Description:
Seeking to demonstrate and deploy advanced clean coal technologies that meet strict environmental standards.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
National Energy Technology Laboratory: Coal Gasification Reference Shelf - System Studies
URL:
Description:
Reports documenting system studies performed for gasification technologies.
National Energy Technology Laboratory: Reference Shelf - Gasification Database
Description:
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the 2007 World Gasification Survey to accurately describe the current world gasification industry, identify near-term planned capacity additions, and keep the global gasification community apprised of current industry trends and drivers. Based on publicly available information, the survey includes owners/operators of gasification-based power and manufacturing plants, major gasification technology vendors, and suppliers of supporting technologies. Only commercial operating plants with a capacity exceeding 100 megawatts electric equivalent (MWe) were included in order to avoid listing pilot test and temporary facilities as contributors to the commercial experience database. However, all feedstocks—coal, petroleum residues, secondary materials, biomass, and other carbonaceous materials—were included if the facility in question met the minimum capacity requirement.
National Energy Technology Laboratory: Advanced Gasification Program Element
Description:
The gasifier is the main gasification system component. It is a robust pressure vessel where air (or oxygen), water, and a suitable fuel are brought together and heated, stimulating controlled thermal and chemical reactions that yield gaseous process flows made up of synthesis fuel (syngas) products, chiefly carbon monoxide and hydrogen, along with byproducts such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and slag (mineral residues from coal). The syngas stream – and extracted steam flow in combined cycle plants – is used to power turbine/generator sets to produce electricity, while the byproducts may be separated, captured, and stored for reuse or for sale as chemicals.
National Energy Technology Laboratory: Coal and Power Systems Gasification
Description:
NETL's Gasification Technologies Program supports Research & Development (R&D) in the area of gasification — a process for the conversion of carbon-based materials (feedstocks) such as coal into synthesis gas (syngas) that can be used to produce clean electrical energy, transportation fuels, and chemicals efficiently and cost-effectively using domestic fuel resources.
U.S. D.O.E. Gasification Technology R&D
Description:
Coal gasification offers one of the most versatile and clean ways to convert coal into electricity, hydrogen, and other valuable energy products....Rather than burning coal directly, gasification (a thermo-chemical process) breaks down coal - or virtually any carbon-based feedstock - into its basic chemical constituents. In a modern gasifier, coal is typically exposed to hot steam and carefully controlled amounts of air or oxygen under high temperatures and pressures.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The NuVinci infinitely geared bike hub
Recently NuVinci bicycle drive-train was awarded Technology Innovation of the Year. What's so special about it? It appears to be ground-breaking, though with design inspiration drawing from no less than Leonardi DaVinci.
Here's what they say: A new way of transmitting mechanical power based on spheres instead of gears. The NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology, an innovative new continuously variable transmission (CVT), is not only helping vehicle designers and component manufacturers improve performance, ride quality and capabilities in existing products. Hum, so this means no more dérailleur popping the chain off at inopportune times? And rather than having gearing at discrete settings it can be set to the exact desired ratio. Cool.
I'm afraid the implementation goes over my head a little. The technology relies on transferring power through rotating metal spheres. Somehow by varying the angle of interfacing with the balls it varies the gear ratio. Uhm, okay, yeah, sure, so long as it works I'll be happy.
The web site says right now they're doing this for bicycles but they hope to make the technology for bigger vehicles too.
I've collected pointers to a few reviews.
Links:
The Infinitely Geared Bike
Links:
http://www.atcnuvinci.com/
Links:
Mondo Nuvinci Review
Links:
NuVinci Hub First Impression
Links:
Stufenlos schalten
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)