Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Alternative sources of energy Essay Example for Free

Alternative sources of energy Essay There are several alternatives of energy that can provide renewable energy. Renewable energy is usually generated from the natural resources such as wind, sunlight, rain, geothermal heat and tides. Some of the renewable technologies range from wind power, solar power, biomass, hydroelectricity and biofuels for transportation, (Chiu et al). Biofuel This can broadly be defined as liquid, solid or gas fuel that is derived from recently dead biological materials mostly the plants. It is thus distinguished from the fossil fuel that is generated from the long dead biological materials. Biofuels are theoretically produced from a biological carbon source. Photosynthetic plants are the most common source of biofuels since different plants as well as plant derived materials are all used in the biofuel manufacture. Use of biofuels is common in Asia, Europe and also in America, (Anselmo, P. , Badr, O). The use of this renewable biofuels does provide increased energy security and independence from the petroleum since it is a renewable source of energy. Various issues that form part of the recent debates on the use or no use of biofuels include; the fuel versus food debate, effect on oil price, carbon emission levels, sustainability, soil erosion and deforestation, its impact on available water resources, the potential of poverty reduction, human rights issues, its price, its efficiency and energy balance and the comparison of the centralized versus the decentralized models of production, (Powlson et al). The greatest challenge in the use of biofuels is the conversion of biomass energy to liquid fuels that can be transported. The two most common strategies that re employed include; 1. Growing of sugar crops such as sugar beet, sugar cane or starch such as maize/corn and then employ a yeast fermentation process to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol). 2. Growing of plants such as soybean, oil palm and algae that do naturally produce oil. These oils can be directly burned in diesel engine since heating of oils reduces their viscosity or they can further be processed chemically to produce biodiesel. A good example is the conversion of wood as well as its byproducts into methanol, woodgas or ethanol fuel, (Batistella et al). First generation Biofuels This refers to biofuels that have been made from starch, sugar, vegetable oil or even animal fats by employing the conventional technology. Grains or seeds such as wheat when fermented into bioethanol are the basic feedstock used in the production of first generation biofuels. Sunflower seeds are also used to yield vegetable oil that is used in biodiesel. The feedstock used for the first generation biofuels have even found their way to the human and animal food chain and has thus been criticized for the diversion of human food into the production of fuels a move that has potentially caused food shortages as well as increase in food prices, (Chiu et al).. Though the quality of obtained oil for use as fuel maybe lower, vegetable oil can be used in some of the old diesel engines that were equipped with the indirect injection system though only in warm climates. In most of the instances, vegetable oil has been used to manufacture biodiesel that is diesel engine compatible especially when blended with the conventional diesel. An advantage to this is that most of the used vegetable oil is being processed into biodisel though it is also worth to note that such companies as Wartsila, MAN B W Diesel and Deutz AG do make engines that are fully compatible with vegetable oil, (Warabi et al). Biodiesel In Europe, this forms the most common biofuel. It is a liquid that is similar in composition to mineral diesel and is produced through the process of transesterification from fats or oils. It’s chemically regarded as FAME (fatty acid methyl (or ethyl) ester. Methanol (or ethanol) and sodium hydroxide are mixed with oils and the chemical reaction that results produces glycerol and biodiesel (FAME). For every ten parts of biodisel produces, one part of glycerol is also produced. Some of the feedstocks used to produce biodiesel include rapeseed, soy, jatropha, mustard, mahua, flax, palm oil, sunflower, field pennycress, hemp and algae, (Shah, P. S. , Suppes, G. J). When mixed with the normal mineral diesel, biodiesel can be burnt in any diesel engine. Most people have been able to run their vehicles purely on biodisel and have not reported any problems though in circumstances of lower temperature, it has the tendency of becoming viscous/thick and some vehicles may thus require a fuel line heater. Most of the vehicle manufacturer taking a precaution on this give out a 15% recommendation of biodiesel that is blended with mineral diesel though most of the newer diesel engines are being made in such a manner that they can run on with 100% biodisel without having to alter the engine, (Schumacher et al). In the US, the rate is not the same as in Europe since more than approximately 80% city buses and commercial trucks in USA are on diesel. It can thus be said that the US market for biodisel is one that is growing at a very slow rate, (Chiu et al) Bioalcohols Through the action of enzymes and microorganisms in the fermentation of starches or sugars, alcohols such as ethanol which is most common and the less common ones such as butanol and propanol are produced. Biobutanol is now regarded as a direct replacement for gasoline since it can be directly used in gasoline engine just as biodisel is used in diesel engines, (Dasari). Ethanol the worldwide common biofuel. Methods used in the production of are enzyme digestion. It can be used some of the petrol engines to act as a replacement for the commonly used gasoline or can as well be mixed to any percentage with gasoline. Worth noting is that most of the currently existing petrol automobile engines can run with a mixture of up to 15% bioethanol and gasoline/petroleum. Also a mixture of ethanol and gasoline has higher octane thus implying that the engine does run more efficiently and even burn hotter. Another advantage is that a mixture of ethanol and gasoline is recommended as a winter oxidizer in high altitude air so as to minimize the atmospheric pollution, (Emerson). The disadvantage of using ethanol as a form of fuel is that it has less energy content and thus it would take more fuel to cover the same distance as compared to the conventional diesel. It is also highly corrosive to the fuel systems, aluminium, rubber hoses and gaskets and combustion chambers. Though an ethanol powered aircraft has already been developed, Embraer EMB 202 Ipanema, it is illegal to use alcohol containing fuels in aircraft. Ethanol is also not compatible with the marine fiberglass fuel tanks as it makes them leak and for the 100% ethanol vehicles to be used, the normal engine has to be modified. It is also a great disadvantage to note that it is not possible to transport corrosive ethanol in the normal petroleum pipelines and thus a more expensive system that would involve stainless steel tank trunks would definitely increase the energy and cost consumption to deliver it to the customer, (Dasari). Less motivating is the net energy gained. When all the energy consumed in cultivation, farm equipment, planting, pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides and herbicides, irrigation systems applied, harvesting and transport, processing and transport to the fuel terminals when also considering the fact that ethanol has lower energy content, the net energy value that is delivered to the consumer is very small, (Shah, P. S. , Suppes, G. J). To counter these challenges of bioethanol, some of the manufactures make flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV’s) that do run on either petrol or bioethanol and even up to the 100% bioethanol mark. These kinds of vehicles have an exhaust oxygen sense system that is designed to adjust the computers system and thus the fuel injection system accordingly. Unfortunately, this leads to increased acquisition cost as well as maintenance cost. When maintenance of the FFV is needed, pollution emission increases and efficiency falls despite the ratio of the mixture. Worth noting also is that the FFV combustion engines are increasingly becoming more complex impacting directly on cost both of maintenance and reliability. Alcohol does also mix with water beyond blending well with petroleum and thus there is the potential of ethanol fuels absorbing environmental moisture despite being dried. Conclusion Countries such as United States of America are searching for alternative sources of energy and the USA aim is to replace the 75% imported oil with alternative energy sources by the year 2025, (Ramos, L.  P. , Wilhelm, H. M). The difficult task for the world is to weigh the advantages as well as disadvantages of alternative sources of energy in comparison to the conventional diesel. It should not be forgotten that the main source of ethanol for use as a biofuel is from corn yet the world is experiencing food crisis. It thus appears that there yet more that the world has to streamline in order to enjoy fully the benefits of biofuel.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

“Hooray for the Underdog!” Essay -- Social Issues, Bullying

No one wants to be called an underdog. The emotional and feelings that comes when you keeo on trying. Being challenged as an underdog amongst peers, family members, even strangers, can have a long lasting effect for someone social being. Being casted as someone who can not measure up to any particular goal or ambitions, usually that person enters a stage of melancholy and loneliness. SHORTEN IT!!! Ever been dubbed the underdog? A society of called the United States of America was claimed to be the underdog from the old world However what happens if the station change and it was not an individual situation, but it’s was predicated on an entire nation? Usually underdogs never have the support to help their ideas and view to be noticed. One author took one this a underdog, America and showed how democracy in a new world can change society into a radical society of equality. When we are being bullied, it’s always nice to have someone to stick up for us during our time of need. Usually we do have someone who cares enough to stand up for us, but Sometimes that doesn’t not happen and we’re left alone to defend for ourselves. And we look to our own inner strength to build up our crushes ego. But, imagine, that the bullying was presented in a larger scale? Imagine the victim was a state, how would reactions play out? In Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, that sort of bullying was taking place. But as individuals would inattentively hurt one another, no, this is was a attack on a America and its citizens, such as the Puritans and the liberal democracy of the America. Tocqueville was sent to view the supposed faulty political system of America, but One that was looked upon hastily was the American Puritans ( add more) ... ...uotes) In the long run, this political behaviour (if not changed) can lead up to many problems in regards to building state to state relationships in the future. when trying to build relationship in between, and using prejudices to segregate as a way to keep only harm alliances. A democratic political system can look scary on the outside, but in the long run the system can improve, but only as its followers want to make their system into a better place. Tocqueville was right in standing up for America because he had the experience and the knowledge that citizens from the mother land did not. In truth, his main focus in the end was to show that America was more happier, peaceful, and hold teh keys to allow democradcy to build and expand to freedom for all.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Irish Drama Essay

In the book â€Å"Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences on America’s Growing Dependence on Imported Petroleum† by Michael T. Klare, he focuses on the growing attention that the natural resource of oil has had and for sometime has been the main focus of just how American foreign policy has been molded to gain, either by force or peace, oil. Klare offers an important look at U. S. national security policy in very turbulent regions of the world where most oil is black gold. The author argues that U. S. foreign and military policy has been increasingly driven by the need to ensure reliable access to foreign oil, especially in the Middle East, and that American foreign oil dependence continues to grow, U. S. forces in increasingly find themselves fighting to defend oil producing regions and supply routes. Klare points out his thesis by documenting the substantial and growing U. S. dependence on foreign oil and the problems it has creat4ed, Klare describes the increasing involvement of the United States in the Middle East since World War II and with the particularly close ties with Saudi Arabia as well as the negative consequences of this involvement has on American security. The authors writes in detail the latest phase of the story by analyzing the energy strategy adopted by the Bush administration in 2001 and how this has only reinforced U. S. dependency on foreign oil with this being especially true in the Persian Golf. Klare goes on to describe the administrations polices toward that region. In chapter five the author discusses the possible prospects for diversifying foreign oil supplies and concluding that this approach offers little hope of reducing U. S. reliance on the Gulf even though it would increase the chances of conflicts in other region. In one description Klare discusses how the U. S. oil dependence may increasingly turn towards conflict with Russia and China. The author summary of what the cost of oil dependency in the final chapter and briefly gives an alternative strategy which would detach our pursuits of energy from security commitments to foreign governments by reducing oil consumption and in the development of alternative energy sources. Michael Klare gives a good argument and shows just what the national security consequences of U. S. foreign oil dependence or consequences that have been overlooked. The theme throughout the book is that American leaders have gone to great lengths to secure oil and has made this a matter of national security to be able to safeguard it through the use of military force. The author well documents his writings with a great number of notes and uses primary sources. The most shocking is the current policies Bush has in place towards the Gulf and how Bush has a very detailed strategy for the American domination of the Persian Gulf for gaining great amounts of oil. This strategy has three goals; the first is the stability of Saudi Arabia, the second was removal of Saddam Hussein and to replace him with a stable government that could give more output for oil and finally pushing Iran for a more stable leadership change. As the lust for oil increases an increase of military response will be seen as a necessary and just cause for wars. Reference: Klare, M. T. (2004). Blood and oil: The dangers and consequences of America’s growing dependency on imported petroleum. New York: Henry Holt.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Body Image Eating Disorders and Obesity by Thompson Essay

The book breaks down the stereotype of what an eating disorder really is. In today’s society having an eating disorder means that you have some kind of â€Å"psychological frailty or illness† (1). When thinking about those that have eating disorders typically it is â€Å"young, middle to upper class, heterosexual white women† comes to mind (1). Their motivation is to take on the unrealistic appearance of models and reach the â€Å"standards created by advertisers and clothing designers† (1). The author in no regards is trying to down play women that have eating disorders because of the pressure of the media but is showing that there are other people and reasons for having eating disorders. This image that we currently have leaves out â€Å"women of color,†¦show more content†¦The author never compares or contrasts the rate of having an eating disorder from white women to minority women. If white women are more likely to partake in having an eati ng disorder that could explain why minority and lesbian women are not the primary focused on. Nor does the author discuss why white women are the main focus when it comes to eating disorders. It would have been nice if Thompson would have gone into more detail in the social factors of having an eating disorder. For example, since having an eating disorder is considered to be a â€Å"‘white girl’ phenomena†¦ professionals misdiagnosed or ignore women of color† (12). Thompson did not give details as to why this is true. It could be the fact, that the majority of magazine models and regular models are very thin white women. Even in movies and television there is rarely a depiction of the â€Å"average† or â€Å"above average† woman of color. This could be a large part of the problem. When some of these women were taken to the doctor as children they were considered to be too thin by their mothers and given medicine to curve their appetites instead of being properly diagnosed. Since, doctors are at the top of the medical ladder, what they is diagnosed is usually taken very seriously. When the doctor agreed with the child’s mother that the child was to too fat even though the child was not, this could leave lasting effects. When the child’s environment tells her that she is too fat, she has no choice but to conform.Show MoreRelatedInfluence of American Mass Media Ideals on Body Image and Eating Disorders in the U.S1243 Words   |  5 Pagesinfluence views of body image and the development of eating disorders? People living in countries influenced by Western culture show concern for their appearance or dietary habits daily. This paper will analyze the effect of mass media on the issues of body image and eating disorders in the United States. 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