oil and gas

Technical Tuesday: Tight, but not too tight.

March 21, 2023

When the job calls for a torque wrench, but the 1” impact is handy… This photo shows failed threads on a bolt caused by over-tightening which can — and usually does — lead to a failure with varying degrees of damage based on what the fastener was fastening. Want to learn more about proper torquing techniques, bolt stretch, material capabilities, tooling, etc.? Come see us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable on May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

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CH4 Facts: Vehicle Efficiency Numbers

July 28, 2022

Our last post on vehicle emissions might have raised some eyebrows, but let’s look at the efficiency numbers of an internal combustion vehicle versus an electric vehicle. An internal combustion vehicle converts between 20-35% percent of the fuel energy potential to force at the wheels of your vehicle. While that might not sound like a stellar number, the lower end of that scale reflects heavy duty trucks and vans. Now, let’s compare it to an EV. Thermal efficiency at a power plant ranges from 45-50%. Losses on the transmission grid are 5%. Losses at your transformer (assuming you only go through 1 to get to your home) is 3%. Losses at the charger are 11-16%. Losses at the battery 18%, and finally losses at the drive motors are 10%. If you do the math, an EV is only able to use 24.1-28.7% of the fuel energy potential. So, is the EV much more efficient than an internal combustion engine? Every car on the road is powered by oil and gas. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Vehicle Emissions

July 7, 2022

Can we talk about vehicle emissions? We often hear about zero emissions vehicles, but is that a true statement? Actually, no. Much of the pollution from vehicle travel is particulate emissions from tires. But let’s say we are specifically comparing an internal combustion engine vs. the motor of an electric car (EV). The answer is still no… Electric cars are not emissions free; they just transfer where the emissions are being made. Instead of tailpipe emissions, the EV emissions are made at the power generation site. Every car on the road is powered by oil and gas (and for EV, sometimes coal, fuel oil, nuclear, etc.). If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Auto Glass

June 30, 2022

We have discussed glass several times, but car window glass is on a completely different level. Car glass must be extremely strong, tough, clear without visible distortions, extremely climate resistant, and designed to break in a controlled manner to prevent injury to occupants. To manufacturer a product that can successfully meet all those challenges requires heat — and lots of it. Those process are powered by natural gas. Every vehicle on the road today is powered by the oil and gas industry. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Paint Schemes

June 23, 2022

We recently talked about paint when we were discussing homes, but the oil and gas industry plays a part in automotive paint as well. From cars that are “murdered out” in flat black, to intricate beautiful works of art that have weeks invested in them. There is so much room for personal expression via paint schemes and they are all powered by the oil and gas industry. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Engines & Motors

June 16, 2022

How about those engines and motors? Both are made with components that are mined, transported, and manufactured with energy produced by the oil and gas industry. From the copper and rotor bars used in the motors of the most advanced electric cars to the pistons and crankshafts of the internal combustion engines, every vehicle on the road is powered by oil and gas. If you have a specific question, send us a message, or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Car Suspension

June 9, 2022

Car Suspension: No matter what suspension you are running… twin I-beam, wishbone, 3 link, 4 link, coil over, leaf springs, independent, etc. The components that comprise those systems are made with oil and gas products. Every vehicle on the road today is powered by the oil and gas industry. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 2-4, 2023 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Flooring

March 31, 2022

Continuing our review of natural gas uses, this week we’re going to look at flooring. Regardless of the choice of material, the oil and gas industry is heavily involved. From a fuel source for the kilns used to dry porcelain, ceramic, brick, and wood flooring, to the feed stock for carpet and padding manufacturing. From the structural components for building like concrete and lumber, to the finishes like polyurethane and stain preventative, oil and gas are required. Even the process of mining to delivery of natural stones like travertine, granite, and marble, oil and gas are necessary every step of the way. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.

EGCR: Educating the Oil & Gas Industry Since 1973

CH4 Facts: Transportation

September 9, 2021

Beyond medicines, plastics and climate control, are there other ways fossil fuels impact healthcare? Yes, and the biggest one is transportation. The healthcare industry depends on oil and natural gas to move patients in ambulances, deliver supplies to their facilities, and get their staff to work. Even the staff that are riding the subway in large metropolitan areas are using electricity produced with natural gas. If you have a specific question, send us a message or plan to join us at the Eastern Gas Compression Roundtable, May 3-5, 2022 at the David Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, PA.