coal

A new source for ethanol: Coal

Ethanol from coal? If it works, it could solve three major problems for the energy industry.

Researchers at Louisiana State University, along with colleagues from Clemson University and Oak Ridge National Laboratories, are trying to develop catalysts and processes that would allow energy companies to convert coal into a mix of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and then convert those gases into ethanol.

The ethanol could then be used as a liquid fuel additive or, alternatively, shipped as a liquid and then be converted into hydrogen for hydrogen fuel cells, said LSU's James Spivey, who is heading up the project. … Read more

Can Web 2.0 tap into the truth behind the mining disaster?

A Murray Energy Corporation coal mine in Utah collapsed Monday morning leaving six miners trapped. Two days later rescuers still haven't been able to reach the trapped miners, and though they anticipate making contact within the next two days it's uncertain these efforts will be successful and if anyone will be alive when the rescuers find the miners. Meanwhile, a growing controversy has developed around what caused the mine to collapse, the safety of the operation and the illegitimacy of news reports on the story.

Let's find all the coal, say mining experts

American coal experts want more information. And they want the U.S. government to pay for it. Today the National Research Council issued a call for more federal money to find and assess America's coal deposits.

Currently over half of the U.S. electricity is generated by burning coal. But there is uncertainty about future use and availability of coal. And there is the issue of CO2 emissions and other pollution from coal-burning power plants. Plus the U.S. must now compete with China and other nations for use of the world's coal.

In short, says the Council'… Read more

China is No. 1 again, this time in CO2 emissions

China is now No. 1. Not just in population. Nor just in economic growth among major nations. Not just in construction cranes or the building of coal-burning power plants. It's now the reigning champ of CO2 emissions. Despite the best efforts of numerous American utility companies and widespread use of air conditioning, SUVs and our own splurge in coal-burning, the United States has sunk to No. 2 in the CO2 derby.

The first to declare China the CO2 champ is the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. Its estimates today show China put out 6,200 million tons of CO2 last … Read more

Experts gather to discuss adaptation on climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued two dire reports this year on global warming and now the third comes on May 4, and it discusses technologies for adapting to climate change.

Adaptation to some level of warming is inevitable, according to experts. Even if every nation in the world decided go green tomorrow, conversion to clean forms of energy will take years. Thus, greenhouse gases will continue to get into the atmosphere and heat up the globe.

The IPCC is expected to state that mitigation or adaptation won't be as costly as some have claimed. Delegates to … Read more

Headlamps can light up the 'hood

It may be the season of power outages, but you'll never have to worry about stubbing your toe in the dark if you have one of these lamps. In fact, you can light up the whole neighborhood just by turning your head.

FoxFury, which makes industrial-grade lighting products, is offering some serious LED headlamps for personal use as well. Its "Signature Series" includes various versions that are designed for such activities as hunting, hiking and even diving, according to OhGizmo, with different LEDs for each purpose. The scuba model, for instance, has blue and green lights that … Read more