Making Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology Viable
September 30, 2009 by Tucker · 12 Comments
Amidst growing concerns regarding the negative environmental impact automobiles have had on the planet, alternative and clean fuel technologies have become increasingly important.
In recent years, oil prices have skyrocketed and become relatively unstable. This has led auto manufacturers to develop hybrid gas-electric systems that have become extremely popular in the United States and abroad. Some innovative automakers are taking this idea a step further, researching zero emission clean fuel technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cell vehicles combine high-pressure hydrogen gas with oxygen from the air in a chemical process that produces electricity. The electricity is then stored in the fuel cells and is used to power an electric motor. Only water and heat are emitted during this process and no harmful chemicals are released into the atmosphere. Due to its efficiency and cleanliness, hydrogen fuel cell technology has been heralded as the answer for zero-emission transportation.
While this may seem like a futuristic concept, Honda Motor Company is close to making it a reality with the limited release of the FCX Clarity in regions of southern California. Approximately 200 of these cars will be leased to consumers for three year terms at $600 per month, which includes all maintenance for the vehicle. Southern California was the ideal location for Honda’s test run of the FCX Clarity because the hydrogen fueling station infrastructure is already in place. The vehicle is expected to travel approximately 240 miles on one tank of hydrogen fuel. Initial studies have shown that the vehicle experiences much less wear and tear than the standard internal combustion gasoline engine. This will result in both low fuel and maintenance costs for consumers.
Unfortunately, neither the American nor international auto markets are prepared to embrace and support this clean technology. In order to make hydrogen fuel cell technology viable worldwide, further development of cost-effective parts, manufacturing processes, and fueling stations is required. The cost of materials and production of the fuel cells required to power the vehicles raises the retail price to a point that is out of reach for a majority of consumers. Also, public refueling stations are absurdly expensive to produce and maintain. Many of the current locations throughout California are maintained by educational or governmental organizations. Honda is currently working to develop a home fueling station that utilizes natural gas to create hydrogen right in the owner’s garage.
It is critical for this and other zero-emission technologies to become viable in the very near future in order to preserve our automobile culture.
E. B. Chuong writes articles about recreational vehicles, and outdoor activities. Isn’t it time you give Vemar helmets a closer look? Challenge yourself, and see why Vemar helmets are your best choice for top speed riding.
What Are Diesel Generators?
September 25, 2009 by Tucker · 8 Comments
A industrial diesel generator, also known as an industrial generator, is the combination of an electrical generator and a disel engine to generate electric energy. The most common uses for diesel generators are to power construciton sites or used as an auxiliary power supply for vehicles such as mobile homes or RVs.
Diesel generators range in all types of sizes starting from 8 kVA that can power homes to 2,000 kVA generators that are used for large office complexes or factories.
Ships also use diesel generators for main propulsion, but also to power their lights, fans, winches, etc.
Industrial diesel generators that operate without a connection to an electrical grid are known to be operating in island mode. Generators that operate in island mode often is the primary source of electricity for isolated communities, which often need at least three generators and sometimes up to 20 generators.
In addition to their main function as supply energy during power failures, industrial diesel generators also support main power grids for peak shaving and grid support. Peak shaving is taking the load off the utility grid during peak energy times and the generators support the grids in emergency standby mode.
Costs vary widely for diesel generators, depending on their size. If you’re looking to use for a generator only for short term use, you can look into generator rentals to find companies who rent industrial rentals out for specific amounts of time. As for fuel costs, a modern diesel generator will consume between .28 and .4 litres of fuel per kilowatt hour.
About Portable Generators
August 21, 2009 by · 7 Comments
Portable generators are useful machines, particularly after the loss of electricity, in the wake of a storm, or other unforeseen circumstances. These portable home generators are also excellent for outdoor camping because of their small size and the ability to be dropped in the back of the car. They are normally fueled by gasoline or diesel and include 120-volt power outlets like the ones in the walls of your home. They can provide safe, clean, portable, power during power outages or in remote locations.
Portable generators range in cost between a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on their capacity and features. And they are available in a multitude of models and configurations from small to large. These generators are almost always air-cooled, 3600 RPM models. Portable generators can be used for many low power applications like microwave ovens, lights, desktop computers and drills. And they come in various brands, power increments and sizes. Also, be aware that generators must be used with care, as they can cause serious injury or death if not used properly. Always refer to the manufacturers instructions and guidelines & consult with other experts if you are not familiar with the safety requirements.
In terms of power, portable generators from 1,000 to 4,999 watts are perfect for your portable power requirements for a camping trip, picnic, cook out or any other recreational activity. From 5,000 to 6,999 watts are heavy-duty generators that are great choice for contractors, agriculture, roofers, masons, carpenters, disaster relief or anyone that needs quality power, reliable engines & no nonsense features. And portable generators 7,000 to 9,999 watts offer a wide variety of enhanced functions for home back-up & general purpose situations.
DS Jones
Get a tube heat exchanger, an outdoor wood furnace or a wood boiler.
July 23, 2009 by · 6 Comments
Alternative Heating Supplies is family owned and has proudly been in serving customers since 2002. Operating wiht a strong focus on good customer service and technical know-how we always try to meet our customer’s needs. We formed Alternative Heating supplies because we truly believe in the self-sufficient lifestyle (we use a wood furnace). We are committed to customer satisfaction and with trusted employees we consider friends, we strive to treat our customers like friends, as well.
The Alternative Heating Supplies goal is to educate and assist customers with wood furnaces, stocking all the parts necessary to install and repair all major alternative heating systems.
With an eye toward giving customers what they really need, we have established a solid groundwork for repeat business, counting many of their clients as friends of the business. Because of our solid business ethics and strong customer relationships, Alternative Heating Supplies has been tops in Sales two years in a row. We would like to take this opportunity to say a big THANK YOU to those customers who helped make our success possible.
Alternative Heating & Supplies carries a wide variety of wood furnaces and parts. The prices on these wood furnaces, wood boilers and parts are also very low. Have you realized it’s time for an outdoor wood boiler? An outdoor wood boiler can be the resolution to higher energy costs.
What if there were a way to provide heat for your home, a way to give you all the hot water you and your family would need for showers, baths, laundry and more… all your family would need to heat your spa, hottub, pool, and anything else you wanted to keep warm with a truly efficient, completely renewable resource? What if you were able to reduce your carbon footprint while you are heating your home? What if you could do all this for FREE?
Sure, there’s the out front cost of the equipment initially, but I’ll ask you to show me a heating system that doesn’t require a high initial purchase price. Being able, then, to do everything we’re talking about in the preceding paragraph, for free, really sounds terrific, doesn’t it? Wood is the resource that fits all of these specifications. And, it’s probably right down the road or in your backyard. Yes, wood.
Yes, you might say, “That’s old-fashioned and inefficient. Hey, and it’s a lot of work. And it’s dirty too!”
It’s not like that anymore. Wood heating has now come of age. The modern outdoor wood furnaces Alternative Heating & Supply sells take advantage of the latest developments in modern heating technology. Once set up outside your home, and using water and heat exchangers, our furnace burns cleanly and efficiently. In most cases it can be connected to your existing system to distribute the heat wherever your home needs it.
Because all of your fuel (the wood) is kept outside, you won’t have the uncleanliness mess associated with indoor stoves. The unit will burn all sizes and types of wood, too, even those unsplittable knotty pieces. And, the great thing is you only have to feed it once or twice a day – even in the coldest weather. That’s cool, isn’t it? Load it up in the a.m. and before supper, and the unit will do the rest. Water heated to 185 to 200 degrees surrounds the firebox, and then it courses through tubing to your home where heat exchangers convert it to hot air which is dispersed by your existing system.
Oil, gas and coal are non-renewable, fossil-based resources. And in the last year, costs for these commodities have shot up toward the moon. You know this to be true. Electricity prices are moving up, too.
The environmental impact of the fuels is significant and must be a factor. The methods used to extract fossil fuels are damaging to the ecosystem. Home systems, unless they are constantly and professionally maintained, are not really efficient burners. And electricity is often produced by coal-fueled plants or by hydroelectric dams that affect our fragile ecosystems.
So, when you look at the big picture, there is no other source of warming your home that provides you all the advantages of a timber-fueled system. It’s environmentally friendly and efficient. And with a little extra work, you can get all this for free. This is a source of energy that grows virtually everywhere. Areas are constantly being cleared and the leavings are perfect for your use. Load your pickup and move it home and you and your family can stay warm all winter for the cost of a tank or two of gas.
Our company is proud to bring to you the latest innovations in this technology, along with exceptional service as well as parts and accessories. We have many years of experience and can advise you on choosing the right equipment for your home.
Alternative Heating & Supply is where you can get a tube heat exchanger, an outdoor wood furnace, a wood boiler or a plate heat exchanger.
So why wait? These days everybody talks a lot about heating our homes with alternative fuels. It’s time, isn’t it to do more than just talk about it? Visit the AltHeatSupplycom home page to learn more. or, call them at 1-888-881-1602.
The Real Reasons To Have A Hot Tub Cover
February 17, 2009 by · 10 Comments
A lot of people think that the only reason to buy a hot tube cover is to keep the water clean. However, you should realize that the cover actually does more than keep fallen dirt out of the water. Of course, it is an effective gadget in making sure that people soak in clean hot tub water, however, hygiene is not the only reason for buying a hot tub cover.
Here are some of the reasons why a cover is important whether you already own, plan to buy or even intend to build a hot tub:
Safety
One of the most underestimated functions is safety. A lot of people know how dangerous an open hot tub can be when you have children around the house. You can make sure that even if your toddler or child ventures near the tub, he or she will not fall into the water. You should make sure though that you actually secure the cover, not merely place it on top of the hot tub.
Energy Conservation
Another reason for buying is energy conservation. You should know that heating the water of the tub to the right temperature can consume a lot of electricity. Because of this, you need to make sure that the tub loses as little heat as possible. A quality cover will ensure that the next time you use the tub it won’t take a lot of electricity to get the water back to its right temperature.
There are also solar covers that can actually ease your electricity load. This is because these they actually utilize the energy of the sun to heat up and maintain the temperature of the water. Buying these solar covers can help you save up to 10 percent on your electricity bill. By today’s standards, that’s quite a lot.
There are some things you need to consider before buying. The first is the material of the cover. You should know that what the cover is made of greatly affects how effective it is in maintaining the temperature of the water. Although getting a canvas cover can cost you less, you really ought to think about buying one that’s made of Styrofoam. This material has better insulating properties than others and will help you save more on your electric bill.
You should also make sure that what you buy completely covers the hot tub so as not to let any heat escape. Of course, this could be easier with a canvas or plastic sheet cover, but you should really opt to having your hot tub fitted with better cover material.
As always, take the cost into consideration. You need to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money. Check if the quality of the product is well worth paying for.
When you think about it, having hot tub cover can really give you a lot of advantages. Just make sure that you choose the right one for your needs.
International Removals Checklist
February 6, 2009 by · 12 Comments
International Removals Checklist:
Countdown to moving day!
When you’re moving home internationally there seems to be an endless list of things to think about and organise, even with an effecient removals company. Here’s a helpful list to remind you.
5-6 weeks before moving:
• Check that your passports and visas are valid
• Check whether any permits are required e.g. for residency, work or vehicles
• Check your travel documents and tickets
• Collate all your personal documents e.g. birth certificates, marriage certificates and medical records
• Advise your solicitor, bank, doctor, dentist, insurance company, building society
• Cancel subscriptions to clubs and magazines
• Notify Schools
• Obtain invoices for new purchases (for customs import facilities)
3-4 weeks before:
• Complete the insurance form
• Dispose of the items you don’t want to ship
• Supply a contact number in the UK for after you have moved
• Supply your overseas contact address and phone number
• Check with your Universal Move Manager with regard to VAT refunds on new purchases
• Ask for final accounts for gas, water and electricity
• Complete all outstanding credit agreements
• Cancel all rental agreements
• Run down stocks of food and drink
• Confirm your removal date with furniture removal companies
1-2 weeks before
• Arrange for mail to be forwarded
• Clean garden tools, bicycles, etc
• Arrange care for children and pets on moving day
• Arrange for mains services to be disconnected
• Advise your newsagent and milkman and pay their final accounts
• Empty lockers at school and work
• Return or retrieve any items on loan
• Drain fuel from motor mowers
• Dispose of plants and perishable food
1-2 days before
• Separate all personal items which are to travel with you e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, currency, clothing, etc
• Disconnect, clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to ship
• Arrange with neighbours to leave sufficient parking space for the removal vehicle
On Moving Day
• Remain on hand in case the packers have any questions
• Check all rooms, cupboards, walls, loft, garage and shed to make sure nothing has been left behind.
And finally, try and relax and let Universal Removals do the work! Especially if you require removals to spain.
Notification Checklist:
In summary, here’s a list of organisations and people you may need to notify of your move:
• Doctor
• Dentist
• House insurance company
• Car insurance company
• Electricity Board
• Water Board
• Gas Board
• Telephone company
• Internet provider
• Bank
• Post Office
• Building Society
• Inland Revenue
• School/college
• Local council
• Library
• DVLA
• Motor organisation
• Milkman
• Newsagent/magazine subscription
• Sports/social club
• Satellite/cable TV provider
• Church/place of worship
• Vet
Information About Photovoltaic Cells And It’s Numerous Uses For The Average Person
January 4, 2009 by · 13 Comments
Photovoltaic cells are increasing in efficiency, but decreasing in cost although they are still the same old black squares placed on solar panels in an array format, but now they are able to concentrate energy to a particular point in a much better manner. They are also becoming smaller in size and this is what’s making them cheaper to produce despite the fact that their efficiency is increasing. 4oo per watt per hour. We used to spend about to get this kind of efficiency 17 years ago.
You can search for different types of solar panels for your RV. There are a variety of rv solar panels available on today’s market. Swing on over to find out how solar panels can work for you.
There’s definite benefit in using electricity generated from the sun for the environment. Solar energy, an alternative source of energy, has no lethal emissions to pump into the environment and it uses one of the freest natural sources available for its production. Today, solar collection cells have become very popular additions to the rooftops of people’s houses. You can use them without much trouble in heating your home, heating water and in producing power for all your needs . There it gets heated and is then supplied inside the home through pipes.
Today, photovoltaic cells have become efficient enough to accumulate heat from the sun even when the weather is cloudy or stormy. This technology operates by making the cells to gather more of the suns rays on bright days which can be used in adverse conditions.A solar cell manufacturer known as Uni-Solar allows you to have solar energy even on overcast days.
The PV system is another system to produce solar power. A connection is made of the PV system to the nearest grid of electricity and when a particular home produces more energy using the solar cell, this excess energy is sent off to the grid so now the grid will use this energy for electricity production. Using PV systems makes solar energy production economical for you, and also mitigates the problem of environmental pollution and helps to free up the grid from excessive pressure. Town planning in some areas today includes setting up central solar accumulation arrays so that this energy could be available for the entire town.
The interest of several large corporations from across the world in setting up their own solar power plants has laid emphasis upon the point that this is being considered to be an extremely workable option for energy production. 6 megawatt system on the roof of its corporate headquarters and soon, Wal-Mart is going to add a 100 megawatt plant of its own.
By subsidizing and providing tax relief to people who install solar power systems for their electrical and heat requirements, nations such as America, Japan, Germany and Switzerland are furthering the popularity of these systems. Soon enough, several new private players are expected to join into the field of solar power generation because the rapidly increasing technology is making this field more profitable.
