nonsenz

After making modifications to the systems and equipment needed to “uprate” and be ready to increase the generating capacity of units 1 and 2 based on Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval, the units’ reactor cooling water needed additional clean-up. Impurities in the cooling water made it necessary to operate the cooling water filters every two days for six weeks, at a cost of about $250,000 per unit, until the water finally returned to proper purity.

The engineer and welders had a different theory. They said they’d seen soot and other smoke remnants from the welding — not grit or debris — collect inside the moisture separators of units 1 & 2. After some discussion, a plan was developed to wipe down and hose out the Unit 3 separators before the unit returned to operation.

As a result, the Unit 3 reactor water returned to proper purity in two days, rather than six weeks. The clean-up system had to operate only every 30 days, as designed, rather than every two days. Total cost was $10,000, rather than $250,000.

# posted by khiladi @ 2:10 PM 0 comments

Improving the Marine Engine

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set emission standards for commercial and recreational marine engines that went into effect in 1998. All engines will meet the standards by 2006, when the phased in implementation period is completed. To meet the stringent standards, the marine industry developed technology for a new generation of low emission, high performance engines that are available now to recreational boaters.

Boaters Can Prevent Pollution:

Even with the new technology, the cooperation of individual boaters is essential in the effort to improve air quality and prevent pollution. Boaters can make a difference that will help protect the environment now and in the future by adopting the following practices:

• Limit engine operation at full throttle.
• Eliminate unnecessary idling.
• Avoid spilling gasoline.
• Use a gasoline container you can handle easily and hold securely.
• Pour slowly and smoothly.
• Use a funnel or a spout with an automatic stop device to prevent overfilling the gas tank.
• Close the vent on portable gas tanks when the engine is not in use or when the tank is stored.
• Transport and store gasoline out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place.
• Use caution when pumping gasoline into a container at the gas station.
• Carefully measure the proper amounts of gasoline and oil when refueling.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
• Prepare engines properly for winter storage.
• Buy new, cleaner marine engines.

By combining these strategies, boaters can reduce pollution from marine engines and help improve air quality across the nation and protect public health.

# posted by khiladi @ 3:03 PM 0 comments

The Alamosaurus

Alamosaurus was named after Ojo Alamo (Cottonwood Spring) in New Mexico, where the first specimens were found early in 1922. Other Alamosaurus fossils have been found in Utah, Wyoming, and the Big Bend region of Texas. Adults were probably about 70 feet long.

Alamosaurus is the only known sauropod in North America from this time period (Upper Cretaceous). All North American sauropods died out about 105 million years ago. Then, after a 35-40 million year gap, Alamosaurus appeared in North America about 70 million years ago. (All dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago.) Some scientists believe that Alamosaurus migrated into North America from South America after the two continents were joined together by the Isthmus of Panama. This view is supported by the fact that Alamosaurus belongs to the titanosaurid family of sauropods, and titanosaurids were common in South America during the Cretaceous time period.

The discovery consists of 10 fossilized neck bones (cervical vertebrae). Three of the smaller vertebrae were carried out of the park's wilderness area by hand, and the seven larger vertebrae will be transported by helicopter. The larger fossilized bones are estimated to weigh over 1000 pounds apiece. The fossils have been covered with plaster casts to protect them during transportation to the paleontology laboratory at the Dallas Museum of Natural History.

# posted by khiladi @ 3:01 PM 0 comments

Lawn and Garden

A beautiful and healthy lawn is good for our environment. It can resist damage from weeds, disease, and insect pests. Pesticides can be effective, but need to be used according to the directions on the label and should not be relied on as a quick-fix to lawn problems.

Here are some tips to follow

• Develop healthy soil. Make sure your soil has the right pH balance, key nutrients, and good texture. You can buy easy-to-use soil analysis kits at hardware stores or contact your local County Cooperative Extension Service for a soil analysis.

• Choose the right grass for your climate. If your area gets very little rain, don't plant a type of grass that needs a lot of water. Select grass seed that is well suited to your climate and other growing conditions such as the amount of sunlight and rain your lawn receives. Over-seed your lawn each Fall by spreading seeds on top of the lawn. A thicker lawn helps to crowd out weeds. Your local County Extension Service can advise you on which grasses grow best in your area.

• Longer is Better. Make sure the lawn mower blades are sharp. Grass that is slightly long makes a strong, healthy lawn with few pest problems. Weeds have a hard time taking root and growing when grass is around 2½ to 3½ inches for most types of grass.

• Water Early. It is time to water if footprint impressions stay in the lawn and do not spring back. Water early in the morning and only for short periods for time so the soil may absorb the water. Longer grass has stronger roots and retains water better.

• Correct thatch buildup. Thatch is a layer of dead plant materials between the grass blades and the soil. When thatch gets too thick, deeper than 3/4 of an inch, water and nutrients are prevented from getting into the soil and reaching the roots of the grass. Overusing synthetic fertilizer can create heavy layer of thatch, and some kinds of grass are prone to thatch buildup.

• Recycle grass. Don't pick up the grass clippings after you mow. Clippings will return nutrients and moisture to the soil. Consider buying a mulching lawn mower. This will cut the grass clippings finer and blow them into the lawn.

# posted by khiladi @ 3:51 PM 0 comments