The Long-Term Effect of Global Warming Will Change the World

This is 5 (five) consequences of global warming in the long-term :

" 1. Great Barrier Reef may be gone in 20 years

The Great Barrier Reef will be so degraded by warming waters that it will be unrecognizable within 20 years. Charlie Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told The Times: “There is no way out, no loopholes. The Great Barrier Reef will be over within 20 years or so.” Once carbon dioxide had hit the levels predicted for between 2030 and 2060, all coral reefs were doomed to extinction, he said. “They would be the world's first global ecosystem to collapse. I have the backing of every coral reef scientist, every research organization. I've spoken to them all. This is critical. This is reality.

2. Amazon Rain Forest may turn into a desert

Teeming with millions of species and one-fifth of the world's fresh water, the Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest. However, global warming and deforestation are reversing the forest's role as a carbon sink, converting 30-60% of the rainforest into dry savannah. Projections show the forest could disappear completely by 2050.

3. Sahara Desert may become green

cientists are seeing signals that the Sahara desert and surrounding regions are greening due to increasing rainfall. If sustained, these rains could revitalize drought-ravaged regions, reclaiming them for farming communities. This desert-shrinking trend is supported by climate models, which predict a return to conditions that turned the Sahara into a lush savanna some 12,000 years ago.

4. Hurricanes may become more devastating than Katrina

It has not been determined whether Katrina was linked to global warming. But there are indications that global warming will produce more Category 5 hurricanes --and Katrina was only Category 4 when it hit Louisiana. Hurricanes derive their power in part from warm water, and so forecasting models show future hurricanes becoming more severe as sea surface temperatures rise. Global warming also makes hurricanes more destructive by raising the sea level, which leads to more serious coastal flooding. (According to the EPA, a two-foot rise would swallow a chunk of the U.S. bigger than Massachusetts.)

5. London may disappear underwater by 2100

It isn't only reefs and low-lying islands that are under threat from global warming. In fact, a major threat is for those large urban areas which are at risk of eventually being submerged underwater. This is caused by a change in sea levels that occurs when global warming takes place, resulting in coastal cities being destroyed by flooding. Dozens of the world's cities, including London and New York, could be flooded by the end of the century, according to research which suggests that global warming will increase sea levels more rapidly than was previously thought. London is one of the major world capitals at high risk of this type of flooding, as depicted in this shot from the 2007 movie Flood. Scientists say that the city could be under water as early as within the next one hundred years. "

source : here


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www.analox.net New Sensor Technology Website Launched

A visit to www.Analox.net will be a more interactive and varied experience as Analox Sensor Technology launches its new Website. As Analox continues to expand it’s products in five very different fields, and develop markets around the world, so it has update its website to give visitors more relevant information both about the products and the field in which they are used.

Michelle Morley, Marketing Manager for Analox sensor technology (UK), said: when you visit our website, you will now find information geared towards the niche market you’re interested in, and we’re hoping you’ll take the opportunity to get in touch with us, to interact. With links through to a range of blogs, tweeting, films on youtube, social media and more, we’re creating each section of the site as an information portal, and customers are invited to share their news and views. We’ll be uploading more of your amazing diving photos, more of diary room entries from exhibitions and industry news which we know will be of interest and relevance to our customers.

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High Accuracy HDI Pressure Sensors

Sensortechnics (Germany) HDI sensors measure absolute, differential or gage pressure in various ranges from 10 mbar up to 5 bar. The HDI series features 3 V supply versions which are ideally suitable for battery powered applications, e.g. in portable or handheld devices. HDI pressure sensors perform precision digital signal conditioning and achieve ultra high accuracies with an excellent Total Error Band ( TEB ) better than ±0.5% FSS over a temperature range of 0…+85 C.

The HDI series provides digital interface with I≤C bus protocol and analog 0.5…4.5 V output signals at the same time therefore allowing customers to build up a redundancy functionality for safety critical applications. The sensors are intended to be used with air and non-corosive gases and offer various unidirectional, bidirectional or barometric calibration as well as different accuracy classes. Miniature SMT and DIP housings allow for space-saving PCB-mounting and maximum OEM design flexibility. A wide selection of sensor configurations are available from stock at Sensortechnics. All HDI pressure sensors can be modified according to customer specific requirement, e.g. with respect to pressure range, resolution, accuracy and internal digital settings.

Due to the wide selection of different sensor configurations Sensortechnics is able to offer customers the best suitable sensor with an ideal coast/performance ratio. Typical applications of the HDI pressure sensors include medical devices, instrumentation, environmental controls and HVAC.

Emergency, Oil Reserves will be Exhausted within 90 years

Oil will run out within 90 years before alternative energy is found, according to new research from the University of California, Davis. These predictions were published online on November 8 in Environmental Science & Technology Journal. This research is based on the long-term theory, this theory said : investor is the best estimator to explain why and when alternative and renewable energy technology can be used.

"Our results show that takes a long time before alternative fuels that can be updated can survive, at least from a market perspective," said study leader, Debbie Niemeier, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University California (UCLA), Davis.

Niemeier and team, Natalya Malyshkina one of Niemeier team's plans to create a new device that will help policy makers set targets are realistic about the resilience of the environment and evaluate the progress made to those goals. Two key research of this new theory is the capitalization market (based on share price) and dividends from oil companies owned by government and alternative energy companies. Other analysts have previously used similar equations to predict in finance, politics and sports.

Good investors tend to put great efforts in collecting, processing and understanding information relevant to future cash flows paid by these securities," said Malyshkina.
As a result, the market assessment in the future predictions represent the largest part of investors that tend to be relatively accurate.

Niemeier said the results of this latest study is a warning against the target of renewable fuels now are not ambitious enough in preventing the community, economic development and natural ecosystems harmed because of this.

We need a stronger policy support to encourage the development of replacement technology, "he said. We need a stronger policy support to encourage the development of replacement technology," Niemeier said.

source : here translate Indonesian to english language.

Computer Recycling Green IT Expo in London, UK

Richard A Johnson recently attended the Green IT Expo in London. The aim of the conference? To showcase Green solutions to IT issues, most notably energy consumption and environmentally concious design. Here is Richards story when he attended the Green IT Expo

"Exhibiters at the conference ranged from Very PC, with their amazingly low powered desktop computers (24 watts per machine is more efficient than a laptop) to SIMMS recycling, a global recycler dealing directly with other mainstream recyclers. However, of most interest were the IT recycling companies present. As a representative in the same field, I thought it prudent to use them as a sounding board for issues I currently have with the UK's Computer Recycling industry. In effect, here's the conclusion that reflects every single recognised computer recycling company in the UK (IT-Green®, CDL, ICEX):

A combination of online marketing, Google Places and cheap (re-use) environmental licenses has given rise to small localised "recyclers" springing up throughout the UK. Potential business related clients are opting for the cheapest possible solutions when trying to recycle their computers and this in turn is leaving them open to the possibility of Brand damage, legal action and data security breaches. Recognised, professional recyclers have to of course maintain overheads that protect clients from the reality of security breaches and environmental protection and these simply are not in place with small operators that have been set up to take advantage of the WEEE directive. With less stringent environmental controls and reporting systems, those operating under section 50 exemptions are more likely to sell on waste electronics to exporters, who as highlighted by the Environment Agency have been assoiciated with organised crime.

As highlighted by Greenpeace in 2009, some 50 million tonnes of WEEE were dumped on developing countries and as I've said in previous posts, this is causing major problems, including deaths among children from lead poisoning......... "

See Full Article : Here

The Flora And Fauna Of Greek Island Crete

The Greek island of Crete does not only carry the secrets of an ancient civilization, but also puts a very rich flora and fauna on display for those who may be seeking to spend time in the nature's arm. The island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea waters and carries a weather that resembles with the Mediterranean and the North African both. The temperature mostly remains mild in the low-lying areas while the snowfall rarely takes place, barring some high altitude cases. The island's beaches are famous for their raw beauty and the sea resorts made along them. On the other hand, mountains are there to be trekked on, and various tour operators and hotels in Crete will offer packages for these kinds of events.

Spring brings up the best time for the Cretan flora and fauna to be explored when there is hardly any snowfall around and the rainfall has also died down. Obviously this also means the start of the tourism season in the island. The fields laden with red poppies and the air full of the lemon and orange flavors may leave you mesmerize in these days. Among many hundreds of the flora species found across the island, at least 130 wild flowers and herbs are regarded unique to it. Cretan holidays may be planned around these natural gifts provided one carefully decided about their tour plans. Often hotels in Crete will help you out in deciding about your nature-centric adventures.

The ravines and the mountain slopes are the places where one should look out for the rarest of plants found on this island. These include Organium dictamus, an herb made popular by the likes of Hippocrates and Aristotle for its medicinal use. The herb grows on steep slopes in the rocky mountains of Crete, where they won't easily be discovered by any human being. As a result, the men used to trek up and gift the herb as a sign of love to their partners in the ancient times. The name Organium dictamus comes from the mount Dikty, where Zeus, the mythological king of the Greek gods, was famously born. The evergreen Cretan Plane Tree is yet another unique Cretan species to be looked closely at. Unlike the other plane trees, which are deciduous in nature, the evergreen tree keeps itself green throughout the year.

Also found in Crete is the unique Cretan palm tree, which grows in abundance along the Vai beach. During the 70s, Hippies overcrowded this beach and left behind the dumps of garbage. Subsequently the whole area was declared a protected zone and gradually the palm tree forest and the beach were restored to their natural shape and looks over the years. These two draw in thousands of Crete bound tourists each year these days.

The Cretan Fauna is as impressive as its flora with some unique species filling up its biological chart. The Cretan wild goat leads the chart with its unusual yet impressive appearance. The animal is a protected species, and is found over a wide range. Several lizards and at least one poisonous snake do also inhabit these areas. Funnily, it was believed that St. Titus had earlier driven all the poisonous snakes off the Crete Island. The Cretan golden eagle leads the segment of birds from this area. Also found are warblers, swallows, goldfinches and some migratory birds. The voyage from hotels in Crete to the archaeological treasures across the island, and that to the thrilling beaches and the valleys carrying such a rich flora and fauna is bound to generate excitement.

Source: Free Articles

Europe Learn from Monaco How To Green in The world

European tax haven Monaco has led the small countries of the world in the campaign to heighten awareness of environmental issues since Prince Albert became Sovereign in 2005, and has launched a radical plan of its own to cut carbon emissions.

One of the first acts Prince Albert took when succeeding to the throne upon his father's death was to sign the Kyoto Protocol.

Along with the USA and Australia, Monaco was one of the few countries not to sign up to the treaty intended to cut greenhouses gases.

Included in a campaign by Prince Albert to protect the environment has been an expedition to the Arctic to see for himself how global warming has begun to melt the glaciers, and shortly after his return he started a foundation to study rising sea levels and how to address what he sees as environmental challenges.

Monaco travel guide http://www.yourmonaco.com comment that given the Principality's position in the Mediterranean, concern at rising sea levels should come as no surprise.

'There are plans at an advanced stage to build an island off Monte Carlo, which will change the Monaco map, and the district of Fontvieille is largely reclaimed from the sea.'

The island is expected to be complete in ten years time, and will include the first new hotels in Monaco for some time.

Prince Albert recently spent time with fellow royal and campaigner for the environment Prince Charles.

'Most notable of all', comment YourMonaco, 'Prince Albert chose a mansion in the Kalorama district of Washington D.C. to serve as Monaco's U.S. Embassy - Monaco's first independent embassy outside of Europe. Up to now it hasn't been necessary for Monaco to have her own representation in the U.S. - France has always looked after Monaco's interests. But it serves as a useful base for him to entertain politicans on Capitol Hill and get his environment message across. Expect to see more of Prince Albert in America in the coming months and years!'.

Monaco Weather

With Prince Albert punching above Monaco's weight abroad, he has been no less active at home to prove his green credentials, and a radical plan has been introduced to cut carbon emissions, and to reduce the number of cars on the streets of Monte Carlo.

The domestic campaign began with the Monaco Yacht Show 2005, held each September, with the event successfully becoming carbon neutral. To encourage the thousands who commute to Monaco every day from neighbouring France and Italy the railway station is one of the best in Europe, with frequent and reliable services.

'For those who work in Monte Carlo and travel in from Nice and her surrounding villages five days a week, it's both cheaper and quicker to take the train - the trains are modern and comfortable and it's rare for seats not to be available even during the rush hour', claim YourMonaco.com. 'Once people are in Monaco the local transport service is equally quick and efficient. Virtually all routes are well planned and easy to understand, and the most you have to wait for a bus is ten minutes, often it's just a couple of minutes - which isn't exactly a hardship given the weather in Monte Carlo!'

With many major companies and the banks in Monaco also looking to see how they can improve their own environmental records the business community view the steps as prudent ones.

The routes are planned to incorporate tourist needs, with many passing by the Hotel de Paris in Casino Square and the Columbus in Fontvieille, two of the best known and popular Monaco hotels. Fares have been reduced to one Euro, making public transport in Monaco among the lowest priced, comfortable and frequent in Europe.

With the overall aim to increase bus usage by 20 per cent, the Principality is also funding five new duplex trains with a thirty per cent increase in train services, and in an innovative attempt to persuade commuters to leave their cars at home will provide free electric cycles at car park schemes.

'The one time of year you might see fast cars being encouraged is of course for the Monaco Grand Prix in May', conclude YourMonaco, 'But overall it's Prince Albert who will be able to claim the winners rostrum among European leaders for the environment.'

Source: Free Articles

Improving Our World One LED Light at a Time

LED lights are a wonderful invention that has changed the way the world is lit. Not only are they long lasting, they have many environmental benefits. LED lights are four times more efficient than a regular incandescent light bulb and last 10 times as long. LED lights also use between 50 and 80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb.

LED lights are considerably less expensive to operate, however are a little more expensive to purchase. LED home lighting requires only one third of the energy that an incandescent bulb will use. A single 18-watt LED light can replace a 75-watt incandescent and in the lifetime of the LED light, will save 570 kWh of energy. At a basic eight cents per kilowatt rate, that equals $45 dollars in energy bill savings.

By switching to low energy LED home lighting in your home, even one bulb will keep one half of a ton of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere through the lifetime of the bulb instead of using incandescent bulbs. Switching also keeps sulfur oxide and nuclear waste out of the atmosphere as well, leading to a cleaner world and one that will last much longer. By simply switching, our environment could easily revitalize itself without having to deal with the excess carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and nuclear waste emissions that are currently being released into the atmosphere every day. Even changing one lonely bulb in every home to LED home lighting would make a significant impact on the environment.

If every home in the United States were to switch to LED home lighting, 90 power plants could be retired, a potentially powerful impact to the long-term health of the environment. Being energy efficient and environmentally conscious doesn’t have to disrupt your entire life. The switch is as difficult as changing one light bulb in your home, the results of which would save you money on your electricity bill each month. Just one home lighting fixture, one light bulb can be a positive step forward for your household. Take a look around your home and count how many bulbs you use and consider how often you change them. Say, for example that you change a bulb every two months. Now, consider that by changing them all to LED lighting for your home, you could leave them and not have to replace them for 20 months. The slightly higher upfront costs of LED lights make sense.

LED lighting is finding its way into many niche markets. You can get a LED flashlight that also uses less battery energy, ensuring that the next time the power goes out in your home, you can be confident that your batteries will last. There are also LED lanterns that you can choose from that are ideal for camping or hunting. They last for considerably longer than other lanterns because they use 10 times less energy to run than standard incandescent bulbs and even less energy than a kerosene lantern.

For LED home lighting, there are many options available other than just bulbs. You can find LED light fixtures for your home, indoor and out, that will provide low energy, environmentally-friendly lighting that can save you money on your energy bill.

We all are challenged to do our part to conserve energy. By making small adjustments to the way we live, we can begin to make an impact on our world. One small change we all can make is to switch our home and outdoor light fixtures to LED light options. There are a large number of options for LED home lighting and LED camping and hunting outdoor equipment available on the market, all of which provide the energy efficiency benefits inherent in LED products. The benefits can become apparent very quickly as we begin to see our energy bill costs reduce over a period of a few months.

Spa Water Treatment Options

Since mankind decided that hot tubs would be fun we have had to face the challenge of keeping that water clear and safe. Chlorine and Bromine have been in use since almost day one. Both have their advantages. They kill everything. The down side is also that they kill everything. By that I mean that Chlorine and Bromine are both caustic chemicals. That is both how they function and what makes them less desirable. Not only do they kill germs and bacteria but they are harmful to your skin, hair, bathing suits, spa jets, pump impellers, pets and environment. With the heightened awareness of the environment and our own physical health, there has been a wide variety of alternatives to the old standards.

Minerals can be used to treat the spa water with less harmful effects. First, Copper can be used to treat your water and keeps stuff from growing in your water. It is a lot safer for your skin, hair and health, and won’t cause premature break down of your pump and jet components. Still, because it does a good job of killing things you need to use care when you empty your spa. Some areas have banned using copper to treat water because if it does end up in the water shed it will kill fish and algae.

Another popular choice is Silver and zinc. I would just recommend sticking with the liquid based versions. You should never use anything directly in the filter area of the spa because you do not want the risk of anything being sucked into the water pump.

Ozone can also be effective in water treatment. It works by exposing ultra violet light to air which forms an energetic oxidizer. It destroys algae, viruses and bacteria. Again you should know how to use your system properly. Avoid over exposure to ozone while using the spa. No ozone bubbles should be entering the spa during occupancy. Also you should not be able to smell ozone while you are in the spa.

One thing that a lot of spa owners forget about is checking your spa water pH. Maintaining the proper pH level can greatly improve the effectiveness of the water treatment. Spa water that is not properly balanced can cause irritation to eyes, and mucous membranes. Just because you keep a handle on your chemical treatment, do not get lazy about checking the pH.

Finally, circulation of the water. Stagnant water, especially warm stagnant water is a breeding ground for life. Regular circulation of the water for significant periods of time will reduce the need for chemicals and increases the effectiveness of the spas filtration. It is better overall for your spa pump to run for three to four hours at a time for two to three times per day as opposed to running for thirty minutes at a time ten times per day. If your spa only runs for thirty minutes it does no have enough time to properly filter all the spa water.

The bottom line is that yo want to be able to enjoy your spa for years to come. However like your car, regular maintenance can have a profound influence on that. If you maintain your car, change the oil, replace the filters, rotate the tires, you stand a much better choice of enjoying your vehicle with fewer unpleasant surprises. The same goes for your spa.

China's Will Turn Off its Lights for Earth Hour 2010

China’s most significant historic landmark, the Forbidden City in Beijing, will turn off its lights for Earth Hour at 8.30pm on Saturday March 27, in a dramatic display of action on global warming from the world’s most populous nation.

Lying figuratively and geographically at the heart of the Chinese capital, the hallowed complex, which served as the ceremonial and political hub of China for almost five centuries, is the most symbolic gesture the economic superpower could make to show its commitment to the pursuit of low-carbon economic development.

The Forbidden City heads up a list of some of the world’s most iconic landmarks that have confirmed their participation in Earth Hour in recent days including :

1. Italy’s Trevi Fountain in Rome and Leaning Tower of Pisa,
2. Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London,
3. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland,
4. India Gate and Red Fort in Delhi,
5. Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe,
6. Bosphorous Bridge in Istanbul
7. Hohensalzburg Castle in Salzburg, and
8. Independence Angel in Mexico City.

They join a comprehensive list of the world’s great man-made marvels and natural wonders, including the Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Empire State Building, London Eye, Table Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue, Sydney Opera House and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, which will plunge into darkness for Earth Hour contributing to a historic moment in the climate landscape. (earthhour.org)

Victoria Falls One of the most inspiring stories to Earth Hour this year

Mighty Victoria Falls a powerful backdrop for climate action. In this year, Earth Hour concerns to come out of the lead up the Victoria Falls, bordering the African nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

From one man contacting the Earth Hour team and offering to help bring Earth Hour to his country, came support from local businesses, hotels, the regional power utility and the district government, to bring about what will likely be one of the most magical moments in Earth Hour 2010's global celebration of the planet.

Spearheaded by the NGO Environment Africa, one of the largest waterfalls in the world will now bear witness to a gathering of hundreds of schoolchildren, a candlelit vigil attended by community members and dignitaries, and the sounds of the mbira played under a moonlit sky, in recognition Earth Hour's unifying global message of hope and action for a better healthier planet.

United by hope and the passion of those willing to take action on climate change and make a difference, Victoria Falls will join the ranks of world icons such as the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, Trevi Fountain, Sydney Opera House, Table Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue, Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building) and many more man-made marvels and natural wonders, that will switch off for Earth Hour for what is anticipated to be the greatest global action on climate change ever witnessed. ( earthhour.org )

Save Our Earth in Earth Hour 2010 !

Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Earth hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney's lead, many other cities around the world adopted the event in 2008. Earth Hour 2010 will take place on March 27, 2010 from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., local time. (Wikipedia.org)

About Earth Hour

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour. (Earthhour.org)

Turn out your light, show support

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

A list of 812 icons and landmarks worldwide will turn off their lights for Earth Hour, including:

Eiffel Tower, Paris
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Sky Tower, Auckland
London Eye, London
Piccadilly Circus, London
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin
Empire State Building, New York
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
El Ángel, Mexico City
Trevi Fountain, Italy
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Forbidden City, Beijing
Red Fort, Delhi
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Pisa
Big Ben, London
Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Celebrity Earth Hour ambassadors who are supporting the Earth Hour message include; Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Helen Clarke (former New Zealand Prime Minister), Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, The Cranberries, Andox and Box from Hong Kong, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm, and a panda named Mei Lan. At the moment 214 ambassadors have signed on to support EH 2010. Earth Hour has garnered global support from over fourty five international corporations such as IKEA, HSBC, PwC, Accenture and Nokia Siemens Networks. (en.wikipedia.org)

So pledge your support here and turn off your lights for one hour, Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 27th March 2010 !

BioGas One of Alternative and Renewable Energy

Biogas typically refers to a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas originates from biogenic material and is a type of biofuel.
One type of biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials such as biomass, manure, sewage, municipal waste, green waste and energy crops. This type of biogas comprises primarily methane and carbon dioxide. The other principal type of biogas is wood gas which is created by gasification of wood or other biomass. This type of biogas is comprised primarily of nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, with trace amounts of methane.

The gases methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be combusted or oxidized with oxygen. Air contains 21 percent oxygen. This energy release allows biogas to be used as a fuel. Biogas can be used as a low-cost fuel in any country for any heating purpose, such as cooking. It can also be used in modern waste management facilities where it can be used to run any type of heat engine, to generate either mechanical or electrical power. Biogas can be compressed, much like natural gas, and used to power motor vehicles and in the UK for example is estimated to have the potential to replace around 17 percent of vehicle fuel.Biogas is a renewable fuel, so it qualifies for renewable energy subsidies in some parts of the world.

Another definition what is Biogas?

Biogas is generated when bacteria degrade biological material in the absence of oxygen, in a process known as anaerobic digestion. Since biogas is a mixture of methane (also known as marsh gas or natural gas, CH4) and carbon dioxide it is a renewable fuel produced from waste treatment. Anaerobic digestion is basically a simple process carried out in a number of steps that can use almost any organic material as a substrate - it occurs in digestive systems, marshes, rubbish dumps, septic tanks and the Arctic Tundra. Humans tend to make the process as complicated as possible by trying to improve on nature in complex machines but a simple approach is still possible, as I hope you see in some of the links below. As methane is very hard to compress I see its best use as for stationary fuel, rather than mobile fuel. It takes a lot of energy to compress the gas (this energy is usually just wasted), plus you have the hazard of high pressure. A variable volume storage (flexible bag or floating drum are the two main variants) is much easier and cheaper to arrange than high pressure cylinders, regulators and compressors.

Hot to Make BioGas and How to Use Them?

These how to make biogas from human waste. Human Waste as a Resource.
Treating human waste through Anaerobic Digestion is an incredibly ethical sanitation technology. Anaerobic Digestion occurs in biodigesters and produces a fuel (biogas), removes Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) from sewage, conserves nutrients (especially nitrogen compounds) and most importantly reduces pathogens. Human waste damages the environment because it is loaded with BOD, nutrients, and anthropozoonotic diseases. This can cause a host of environmental problems that can lead to ecosystem collapse such as rendering a water body uninhabitable for many organisms. Untreated sewage causes algal blooms, red tide, and so called dead zones. Humans also suffer from untreated sewage (also called black water). Waterborne disease transmitted through human excrement is a leading cause of death worldwide, especially in the so-called developing world. Some diseases caused by untreated human sewage are Cholera, Typhoid fever, Paratyphoid fever, Salmonella, Dysentery, Gastroenteritis, Leptospirosis, Meningitis, Hepatitis, and various parasitic diseases.

The amount of biogas that can be yielded from human waste is limited in comparison with livestock manure and other feedstocks. Are stomachs are just too efficient! David House states in his excellent book that 1000 lbs of humans produces about 0.6 cubic meters of biogas (enough cooking fuel for about 1 to 2 persons). But that amount quickly adds up, please reference the internet for example projects especially in Rwanda, India and Thailand.

Untreated sewage, along with causing a prevalence of disease, developing countries are also disposing of valuable nutrients in places where fertilizers aren’t available. Biodigesters turn waste into a biofertilizer. There is also a major flaw in the sewage treatment systems of developed countries where enormous amounts of energy are used to aerate and treat sewage; Anaerobic Digestion treats sewage and also produces energy rather than consumes it. This article discusses considerations for human waste treatment and various options are outlined.

Important! Considerations
A handful of considerations need to be made for treating human waste. There are IMPORTANT disease related issues and some common physical considerations. The number 1 issue is handling human waste. Operators that handle human waste without any precautions will inevitably get sick. The waste handling process must consider the handlers. Ideally a waste treatment system will eliminate any direct handling by humans.

Typical biodigester effluent is NOT sterile. Anaerobic digestion creates a competitive environment where pathogens are out competed by non-infectious microorganisms and therefore are edged out in terms of populations. This means that pathogens are REDUCED, but not entirely eliminated. However, studies in thermophilic biodigesters (45-55 degrees C) have shown a much greater reduction of pathogens than in ambient temperature and lower temperature biodigesters (see biodigesters capable of controlling pathogens section). A waste treatment system needs to address the issue of disease during the process via pre or post treatment or the effluent needs to be disposed of accordingly.

One common consideration in designing biodigesters to fit into an already existing system is that usually human excrement is heavily diluted to facilitate movement. Toilet flushes consume large volumes of water (range from 1.3 to 2.5 gallons but about 2 gallons in the US) and designing a biodigester with for example a 30-day hydraulic retention time (HRT) for treating flushed waste requires a very large volume biodigester at a 2 gallon per flush dilution. There are biodigester designs, however, that can handle an HRT, or the amount of time a biodigester retains a waste, of only a few hours. These designs are sludge retaining reactors such as an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) and even better performing Fixed Film Reactors. One last important factor to consider is ammonia toxicity as human waste has been reported to have a low C: N ratio. This problem can be solved via dilution and co-digestion of a carbon rich feedstock such as molasses. Animal waste is inherently safer to treat then human waste because they tend to carry less human pathogens, though consideration for some manure born pathogens ought to be made as well.

Treatment Methods: Heat Pre-treatment
During this process human excrement would be pasteurized to 70 degrees C before entering the biodigester. This would be done best before dilution to reduce energy costs and can be done using waste steam, passive solar heating, or direct combustion of biogas or any other fuel source. The process would make more of the human excrement available for Anaerobic Digestion and would in fact likely increase the amount of biogas produced. Heat pre-treatment can also lower the HRT. Sterilization upfront will deal with any pathogen related effluent issues down the line and produce a biofertilizer for comestible (fit for human consumption) crops.

Treatment Methods: Treatment through Retention
Very long retention times for sewage have the ability to virtually destroy pathogens. The amount of time human excrement should be retained varies. In a very warm climate you may want to retain the waste for 60-90 days, however in cold climates (20 degrees C and below) 150 or more days of retention are recommended. Retention time can be controlled via the biodigester HRT or by holding the effluent for an additional period of time. The option that is the most economic should be considered as well as safety factors such as the access to holding tank and any other issue that involves potential exposure to humans and animals. Safety Warning: Retention methods to destroy pathogens should be confirmed by lab results before adoption.

Treatment Methods: Post Treatment and Sterilization
Biodigester effluent may also be treated in a secondary treatment phase such as Ultrafiltration, Ultraviolet Light (UV), a Treatment Wetland, Composting, or Aerobic Treatment. Ultra filtration consists of running the effluent through a membrane that only allows solubles to pass through. At the moment this technology is more likely to be used in the developed world but appropriate solutions using materials such as mangroves and other plants might be used. Ultrafiltration is practical for concentrated wastewaters that have had most solids settled out. UV treatment is a common water treatment technology however may only be practical for dilute effluents where turbidity is not an issue. A treatment wetland provides additional treatment as well as habitat for wildlife. Essentially a movement gradient is created and planted with wetland plants that facilitate nutrient and pathogen removal. This is the way wastewaters, such as storm runoff, are naturally treated in the environment. A composting process maybe allowed used to treat the effluent however it must first be dried to facilitate aeration, which is land and energy intensive. Care must be made to ensure that no one breathes in the dust from the fresh effluent during this process. The effluent may also go through an aerobic treatment process to polish the effluent however this is expensive, intensive, and removes nutrients from a productive system. Other waste treatment options may include sand filters and clarifiers.

Treatment Methods: Biodigesters Capable of Controlling Pathogens
As previously alluded to, some biodigester processes are able to control virtually all the pathogens found in sewage. These are thermophilic biodigesters, phase biodigesters, and staged biodigesters. In a thermophilic biodigester the environment within the biodigester is so hot that many pathogens are unable to survive. The environment is also far more competitive than in a regular biodigester. Pathogens are usually acclimated and most happy around body temperature. Fortunately many of the organisms capable of carrying out Anaerobic Digestion are thermophiles, or heat loving organisms. However caution must be made with the previously mentioned ammonia toxicity, as thermophilic biodigesters are far more sensitive to this issue than ambient and lower temperature biodigesters. A phase biodigester separates the respective phases that material must undergo during the anaerobic digestion process. Organic material undergoes hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis. Essentially a container can facilitate the conversion of organics to solubles (hydrolysis), the production of acids (acidogenesis and acetogenesis) or methane production (methanogenesis). In phase Anaerobic Digestion two or more containers are used to separate the phases. This can be done physically (removing organics as they are hydrolysed), chemically (inhibiting methane production or buffering acids to a pH where methanogenesis can occur) or biologically (acidifying the first reactor(s)). If a reactor is allowed to acidify to inhibit methane production the low pH will also create an extreme environment where some pathogens are unable to live. After an acidic environment they will be introduced to a methane-producing environment that additionally removes pathogens through microbial competition. A two-phase biodigester capable of eliminating pathogens might have an acidifying first tank, which is then fed into a thermophilic, methane producing second tank. Staged biodigesters can work in the same way by changing the competition mechanisms in various stages (reactors) though still not quite separating the phases.

Applying Effluent
Completely eliminating pathogens is not necessary when adequate care is given to applying the effluent. Biodigester effluent that still contains pathogens can be applied into subterranean leachfields (with a clarifier), used for non-edible crops and in some cases forage crops, and applied directly to land. However all these things require safety considerations. The amount of human exposure needs to be taken into consideration. Groundwater and water body contamination are all potential threats to releasing effluent not completely void of pathogens into the environment. Direct land application needs to take direct exposure into account such as use of land by children and adults. Non-edible crops are another option and also allow for nutrient capture. Crops could include energy crops, biomass production, and many others. Exposure to humans however is again a risk that must be accounted for. The simplest and safest way to dispose of effluent is to simply inject it in an already existing sewer system.

Conclusion
Biodigesters offer a variety of benefits to the person interested in ethical treatment of human waste. The most important consideration, which has not necessarily always been effectively managed, is the danger pathogens in human waste pose to health. These systems are scalable from the household, community level to the larger industrial scale applications. Successful applications can be found worldwide and as well as in history. Best of all, Anaerobic Digestion offers to turn waste into a resource.

source : Making Biogas from Human Waste

Sensirion Launched Flow Sensor for Flow Rates Below 100 ml/min

Precise / Measurement in the Ml range. The reliable, inexpensive SLQ-HC60 fills a gap in the existing range of products for precise measurement in the low millimeter range. Up to now, precise, reliable and inexpensive sensors for measuring flow rates in the low milliliter range in automated systems have been difficult to find. Inexpensive mechanical solutions such as small paddlewheels do not adequately meet the requirements of many applications. Sensirion AG has now filled the gap between sensors for high flow rates and its own line of microsensor products for the microliter and nanoliter ranges. The new water resistant flow meter SLQ-HC60 operates without moving parts and grants highest reliability and media compatibility. Flow rates below 100 ml/min can be measured for a wide range of media. Also the detection of bubbles in the microliter range is possible.

The new MEMS-based sensor device is specifically designed for use in automated systems. This small, highly sensitive flowmeter enables precise measurement of dynamic flow rates with a response time of less than 50 ms. The SLQ-HC60 requires a supply voltage of 24V and provides a 0-10 V analog output signal. Media separation ensures that liquids only get into contact with glass, PEEK and TEFZEL during the measuring process. Protection rating is IP65. The simple, straight flow channel of the SLQ-HC60 has an inside diameter of 1.8 mm and can be connected to 1/8’’ or 3 mm plastic hoses via threaded couplings.

Electrochemical, Solid State Electrochemical and Thermocatalytic Gas sensors

Oxygen sensors usually work according to the amperometric method, in which an electrolysis flow is measured which is proportional to the oxygen concentration or the partial pressure. These sensors frequently have the disadvantage that the electrolyte material used is changed by the electrochemical reaction taking place. The sensor therefore has a limited working life, which is usually about one year.

The new electrochemical oxygen sensors from MST Intertrade (Germany) do not suffer from this disadvantage. They use a new type of electrolyte material, whose electrochemical reaction does not result in the passivation of the electrode. The working life quoted by the manufacturer is therefore at least 10 years (20.8% O2 at 20 ‘C). The sensitivity is reduced within three years by less than 15%, and after 10 years by a maximum of 30%. The sensors are available in two versions, with measuring ranges from 0% to 30% O2 or 0% to 100% O2. They can be sued in a very wide working temperature range -35’C to +50’C. The sensors show no cross-sensitivity with most gases. At a temperature of 20’C for example, 10% CO, 30% CO2 and 30% H2 do not interfere with the measurement. The company also offers micro-sensors, which are used particularly in the area of work safety for portable gas measuring devices.

These sensors are used for example in the mining industry, in order to warn miners of too low oxygen concentrations or dangerous methane concentrations. With a working life of at least three years, these sensors are also extremely durable.

IR Gas Sensors in Aluminum Cuvette with Improved Performance

In many applications in process- and analysis engineering, the exact detection of gas concentrations is dispensable. Contrary to other measurement processes, the sensors that are based on the infrared absorption offer important advantages. These sensors deploy the character of the gases, to absorb the infrared radiation at a specific wavelength. Since this is characteristic for the respective kind of gas, the sensor works very selectively and barely shows interference opposite to other gases. In compassion to electrochemical and catalytic sensors, these sensors do not show any seasoning effects.

With the new version of the smartMODULFLOW, the smartGAS (Germany) now offers an OEM-sensor that is based on the IR Radiant source, an interference filter for the wavelength selection and an IR dual detector is housed in an aluminum cuvette for this reason. This cuvette can be integrated into the process and can be flowed through with the respective gas. This buildup provides importing advantages, especially in procedural applications. The aluminum cuvette for example can be held at a constant temperature to exclude temperature dependent effects, As a result from this, a higher measurement accuracy can be achieved. By an additive isolation of the optical components of the gas flow, diverse flow effects can be minimized. Furthermore, the modular and easy to install construction allows a higher flexibility, because the measurement setup of smartGAS is easy to adjust to the customer specific measurement problem, for example by the adaptation of the light path.

The evaluation electronics with the interfaces of the sensor module resides on the board beyond the cuvette. Beneath the standard interfaces (4…20 mA, 0…2,5V) there also is a serial RS485 interface available. The also integrated watchdog, that observes the function of the sensors technology, is of high importance, especially at security relevant applications. The new aluminum version of the smartMODULFLOW is available for the following gases : Acetylene, Butane, Ethane, Ethylene, Carbon dioxide, Carbon monoxide, propane, Methane, R134a and sulfur hexafluoride.

Compact Sensors for Explosive Dust Atmospheres

Inductive proximity switches from the EGE (Germany) IGEX20 Series can be installed in Ex zone 20. Certified according to ATEX marking II 1D IP67 T80 ‘C, they are operated with 24 V DC (direct supply). They do not require an amplifier. The switches come in size. Featuring IP67 protection, the sensors are fit for rugged industrial environments. They can be connected via a fixed cable or an M12 plug connector.

The SHT21Generation of Digital Humidity Sensors

Sensirion ( Switzerland ) is launching its new generation of humidity and temperature sensors at Sensor+Test 2009. The SHT21 conforms to the current trend of saving space and reducing energy consumption. The new humidity sensor incorporates the existing strengths of the successful SHT11 while significantly enhancing and improving them. For instance, The SHT21 sensor not only features long-term stability, full calibration and a digital interface, but also supports additional communication modes, including analog modes. In addition, sensor reliability and performance have been boosted by using advanced semiconductor technology

The QFN components are resin encapsulated to minimize the sensor dimensions. With a 3 x 3-mm footprint and a height of 1.1mm, the sensor fulfills practical every wish with regard to the compactness of integrated sensors. Encapsulation of the semiconductor chip also provides reliable protection against ambient conditions and thus increases the stability of the sensor. Like the sensors in the SHT1x series, the SHT21 can be processed in a reflow oven. It is correspondingly suitable for use in mass production. To meet the demands of complex applications, the manufacturing concept has been significantly improved with regard to test routines. Numerous innovations have also been introduced to futher improve quality insurance.

CMOS Digital Photo IC for Colour Sensing

Hamamatsu Photonics (UK) introduce a 12-bit digital output colour sensor photo IC. The S9706 device consist of a matrix photodiode array, coupled to a RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) filter matrix to give colour response. The device is combined with “in house” CMOS processing electronics and is all contained within a monolithic silicon chip.

The output of the S9706 is in 12-bit digital format with the colour intensity of red,green and blue read out sequentially at potentially high speed. The S9706 is easily operated with a standard 3.3V CMOS power supply and has higher speed and is much lower in cost than three colour image sensors. It is also highly accurate and is easier to implement than current discrete three colour photodiodes.

The S9706 is ideal for applications such as colour sensors for displays (LCD, televisions & monitors), colour rendering for LED backlights, office and industrial lighting control, in-line industrial product inspection, colour printing applications, bank note verification, environmental sensors and a wide variety of other optical sensors requiring colour measurements.

Stainless Steel Level Pressure Sensors Available On Fast Delivery High Performance Sensors at Low Cost

GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies (UK) is introducing its new 1030 Series Druck stainless level pressure sensor in response to a market demand for a low cost, high performance sensor which offers fast delivery times. Its development has been made possible by applying volume batch manufacturing techniques and by fitting cables to units individually. As a result the 1030 brings the performance and quality of what was previously a bespoke product to a much wider audience.

The new 1030 features a fully welded, 316 stainless steel construction and offers a 4-20mA output for zero to full scale pressure. Operating FS pressure range extends from 3.5 to 100 mH2O gauge. It has an accuracy of 0.25% full scale and can be submerged in all fluids compatible with its stainless steel body, its polyurethane cable and its Delrin nose cone. The vented polyurethane electrical connection cable has integral Kevlar strain relief cord rated to 54kg load and water ingress protection is to IP68 at 700 mH2O. Cable is available in lengths from 1 to 600m and is factory fitted to individual orders.

As lan Abbott, product manager, level, at GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies confirms. “ Because the new hydrostatic liquid level sensor is now batch produced, there is no longer any requirement for a minimum order quantity and instruments can be delivered on site with very short lead times.”