A varied assembly of 50 industry professionals met in Newport, RI to hear about the latest in oilheat technology advances. The workshop, hosted by the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) and crafted by NORA’s Director of Research, Dr. Thomas Butcher, featured 21 presenters covering topics under four major categories: Advanced Burner Concepts, Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil and Premium Fuels, Biofuels and Advanced Equipment.
Additionally, opening presentations were included on the Overview of the NORA Research Agenda and two from European oilheating trade associations; Achieving 80% Reduction in CO2 Emissions in Germany by 2050: Impact on Oilheat, by Lambert Lucks, IWO, Germany and The Oilheat Situation in the U.K. and the Biodiesel Experience, Paul Rose, OFTEC, England.
In Session I: Advanced Burner Concepts, the attendees heard from four speakers that highlighted biodiesel compatibly, modulating burner heat output, vaporizing burners as well as burners that may allow the use of liquid fuels gas-fired appliances.
Session II: Ultra Low Sufur Heating Oil( ULS) and Premium Fuels addressed the positive impact of ULS on oil burner components, the possibility that ULS may be contributing to underground tank corrosion and the labeling definition and labeling of “Premium” heating oil in the UK.
Session II: Ultra Low Sufur Heating Oil( ULS) and Premium Fuels addressed the positive impact of ULS on oil burner components, the possibility that ULS may be contributing to underground tank corrosion and the labeling definition and labeling of “Premium” heating oil in the UK.
Session III: Biofuels focused on the status of the biodiesel industry, lab experience with higher blends of biodiesel in heating oil, results of a field quality survey and an online marketer use survey regarding biodiesel and a report on the negative effect of the addition of raw vegetable oil in heating oil.
In the final session, Session IV: Advanced Equipment, presenters covered the new NORA tool for selling oil-fired heating equipment (FSA, see page 12 of this issue), condensing boilers, advanced venting options for competing with condensing gas technology thermal heat pumps and high efficiency tankless coil boilers.
Butcher
Dr. Butcher, commenting on the proceedings said, “The workshop had a wide variety of topics and opinions. I really enjoyed the open exchange of viewpoints on important industry challenges and future pathways. It’s hard not to come away with new ideas from a workshop like this. With NORA’s mandate to champion and stimulate technological advancements in oilheating technology, we intend to host additional workshops in the future”.
Huber
John Huber, NORA’s president, summed up NORA’s commitment to new technology this way, “Advancing the application of new technologies to oilheating is core to NORA’s existence. These advances will surely enhance the customer experience through greater efficiency, reliability and versatility while continuing oilheat’s position as an environmentally viable fuel well into the future.”
For agenda and presentations, go here.