“Natural Gas” is the fuel for the future given that it is clean, abundantly available and cost competitive. Projections available from alternative sources on gas consumption points to the fact, that Natural Gas would be the most preferred fuel in the global energy basket by the year 2025. The major factors contributing to this include the increasing globalization of gas business, recent discoveries, inherent fuel efficiencies, opening up of the major gas markets, and projected growth in imports in the Asia – pacific region, Europe and North America and environmental concerns.
Natural gas is an important source of energy in power, fertilizer, petrochemical and other industries. As stated above, the Government policies which are promoting investment in the gas sector by providing sops for LNG, are proof that it recognizes the importance of this sector.
The Report of the Sub-Group on Natural Gas and marking of petroleum products for XI Five Year Plan in its Report stated as under:
• It is a well known fact that Natural Gas, accounting for 24% of the total global primary energy supply, is the third largest contributor to the global energy basket and with a CAGR of about 3% over the last five years, it is growing at the fastest rate among fossil fuels.
• In the power sector, only 11% of total power generation capacity of 1,26,839 MW is based on gas whereas in the fertilizer sector, about 58% of production is based on gas. The corresponding figures in the petrochemicals and LPG/Liquid Hydrocarbon Sectors are 43% and 31% respectively.
• The Sub-Group on Gas Hydrocarbon Vision – 2025 also estimated the long term gas demand. According to this report, as against the requirement of 151MMSCMD in 2001-02, the domestic gas supply was 70MMSCMD. The Report forecast that in future, the demand supply gap would continue to exist, which will have to be met from imports and increase in domestic production.
• The Ministry of Power had also undertaken an exercise to identify gas based projects likely benefits from which could accrue during the XI plan period and beyond. The estimated capacity for these gas based power plants is of the order of 31765MW. Thus the overall new gas based capacity addition identified for future during XIth / XIIth Plan periods by the Power Sector are of the order of 33,655 MW. The magnitude of gas requirement for all these plants would be of the order of 100-120 MMSCMD, when the plants are set up.
• Department of fertilizers has proposed the case for switch over to 100% natural gas in the fertilizer sector, which is expected to give a push to gas demand in this sector during the XI Five Year Plan. The projected gas demand in the XIth plan period would increase from 40.82MMSCMD in the year 2007-08 to 79.36 in 2011-12.
• The estimated demand as per the current industry estimates in the petrochemicals/refineries and internal consumption (of gas industries) sectors is about 25.37MMSCMD in 2005-06. These industries are estimated to grow in line with the economic growth. Hence, an annual growth rate of about 7% is assumed during the XI plan period, which would result in demand of 33.25MMSCMD by the terminal year of the XI Plan.
Natural Gas / RLNG are subject to varying rates of Sales Tax in different States. In few States, the rate is as high as 20%. Besides, the high rate of tax, some States such as Assam, MP also do not allow input tax credit under VAT law to the gas consumers. As electric energy is exempt from VAT, the power generating companies have no choice but to absorb the entire burden as they cannot avail input tax credit. Similarly, goods used as fuel are not eligible for VAT credit due to restriction imposed by the states. This restriction badly affects all sectors that are using Natural Gas as fuel.
Since natural gas is a key input, due to this high and multiple point sales tax structure, the consumers are adversely affected particularly in the fertilizers and power sectors. Importance of natural gas is likely to increase due to increase in production of natural gas in the coming years with interstate trade also increasing consequently. It is important to note that suitable relief in sales tax will not only ensure that cost of gas to the end consumer is kept low but will also facilitate development of National Gas Grid in the country.
As a fuel, natural gas has to compete with coal, which enjoys “declared goods” status under Section 14 of the Central Sales Tax Act 1956 thus attracting maximum 4% sales tax. Also, natural gas and crude belong to the same category – “petroleum”. Thus, when crude enjoys “declared goods” status under CST Act, 1956 natural gas should also be extended the same benefit.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Understanding Pipeline Natural Gas Operations
Residential homes use natural gas for cooking, operating clothes dryers, central heating during winter and cooling during summer. In commercial and other industrial purposes, natural gas is used in furnaces, boilers and in water heaters. In agriculture, natural gas is used in production of fertilizers. The list is getting longer and longer. That is why demand for natural gas is constantly rising. And that is why demand for pipeline natural gas is also on the rise. Pipeline gas is one of the most important products of the modern times.
For ordinary people, it is enough that there is natural gas available for various purposes. But for a rising number of some, there is definitely a need to further understand how pipeline natural gas is being useful. Understanding all about pipeline gas is like knowing the basic and main framework of natural gas supplies.
The understanding should begin in natural gas fields. Usually, fossil deposits are the main sources of natural gas. Thus, the gas is often a by-product of petroleum production. In other countries, they used to burn the produced natural gas, but since technologists identified the use of such gases for industries and homes, natural gas is now considered as equally important product.
How did pipeline natural gas production emerge? Basically, from gas fields, there has always been a problem transporting the natural gas to receiving terminals that take care of distribution to households and consumers. Storage and transport has always been an important and main concern among natural gas producers. Liquefied natural gas carriers are transports that facilitate transport offshore or at greater distances. Moreover, tank trucks provide transport in land. For quite some time, the transports effectively helped distribute and move natural gas. But because of the rapidly rising demand, such methods are not enough.
Aside from that, the transports prove to be non profitable because they are too costly. And on top of that, such transports are too risky. Thus, pipeline gas emerged. Through pipeline natural gas facilities, the gas is now transported and moved through pipes. However, there is a need to construct and put up long and massive pipes so as to effectively and safely transport pipeline gas.
Pipeline natural gas is currently the single most effective way in transporting and moving pipeline gas. Without pipeline natural gas, it is hard to imagine how natural gas can be made available to residential and industrial centers nowadays. Not all states have natural gas facilities. Through gas pipelines, those states that do not have such gas fields are now provided access to pipeline gas supplies.
For ordinary people, it is enough that there is natural gas available for various purposes. But for a rising number of some, there is definitely a need to further understand how pipeline natural gas is being useful. Understanding all about pipeline gas is like knowing the basic and main framework of natural gas supplies.
The understanding should begin in natural gas fields. Usually, fossil deposits are the main sources of natural gas. Thus, the gas is often a by-product of petroleum production. In other countries, they used to burn the produced natural gas, but since technologists identified the use of such gases for industries and homes, natural gas is now considered as equally important product.
How did pipeline natural gas production emerge? Basically, from gas fields, there has always been a problem transporting the natural gas to receiving terminals that take care of distribution to households and consumers. Storage and transport has always been an important and main concern among natural gas producers. Liquefied natural gas carriers are transports that facilitate transport offshore or at greater distances. Moreover, tank trucks provide transport in land. For quite some time, the transports effectively helped distribute and move natural gas. But because of the rapidly rising demand, such methods are not enough.
Aside from that, the transports prove to be non profitable because they are too costly. And on top of that, such transports are too risky. Thus, pipeline gas emerged. Through pipeline natural gas facilities, the gas is now transported and moved through pipes. However, there is a need to construct and put up long and massive pipes so as to effectively and safely transport pipeline gas.
Pipeline natural gas is currently the single most effective way in transporting and moving pipeline gas. Without pipeline natural gas, it is hard to imagine how natural gas can be made available to residential and industrial centers nowadays. Not all states have natural gas facilities. Through gas pipelines, those states that do not have such gas fields are now provided access to pipeline gas supplies.
Fuel-Cell Cars: The Wave of the Future?
Hydrogen fuel cell cars are expensive and impractical. So why would we even consider them? With gasoline prices well over $4 per gallon and reduction of CO2 emissions a priority, all alternative fuels and future car technologies are getting a closer scrutiny these days. Not only that, if a proper infrastructure was created, Hydrogen could very well be the world's next propulsion fuel. Its cheap and abundant...so what are we waiting for?
What are they, and how do they work?
Hydrogen can be burned in a combustion engine or be converted back into electricity through a fuel cell. In an internal combustion automotive engine, gasoline or hydrogen can be used in a dual-fuel system that will suffice until a widespread hydrogen infrastructure can be built. These dual fuel cell systems are much like the electric hybrids like Toyato's Prius, yet they use hydrogen rather than electricity to supplement the gasoline.
In the long-term, with an infrastructure in place, hydrogen-on-demand vehicles can use either a hydrogen compound for internal combustion, or a fuel cell can create electro-mechanical energy and water. A fuel cell isn't as complicated as a conventional gas or diesel engine and isn't subject to high temperatures, corrosion or some of the structural weaknesses found in other types of engines. This affords a flexibility and durability for Hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen is processed through the fuel cell and combined with oxygen to create electricity. This newly formed energy is sent to pistons to propel the car forward (or reverse if you like). These fuel cell cars promise zero emissions and pollutants, with the only tailpipe emission being water vapor. Fuel-Cells are basically a combination of a battery and an engine making them a very unique advancement in car propulsion systems. Every year more and more efficient fuel cells are churned out by engineers and factories propelling the hydrogen car possibilities forward. Fuel-Cell conventions and conglomerates abound and with more and more government grants focusing on Fuel-Cell and Hydrogen Car development, the future continues to get brighter for Hydrogen Fuel-Cell cars.
While there is concern that putting hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road is as bad of an idea as was the ill-fated Hindenburg, experts say the two aren't related, and recent advances in car technology include development of safe, on-board hydrogen storage systems.
Infrastructure and hydrogen highways.
If you're not familiar with the term, a hydrogen highway is a chain of hydrogen-equipped filling stations along a road. What will it take to make it happen? Norway started the HyNor Project in 2006; Japan has several stations, as does Germany, and California now reports having 25 stations in place from San Diego to Sacramento. All of these stations will add to a momentum of change and will hopefully give rise to a new determination to improve on present Hydrogen powered vehicle prototypes in order to begin to switch our fleet of petroleum based cars. The Hydrogen car will arrive even if it takes time: The future is now.
What are they, and how do they work?
Hydrogen can be burned in a combustion engine or be converted back into electricity through a fuel cell. In an internal combustion automotive engine, gasoline or hydrogen can be used in a dual-fuel system that will suffice until a widespread hydrogen infrastructure can be built. These dual fuel cell systems are much like the electric hybrids like Toyato's Prius, yet they use hydrogen rather than electricity to supplement the gasoline.
In the long-term, with an infrastructure in place, hydrogen-on-demand vehicles can use either a hydrogen compound for internal combustion, or a fuel cell can create electro-mechanical energy and water. A fuel cell isn't as complicated as a conventional gas or diesel engine and isn't subject to high temperatures, corrosion or some of the structural weaknesses found in other types of engines. This affords a flexibility and durability for Hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen is processed through the fuel cell and combined with oxygen to create electricity. This newly formed energy is sent to pistons to propel the car forward (or reverse if you like). These fuel cell cars promise zero emissions and pollutants, with the only tailpipe emission being water vapor. Fuel-Cells are basically a combination of a battery and an engine making them a very unique advancement in car propulsion systems. Every year more and more efficient fuel cells are churned out by engineers and factories propelling the hydrogen car possibilities forward. Fuel-Cell conventions and conglomerates abound and with more and more government grants focusing on Fuel-Cell and Hydrogen Car development, the future continues to get brighter for Hydrogen Fuel-Cell cars.
While there is concern that putting hydrogen fuel cell cars on the road is as bad of an idea as was the ill-fated Hindenburg, experts say the two aren't related, and recent advances in car technology include development of safe, on-board hydrogen storage systems.
Infrastructure and hydrogen highways.
If you're not familiar with the term, a hydrogen highway is a chain of hydrogen-equipped filling stations along a road. What will it take to make it happen? Norway started the HyNor Project in 2006; Japan has several stations, as does Germany, and California now reports having 25 stations in place from San Diego to Sacramento. All of these stations will add to a momentum of change and will hopefully give rise to a new determination to improve on present Hydrogen powered vehicle prototypes in order to begin to switch our fleet of petroleum based cars. The Hydrogen car will arrive even if it takes time: The future is now.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Hydrogen Powered Cars for Today
In many ways, hydrogen is the ideal fuel. It can deliver lots of energy when it burns, and its clean. Burn hydrogen and you get water instead of the gunk that comes out of a car's tailpipe. It would be great to run cars on hydrogen. But there are problems. Storing large quantities of hydrogen can be hard, and the stuff can be volatile in an accident - remember the Hindenberg? Even so, there is a safe way to use hydrogen to power cars today. And it works with most of the cars on the road right now.
The key to building a hydrogen powered car today is to create a hydrogen-gasoline hybrid. Instead of getting all the car's power from hydrogen, you burn a bit of hydrogen with the gasoline to increase the car's fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of pollution created. It isn't a completely hydrogen powered car, but a system like this is surely a great first step toward increasing your gas mileage (thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels), protecting the environment, and saving some serious money on gasoline costs. We'll talk more about these benefits in a minute, but first, let's talk about where we're going to get the hydrogen to do all this.
Where Does the Hydrogen Come From?
We already talked about how hydrogen can be difficult to store and explosive under the wrong circumstances. So to make hydrogen powered cars practical, we need a way to store hydrogen that's safe and efficient for use in cars. Scientists are working on various proposals like hydrogen fuel cells and special tanks made with nanotech materials that can safely and compactly store masses of hydrogen. But there is another way.
Hydrogen is stored all around us in vast quantities. There is even a mass of it inside our bodies. It's locked up in water. Every molecule of water consists of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. In the form of water, hydrogen is easy to store and certainly won't explode in an accident. All we need is a way to get the hydrogen out of the water when we need it. To do that, we use electrolysis.
Electrolysis uses electricity to break down water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen atoms. It's a common, well-understood process that you probably experimented with in high school science class. Now using electrolysis to generate enough hydrogen to provide all the power for a car as it is needed isn't practical. But generating a smaller amount of hydrogen that can be mixed with the gasoline to improve a car's performance is possible. As a matter of fact, you can buy a kit to convert your own family sedan into a hydrogen powered car today.
Now that we know how this is possible, let's get back to the benefits of actually making this modification.
The Benefits of A Hydrogen Powered Car
There are three main benefits to a hydrogen powered car (aside from the coolness of it all). Once again, they are:
* Greater fuel efficiency
* Cleaner exhaust
* Reduced costs for fuel
Greater fuel efficiency comes from burning the hydrogen along with the gasoline. Reports claim as much as a 40% increase. Imagine getting 40% more miles per gallon from your car!
Because the hydrogen burns so cleanly while increasing the car's mileage, a hydrogen powered car pollutes less. While this issue isn't in the front of everyone's minds in this time of high gas prices, less pollution is always a good idea.
Finally, with gas prices hitting record highs and predictions of new records to come, the significantly increased mileage of a hydrogen powered car means big savings on fuel costs.
With gas prices skyrocketing and thousands of hydrogen-gasoline conversions on the worlds roads, isn't it time for you to start thinking about turning your automobile into a hydrogen powered car?
The key to building a hydrogen powered car today is to create a hydrogen-gasoline hybrid. Instead of getting all the car's power from hydrogen, you burn a bit of hydrogen with the gasoline to increase the car's fuel efficiency and reduce the amount of pollution created. It isn't a completely hydrogen powered car, but a system like this is surely a great first step toward increasing your gas mileage (thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels), protecting the environment, and saving some serious money on gasoline costs. We'll talk more about these benefits in a minute, but first, let's talk about where we're going to get the hydrogen to do all this.
Where Does the Hydrogen Come From?
We already talked about how hydrogen can be difficult to store and explosive under the wrong circumstances. So to make hydrogen powered cars practical, we need a way to store hydrogen that's safe and efficient for use in cars. Scientists are working on various proposals like hydrogen fuel cells and special tanks made with nanotech materials that can safely and compactly store masses of hydrogen. But there is another way.
Hydrogen is stored all around us in vast quantities. There is even a mass of it inside our bodies. It's locked up in water. Every molecule of water consists of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. In the form of water, hydrogen is easy to store and certainly won't explode in an accident. All we need is a way to get the hydrogen out of the water when we need it. To do that, we use electrolysis.
Electrolysis uses electricity to break down water into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen atoms. It's a common, well-understood process that you probably experimented with in high school science class. Now using electrolysis to generate enough hydrogen to provide all the power for a car as it is needed isn't practical. But generating a smaller amount of hydrogen that can be mixed with the gasoline to improve a car's performance is possible. As a matter of fact, you can buy a kit to convert your own family sedan into a hydrogen powered car today.
Now that we know how this is possible, let's get back to the benefits of actually making this modification.
The Benefits of A Hydrogen Powered Car
There are three main benefits to a hydrogen powered car (aside from the coolness of it all). Once again, they are:
* Greater fuel efficiency
* Cleaner exhaust
* Reduced costs for fuel
Greater fuel efficiency comes from burning the hydrogen along with the gasoline. Reports claim as much as a 40% increase. Imagine getting 40% more miles per gallon from your car!
Because the hydrogen burns so cleanly while increasing the car's mileage, a hydrogen powered car pollutes less. While this issue isn't in the front of everyone's minds in this time of high gas prices, less pollution is always a good idea.
Finally, with gas prices hitting record highs and predictions of new records to come, the significantly increased mileage of a hydrogen powered car means big savings on fuel costs.
With gas prices skyrocketing and thousands of hydrogen-gasoline conversions on the worlds roads, isn't it time for you to start thinking about turning your automobile into a hydrogen powered car?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Solar Energy Risks To Health
Solar energy is a potential source of free electricity and water heating. It offers the power to enjoy electrical power in remote areas of the world. It seems to offer health and safety along with power, but does it?
Solar energy health risks are seldom mentioned. That may be partially due to the limited use of this source of energy. It may also be due to the lack of research in this area. Some have begun to study solar energy health risks, however, and if one researches long enough, a few estimates are available.
Thermal Solar Energy Health Risks
Solar energy health risks are inherent to the design and installation of most thermal energy systems. These are the systems designed to heat water and air for household use.
Solar water heaters complete three basic operations before delivering hot water to your faucet or your heating unit:
1. collect sunlight and convert it into heat energy.
2. circulate fluids that transfer the heat energy to a storage unit
3. store the hot water until you need it
The solar energy health risks with such a system usually occur in the storage units. Some units allow for the growth of allergenic molds and fungi.
If proper materials are used for the storage unit, however, these solar energy systems present few, if any, health risks. Their advantages are that they are far safer than most fossil fuels or nuclear power - they have no emissions and do not pollute the air.
PV Panel Solar Energy Health Risks
The solar energy health risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) panels occurs before the panels are put into use on the consumer's home. PV panels are the panels used to collect solar energy from sunlight and convert it into usable electricity.
The manufacture of PV panels requires the use of toxic materials. Silicon dioxide is mined from sand or quartzite and reduced with heat to pure silicon. Materials released during refining are the main health risks. Several steps in forming the photovoltaic cells utilize toxic materials. These are sprayed on the cells, and can readily be inhaled.
It is estimated that solar energy health risks associated with producing PV panels per unit energy may be between 11 and 21 deaths per quadrillion joules of energy produced.
Solar energy health risks from PV panels are very slight once the panels are produced and installed on the consumer's home. This type of solar energy is known for reliability and low maintenance. The home owner seldom needs to be involved in any repairs, and thereby cuts solar energy health risks.
Passive Solar Energy Health Risks
Passive solar energy provides safety and health. A new building that maximizes this technology can reduce energy costs by nearly one half. How?
1. Warming indoor air in a house through vertical, slanted windows facing the sun. The windows capture maximum solar energy from the sunlight.
2. Collecting solar energy in adobe or stone walls and floors, and then releasing it into the air as the temperature falls.
3. Collecting solar energy in a sun space, much like a greenhouse built on the sunny side of the home. This heat is sent into the home with proper ventilation.
4. Holding water in black roof tanks until needed, cutting the working time of the home's hot water heater.
5. Using clerestories - rows of windows near roof peaks that catch sunlight and bounce it through the building. The sunlight reduces the need for electric lights.
In Summary
Solar energy technologies present few, if any, health risks for the end user. Their use can reduce the health risks presented by other energy sources, providing cleaner, safer, more cost effective energy.
Solar energy health risks are seldom mentioned. That may be partially due to the limited use of this source of energy. It may also be due to the lack of research in this area. Some have begun to study solar energy health risks, however, and if one researches long enough, a few estimates are available.
Thermal Solar Energy Health Risks
Solar energy health risks are inherent to the design and installation of most thermal energy systems. These are the systems designed to heat water and air for household use.
Solar water heaters complete three basic operations before delivering hot water to your faucet or your heating unit:
1. collect sunlight and convert it into heat energy.
2. circulate fluids that transfer the heat energy to a storage unit
3. store the hot water until you need it
The solar energy health risks with such a system usually occur in the storage units. Some units allow for the growth of allergenic molds and fungi.
If proper materials are used for the storage unit, however, these solar energy systems present few, if any, health risks. Their advantages are that they are far safer than most fossil fuels or nuclear power - they have no emissions and do not pollute the air.
PV Panel Solar Energy Health Risks
The solar energy health risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) panels occurs before the panels are put into use on the consumer's home. PV panels are the panels used to collect solar energy from sunlight and convert it into usable electricity.
The manufacture of PV panels requires the use of toxic materials. Silicon dioxide is mined from sand or quartzite and reduced with heat to pure silicon. Materials released during refining are the main health risks. Several steps in forming the photovoltaic cells utilize toxic materials. These are sprayed on the cells, and can readily be inhaled.
It is estimated that solar energy health risks associated with producing PV panels per unit energy may be between 11 and 21 deaths per quadrillion joules of energy produced.
Solar energy health risks from PV panels are very slight once the panels are produced and installed on the consumer's home. This type of solar energy is known for reliability and low maintenance. The home owner seldom needs to be involved in any repairs, and thereby cuts solar energy health risks.
Passive Solar Energy Health Risks
Passive solar energy provides safety and health. A new building that maximizes this technology can reduce energy costs by nearly one half. How?
1. Warming indoor air in a house through vertical, slanted windows facing the sun. The windows capture maximum solar energy from the sunlight.
2. Collecting solar energy in adobe or stone walls and floors, and then releasing it into the air as the temperature falls.
3. Collecting solar energy in a sun space, much like a greenhouse built on the sunny side of the home. This heat is sent into the home with proper ventilation.
4. Holding water in black roof tanks until needed, cutting the working time of the home's hot water heater.
5. Using clerestories - rows of windows near roof peaks that catch sunlight and bounce it through the building. The sunlight reduces the need for electric lights.
In Summary
Solar energy technologies present few, if any, health risks for the end user. Their use can reduce the health risks presented by other energy sources, providing cleaner, safer, more cost effective energy.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Can You Build Hydrogen Fuel Cell For Your Car?
There are many advantages to hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are environmentally friendly. Hydrogen fuel cells use a renewable natural resource and hydrogen burns cleanly when combusted in the engine. The US government has also launched initiatives to make hydrogen affordable. As gas prices rise and hydrogen prices drop, hydrogen fuel cells are quickly becoming attractive options for car owners. Unfortunately, it is expensive to produce hydrogen fuel cells. But can you build hydrogen fuel cell for your car?
The simple answer is no. Hydrogen fuel cells are complex, sophisticated engines made by a highly trained team of experienced engineers. Commercially produced hydrogen fuel cells are complex in their engineering architecture. Considerable expertise, technology and manpower is required to produce hydrogen fuel cells.
Even if you had the resources and the money to produce your own hydrogen fuel cell, safety is another issue that you cannot ignore. Hydrogen is a highly combustible element, and a poorly made hydrogen fuel cell can produce explosive results. We highly advise against trying to build your own hydrogen fuel cell.
The technology used to build hydrogen fuel cells is so new, that most mechanics are unable to service a vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel cells, let alone build one from scratch. Not only are fuel cells difficult to build, but the materials required are also costly. Most hydrogen fuel cells use platinum as a catalyst. Platinum is a rare and expensive metal that is challenging to work with, especially for home automotive enthusiasts.
Even if you could build a hydrogen fuel cell, keep in mind that most hydrogen fuel cells are fragile. They are unable to withstand long term exposure to bumps and vibrations of everyday road travel.
Technology may eventually evolve to the point where we can build our own hydrogen fuel cells the same way automotive enthusiasts build their own gas combustion engines. Unfortunately, that day is still not here yet. Automotive hydrogen fuel cells are expensive and difficult to construct and maintain. And once constructed, their fragile nature exposes safety concerns that motorists should not have to contend with.
Small-scale hydrogen fuel cells can be created in your home if curiosity has truly piqued your interest. These experiments are easy and cheap to conduct. There are several websites that will show you how to make a home-made hydrogen fuel cell of science project quality. These projects are fun, and more importantly safe.
For a variety of reasons, you cannot build hydrogen fuel cell (s) that are safe or cost efficient. If you are looking to conserve gas and save the environment, there are other options available. HHO (2 parts of hydrogen, 1 part of oxygen) conversion kits can be utilized to allow your vehicle to partially run on water. These conversions can be safe, provided you closely follow a good guide. There are many different guides on HHO conversion, so it would be ideal to conduct some research before investing in a HHO conversion guide. Thankfully, HHO conversion can be simple, safe and environmentally friendly. So the next time you consider modifying your vehicle to save on gas, consider using water instead of hydrogen.
The simple answer is no. Hydrogen fuel cells are complex, sophisticated engines made by a highly trained team of experienced engineers. Commercially produced hydrogen fuel cells are complex in their engineering architecture. Considerable expertise, technology and manpower is required to produce hydrogen fuel cells.
Even if you had the resources and the money to produce your own hydrogen fuel cell, safety is another issue that you cannot ignore. Hydrogen is a highly combustible element, and a poorly made hydrogen fuel cell can produce explosive results. We highly advise against trying to build your own hydrogen fuel cell.
The technology used to build hydrogen fuel cells is so new, that most mechanics are unable to service a vehicle that uses hydrogen fuel cells, let alone build one from scratch. Not only are fuel cells difficult to build, but the materials required are also costly. Most hydrogen fuel cells use platinum as a catalyst. Platinum is a rare and expensive metal that is challenging to work with, especially for home automotive enthusiasts.
Even if you could build a hydrogen fuel cell, keep in mind that most hydrogen fuel cells are fragile. They are unable to withstand long term exposure to bumps and vibrations of everyday road travel.
Technology may eventually evolve to the point where we can build our own hydrogen fuel cells the same way automotive enthusiasts build their own gas combustion engines. Unfortunately, that day is still not here yet. Automotive hydrogen fuel cells are expensive and difficult to construct and maintain. And once constructed, their fragile nature exposes safety concerns that motorists should not have to contend with.
Small-scale hydrogen fuel cells can be created in your home if curiosity has truly piqued your interest. These experiments are easy and cheap to conduct. There are several websites that will show you how to make a home-made hydrogen fuel cell of science project quality. These projects are fun, and more importantly safe.
For a variety of reasons, you cannot build hydrogen fuel cell (s) that are safe or cost efficient. If you are looking to conserve gas and save the environment, there are other options available. HHO (2 parts of hydrogen, 1 part of oxygen) conversion kits can be utilized to allow your vehicle to partially run on water. These conversions can be safe, provided you closely follow a good guide. There are many different guides on HHO conversion, so it would be ideal to conduct some research before investing in a HHO conversion guide. Thankfully, HHO conversion can be simple, safe and environmentally friendly. So the next time you consider modifying your vehicle to save on gas, consider using water instead of hydrogen.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells-The Next Great Step In Fuel Saving Technology
The world in its run for progress and mechanization has almost exhausted all non-renewable energy sources that Mother Earth had provided. Global warming, depleted water sources and increased pollution have paused serious threat to the well-being of mankind. We are now looking desperately for renewable energy sources and alternate fuel. In our tryst the latest addition is hydrogen fuel cells. Developed as a part of the space program initially, more and more car manufacturers are now edging towards adopting Hydrogen Fuel Cells to power the cars.
What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
The hydrogen fuel cell is same as our battery cells except for the fact that in case of hydrogen fuel cells the power is produced only when hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell. The electricity produced in hydrogen fuel cell is dependent on the rate of Hydrogen flow to the cell and also on size of the hydrogen fuel cell.
What are the advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
Although along with electricity it produces heat and water, the hydrogen fuel cells produce a lot less heat than the traditional rod cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are a lot more efficient than the gasoline engines by about 20 to 30%.
These cells can be created in different sizes and as a result can be used to power smaller instruments like an MP3 player to factory buildings and towns.
For the automobile industries the biggest challenge today are its dependence on gasoline and the rate of pollution. Hydrogen fuel cells if used as internal combustion engines for cars can reduce the petroleum dependency and environmental pollution.
Not just for cars, hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power remote areas, provide electricity where roads have not yet been built and in general alleviate the living conditions. It can also be used as a portable source of energy.
It is estimated that hydrogen fuel cells may replace the traditional batteries all together in the next 50 to 100 years. If it has been successful in the space programs, it is quite evident that it will leave its mark in day-today life as well. Different government and environment agencies are also supporting the use of hydrogen fuel cells. However with all boons comes its accompanying bane. To produce hydrogen we need energy. Fossil fuels are widely used to produce that energy. Now as we all know fossil fuel too is a non-renewable energy source. So the need of the hour is a lot more research so that we can get hydrogen from a renewable energy source in order to power hydrogen fuel cells in generating electricity.
However there is no denying the fact that today we need such energy alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells that are customizable, can be used everywhere, can power anything from a small walkman to a town and the best of all reduces pollution and generated less heat. As we all know it is time that we do away with global warming!
What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
The hydrogen fuel cell is same as our battery cells except for the fact that in case of hydrogen fuel cells the power is produced only when hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell. The electricity produced in hydrogen fuel cell is dependent on the rate of Hydrogen flow to the cell and also on size of the hydrogen fuel cell.
What are the advantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
Although along with electricity it produces heat and water, the hydrogen fuel cells produce a lot less heat than the traditional rod cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are a lot more efficient than the gasoline engines by about 20 to 30%.
These cells can be created in different sizes and as a result can be used to power smaller instruments like an MP3 player to factory buildings and towns.
For the automobile industries the biggest challenge today are its dependence on gasoline and the rate of pollution. Hydrogen fuel cells if used as internal combustion engines for cars can reduce the petroleum dependency and environmental pollution.
Not just for cars, hydrogen fuel cells can be used to power remote areas, provide electricity where roads have not yet been built and in general alleviate the living conditions. It can also be used as a portable source of energy.
It is estimated that hydrogen fuel cells may replace the traditional batteries all together in the next 50 to 100 years. If it has been successful in the space programs, it is quite evident that it will leave its mark in day-today life as well. Different government and environment agencies are also supporting the use of hydrogen fuel cells. However with all boons comes its accompanying bane. To produce hydrogen we need energy. Fossil fuels are widely used to produce that energy. Now as we all know fossil fuel too is a non-renewable energy source. So the need of the hour is a lot more research so that we can get hydrogen from a renewable energy source in order to power hydrogen fuel cells in generating electricity.
However there is no denying the fact that today we need such energy alternatives like hydrogen fuel cells that are customizable, can be used everywhere, can power anything from a small walkman to a town and the best of all reduces pollution and generated less heat. As we all know it is time that we do away with global warming!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
How To Manufacture Hydrogen Fuel
Hydrogen makes up a great portion of the Earth's atmosphere. Perhaps you're already aware of the hydrogen technology that has been greatly talked about in the past couple of years. Hydrogen technology makes use of the usable hydrogen to produce environment friendly fuel. Have you ever wondered how hydrogen fuel is made?
Physics can give you the answers. However, not everyone is good at physics. Leave it to the experts then; after all, they are the ones conducting various studies about hydrogen fuel production.
When wind airspeed is increased, water droplets are formed due to the chill factor. The droplets of water will be used to separate the hydrogen. Hydrogen is much lighter as compared to air. As air expands, hydrogen is caught and through the use of sound, hydrogen is separated completely. Does that sound clearer to you?
Hydrogen is often combined with other elements and if this is the case, hydrogen is taken out as well as long as there are four or more hydrogen molecules. There are several methods used to separate hydrogen. Two of the popular methods are water electrolysis and steam reforming. Scientists and researchers are currently studying new and more effective ways of producing usable hydrogen. Water is the most common source of usable hydrogen. Once the hydrogen and oxygen molecules are separated, usable hydrogen can be derived.
Refineries usually use various chemicals. Some researchers are already looking into the possibility of hydrogen presence in the said chemicals. If they can find a substantial amount of hydrogen in the various chemicals, they might be able to come up with an effective way of extracting hydrogen.
For now, you have to leave the production of hydrogen fuel to the experts. You see, hydrogen production is not that easy. The currently known methods are not enough to generate enough usable hydrogen to fuel cars and homes. There is a great need for an alternative fuel and with the hydrogen technology this need might be filled up.
You can now find hybrid cars that run on hydrogen fuel. Fuel cells are needed to run the car. The source of hydrogen for a car's useusually comes from water (which contains hydrogen). It's like you're running the car using only water and some cool gadgets inside also. Well, the cars of the future will be running with hydrogen fuel.
Car manufacturers have released a limited number of hydrogen powered cars and they are already on the streets of the US, Europe, and even Canada. The hydrogen cars are limited because there is also a limited source of hydrogen. Perhaps in the future, there will be a great number of hydrogen stations to meet the demands of hydrogen powered cars.
Are you still wondering how to make hydrogen fuel? Log on to the internet now and conduct your own research. You can start by gathering information about water electrolysis and steam reforming. If you can understand the two processes, you will get a clearer picture on how hydrogen fuel is made.
With a bit of knowledge, you will appreciate the use hydrogen fuel provides. By the way, did you know that the production of hydrogen fuel is almost a hundred percent clean? Yes, and that would mean a lot to the environment that is currently facing pollution and global warming problems.
Physics can give you the answers. However, not everyone is good at physics. Leave it to the experts then; after all, they are the ones conducting various studies about hydrogen fuel production.
When wind airspeed is increased, water droplets are formed due to the chill factor. The droplets of water will be used to separate the hydrogen. Hydrogen is much lighter as compared to air. As air expands, hydrogen is caught and through the use of sound, hydrogen is separated completely. Does that sound clearer to you?
Hydrogen is often combined with other elements and if this is the case, hydrogen is taken out as well as long as there are four or more hydrogen molecules. There are several methods used to separate hydrogen. Two of the popular methods are water electrolysis and steam reforming. Scientists and researchers are currently studying new and more effective ways of producing usable hydrogen. Water is the most common source of usable hydrogen. Once the hydrogen and oxygen molecules are separated, usable hydrogen can be derived.
Refineries usually use various chemicals. Some researchers are already looking into the possibility of hydrogen presence in the said chemicals. If they can find a substantial amount of hydrogen in the various chemicals, they might be able to come up with an effective way of extracting hydrogen.
For now, you have to leave the production of hydrogen fuel to the experts. You see, hydrogen production is not that easy. The currently known methods are not enough to generate enough usable hydrogen to fuel cars and homes. There is a great need for an alternative fuel and with the hydrogen technology this need might be filled up.
You can now find hybrid cars that run on hydrogen fuel. Fuel cells are needed to run the car. The source of hydrogen for a car's useusually comes from water (which contains hydrogen). It's like you're running the car using only water and some cool gadgets inside also. Well, the cars of the future will be running with hydrogen fuel.
Car manufacturers have released a limited number of hydrogen powered cars and they are already on the streets of the US, Europe, and even Canada. The hydrogen cars are limited because there is also a limited source of hydrogen. Perhaps in the future, there will be a great number of hydrogen stations to meet the demands of hydrogen powered cars.
Are you still wondering how to make hydrogen fuel? Log on to the internet now and conduct your own research. You can start by gathering information about water electrolysis and steam reforming. If you can understand the two processes, you will get a clearer picture on how hydrogen fuel is made.
With a bit of knowledge, you will appreciate the use hydrogen fuel provides. By the way, did you know that the production of hydrogen fuel is almost a hundred percent clean? Yes, and that would mean a lot to the environment that is currently facing pollution and global warming problems.
Environmental Impact and Health Effects of Hydrogen(2)
Deuterium
Deuterium is the stable, nonradioactive isotope of hydrogen, commonly called heavy hydrogen because its atomic weight is approximately doubles that of ordinary hydrogen, but it has identical chemical properties. Deuterium has about twice the atomic weight of normal hydrogen because its nucleus contains a proton and a neutron, instead of just a proton. Hydrogen as it occurs in nature contains approximately 0.02 percent of deuterium that was the first isotope to be separated in a pure form from an element. Several methods have been used to separate the isotope from natural hydrogen. The two processes that have been most successful have been fractional distillation of water and a catalytic exchange process between hydrogen and water. In the latter system, when water and hydrogen are brought together in the presence of a suitable catalyst, about three times as much deuterium appears in the water as in hydrogen. Deuterium has also been concentrated by electrolysis, centrifuging, and fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen. The nuclei of deuterium atoms, called deuterons, are much used in research in physics because they can be readily accelerated by cyclotrons and similar machines and used as “atomic bullets” to transform an atom of one element into another element. Deuterium also has important uses in biological research as a tracer element for studying problems of metabolism.
Regular hydrogen and deuterium are not normally metallic, meaning they are not shiny or malleable. Scientists have used pressure and heat, however, to force deuterium to act like a metal, making it shinier and easier to compress. Studying deuterium in compressed and highly hot conditions can help scientists understand how hydrogen behaves in the hot, heavily pressurized interiors of planets and in the interiors of stars. The use of heavy water as a moderator in atomic piles has been suggested and Deuterium, either in deuterium oxide or in lithium deuteride, and tritium are essential components of nuclear fusion weapons, or hydrogen bombs.
Tritium
Tritium is the radioactive hydrogen isotope of atomic mass 3 and symbol 1H3 or T. The nucleus of a tritium atom consists of a proton and two neutrons. It undergoes decay by beta emission to give a helium nucleus of mass 3; it has a half-life of 12.26 years. Tritium is produced in a number of ways, including the bombardment of deuterium compounds with high-energy deuterons and by the absorption of neutrons by the lithium isotope of mass 6. Some tritium is produced in the upper levels of the atmosphere by the bombardment of nitrogen with energetic neutrons produced by cosmic rays; rainwater is usually found to contain minute amounts of tritium. The enormous amount of energy released when tritons react with deuterons in the so-called nuclear-fusion process makes tritium an important constituent of hydrogen bombs. Tritium is also used as a tracer in chemical and biochemical research.
Deuterium is the stable, nonradioactive isotope of hydrogen, commonly called heavy hydrogen because its atomic weight is approximately doubles that of ordinary hydrogen, but it has identical chemical properties. Deuterium has about twice the atomic weight of normal hydrogen because its nucleus contains a proton and a neutron, instead of just a proton. Hydrogen as it occurs in nature contains approximately 0.02 percent of deuterium that was the first isotope to be separated in a pure form from an element. Several methods have been used to separate the isotope from natural hydrogen. The two processes that have been most successful have been fractional distillation of water and a catalytic exchange process between hydrogen and water. In the latter system, when water and hydrogen are brought together in the presence of a suitable catalyst, about three times as much deuterium appears in the water as in hydrogen. Deuterium has also been concentrated by electrolysis, centrifuging, and fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen. The nuclei of deuterium atoms, called deuterons, are much used in research in physics because they can be readily accelerated by cyclotrons and similar machines and used as “atomic bullets” to transform an atom of one element into another element. Deuterium also has important uses in biological research as a tracer element for studying problems of metabolism.
Regular hydrogen and deuterium are not normally metallic, meaning they are not shiny or malleable. Scientists have used pressure and heat, however, to force deuterium to act like a metal, making it shinier and easier to compress. Studying deuterium in compressed and highly hot conditions can help scientists understand how hydrogen behaves in the hot, heavily pressurized interiors of planets and in the interiors of stars. The use of heavy water as a moderator in atomic piles has been suggested and Deuterium, either in deuterium oxide or in lithium deuteride, and tritium are essential components of nuclear fusion weapons, or hydrogen bombs.
Tritium
Tritium is the radioactive hydrogen isotope of atomic mass 3 and symbol 1H3 or T. The nucleus of a tritium atom consists of a proton and two neutrons. It undergoes decay by beta emission to give a helium nucleus of mass 3; it has a half-life of 12.26 years. Tritium is produced in a number of ways, including the bombardment of deuterium compounds with high-energy deuterons and by the absorption of neutrons by the lithium isotope of mass 6. Some tritium is produced in the upper levels of the atmosphere by the bombardment of nitrogen with energetic neutrons produced by cosmic rays; rainwater is usually found to contain minute amounts of tritium. The enormous amount of energy released when tritons react with deuterons in the so-called nuclear-fusion process makes tritium an important constituent of hydrogen bombs. Tritium is also used as a tracer in chemical and biochemical research.
Environmental Impact and Health Effects of Hydrogen
Hydrogen, the first element in the periodic table, is a colorless, odorless and insipid gas, formed by its diatomic molecules, in normal conditions. The hydrogen atom is formed by a nucleus with one unit of positive charge and one electron. It’s one of the main compounds of water and of all organic matter, and it’s widely spread not only in the Earth but also in the entire Universe. There are three hydrogen isotopes: protium, mass 1, found in more than 99,985% of the natural element; deuterium, mass 2, found in nature in 0.015% approximately, and tritium, mass 3, which appears in small quantities in nature, but can be artificially produced by various nuclear reactions.
Hydrogen forms 0.15 % of the earth's crust and it is the major constituent of water. 0.5 ppm of hydrogen H2 and variable proportions as water vapor are present in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is also a major component of biomass, constituting the 14% by weight. Hydrogen occurs naturally in the atmosphere. The gas will be dissipated rapidly in well-ventilated areas. Any Effect of hydrogen on plants or animals would be related to oxygen deficient environments. No adverse effect is anticipated to occur to plant life, except for frost produced in the presence of rapidly expanding gases. No evidence is currently available on the effect of hydrogen on aquatic life.
Hydrogen is the most flammable of all the known substances. It is slightly more soluble in organic solvents than in water. Many metals absorb hydrogen. Hydrogen absorption by steel can result in brittle steel, which leads to faults in the chemical process equipments. At normal temperature hydrogen is a not very reactive substance, unless it has been activated somehow; for instance, by an appropriate catalyser. At high temperatures it’s highly reactive. Although in general it’s diatomic, molecular hydrogen dissociates into free atoms at high temperatures. Atomic hydrogen is a powerful reductive agent, even at ambient temperature. It reacts with the oxides and chlorides of many metals to produce free metals. It reduces some salts to their metallic state and reacts with a number of elements, both metals and non-metals to produce their hydrides. Atomic hydrogen reacts with organic compounds to form a complex mixture of products. The heat released when the hydrogen atoms recombine to form the hydrogen molecules is used to obtain high temperatures in atomic hydrogen welding.
The most important use of hydrogen is the synthesis of ammonia. The use of hydrogen is extending quickly in fuel refinement, like the breaking down by hydrogen (hydrocracking), and in sulphur elimination. Huge quantities of hydrogen are consumed in the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to obtain solid fat. Hydrogenation is used in the manufacture of organic chemical products. Huge quantities of hydrogen are used as rocket fuels, in combination with oxygen or flour, and as a rocket propellant propelled by nuclear energy. Hydrogen can be burned in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel cells are being looked into as a way to provide power and research is being conducted on hydrogen as a possible major future fuel. For instance it can be converted to and from electricity from bio-fuels, from and into natural gas and diesel fuel, theoretically with no emissions of either CO2 or toxic chemicals.
As hydrogen is extremely flammable, its many reactions may cause fire or explosion. As the gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed. Moreover the gas is lighter than air. The gas can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and high concentrations can cause an oxygen-deficient environment. Individuals breathing such an atmosphere may experience symptoms which include headaches, ringing in ears, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting and depression of all the senses. The skin of a victim may have a blue color. Under some circumstances, death may occur. Hydrogen is not expected to cause mutagenicity, embryotoxicity, teratogenicity or reproductive toxicity. Pre-existing respiratory conditions may be aggravated by overexposure to hydrogen. When inhaled a harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly.
Heating may cause violent combustion or explosion as the gas reacts violently with air, oxygen, halogens and strong oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Metal catalysts greatly enhance these reactions. High concentrations in the air cause a deficiency of oxygen with the risk of unconsciousness or death. We must check oxygen content before entering a suspected area as there is no odor warning if toxic concentrations are present. We may measure hydrogen concentrations with suitable gas detector (a normal flammable gas detector is not suited for the purpose). In case of inhalation problem we should shut off its supply. In case it not possible and there seems no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out; in other cases extinguish with water spray, powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire we should keep its cylinder cool by spraying with water. One must combat fire from a sheltered position and rush for medical aid and advice in case of all inhalation and contact cases.
Hydrogen forms 0.15 % of the earth's crust and it is the major constituent of water. 0.5 ppm of hydrogen H2 and variable proportions as water vapor are present in the atmosphere. Hydrogen is also a major component of biomass, constituting the 14% by weight. Hydrogen occurs naturally in the atmosphere. The gas will be dissipated rapidly in well-ventilated areas. Any Effect of hydrogen on plants or animals would be related to oxygen deficient environments. No adverse effect is anticipated to occur to plant life, except for frost produced in the presence of rapidly expanding gases. No evidence is currently available on the effect of hydrogen on aquatic life.
Hydrogen is the most flammable of all the known substances. It is slightly more soluble in organic solvents than in water. Many metals absorb hydrogen. Hydrogen absorption by steel can result in brittle steel, which leads to faults in the chemical process equipments. At normal temperature hydrogen is a not very reactive substance, unless it has been activated somehow; for instance, by an appropriate catalyser. At high temperatures it’s highly reactive. Although in general it’s diatomic, molecular hydrogen dissociates into free atoms at high temperatures. Atomic hydrogen is a powerful reductive agent, even at ambient temperature. It reacts with the oxides and chlorides of many metals to produce free metals. It reduces some salts to their metallic state and reacts with a number of elements, both metals and non-metals to produce their hydrides. Atomic hydrogen reacts with organic compounds to form a complex mixture of products. The heat released when the hydrogen atoms recombine to form the hydrogen molecules is used to obtain high temperatures in atomic hydrogen welding.
The most important use of hydrogen is the synthesis of ammonia. The use of hydrogen is extending quickly in fuel refinement, like the breaking down by hydrogen (hydrocracking), and in sulphur elimination. Huge quantities of hydrogen are consumed in the catalytic hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to obtain solid fat. Hydrogenation is used in the manufacture of organic chemical products. Huge quantities of hydrogen are used as rocket fuels, in combination with oxygen or flour, and as a rocket propellant propelled by nuclear energy. Hydrogen can be burned in internal combustion engines. Hydrogen fuel cells are being looked into as a way to provide power and research is being conducted on hydrogen as a possible major future fuel. For instance it can be converted to and from electricity from bio-fuels, from and into natural gas and diesel fuel, theoretically with no emissions of either CO2 or toxic chemicals.
As hydrogen is extremely flammable, its many reactions may cause fire or explosion. As the gas mixes well with air, explosive mixtures are easily formed. Moreover the gas is lighter than air. The gas can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and high concentrations can cause an oxygen-deficient environment. Individuals breathing such an atmosphere may experience symptoms which include headaches, ringing in ears, dizziness, drowsiness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting and depression of all the senses. The skin of a victim may have a blue color. Under some circumstances, death may occur. Hydrogen is not expected to cause mutagenicity, embryotoxicity, teratogenicity or reproductive toxicity. Pre-existing respiratory conditions may be aggravated by overexposure to hydrogen. When inhaled a harmful concentration of this gas in the air will be reached very quickly.
Heating may cause violent combustion or explosion as the gas reacts violently with air, oxygen, halogens and strong oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Metal catalysts greatly enhance these reactions. High concentrations in the air cause a deficiency of oxygen with the risk of unconsciousness or death. We must check oxygen content before entering a suspected area as there is no odor warning if toxic concentrations are present. We may measure hydrogen concentrations with suitable gas detector (a normal flammable gas detector is not suited for the purpose). In case of inhalation problem we should shut off its supply. In case it not possible and there seems no risk to surroundings, let the fire burn itself out; in other cases extinguish with water spray, powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire we should keep its cylinder cool by spraying with water. One must combat fire from a sheltered position and rush for medical aid and advice in case of all inhalation and contact cases.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Saving on Diesel Fuel
In make it easier to understand how youcan get better fuel economy from your diesel engine, let's go back to basics to give you a little more knowledge about the fuel itself.
By doing this it is easy to see how cost savings can be made and how a better fuel consumption rate (miles per gallon, or mpg) will give you an overall cheaper diesel fuel cost.
One of the very important points to acknoweldge is that a well maintained, smooth running engine is about the most important factor in achieving better fuel economy. Further, many of the problems that occur with diesel engines relate to fuel quality, which can occur in several ways.
1. It can vary from shipment to shipment
Even if you use the same vendor each time you fill up with diesel, there can be changes in the fuel they are providing. The diesel quality can change, even in a small way, with each shipment your vendor receives. The key variables are:
* Cetane: this is the level at which the fuel will self ignite, with acceptable levels being between 40 and 45. Because the levels can change with every delivery, the are not widely known. The starting and combustion roughness of your engin can be affected by the cetane level.
* The 'weight' or specific gravity of the diesel will affect the fuel's heat content. Lighter fuels (Type 1) have a lower cloud point and is generally regarded as better in colder temperatures. The heavier diesel (Type 2) has good lubricating qualities, and if they are both the same price, the heavier fuel generally gives better fuel economy.
* The viscosity of the fuel governs the efficiency at which fuel travels through the high pressure parts of the injection pump. Type 1 will reduce your fuel economy because it tends to have more fuel leakage.
Purchasing your diesel from truck stops is generally regarded as the best way to ensure you are buying a quality product. These retailers would go out of business fast if they began to supply inferior fuel.
2. Using a fuel reformulator
After millions of miles of road tests around the world, there can be no doubt that using a fuel reformulator will reward you with better fuel economy resulting in cheaper diesel fuel costs.
These reformulators, like Ethos FR, should not be confused with 'fuel additives' - the type sold in automotive retailers. These are alcohol or gasoline based products that actually increase your fuel costs because of the quantity you need to add to each tank.
The main reason for treating diesel is to provide better lubrication, to ensure all the desired working parts of the engine are lubricated, running smoothly. Many drivers don't realise that since low sulfur fuel was able to be used on road vehicles, the life expectancy of the fuel injection system has dropped by up to 25%.
The lubricating and cleaning esters in this fuel reformulator are show-stopping technology in action. Its use results in fuel burning more completely, and gives an appreciable net gain in mileage per gallon - meaning cheaper diesel costs
By doing this it is easy to see how cost savings can be made and how a better fuel consumption rate (miles per gallon, or mpg) will give you an overall cheaper diesel fuel cost.
One of the very important points to acknoweldge is that a well maintained, smooth running engine is about the most important factor in achieving better fuel economy. Further, many of the problems that occur with diesel engines relate to fuel quality, which can occur in several ways.
1. It can vary from shipment to shipment
Even if you use the same vendor each time you fill up with diesel, there can be changes in the fuel they are providing. The diesel quality can change, even in a small way, with each shipment your vendor receives. The key variables are:
* Cetane: this is the level at which the fuel will self ignite, with acceptable levels being between 40 and 45. Because the levels can change with every delivery, the are not widely known. The starting and combustion roughness of your engin can be affected by the cetane level.
* The 'weight' or specific gravity of the diesel will affect the fuel's heat content. Lighter fuels (Type 1) have a lower cloud point and is generally regarded as better in colder temperatures. The heavier diesel (Type 2) has good lubricating qualities, and if they are both the same price, the heavier fuel generally gives better fuel economy.
* The viscosity of the fuel governs the efficiency at which fuel travels through the high pressure parts of the injection pump. Type 1 will reduce your fuel economy because it tends to have more fuel leakage.
Purchasing your diesel from truck stops is generally regarded as the best way to ensure you are buying a quality product. These retailers would go out of business fast if they began to supply inferior fuel.
2. Using a fuel reformulator
After millions of miles of road tests around the world, there can be no doubt that using a fuel reformulator will reward you with better fuel economy resulting in cheaper diesel fuel costs.
These reformulators, like Ethos FR, should not be confused with 'fuel additives' - the type sold in automotive retailers. These are alcohol or gasoline based products that actually increase your fuel costs because of the quantity you need to add to each tank.
The main reason for treating diesel is to provide better lubrication, to ensure all the desired working parts of the engine are lubricated, running smoothly. Many drivers don't realise that since low sulfur fuel was able to be used on road vehicles, the life expectancy of the fuel injection system has dropped by up to 25%.
The lubricating and cleaning esters in this fuel reformulator are show-stopping technology in action. Its use results in fuel burning more completely, and gives an appreciable net gain in mileage per gallon - meaning cheaper diesel costs
Thursday, October 16, 2008
How to Rent a Solar Energy System for Your Home
A new company is emerging; one that allows American homeowners to produce their own clean, green, renewable energy from the sun and keep the savings created by locking in a monthly rental rate. Homeowners can save thousands of dollars powering their home with solar generated electricity.
It is not just the American Dream any longer. It is possible for U.S. homeowners to save money on their energy bills by renting a residential solar energy system. A homeowner can help to lower their carbon emissions by utilizing renewable energy. A solar equipment manufacturer is planning to offer an affordable, hassle free way for U.S. homes to install solar. Saving money by utilizing solar generated electricity is a bonus.
In their pilot installation phase, this company is working to remove the barriers to wide-scale solar adoption in the United States. Its business model is to rent all of the equipment needed to power a residential home with solar electricity.
There is an energy auditing process and required feasibility study to better determine suitable locations. Homeowners hoping to have a solar electric system installed may not qualify in some cases due to environmental or sunlight hour restrictions.
reThinking a Solar Energy Rental Service -- The U.S. people do not have to buy a high-dollar solar energy system. It is provided on a leasing or rental basis. The installation is free, with it being part of the rental service, and any permitting or rebate challenges related to the system installation are handled by the company - not the homeowner. The rental company provides the solar equipment, installs the solar electric system, and maintains the unit over time. This solar rental service allows the average citizen to self-produce their own renewable energy.
The homeowner pays a rental fee and produces solar generated electricity from the solar system installed on their home. The homeowner doesn't have to worry about maintaining the equipment or any of the other concerns that come with making a solar system purchase.
This solar energy rental program removes many obstacles and headaches related to the installation of home solar power systems. The solar solution avoids further carbon emissions, helps reduce dependencies on foreign energy, and creates momentum for renewable energy projects in many part of the U.S.
The Residential Solar Energy System -- This service provides enhanced efficiency and better control of your energy usage. The system will monitor the energy production on a daily basis. The homeowner can also track household energy consumption via online reporting. The provided inverter empowers a homeowner to self-produce their own electricity.
Solar Generated Electricity Saves Money -- Switching to solar energy can also save on long term electricity costs. The homeowner locks in a monthly rental cost for the use of the solar electric system. They generate renewable energy from the rented system and this electricity offsets the energy that must be purchased from a utility company. This will result in a decrease in an average energy paid over time.
The solar unit rental cost justifies itself over the rental term for the system. The homeowner avoids utility rate increases over time because the solar system rental fee stays lock-in while the cost for electricity continues to go up.
The U.S. homeowner can produce renewable energy, save money on their energy costs, and feel good about lowering their carbon emissions. This solar rental service is truly solar made simple.
It is not just the American Dream any longer. It is possible for U.S. homeowners to save money on their energy bills by renting a residential solar energy system. A homeowner can help to lower their carbon emissions by utilizing renewable energy. A solar equipment manufacturer is planning to offer an affordable, hassle free way for U.S. homes to install solar. Saving money by utilizing solar generated electricity is a bonus.
In their pilot installation phase, this company is working to remove the barriers to wide-scale solar adoption in the United States. Its business model is to rent all of the equipment needed to power a residential home with solar electricity.
There is an energy auditing process and required feasibility study to better determine suitable locations. Homeowners hoping to have a solar electric system installed may not qualify in some cases due to environmental or sunlight hour restrictions.
reThinking a Solar Energy Rental Service -- The U.S. people do not have to buy a high-dollar solar energy system. It is provided on a leasing or rental basis. The installation is free, with it being part of the rental service, and any permitting or rebate challenges related to the system installation are handled by the company - not the homeowner. The rental company provides the solar equipment, installs the solar electric system, and maintains the unit over time. This solar rental service allows the average citizen to self-produce their own renewable energy.
The homeowner pays a rental fee and produces solar generated electricity from the solar system installed on their home. The homeowner doesn't have to worry about maintaining the equipment or any of the other concerns that come with making a solar system purchase.
This solar energy rental program removes many obstacles and headaches related to the installation of home solar power systems. The solar solution avoids further carbon emissions, helps reduce dependencies on foreign energy, and creates momentum for renewable energy projects in many part of the U.S.
The Residential Solar Energy System -- This service provides enhanced efficiency and better control of your energy usage. The system will monitor the energy production on a daily basis. The homeowner can also track household energy consumption via online reporting. The provided inverter empowers a homeowner to self-produce their own electricity.
Solar Generated Electricity Saves Money -- Switching to solar energy can also save on long term electricity costs. The homeowner locks in a monthly rental cost for the use of the solar electric system. They generate renewable energy from the rented system and this electricity offsets the energy that must be purchased from a utility company. This will result in a decrease in an average energy paid over time.
The solar unit rental cost justifies itself over the rental term for the system. The homeowner avoids utility rate increases over time because the solar system rental fee stays lock-in while the cost for electricity continues to go up.
The U.S. homeowner can produce renewable energy, save money on their energy costs, and feel good about lowering their carbon emissions. This solar rental service is truly solar made simple.
Shedding Some Light on the Myths of Solar Energy
As new concepts and theories for residential energy production emerge, many sceptics voice their opinions claiming these new ideas simply don’t life up to the hype. Solar power is one such idea which has generated a considerable amount of cynicism.
With this article I aim to shed some light on some of the common misconceptions regarding the use of solar roof panels as a viable means of residential energy production.
“Solar panels will take too long to pay for themselves”
Year after year we are seeing our energy bills going up by ever increasing percentages. The promise of cheaper fuel bills from nuclear power never came to fruition so the need to consider renewable energy sources such as solar power is now a viable alternative. In the current economic climate, investment in cheaper bills for the future is a sound financial idea as remaining reliant on non-renewable energy sources such as coal, gas and oil can only become more expensive as they become scarcer and therefore more expensive.
On average UK homes consume around 3000 units of electricity each year and typical solar energy panels will produce around 1500 units each year (estimated average under UK conditions) which is half of the average yearly consumption. It’s difficult to state exactly how long it would take for residential solar panels to pay for themselves as many variables are involved. These variables include the initial cost of each solar panel, the type of installation plus the cost of installing the system, the price your electricity supplier charges and whether or not your energy supplier will pay you for any extra units which are fed back in to the grid. It is also worth checking with your local council as many grants are available which could cover up to 50% of the cost of installing home solar panels. What we do know is that non-renewable energy prices will continue to rise. It is no longer a question of ‘can I afford solar panels?’ It’s more a question of ‘can I afford to not have solar panels?’
“Britain is not sunny enough”
This is a common false statement regarding the use of solar panels in the UK. Most people assume solar energy panels need direct sunlight in order to function. In actual fact they only require light from any source rather than direct sunlight as they absorb the electromagnetic radiation found in photons. This means that a solar roof panel will even work at night by absorbing photons from star light and street lighting; however, this happens on such a minimal scale you’d never notice. The output of each solar panel is considerably higher on sunnier days as strength of light (or the shear amount of photons) is a major factor, as is the angle the solar panel to the sun.
“Solar panels are useless during the short winter days”
Although there is some truth to this statement, residential solar panels are far from useless during the winter months. The daylight hours are significantly shorter meaning each solar panel will generate less power over the course of a full day. The truth of the matter is that hour for hour; each solar energy panel is on average equally as efficient as it would be throughout the summer. Prior to the installation of solar panels one should consider how much sun light will be hitting their solar panels during the winter months. Your roof may be in the shadow of nearby trees or a chimney stack may reduce the efficiency of the solar panels by leaving all or part of the solar panel in permanent shade whilst the sun is lower in the sky.
“If I don’t generate enough solar power, I’ll have no electricity”
This simply is not the case. Your home will still be connected to the national grid, so anytime you need more electricity than the solar panels are providing, you’ll get it as normal from the mains. It is unlikely that a household will be able to produce 100% of it’s electricity as a result of installing solar roof panels as we have become far to reliant on electrical appliances. Saying that, it has been proven in the past that once a household begins generating its own electricity using solar panels, its occupants become far more conscious of the way in which they use it and day by day will use far less electricity.
“It takes more energy to manufacture a solar panel than it will ever put out”
The energy payback of solar panels varies depending on which type of solar panel is fitted. Currently, the microcrystalline-silicon solar panels have an estimated energy payback of less than 4 years where as the ‘thin-film’ solar panels have an energy payback of around 3 years. Future developments in renewable solar energy coupled with increased production are expected to halve the energy payback time of both microcrystalline-silicon PV solar panels and thin-film solar panels.
“Modern solar panels are still not efficient”
Solar energy has come along leaps and bounds since the development in the production of the first practical solar cells in the 1950’s. These had a sunlight energy conversion efficiency of around 6%. By the late 1980’s scientists had developed solar cells with an efficiency of 17%. By 2000 solar cells had an efficiency of 24%, rising to 26% in 2002, 28% in 2005 and 30% by 2007. Increased efficiency coupled with lower production costs means residential solar energy systems are cheaper and more efficient than ever before.
You may ask yourself one question regarding the above figures, “If solar panels are getting more efficient and cheaper year after year, maybe I should wait a few more years?” Although there is some logic to this idea, the truth of the matter is waiting a few extra years could well prove to be a false economy. At the moment the British government are offering a variety of grants to financially assist those seeking to run a greener home, including the installation of domestic solar panels which could save you up to 50% of the installation costs. Government grants like this may not be available a few years down the line
With this article I aim to shed some light on some of the common misconceptions regarding the use of solar roof panels as a viable means of residential energy production.
“Solar panels will take too long to pay for themselves”
Year after year we are seeing our energy bills going up by ever increasing percentages. The promise of cheaper fuel bills from nuclear power never came to fruition so the need to consider renewable energy sources such as solar power is now a viable alternative. In the current economic climate, investment in cheaper bills for the future is a sound financial idea as remaining reliant on non-renewable energy sources such as coal, gas and oil can only become more expensive as they become scarcer and therefore more expensive.
On average UK homes consume around 3000 units of electricity each year and typical solar energy panels will produce around 1500 units each year (estimated average under UK conditions) which is half of the average yearly consumption. It’s difficult to state exactly how long it would take for residential solar panels to pay for themselves as many variables are involved. These variables include the initial cost of each solar panel, the type of installation plus the cost of installing the system, the price your electricity supplier charges and whether or not your energy supplier will pay you for any extra units which are fed back in to the grid. It is also worth checking with your local council as many grants are available which could cover up to 50% of the cost of installing home solar panels. What we do know is that non-renewable energy prices will continue to rise. It is no longer a question of ‘can I afford solar panels?’ It’s more a question of ‘can I afford to not have solar panels?’
“Britain is not sunny enough”
This is a common false statement regarding the use of solar panels in the UK. Most people assume solar energy panels need direct sunlight in order to function. In actual fact they only require light from any source rather than direct sunlight as they absorb the electromagnetic radiation found in photons. This means that a solar roof panel will even work at night by absorbing photons from star light and street lighting; however, this happens on such a minimal scale you’d never notice. The output of each solar panel is considerably higher on sunnier days as strength of light (or the shear amount of photons) is a major factor, as is the angle the solar panel to the sun.
“Solar panels are useless during the short winter days”
Although there is some truth to this statement, residential solar panels are far from useless during the winter months. The daylight hours are significantly shorter meaning each solar panel will generate less power over the course of a full day. The truth of the matter is that hour for hour; each solar energy panel is on average equally as efficient as it would be throughout the summer. Prior to the installation of solar panels one should consider how much sun light will be hitting their solar panels during the winter months. Your roof may be in the shadow of nearby trees or a chimney stack may reduce the efficiency of the solar panels by leaving all or part of the solar panel in permanent shade whilst the sun is lower in the sky.
“If I don’t generate enough solar power, I’ll have no electricity”
This simply is not the case. Your home will still be connected to the national grid, so anytime you need more electricity than the solar panels are providing, you’ll get it as normal from the mains. It is unlikely that a household will be able to produce 100% of it’s electricity as a result of installing solar roof panels as we have become far to reliant on electrical appliances. Saying that, it has been proven in the past that once a household begins generating its own electricity using solar panels, its occupants become far more conscious of the way in which they use it and day by day will use far less electricity.
“It takes more energy to manufacture a solar panel than it will ever put out”
The energy payback of solar panels varies depending on which type of solar panel is fitted. Currently, the microcrystalline-silicon solar panels have an estimated energy payback of less than 4 years where as the ‘thin-film’ solar panels have an energy payback of around 3 years. Future developments in renewable solar energy coupled with increased production are expected to halve the energy payback time of both microcrystalline-silicon PV solar panels and thin-film solar panels.
“Modern solar panels are still not efficient”
Solar energy has come along leaps and bounds since the development in the production of the first practical solar cells in the 1950’s. These had a sunlight energy conversion efficiency of around 6%. By the late 1980’s scientists had developed solar cells with an efficiency of 17%. By 2000 solar cells had an efficiency of 24%, rising to 26% in 2002, 28% in 2005 and 30% by 2007. Increased efficiency coupled with lower production costs means residential solar energy systems are cheaper and more efficient than ever before.
You may ask yourself one question regarding the above figures, “If solar panels are getting more efficient and cheaper year after year, maybe I should wait a few more years?” Although there is some logic to this idea, the truth of the matter is waiting a few extra years could well prove to be a false economy. At the moment the British government are offering a variety of grants to financially assist those seeking to run a greener home, including the installation of domestic solar panels which could save you up to 50% of the installation costs. Government grants like this may not be available a few years down the line
Facts About Solar Energy
Solar energy consists of the light and heat emitted by the sun, in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
With today's technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy - such as heating or electricity.
Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.
But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.
- Environmental Facts about Solar Energy
All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.
Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.
Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar regions.
Every area of the United States of America receives enough sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.
Currently, the cheapest and most effective way of using solar energy in your home is through the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States for over a 100 years.
Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, for decades now, solar heating has been in use several cold-climate northern European countries.
Solar energy technology has advanced to the point where it can be now be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.
Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity - so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.
- Facts about Solar Energy Usage
Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.
Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. Many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are in fact heated with solar energy.
Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.
A few examples are: solar battery chargers, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar radios, solar-powered attic fans, solar power backpacks (to recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, and more), solar-powered garden lights ... and much, much more.
With today's technology, we are able to capture this radiation and turn it into usable forms of solar energy - such as heating or electricity.
Although one could go into technical dissertations on the subject of electromagnetic radiation, how it is converted into solar energy, and the exact qualities of its electromagnetic rays, this is not something the average person needs or wants to know.
But in order to be able to benefit from the use of solar energy, there are a few facts you should know. Knowing these facts can assist you to make sound decisions, when looking at the use of solar power as a clean energy source for your home, RV, or whatever the case may be.
- Environmental Facts about Solar Energy
All life on earth is dependent upon solar energy. In fact, without solar energy, there would be no life at all. Even the lowest life forms, such as plankton and microbes, need solar energy (in the form of sunlight) in order to survive.
Solar energy is completely environmental friendly, producing absolutely no carbon emissions or other harmful byproducts whatsoever.
Solar energy can be used successfully and cost-effectively just about anywhere on the planet. You do not need to live in a tropical or desert climate in order to benefit from the use of solar energy. Solar power has been used successfully in many cold climates and even in the polar regions.
Every area of the United States of America receives enough sunlight to benefit from and make use of solar energy and solar technology.
Currently, the cheapest and most effective way of using solar energy in your home is through the use of solar water heating systems. In fact, solar water heating systems have been commercially available in the United States for over a 100 years.
Solar energy can be used for heating homes effectively in cold climates, as well as in warm climates. In fact, for decades now, solar heating has been in use several cold-climate northern European countries.
Solar energy technology has advanced to the point where it can be now be a viable and cost-effective replacement for regular grid-electricity.
Solar energy is rapidly increasing in popularity - so much so that the demand for solar-powered gadgets is currently greater than the supply.
- Facts about Solar Energy Usage
Solar energy can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water for homes.
Solar energy can also be used to heat swimming pools. Many pools in Scandinavia and Europe are in fact heated with solar energy.
Solar Energy can be used to power vehicles, such as solar powered cars, and even a solar powered airplanes. NASA has successfully designed, built, and tested an airplane which is powered wholly by solar energy.
A few examples are: solar battery chargers, solar flashlights, solar calculators, solar radios, solar-powered attic fans, solar power backpacks (to recharge batteries for small devices), hybrid solar chargers (for cell phones, satellite phones, and more), solar-powered garden lights ... and much, much more.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Bio Fuels - are They Good?
As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels
Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.
Different types of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.
The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.
The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.
The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.
The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.
Advantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.
Disadvantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.
Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels
Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.
Different types of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.
The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.
The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.
The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.
The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.
Advantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.
Disadvantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.
A Basic Overview Of Fuel Cell Technology
Are you tired of high priced gasoline for your car? Or perhaps worried about the environment? For years, scientists have being working on an energy alternative that holds promises to change the way we live by changing the source of fuel for some of our most basic energy-using engines. This new technology in progress is called a fuel cell. A fuel cell supplies a DC (direct current) voltage that can be used to power motors, lights, or any number of electrical appliances.
The technical name for a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. Other electrochemical devices that are in use these days and for many decades is the well-known battery. The distinguishing difference between a simple battery and a fuel cell is that all the chemicals are stored inside the battery. The battery in turn converts those chemicals into electricity but in due course it "goes dead" as the chemicals are used up and at times you can either throw it away or recharge it.
Then again with a fuel cell, chemicals continually flow into the cell so as long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell; the electricity flows out of the fuel cell. Combustion engines the gasoline engine burn fuels and batteries converted chemical energy back into electrical energy when needed. However, fuel cells should do both tasks more efficiently.
Simply put the construction and materials in a fuel cell release electrons from the hydrogen gas creating electricity and the waste product after the electricity is used to power an electrical device is water, formed with the negative hydrogen and the oxygen.This reaction in a single fuel cell produces only about 0.7 volts. To get this voltage up to a reasonable level, several separate fuel cells must be combined to form a fuel-cell stack.
However one major problem with using hydrogen is that it is cannot be stored easily for consumer use. Among the other alternatives, it could be natural gas, propane, and methanol gas. The main objective of using fuel cell technology is pollution reduction. Fuel cell is also very efficient; 80% of the fuel use in these cells is converted into usable energy as compared to only 20% for a gasoline powered engine and about 30% overall for a battery powered electric vehicle.
Evidently there is no question that the fuel cell holds greater promise for the future. However, the fuel cell technology must still gather all the pieces of finding the right 'fuel' source that is both easy to store and deliver to the consumer, efficiency of the vehicle using fuel cells, and the cost for the total package.
The technical name for a fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. A fuel cell converts the chemicals hydrogen and oxygen into water, and in the process it produces electricity. Other electrochemical devices that are in use these days and for many decades is the well-known battery. The distinguishing difference between a simple battery and a fuel cell is that all the chemicals are stored inside the battery. The battery in turn converts those chemicals into electricity but in due course it "goes dead" as the chemicals are used up and at times you can either throw it away or recharge it.
Then again with a fuel cell, chemicals continually flow into the cell so as long as there is a flow of chemicals into the cell; the electricity flows out of the fuel cell. Combustion engines the gasoline engine burn fuels and batteries converted chemical energy back into electrical energy when needed. However, fuel cells should do both tasks more efficiently.
Simply put the construction and materials in a fuel cell release electrons from the hydrogen gas creating electricity and the waste product after the electricity is used to power an electrical device is water, formed with the negative hydrogen and the oxygen.This reaction in a single fuel cell produces only about 0.7 volts. To get this voltage up to a reasonable level, several separate fuel cells must be combined to form a fuel-cell stack.
However one major problem with using hydrogen is that it is cannot be stored easily for consumer use. Among the other alternatives, it could be natural gas, propane, and methanol gas. The main objective of using fuel cell technology is pollution reduction. Fuel cell is also very efficient; 80% of the fuel use in these cells is converted into usable energy as compared to only 20% for a gasoline powered engine and about 30% overall for a battery powered electric vehicle.
Evidently there is no question that the fuel cell holds greater promise for the future. However, the fuel cell technology must still gather all the pieces of finding the right 'fuel' source that is both easy to store and deliver to the consumer, efficiency of the vehicle using fuel cells, and the cost for the total package.
The Likely Development Of Hydrogen Supplies For The UK
There are several ways of making hydrogen in the UK. The cheapest way is to convert natural gas into hydrogen by a process called reformation. Reforming natural gas into hydrogen produces CO2 but no more than burning it. However, using the hydrogen in a hydrogen fuelcell or using the natural gas itself in a natural gas fuelcell produces at least twice as much useful energy for a given amount of natural gas than burning it (in a natural gas fuelcell the natural gas is 'reformed' inside the fuelcell).
Therefore to get the best use from natural gas we should endeavour to use it in fuelcells, either directly or after reforming it into hydrogen. Natural gas fuelcells will be a good bridge technology to a hydrogen-powered world.
Natural gas, i.e. methane, is a powerful greenhouse gas, 10 times more effective than CO2, so we should use up all the natural gas on Earth by burning it or using it in fuelcells before it escapes and adds to global warming. Commercial pressures are achieving this anyway and in due course natural gas will become scarce so we need to develop alternative ways to make hydrogen.
We should not rely on converting coal into hydrogen because obviously coal is not a greenhouse gas so to create CO2 as a by-product of converting coal into hydrogen is not justifiable on greenhouse gas priorities. However to convert coal into a gas suitable for use in fuelcells is better from a minimising the production of atmospheric CO2 point of view than simply burning coal as we used to. This technology may be a good way ahead for India and China to use some of their vast coal deposits.
But the UK and Europe cannot go back to increasing our reliance on coal because most of the CO2 emissions savings to date have been achieved by switching from coal to natural gas! If we did go back to coal we would be back to where we started in 1990. Nuclear power is not acceptable. So we do need to get on with developing alternative ways of making hydrogen. In the UK and Europe we are becoming dependent on natural gas which because of increasing use is going to become progressively more expensive and will eventually run out.
There are four main alternative methods available at present for producing hydrogen without producing CO2 or adding more CO2 to the atmosphere:
1) The electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable resources such as wind power, hydro-power and solar photo-voltaic cells. This method produces no carbon dioxide.
2) The chemical or thermal reformation of biomass feedstocks such as SRC (short rotation coppice) wood chips or methanol manufactured from biomass. This method releases carbon dioxide but it is all recycled by the growth of more biomass.
3) The biological reformation of biomass using micro-organisms. This method releases carbon dioxide but it is all recycled by the growth of more biomass.
4) The direct splitting of water using light with special catalysts or extreme heat, this method produces no carbon dioxide.
Of these four processes only the production of hydrogen by the electrolysis of water using electricity generated by offshore wind power is viable on a large multigigawatt scale in the UK.
Offshore wind power is the only large (ie multigigawatts) UK resource of clean renewable electricity that is likely to be available in the near future. Sufficient onshore wind power capacity is unlikely to get planning permission and the other renewables do not have sufficient capacity. The hydrogen will be manufactured in factories at the coast.
The hydrogen produced will be used for road transport applications, initially urban buses and, later on, cars.
In due course if solar-photo-voltaic (PV) electricity generation in North Africa becomes established, hydrogen, manufactured by the electrolysis of water, using the solar-PV electricity in North Africa, could be transmitted by gas pipelines across the Mediterranean Sea and throughout Europe and north into the UK. The hydrogen could then be used as a transport fuel or it could be converted into electricity and heat in fuelcell based cogeneration systems. Production could start in S. E. Spain and then expand into North Africa.
Assuming these developments take place then as a first step, the hydrogen from North Africa could be injected into the existing natural gas pipelines supplying the existing UK natural gas grid to enhance the energy value of the natural gas. This already occurs in the USA. Before we changed over to North Sea natural gas, we used town gas made from coal which was over 50% hydrogen.
The enriched natural gas will continue to be burned in existing central heating systems and cookers but new domestic systems will be based on fuelcells for the cogeneration of electricity and heat.
If hydrogen injection into existing natural gas pipelines is adopted, then only a small proportion of hydrogen can be injected because all of the gas appliances running on natural gas are sensitive to the proportions of different gasses in the gas mixture supplied. However, the volume of hydrogen to be delivered using this technique will be quite small relative to the volume of natural gas being delivered and so the gas mixture would be acceptable. It would not be possible however to keep increasing the proportion of hydrogen injected as hydrogen production increases.
What gas injection offers is an early route to market for the initial small scale production of hydrogen before separate hydrogen pipelines are built. When hydrogen becomes the main energy carrier, then sections of the natural gas grid will be changed to 100% hydrogen and the existing gas appliances in the area served will have to be adjusted to burn hydrogen. This is what happened when we changed from town gas - which was over 50% hydrogen - to North Sea gas.
Hydrogen injection is a way of integrating hydrogen into the existing natural gas system. It enables existing appliances to be used to burn the hydrogen and so provide a market for early production. The enriched natural gas can also be used to run natural gas fuelcells or can be reformed at the point of use to give hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuelcells. This enables fuelcells to be introduced alongside existing appliances all using the same fuel supply system.
Eventually the whole country will go over to 100% hydrogen, the gas grid will be increased in capacity and it is possible that the national electricity grid will no longer be required as the generation of electricity becomes locally based, using hydrogen fuelcell cogeneration systems.
The hydrogen-powered cogeneration systems will range in size from less than 1 kW up to 100s of MW. These systems will be located in single homes, large buildings or serve whole communities from a cogeneration centre.
Another likely route of hydrogen supply to the UK will be as liquid hydrogen delivered by ocean tanker from Canada, where hydroelectricity will be used to electrolyse water, or from Iceland where electricity from geothermal power may be used to electrolyse water.
In the early 1990s the EEC developed at the Joint Research Centre at Ispra in Italy the concept of the Euro-Quebec Hydro-Hydrogen Project for transporting liquid hydrogen across the Atlantic in special ship mounted barges. And in Iceland there is now an Icelandic government project to change the whole country over to a hydrogen-based energy system.
In due course there will be a world-wide trade in liquid hydrogen that will underpin each individual country's pipeline based systems. Liquid hydrogen supplies will provide security of supply and boost availability in winter by moving surplus summer production of hydrogen around the world. If there is an accident with a hydrogen tanker the hydrogen will boil away with no pollution. The process of liquefaction dissipates about 30% of the energy in the hydrogen, so pipeline distribution of hydrogen as a gas will always be the preferred option for bulk distribution.
Therefore to get the best use from natural gas we should endeavour to use it in fuelcells, either directly or after reforming it into hydrogen. Natural gas fuelcells will be a good bridge technology to a hydrogen-powered world.
Natural gas, i.e. methane, is a powerful greenhouse gas, 10 times more effective than CO2, so we should use up all the natural gas on Earth by burning it or using it in fuelcells before it escapes and adds to global warming. Commercial pressures are achieving this anyway and in due course natural gas will become scarce so we need to develop alternative ways to make hydrogen.
We should not rely on converting coal into hydrogen because obviously coal is not a greenhouse gas so to create CO2 as a by-product of converting coal into hydrogen is not justifiable on greenhouse gas priorities. However to convert coal into a gas suitable for use in fuelcells is better from a minimising the production of atmospheric CO2 point of view than simply burning coal as we used to. This technology may be a good way ahead for India and China to use some of their vast coal deposits.
But the UK and Europe cannot go back to increasing our reliance on coal because most of the CO2 emissions savings to date have been achieved by switching from coal to natural gas! If we did go back to coal we would be back to where we started in 1990. Nuclear power is not acceptable. So we do need to get on with developing alternative ways of making hydrogen. In the UK and Europe we are becoming dependent on natural gas which because of increasing use is going to become progressively more expensive and will eventually run out.
There are four main alternative methods available at present for producing hydrogen without producing CO2 or adding more CO2 to the atmosphere:
1) The electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable resources such as wind power, hydro-power and solar photo-voltaic cells. This method produces no carbon dioxide.
2) The chemical or thermal reformation of biomass feedstocks such as SRC (short rotation coppice) wood chips or methanol manufactured from biomass. This method releases carbon dioxide but it is all recycled by the growth of more biomass.
3) The biological reformation of biomass using micro-organisms. This method releases carbon dioxide but it is all recycled by the growth of more biomass.
4) The direct splitting of water using light with special catalysts or extreme heat, this method produces no carbon dioxide.
Of these four processes only the production of hydrogen by the electrolysis of water using electricity generated by offshore wind power is viable on a large multigigawatt scale in the UK.
Offshore wind power is the only large (ie multigigawatts) UK resource of clean renewable electricity that is likely to be available in the near future. Sufficient onshore wind power capacity is unlikely to get planning permission and the other renewables do not have sufficient capacity. The hydrogen will be manufactured in factories at the coast.
The hydrogen produced will be used for road transport applications, initially urban buses and, later on, cars.
In due course if solar-photo-voltaic (PV) electricity generation in North Africa becomes established, hydrogen, manufactured by the electrolysis of water, using the solar-PV electricity in North Africa, could be transmitted by gas pipelines across the Mediterranean Sea and throughout Europe and north into the UK. The hydrogen could then be used as a transport fuel or it could be converted into electricity and heat in fuelcell based cogeneration systems. Production could start in S. E. Spain and then expand into North Africa.
Assuming these developments take place then as a first step, the hydrogen from North Africa could be injected into the existing natural gas pipelines supplying the existing UK natural gas grid to enhance the energy value of the natural gas. This already occurs in the USA. Before we changed over to North Sea natural gas, we used town gas made from coal which was over 50% hydrogen.
The enriched natural gas will continue to be burned in existing central heating systems and cookers but new domestic systems will be based on fuelcells for the cogeneration of electricity and heat.
If hydrogen injection into existing natural gas pipelines is adopted, then only a small proportion of hydrogen can be injected because all of the gas appliances running on natural gas are sensitive to the proportions of different gasses in the gas mixture supplied. However, the volume of hydrogen to be delivered using this technique will be quite small relative to the volume of natural gas being delivered and so the gas mixture would be acceptable. It would not be possible however to keep increasing the proportion of hydrogen injected as hydrogen production increases.
What gas injection offers is an early route to market for the initial small scale production of hydrogen before separate hydrogen pipelines are built. When hydrogen becomes the main energy carrier, then sections of the natural gas grid will be changed to 100% hydrogen and the existing gas appliances in the area served will have to be adjusted to burn hydrogen. This is what happened when we changed from town gas - which was over 50% hydrogen - to North Sea gas.
Hydrogen injection is a way of integrating hydrogen into the existing natural gas system. It enables existing appliances to be used to burn the hydrogen and so provide a market for early production. The enriched natural gas can also be used to run natural gas fuelcells or can be reformed at the point of use to give hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuelcells. This enables fuelcells to be introduced alongside existing appliances all using the same fuel supply system.
Eventually the whole country will go over to 100% hydrogen, the gas grid will be increased in capacity and it is possible that the national electricity grid will no longer be required as the generation of electricity becomes locally based, using hydrogen fuelcell cogeneration systems.
The hydrogen-powered cogeneration systems will range in size from less than 1 kW up to 100s of MW. These systems will be located in single homes, large buildings or serve whole communities from a cogeneration centre.
Another likely route of hydrogen supply to the UK will be as liquid hydrogen delivered by ocean tanker from Canada, where hydroelectricity will be used to electrolyse water, or from Iceland where electricity from geothermal power may be used to electrolyse water.
In the early 1990s the EEC developed at the Joint Research Centre at Ispra in Italy the concept of the Euro-Quebec Hydro-Hydrogen Project for transporting liquid hydrogen across the Atlantic in special ship mounted barges. And in Iceland there is now an Icelandic government project to change the whole country over to a hydrogen-based energy system.
In due course there will be a world-wide trade in liquid hydrogen that will underpin each individual country's pipeline based systems. Liquid hydrogen supplies will provide security of supply and boost availability in winter by moving surplus summer production of hydrogen around the world. If there is an accident with a hydrogen tanker the hydrogen will boil away with no pollution. The process of liquefaction dissipates about 30% of the energy in the hydrogen, so pipeline distribution of hydrogen as a gas will always be the preferred option for bulk distribution.
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Simple Solution for Saving Fuel
With fuel prices on the rise, saving fuel is again a top priority. If you drive, higher fuel prices probably are taking a bigger bite out of your budget. But what’s unnerving about this round of increasingly higher fuel prices is it isn’t showing signs of leveling off.
If you’re already feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices, that pinch is certain to become more painful. So what are your options?
Time and again you hear that reducing the amount of miles you drive is an easy way of saving fuel. Yea right! With a daily round-trip commute to your full-time job and all the day-to-day errands to handle, it’s unlikely you can limit the number of trips to the fuel pump. Driving less sounds good in theory but in reality, it’s not always practical advice.
Something that is within your control is optimizing your car’s performance. You’ve probably even taken some fuel saver steps such as ensuring your tires are properly inflated, replacing dirty air filters, making fewer stops, and removing excess weight from your vehicle. But have you noticed that big a change in the fuel prices you pay as a result? Probably not.
Filling up using alternative fuel sounds promising and it sounds like the perfect solution but again, there’s a small but significant problem. Alternative fuel isn’t readily available! There probably aren’t even any fuel pumps in your neighborhood dispensing alternative fuel.
And the same goes for using fuel cells to power alternative fuel vehicles. It’s an idea that promises results, but it’s just beginning to catch on. Fuel cells are expensive to produce and although the fuel cell has been around 150+ years, the technology involved in using a fuel cell as a way of saving fuel is still in its infancy.
So what can you do right NOW?
If you’re serious about saving fuel (and who isn’t?) all you need to do is add a tested and proven fuel additive into your vehicle’s tank every time you visit the fuel pump. It doesn’t matter what you drive – car, truck, SUV, or diesel. By doing this you’ll get more miles out of every gallon you pump! Now that’s simple. And it’s smart. And it’s something you can do today.
Several fuel saver additives are currently available but some aren’t living up to their promises. So look for a product that states right on the label that it’s registered with the US EPA.
Then look for a fuel additive that does double-duty. In other words, while you’re saving fuel, you may as well do your part to save the environment! It’s easy when you use a fuel additive that works to reduce vehicle emissions. Nowadays it’s more important than ever to do what you can to reduce your impact on the environment. And what could be easier than using a fuel additive?
So stop complaining about ever-increasing fuel prices and start saving fuel (and the environment) with a proven fuel additive. It really is a simple solution!
www.ecosavesfuel.com
www.libertyfueldirect.com
If you’re already feeling the pinch of higher fuel prices, that pinch is certain to become more painful. So what are your options?
Time and again you hear that reducing the amount of miles you drive is an easy way of saving fuel. Yea right! With a daily round-trip commute to your full-time job and all the day-to-day errands to handle, it’s unlikely you can limit the number of trips to the fuel pump. Driving less sounds good in theory but in reality, it’s not always practical advice.
Something that is within your control is optimizing your car’s performance. You’ve probably even taken some fuel saver steps such as ensuring your tires are properly inflated, replacing dirty air filters, making fewer stops, and removing excess weight from your vehicle. But have you noticed that big a change in the fuel prices you pay as a result? Probably not.
Filling up using alternative fuel sounds promising and it sounds like the perfect solution but again, there’s a small but significant problem. Alternative fuel isn’t readily available! There probably aren’t even any fuel pumps in your neighborhood dispensing alternative fuel.
And the same goes for using fuel cells to power alternative fuel vehicles. It’s an idea that promises results, but it’s just beginning to catch on. Fuel cells are expensive to produce and although the fuel cell has been around 150+ years, the technology involved in using a fuel cell as a way of saving fuel is still in its infancy.
So what can you do right NOW?
If you’re serious about saving fuel (and who isn’t?) all you need to do is add a tested and proven fuel additive into your vehicle’s tank every time you visit the fuel pump. It doesn’t matter what you drive – car, truck, SUV, or diesel. By doing this you’ll get more miles out of every gallon you pump! Now that’s simple. And it’s smart. And it’s something you can do today.
Several fuel saver additives are currently available but some aren’t living up to their promises. So look for a product that states right on the label that it’s registered with the US EPA.
Then look for a fuel additive that does double-duty. In other words, while you’re saving fuel, you may as well do your part to save the environment! It’s easy when you use a fuel additive that works to reduce vehicle emissions. Nowadays it’s more important than ever to do what you can to reduce your impact on the environment. And what could be easier than using a fuel additive?
So stop complaining about ever-increasing fuel prices and start saving fuel (and the environment) with a proven fuel additive. It really is a simple solution!
www.ecosavesfuel.com
www.libertyfueldirect.com
Pumping Fuel Into the Engine
Volkswagen thrives on its class, simplicity, and economy. These attributes are reflected on its vehicle designs. For example, basic VW automotive architecture involves having the fuel tank located in a car's opposite end off the engine. Because of this distance, a specially-designed, yet fundamentally-constructed VW fuel pump is needed to draw the gas toward the engine. There are two kinds of VW fuel pumps: the mechanical fuel pump, used in carburetor-run older VW models like Brasilia and Combi, and the electric fuel pump, used in the more recent, electronically fuel injected (EFI) cars.
Electric fuel pumps, the ones used by VW today, are almost always located inside the gas tank. This helps prevent vapor lock and keeps the fuel pump to a low and controlled temperature. The VW fuel pump is a turbine type hydraulic unit directly linked to a permanent magnet motor. This motor uses the fuel as its lubricant and coolant. Electric fuel pumps are used in EFI engines because they can produce high pressures needed for proper fuel management. An electric VW fuel pump is typically capable of putting out about 90 pounds per square inch (psi) of fuel pressure. A check valve is included in the fuel outlet to hold pressure when the pump is not running. Another valve, the pressure limiter, is located at the pressure side of the fuel pump housing, with a return passage to the fuel inlet side to keep fuel pressure within the prescribed specifications.
As the rotor disc rotates, the rollers are pressed outwards by centrifugal force and act as a circulating seal. The circulating rollers, in turn, creates a pumping action drawing in fuel at the inlet port and forcing the fuel through the outlet port and into the fuel system. When the pump is shut off, the check valve in the fuel outlet closes, therefore prohibiting the fuel from returning to the fuel tank through the fuel pump. The check valve therefore maintains pressure in the fuel lines called the "rest pressure." Maximum fuel pump pressure depends on the calibration of the pressure limiter. In a clogged fuel filter, for example, the fuel pump pressure exceeds a preset limit, resulting to a by-pass opening to the fuel inlet side of the pump by the pressure limiter.
Fuel pump failure is not uncommon, particularly in cars with electronic fuel injection. Usually, when a fuel pump fails, a car will simply sputter and die, and will not restart. Essentially, a car with fuel pump failure will act like it is out of gas, even when there is gas in the tank. Fuel pump failure can be verified by checking the fuel delivery end of the system -- if no fuel is being delivered to the engine, the fuel pump has most likely failed.
Replacing an electronic VW fuel pump can be really tricky. The fuel pump is usually mounted along with the fuel tank sending unit. Care must be taken when removing the pump/sender assembly so as not to damage the sender unit. Some vehicles have an access panel to get to the fuel pump without having to drop the tank. VW generally does have these panels. Some cars require a special tool to disconnect the fuel lines. Other cars have an access panel in the interior of the car that can be removed to reach the fuel pump. Still other vehicles require the fuel tank to be siphoned and removed, or dropped, before the fuel pump can be accessed. The latter type of car usually makes for the most laborious job of replacing a fuel pump. Arduous the changing of a fuel pump may be, but with this lies the car's efficient fuel intake.
Electric fuel pumps, the ones used by VW today, are almost always located inside the gas tank. This helps prevent vapor lock and keeps the fuel pump to a low and controlled temperature. The VW fuel pump is a turbine type hydraulic unit directly linked to a permanent magnet motor. This motor uses the fuel as its lubricant and coolant. Electric fuel pumps are used in EFI engines because they can produce high pressures needed for proper fuel management. An electric VW fuel pump is typically capable of putting out about 90 pounds per square inch (psi) of fuel pressure. A check valve is included in the fuel outlet to hold pressure when the pump is not running. Another valve, the pressure limiter, is located at the pressure side of the fuel pump housing, with a return passage to the fuel inlet side to keep fuel pressure within the prescribed specifications.
As the rotor disc rotates, the rollers are pressed outwards by centrifugal force and act as a circulating seal. The circulating rollers, in turn, creates a pumping action drawing in fuel at the inlet port and forcing the fuel through the outlet port and into the fuel system. When the pump is shut off, the check valve in the fuel outlet closes, therefore prohibiting the fuel from returning to the fuel tank through the fuel pump. The check valve therefore maintains pressure in the fuel lines called the "rest pressure." Maximum fuel pump pressure depends on the calibration of the pressure limiter. In a clogged fuel filter, for example, the fuel pump pressure exceeds a preset limit, resulting to a by-pass opening to the fuel inlet side of the pump by the pressure limiter.
Fuel pump failure is not uncommon, particularly in cars with electronic fuel injection. Usually, when a fuel pump fails, a car will simply sputter and die, and will not restart. Essentially, a car with fuel pump failure will act like it is out of gas, even when there is gas in the tank. Fuel pump failure can be verified by checking the fuel delivery end of the system -- if no fuel is being delivered to the engine, the fuel pump has most likely failed.
Replacing an electronic VW fuel pump can be really tricky. The fuel pump is usually mounted along with the fuel tank sending unit. Care must be taken when removing the pump/sender assembly so as not to damage the sender unit. Some vehicles have an access panel to get to the fuel pump without having to drop the tank. VW generally does have these panels. Some cars require a special tool to disconnect the fuel lines. Other cars have an access panel in the interior of the car that can be removed to reach the fuel pump. Still other vehicles require the fuel tank to be siphoned and removed, or dropped, before the fuel pump can be accessed. The latter type of car usually makes for the most laborious job of replacing a fuel pump. Arduous the changing of a fuel pump may be, but with this lies the car's efficient fuel intake.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Solar Energy a Reliable and Practical Source
These days we are experiencing a growing awareness to the fact that our energy resources, as they have been used in the last few years, are probably not going to last for long and that the energy markets are exposed to more and more rapid changes, some due to political reasons and others because of the changing climate of the planet.
Solar energy is a renewable free source of energy which is sustainable as it is not inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. It is also a non-polluting source of energy and it does not emit any greenhouse gases when producing electricity. The solar electricity that is produced can supplement your entire or partial energy consumption. Using solar energy means reducing your energy bills and saving money. Also having solar PV panels adds value to your home, they are low maintenance and unobtrusive. Germany is the global leader for solar-generated electricity.
Why choose solar energy?
Australia is the luckiest country in the world. Our geography gives us the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in our homes – the energy from the sun.
Solar thermal applications are the most widely used category of solar energy technology. These technologies use heat from the sun for water and space heating, ventilation, and many other applications.
Solar energy is not a new concept, it has been properly introduced to the global public many years ago and successfully implemented in different parts of the world in different ways, so we can say that solar energy is known to most people, but it is still not as popular as it should be, as a cheap replacement for other sources of energy. The energy of the sun, from its direct sun rays that are projected directly at the earth or by giant wind turbines are free fro us to use, to manipulate for our needs, and this can be done by almost anyone in any place, it just needs to technology and the know-how.
Solar energy is a renewable free source of energy which is sustainable as it is not inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are finite. It is also a non-polluting source of energy and it does not emit any greenhouse gases when producing electricity. The solar electricity that is produced can supplement your entire or partial energy consumption. Using solar energy means reducing your energy bills and saving money. Also having solar PV panels adds value to your home, they are low maintenance and unobtrusive. Germany is the global leader for solar-generated electricity.
Why choose solar energy?
Australia is the luckiest country in the world. Our geography gives us the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in our homes – the energy from the sun.
Solar thermal applications are the most widely used category of solar energy technology. These technologies use heat from the sun for water and space heating, ventilation, and many other applications.
Solar energy is not a new concept, it has been properly introduced to the global public many years ago and successfully implemented in different parts of the world in different ways, so we can say that solar energy is known to most people, but it is still not as popular as it should be, as a cheap replacement for other sources of energy. The energy of the sun, from its direct sun rays that are projected directly at the earth or by giant wind turbines are free fro us to use, to manipulate for our needs, and this can be done by almost anyone in any place, it just needs to technology and the know-how.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Hydrogen Fuel :Convert Your Vehicle Now
Water fuel, hydrogen fuel, whatever you may want to call it – it all pertains to one thing. Many years ago, people would have been reluctant in using the hydrogen technology but now, it is gaining popularity all over the world particularly in rich countries like the US, Europe, and Canada. If you want to use hydrogen fuel, convert your vehicle now.
The Earth is made up of 75% water and that you learned in your elementary days. With this fact, scientists conducted various studies to prove that water can be a source of fuel energy. Unfortunately, water alone can’t be used to power a vehicle. What you need is a conversion tool and an HHO generator. Still, water is an integral part in hydrogen technology.
One of the greatest scientists who studied about the viability of water as source of alternative fuel is Nikola Tesla. Although he had made a lot of discoveries, all his studies were not revealed to the public. Most of Tesla’s inventions were ‘futuristic’ and ordinary individuals can’t understand them.
Hydrogen technology is not new and it has been in existence for many years now. Recently, hydrogen powered cars are gaining much popularity. This knowledge brought tension in the market because gas-producing companies will be terribly affected if more hydrogen powered vehicles are manufactured.
On the other hand, the invention of hydrogen powered vehicles has brought much attention to the problems here on Earth like pollution and global warming.
At present, thousands of converted cars are now using ‘water’ to fuel their vehicles. But of course, you need to convert first your car before you can make use of water to power your car. Will you believe that you can increase mileage from 75-100%? That sounds unbelievable, right? But the facts prove it; in fact, if you try to check online customer testimonials and product reviews, you will read positive testimonials about hydrogen fuel.
Perhaps you’ve also seen TV interviews about satisfied car owners who are already using hydrogen technology. If you’re a car owner and your head hurts badly because of the expensive cost of gasoline, convert your car now. You don’t have to take the car to a mechanic because you can either do the conversion on your own or purchase a ready-made HHO generator and conversion tool.
The latter is a bit expensive because it can cost about $800. But once the hydrogen fuel cell technology is installed in your car, you can enjoy many years of driving with reduced gasoline expenditures. Aside from saving massive money, your car will function at its best. It will make your car less noisy and the gears can be shifted smoothly. You will surely enjoy traveling without worries.
So, do you want to be a happy and contented driver too? Use hydrogen fuel, covert your vehicle now. This is a very important decision that you have to make. Anyway, if ever you’re not satisfied with the performance of the hydrogen technology, you can readily remove it from your car. You can again use gasoline to power your vehicle.
Since a great percentage of car owners who converted to hydrogen fuel are happy, then maybe you might find it cost-effective as well. So far, this is the best alternative source of fuel energy for cars. Join the happy drivers, earn savings, and save the planet.
The environment definitely need help nowadays and the hydrogen fuel cars might be of great assistance.
Now you know what hydrogen fuel cells are all about. The fuel cells are not mainly used for providing electricity because currently the automakers are trying to manufacturer cars that are fueled by hydrogen.
Now that you know the very important things about hydrogen fuel systems, don’t you think that its time for you to try it out? You don’t have to buy a new car because your existing car will do. You simply need to purchase a HHO car kit or buy a ready-made hydrogen fuel system.If you want to keep abreast with the developments of hydrogen fuel cells, log on to the internet and you will always be kept up to date. It is always good to be well-informed. Start shopping for it now.
The Earth is made up of 75% water and that you learned in your elementary days. With this fact, scientists conducted various studies to prove that water can be a source of fuel energy. Unfortunately, water alone can’t be used to power a vehicle. What you need is a conversion tool and an HHO generator. Still, water is an integral part in hydrogen technology.
One of the greatest scientists who studied about the viability of water as source of alternative fuel is Nikola Tesla. Although he had made a lot of discoveries, all his studies were not revealed to the public. Most of Tesla’s inventions were ‘futuristic’ and ordinary individuals can’t understand them.
Hydrogen technology is not new and it has been in existence for many years now. Recently, hydrogen powered cars are gaining much popularity. This knowledge brought tension in the market because gas-producing companies will be terribly affected if more hydrogen powered vehicles are manufactured.
On the other hand, the invention of hydrogen powered vehicles has brought much attention to the problems here on Earth like pollution and global warming.
At present, thousands of converted cars are now using ‘water’ to fuel their vehicles. But of course, you need to convert first your car before you can make use of water to power your car. Will you believe that you can increase mileage from 75-100%? That sounds unbelievable, right? But the facts prove it; in fact, if you try to check online customer testimonials and product reviews, you will read positive testimonials about hydrogen fuel.
Perhaps you’ve also seen TV interviews about satisfied car owners who are already using hydrogen technology. If you’re a car owner and your head hurts badly because of the expensive cost of gasoline, convert your car now. You don’t have to take the car to a mechanic because you can either do the conversion on your own or purchase a ready-made HHO generator and conversion tool.
The latter is a bit expensive because it can cost about $800. But once the hydrogen fuel cell technology is installed in your car, you can enjoy many years of driving with reduced gasoline expenditures. Aside from saving massive money, your car will function at its best. It will make your car less noisy and the gears can be shifted smoothly. You will surely enjoy traveling without worries.
So, do you want to be a happy and contented driver too? Use hydrogen fuel, covert your vehicle now. This is a very important decision that you have to make. Anyway, if ever you’re not satisfied with the performance of the hydrogen technology, you can readily remove it from your car. You can again use gasoline to power your vehicle.
Since a great percentage of car owners who converted to hydrogen fuel are happy, then maybe you might find it cost-effective as well. So far, this is the best alternative source of fuel energy for cars. Join the happy drivers, earn savings, and save the planet.
The environment definitely need help nowadays and the hydrogen fuel cars might be of great assistance.
Now you know what hydrogen fuel cells are all about. The fuel cells are not mainly used for providing electricity because currently the automakers are trying to manufacturer cars that are fueled by hydrogen.
Now that you know the very important things about hydrogen fuel systems, don’t you think that its time for you to try it out? You don’t have to buy a new car because your existing car will do. You simply need to purchase a HHO car kit or buy a ready-made hydrogen fuel system.If you want to keep abreast with the developments of hydrogen fuel cells, log on to the internet and you will always be kept up to date. It is always good to be well-informed. Start shopping for it now.
Monday, October 6, 2008
How Hydrogen Fuel for Cars Work
You can now find hydrogen fuel for your car or cars and experience the many benefits it can provide. Some hydrogen cars are still being tested to prove its efficiency but time will come when these cars will be fully accepted on the road. It would be very beneficial if there are lots of hydrogen stations all over the world; well, who knows… perhaps that time will come too.
The demand for hydrogen fuel for cars will soon increase as the source of hydrogen fuel becomes stable. With the use of hydrogen powered vehicles, you can enjoy driving for about a month without refilling the tank; that’s discrete mileage, right? At present, fully hydrogen powered cars are not yet available.
However, the existing car engines can now be modified and converted. Once modified, the cars can use hydrogen as fuel. By 2010, some car manufacturers are going to launch fully hydrogen powered cars that can answer today’s energy and environmental problems.
With very few hydrogen fuel for cars at the moment, the price is too high for ordinary individuals to afford. But no one can really tell if the hydrogen fuel cars will soon be reasonably priced. At the moment, you can have your vehicle converted so that you can get the feel of driving a hydrogen fuel vehicle. Rest assured that you can save lots of money because you will be using water instead of gasoline. If you want to gain 35-100% increase in mileage, have you car converted the soonest.
Driving conditions differ and this is one thing to consider when using hydrogen fuel vehicles. The car of tomorrow will have an HHO fuel cell. This fuel cell can even be made at home. There are HHO car kits so that you can easily build the fuel cells since the building instructions are included in the kit. If you want, you can also purchase the needed materials and then look for the building instructions online.
How do hydrogen fuel cars work? The process is not hard to understand. Once the car is converted, you can now use clean water as fuel. The water molecules are separated and then the gases are forced into a combustion chamber. In the chamber, the gases are burned and in turn, energy is produced. Now, the car has power and you can enjoy driving for as long you like. Not only is the hydrogen fuel car cost effective, but it is also environment friendly as well. It can reduce pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases.
So, if you want to save the environment and cut-down your gasoline costs, have your vehicle converted now. Well of course, you need to consider if there are hydrogen stations in your locality. Otherwise, you will depend largely on your water source at home. You must know your options before you convert the car. It will involve a certain amount of money and you have to be prepared for it. And when new and fully hydrogen fuel cars are sold for the public, you can buy the car; that is, if you can afford one.
You have to learn more about hydrogen fuel for cars. If you want, you can take advantage of the various resources online and gather the needed information. You have to know how the hydrogen fuel car works so that you can appreciate it even more.
The demand for hydrogen fuel for cars will soon increase as the source of hydrogen fuel becomes stable. With the use of hydrogen powered vehicles, you can enjoy driving for about a month without refilling the tank; that’s discrete mileage, right? At present, fully hydrogen powered cars are not yet available.
However, the existing car engines can now be modified and converted. Once modified, the cars can use hydrogen as fuel. By 2010, some car manufacturers are going to launch fully hydrogen powered cars that can answer today’s energy and environmental problems.
With very few hydrogen fuel for cars at the moment, the price is too high for ordinary individuals to afford. But no one can really tell if the hydrogen fuel cars will soon be reasonably priced. At the moment, you can have your vehicle converted so that you can get the feel of driving a hydrogen fuel vehicle. Rest assured that you can save lots of money because you will be using water instead of gasoline. If you want to gain 35-100% increase in mileage, have you car converted the soonest.
Driving conditions differ and this is one thing to consider when using hydrogen fuel vehicles. The car of tomorrow will have an HHO fuel cell. This fuel cell can even be made at home. There are HHO car kits so that you can easily build the fuel cells since the building instructions are included in the kit. If you want, you can also purchase the needed materials and then look for the building instructions online.
How do hydrogen fuel cars work? The process is not hard to understand. Once the car is converted, you can now use clean water as fuel. The water molecules are separated and then the gases are forced into a combustion chamber. In the chamber, the gases are burned and in turn, energy is produced. Now, the car has power and you can enjoy driving for as long you like. Not only is the hydrogen fuel car cost effective, but it is also environment friendly as well. It can reduce pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases.
So, if you want to save the environment and cut-down your gasoline costs, have your vehicle converted now. Well of course, you need to consider if there are hydrogen stations in your locality. Otherwise, you will depend largely on your water source at home. You must know your options before you convert the car. It will involve a certain amount of money and you have to be prepared for it. And when new and fully hydrogen fuel cars are sold for the public, you can buy the car; that is, if you can afford one.
You have to learn more about hydrogen fuel for cars. If you want, you can take advantage of the various resources online and gather the needed information. You have to know how the hydrogen fuel car works so that you can appreciate it even more.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
There are already several alternative sources of energy. One of these alternative sources was originally intended for space programs but now, some studies are already considering it for car use. Hydrogen fuel cells are indeed gaining much attention in today’s times when there is a great need for another energy source.
The hydrogen fuel cells are just like traditional batteries. A chemical reaction produces electricity and electrical charge. However, there is still a difference. You see, with batteries, power is produced if the cell is continuously supplied with hydrogen. To understand how the fuel cells work, read on.
The cell’s size and hydrogen flow determines the electricity produced. When a chemical reaction occurs between air and hydrogen, three things are produced namely – heat, water, and electricity. Fuel cells lower heat output as compared to other sources of energy like the fossil fuels. But still, there are advantages in using hydrogen fuel cells.
One obvious advantage is that fuel cells are clean since the byproducts are heat and water. These byproducts can’t harm the environment. Fuel cells have efficiency rates ranging from 45-53% as compared to gasoline with only 20% efficiency rate.
Whenever electricity is required, you can use fuel cells. The size of fuel cells is scalable. Fuel cells can therefore be created small to power an MP3 player or even large enough to give a town its needed electrical power. Aside from providing electrical power to certain things, it can also supply the needed rotary power by cars.
At present, car manufacturers worldwide are looking at hydrogen fuel cells are an alternative to the combustion engines. There are already pictures of hydrogen powered vehicles online; if you want, you can check them out if you have the time. If ever the hydrogen powered vehicles will become a reality in the near future, the dependency of many countries to petroleum will be reduced and not only that, pollution will be cut down.
Currently, fuel cells are installed in some neighborhoods and industrial buildings to provide electrical power. Within the next 50-100 years, hydrogen fuel cells will completely replace petroleum since they have broad social and commercial applications. Remote settlements can now depend on fuel cells for power. Portable devices can also be provided with renewable power through the fuel cells.
Countries from all over the world are looking for a clean and dependable energy source. With the continued support from the government and commercial establishments, the use of fuel cells will soon be a guaranteed success.
Hydrogen fuel cells are truly great but there’s one consideration. In order to produce fuel cells, energy is needed and at present, fossil fuels serve as the source of energy. Scientists and experts are still conducting studies and researches to find other ways to produce fuel cells safely. At the moment, fossil fuels are being used to produce the hydrogen fuel cells but hopefully, new sources of energy will be discovered to further improve its production.
The hydrogen fuel cells are just like traditional batteries. A chemical reaction produces electricity and electrical charge. However, there is still a difference. You see, with batteries, power is produced if the cell is continuously supplied with hydrogen. To understand how the fuel cells work, read on.
The cell’s size and hydrogen flow determines the electricity produced. When a chemical reaction occurs between air and hydrogen, three things are produced namely – heat, water, and electricity. Fuel cells lower heat output as compared to other sources of energy like the fossil fuels. But still, there are advantages in using hydrogen fuel cells.
One obvious advantage is that fuel cells are clean since the byproducts are heat and water. These byproducts can’t harm the environment. Fuel cells have efficiency rates ranging from 45-53% as compared to gasoline with only 20% efficiency rate.
Whenever electricity is required, you can use fuel cells. The size of fuel cells is scalable. Fuel cells can therefore be created small to power an MP3 player or even large enough to give a town its needed electrical power. Aside from providing electrical power to certain things, it can also supply the needed rotary power by cars.
At present, car manufacturers worldwide are looking at hydrogen fuel cells are an alternative to the combustion engines. There are already pictures of hydrogen powered vehicles online; if you want, you can check them out if you have the time. If ever the hydrogen powered vehicles will become a reality in the near future, the dependency of many countries to petroleum will be reduced and not only that, pollution will be cut down.
Currently, fuel cells are installed in some neighborhoods and industrial buildings to provide electrical power. Within the next 50-100 years, hydrogen fuel cells will completely replace petroleum since they have broad social and commercial applications. Remote settlements can now depend on fuel cells for power. Portable devices can also be provided with renewable power through the fuel cells.
Countries from all over the world are looking for a clean and dependable energy source. With the continued support from the government and commercial establishments, the use of fuel cells will soon be a guaranteed success.
Hydrogen fuel cells are truly great but there’s one consideration. In order to produce fuel cells, energy is needed and at present, fossil fuels serve as the source of energy. Scientists and experts are still conducting studies and researches to find other ways to produce fuel cells safely. At the moment, fossil fuels are being used to produce the hydrogen fuel cells but hopefully, new sources of energy will be discovered to further improve its production.
The Truth about Hydrogen Fuel Systems
HHO or hybrid hydrogen oxygen is gaining much popularity these days. Perhaps its popularity can be due to the high prices of gas in the world market. A lot of car owners as well as homeowners want to know how hydrogen fuel systems work.
You might also be wondering how cars run with the use of hydrogen fuel. Well, all the questions running in your mind will be answered as you read on.
Some of the most frequent questions being asked by people are:
1. Are the hydrogen fuel systems difficult to assemble?2. How does the system work?3. Is the hydrogen fuel system a must nowadays?
These three questions will be answered before you even finish reading this article.
You don’t have to be an expert mechanic in order to assemble a hydrogen fuel system. You can find video and book instructions to help you with the assembly task. The HHO car kits are now widely available in major stores at a reasonable price. You can easily purchase the kits and later, you can assemble the various parts of the HHO generator.
Aside from the HHO kits, those who don’t like do-it-yourself activities can purchase ready-made hydrogen fuel system. But of course, if you opt for this alternative, it can be quite expensive. Try to compute your yearly gasoline expenses. The cost of the ready-made hydrogen fuel system is still not that expensive. With a one-time investment on the system, you can expect a lot of savings in the coming years which you can use in purchasing other more important items.
Some people don’t want to conduct internet researches because they feel that they will be overloaded with pieces of useless information. Even if you’ve gathered the needed information, it is useless if you don’t take time to read. In order to know how the hydrogen fuel systems work, you have to do your homework.
You must read and understand everything so that you will better understand the process. The ‘Electrolyzer’ will produce HHO fuel from the mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel is sent to a carburetor or an intake manifold so that the vehicle will run smoothly; achieve better mileage, calmer engine, faster acceleration, etc.
A lot of people find themselves at a great loss due to the very high price of gas. If you make use of Hydrogen technology, you can enjoy the benefits that come along with it. By using hydrogen fuel systems, you can save a lot of money, save the planet by decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, and you can also keep your car in peak performance.
If you can enjoy these benefits, is there anything else you can ask for? It’s like hitting two or more birds with one stone, right? You simply have to know your fuel options.
With the rising price of gas and basic commodities, you will need to look for an effective alternative energy source.
You might also be wondering how cars run with the use of hydrogen fuel. Well, all the questions running in your mind will be answered as you read on.
Some of the most frequent questions being asked by people are:
1. Are the hydrogen fuel systems difficult to assemble?2. How does the system work?3. Is the hydrogen fuel system a must nowadays?
These three questions will be answered before you even finish reading this article.
You don’t have to be an expert mechanic in order to assemble a hydrogen fuel system. You can find video and book instructions to help you with the assembly task. The HHO car kits are now widely available in major stores at a reasonable price. You can easily purchase the kits and later, you can assemble the various parts of the HHO generator.
Aside from the HHO kits, those who don’t like do-it-yourself activities can purchase ready-made hydrogen fuel system. But of course, if you opt for this alternative, it can be quite expensive. Try to compute your yearly gasoline expenses. The cost of the ready-made hydrogen fuel system is still not that expensive. With a one-time investment on the system, you can expect a lot of savings in the coming years which you can use in purchasing other more important items.
Some people don’t want to conduct internet researches because they feel that they will be overloaded with pieces of useless information. Even if you’ve gathered the needed information, it is useless if you don’t take time to read. In order to know how the hydrogen fuel systems work, you have to do your homework.
You must read and understand everything so that you will better understand the process. The ‘Electrolyzer’ will produce HHO fuel from the mixture of oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel is sent to a carburetor or an intake manifold so that the vehicle will run smoothly; achieve better mileage, calmer engine, faster acceleration, etc.
A lot of people find themselves at a great loss due to the very high price of gas. If you make use of Hydrogen technology, you can enjoy the benefits that come along with it. By using hydrogen fuel systems, you can save a lot of money, save the planet by decreasing the emission of greenhouse gases, and you can also keep your car in peak performance.
If you can enjoy these benefits, is there anything else you can ask for? It’s like hitting two or more birds with one stone, right? You simply have to know your fuel options.
With the rising price of gas and basic commodities, you will need to look for an effective alternative energy source.
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