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Post by spinifex on Apr 24, 2018 18:29:44 GMT 10
It's not just a case of personal problems in a fuel shortage. If there is a major fuel shortage, NO-ONE will have fuel. People won't get to work. Shops won't be restocked. Hospital staff won't be able to get to work. Emergency services won't operate. Workers who maintain our water, gas, electricity and sewage services won't get to work. Banks won't operate. Government departments will be stuffed. As a nation we are completely and utterly dependent upon oil-based fuel for transporting everyone and everything. I can't overstate the extent of the problems that will arise if there's no fuel left. Well blow me down. After years of freeloading ... Looks like our horses will finally start paying their way!  Spinifex Haulage - Same week delivery to a town near you! |
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Post by Peter on Apr 24, 2018 23:25:49 GMT 10
I've been discussing this fuel-shortage issue with Mrs Pete.
As we're metro (without rainwater tanks), we'll be filling everything available with water as it's our scarcest resource (when viewed proportionately in accordance with the Rule of Threes).
Barrels, jars, bottles, etc will all be filled. Jugs, bowls, and anything else more than a centimetre deep will get filled and covered - with cling film if nothing else. Zip-lock bags will also hold water - we should be right for at least a few dozen litres there.
Once we've filled all of those containers, we'll be filling Tupperware from the kitchen (as well as the takeout containers, etc). We'll them be emptying the kids' plastic toy crates onto the floor and filling them. Vases, bowls, jugs, etc will be filled. Bottles of liqueurs, beer, and wine will be emptied to fill with water. We'll keep spirits though - they're too valuable as disinfectants.
Finally, containers in the shed that haven't held anything toxic (for example, fuel containers aren't suitable, but the plastic crate which currently holds my SCUBA gear and that which holds my camping cookware is fine) will be filled.
Very few things in life get me rattled, but this current threat of fuel shortage has. Even if nothing bad happens I still consider it a plus, as it's motivated us to think about water storage more thoroughly.
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 24, 2018 23:52:25 GMT 10
I've been discussing this fuel-shortage issue with Mrs Pete. .... Very few things in life get me rattled, but this current threat of fuel shortage has. Even if nothing bad happens I still consider it a plus, as it's motivated us to think about water storage more thoroughly. There are regularly threats of various sorts. What do you think it is about this current threat that has you rattled? There have been plenty of news reports saying things like that it isn’t an immediate concern but should alert the politicians to get the issue sorted (not that I’m saying that we should breath a sigh of relief whenever the news implies that things will always continue as they always have!). Are you feeling as though it could be something that will have an impact very soon? |
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Post by Peter on Apr 25, 2018 12:37:49 GMT 10
It's just a gut feeling - pure and simple. Maybe this sounds strange, but I've learned to trust my gut in many things.
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Post by graynomad on Apr 25, 2018 13:17:15 GMT 10
Pete, why not buy 1 or 20 IBCs and fill them with a hose? 1000s of liters for just a few $.
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Post by graynomad on Apr 25, 2018 13:20:55 GMT 10
... There have been plenty of news reports saying things like that it isn’t an immediate concern ... I always figured when "they" say everything is cool it's time to panic. I would like to write a PAW fiction book one day and it would start with the treasurer in TV on Friday night saying "The banks are stable, there's no need to panic", you just know the shit will go down this weekend and they will close the banks on Sunday at 1AM...it's time to panic.  |
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 13:45:25 GMT 10
Pete, why not buy 1 or 20 IBCs and fill them with a hose? 1000s of liters for just a few $. What are IBCs? |
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Post by graynomad on Apr 25, 2018 13:50:29 GMT 10
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 13:56:51 GMT 10
Pete, why not buy 1 or 20 IBCs and fill them with a hose? 1000s of liters for just a few $. What are IBCs? Actually, I just looked them up. So next question - where do you get cheap, clean ones? What would you expect to pay? |
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tomatoes
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Post by tomatoes on Apr 25, 2018 13:57:19 GMT 10
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Post by spinifex on Apr 25, 2018 15:34:21 GMT 10
It's just a gut feeling - pure and simple. Maybe this sounds strange, but I've learned to trust my gut in many things. Pete, Could it perhaps just be last nights curry you're feeling in the gut?  (or are you in the fuel logistics business and have an inside edge?) In all seriousness though ... better to have done it than wish you had. Also ... IBC's are a hassle to move (when full) and conceal (if that might be required). Go for the 200L plastic drums. At least those you can move when they're full ... if you need to you can get them inside the house, or onto a trailer. |
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Post by Peter on Apr 25, 2018 19:37:58 GMT 10
I've looked at IBC's, but sheltered space is an issue. Incidentally they're easily moved when full with a pallet jack, but that's not something I want to buy for home.
I'll look at getting some 200L plastic drums.
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Post by spinifex on Apr 26, 2018 14:38:27 GMT 10
The pallet jack would need to be on a nice smooth concrete slab with no slope though.
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Beno
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Post by Beno on Apr 26, 2018 17:05:28 GMT 10
hahaha 900 litres of lime cordial! or on the bright side algae for making home biodiesel.
Do you think painting opaque colour would help?
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Post by SA Hunter on Apr 26, 2018 22:09:49 GMT 10
Last news item was April 17th.
Maybe just a passing shower???
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Post by spinifex on Apr 27, 2018 20:39:34 GMT 10
Did some digging in the government stats. in 2017 Oz consumed 58 000 megalitres of liquid fuel products. We extracted just 16 000 megalitres of crude. (no idea what gets lost in the process of turning crude into finished fuels). We import the shortfall in crude and refined fuels from 49 different countries.
Our internal rate of production is in dramatic decline over last 10 years. only 1/15th of our crude is from 'on shore' the rest is getting extracted from out at sea where it is mighty vulnerable to disruption.
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fei
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Post by fei on May 2, 2018 16:57:08 GMT 10
According to BP: In 2012 – 2013, Australian refineries supplied around 63 per cent of total Australian demand for petroleum products. The remaining 37 per cent of demand was met by imports. These imported products were sourced from over 20 countries, mainly from Asia. www.bp.com/en_au/australia/about-us/what-we-do/refining.htmlWas interested to see that the refinery in Perth (Kwinana) is the biggest in Australia. So maybe WA is the place to be in a shortage? (Then again, with Kwinana also being home to one of the world's largest alumina refineries, it might just make the area one big target?) |
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Post by Joey on May 7, 2018 7:33:05 GMT 10
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dingo
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Post by dingo on May 7, 2018 10:19:12 GMT 10
Interesting thread. Has anyone looked at running LPG vehicles on Biogas (i.e. home made CNG aka Methane produced from an anaerobic digestion process)? As an aside, here are some photos from WWII of cars running on Coal Gas. Obviously these engines and carbys are way more simple than modern cars but people made it work. www.robertsarmory.com/gas.htmThis webpage outlines some of the differences between LPG and CNG. Some details: In summary: • LPG (propane) and natural gas (methane) have different chemical formulas: Methane is CH4. Propane is C3H8. • LPG has a higher calorific value - energy content - than natural gas, with 93.2MJ/m3 vs 38.7MJ/m3. • For proper combustion, LPG requires an air to gas ratio of approximately 25:1 whilst natural gas requires a 10:1 ratio. • LPG (propane) is more dense than air, at a relative density of 1.5219:1 vs natural gas (methane) at 0.5537:1, which is lighter than air. • LPG can be compressed into a liquid and stored or transported in a cylinder or larger vessel. • Natural gas and LPG appliances operate at different pressures. Seems like the first hurdle is to alter the oxygen ration from about 25:1 for LPG to 10:1 for CNG. I have a three fuel generator that is happy to allow CNG and LPG to be switched (as well as petrol to be used). Another thought is growing sunflowers or canola and pressing that into cooking oil to then make Biodiesel from. See this YouTube video on Biodiesel production: Making Biodiesel: |
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Post by graynomad on May 7, 2018 11:24:31 GMT 10
Finally someone is taking notice. Mind you even if they get to 90 days that won't help you and me because on about day 1 they will ration fuel for essential services. The plebs will be shit outa luck (and fuel).
Here's hoping you can walk to everywhere you need to.
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(or are you in the fuel logistics business and have an inside edge?)
