News report on "no-name" gas

[fuel tanker man]

All of the various fuels come up the same pipeline. Low Sulfur Diesel, High Sulfur Diesel, Kerosene, Jet A, no lead gas and premium gas--all come up the same line. The oil terminals draw off of the pipeline when the line has the product which they need moving through it.

Amoco Ultimate is sometimes called "white gas," and it is indeed refined an extra step to remove small levels of impurities than color regular gas the yellow/orange you're used to seeing.

If Amoco Ultimate were put into the pipeline at the same time as the other premium gasoline, the two would dilute each other, and Amoco Ultimate wouldn't be "white gas" anymore.

I've pulled a fair amount of fuel from two different Amoco terminals. The Ultimate does travel up the pipeline as its own commodity...

I'm not saying that the Amoco Ultimate is better gas; just that it must be isolated in pipeline shipments to keep it in its ultra-refined state.

Dan

 

[Volvohead]

quote:

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Originally posted by fuel tanker man:

. . . Amoco Ultimate is sometimes called "white gas," and it is indeed refined an extra step to remove small levels of impurities than color regular gas the yellow/orange you're used to seeing . . .

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The only thing that ever "colored" Ultimate's reputation is when Amoco attempted to correlate it's then crystal clear color with superior engine performance in very early advertising.

They had to settle with the FTC over that, and have been scrupulous in presenting factually verifiable marketing claims ever since.

The "clear" feature of Ultimate has since become passe; according to BP, it is now delivered colored in some markets.

But it's very good gasoline for a non-racing grade - no doubt about that. Around here, that and Sunoco 94 Ultra are my two favorite premium grade street fuels. The latter is quite a bit more money and not discernably better.

 

[JHZR2]

I am involved with efforts from different companies and research institutions regarding liquid phase desulfurization units for sulfur removal from heavy fuels... Its amazing how the coloration goes to clear for a heavy diesel with no sulfur in it...

Amoco fuels in NJ are desulfurized an extra step apparently, in the interest of less pollution. I would not doubt that they are crystal clear, given the lower sulfur, due to reduction in benzothiophenes, etc., which will be better for everything from catalysts to particulate production, and is a win-win overall for the environment and vehicle operation.

I cant say for sure that they have their own pipelines, but I have read that in other places than just on this site.

JMH

 

[DakAttack]

Het F.T.M I noticed in your other Informative post that you state WIlco/Hess is an unbranded gas, This I did not know. I know they have over a thousand stations all along the east coast. Well my question is do you believe they would have a poor additive package. I usually only get my gas from them cause its usually the cheapest. I Usually gas up with 87 then alternate the following time with 89. I also gas up at citgo once in a while. Other stations near by are gulf an sunoco. Any thoughts on any of them would be great from anyone. Oh Do you guys know if hess uses Ethanol in their gas in Massachusetts. also what about MTBE WHat is it whats it do. Thank you guys!!

[ August 24, 2005, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: DakAttack ]

 

[Blake Sobiloff]

So, will no-name gas with FP be just as good or better than Top Tier? Assuming, of course, that both gasolines aren't abused in the underground tanks with water or other contamination.

 

[JHZR2]

Use good name brand gas, and even if it is hit or miss additve wise, youll not run into problems.

there is no guarantee that FP with a no-name will be that good. Thats all that can be said... it may be totally fine, may be no good.

FP may be a good cleaner of deposits, but I'm not convinced that its primary purpose in fuel is cleaning...

JMH

 

[fuel tanker man]

Unless Wilco/Hess is additizing their fuel with some propreitary additive that I've not heard about, it's just straight out of the pipeline like other no-name gasolines.

See what the pumps say. If they aren't touting a specific additive, it's just straight gas (which, as mentioned elsewhere, has plenty of cleaning additive already in it).

Dan

 

[MNgopher]

quote:

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Originally posted by GROUCHO MARX:
Isn't the ethanol used as a winter additive? It might be voluntary as a summer add.

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Depends on where you are.

In Minnesota, all gas has 10% ethanol year around. Non-ethanol premium is available at "select" retailers. You don't go around looking for ethanol lablels on the pumps here because they all have it. Instead, the pumps with the non-oxy label are the ones to look for.

Some places run gasoline with ethanol in it year around as part of an emissions package. Some places only require that in the winter time. Other retailers use it all the time even though its use isn't required.

Whether your gas has ethanol in it or not, and is labeled as such, all depends on your local market and retailers.

No one size fits all approach.

 

[bruce381]

Dan I doubt having a seperate pipline for the amoco high end fuel but perhaps they the pipeline company takes off a larger amount of front and
rear trans mix to assure high color?
bruce

 

[kenw]

"..just that it must be isolated in pipeline shipments to keep it in its ultra-refined state."

as are all the other grades. batching pigs are used to separate the various grades within a given pipeline. If flow conditions are adequate, pigs aren't necessary and the mixed zone is merely added to the lower grade product. Amoco MAY specificy batching pigs, it is a bit more failsafe to prevent mixing but also a lot more expensive.

*********************

"Dan I doubt having a seperate pipline for the amoco high end fuel but perhaps they the pipeline company takes off a larger amount of front and
rear trans mix to assure high color?"


very possible and quite likely

 

[fuel tanker man]

Bruce,

From what I understand, the different products are put into the pipeline, then pumped up the line to the oil terminals. There are check valve stations which ensure that all of, say, low sulfur diesel #2 is clear of that section of line before the unleaded gasoline comes through. While there may be a slight amount of residue from the previous product in the line when the switch occurs, it wouldn't be enough to harm anything. (Just like when a tanker truck which has previously hauled diesel then loads up some gasoline and delivers it. There might be a gallon or two of diesel in that gasoline).

Dan

 

[kenw]

"There are check valve stations which ensure that all of, say, low sulfur diesel #2 is clear of that section of line before the unleaded gasoline comes through."

The products are in "intimate" contact with each other (if batching pigs are not used). Once all the grade 1 product is loaded, the grade 2 stuff goes in right behind it, no spacing, no separation, no nothing. As long as the pipe is full, mixing is minimal.

the mixed zone is simply added to the lower grade product and products are staged in the line to ensure that this can be done as much as possible.

Normal pipeline practice controls the flow rate so that mixing is minimized to literally within a few feet of the start/end of a product batch with no physical separation. Batching pigs (some look like giant round 4 layer squeegees) are used where flow rates cannot be maintained to ensure this separation.

FWIW, flow rates under 3mph are not desireable and usually require batching pigs. Over 3mph the products tend to stay well segregated and not mix.

ok, it's more than you wanted to know....

 

[PandaBear]

My personal experience told me that my car loves no-name gas and gives me better mpg, but on the other hand I only pump at "clean and well maintained" no-name station.

I have once get gas at a run down station that their gas in the morning will settle the water into the bottom of the tank and give me misfire strong enough to trigger a check engine light. I have since then avoid that particular one.

I personally think that a new no-name station is better than a rundown 20 year old name brand without maintanence.

 

[Cutehumor]

The closest time I ever came to using no-name gas was one time. I used walmart gas and even though it may be the same gas and the brand names..my 92 mits mirage didn't like it. my car ran the same but my gas mileage suffered. so I've stayed away since My gas mileage went back up with the name brands

 

[ted s]

same tanker delivers Mobil and then goes across street to the no mame brand mini market. both come from the same tank.