April 18, 2011
Are Shipping Companies Going Electric?
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As the price of oil, diesel, and gasoline skyrockets, many shipping companies have been looking to alternative fuels to power their fleets of vehicles. In addition, by using electric vehicles, the environment is not directly damaged as much; this is because electricity can be derived from sustainable sources, which limits the amounts of carbon, sulfur oxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions that are released into the atmosphere. Gasoline and diesel burning engines now have huge environmental as well as the rising ecological costs. As a consequence, many companies that specialize in shipping containers, freight, and so on are looking into electric vehicles.
For instance, in the summer of 2010 FedEx released its first all-electric FedEx parcel delivery trucks in the United States. (http://news.van.fedex.com/node/16470) Four purpose-built electric trucks hit the road in the Los Angeles, joining more than 1,800 alternative-energy vehicles already in service for FedEx around the world.
In the United Kingdom, another private shipping company is adding fully electric vehicles to supplement their vehicle fleet, cutting down drastically on emissions and are advertised as zero carbon emission vehicles. However, this is only true if the energy used to run these vehicles is derived from sustainable energy; much electricity is still derived from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and even oil. But, on the surface level, the United Kingdom is now using zero emission vehicles.
Still other private shipping companies have begun using electric vehicles in Germany and other places in continental Europe. The effects of this has been to, once again, drastically cut the amount of emissions.
Outside of postal service related shipping, there are several other companies going electric. However, so far there have been very modest changes. A handful of prototype electric trains are operating on the East Coast of the United States. By changing to electric trains, freight is able to be shipped with far fewer carbon emissions. Furthermore, the trains can start faster and slow faster. Plus, there is no fueling time. On top of these already formidable bonuses, it is also possible to derive electricity from the act of braking.
Outside of the United States, there are many electric trains that can be used for freight. Europe especially uses a large amount of electric trains for shipping; however, European countries spent many years to make this transition. Unfortunately, the United States is having to make this transition right now and it will be many years until a sizable proportion of shipping companies use a large amount of electric vehicles and trains.
Even in more environmentally conscious countries like the United Kingdom and Germany, the vast majority of delivery vehicles are still diesel or gasoline powered. While a noticeable transition has occurred in many countries, the vast majority of vehicles remain non-electric. Nonetheless, the shift has begun and, because of this shift, it can be said that shipping companies are indeed going electric.
Filed under Alternative Energy by newenergy
July 9, 2010
Qatar Airways To Use Cleaner Jet Fuels
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Kind of jammed up here today trying to get out of town next week for vacation but got work of this initiative being done by Qatar Airways and thought I should get something up on it right now. I will come back and do an interview with them for you later but for now please read this info on alternative fuels in jets.
Taking Leadership in the Application of Cleaner Alternative Fuels Qatar Airways is a travel industry innovator in the study of the potential commercial use of jet fuel derived from natural gas as a means of reducing the impact of aviation on local and global air quality.
We have partnered with companies such as Qatar Petroleum, Shell, Airbus, Rolls Royce, Qatar Science & Technology Park and Woqod with the view to test the use of cleaner burning alternative fuels on commercial flights. Qatar Airways and its partners are striving to make a jet fuel blend including Gas to Liquids kerosene a cleaner-burning fuel of choice for the air transport industry in the future.
The world’s largest Gas to Liquids production plant is currently under construction in Qatar under a development and production sharing agreement between Qatar Petroleum and Shell, with production scheduled to start around the end of the decade. Qatar Airways aims to be the first airline in the world to operate a commercial flight using jet fuel containing Gas to Liquids kerosene.
In February 2008, an Airbus A380 conducted the first test flight of a commercial aircraft using GTL Jet Fuel, flying from Filton, UK, to Toulouse, France. The study partners are driving industry initiatives (CAAFI) to include GTL Jet Fuel in jet fuel specification (50% blend) (with ASTM approval expected mid 2009).
Under the study agreement Qatar Airways intends to operate a commercial flight using GTL Jet Fuel during 2009, becoming the first airline to do so. Qatar Airways also intends to be the first airline to operate regular commercial flights using GTL Jet Fuel, assuming commercial agreements can be reached. GTL Jet Fuel will be produced in Qatar from around 2012.
GTL Jet Fuel will likely be used in a semi-synthetic 50/50 blend with conventional jet fuel and can be used without any modifications to existing aircraft and engines. GTL Jet Fuel is virtually free of Sulphur and aromatics. As a result the aircraft engine will emit less Sulphur Oxide and fewer particulates during operation. The environmental benefits of this are being quantified and are likely to include improved air quality around airports.
GTL Jet Fuel has higher energy content by weight compared to conventional jet fuel – i.e. it has a lower density. It also offers improved thermal stability, meaning engines would be able to run hotter. Both of these characteristics may lead to potential fuel economy and improved payload/range performance which could result in a limited CO2 benefit for specific aircraft/route combinations. This is being studied.
These cleaner-burning fuels could become a major factor in future air quality improvement initiatives for the entire airline industry, further proving that Qatar Airways’ product leadership extends far beyond passenger comfort.
But we do not stop there. Currently Qatar Airways is working on its own roadmap towards alternative fuels which also includes biofuels.
January 16, 2009
Proper Processing of Biodiesel
roosterbob asked:
The rising cost of fuel around the world gives way to exploration of alternative fuels which are more cost effective and environment friendly. Re-usable wastes are a great source of fuel to help us power our vehicles that bring us to everyday places. Biodiesel is a popular option in place of commercial petroleum.
Biodiesel was specifically designed to counter rising costs of oil products. It is especially formulated for use in Biodiesel cars and trucks with diesel engines. There are also available kits to convert engines that run on gasoline. Another good thing about this alternative fuel is that you can make it in your own garage or backyard by assembling your own Biodiesel processors oryou canproduce it in big quantities given a larger space.
When preparing your biodiesel at your own home, always wear protective eye glasses, don clothes which can cover much of your skin, and used gloves when handling the chemicals.
How Biodiesel is Produced There are several stages in the production of Biodiesel:
1. For the first few batches of Biodiesel that you will make, try to use clean vegetable oil. As you become more familiar with the process, you can collect the cooking oil from your kitchen or collect from restaurants, food stalls, etc.
2. If you are using used oil, filter the solid components like burnt meat, fish, or any food parts
3. Cautious steps must be taken to ensure that the amount of water and fatty acids in the vegetable oil are in their right levels.
4. Prepare a mixture of lye and methanol in a tightly sealed container. Roll the container several times (Note: Roll. Do not shake). In commercial production, the mixture is placed in an agitator
5. Pre-heat the vegetable oil to around 55 degrees Celsius
6. At this stage the animal or vegetable oil can then be poured onto the Biodiesel processors. The evaporation of alcohol is not permitted by making the vessels of Biodiesel processors completely sealed.
7. The mix of oil and alcohol is boiled around seventy degrees Celsius to hasten the reaction which normally takes 1-8 hours. The Biodiesel will come to its glycerin phase after this stage.
8. At this stage, glycerin is separated from the raw Biodiesel. The design of the Biodiesel processors allows gravity to take control of the separation by drawing off the glycerin at the bottom of the vessel. This stage is often called the Setting Phase
9. After Setting the mix for around 12 hours to a day, transfer the mix to the washer vessel
10. Next step is tomist or bubble wash the raw Biodiesel to rid of excess alcohol, glycerin, and other impurities.
11. The Biodiesel is then allowed to dry and is then filtered by the Biodiesel processor before it can be used as fuel.
The steps to make Biodiesel may sound complicated at the start. There are a lot of websites and books to help you understand the process more clearly. Biodiesel processors can be assembled or bought to produce Biodiesel in your backyard or for commercial use.
Biodiesel is in the horizon right now, timely for all the economic turmoil that’s happening around the world.
Kansieo.com
The rising cost of fuel around the world gives way to exploration of alternative fuels which are more cost effective and environment friendly. Re-usable wastes are a great source of fuel to help us power our vehicles that bring us to everyday places. Biodiesel is a popular option in place of commercial petroleum.
Biodiesel was specifically designed to counter rising costs of oil products. It is especially formulated for use in Biodiesel cars and trucks with diesel engines. There are also available kits to convert engines that run on gasoline. Another good thing about this alternative fuel is that you can make it in your own garage or backyard by assembling your own Biodiesel processors oryou canproduce it in big quantities given a larger space.
When preparing your biodiesel at your own home, always wear protective eye glasses, don clothes which can cover much of your skin, and used gloves when handling the chemicals.
How Biodiesel is Produced There are several stages in the production of Biodiesel:
1. For the first few batches of Biodiesel that you will make, try to use clean vegetable oil. As you become more familiar with the process, you can collect the cooking oil from your kitchen or collect from restaurants, food stalls, etc.
2. If you are using used oil, filter the solid components like burnt meat, fish, or any food parts
3. Cautious steps must be taken to ensure that the amount of water and fatty acids in the vegetable oil are in their right levels.
4. Prepare a mixture of lye and methanol in a tightly sealed container. Roll the container several times (Note: Roll. Do not shake). In commercial production, the mixture is placed in an agitator
5. Pre-heat the vegetable oil to around 55 degrees Celsius
6. At this stage the animal or vegetable oil can then be poured onto the Biodiesel processors. The evaporation of alcohol is not permitted by making the vessels of Biodiesel processors completely sealed.
7. The mix of oil and alcohol is boiled around seventy degrees Celsius to hasten the reaction which normally takes 1-8 hours. The Biodiesel will come to its glycerin phase after this stage.
8. At this stage, glycerin is separated from the raw Biodiesel. The design of the Biodiesel processors allows gravity to take control of the separation by drawing off the glycerin at the bottom of the vessel. This stage is often called the Setting Phase
9. After Setting the mix for around 12 hours to a day, transfer the mix to the washer vessel
10. Next step is tomist or bubble wash the raw Biodiesel to rid of excess alcohol, glycerin, and other impurities.
11. The Biodiesel is then allowed to dry and is then filtered by the Biodiesel processor before it can be used as fuel.
The steps to make Biodiesel may sound complicated at the start. There are a lot of websites and books to help you understand the process more clearly. Biodiesel processors can be assembled or bought to produce Biodiesel in your backyard or for commercial use.
Biodiesel is in the horizon right now, timely for all the economic turmoil that’s happening around the world.
Kansieo.com
Filed under Alternative Energy by newenergy
January 15, 2009
This is the Reason Why Biodiesel Fuels are so Economical
Muna wa Wanjiru asked:
Biodiesel is known as an alternative fuel for burning. Biodiesel fuel comes from 100% renewable resources. Biodiesel can be used in vehicle, while mixing it with petroleum to produce biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is biodegradable. Biodiesel fuel produces about 60% less net lifecycle carbon dioxide emission, as compare to it is itself produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is being watched that smog forming hydrocarbon emission are 35% greater and the Nitorgen Oxide emission are also greater.
Diesel engine used pure biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is very safe to use, it is non toxic. Biodiesel is not alternative for vegetable oil. It can be used in its unaltered form in diesel engines. Only vegetables oil fuels must be changed and which is being used in combustion or ignition engines. It makes biodiesel one of the easiest alternative fuels to use. It is being get used in farm equipment.
Biodiesel fuel is made through process known as Tranesterfication. In this process, glycerin is taken out from vegetable oil or fat. Byproducts like methyl and glycerin being left in between the process. Biodiesel is free from sulfur and other aromatic which generally used to occur in traditional fuels. This unique quality of Biodiesel makes it different from other alternative. Biodiesel has passed all the health cautious test, means it is taken care that it should not affect human being. It is legally registered under environment protection agency. It can be legally sold and distributed in any part of world, while other alternative fuels cannot be sold legally.
Biodiesel is very much economical because it does not require costly raw material. Whatever the raw material it requires comes from plants and biodegradable, so it does not involves much cost. Now days it is rapidly becoming available to the general public. It is available at selected places in country or it can be directly bought from producer. Now its demands getting high, everybody is realizing benefit of biodegradable. It is a very much cheapest way to get biodiesel fuel is to make Biodiesel at home on yourself.
There are some vehicle manufacturers; who are positive about the use of biodiesel. For example, lower engine wear is cited as one of the fuels benefits. Biodiesel is very good than other standard diesel fuel. It used to clean the engine, also removes deposited dust in the fuel line. It is recommended by car manufacturer to change the engine after few months after switching to biodiesel. There are manufacturers that have released list of cars that run of Biodiesel.
Biodiesel is being use as a heating fuel, also in domestic and commercial boilers. There are some existing boilers that are needed to convert to biodiesel, but overall, it does not take much effort or cost to convert to biodiesel.
Note B100 should not be burned in home heaters. And biodiesel is generally more expensive to purchase than any other petroleum diesel, but this difference diminish due to economy. In Germany Biodiesel is cheaper than normal diesel at gas station.
Website content
Biodiesel is known as an alternative fuel for burning. Biodiesel fuel comes from 100% renewable resources. Biodiesel can be used in vehicle, while mixing it with petroleum to produce biodiesel blend. Biodiesel is biodegradable. Biodiesel fuel produces about 60% less net lifecycle carbon dioxide emission, as compare to it is itself produced from atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is being watched that smog forming hydrocarbon emission are 35% greater and the Nitorgen Oxide emission are also greater.
Diesel engine used pure biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is very safe to use, it is non toxic. Biodiesel is not alternative for vegetable oil. It can be used in its unaltered form in diesel engines. Only vegetables oil fuels must be changed and which is being used in combustion or ignition engines. It makes biodiesel one of the easiest alternative fuels to use. It is being get used in farm equipment.
Biodiesel fuel is made through process known as Tranesterfication. In this process, glycerin is taken out from vegetable oil or fat. Byproducts like methyl and glycerin being left in between the process. Biodiesel is free from sulfur and other aromatic which generally used to occur in traditional fuels. This unique quality of Biodiesel makes it different from other alternative. Biodiesel has passed all the health cautious test, means it is taken care that it should not affect human being. It is legally registered under environment protection agency. It can be legally sold and distributed in any part of world, while other alternative fuels cannot be sold legally.
Biodiesel is very much economical because it does not require costly raw material. Whatever the raw material it requires comes from plants and biodegradable, so it does not involves much cost. Now days it is rapidly becoming available to the general public. It is available at selected places in country or it can be directly bought from producer. Now its demands getting high, everybody is realizing benefit of biodegradable. It is a very much cheapest way to get biodiesel fuel is to make Biodiesel at home on yourself.
There are some vehicle manufacturers; who are positive about the use of biodiesel. For example, lower engine wear is cited as one of the fuels benefits. Biodiesel is very good than other standard diesel fuel. It used to clean the engine, also removes deposited dust in the fuel line. It is recommended by car manufacturer to change the engine after few months after switching to biodiesel. There are manufacturers that have released list of cars that run of Biodiesel.
Biodiesel is being use as a heating fuel, also in domestic and commercial boilers. There are some existing boilers that are needed to convert to biodiesel, but overall, it does not take much effort or cost to convert to biodiesel.
Note B100 should not be burned in home heaters. And biodiesel is generally more expensive to purchase than any other petroleum diesel, but this difference diminish due to economy. In Germany Biodiesel is cheaper than normal diesel at gas station.
Website content
Filed under Alternative Energy by newenergy
July 25, 2008
Electric Cars in Demand
carazoo.com asked:
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The environmental hazards have created awareness among the people and to save the earth every one is contributing in some or the other way. A metro like Delhi has taken the initiative of saving nature.
 More people are opting for eco-friendly cars now. Alternative fuels like CNG and LPG has changed basic transportation in the Capital and close to 10% of private cars run on it  and now it is the time for the electric car to make its presence. Electric cars are not only affordable but also environmental-friendly. An electric car spends upto only 40 paisa per kilometer. Another good thing about this car is, it is easy and simple to drive. The only demerit it has is the low speed and short traveling range but the manufacturers are also working on that issue.
The government is also taking steps to popularize the electric vehicles as an emission free transport solution to tackle rising pollution and congestion. As an initiative, the government has scrapped the excise duty on electric cars. Presently, an electric car prices start from Rs 3.28 lakh and which will be now cheaper by Rs 35,000.
 The electric car will pick up its sales very fast as the fuel prices will go high very soon. To make these vehicles more acceptable, specially to de-congest the national capital which has the highest number of vehicles in India, electric vehicle companies are also approaching the adjoining Haryana and Uttar Pradesh state governments to extend similar benefits for all such vehicles. Presently Maini REVA is the sole player in this segment but now there are more companies who are planning to roll out electric cars. Ajanta- the Indian clock makers also plans to roll out electric car that will be cheaper than Tata Nano.
Wave Power Video Channel
Â
The environmental hazards have created awareness among the people and to save the earth every one is contributing in some or the other way. A metro like Delhi has taken the initiative of saving nature.
 More people are opting for eco-friendly cars now. Alternative fuels like CNG and LPG has changed basic transportation in the Capital and close to 10% of private cars run on it  and now it is the time for the electric car to make its presence. Electric cars are not only affordable but also environmental-friendly. An electric car spends upto only 40 paisa per kilometer. Another good thing about this car is, it is easy and simple to drive. The only demerit it has is the low speed and short traveling range but the manufacturers are also working on that issue.
The government is also taking steps to popularize the electric vehicles as an emission free transport solution to tackle rising pollution and congestion. As an initiative, the government has scrapped the excise duty on electric cars. Presently, an electric car prices start from Rs 3.28 lakh and which will be now cheaper by Rs 35,000.
 The electric car will pick up its sales very fast as the fuel prices will go high very soon. To make these vehicles more acceptable, specially to de-congest the national capital which has the highest number of vehicles in India, electric vehicle companies are also approaching the adjoining Haryana and Uttar Pradesh state governments to extend similar benefits for all such vehicles. Presently Maini REVA is the sole player in this segment but now there are more companies who are planning to roll out electric cars. Ajanta- the Indian clock makers also plans to roll out electric car that will be cheaper than Tata Nano.
Wave Power Video Channel
Filed under Alternative Energy by newenergy
