Is There A Clean Way To Use America's Coal?


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The US has roughly 1 trillion barrels of oil equivalent in coal resources, or more. It has twice that amount in kerogen resources, but we are looking at coal specifically. The challenge has been to find ways to burn this massive coal resource cleanly, so as to provide abundant and inexpensive electrical power and heat to what should have been a healthy economy -- if not for a government policy of planned energy starvation.

chartGeorgia Tech. researchers have devised self-cleaning anodes for a solid oxide fuel cell, which may provide yet another clean way of making use of the massive global coal resource.

Conventional coal-fired electric generating facilities capture just a third of the energy available in the fuel they burn. Fuel cells can convert significantly more of the energy, approximately 50 percent. If gas turbines and fuel cells could be combined into hybrid systems, researchers believe they could capture as much as 80 percent of the energy, reducing the amount of coal needed to produce a given amount of energy, potentially cutting carbon emissions.

...But that would only be possible if the fuel cells could run for long periods of time on coal gas, which now deactivates the anodes after as little as 30 minutes of operation.

The carbon removal system developed by the Georgia Tech-led team uses a vapor deposition process to apply barium oxide nanoparticles to the nickel-YSZ electrode. The particles, which range in size from 10 to 100 nanometers, form "islands" on the nickel that do not block the flow of electrons across the electrode surface.

When water vapor introduced into the coal gas stream contacts the barium oxide, it is adsorbed and dissociates into protons and hydroxide (OH) ions. The hydroxide ions move to the nickel surface, where they combine with the carbon atoms being deposited there, forming the intermediate COH. The COH then dissociates into carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which are oxidized to power the fuel cell, ultimately producing carbon dioxide and water. About half of the carbon dioxide is then recirculated back to gasify the coal to coal gas to continue the process.

"We can continuously operate the fuel cell without the problem of carbon deposition," said Liu, who is also co-director of Georgia Tech's Center for Innovative Fuel Cell and Battery Technologies.

The researchers also evaluated the use of propane to power solid oxide fuel cells using the new anode system. Because oxidation of the hydrogen in the propane produces water, no additional water vapor had to be added, and the system operated successfully for a period of time similar to the coal gas system.

Solid oxide fuel cells operate most efficiently at temperatures above 850 degrees Celsius, and much less carbon is deposited at higher temperatures. However, those operating temperatures require fabrication from special materials that are expensive – and prevent solid oxide fuel cells from being cost-effective for many applications.

Reducing the operating temperatures is a research goal, because dropping temperatures to 700 or 750 degrees Celsius would allow the use of much less expensive components for interconnects and other important components. However, until development of the self-cleaning process, reducing the operating temperature meant worsening the coking problem.

"Reducing the operating temperature significantly by eliminating the problem of carbon deposition could make these solid oxide fuel cells economically competitive," Liu said.

Fuel cells powered by coal gas still produce carbon dioxide, but in a much purer form than the stack gases leaving traditional coal-fired power plants. That would make capturing the carbon dioxide for sequestration less expensive by eliminating large-scale separation and purification steps, Liu noted.

The researchers have so far tested their process for a hundred hours, and saw no evidence of carbon build-up. _PO

The problem with making the removal of CO2 a priority, is that it destroys whatever profitability exists within the coal energy sector. But destroying coal energy production has always been one of President Obama's long-term goals, as he confessed to supporters in San Francisco before being elected in 2008. When so much of the government of the world's only superpower is dedicated to the destruction of reliable forms of energy such as coal, nuclear, oil sands, unconventional gas, offshore oil, etc etc, it becomes difficult for industry and commerce to survive. Since the prosperity and power of the world's only superpower is based upon its industrial and commercial might, it appears that the Obama administration is committing democide and a grand scale, via its broad policies of energy starvation.

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Fortunately for this government, the lickspittle media -- including comic lickspittles such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert -- are firmly on board the bandwagon of destruction and decline. It is up to more productive groups and persons to find within themselves the fortitude to outlast their dysfunctional overseers in government.

This post originally appeared on OilPrice.com.

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Upside For Natural Gas Stocks Is Just Around The Corner


Natural Gas Pipeline

Timing is everything in the market and being able to spot trends is critical for locking in attractive returns.

Natural gas producers have taken a beating over the past three years but there are encouraging signs that natural gas might be ready for a break to the upside.

Despite a seasonably weaker shoulder season, NYMEX prices are inching above 10-month highs and observers are finally buying into the idea that stronger prices are around the corner.

Longer term outlook expected to strengthen

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said this week that natural gas is about to enter a “golden age” with world-wide gas use to increase by 50 per cent by 2035.

That might seem far away, but the immediate present has also been encouraging of late.

Calgary based energy economist Peter Tertzakian is now predicting declines in existing production will trump new production adds from the big new shale plays, driving prices higher.

All the while, US industrial demand growth is the highest in a decade, according to the Energy Information Agency.

Add some hot weather in big consuming markets and we’ve seen a nice steady rise since May.

The contrarian view: buy low sell high

Already we’re starting to see some movement on analyst price forecasts.

FirstEnergy is a boutique brokerage firm in Calgary specializing in oil and gas.  Their analyst Martin King said Tuesday that a longer-term average gas price of $5.50 is “reasonable” heading into 2012, although his own 2011 forecast still calls for an average of $4 for the year.

The difference between the two numbers sums up the opportunity in a nutshell–almost 30 per cent on price alone. It’s not unreasonable to expect stocks to follow suit with higher multiples and valuations.

Unfortunately the pure play gas producer has become an endangered species and it’s hard to find a lot of names with growing production exposed to rising spot prices.

The gas trainwreck survivors: lean and mean

The good news is that the producers that managed to stick around over the past three years are bonafide survivors. They’ve taken a beating and still managed to be profitable through the down cycle.

In fact, many have thrived and have quietly posted nice share price appreciation. (See our story on the Surprise Junior Stock Performers)

Although some, like Birchcliff Energy (TSX-BIR), are near 52-week highs, there could be even bigger upside around the corner. In fact, there WILL be more upside with higher gas prices.

The company has been furiously developing its Montney play in Alberta and says it can still make money at a natural gas price of $3/mmcf . The company has posted positive earnings for nine consecutive quarters and has all of its production un-hedged to sell into a rising market.

It’s spending more than $260 million this year to double its processing capability which will give it room to ramp up volumes.

Peyto Exploration (TSX-PEY) has been in the wilderness forever it seems, but it is also testing year-highs. Both companies have made solid share price gains Peyto alone has quadrupled since the market low in 2009.

Crocotta Energy (TSX-CTA) is another survivor that was forced to sell assets and recap the company in September of 2009.

Since then its share price has doubled while it works liquids rich gas near Edson in central Alberta.  Liquids are in big demand in the heavy oil patch and amounted to almost a third of Crocotta’s first quarter production. Notably, Tourmaline (TXS-TOU), which just bought out Cinch Energy (TSX-CNH), is just to the west of them.

Advantage Oil and Gas (TSX-AAV) posted a small loss of three cents in Q1, which wasn’t bad considering it spun off its oil assets to focus on its core Montney development. It has 28 million cubic feet a day hedged at Canadian prices of $6.25 a gJ, which will protect the balance sheet until a full-blown recovery takes hold.

The next six weeks will be critical

I’m convinced the next six weeks will present some of the most extraordinary buying opportunities ever seen in the oil and gas markets.

At this very moment, there’s a tidal wave of change that is sending shockwaves thoughout the industry.

And as a result…a handful of companies will provide early investors with some astounding profits.

Let me show you how you can claim your share of these profits – and what simple steps you should take right now to take full advantage – in my FREE special report.

Click here to read this Free report right now.

Longer-term exports hold promise

Looking even longer term, big players like Encana, Apache and EOG are looking at exporting LNG, or Liquid Natural Gas, off the West Coast of Canada.  Natural gas prices in Asia are about double what they are in North America, and even after shipping costs producers will be making a lot more money selling gas in Asia.

But smaller players have bought in as well.  Earlier this month Progress Energy (TSX-PRQ) teamed up with a Malaysian company, Petronas, one of the world’s largest LNG companies, to develop unconventional gas and build a second LNG export terminal in B.C..

These are huge multi-billion dollar investments, and the risk is all going to be project execution and raising enough money to stay in the game. Having a huge multi-national for a partner is a huge plus in that regard. But this is definitely a five-year payback; patience is the key here.

But it suggests things are looking better in a previously dead-end sector with nowhere to go but down. Six months ago, few if any analysts gas prices would be close to $5/mmcf in North America – almost everybody was predicting lower prices.

It remains to be seen if this is a sustainable recovery for producers and their investors. Timing and finding ways to profit from a rebound will be the test.

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This post originally appeared at Oil and Gas Investments Bulletin.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/smUPQ2mdYw0/upside-stocks-for-natural-gas-are-right-around-the-corner-2011-6

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Responding To Fan Complaints Keith Olbermann Agrees To Stop Overlapping With Rachel Maddow


maddow olbermannKeith Olbermann just announced on his Twitter feed that he will keep his new Current show to 60 minutes.

Since debuting on Monday Olbermann has been flexing his newfound Current muscles (and/or inadvertently demonstrating Current's lack of line-up) by allowing his show to bleed in to the 9pm hour.

More than a few people interpreted this as a passive aggressive way to keep fans from flicking over to Rachel Maddow's 9pm MSNBC show.

No more.  From Olby's Twitter.

At we’ll soon have a 9 PM companion commentary show to mine. But in the interim there is no reason for me to be overlapping...

...with my friend Rachel, nor to ignore the wishes of those who’ve been so loyal to both of us for so long. We’ve heard you: as of

...tomorrow night Countdown finishes at 9. Bonus stuff will instead go to Countdown Online. Thanks for upsiding my head on this :)

Olbermann revealed a few weeks ago that he hadn't seen Maddow, whom he heavily promoted at MSNBC, since leaving the network.

In other news, Current tells us they not releasing daily metrics, but "everyone at Current is extremely happy with a strong second night for "Countdown."'  This is a change from Monday when Current released Olbermanns premiere night numbers, which were reasonably strong and topped CNN in the demo.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/kjqkji59lmg/keith-olbermann-current-rachel-maddow-2011-6

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Krugman Nails NYT Nonsense on Argentina


I've been otherwise occupied so I didn't get around to beating up this utterly bizarre NYT story that features Argentina as presenting a clear warning to Greece of the dangers of default. Fortunately, Krugman picked up on it on his blog

The basic point is that Argentina's economy has done extremely well following its default. It is difficult to see why anyone in Greece would not default in an instant if they thought Greece's economy would follow the same path as Argentina's economy has over the last 9 1/2 years.

There are good reasons for thinking that Greece may not be as successful, most importantly that it does not currently have its own currency. But Argentina is a model that countries would likely want to emulate, not avoid.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/jRePIhMeXec/krugman-nails-nyt-nonsense-on-argentina-2011-6

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LongTail Video Finds Growth As Ad Network, Launches Syndication Play With Aol


LongTail Video, the New York-based provider of online video services, widely known as the provider of the open source JW Player, is serving a half billion ads into the streams of its publishing customers, says Dave Otten CEO in this interview with Beet.TV.

In addition to building the ad network, which he says has grown 400 percent over the past 12 months, the company is making syndicated content available to publishers who want video on their sites.  LongTail is pulling content from Aol/5Min and other sources, Otten says.

Recently, Brightcove introduced a syndication arrangement with Aol.

Yesterday the company announced a free, cloud-based version of its J W Player called LongTail.tv.  

Andy Plesser

You can also find this post up at Beet.TV.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/frk8q7LKKms/longtail-video-finds-growth-as-ad-network-launches-syndication-play-with-aol-2011-6

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The Best Way To Clear Your Debts

I was reading a few days ago about the extent to which the people of the United Kingdom are in debt, it was quite astonishing. Now I am not just talking about your typical mortgage here; this was more to do with loans, overdrafts and credit card debts. If you are one of these people [...]

Source: http://www.legaldebthelponline.com/2011/06/23/the-best-way-to-clear-your-debts/

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Congress Skeptical Debt Ceiling Negotiations Will Meet Deadline


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Members of Congress are not optimistic that the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations will produce a deal by the July 1st deadline set by Vice President Joe Biden, according to a National Journal poll of Members of Congress.

Asked whether they thought the "Biden Group" would reach a bipartisan deal by July 1st, 52% of Democrats, and 79% of Republicans answered no.

The poll was conducted before House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) quit the talks earlier today — which certainly isn't helping.

 

Technically the government has until August 2 to raise the debt ceiling to avert default, but both side have said they want to reach a decision sooner to avoid the markets going into a panic. 

Read: It's Possible There Will Be No Deal On The Debt Ceiling

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/ZaEP_JZWUpw/congress-skeptical-debt-ceiling-negotiations-will-meet-deadline-2011-6

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When the Words By and Now Don't Go Together

In his brand-new book Quitter, Jon Acuff encourages you to pursue your dreams regardless of your age. Here?s a clue: It?s never too late. In the excerpt below, Jon explains how the phrase ?by now? can keep us from pursuing our dreams.

By Jon Acuff

I hate the words by now. Not separately. I?ve never had a problem with by when it?s on its own or supporting another sentence. I have no issue with ?Stuff Christians Like, by Jon Acuff.? It performs admirably in that example. And now is a fine word too. Short, rhymes with cow, often the place people encourage you to live. I got nothing but love for now.

But when those two words team up and hit the town together, fist pumping and drinking the night away, they become something entirely different. They are not peanut butter and chocolate, together at last. They are orange juice and gasoline, helpful in isolation, napalm collectively.

The problem is that ?by now? is a phrase we say to ourselves when we?re trying to believe the lie that it?s too late to start pursuing our dream. As we survey our lives and stand on the edge of the possibility cliff, we start to say things like:

?If I were really going to be a high school teacher, by now I would have already had a few years of teaching experience.?

?If I were going to be a musician, by now I?d be better at the guitar.?

?If I were going to be a pastor, by now I would have gone to seminary.?

The goal of the phrase ?by now? is to offer yourself a twisted justification that, indeed, you could have been what you wanted to be but, alas, you?re too late. The tricky thing is that ?by now? isn?t age specific. You?ll tell yourself this at 25 or 55.

And if you convince yourself of this, you will also believe the next lie, which is ?Don?t start.?

The window of opportunity has closed. The ship has sailed while I was busy working or parenting or paying off student loans. It?s too late. Don?t start.

Don?t let the phrase ?by now? in. Like the vampires in the first Corey Haim film, Lost Boys (the only Lost Boys film I officially recognize), it can only come in if you invite it.

If you haven?t by now, get Jon?s new book, Quitter. It?s time to discover how to kick the lie that it?s too late for your dream job!

Excerpted from Quitter by Jon Acuff. Copyright 2011 by Lampo Licensing, LLC. Published by The Lampo Press. Used with permission.

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Source: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/when-the-words-by-and-now-dont-go-together/lifeandmoney_career

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Market Underestimates First Solar, Stock Headed To $144

Here we provide an overview of First Solar's solar module sales in the U.S. and highlight how the competitive threats from other solar industry players like SunPower, LDK Solar and Yingli Green Energy. We have a price estimate of $144 for First Solar stock, which is about 20% above current market price.

Source: http://blogs.forbes.com/greatspeculations/2011/06/23/market-underestimates-first-solar-stock-headed-to-144/

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