How To Choose A Generator

Title: How To Choose A Generator

Author: Janet Ashby

Article:
The power output of a generator is measured in watts and before
you purchase a generator you need to decide the size that will
meet your requirements. If you will only be using a generator
for occasional backup for lights and small appliances a side
valve generator with a 2000 watt output will be adequate. For
longer outages or for heavier use a generator with 3500 watt
output or higher and overhead valve design will be needed. We've
put together some information about features and output ratings
to help you decide on the size and type of generator that will
suit your needs.

Features

Valves - valves may be side mounted or overhead mounted. Larger
models are usually overhead mounted and in general are more
reliable and longer lasting.

Auto Shutdown - An automatic shutdown switch for low oil
conditions is essential to prevent accidental damage.

Spark arrester - always ensure your generator has a spark
arrestor if it will be used anywhere near combustible materials.

Pull Start - compression release pull starts make starting much
easier

Generator Size
It is, of course, vital that you purchase a generator that is
adequate for the intended load it will carry. You can calculate
the wattage required for your particular circumstances very
easily. Firstly decide what appliances, pumps, lights etc need
to be run then look on the appliances for the wattage required
for each. Don't forget any furnace/boiler or water pumps.
Electric motors on pumps and other appliances require more
wattage to start up than for running, sometimes up to three
times as much so this must be taken into account when doing your
calculations. In addition, if you have more than one motor,
unless you can manually stagger their start ups, they will all
be drawing start up power at the same time and put a bigger
burden on the generator.

All appliances and motors should be labeled with their wattage
requirements. Note down any that you are going to use with your
generator. The following table is a rough guide to wattages in
the absence of a label.

* Furnace fan 200 * Computer 150 * Television 450 * Fan 100 *
Hot plate 1100 * small freezer 300 * Radio 120 * sump pump 450 *
Refrigerator 2600 * water pump 250-2000 * water heater 5000

Add up all the wattages, not forgetting the start up wattage of
your motors. The total does not include any safety margin so add
10% to the total figure. Now you have the information needed to
choose the size of generator to purchase. Be sure to consider
the continuous rating not the maximum or surge rating on the
generator.

Types of Generator - Portable or Standby
Now you need to decide if you will purchase a portable or
standby generator. A standby generator is fixed in position and
permanently wired into the house circuit. It is usually fitted
with an automatic switch to turn on when the power fails. A
portable generator can be moved around and used on camping trips
or for powering tools etc away from a power source. It can be
used, with the correct add ons as a power source for your house
in an emergency although it would usually need to be switched on
manually.

Safety

Last, but definitely not least!

Always ensure that generators are installed by a qualified
electrician and never hook up the generator to the house power
outlets or to live power lines.

Run generators in open spaces never in enclosed spaces like
basements or garages as they produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.
It is a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors to ensure
you and your family are safe.

About the author:
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Biomass Boilers - Eco-friendly, Effective Heating Solution

Title: Biomass Boilers - Eco-friendly, Effective Heating Solution

Author: Tal Potishman

Article:
If you ask the public what is the most popular renewable energy
technology, you are likely to hear solar panels and wind
turbines. These technologies probably have the highest profile
within the much hyped green energy sector. Solar panels and wind
turbines have good credentials and should be viewed as true
alternative technologies nevertheless. Still, most people forget
a much simpler and humbler technology that has been around for
many centuries. Wood burning stoves are not only effective and
proven, but are also categorized as green, which makes them
attractive yet again.

First let's understand how it works. Biomass means that the
energy is produced from organic sources (bio-energy). The energy
is released when organic sources (wood in this case) are burned,
in the same way as mankind was doing for centuries. The fuel
used in biomass boilers is either untreated wood or treated
wood. Most common fuels are logs, wood chips and wood pallets.

From the types of wood used by biomass boilers the most
effective and 'user-friendly' is the wood pallets fuel. Wood
pallets are actually sawdust, which is compressed under high
pressure into small pallets (roughly 5 cm in length). During the
compression, the saw dust loses its moisture, making the pallets
very dry and highly potent in terms of output to weight ratio.
This ensures full burning performance and low residue on the
burners.

When we burn fossil fuels, we release a high volume of carbon
that was previously captured underground for millions of years.
During the burning process, the resulting carbon dioxide is
emitted into the atmosphere and contributes to the climate
change phenomenon. Boilers that burn wood, however, are much
less harmful as they only release carbon that was captured by
the plant during the years. They do not bring any more carbon
into the delicate balance of our plant and are generally
considered to be carbon neutral.

Before installing a biomass boiler it important to consider a
few aspects of this technology:

* Reliable fuel supplier - it is recommended to check whether
there are any sawmills or carpentry workshops in your vicinity
that could supply a steady flow of wood, such as sawdust, wood
chips etc.

* Space consideration - unlike modern gas and oil boilers, a
biomass boiler is larger in size and requires a large area
nearby to store the wood. It is wise to plan for this space in
advance.

* Chimney consideration - it is essential to have a chimney in
the property. In addition, the chimney needs to be lined for
wood-fuel burning. However, even if it is not properly lined,
there are solutions to overcome this problem (e.g. inserting an
inner flue).

* Smoke implications - some areas are designated 'Smoke Free'.
If you live in such aexempted under the Clean Air Act.

* Other considerations - It is wise to check with your local
authority's planning department regarding fitting a flue in the
property. This is very important in cases where the property is
a listed building, or within a conservation area.

About the author:
Tal Potishman, member of Heating Central, writes content about
central heating, href="http://www.heatingcentral.com/boilers/plumbers/uk/london/wi
mbledon">Wimbledon plumbers, boilers, heat pumps and solar
thermal. He specializes in helping save money by advising on
efficient heating

centrifugal pump

Title: centrifugal pump

Author: Bustanul Arifin

Article:
Basically, the centrifugal machine is built around an impeller,
which is in series of radial vanes of various shapes and
curvatures, spinning in a circular casing. Fluid enters at the
"eye" or axis of rotation and discharges more or less radially
into a peripheral chamber at a higher pressure corresponding to
the sum of the centrifugal force of rotation and the kinetic
energy given to the fluid by the vanes. The centrifugal pump is
the type most widely used in the chemical industry for
transferring liquids of all types raw materials, materials in
manufacture, and finished products as well as for general
services of water supply, boiler feed, condenser circulation,
condensate return, etc. These pumps are available through a vast
range of sizes, in capacities from 0.5 m3/h to 2 � 104 m3/h (2
gal/min to 105 gal/min), and for discharge heads (pressures)
from a few meters to approximately 48 MPa (7000 lbf/in2). The
size and type best suited to a particular application can be
determined only by an engineering study of the problem. The
primary advantages of a centrifugal pump are simplicity, low
first cost, uniform (nonpulsating) flow, small floor space, low
maintenance expense, quiet operation, and adaptability for use
with a motor or a turbine drive. A centrifugal pump, in its
simplest form, consists of an impeller rotating within a casing.
The impeller consists of a number of blades, either open or
shrouded, mounted on a shaft that projects outside the casing.
Its axis of rotation may be either horizontal or vertical, to
suit the work to be done. Closed-type, or shrouded, impellers
are generally the most efficient. Open- or semiopen-type
impellers are used for viscous liquids or for liquids containing
solid materials and on many small pumps for general service.
Impellers may be of the single-suction or the double-suction
type--single if the liquid enters from one side, double if it
enters from both sides. Casings. There are three general types
of casings, but each consists of a chamber in which the impeller
rotates, provided with inlet and exit for the liquid being
pumped. The simplest form is the circular casing, consisting of
an annular chamber around the impeller; no attempt is made to
overcome the losses that will arise from eddies and shock when
the liquid leaving the impeller at relatively high velocities
enters this chamber. Such casings are seldom used. Volute
casings take the form of a spiral increasing uniformly in
cross-sectional area as the outlet is approached. The volute
efficiently converts the velocity energy imparted to the liquid
by the impeller into pressure energy. A third type of casing is
used in diffuser-type or turbine pumps. In this type, guide
vanes or diffusers are interposed between the impeller discharge
and the casing chamber. Losses are kept to a minimum in a
well-designed pump of this type, and improved efficiency is
obtained over a wider range of capacities. This construction is
often used in multistage high-head pumps.

I prepare other articles about pump at :

deep well pump | sump
pump
About the author:
I'm a process engineer consultant and have experience in
building a refinery plant as piping engineer. This article was
wrote base on my experience and text book. To study other kind
of pump, you can visit :

sump pump | deep well
pump

Home Wind Turbines--How To Build A Wind Turbine

Title: Home Wind Turbines--How To Build A Wind Turbine

Author: John Mowatt

Article:
In the USA natural gas was the biggest source of new energy in
2007. This was followed by wind energy power production. At
years end 2007 wind turbines were producing in excess of 16000
megawatts of electric power and about one third of that capacity
came on line in 2007. Big commercial turbines produce most of
this power but an increasing amount is coming from the small
turbine owned by individuals. The home wind turbine is the wave
of the future as people take steps to reduce their use of power
produced by fossil fuel burning generators. A major source of
atmospheric pollution is emissions from coal and gas fueled
power plants.

Wind power by comparision is absolutely clean and the only
objectiion to it,voiced by some people,is visual pollution from
the arrays of wind turbines necessary for large scale power
production. However the residential wind turbine poses no such
problems. Small scale wind power generation is acheived with
small and unobtrusive home wind turbines. A combination of home
solar panels-wind turbines can produce much of the power
required by the average home. Small wind powered turbines are
manufactured by a number of companies and can be readily set up
either as a rooftop wind turbine or mounted on its own small
tower. The recommended tower height is about 30 feet. These are
relatively expensive but will pay for themselves in the course
of time.

If you know how to build a wind turbine your home wind turbine
will cost much less and fortunately this is fairly easy to do.
Plans and instructions showing how to build your own wind
turbine are readily available and thousands of people have built
their own home made wind turbine. You will often be told that
strong winds are needed for wind power generation. This is
absolutely not so. Even gentle breezes will produce power which
is stored in batteries till needed.

If you live far from electric power lines you either get by with
no electric power or generate your own. Gasoline powered
generators will do the job but they are expensive to run and
heavy polluters. You may be fortunate enough to have a stream
which can generate power for you using a water power system but
these are usually difficult to build and expensive. The best
answer is a wind turbine in most cases. You can in fact build
your own wind turbine for much less than the price of a
commercial model. You could install two or three of them and
have plenty of power for all purposes. Building your own home
wind turbine is a fairly simple project which the average home
workshopper can easily manage. Wind power reduces atmospheric
pollution and will save you money.It is the coming thing for the
immediate future. Why not try it?

About the author:
Would you like to know more about building your own low cost
wind turbine? Check this out:
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Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Wind Energy Conversion Systems


Title: Wind Energy Conversion Systems

Author: Sandra Stammberger

Article:
Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) converts the energy in
moving air to electrical energy. The concept is simple and has
been adopted thousands of years ago. The wind blows and strikes
the set of blades mounted on a shaft that is ready for a
rotation.

When the blades are hit by the wind, it will then generate a
force that turns the shaft. This rotational kinetic energy may
be used for numerous varied reasons and purposes. Pumping water,
moving a saw, turning grain - grinding stones are just some of
the uses of wind energy, to name a few.

Wind Energy Conversion System is an apparatus that converts the
kinetic energy from the current of wind to mechanical energy
that are useful and can be used to run machineries like grain
mills, water pumps and generators. The following are the major
components of a typical Wind Energy Conversion System:

Wind turbine A generator Control systems Interconnection
apparatus

The following types of generators are to be used alternately by
the users of the energy power:

synchronous generators permanent magnet synchronous generators
induction generators squirrel-cage type wound rotor type

The permanent magnet generators and squirrel-cage induction
generators are most commonly used by small to medium power wind
turbines because of their reliability and cost advantages.
Induction generators, permanent magnet synchronous generators
and wound field synchronous generators are used in different
high power wind turbines. Interconnection apparatuses are
devices used to achieve smooth start, power control and
interconnection functions. Power electronic converters are
usually used to do the purpose. To provide a fixed voltage and
frequency output with a high power quality, most modern turbine
inverters are the required commutated PWM inverters. Both the
source voltage controlled inverters and voltage source current
controlled inverters were applied in both turbines.

Effective power control in certain high power wind turbines can
be achieved by using double PWM (pulse width modulation)
converters. PWM actually provides a two - direction power flow
system between the turbine generator and the utility grid. If
you want to know more on the Wind Energy Conversion System,
online information are always available. The following features
are just some of the information you can obtain from online
research: Focus on enhanced use of grid capacities and grid
support for fixed-and variable-speed controlled wind power
plants Demonstration of impede changes in the grid caused by the
coupling of wind power plants
Comprehensive treatment of grid integration that includes the
effect of power fluctuations

Discussion of profitability expectations and energy results
Control systems and Power conditioning to ensure the safe
operation of plants

Conventional and new types of generators, converters and power
electronics The use of wind energy is now rampant and is said to
be very efficient according to the users who have tested its
performance. Be one of those who have already tried the
efficiency and power of the renewable wind energy.

About the author:
Wind Power Generators can save you a lot of bucks and wind
power generators are now easy to own and afford. Did you know
that you can get your own winfd generator built and installed
for under $200? Get off the grid the easy way and install your
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Are You Looking For Domestic Wind Power Generator?

Are You Looking For Domestic Wind Power Generator?


Title: Are You Looking For Domestic Wind Power Generator?

Author: Steven Blackman

Article:
Would like to learn how you can build your own domestic wind
power generator? Do you want to start producing your own
electricity? If you are tired of paying those huge energy bills,
then continue reading this article, because I am going to
explain you how you can use wind to power up your home and
without paying anyone.

Domestic Wind Power Generator

If you are thinking of building your own kit, which will create
electricity for you, then the first thing, which you should
purchase should a professional guide, such as Earth4Energy. The
reason, why I recommend starting from an ebook, because before
you start doing anything, you should learn as much as possible
about whatever you are going to do.

In this case, you are going to build a domestic wind power
generator, right? So you need to learn, what you need to buy,
and how to install everything. I guess, you have no idea about
how you can do it, that’s why you need a manual with
instructions, explanations of the system, etc. I suggest using
Earth4Energy, because I’ve used it myself, and I think it’s
pretty good and easy to understand.
Now regarding the costs. If you are going to make your own
domestic wind power generator, then you should have around $300
dollars budget to spend. All the parts together may cost a
little more or less than $300, depending where you buy them, but
I just wanted to give you approximate value. The best thing to
do is to buy online, because usually prices are cheaper, than in
the shops.

I would also like to let you know, that there is also a
pre-built domestic wind power generator sold on the market, but
it’s very expensive. I don’t know the exact price, but
I’ve heard it costs few thousand dollars. So as you can see,
it’s much better to make your own kit, rather than buy a ready
one.

Ok, hopefully now you understand a little more about domestic href="http://makeyourownwindmill.net/">wind power generator.
So if you are really interested in producing your own energy,
then the first thing you should do is to have a look at href="http://makeyourownwindmill.net/">Earth4Energy manual.
From my experience, I can say it’s a really great manual. For
more info about it, please href="http://makeyourownwindmill.net/">click here.

About the author:
Written By Steven Blackman

Manufactures Of Wind Power Equipment

Manufactures Of Wind Power Equipment


Title: Manufactures Of Wind Power Equipment

Author: May Stewart

Article:
These days everybody is doing what they can to help the
environment. It can be recycling it can be using less water;
however a great way to help the environment is to take advantage
of using wind power.

Wind power is a natural resource that we can take advantage of
to produce energy for our homes. There are a lot of manufactures
that you can go to that you can purchase a wind turbine from.
Before you purchase one you must keep in mind where you live and
your specific needs.

Abundant Renewable energy is a company that produces very strong
wind generators. Their machines have been installed in large
areas to produce energy and are basically designed for harsher
climates. Bergey Wind Power is another manufacture that has a
highly reliable wind energy system with ratings up to 10 kW.
This company has earned a worldwide reputation for ruggedness
and reliability. They also incorporate some of the most advanced
technology in the industry.

Gaia Wind Manufactures is a company that thrives in building
small and efficient wind turbines for private homes, farms,
rural areas and light commercial or industrial facilities. Still
talking about small turbines, Proven Energy is the world’s
leading supplier of small scale wind turbines and is globally
renowned for their turbine performance. However, instead of
spending hundreds and in some situations thousands of dollars on
a wind turbine, you could always build one yourself.

Taking the time to build one yourself could be fun and will save
you a lot of money in the long run. Instead of paying $10,000 on
a wind turbine you could spend maybe 100 dollars if you build
your own. Just like everything in life you must do what is the
best thing for you. So you can either purchase one from one of
the many manufacturers or you can just build one on your own.

About the author:
If you need more FREE information on href="http://windgeneratorstoday.com/go/manufactures-of-wind-powe
r-equipment">Manufactures Of Wind Power Equipmentplease
visit our website: href="http://windgeneratorstoday.com">www.windgeneratorstoday.comGaia Wind Manufactures is a company that thrives in building
small and efficient wind turbines for private homes, farms,
rural areas and light commercial or industrial facilities. Still
talking about small turbines, Proven Energy is the world’s
leading supplier of small scale wind turbines and is globally
renowned for their turbine performance. However, instead of
spending hundreds and in some situations thousands of dollars on
a wind turbine, you could always build one yourself.

Taking the time to build one yourself could be fun and will save
you a lot of money in the long run. Instead of paying $10,000 on
a wind turbine you could spend maybe 100 dollars if you build
your own. Just like everything in life you must do what is the
best thing for you. So you can either purchase one from one of
the many manufacturers or you can just build one on your own.

About the author:
If you need more FREE information on href="http://windgeneratorstoday.com/go/manufactures-of-wind-powe
r-equipment">Manufactures Of Wind Power Equipmentplease
visit our website: href="http://windgeneratorstoday.com">www.windgeneratorstoday.com

Global warming - Apocalypse or just an exaggeration?

Global warming - Apocalypse or just an exaggeration?


Title: Global warming - Apocalypse or just an exaggeration?

Author: Clint Jhonson

Article:
The constant climate change is a fact that we just can't
disregard anymore. As unreal as it may sound, the world may soon
end and we have some fault whereas these changes are concerned.
Global warming is something that can't be controlled as easily
as one might think, having a dreadful effect all over the world.
The catastrophic results reflect on the biodiversity of the
planet and its eco-systems.

In order to attract people's attention, many "festivals of life"
and other similar campaigns have been organized in order to save
Mother Earth. But campaigns, commercials, experiments... they
are all useless when it comes to climate change. Responsible for
this situation are indirectly greenhouse gases and directly the
human race. In order to remediate this problem, the Kyoto
protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan on 11 December 1997. The
international agreement was signed by several countries (with
well-developed industries), all agreeing on the importance of
reducing greenhouse gases that have led to climate change.

All this trouble could have been avoided if the emissions of
these gases would have been interdicted since their first
appearance, but people are greedy and they always put money
before ecology, not realizing that as rich as you may be, it
means nothing... if the air that surrounds us is not breathable.
Although it is quite late, the solution remains the same and
could still be put in practice in order to save what is left of
nature, and that is: stopping the emission of greenhouse gases.
But what are people constantly thinking about? Ecology? Of
course not! Economy! Are they thinking that with the daily
burning of new fossil fuels, the Amazon forest that sustains
life on Earth is dying a little bit more and more? It's hardly
likely!

Global warming is a real problem and one that should be tackled
with more seriousness. What we have seen in movies like
"Armageddon", "The Apocalypse", "The end of the days", "The
core", etc, is becoming more and more a possibility. Maybe it
won't happen now, but in 20-25 years or something... who knows?

In their attempt to stop climate change, a lot of scientists
have repeatedly said that it is a "must" to develop forests, as
many and as big as possible. This is the only way of
reconstructing the ozone "blanket". We all know that this gas -
the ozone - is one of the most important gases that exist in the
Earth's atmosphere. The ozone has the very difficult task of
blocking the harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching the Earth's
surface and it also helps the temperature of the Earth's surface
to stay warm enough.

Global warming is the single most destructive force hurting our
planet. The industrial revolution of the past two centuries has
taken a toll on our planet's wild life and environmental
infrastructure due to mankind's destructive behavior. Global
climate change is obvious in all corners of the Globe, from
melting polar ice caps to ozone depletion. The theory behind
this phenomenon is that the Earth receives heat from the Sun;
the Sun gives off the heat in the form of radiation in which the
Earth absorbs 70%, which warms the surface and the oceans, while
the remaining 30% is reflected into space.

About the author:
Climate change due to href="http://www.skywink.com">global warming is not
reversible now. But there is something that we can do though: to
minimize its effects. So I strongly advice all of you to
sacrifice a little now, which will surely make a big difference
in the years to come. Pay us a visit and find out more on the
subject!

The Civil Engineering Career - What's Involved

The Civil Engineering Career - What's Involved


Title: The Civil Engineering Career - What's Involved

Author: Scott Salter

Article:


If you have ever driven down a road, crossed a bridge, or seen
or been in a building, you have just experienced the handy work
of a civil engineer. Civil engineering is one of the oldest
forms of engineering known to man. The need for qualified civil
engineers has continued to remain strong over the years and it
is likely to continue as long as people need public
infrastructures. A Civil Engineering Career looks to remain as
one of the oldest and continually expanding careers in the
engineering arena.

In order to embark upon a Civil Engineering Career it is
important that the person apply themselves at a college or
university in order to earn a degree in civil engineering. A
Civil Engineering Career will encompass a wide variety of
engineering disciplines. As a result earning a civil engineer
bachelors degree will require you, as a student, to study a vast
amount of engineering fields such as structural, construction,
environmental, as well as a host of other engineering
techniques.

If you are looking to have a Civil Engineering Career, you have
to understand that there is no one particular career path for a
civil engineer. A Civil Engineering Career will undoubtedly lead
you down a very diverse and winding road. When starting out on a
Civil Engineering Career you will more than likely be forced to
assume more entry-level positions. Often times, in the early
stages of a Civil Engineering Career you might serve as a
company's eyes and ears on a specific project, usually on a
construction project. As you move along in your Civil
Engineering Career you may have the opportunity to manage,
design and do more analysis of more complex and difficult
construction projects.

Other paths to be taken in a Civil Engineering Career, which is
what civil engineers are most noted for, is working on specific
projects involving a community's utility infrastructure.
Designing terrain grading, drainage, pavement, water supply,
sewer services, electrical services, and the like, all these and
many more fall under the purview of a civil engineer.

Embarking upon a Civil Engineering Career means that you are
likely to end up in one of many different positions. A Civil
Engineering Career can lead you to a construction site, a design
laboratory, or any one of hundreds of places in need of a civil
engineer. If you enjoy variety and flexibility in terms of the
jobs you do and do not care about the locations of these jobs
then it is a sure bet that a Civil Engineering Career might just
be what the doctor ordered.

About the author:
For information on how to best pursue a href="http://www.bachelorsinengineering.com">civil engineering
bachelors degree go to http://www.bachelorsinengineering.com