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links for 2010-01-25

Mon, Jan 25, 2010

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links for 2010-01-11

Mon, Jan 11, 2010

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links for 2009-12-13

Sun, Dec 13, 2009

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links for 2009-12-12

Sat, Dec 12, 2009

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links for 2009-12-10

Thu, Dec 10, 2009

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In NZ they turn poo into oil?

Thu, Dec 10, 2009

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World’s largest wastewater algae to bio-crude oil demonstration puts CO2 to good use.

retrieved from http://algae2oil.blogspot.com/2009/12/worlds-largest-wastewater-algae-to-bio.html
This week will see the Minister of Energy Hon Gerry Brownlee open the largest wastewater algae to bio-crude oil demonstration project in the world.

The project combines NIWA’s scientific expertise on advanced wastewater treatment and algal production pond technology with Solray’s bio-crude oil conversion technology and is hosted by Christchurch City Council at the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant.

“The reality is that no one in the world has done anything on this scale. Our trial aims to show that this complete process can be cost effective and efficient”, says pioneering NIWA Algal Pond Scientist, Dr Rupert Craggs. The process creates value at every step – it treats wastewater, recovers wastewater nutrients as fertiliser, removes carbon dioxide from flue gas, and creates biofuel.
The Christchurch wastewater treatment plant has 230 hectares of polishing ponds that are currently used to provide disinfection of the treated wastewater prior to discharge. It is in one of these ponds that five hectares have been cordoned off by NIWA and converted into a series of specially designed High Rate Algal Ponds with carbon dioxide (CO2) addition.

“Adding CO2 into the ponds enhances wastewater treatment and doubles algal production – biofuel production could be a great co-benefit for the community from its wastewater treatment” says Dr Craggs.

Another advantage of High Rate Algal Ponds is that the algae growing in these systems can be easily harvested by simple gravity settling – the harvested algal biomass can then be used as either a fertiliser or feed for livestock and aquaculture, or, as is this case with this demonstration, be converted to biofuel and the residue used as fertiliser.

The algae is collected from the harvesters and pumped to Solray’s specially designed “Super Critical Water Reactor” where pressure and heat converts it to bio-crude oil. The bio-crude, like fossil crude oil, can then be refined into LPG, petrol, kerosene, diesel, bitumen, and other oil based products.
“This process is essentially the same as nature used many millions of years ago to create the oilfields of the world we are currently rapidly depleting” says Chris Bathurst, Solray Energy Ltd.

This trial is the culmination of over twelve years of research into High Rate Algal Pond wastewater treatment by NIWA and will demonstrate the commercial feasibility of algal biofuel production from these advanced wastewater treatment ponds which are a cost-effective way to upgrade the oxidation ponds currently used to treat the wastewater from many New Zealand communities.

links for 2009-12-09

Wed, Dec 9, 2009

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  • On 28 April 2008, the Department introduced 'Resource Recovery Exemptions' under clause 51 of the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005 to enable the reuse of waste or waste-derived materials as fill or fertilser (land applications) or as a fuel or alternative raw material in thermal applications.
  • Cm3 enables the following:

    * Independent & robust OHS prequalification process.
    * Ability to select a broad range of OHS prequalified contractors.
    * Review & verification of the currency of contractor’s insurances, trade licenses & other relevant documents.
    * Classification of the OHS risk level of contracted work.
    * Assurance that prequalified contractors have “living and breathing” OHS processes.

    (tags: OHS BITAD)
  • The transition of occupational health and safety legislation in Australia from a prescriptive to performance based approach has placed greater emphasis on organisations to adopt a systematic approach to managing health and safety risks. This trend and the greater demands for outsourcing of services have in turn considerably increased the need for effective management systems in relation to contractors.
    (tags: OHS BITAD)
  • NSW government construction agency

Price request for Macbook and iPhone

Tue, Dec 8, 2009

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NOTE: currently studying , can I get an educational discount?

Item 1: MacBook 500GB
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Keyboard (International English) & User’s Guide (English)
SuperDrive 8x DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Country Kit

Item 2: Macbook 320GB
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Keyboard (International English) & User’s Guide (English)
SuperDrive 8x DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Country Kit

Item 3: Macbook PRO 250GB
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2×2GB
250GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
Keyboard (International English) & User’s Guide (English)
SuperDrive 8x DVD+/-R DL/DVD+/-RW/CD-RW
Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Accessory Kit

Item 4: Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter

Item 5: Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter

Item 6: iPhone 3GS 16GB White

Introducing the Australian National Carbon Offset Standard

Tue, Dec 8, 2009

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While much of the public debate in Australia has been over the Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, quietly, in the background, the federal department of Climate Change has been plugging away on the National Carbon Offset Standard, known in the biz as the NCOS. The NCOS supplements the forthcoming CPRS by giving Australian businesses and individuals a legitimate mechanism for going over and above their obligations under the CPRS to become truly, verifiably carbon neutral. The NCOS, officially announced the other day, replaces the old Greenhouse Friendly scheme and comes into effect from 1 July 2010.

How does the National Carbon Offset Standard work?

The National Carbon Offset Standard provides a means of ensuring the integrity of offsets and carbon neutral products available for consumers and businesses alike. The Standard assists consumers to make effective choices in regard to offsetting and interpreting carbon neutral claims. It also provides guidance for businesses for determining their carbon footprint and for purchasing robust offsets.

Those organisations achieving carbon neutrality will purchase a range of eligible offset credits under the National Carbon Offset Standard, including:

  • Carbon pollution permits, including those from forestry projects opting into the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
  • Kyoto units recognised and accepted under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
  • Credits issued under the internationally recognised Voluntary Carbon Standard and Gold Standard, where these meet specific requirements
  • Credits issued by domestic offset projects that reduce emissions from sources currently not counted towards Australia’s Kyoto Protocol target.

links for 2009-12-08

Tue, Dec 8, 2009

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links for 2009-12-03   Thu, Dec 3, 2009
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© Alan Richardson and Liquid Simplicity, 2009. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Richardson and Liquid Simplicity with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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