative, to life.
🙂
The current test car is a fully automatic Volkswagen Golf GTi ’53 plus 1′ (its codename) and is capable of driving itself at speeds up to 150 mph. The vehicle can maneuver around corners and even tightly placed cones through a marked test track. It can do this without help from any human assistance using electronic ‘eyes’ of radar and laser sensors sending the information back to its computer.

The Golf GTI uses GPS navigation to track it exact position which has been enhance to locate it to the inch. According to the article, “it drove itself faster and more precisely than the VW engineers could manage.”

I’d like to see this technology go into the DARPA Challenge?

EDIT 7/7/2006 10:40AM – A reader emailed me after reading today’s post that he spotted a FoxNews news break flash about this and sent me an email “knowing I like to include video.” (he’s right) Thanks Jim for reading and emailing to let me know about this. So not to let him down, I found the clip and have included it here.

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