Low carbon fuelishness

Vincent J. Curtis

12 Dec 24

RE: B.C. refinery creates low carbon jet fuel. By Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press.  The Hamilton Spectator 12 Dec 24.

If you used the term, ”bio-diesel” or “methyl oleate” you’d get a ho-hum reaction; but use “low-carbon jet fuel” and you create a sensation.  Low carbon jet fuel: what a great idea!

The expression “low-carbon” is a sales gimmick, as there is no standard for saying that a liquid hydrocarbon is “low” or “high” in carbon.  What makes the molecules of these fuels different from the molecules of ordinary jet fuel is the presence of oxygen in them.  Already one can see the folly in the “low carbon” claim: the hydrocarbons in these being already partially oxidized, it means you must burn more of it to get the same amount of energy as from burning a non-partially oxidize molecule.  You can’t beat thermodynamics.

If the B.C. refinery can make lots of money selling their “low carbon” jet fuel: good on them, for they’re putting one over on the gullible. Noteworthy is that the refinery is calling on the Federal government for a subsidy to make more of their product.

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