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Earth News
July 12, 2008
- Nisshinbo Creates Platinum-Free Carbon Catalyst For Fuel Cells
Nikkei. Nisshinbo Industries Inc. and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a platinum-free, carbon-based catalyst for fuel cells.
The company hopes to have a practical version of the new catalyst ready in fiscal 2009, and will start by commercializing a product for the electrodes of residential fuel cells. Later, it will develop and commercialize a version for automotive fuel cells.
- 6 monthsThe new catalyst is made from nanospheres of carbon. For practical purposes as a fuel cell catalyst, 10 times more carbon is required than platinum; but even in this larger volume, the cost is just a 10th that of using platinum.
source: (Green Car Congress) - Purdue Study Concludes Corn Stover Better Economically Than Switchgrass for Indiana Cellulosic Ethanol
Corn stover is a better feedstock economically than switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol produced in Indiana, according to a study by researchers at Purdue University.
Corn stover is plentiful in Indiana because of the state’s large corn acreage and could be harvested less expensively than switchgrass, said Wally Tyner, Purdue agricultural economist and the study’s lead researcher. Also, with high corn prices, corn stover would provide farmers extra profit without planting additional crops, he said. Switchgrass is a primary crop and must be planted separately.
For cellulosic ethanol in Indiana, corn stover is where it’s at. From a cost perspective, corn stover averages $40 per dry ton delivered to the ethanol plant while switchgrass averages $60 per dry ton. That’s a huge early advantage to corn stover. Then there’s the profit. Farmers would receive an average of $80 an acre extra profit for corn stover and $160 an acre average profit for switchgrass.
—Wally TynerThe Purdue study compared the costs and returns of harvesting corn stover to the growing and harvesting of switchgrass for Indiana ethanol production. Tyner and his research assistants also examined the economic and environmental results of replacing some coal with the two types of biomass at electric power plants.
Using a corn stover yield of 4.25 dry tons per acre from a 160-bushel-per-acre corn crop and a switchgrass yield of 5 dry tons an acre, the study found that in the major corn-growing regions of northern and central Indiana, corn stover was the better cellulosic ethanol feedstock.
The economic numbers were better for switchgrass in portions of southern Indiana where soils are less conducive to growing corn, Tyner said.
I think it is likely that in the next few years cellulose-based ethanol is going to become viable. With $6 and higher per bushel corn it is already very close economically. And since the federal Renewable Fuels Standard calls for the production of 36 billion gallons of ethanol by 2022, of which 16 billion gallons have to be cellulose, cellulosic ethanol will advance.
—Wally TynerBefore cellulosic ethanol can take off a number of issues must be resolved, however, Tyner said.
The biggest issue is going to be contracting. With a corn ethanol plant, if there’s not enough corn in one county you go to another county to get your corn, or get it from out of state. Corn moves cheaply and easily. Biomass, on the other hand, doesn’t. Cellulosic ethanol plants will need a local supply of corn stover and switchgrass. An investor isn’t going to sink $400 million into a cellulosic ethanol plant until they have a local supply of raw material locked up.
Conversely, farmers are going to need assurances that no matter what happens in the marketplace—fertilizer prices triple, natural gas and propane prices do this, diesel prices do that, corn prices go up or down—that growing biomass is viable for them. So we still need to develop risk-sharing, long-term contracting mechanisms that will be acceptable to both the supplier and the ethanol producer.
—Wally TynerResources
- 6 months
source: (Green Car Congress) - smart Makes Micro Hybrid Drive Standard on Gasoline Models
Starting in October, the smart’s 45 kW (61 bhp) and 52 kW (71 bhp) gasoline-engined smart fortwo models will include micro hybrid drive (mhd) technology as standard in select markets, which will not initially include the US or Canada. In 2007, smart began production of a mhd variant that was only available on the 52 kW smart fortwo. (Earlier post.)
In conjunction with slightly modified gear ratios, the micro-hybrid system provides a fuel saving of approximately 8% in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), with a rating of 4.3L/100km (55 mpg US). CO2 emissions are reduced to about 103 g/km. In city traffic, fuel savings of almost 20% are even possible, according to smart.
The smart fortwo micro-hybrid drive uses a belt-driven starter generator from Valeo (StARS 137) to provide stop-start functionality. To ensure a low-slip and durable connection of the crank assembly and the starter generator, both components have been given wider belt pulleys, as was the water pump. A six-rib poly-V-belt from Gates Corporation transmits the power.
The control electronics shut down the engine as soon as the driver brakes and the vehicle’s speed falls below 8 kph (5 mph)—for example, when approaching traffic lights. The engine restarts as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal.
smart is also improving the environmental footprint of the diesel model in model year 2009 with a new closed diesel particulate filter instead of the open version that was previously used. The new system reduces the particulate mass in the exhaust gas to a minimum and, thanks to intelligent engine control, it is virtually maintenance-free with a long filter service life.
(A hat-tip to Ashley!)
- 6 months
source: (Green Car Congress) - College environment behind students' binge drinking (New Kerala)
Washington, July 12 : A 14-year study of heavy alcohol consumption or binge drinking among college students in the United States has linked the conditions in the college environment as being the cause. - 6 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - BMW 3 Series Refresh Brings New 3.0L Diesel, Optional Euro 6 Compliance
BMW 6-cylinder diesel engine with aluminum crankcase and 1,800 bar piezo-injection. Click to enlarge. With its refresh of the 3 Series, BMW has introduced a newly developed in-line 6-cylinder diesel. The engine of the new BMW 330d delivers an output of 180 kW (245 bhp), 10 kW more than its predecessor, and a 7% reduction in fuel consumption. Maximum torque of 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) is available from 1,750 to 3,000 rpm.
The 330d also offers the option of BMW BluePerformance technology—with no impact on output and fuel consumption—to meet the Euro 6 emissions requirements which will not come into force until 2014.
The new BMW 330d accelerates from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds, and its maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 kph (155 mph). In the EU test cycle, the new BMW 330d has an average fuel consumption of 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers (41 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 152 g/km.
The optimized output and fuel consumption levels result from a fundamental reworking of the 6-cylinder engine in its overall design, in many of its individual components and in the arrangement of its auxiliary units compared to its predecessor 3.0-liter unit.
While the capacity of 2,993 cc has been maintained, the engine features a newly developed crankcase made of a high-strength aluminum-silicon alloy. Newly sized crankshaft bearings and big end bearings reduce frictional losses while at the same time increasing both output and torque. The crankshaft has been given even greater rigidity in the interests of higher output.
The combustion chambers have been redesigned and the height of the cylinder head reduced. The vertical arrangement of the valves together with a newly regulated air intake supports cleaner combustion with a low level of emissions out. BMW is using ceramic spark plugs—a first in a 6-cylinder-diesel engine—to improve starting properties as well as fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels during the warm-up phase.
With a weight of 185 kg (408 lbs), the new 6-cylinder diesel weighs five kilograms less than its predecessor. With its compact design, low height, a new cylinder head cover, an intake silencer which can be deformed in height and the shift of the chain drive to the back of the engine, the new diesel also contributes to the fulfilment of future requirements in relation to pedestrian protection.
With a similar geometry to that of the 4-cylinder diesel, the auxiliary units of the generator, power steering pump and air conditioning compressor are placed at the left-hand side of the engine. Since all auxiliary units are driven by a single belt, no second belt level is required. This also further enhances the efficiency of the engine since it avoids frictional losses.
The third-generation common rail injection system was specially developed for the new 6-cylinder and features centrally located piezo injectors now operating at a maximum pressure of 1,800 bar. The high-pressure pump, the feed and injection lines of the rail pressure sensor and the pressure regulation valve have also been renewed as compared to the previous version of the system.
The new engine management system has increased computing power and larger memory capacity. Among other things, this enables it to tackle the control tasks required to fulfil the EU 6 exhaust gas norm. The engine management system draws its data from sensors in the engine block, the cylinder head, the cooling system and the injection system, the oil circulation system, the exhaust manifold, the air intake system, the exhaust gas recycling system and the area of the exhaust system.
A new variable geometry turbocharger can be controlled with greater precision in relation to load and output requirements. This ensures a spontaneous response at low engine speeds as well as a high level of power density under full throttle. Modified compressor and turbine wheels give the turbocharging process enhanced thermodynamic properties.
The newly conceived exhaust gas recycling system includes a duct integrated in the cylinder head, a newly arranged feed line to the air intake system and an especially effective cooling system. The performance-optimized high-quality steel radiator is positioned at the front of the engine and fitted with a bypass shutter which limits pollutant emissions during the warm-up phase. The quantity and temperature of exhaust gas admixture can be determined precisely according to the engine operating point and engine temperature. This further reduces engine out emissions.
Additional temperature reduction is brought about by ducts in the cylinder head. The cooling effect thereby created additionally reinforces the reduction of the combustion temperature in the combustion chambers which in turn reduces the proportion of NOx.
As standard, the new BMW 330d is fitted with a diesel particulate filter and an oxidation catalytic converter housed in a shared casing which is located immediately behind the engine. The diesel particulate filter operates maintenance-free and without the use of additives. Regeneration phases are required at regular intervals and are triggered by means of post-injection activated by the engine management system.
With its enhancements, the standard new 3.0L diesel undercuts the threshold levels set for Euro 5 emissions. The BluePerformance option integrates a NOx storage catalytic converter into the aftertreatment system. The coating of the NOx storage catalytic converter consists of platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalysis produced by these precious metals causes the nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide to bond with the barium carbonate elements installed in the catalytic converter, enabling these substances to be stored in the form of barium nitrate.
By running the engine on a higher proportion of fuel for short periods of time—activated by post-injection—these nitrates can be completely combusted. The sulfur oxides caused by the combustion of diesel fuel are eliminated in the same way. In the optional configuration with BluePerformance technology, the new BMW 330d meets the future Euro 6 ratings.
The Euro 5 NOx requirement is 0.18 g/km; the Euro 6 NOx requirement is 0.08 g/km. The current US EPA Tier 2 Bin 5/CA LEV II NOx requirement is 0.044 g/km (0.07 g/mi).
BMW also enhanced the four-cylinder diesels in the 320d and 318d to meet Euro 5 standards. Optimized EGR uses a high-pressure cooling unit to provide effective temperature reduction and an electrically controlled valve precisely measures the exhaust gas recycling process. The control data is acquired by means of a temperature and exhaust gas pressure sensor.
The effectiveness of exhaust gas aftertreatment has been further enhanced. New precious metal coatings for the diesel particulate filter and the oxidation catalytic converter enable even more intensive conversion or storage of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and diesel particles.
All the 3 Series models, gasoline and diesel, are fitted with Brake Energy Regeneration using intelligent generator regulation. In the manual transmission version of the BMW 3 Series with 4-cylinder engines, an Auto Start/Stop Function enhances efficiency in urban traffic particularly.
Additional model-specific measures to save fuel include active control of the air intake flaps in the radiator grille to improve aerodynamics and the operation of auxiliary units—power steering, electric cooling pump, air conditioner compressor—on a needs-only basis. All versions of the new BMW 3 Series are fitted as standard with Runflat tires which have reduced rolling resistance.
Including the models BMW 320d Coupé and BMW 320d Convertible, six models of the BMW 3 Series have a CO2 output level of 140 g/km.
- 6 months
source: (Green Car Congress) - RTA to rationalize energy consumption, adopt environment-friendly sources (AME Info)
RTA is conducting a study to rationalize energy consumption in all its facilities and use other environment-friendly energy sources in order to preserve natural & environmental resources in the UAE. - 6 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - US Senator Broaches the 55 mph Speed Limit
US Senator Richard Warner (R-VA) has requested that the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) study the imposition of the 55 mph speed limit in the US in 1974 to determine whether the administration and Congress should take similar action now.
In January 1974, in response to the oil crisis triggered by the OPEC oil embargo imposed in October 1973, President Richard Nixon signed into law the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, which had passed both the House and the Senate unanimously. The law established inducements for states to reduce speed limits to 55 mph on all major highways. Failure to comply would jeopardize the ability of states to secure highway funds.
Prior to this, speed limits were established and enforced by the States and not by the Federal Government.
Given the fuel savings of the act, and the resulting decrease in highway fatalities attributable to the lower speed limit, Congress made the national speed limit permanent in December 1974. In 1995, the law was repealed.
A National Academy of Sciences study in 1984 estimated that the savings in energy from the “double nickel” were 167,000 barrels of petroleum per day, or less than 2% of the US’ highway fuel consumption. This represented an energy saving worth $2 billion annually then.
The panel also found that compliance with the law had decreased markedly in the years following the subsiding of the oil crisis (and oil prices), and that this trend might lead to a gradual nullification of the national speed limit and, therefore, to the loss of the safety and energy benefits.
Warner is asking the DOE and GAO to answer the following questions:
Given the significant technological improvements since 1974, at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on US highways today most fuel efficient?
If a national speed limit were enacted similar to the 1974 law, but the speed limit under than law was consistent with the most fuel efficient speed for the typical vehicle on US highways, what would be a reasonable projection for total fuel savings? What would be the savings for the average citizen who owns and operates a vehicle?
If a new national speed limit was enacted consistent with the first two questions, how many fewer barrels of petroleum a day would Americans consume? Is it reasonable to believe that there would be a reduction in price at the pump, and if so, what are the ranges?
If the federal government took the initiative to reduce its oil consumption, consistent with the concepts of the sense-of-the-Senate resolution (S. Res. 577), how many fewer barrels of petroleum a day would be saved by the federal government?
In a speech on the floor of the Senate in which he announced his request for information from DOE and GAO, Senator Warner said:
I am not taking a position that at this time we should invoke a new initiative in the Congress to pass legislation calling for a national speed limit because I simply do not have the facts. I am on a fact-finding mission. But if those facts come forward, as I believe they will, and show that this will help alleviate and lessen the demand at the pump and the cost to the American citizen, then I am quite likely to try—more than that, I am quite probably going to try—and garner support on both sides of the aisle to push forward with this legislation. I say so because I come back again to about a third of America at this point in time is frantically trying to make ends meet. We have to come up with a solution. We have to lead in the Congress, and hopefully the President will join. We have that duty.
Resources
Speed Limits for Motor Vehicles (Congressional Research Service, updated 04/009/87)
55: A Decade of Experience—Special Report 204 (1984, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies)
source: (Green Car Congress) - Environment a central theme as pope heads to Australia (EARTHtimes.org)
Rome - Pope Benedict XVI headed off to Australia on Saturday for a 10-day visit on the occasion of the 23rd annual Catholic World Youth Day, with the environment set to be a major theme. Politicians have to be in the position to provide answers to e... - 6 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - Pope expresses worry about climate change
AP - Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he wants to wake up consciences on climate change during his pilgrimage in Australia.
- 6 months
source: (Yahoo! Green News) - US judge blocks gas drilling in Michigan forest
AP - A federal judge has overturned a decision by the U.S. Forest Service to allow oil and gas drilling near a forest and a river in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. - 6 months
source: (Yahoo! Green News) - Opposition calls for reaction to environment report (Times of Malta)
Labour's spokesman for the environment, sustainable development and climate change, Leo Brincat thismorning called for a reaction from the government to the European Commission's report on the Maltese environment. - 6 months
source: (Yahoo! News Search Results for environment) - The Daily Five: Saturday, 12 July, 2008
Best of the Week, Part One: The G-8 nations reach a half-hearted climate accord; GM contemplates more electric cars; and Forbes says Green is good business.
Richest Nations Pledge to Halve Greenhouse Gas: The leaders of the G-8 nations announced a watered-down climate accord Tuesday which will cut greenhouse gas emissions fifty percent by the year 2050. Unlike previous agreements, however, the cuts will be based on current emission levels, not the 1990 baseline of earlier accords. It assumes the participation of China and India, who are not G-8 members. On top of those issues, the new accord seems to give a big vote of confidence to so-called “clean coal” technologies — something which will likely prove a non-starter with environmentalists. (New York Times)
GM Marching to a New Beat — Expect Mutiple Volt Versions: So has General Motors gotten the memo, after all? After a crusty Wall Street Journal article questioning the company’s overall marketing strategy, the GM press is suddenly full of encouraging news. First came word that GM might be eyeing a Stateside version of the Beat minicar. Now there are rumors of a light truck along the lines of the Montana (now sold in Latin America). On top of this, GM is hinting that the Volt may come on more “variations” than previously expected. We’ll see. (GM-VOLT Blog)
Germany wants to build 30 windfarms: French energy giant Areva will step in to help Germany meet an ambitious renewable energy goal: 30 offshore windfarms by 2030. Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee says the two thousand turbine project will be built-out in the Baltic and North seas, and should produce about 11,000 megawatts. The first windfarm should go live off off Borkum Island later this year. (Physorg.com)
Tesla Roadster takes 30 hours to charge from a standard wall socket: Owners of the new Tesla Roadster might want to consider having their garages or carports rewired. Engadget reports this morning that standard 120 volt wall sockets won’t really be up to the job, taking up to 30 hours to fully juice Tesla’s state-of-the-art battery pack. A 220 volt/80 amp circuit should get it done in 3 to 3.5 hours, with a more modest 220v/40a socket talking up to 7 hours. Save that 120v extension cord for your electric lawnmower. (Engadget)
More Bang For Your Efficiency Buck: Forbes has a great overview of the move toward efficiency in the business world. It’s not all about saving the Earth: squeezing resources is having a welcome effect on cost management as world markets sputter. Singled out: UPS’ adoption of new route-planing technologies; trucking company Schneider National’s fleet speed limits; and more traditional energy saving measures, such as cool roofs, CFL lighting, and business energy audits. (Forbes)
- 6 months
source: (EcoTech Daily) - Home Grown
We begin with the environment...in the fight aganist Global Warming, are biofuelsfuels most commonly dervied from plantsthe answer? One group who was in Bismarck today says yesand no.
- 6 months
source: (Environmental News) - 2 Decisions Shut Door on Bush Clean-Air Steps
A court ruling and an E.P.A. decision deferred to the next president any significant new effort to fight air pollution.
- 6 months
source: (NYT > Environment) - Green Olympics yield mixed record on green building
BEIJING (Reuters) - It's been billed as the "Green Olympics", but do the showpiece venues that will host the Games' key events live up to the theme?- 6 months
source: ( Reuters: Environment) - US government delays regulation of greenhouse gases
<img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20080712/capt.cps.myx99.120708091805.photo00.photo.default-512x501.jpg?x=130&y=127&q=85&sig=r1CF0TSs0pbmml_6XTIkkA--" align="left" height="127" width="130" alt="File picture shows US President George W. Bush (left) with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson at the White House. The Bush administration made clear that it was postponing any regulatory action on greenhouse gas emissions believed to be responsible for global warning, citing "the complexity and magnitude" of the issue.(AFP/File/Paul J.Richards)" border="0" />AFP - The administration of President George W. Bush made clear that it was postponing any regulatory action on greenhouse gas emissions believed to be responsible for global warning, citing "the complexity and magnitude" of the issue.
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source: (Yahoo! Green News) - Identifying Areas At Risk For Arsenic Contamination
The contamination of groundwater with arsenic poses a risk to the health of millions of people, especially in the densely populated river deltas of Southeast Asia. To date, no method has been available for identifying high-risk areas without conducting costly sampling campaigns. Now, scientists have developed a model that allows vulnerable areas to be pinpointed using existing data on geology and soil properties. - 6 months
source: (ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News) - Ethanol Byproduct Could Be Useful As Fertilizer And For Weed Control
Scientists have shown that dried distiller's grains (DDGs) --- coproducts of corn ethanol production --- have potential as an organic fertilizer and for weed control. But some ethanol producers are adopting new corn-grinding methods that may affect the DDGs' usefulness. - 6 months
source: (ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News) - Modeling Erosion Damage From Ephemeral Gullies
Ephemeral gullies are common features on agricultural landscapes. Concentrated water flows can erode cropland soils and carve out these small drainage ditches, which then transport field runoff laden with eroded sediments into nearby streams. In fact, these gullies may lead to soil losses that exceed soil losses from sheet or rill erosion. - 6 months
source: (ScienceDaily: Earth & Climate News) - Bronx residents sue city over sewage stench
The lawsuit, filed in state Supreme Court, focuses on a city-run sewage facility that processes the waste of 600,000 New Yorkers and the privately run New York Organic Fertilizer Co., which transforms sewage ...
- 6 months
source: (Environmental News)
