A self-contained system that is mounted on a base or platform that measures the amount of fuel being transferred. The fuel metering skid can be a single product or multiple product that can be blended. The metering skid has engineered components or devices that make up the system to accomplish “custody transfer” of the fuel from one party to the other. The system component makeup is required for accounting purposes and for tax reporting to state and federal agencies. The system must be “proved” or certified by the agencies for accuracy.
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The method of measuring the amount of fuel being transferred with an engineered device that is calibrated to report the volume of fuel flow. There are three commonly used meters of fuel: Positive Displacement-PD, Turbine and Coriolis (usually referred to as Mass Flow).
An electrochemical engine with no moving parts that converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes.
The method of combining two or more fuels in specific quantities to achieve a desired blend. There are two customary methods of blending: ratio and sequential. Ratio blending is the method of combining the fuels in the flowstream at predetermined percentages, for example: 90% gasoline/10% ethanol. Sequential blending is the method of loading out the fuel in predetermined quantities that make up the percentages, for example: 900 gallons of gasoline (90%)/100 gallons of ethanol (10%). Sequential blending is usually referred to as “splash” blending.
A fuel such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are the remains of ancient plants and animals.
A Vehicle with a common fuel tank designed to run on varying blends of unleaded gasoline with either ethanol or methanol.
A system for transferring fuel from one mobile container (rail car) to another (tank truck) without being stored. This system may be fixed on a platform or mobile with wheels so it may be moved from one location to another. (See “Transloading”).
A method discovered in 1923 by the German coal researchers Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch, for the synthesis of hydrocarbons and other aliphatic compounds. A mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide is reacted in the presence of an iron or cobalt catalyst. Much heat is evolved and products such as methane, synthetic gasoline and waxes, and alcohols are made. Water or carbon dioxide is its by-product.
Any material converted to another form of fuel or energy product. For example, cornstarch can be used as a feedstock for ethanol production.