FUEL/OIL BLENDINGMichael Wolford

United States Army Engineer SchoolDirectorate of Environmental Integration

Fort Leonard Wood, MO573-329-1927

michael.wolford1@us.army.mil

Agenda

• Recommendation • Cost and Performance Benefit• FLW and the 58th Transportation BN• Process• Modifications• Summary

Recommendation

Perform oil blending in all non-turbine Army vehicles that use JP8/DL2.

Justification:•Disposal fees provides a significant cost savings benefit

•Every gallon of oil blended equals one gallon of fuel saved

•Directly supports the Warfighter and the Army’s policy of protecting public health and the environment by the reduction of used oil handling and storage.

Background

• Sep 2002 – Used oil management identified as an issue in Afghanistan

• May 2004 – Units in Balkans using fuel oil blending to reduce used oil accumulation. Further research found TACOM report from 1998.

• Jul 2004 – ARCENT CFLCC C-7 requested assistance in developing an Operational Needs Statement to address used oil management.

• Feb 2005 – PM LTV issues guidance that prohibits adding oil to fuel.

• Aug 2006 – TACOM issues guidance authorizing fuel oil blending in non-turbine engines at 7.5% blend.

Background Cont’d

Field Demonstration SummaryA field demonstration was conducted at NTC during May 1997 through Jan 1998. The objective was to validate the blended-oil concept in a field environment, to assess possible effect of theuse of blended fuel in field conditions, and to evaluate the blending device for field use. NTC was chosen because it has a large concentration of combat vehicles in continuous use during training exercises.

CONCLUSIONS:• 1 gal. used oil = 1 gal. JP8 saved• Blends up to 7.5% work• Saves handling costs, storage space, possible contamination,

spillage, eliminates transporting of used oil to refining facility• Blending met EPA emission standards

Cost and Benefit Analysis

• Reduce/Eliminate used oil disposal cost (.05 per gal. FLW)

• Utilize the amount of used oil generated as fuel thus reducing the need for DL2/JP-8 ($2.33 per gal.)

• Eliminate the need to handle and store used oil

• AR 200-1 Environmental Protection and Enhancement Chapter 5-1 Policy: “The goals of the Army’s hazardous and solid waste management programs are to protect the public health and environment by minimizing the generation of hazardous and solid wastes , developing cost-effective waste management practices, saving energy, and conserving natural resources.

58TH Transportation BattalionCY Used

Oil Gallons

Disposal Cost

Fuel SavingsBenefit

Combined Savings

*2005 771 $38.55 $1,094.82 $1,133.37.

**2006 2554.2 $127.71 $5,951.29 $6,079.00

3325.2 $166.26 $7,046.11 $7,212.37

* Fuel costs averaged $1.42 per gallon for CY 2005** Fuel costs averaged $2.33 per gallon for CY 2006Disposal cost for used oil is $0.05 per gallon on FLW.Cost of unit=$2,700 x 4 = $10,800.00

58th Transportation BN

• Potentially could blend over 4000 gallons of oil per year

• Uses 30,000 gallons of fuel monthly• 10% of their fleet was blended in

2005 as a test• 90% of their fleet is blended now• Systems will pay for themselves 2007

Oil CAT Fuel Blender

• Each unit $2,760.24 on the GSA schedule (#GS-07F-0187M)

• Four filters for $225

• Filter life: 50 to 100 vehicles unless the used oil/fuel tank of the vehicle had significant contamination 58th

Trans used their first filter for one year.

Process

• Fuel is blended during vehicle oil-change

• DO NOT use on turbine diesel vehicles (M1 Abrams)

• Ensure vehicle diesel/JP 8 fuel tank is ¾ full

• Ensure fuel/oil ratio does not exceed 7.5%• Power source 120V AC 5A or 24V DC

ProcessInsert double hose into fuel

tank

Drain oil into tote

Turn machine on and continue with service

Turn timer to equal one minute per quart of oil

Connect hose from oil tote to

blending machine

Disconnect all hoses/store unit

Dispose of oil left in tote

Modifications

Drain Oil

1

23

Drain Plug

1

Quick Disconnect

Modified Fuel Cap

SummaryOil Reutilization will benefit the Army four ways:

1. Divert used oil into fuel 2. Reduce/Eliminate used oil disposal costs/spill

clean up costs3. Support the Warfighter and the Army’s policy of

protecting public health and the environment4. When deployed, eliminates security risk of local

contractor coming on to base camps when deployed

QUESTIONS?