The Future of thermal energy

October 22, 2011

The Future of thermal energy

Luckily for the Earth the future of Solar Thermal Energy is very bright. In the current state of the world’s energy crisis, new uses for solar energy are being developed. The positive aspect of solar energy is the fact that it is completely renewable. It can be used for heating purposes of many sorts, with the use of small, medium, or large solar collectors.

Thermal solar collectors are more efficient than photovoltaic solar collectors because of the lower cost it takes to collect the solar energy. Photovoltaic plants are becoming more common, but have huge startup costs. Solar thermal collectors instead use natural heat collectors such as stone. The thermal energy is concentrated with the use of mirrors or lenses (in the form of a reflector dish) to concentrate the sunlight into a small area. This concentrated sunlight is then transferred to heat fluid inside an absorber tube. This is then transferred to a heat engine, which can convert the heat into electricity.

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Solar Thermal Energy has several additional advantages. The heat can be stored in insulated reservoirs and then used later. Thermal plants can even produce power at night and on overcast days. Thermal energy can also be used to desalinate water, which will be very useful in coastal areas.

The technology is simple, reliable and needed! It is estimated that solar thermal could provide all of the power requirements of the United States. This could be accomplished with the use of a 92 by 92 mile grid of solar thermal generators. This might be a large area but considering the amount of land that is available, and the benefit it will have for society, it is certainly a viable option.

There are three types of solar energy heat collectors and all are used in conventional systems. Low temperature collectors are flat plates that are most often used to heat swimming pools. Medium temperature collectors are also flat plates, but are used for creating hot water for residential and commercial use. High temperature collectors are not in plate form, but instead use mirrors and lenses. They can be used for some electric power production.

Low temperature collection is used for heating, cooling, ventilation, and processing heat. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning account for 25 percent to 50 percent of the energy used in residential and commercial buildings. This can be offset with thermal energy. This thermal technology stores solar energy during the day and then releases it in the evening or whenever the temperature lowers. The most common thermal mass materials include stone, concrete, and water. Thermal energy is used in this case as a passive system which maintains comfortable temperatures through the slow release of energy.

Medium temperature collectors are most used for cooking. The solar cookers are used for cooking, drying, and pasteurization. This sort of thermal energy use diminishes air pollution, as well as reduces the use of fuel and firewood.

High temperature collectors are used primarily for space heating, using fluid-filled pipes. This is still not used for large scale conversion to electricity as the temperatures are still too low.

Written by admin · Filed Under Water Desalination

energy management

October 13, 2011

by roplant

energy management

Energy is the lifeline to prosperity and growth of infrastructural development in any country. The energy thus would need to be ensured for its availability on sustainable basis. The demand of energy is growing at a very fast rate and the energy sources are becoming scarce and costlier day by day. In the power sector alone, we need to add over 100,000 MW of additional generating capacity in Xth & XIth Plans to meet the power on demand by 2012. This would necessitate mobilization of nearly Rs.8000 million investments by the year 2011-12 which is a very daunting challenge before the country.

Among the various strategies to be evolved for meeting energy demand, efficient use of energy and its conservation is by far the least cost option. The steps to create sustainable energy system begin with the optimal use of resources. Energy efficiency improvement is the mantra that leads to achieving sustainable energy systems.

In a scenario, where India faces peak power and energy shortages of the order of 8–10%, meets 70% of the petroleum products demand through imports, conservation and energy efficiency measures will play a central role. The Electricity Act, 2003 and the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 are the Government’s major Legislative initiatives towards creating an enabling framework for a sustainable and more efficient future management of our primary and secondary energy resources. Government of India has accorded high priority to the Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservations measures and launched the Campaign on Energy Conservations in 2004. In order to maintain the momentum of energy conservation campaign and to make all the energy users to realize their potential role in promoting energy conservation in the country, Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency have decided to continue the National Campaign on Energy Conservation, which was launched last year. The main goal of the campaign is to reduce energy costs by reducing demand for energy and help individual citizen to make small behavior changes that collectively will make a big difference.

STRATEGIES FOR THE TARGETED SECTOR

Industrial Sector

Nearly 50% of the total conventional energy available is consumed in the Indian industries. The large and medium scale industries have taken up many programmes in past to conserveenergy. To maintain the tempo, the currentawareness programme will focus on this sectorthrough the organisation of sector specificworkshops on energy conservation. The focussector in this year campaign will be cement,pulp & paper, aluminium, petrochemical andrefineries. The workshops and conferences willbring together people from across the countrywho are committed to helping the nationdevelop a long-term, sustainable energydirection.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency plans to undertake life long learning programme on energy conservation for certified energy managers and energy auditors. A large number of industrial units have also come forward to participate in the national campaign and organize various activities and programmes to create awareness among their employees. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) plans to request the top Management of Industry to declare their Energy Management Policy. Already 44 industries and commercial establishments have declared their energy management policies, during the campaign 2005. This has already given a much required momentum to energy efficiency improvements drive in the industry. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) coordinates all the planned awareness campaign activities for this sector.

Commercial Sector

The issue in this sector can be addressed effectively through print media by insertions on tips to save electricity. Organizing of workshops, and symposiums, demonstration of energy efficient lighting system in the Trade Fairs, etc. does contribute in achieving the objective in effective manner. Bureau of Energy Efficiency has the primary responsibility of creating the awareness through print & electronic media in this sector.

Commercial buildings owners will be requested to undertake awareness creation programmes for their employees. The newly introduced energy conservation award scheme for Commercial and Government buildings will be expended to include shopping malls and offices as well, in the modified EC Award scheme.

Domestic Sector

Domestic Sector being in the category of unorganized sector, it requires a mix of strategies for a sustainable energy conservation awareness campaign. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency will be releasing insertions on regular basis on ‘simple trips’ on how to save electricity in the lighting, refrigerators , air-conditioners and other electrical appliances. Bureau also plans to launch Voluntary Labeling Scheme, to start with, on refrigerators and fluorescent tube lights. This would provide and facilitate the consumers to make an informed choice of the various consumer goods. A large number of industrial units have also taken initiatives and come forward to create awareness amongst the residents of their townships and neighborhood areas through organizing various energy conservation programmes, posters, quiz and slogan competitions and other such activities

Agricultural Sector

Regular insertions would be made by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in the print media on simple tips to save energy in the electricity and diesel operated agricultural pump sets. Further, manufactures of these pump sets are being involved in demonstrating the improved energy efficiencies in the modern designs of agricultural pumps in various Trade Fairs, seminars, workshops etc. as well as local Fairs. Some of the industrial units have already committed to organize awareness programme for the farmers and villagers.

Educational Institutes

In the campaign, organized this year thrust is placed on the messages that can stimulate active involvement of the young to attitudinal changes in regard the energy saving habits since their childhood. The objective is to make energy saving practices as part of their involuntary actions of their daily life. The effort is also intended to expand the campaign impacts by involving the school children so as to spread the energy conservation messages through their friends, parents and other relatives. The major activity, which is planned to be undertaken in this regard, is the continuation of ‘Painting Competition on Energy Conservation’ for the children at School, State / UT and National Level. The continuation of this activity will not only make aware the children about the need of conserving energy, but at the same time, would necessarily educate and involve their parents in the above cause. The identified activity is one of the measures, which can help in creating awareness in the domestic sector. The painting competition also aims to motivate the children towards energy conservation and offer them a chance to explore their creativity and in turn help the nation in SAVING ENERGY

Chapter 2 ENERGY- AN INTRODUCTION

Energy is defined as the ability to do work. In the layman language it can be said that energy lights our cities, powers our vehicles, and runs machinery in factories. It warms and cools our homes, cooks our food, plays our music, and gives us picture on television.

Energy can be found in a number of forms:

CHEMICAL ENERGY
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
HEAT(THERMAL) ENERGY
LIGHT ENERGY
MECHANICAL ENERGY and
NUCLEAR ENERGY

Energy makes everything happen and can be divided into two types:

Stored energy is called POTENTIAL ENERGY
Moving energy is called KINETIC ENERGY

We will take the example of a pencil to know the two types of energy. We put the pencil at the edge of the desk and push it off to the floor. The moving pencil uses kinetic energy. Now, we pick up the pencil and put it back on the desk. We use our own energy to lift and move the pencil. Moving it higher than the floor adds energy to it. As it rests on the desk, the pencil has potential energy. The higher it is, the further it could fall. That means the pencil has more potential energy.

We use energy to do work and make all movements. When we eat our bodies transform the food into energy to do work. When we run or walk or do some work, we ‘burn’ energy in our bodies. Cars, planes, trolleys, boats, and machinery also transform energy into work. Work means moving or lifting something, warming or lighting something.

The discovery of fire by man led to the possibility of burning wood for cooking and heating thereby using energy. For several thousand years human energy demands were met only by renewable energy sources- sun, biomass, hydel and wind power.

As early as 4000-3500 B.C. the first sailing ships and windmills were developed harnessing wind energy. With the use of hydropower through water mills or irrigation systems, things began to move faster. Fuelwood and dung cakes are even today a major source of energy in rural India. Solar energy is used for drying and heating.

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the use of energy in the form of fossil fuels began growing as more and more industries were set up. This occurred in stages, from the exploitation of coal deposits to the exploitation of oil and natural gas fields. It has been only half a century since nuclear power began being used as an energy source. In the past century, it became evident that the consumption of non-renewable sources of energy had caused more environmental damage than any other human activity. Use of fossil fuels has led to high concentration of harmful gases in the atmosphere. This in turn has led to ozone depletion and global warming.

There has been an enormous increase in the demand for energy ever since the middle of the last century as a result of industrial development and population growth. World population grew 3.2 times between 1850 and 1970, per capita use of industrial energy increased about twentyfold, and total world use of industrial and traditional energy forms combined increased more than twelvefold.

Due to the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels, alternative sources of energy have become important and relevant in today’s world. These sources, such as the sun and wind, can never be exhausted and are therefore called renewable. Also known as conventional sources of energy, they cause less emission and are available locally. Their use can significantly reduce chemical, radioactive and thermal pollution. They are viable sources of clean and limitless energy. Most of the renewable sources of energy are fairly non-polluting and considered clean. However, biomass is a major polluter indoors.

Renewable energy sources include the sun (SOLAR ENERGY), wind, water (HYDEL ENERGY) agricultural residue, fuelwood, and animal dung (BIOMASS), GEOTHERMAL ENERGY is derived from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs, natural geysers, etc. OCEAN THERMAL is derived from waves and also from tidal waves. We will read about all these sources of energy in detail in the coming pages.

Chapter 3 HOW ENERGY IS MEASURED

One of the basic measuring blocks for energy is called Btu or British thermal unit. Btu is defined as the amount of heat energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, at sea level. It takes about 2000 Btu to make a pot of coffee.

Energy can also be measured in JOULES. One joule is the amount of energy needed to lift 1 pound about 9 inches. So, if we lifted a five-pound sugar from the floor to the top of a counter (27 inches), we would use about 15 joules of energy. It takes 1000 joules to equal a Btu. It would take 2 million joules to make a pot of coffee.

Joule is named after an English physicist named JAMES PRESCOTT JOULE who lived from 1818 to 1889. He discovered that heat is a type of energy.

Around the world, scientists measure energy in joules rather than Btu. It is much like people around the world using the metre system, metres and kilograms. Like in the metric system, you can have kilojoules: ‘kilo’ means 1000, therefore, 1000 joules = 1 kilojoule = 1 Btu.

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For example a piece of buttered toast contains about 315 kilojoules(315,000 joules) of energy. With that energy you could:

Jog for 6 minutes
Bicycle for 10 minutes
Walk briskly for 15 minutes
Sleep for one and a half hours
Run a car for 7 seconds at 80 km per hour
Light a 60 watt bulb for one and half hours

In some respects, the global energy system has evolved in a cleaner direction the last 25 years. The share of world primary energy derived from natural gas- the cleanest fossil fuel- has increased by more than 25%. So has the use and generation of renewable energy sources.

Still, the overall efficiency of energy production remains extremely low: on an average, more than 90% of energy consumed is lost or wasted in the process of conversion from raw materials such as coal to the final energy service such as the light to read a book. The main problem isn’t that we use energy, but how we produce and consume energy resources. What we really need are energy sources that will last forever

Chapter 4 CHANGING ENERGY

Energy can be transformed into another sort of energy. But it cannot be created AND destroyed. Energy has always existed in one form or another.

For example:

· Stored energy in flashlight’s batteries becomes light energy when flashlight is turned on.

· Food is stored energy. It is stored as a chemical with potential energy. When our body uses that stored energy to do work, it becomes kinetic energy. If you overeat, the energy in food is not “burned” but is stored as potential energy in fat cells.

· When we talk on the phone, our voice is transformed into electrical energy, which passes over wires (or is transmitted through the air). The phone on the other end changes the electrical energy into sound energy through the speaker.

· A car uses stored chemical energy in gasoline to move. The engine changes the chemical energy into heat and kinetic energy to power the car.

· A toaster changes electrical energy into heat and light energy.

· A television changes electrical energy into light and sound energy.

Chapter 5 FOSSIL FUELS

The Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 19th century fired man’s research for alternative sources of fuel to meet energy needs of the mushrooming industries. With realization that fossil fuels could meet this requirement, the energy needs of the world were fulfilled for the time being.

FOSSIL FUELS are called so because they have been derived from fossils, which were formed millions of years ago during the time of dinosaurs. They are fossilized organic remains that over millions of years have been converted to oil, gas, and coal. Because their formation takes so long, these sources are also called non-renewable.

These fuels are made up of decomposed plant and animal matter. When plants, dinosaurs and other ancient creatures died, they decomposed and were buried, layer upon layer under the ground. It took millions of years to form these layers into a hard, black rock like substance called COAL, a thick liquid called OIL or PETROLEUM, and NATURAL GAS-THE THREE MAJOR FORMS OF FOSSIL FUELS.

Fossil fuels are usually found below the ground. Coal is either mined or dug out while oil and natural gas are pumped out. Coal is widely distributed and is easier to locate than oil and gas.

Fossil fuels take millions of years to make, but burn and disappear in seconds. Once they are used, they cannot be reused. People have irretrievably damaged the planet by extracting and burning these fuels. It is best not to waste fossil fuels as they are not renewable. We have to learn to conserve these sources of energy.

Every year, millions of tones of coal is consumed as energy. This has led to GLOBAL WARMING (greenhouse effect) and the depletion of resources. At present, the worldwide burning of coal, oil and natural gas releases billions of tones of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year. Burning any fossil fuel means pollution of some sort. Even if the fuel is low in sulphur, the atmosphere contains nitrogen, which combines with oxygen at high burning temperatures found in boilers, jet or car engines. This yields nitrogen oxides, which like sulphur oxide, dissolves in rain to form nitric acid. Both gases are poisonous to humans. Mining and exploration of fossil fuels can cause disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. The burning of fossil fuels emits oxides of sulphur and nitrogen to the atmosphere

Chapter 6 ENERGY CONSERVATION

When we look around we see machines running, lights, fans, cars etc., we simply cannot imagine life without them. We also cannot imagine the amount of energy that is being used to run all this. Fortunately, people all over the world are becoming aware of the problem of consuming too much energy and are making a conscious effort to CONSERVE it and thereby put less pressure on earth. By conserving energy we also lower the amount of pollutants we release into the air and thereby help to keep the air clean.

The interaction between the natural resources and the population has to be maintained at a balance in order to ensure the continuity of the human race. Energy is essential to life and its conservation has become an absolute necessity.

India‘s overall consumption of energy is low, but compared to its gross domestic product production its relative consumption is high. The cost of commercial energy is also high compared to that in most other countries. The industrial sector consumes about 50% of the total commercial energy produced. There is a growing need to bring about improvement in the efficiency of energy use in the industrial sector.

Concerns over the negative environmental impacts of inefficient uses of energy are growing, both globally and regionally. Such concerns require greater national efforts and greater international cooperation to promote energy efficiency and energy conservation. More efficient energy use can increase productivity and economic competitiveness as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output.

Energy conservation has been recognized as a national priority for a very long time, but concrete steps have not been taken seriously and the few that have been taken lack in perspective and determination. The growth and demand for energy is increasing at a very fast rate, especially in the INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SECTOR and the HOUSEHOLD SECTOR, therebyputting a great deal of pressure on the available resources. The need of the hour has become conservation and preservation. Conservation and efficient use of energy in industry has for a long time been a priority of the Government of India. People on their part should become aware of the seriousness and do their best to conserve and preserve this energy. Our small contributions towards conservation can help a lot. Some of these steps can be:

In our home we can save energy by turning off appliances, TV’s and radios that are not being used, watched or listened to.
Switch off lights when no one is in room.
By putting insulation in walls and attics, we can reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat or cool our homes. Insulating a home is like putting on a sweater or jacket when we are called instead of turning up the heater.

Chapter 7 WHAT IS ENERGY MANAGEMENT

ENERY MANAGEMENT iscollective term for all the systematic practices to minimize and control both the quantity and cost of energy used in providing a service. Important components of energy management include:

Staff involvement and awareness
Minimization of energy wastage
Ongoing monitoring, target setting and reporting to ensure energy use remains within policy objectives
Optimisation of energy efficiency through passive means and/or the use of appropriate technology
Use of the most appropriate energy source( eg electricity, gas, solar) with due regard to the environmental benefits
Purchase of energy at the most economical price
Modifications of operations, where possible, to make the best use of energy price structure
Increasing the use of energy from renewable sources

Many businesses consider energy as an overhead rather than a resource that is considered uncontrollable by the management but energy management is not only possible but also helps in bringing down the expenses of a business and helps the society on the whole by controlling pollution and using the resources in the most optimum way. With help of various firms one of them being ENER-G which is providing innovative solutions and technology energy management has become easily achievable.

The AIM of energy management is to reduce the amount of energy a building consumes. Good energy management starts from an understandingof how a building uses energy. The next stage is to identify inefficiencies and agree actions to improve efficiency. These actions need associated targets and ongoing monitoring to measure their performance.

Actions taken to improve efficiency can vary. Some cost nothing, others are low cost and some require greater investment. Some use technology other focus on people but good energy management will usually deliver savings through a combinations of all thestepswhich best suit an organization. Improving energy efficiency can bring many benefits:

Lower energy costs
Reduced carbon emissions
Improved working conditions
Better control
Ensures legislative compliance
Aids ISO 14001 accreditation
Demonstrates corporate and social responsibility

Chapter 8 RELATIONSHIP OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT TO OTHER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PLANS.

Energy management should not be undertaken in isolation but should be a strategic component of a comprehensive business management plan. Energy management not only makes good financial sense it also protects the environment by reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to government operations.

Agencies that incorporate an energy reduction strategy under the umbrella of a total business management plan are more likely to achieve greater energy savings. Proper planning at the time of procurement can provide lasting financial and environmental benefits to the agency.

Many organizations regard energy costs as unavoidable and fixed. However, energy costs are one of the more controllable variable costs within the agency. Generally, all that is required to ensure the success of an energy management plan is the commitment of all staff, from the most senior level down to the office floor. In most cases a successful energy management policy will only require a small capital investment and over the short to medium term will actually save money.

Chapter 9 BENEFITS OF ENERGY

MANAGEMENT

By incorporating a good saving plan a business firm is bound to make savings and help in controlling the pollution of the environment. Some of the benefits of a business plan are:

MINIMISING OPERATING COST

It is estimated that a 5%reduction in operating costs is achievable through good house keeping practices and the implementation of a comprehensive energy management program. Additional savings of upto7% should be attainable in the medium to longer term through investment energy efficient technology upgrades.

IMPROVING PROCESS CONTROL

Paying close attention to the operation of building controls will usually improve the performance of building systems, including the elimination of systems working against each other.

IMPROVING WORK ENVIRONMENT

An efficient and better controlled building leads to an improvement in general working conditions for staff. More comfortable surroundings contribute to a more productive workplace.

REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

For every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed, approximately 1 kg of greenhouse gas is emitted to the atmosphere. Implementing an energy saving program not only saves money; it reduces the environmental impact of the business following it.

Chapter 10 RENEWABLE ENERGY

In the past century, it has been seen that the consumption of non-renewable sources of energy has caused more environmental damage than any other human activity. Electricity generated from fossil fuels such as coal and crude oil has led to high concentration of harmful gases in the atmosphere. This has in turn led to many problems being faced today such as ozone depletion and global warming.

Therefore, alternative sources of energy have become very important and relevant in today’s world, these sources such as the sun and wind can never be exhausted and therefore are called renewable. They cause less emission and are available locally. Their use can, to a large extent, reduce chemical, radioactive and thermal pollution. They stand out as viable source of clean and limitless energy. These are also known as non-conventional sources of energy. Most of the renewable sources of energy are considered clean, though biomass, is a major polluter indoors.

When we burn a piece of wood it turns into ash. We cannot use this ash to again light a fire. This is exactly what happens to the non-renewable sources of energy such coal, oil and natural gas. Once we burn them they cannot be reused. Other than this they also cause extensive damage to the environment. Some of the renewable energies are:

Solar energy
Hydel energy
Wind energy
Geothermal energy
Biomass
Cogeneration

Chapter 11 SOLAR ENERGY

FORM OF ENERGY: Thermal energy

USED FOR: Cooking/heating, drying/timber seasoning, distillation, electricity/power generation.

SOME OF THE GADGETS AND OTHER DEVICES: Solar cooker, flat plate solar cooker, concentrating collectors, solar hot water systems (domestic and industrial) solar pond, solar dryers, solar hot air systems, concentrating collectors.

FACT: India receives solar energy equivalent to over 5000 trillion kWh per year, which is far more than the total energy consumption of the country.

Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy. It does not belong to anybody and is, therefore, free. It is also the important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting and therefore helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.

Solar energy has been used since prehistoric times, but in the most primitive manner such as drying clothes. Before 1970, some research and development was carried out in some countries to exploit solar energy more efficiently. But most of it remained mainly academic. After the dramatic rise in oil prices in the 1970′s, several countries began to formulate extensive research and development programmes to exploit solar energy.

India is one of the few countries with long days and plenty of sunshine, especially in the Thar desert region. This zone, having abundant solar energy available, is suitable for harnessing solar energy for a large number of applications. Solar thermal energy is being used in India for heating for both industrial and domestic purposes. A 140 MW integrated solar plant is to be set up in Jodhpur but the initial expense incurred is still very high.

Solar energy can also be used to meet our electricity requirements. Through Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) cells, Solar radiation gets converted into DC electricity directly. This electricity can either be used as it is or can be stored in the battery. This stored electrical energy can then be used at night.

SPV can be used for a number of applications such as:

Domestic lighting
Street lighting
Village electrification
Water pumping
Desalination of salty water
Railway signals

If the means to make efficient use of solar energy be found, it would reduce our dependence on non-renewable sources of energy to a large extent.

Chapter 12BIOMASS

FORM OF ENERGY: Chemical energy

USED FOR: Cooking, mechanical applications, pumping, power generation, transportation.

SOME OF THE GADGETS AND OTHER DEVICES: Biogas plant/ gasifier/burner, gasifier engine pump sets, stirling engine pump sets, Producer gas/biogas based engine generator sets, ethanol/methanol.

FACT: Half a kilo of dry plant tissue can produce as much as 1890Kcal of heat which is equivalent to the heat available from a quarter of kilogram of coal.

Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of various human and natural activities. It is derived from numerous sources, including the by-products from the timber industry, agricultural crops, raw material from the forest, major parts of household waste and wood.

Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as it releases when consumed as a fuel. Its advantage is that it can be used to generate electricity with the same equipment or power plants that are now burning fossil fuels. Biomass is an important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal, oil and natural gas.

Traditional use of biomass is more than its use in modern application. In the developed world biomass is again becoming important for applications such as combined heat and power generation. In addition, biomass energy is gaining significance as a source of clean heat for domestic heating and community heating applications. In fact in countries like Finland, USA and Sweden the per capita biomass energy used is higher than it is India, China or in Asia.

Biomass fuels used in India account for about one third of the total fuel used in the country, being the most important fuel used in over 90% of the rural households and about 15% of the urban households.

Instead of burning the loose biomass fuel directly, it is more practical to compress it into briquettes( compressing them through a process to form blocks of different shapes) and thereby improve its utility and convenience of use. Such biomass in the dense briquetted form can either be used directly as fuel instead of coal in the traditional chulhas and furnaces or in the gasifier. Gasifier converts solid fuel into a more convenient to use gaseous form of fuel called producer gas.

Scientists are trying to explore the advantages of biomass energy as an alternative energy source as it is renewable and free from net CO2(carbon dioxide) emissions, and is abundantly available on earth in the form of agricultural residue, city garbage, cattle dung, firewood, etc. Bio-energy, in the form of biogas, which is derived from biomass, is expected to become one of the key energy resources for global sustainable development.

At present, biogas technology provides an alternative source of energy in rural India for cooking. It is particularly useful for village households that have their own cattle. Through a simple process cattle dung is used to produce a gas, which serves as fuel for cooking. The residual dung is used as manure.

Biogas plants have been set up in many areas and are becoming very popular. Using local resources, namely cattle waste and other organic wastes, energy and manure are derived. A mini biogas digester has recently been designed and developed, and is being used in-field tested for domestic lighting.

Indian sugar mills are rapidly turning to BAGASSE, the leftover of cane after it is crushed and its juice is extracted, to generate electricity. This is mainly being done to clean up the environment, cut down power costs and earn additional revenue. According to current estimates, about 3500 MW of power can be generated from bagasse in the existing 430 sugar mills in the country. Around 270MW of power has already been commissioned and more is under construction.

Chapter 13HYDEL ENERGY

FORM OF ENERGY: Potential/kinetic energy

USED FOR: Power generation

SOME OF THE GADGETS AND OTHER DEVICES: Turbine generators

FACT: On an average, the 60 million sq km of tropical seas absorb solar radiation equal to the heat content of 245 billion barrels of oil.

ENERGY FROM WATER SOURCES

The energy in the flowing water can be used to produce electricity. Waves result from the interaction of wind with surface of the sea and represent a transfer of energy from the wind to the sea. Energy can be extracted from the sea by creating a reservoir or basin behind a barrage and then passing tidal waters through turbines in the barrage to generate electricity.

MINI OR MICRO HYDRO POWER

Hydro power is one of the best, cheapest, and the cleanest source of energy, although, worth big dams, there are many environmental and social problems as has been seen in the case of Tehri and the Narmada Project. Small dams are, however, free from these problems. This is in fact one of the earliest known renewable energy sources, in the country (since the beginning of the 20th century).

In fact, for the last few hundred years, people living in the hills of the Himalayas have been using water mills, or chakki, to grind wheat. The 130 KW small hydropower plant in Darjeeling set up in 1897, was the first in India. Besides being free from the problem of pollution, such plants are also free from issues and controversies that are associated with the bigger projects, namely affecting the lives of thousands of people living along the banks of the rivers, destruction of large areas under forest, and seismological threats.

New environmental laws affected by the danger of global warming have made energy from small hydropower plants more relevant. These small hydropower plants can serve the energy needs of remote rural areas independently. The real challenge in a remote area lies in successful marketing of the energy and recovering dues. Local industries should be encouraged to use this electricity for sustainable development.

It is a technology with enormous potential, which could exploit the water resources to supply energy to remote rural areas with little access to conventional energy sources. It also eliminates most of the negative environmental effects associated with large hydropower projects.

ENERGY FROM THE SEA-OCEAN THERMAL, TIDAL AND WAVE ENERGY.

Large amount of solar energy is stored in the oceans and seas. On an average, the 60 million square kilometer of the tropical seas absorb solar radiation equivalent to the heat content of 245 billion barrels of oil. Scientists feel that if this energy can be tapped a large source of energy can be tapped a large source of energy will be available to the tropical countries and to other countries as well. The process of harnessing this energy is called OTEC (ocean thermal energy conversion). It uses the temperature differences between the surface of the ocean and depths of about 1000m to operate a heat engine, which produces electric power.

Energy is also obtained from waves and tides. The first wave energy, project with a capacity of 150MW, has been set up at Vizhinjam near Trivandrum. A major tidal wave power project costing of Rs. 5000 crores, is proposed to be set up in the Hanthal Creek in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat.

In some countries such as Japan small scale power generators run by energy from waves or the ocean, have been used as power sources for channel marking buoys.

Ge Reverse Osmosis Filters – A Review

October 10, 2011

by greenlagirl

Ge Reverse Osmosis Filters – A Review

GE reverse osmosis filters are expensive to replace and their lifespan is much shorter than other better systems. The GE reverse osmosis water filter may be said to “bring good things to living”, but that’s just marketing.

Currently, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a GE reverse osmosis replacement filter is 9.99. Of course, through different outlets, you may be able to get a better price than that, but for comparison’s sake it’s a starting point.

Reverse Osmosis Can Expensive

Many RO systems are expensive to use and maintain. GE reverse osmosis filters are no different. And, depending on where you live, it may be an unnecessary expense.

Alone, RO does not purify. Additional steps must be used to guarantee purity. Depending on the quality of your source, you might need to disinfect, since the GE reverse osmosis water treatment does not remove bacterial contaminants or anything that is lighter, dissolved in or molecularly smaller than the liquid itself.

The system includes GE reverse osmosis filters and a carbon filtration step. That’s an improvement over most RO units. Carbon removes many chemical contaminants. Multi-media blocks remove even more, but that is not included with General Electric’s latest product.

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If you have access to public treatment, you own a well or a spring, you probably do not need GE reverse osmosis filters. If your well is brackish, then the step is needed. But, springs and publicly treated supplies need some filtration, just not RO.

Reverse Osmosis De-Mineralizes Water

You need to remember that GE reverse osmosis water will be de-mineralized. Studies have shown that drinking de-mineralized on a regular basis is bad for your digestive health and could cause nutritional deficiencies. If you have hard-water, a better choice is ion exchange to “soften” it.

If you must use GE reverse osmosis filters, then you must have a re-mineralization step. That’s an expensive step. It is mostly used in desalinization plants.

For this purpose, the new mineral revitalization system would be a better choice, since it includes numerous steps including RO. Of course, it is quite expensive, but if your source requires it, that’s really your only choice.

The prices of GE reverse osmosis water filtration systems vary from dealer to dealer. It is not available, at this time, direct from the manufacturer, so of course you are paying dealer mark-up. Depending on where you go, you may be able to negotiate a better price, but you will pay between five and ten thousand dollars for the product.

You also have to remember to factor in the cost of use. Additional electricity is required in many cases. Installation requires a plumber and typically an electrician. At the rates they charge, that could be very expensive. From an environmental standpoint GE reverse osmosis filters can be wasteful, both because of the need for electric and because of wastewater created.

The bottom line is that for most of us GE reverse osmosis water will not bring good things to our lives. Regardless of what the commercials say. See my website for other water filter systems you should consider. Larry L. Taylor

Copy this video, make your own, spread the word. All animals drink the water as they are waiting to be put into the supply. Meats are put through processes involving water. Tobacco plants, vegetable plants and so on may be exposed to these toxicities without us being told about it until it’s a crisis where they benefit. Let’s act now and demand that something be done. Why is desalination an important issue in Florida? With more than 120 desalination plants in Florida, our state leads the nation in desalination. Texas has 38, California, 33. Florida leads because the water underneath, east and west of the peninsular is salty. The increasing demand for water, coupled with the state’s vulnerability to drought events, compel water planners to consider all alternatives. The 2001 and 2007 droughts stressed surface water systems, but seawater sources are not affected by drought. Seawater could help solve Florida water woes www.uswaternews.com South Florida currently has 30 brackish and two seawater desalination plants with seven brackish water plants now under construction. By 2012, brackish and seawater desalination plants will have the capacity to produce 250 million gallons of potable water per day. www.sfwmd.gov

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Does the Ambitious Desertec Energy Grid Project Spanning Two Continents Make Sense?

October 6, 2011

by roplant

Does the Ambitious Desertec Energy Grid Project Spanning Two Continents Make Sense?

This is where they will set up a grid spanning around the Mediteranian, through the countries of N. Africa, and all of Europe too. All connected producing electricity, and the system will include almost all alternative energy, rather including nuclear along the grid, but mostly it is focused on Solar and Wind, and some Geothermal too.

And in this scheme they will desalinate water as well, If you’d like to learn more you can watch the Discovery Channel Special on this. I’ve even listened to a TED Conference Speaker give the run down on it. Also met with a Chemistry Nobel Prize winner, who is actually a physicist explain it all; Dr. Walter Kohn. He gave a great slide show presentation on it all. Pretty large undertaking, and tying in all the desalination, water issues, solar and wind, geothermal, hydro and nuclear power is impressive.

With regards to the Desertec scheme, I would be concerned with nuclear, as I believe Algeria, Libya will be future problems in the nuclear proliferation space. And yes, the storage of spent fuel rods is a problem, although there is some new technology on the horizon to re-use most of the rest in a new innovative reactor scheme. Bill Gate’s Foundation has invested in this technology. I am personally pro-Nuclear for energy, and ocean wave. Not too impressed with wind and waiting for better technology and efficiency in solar to take hold, lots of R and D is helping now, and much would be rushed to market once proven. I mean the Aztecs were not as stupid as they looked, worshipping the Sun seems like a hot idea?

The Concept seems interesting, massive, a giant grid spanning two continents, it’s a cool idea. Quite futuristic, however, I am not a Global Warming Alarmist by any means, but agree we need to watch the pollution discharges; ocean dead zones, air quality, water quality, etc. No matter what you think of this 500 Billion Euro to 1 Trillion Euro project, it could bring energy to a massive population without polluting, which is the aim of the project. If they were to pull it all off and it could easily take 20-years to complete, it would be a great way to unite all those countries in a common cause for a good reason. So please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it’s hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/ – Note: All of Lance Winslow’s articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.

This video illustrates the advantages of the VariGreen Water Desalination Unit. As the need for fresh, potable water continues to increase VariGreen offers an effective and efficent water desalination system that can be implemented in a matter of days and can operate completely, on the endless renewable energy of the sun and wind.

Video Rating: 0 / 5

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Reverse Osmosis Feed Water and Pretreatment

October 3, 2011

by xavipat

Reverse Osmosis Feed Water and Pretreatment

The performance of an RO system is largely depending on the composition of the feed water. Feed water quality will determine the amount and the type of pre-treatment necessary to make RO an economical and successful process. This balance is the primary limiting factor of most RO system in operation today. The close relationship between water chemistry and membrane performance is why membrane manufacturers require periodic water analysis in order to maintain membrane warranties. Water sources vary widely around the world, across the country, and even within local areas. All natural waters contain organic and inorganic, dissolved and suspended contaminants. The water composition dictates the types of water treatment process (es) that are used.

After bacteria have absorbed to a wall, the first parts of a bio film are formed. The bio film will increase in size while bacteria keep multiplying and while dead organic matter absorbs to the bio film structures. Despite the fact that bio films influence the water flow, it still attracts small suspended solids and microorganisms. The bio film deposits become a strong, coherent whole that is very hard to remove. Eventually, parts of the bio film will be released and spread through the system components, including the membranes. When they are attached to the membranes, microorganisms start multiplying, using nutrients that are present in the feed water. As a result a bio film will develop on the membranes, which encumbers the feed water flow through the membrane. This results in a higher pressure, which causes higher system costs and irreparable damage to the membranes.

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Successful long-term performance of reverse osmosis systems primarily depends on three factors:

1) Proper pretreatment

2) Adequate system design

3) Attention to operation and maintenance.

The net result of the proper pretreatment is as optimization of:

1) Product flow

2) Product recovery

3) Salt rejection

All which can be directly translated to operating cost.

Membrane Fouling

1) Scale formation

2) Biological slime formation

3) Suspended solids

4) Colloids

5) Metal oxides

6) Oil and grease deposition

Applications: Reverse Osmosis systems are generally used for Desalination of sea and brackish waters for potable water application. The RO separation process plays a useful role in cleaning various industrial effluents including pulp and paper; recovery of metals from electroplating wastes; recovery of valuable products from acid mine drainage; municipal wastewater reclamation; and the production of ultrapure water for boiler, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical industries.

5 Potential Health Consequences of Reverse Osmosis Systems

October 3, 2011

by Sasyl

5 Potential Health Consequences of Reverse Osmosis Systems

Most of the focus for water quality has been on pollution and removing contaminants to a level considered safe for drinking water. Now there is also concern that we may be taking out essential nutrients needed for our health. As early as 1980, the World Health Organization(WHO) began to notice some effects on the populations that were using desalinated water. They concluded then that completely demineralised water has a “definite adverse influence on the animal and human organism.”

No where on earth is there naturally occurring, chemically pure, water. That is because water is the universal solvent. Lots of compounds readily dissolve into water. So, as it flows, it collects additives. Some are good and many, especially the man made ones, are harmful. There are ways to purify water, such as with a reverse osmosis system.

Desalination is a process for providing fresh water from brackish or sea water. The practice has been in use for over thirty years. Fresh water is achieved with the use of a reverse osmosis system. There are thousands of desalination plants around the world, producing 6 billion gallons of water a day, or more.

In 2005, WHO presented a publication titled: Nutrients in Drinking Water. One whole chapter was devoted to the health risks of consuming water that had the minerals removed. All methods of artificially producing demineralised water were discussed, including the home use of reverse osmosis systems.

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The WHO publication discussed 5 possible health consequences of consuming water with a low mineral content:

There is a negative effect on water and mineral homeostasis mechanisms of the body. It causes an increase in urine output that, in turn, causes an electrolyte imbalance.

No intake of calcium and magnesium from low-mineral water is associated with an increase in death from cardiovascular disease, a higher risk of fracture in children, some neuro-degenerative diseases , low birth weight of babies and even some types of cancer.

Intake of other essential elements and micro elements is reduced in low mineral water. It is needed since, the modern diet may not be an adequate. Even the low intake of the element with drinking water is important. This is because the elements are more easily absorbed from water than from food.

Loss of calcium, magnesium and other essential elements can be as high as 60%, or even more, when preparing food with low mineral water. Since the diet may not provide adequate amounts of these minerals, further reductions may cause severe deficiencies of these nutrients.

There is a possible increase in intake of toxic metals due to leaching from pipes or storage tanks.

The conclusion reached was that drinking water should contain minimum levels of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. And it was made clear, that using any type of a reverse osmosis system, removes these essential nutrients.

When the need for water purification in the home was recognized thirty years ago, the commercial application for reverse osmosis systems were scaled down to fill that need. Now, with the better filter technology available to remove the pollutants, and also leave the minerals in the water, use of a reverse osmosis system in the home may not be a healthy choice.

Israel’s Finance Ministry has granted a license for the country’s fifth desalination plant to be built in the coastal city of Ashdod. The reverse osmosis plant in the Mediterranean coastal city will produce 100 million cubic meters of desalinated seawater a year, comprising 15 percent of Israel’s household water use by 2013. Israel plans to have five such plants up and running that will supply 75 percent of the country’s drinking water within the next two years. Mekorot chairman Alex Wiznitzer says the plants will allow Israel to restore its natural water resources. Israel’s main sources of natural fresh water are underground aquifers and the Sea of Galilee, which has seen dangerously low levels due to overdrawing.

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Economy Of Kuwait

October 3, 2011

Economy Of Kuwait

Economy in greater depth

Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the Muslim world. Current GDP per capita reached astonishing peak growth of 439% in the 1970s. But this proved unsustainable and contracted by 58% in the 1980s. However rising global oil demand helped register growth of 91% in the 1990s. Diversification is a long-term issue for this over-exposed economy.

Macro-economic trend

This is a chart of trend of gross domestic product of Kuwait at market prices estimated by the International Monetary Fund with figures in millions of Kuwaiti Dinars.

Year

Gross Domestic Product

US Dollar Exchange

Inflation Index

(2000=100)

Per Capita Income

(as % of USA)

1980

7,764

0.27 Kuwaiti Dinars

171.08

1985

6,450

0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars

71.58

1990

5,328

0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars

37.00

1995

8,114

0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars

62.14

2000

11,570

0.30 Kuwaiti Dinars

100

48.92

2005

21,783

0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars

108

64.35

For purchasing power parity comparisons, the US Dollar is exchanged at 0.48 Kuwaiti Dinars only. Average wages in 2007 hover around ,250 per month for Kuwaitis. As for skilled and experienced non-Kuwaiti (Engineers, Doctors, and Managers) the average monthly salary is hiked up tremendously, to an average of ,000+ a month excluding living and other benefits. Please, also keep in mind that Kuwait is a tax free country so all the above figures reflect actual take home numbers.

Kuwait is a small country with massive oil reserves, whose economy has been traditionally dominated by the state and its oil industry. During the 1970s, Kuwait benefited from the dramatic rise in oil prices, which Kuwait actively promoted through its membership in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The economy suffered from the triple shock of a 1982 securities market crash, the mid-1980s drop in oil prices, and the 1990 Iraqi invasion and occupation. The Kuwaiti Government-in-exile depended upon its 0 billion in overseas investments during the Iraqi occupation in order to help pay for the reconstruction. Thus, by 1993, this balance was cut to less than half of its pre-invasion level. The wealth of Kuwait is based primarily on oil and capital reserves, and the Iraqi occupation severely damaged both.

In the closing hours of the Persian Gulf War in February 1991, the Iraqi occupation forces set ablaze or damaged 749 of Kuwait’s oil wells. All of these fires were extinguished within a year. Production has been restored, and refineries and facilities have been modernized. Oil exports surpassed their pre-invasion levels in 1993 with production levels only constrained by OPEC quotas.

Oil

Main article: Oil industry of Kuwait

In 1934, the ruler of Kuwait granted an oil concession to the Kuwait Oil Co. (KOC), jointly owned by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (later British Petroleum Company) and Gulf Oil Corp. In 1976, the Kuwaiti Government nationalized KOC. The following year, Kuwait took over onshore production in the Divided Zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. KOC produces jointly there with Texaco, Inc., which, by its 1984 purchase of Getty Oil Co., acquired the Saudi Arabian onshore concession in the Divided Zone.

In the Offshore Divided Zone, the Arabian Oil Co. 80% owned by Japanese interests and 10% each by the Kuwaiti and Saudi Governments has produced on behalf of both countries since 1961. The original concession agreements will expire in January 2003; negotiations to replace the concession with a technical service agreement should be completed in 2002.

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. (KPC), an integrated international oil company, is the parent company of the government’s operations in the petroleum sector, and includes Kuwait Oil Company, which produced oil and gas; Kuwait National Petroleum Co., refining and domestic sales; Petrochemical Industries Co., producing ammonia and urea; Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co., with several concessions in developing countries; Kuwait Oil Tanker Co.; and Santa Fe International Corp. The latter, purchased outright in 1982, gives KPC a worldwide presence in the petroleum industry.

KPC also has purchased from Gulf Oil Co. refineries and associated service stations in the Benelux nations and Scandinavia, as well as storage facilities and a network of service stations in Italy. In 1987, KPC bought a 19% share in British Petroleum, which was later reduced to 10%. KPC markets its products in Europe under the brand Q8 and is interested in the markets of the United States and Japan.

Kuwait has about 94 billion barrels (15 km) of recoverable oil reserves. Estimated capacity, before the war, was about 2.4 million barrels (380,000 m) per day. During the Iraqi occupation, Kuwait’s oil-producing capacity was reduced to practically nothing. However, tremendous recovery and improvements have been made. Oil production was 1.5 million barrels (240,000 m) per day by the end of 1992, and pre-war capacity was restored in 1993. Kuwait’s production capacity is estimated to be 2.5 million barrels (400,000 m) per day. Kuwait plans to increase its capacity to 3.5 million (560,000 m) barrels per day by 2005.

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v d e

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Algeria Angola Ecuador Iran Iraq Kuwait Libya Nigeria Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Venezuela

Social benefits

Kuwait has a fairly open economy with a lot of multi-national companies operating in the oil-rich nation. Shown here is a Burger King restaurant situated at the Kuwait International Airport.

Diversification

In 2007, hydrocarbon industries accounted for well over 95% of the Kuwaiti economy. Diversification of the economy into manufacturing industries remain a long-term issue.

Industry in Kuwait consists of several large export-oriented petrochemical units, oil refineries, and a range of small manufacturers. It also includes large water desalinization, ammonia, desulfurization, fertilizer, brick, block, and cement plants. During the invasion, the Iraqis looted nearly all movable items of worth, especially high-technology items and small machinery. Much of this has been replaced with newer equipment.

Agriculture

Agriculture is limited by the lack of water and arable land. The government has experimented in growing food through hydroponics and carefully managed farms. However, most of the soil which was suitable for farming in south central Kuwait was destroyed when Iraqi troops set fire to oil wells in the area and created vast “oil lakes”. Fish and shrimp are plentiful in territorial waters, and largescale commercial fishing has been undertaken locally and in the Indian Ocean.

Shipping

The Kuwait Oil Tankers Co. has 35 crude oil and refined product carriers and is the largest tanker company in an OPEC country. Kuwait also is a member of the United Arab Shipping Company.

External trade and finance

Kuwaiti exports in 2006

The Kuwaiti dinar is a strong currency pegged to a basket of currencies in which the U.S. dollar has the most weight. Kuwait ordinarily runs a balance-of-payments surplus.

Government revenues are dependent on oil revenues. Kuwait’s fiscal surplus in 2000 was some 15% of GDP, while it reversed to a deficit of more that 2% of GDP in 2001 on sliding oil prices.

The government’s two reserve funds: the Fund for Future Generations and the General Reserve Fund, which totalled nearly 0 billion prior to the invasion in 1990, were the primary source of capital for the Kuwaiti Government during the war. While these funds were depleted to – billion after the war, they currently are estimated around 8 billion. The bulk of this reserve is invested in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and Southeast Asia. In order of importance, foreign assets are believed to be invested in stocks and bonds, fixed yield instruments (mostly short term), and real estate. Kuwait follows a generally conservative investment policy.

Kuwait has been a major source of foreign economic assistance to other states through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, an autonomous state institution created in 1961 on the pattern of Western and international development agencies. In 1974, the fund’s lending mandate was expanded to include all not just Arab developing countries.

Over the years aid was provided to Egypt, Syria, and Jordan, as well as the Palestine Liberation Organization. During the Iran-Iraq war, significant Kuwaiti aid was given to the Iraqis. The Kuwait Fund issued loans and technical assistance grants totaling over 0 million during its fiscal year ending 30 June 2000.

The stock market capitalisation of listed companies in Kuwait was valued at 0,080 million in 2005 by the World Bank.

Other statistics

Investment (gross fixed): 6.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA

Agriculture – products: practically no crops; fish

Industrial production growth rate: -5% (2002 est.)

Electricity:

production: 38.19 billion kWh (2003)

consumption: 35.52 billion kWh (2003)

exports: 0 kWh (2002)

imports: 0 kWh (2002)

Electricity – production by source:

fossil fuel: 100%

hydro: 0%

other: 0% (2001)

nuclear: 0%

Oil:

production: 2.418 million bbl/day (2005 est.)

consumption: 400,000 bbl/day (2006 est.)

exports: 2.57 million barrel/day (2008)

imports: NA

proved reserves: 105.0 billion barrel (2005 est.), including the divided zone.

Natural gas:

production: 8.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)

consumption: 8.3 billion cu m (2003 est.)

exports: 0 m (2002 est.)

imports: 0 m (2002 est.)

proved reserves: 1.572 trillion cu m (2005)

Current account balance: .51 billion (2005 est.)

Exports – commodities: oil and refined products, fertilizers

Imports – commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: .296 billion (2005 est.)

Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar – 0.3014 (2004), 0.298 (2003), 0.3039 (2002), 0.3067 (2001), 0.3068 (2000)

Charter Yachts – Going Green With Caribbean Sailing

September 30, 2011

by Sasyl

Charter Yachts – Going Green With Caribbean Sailing

Sadly, the ocean surrounding these island gems, which was once thought-about inexhaustible and resilient, is in actual fact, finite and fragile. The good news is that now an increasing number of visitors are regarding themselves with sustainable journey, carbon offsets and decreasing the carbon footprint of the travel industry. As a traveler, you always have the opportunity to make decisions in how you impression the areas you visit. Perhaps probably the most environmentally pleasant trip you may take is on a Caribbean crusing charter yacht.

For hundreds of years, sailors acknowledged that the human interactions between a sailboat and the pure elements of the water and climate inspired not solely great rewards, however a real sense of wellbeing. Immediately, as numerous charterers have discovered, not only is a sailing charter yacht good for you – additionally it is good for the environment. A sailing charter yacht is the ultimate going inexperienced activity. Sailing is one of the oldest means of emission-free travel. Since your sailing charter yacht is wind-powered, you will use little or no fuel, if any. A trip on a Caribbean crusing charter yacht is an exhilarating tonic on your senses: it’s refreshing, all-natural and very, very clear!

Though sailing is a green hobby, all of us have an impact on the environment. There are a lot of steps that may be taken with charter yachts, either through the charter yacht bases or by the charterers themselves, to sustain the high quality of water and native environments of the Caribbean.

Many charter yacht bases and marinas are making ongoing efforts and improvements via public consciousness, recycling and know-how to protect the delicate ecosystem. As an illustration, on the Sunsail services at Wickhams Cay II in Tortola, an environmentally sound breakwater was developed to permit for higher water circulation into the harbor, and runoff from constitution yacht cleansing is being contained and filtered. As well as, they’re presently upgrading the seawater desalination plant, linking the holding tank pump-out station to the town sewage system, and incorporating an modern water flush system into the brand new seawall permitting for higher circulation of the water throughout the inner harbor. Pure circulation will probably be assisted by means of seawater pumps that transfer current water from the harbor entrance into the innermost portion of the harbor. This water can even be filtered to enhance the quality. At the new Marina at Marigot Bay, St.Lucia, the docks have been designed so that the complete Marigot Bay mangrove system was undisturbed and additional mangroves have been planted to speed up the expansion of the reserve. The outcome was that the marina has been constructed with minimum influence on the environment. Water conservation is a focus on the Barefoot constitution yacht base in St. Vincent. They just lately installed a state-of-the-art sewage disposal system that produces virtually potable water on the different end. Additionally they accumulate rainwater in 500 gallon tanks that they use for watering the grounds. In the British Virgin Islands, where rainfall is scarce, water conservation can be an issue. On the Moorings base, water is produced from the ocean with a sixty five,000 gallon a day desalination plant built for his or her facility with one hundred,000 gallon cisterns to serve as storage. As well as, their laundry facility saves roughly 12,000 gallons of water day by day by recycling water with a particular therapy system that reuses water. Finally, lots of the bases are taking the opportunity to cultivate charter yacht sailors’ respect for the surroundings whereas within the Caribbean. During chart briefings at Horizon Yacht Charters in the BVI, the staff explains the significance of respecting the coral and sea, and all yachts obtain a brochure entitled, “Year of the Reef”, which explains global efforts to encourage coral growth. At Barefoot bases, earlier than sailors take their constitution yacht, they must sign a “pledge” of guidelines as a way to elevate their stage of consciousness for environmentally pleasant sailing.

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Though the constitution yacht bases and marinas are doing their half, it is actually as much as you to be essentially the most eco-pleasant charterer and cut back the impression of sailing on the environment. To make sure that your sailing charter yacht stays the last word green exercise, contemplate the next:

1. Always respect the character round you. Observe and benefit from the pure beauty of the Caribbean without damaging it. Be very careful when snorkeling and diving the coral reefs. One kick of your fins can destroy hundreds of years of coral growth. Do not contact the fragile organisms along with your body or equipment. And, choose up after your self- all the time test for rubbish before leaving an island.

2. Consider booking charter yachts with various energy systems. Most of the boat builders are actually designing charter yachts which can be more eco-friendly. Several charter yachts at the moment are putting in wind turbines and solar panels to charge the boat systems. These help minimize the time required to run the engine to cost the batteries. Verify together with your charter yacht broker for the availability of these “green” boats.

3. Reduce your carbon footprint. Open up the hatches and facet vents and use the natural air flow for comfort. Part of the pleasure of a Caribbean crusing charter yacht is the constant trade winds that provide loads of fresh air. For those who run the turbines all the time or all night for air-conditioning, you’re creating loads of pollution.

4. Control the amount of rubbish you create. Since recycling is often considered too expensive, rubbish disposal on the islands usually leads to landfills which affect the beauty of the atmosphere you came to get pleasure from, not destroy. Therefore, restrict the amount of garbage you create. Avoid taking plastic on board, comparable to six-pack rings, plastic luggage, disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Carry reusable shopping baggage while you provision as a substitute of gathering plastic bags from the store. Instead of shopping for circumstances of water in small plastic bottles, purchase gallon jugs of water and buy one souvenir plastic cup for every particular person onboard. This uses much less plastic and creates a smaller carbon footprint.

5. Provision green. Think about the merchandise you’ll buy and buy much less dangerous merchandise that help conserve the surroundings for future generations to enjoy. Many grocery stores in the Caribbean sell cleansing merchandise underneath the model name, “7th Generation” or “ECOVER” which is not going to harm the water if they find yourself there.

6. Garbage Disposal. By no means throw rubbish, together with food, overboard. Fish and different wild life can’t use our food properly. Human meals alters their natural feeding behavior, alters the nutrient stability of the reef, and disrupts the natural predator-prey interactions. Stow any unfastened items comparable to plastic baggage so they do not find yourself overboard. Though cigarette butts could seem small and insignificant to some, they are undoubtedly not! They can last as long as 5 years on the beach or in the ocean and they’re deadly to sea creatures that confuse them with food. Even though a few of the islands could cost a small fee per bag, always get rid of trash in designated areas only or with the trash decide-up boats.

7. Water toys. Though fuel-pushed water sports can be loads of fun for some, they deplete carbon credit and might cause noise pollution. There are such a lot of different water toys available on your Caribbean sailing constitution yacht that do not use fossil fuel. Take into account making an attempt kayaks, sailingdinghies, windsurfers, kite boards, snorkel gear, and floating mats.

There isn’t a finer technique to take a break, relax and do something good to your soul than to take a trip in the Caribbean. The crystal clear blue water, palm-fringed sandy beaches, balmy commerce winds and the laid-back vibe of the Caribbean is actually good for you. All of us have the responsibility to ensure that we do the whole lot in our power to protect the natural belongings of the islands.

Written by admin · Filed Under Water Desalination

Know the Formula for a Delicious Crawfish Boil

September 27, 2011

Know the Formula for a Delicious Crawfish Boil

The seasoning added to the boil is the reason why Louisiana crawfish differs from anywhere else. The secret is in the water! Like any other cuisines like Korean, Indian, Chinese and Thai foods, Cajun dishes are also known for their spicy and hot flavors. Although not every dish is very hot and causes runny nose, many of Cajun dishes are generously seasoned. True Cajun crawfish boils causes irritation in the eyes when fingers get too close. First, we ought to know the seasonings for us to safely and accurately estimate the right amount.

Recipes or seasonings can either be made from scratch or from prepared mixes. A good example is the Cornbread that can be brought from corn meal and/or corn flour, or from a blend of dry ingredients box. Both cases are turned from a raw material into a finished corn bread. This is the same in Crawfish boil. If you fancy to, you can make your own ratios of ingredients like salt, cayenne, herbs seeds and spices by your own choice. Truth is, even most Cajuns don’t do this. They’d rather use pre-made mixes and/or make adjustments until they encounter the formula they like. But Cajun cooking is an art and not exact science.

Many Crawfish boil mixes cannot be bought on local grocery stores and can only be bought online. For you to choose which is the best, you have to try them and find which suits your taste. Major brands such as Cajun Land, Konriko, Louisiana, Rex, Slap Ya Mama, and Zatarain’s offer seasoning blends specially for Cajun style boil. To minimize the guessing of measurement, products come in specific amounts with corresponding amount of crawfish to be boiled. Currently, the buzz seems to go on a brand called Chackbay. Some parts of the country are known to add Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning on the top of the crawfish boil before eating.

Whatever brand you prefer, you should be aware that seasoning products come in three different forms; mesh bags, liquid and dry or powdered. Some recipes call for a mixture of seasoning forms. A little of this and a little of that. Much worse is that some recipes made by experts recommend not to follow the directions on the spice package. If you like better to follow the directions, just add the amount of seasoning proportionate on the amount of crawfish you would boil. Keep in mind that the seasoning will be absorbed by whatever you are cooking so if you are cooking more than one batch, you will need to add more, about one-third and two-thirds of the original amount.

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SALT. Salt is important, especially the proper amount. Salt as a seasoning is more crucial as other flavor profiles increase. Flavor profiles are the overall taste in a dish; sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Together they balance the dish. Salt in this case, will intensify the flavor of the crawfish itself and balance the intensities of the other flavors. How much salt? Salt, in general is very subjective. The best we can offer is to give you a hint on range to stay within. It is easy to add salt and trying to subtract salt would involve expensive and complex desalinization equipment. For a sack of crawfish in a large crawfish pot (60 to 80 qt) filled two-thirds full of water (40 to 53 qt) you will use between one and two “cylinder” boxes of salt, that’s 1.5 to 3 pounds. It is normal that the water will be much saltier and much spicier than the crawfish because they aren’t going to be immersed for very long. Try cooking a whole box, and try a crawfish. It will at least be a good early reference point for adding more salt to taste. You can also add potatoes first to gauge the right amount of salt, especially while the crawfish isn’t added yet. Salt additions may be necessary on cooking batches because salt would be absorbed during cooking.

Mesh bag seasoning. These bags (3-4 oz.) come packaged a few to a box and are usually enough to season 4-5 lbs of seafood each. Like a teabag, it is soaked in the boiling water, but stay contained in the bag itself. The bag contains whole or flake form and is good for smaller batches and for moderate amount of flavor without too much spicy heat. Put the contents of the bag into a blender and the resulting powder would add more flavor and spice to your boil. The bag doesn’t contain salt so you would have to add it yourself. Bag contains some or all of the following: pepper flakes, peppercorns, whole cloves, dried citrus peel, herb leaves (basil, bay, laurel, oregano, thyme), and whole seeds (allspice celery, coriander, dill, mustard).

Liquid Seasoning. This comes in 4 oz., 8 oz., 16 oz., and crowd dispersing 1 gallon bottles. They are distinct, quick acting and powerful when added in a crawfish boil. You will want to use liquid seasoning as a spice and flavor booster, in addition to the mesh bags or dry seasoning. This is because as a lone seasoning, it doesn’t bring well rounded taste. It also does not contain salt. It is worth keeping around the house to be used in other recipes in addition to pest control and fending off home invaders.

Dry or powdered seasoning. Available in 1lb. bags capable of cooking 10lbs. of seafood or large 3-6 lbs jars for a whole sack of crawfish. This is the seasoning of choice to start out with. Preferably, the powder is used with a little extra liquid or bag for well rounded flavors. It has salt in it but not enough. Dry or powdered seasoning blends will contain some or all of the following: salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, paprika, mustard powder, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, celery seed, lemon flavoring, ground herbs (bay leaf, thyme, oregano, basil) dextrose, MSG.

Straight cayenne pepper. In its pure form, ground red cayenne pepper is the staple ingredient for making adjustments to spicy heat. If premade mixes aren’t hot enough for you, refer from this.

We hope we helped you with your boil in reading this article. The idea here is to familiarize you with seasoning ingredients and their various forms. With this knowledge, you can make your own adjustments based on how you think your crawfish should taste in terms of salt and seasoning. The best thing you can do to improve your technique is to practice. You’ll make a whole lot of friends and have some great memories along the way to crawfish boil perfection. You also want to keep journal of your crawfish boil. Some people do this for wine tasting, but this is way cooler. In it, record the important things: pounds of crawfish, which cooking pot, amount of salt, seasoning, lagniappe extras, cooking times, soak times, batches, etc. Before you enjoy too many beers, write down your overall impression and what others thought; too spicy made me cry; not salty enough; my fingers are swollen now I can’t get my ring off; potatoes turned into mashed potatoes; not enough beer, just right, thank you crawfish.com; etc. This way if you are one of the unfortunate ones who only gets to have boiled

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Stainless steel pump: China’s pump industry leader in pioneering

September 24, 2011

Stainless steel pump: China’s pump industry leader in pioneering

China Special Steel Association Stainless Steel Cheng Li such an analysis of China’s stainless steel consumer market. Situation from consumption, at present, China’s apparent consumption has reached the highest level of the world’s total global consumption of close to 1 / 4, the per capita stainless steel consumption reached 3.4KG, leaped to the forefront of developing countries. However, consumption growth rate gradually slowed down from an average annual growth rate of consumption of more than 30% of the ultra-high-speed development stage and into the current growth rate of 6.43% of the steady stage of development. Stainless steel itself, because of its corrosion resistance, heat resistance, wear resistance and other characteristics, in our focus on the development of the energy, petrochemicals, power, mining and other fields to be widely used.

Besides, given the longevity of stainless steel, high strength, light and other outstanding features, in recent years, stainless steel used in shipbuilding, rail transport vehicles to get rapid development. With the machinery manufacturing industry, steel industry will have broad application prospects.

In recent years, stainless steel involved in diverse fields, including in the water industry, construction and structure of industry, environmental protection industries, industrial facilities, the demand will be increased year by year. In the water industries, the water in its storage and transportation process of the pollution problem has been growing attention. Practice has proved that a large number of stainless steel water preparation, storage, transportation, purification, recycling, desalination and other water industry the best selection. Advantages: corrosion resistance, anti-earthquake, water, health (no rust and aeruginous), light weight (to reduce 1 / 3), less maintenance, long life (can be used for 40 years), life cycle cost (LCC) with low , is a green re-use of recyclable materials. It is, at present, Tokyo, Japan has reached the region of 76% of stainless steel pipe, pipe leakage rate from 14.7% to the current 7.5%. Osaka, Japan suffered a major earthquake, the stainless steel water tanks intact. Recently, the Japanese developed a corrugated tube connector, so that the cost of construction of stainless steel water piping reduced by 20%, 3% of the total cost reduction, maintenance cost reduction 3 / 4.

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Stainless steel technology in the field of water industry in the prominent role has been confirmed.

In recent years, the emergence of stainless steel pumps, water pumps used for some of the problems arise in the course made a timely solution. Compared to conventional iron pumps, stainless steel pumps with unique advantages, is a broad concern.

First of all, in materials technology, water supply equipment and food industry, stainless steel pumps, and pump iron compared to better health and safety, and can be resistant to mild acid and alkali, non-perishable.

Secondly, in life, the iron pump easy to rust, and accumulated rust stains, caused by cards, product usage rate decreased significantly, stainless steel water pump for its corrosion resistance, easy to rust, can increase product usage.

Again, in the material costs, slightly higher than the price of stainless steel pumps iron pumps, but the overall cost-effective products, the use of performance than iron pump more stable, longer-lasting and more durable. On the other hand, as brown metal prices continued price increases, the overall pump price of iron and stainless steel pumps have almost the same.

In addition, from a development perspective, stainless steel is 100% recycled green material, the use of safe and less pollution.

To sum up, the stainless steel industry driven stainless steel pumps have good market prospects. With relevant parties predicted that China’s stainless steel water pump market in the last decade, up to 20-30 million. Stainless steel pumps with corrosion-resistant, anti-earthquake, water, health and safety, light weight, low maintenance, long life and low life cycle cost, recyclable and a series of advantages characteristics, to win the love of the market. We have reason to believe that by adding green stainless steel materials, stainless steel water pump water pump industry will be able to become China’s leading pioneer in the development of China’s building blocks pump

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