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Feature story on Marquette University's biodiesel team |
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Written by jasonh
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Saturday, 10 May 2008 |
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is running a five-piece series featuring the group of Marquette University engineering students who built a biodiesel reactor as their senior project . This first story ran in the May 11 issue. and we'll link to the rest as they come out. Also, the story includes an interactive segment on "How biodiesel is made" which seems relatively accurate in its generalities. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 May 2008 )
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Learn to brew your own fuel! |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
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GirlMark, a nationally respected biodiesel brewing instructor, is coming back to the Midwest. She is the definitive person to learn the do's and don't do's of making biodiesel. Learn from her many years of experence and share your knowledge with other class members. No previous brewing experience is required for the Intro To Biodiesel Homebrewing class on May 30. There is a $75 fee for this class. The "Growing Out of The Appleseed' class, May 31-June 1, is designed to teach advanced, larger volume brewing, e.g. farm/fleet scale production, and costs $120. Both of these classes will be taught in Grayslake, Illinois. Visit the GirlMark Tour Site for more information. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 05 May 2008 )
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Volkswgen's new "clean diesel" BlueTDI debuts; on sale Sept. 08 |
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Written by jasonh
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
The production version of VW's clean BlueTDI engine was unveiled in April at the International Vienna Motor Symposium. The Jetta BlueTDI sports a 2.0-liter common-rail turbo diesel engine that produces 140 Hp and 320 Nm (236-lb/ft) of torque. Compare that to 240 Nm (177 lb/ft) of the previous generation Pumpe Düse TDI, and you're looking at a major performance boost to the already-nimble TDI.
Three special qualities make the BlueTDI intriguing. First is the new pollution control. By moving to common rail diesel technology, Volkswagen has incorporated the Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC package, which eliminates a majority of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Thanks to the lower NOx, the BlueTDI will be available for sale in all 50 states, and eliminates a big part of the stigma about diesel cars. (You may find an article that details the NOx-trapping system of interest.)
Second is the mileage. 5-speed TDIs are renowned for their great mileage of 50 MPG highway. With the new engine's higher torque and lower emissions, you may expect decreased mileage. But that is not the case. The BlueTDI reportedly will get 60 MPG highway, which easily tops the previous TDIs by 10-12% -- which already beat most hybrids on highway mileage as it were. (This may ease the pain of those mourning the apparent deep-sixing of the unreleased VW Golf TDI Hybrid.)
The third curious thing about the BlueTDI is the sound the cars produce. Or the lack thereof. While the TDI family has always had a distinct aural signature, ranging from the bouncing ping-pong ball in older TDIs to the svelte purr of the Pumpe Düse. Not so with the BlueTDI. According to one co-op member who saw a prototype at the '07 TDI Club gathering. In addition to enjoying its higher performance, he said the new TDI "is as quiet as a gas car." Between the quiet running and the high performance, he said, "You can't tell it's a diesel!"
The BlueTDI is expected to go on sale in September. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 05 May 2008 )
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