Getting Power From Coal Without Digging It Up

Excellent technology that could save a lot of money and pollution.

“Converting coal in the ground directly into clean-burning gases could have huge environmental benefits–not the least of which would be the avoidance of destructive mining operations. The problem is, technology for underground coal gasification is still in its early stages. Previous demonstrations of the technology have turned coal seams as deep as 1,000 meters below the surface into clean-burning gas.

In contrast, Swan Hills Synfuels’ C$1.5 billion project proposes to reach down 1,400 meters. Working at that depth could lessen the threat of groundwater contamination from the smoldering decomposing coal. “We’ve got 800 meters of rock–a lot of it impermeable–between us and freshwater aquifers,” says Swan Hills president Doug Shaigec.

Pilot testing by Swan Hills confirms the viability of these promises, according to Shaigec. He says the pilot produced excellent gas using a pair of adjacent wells spaced 50 to 60 meters apart, installed in the coal seam with the same directional-drilling techniques behind the accelerating production of natural gas from shale deposits. Oxygen is driven down the feed well and the coal seam is ignited, driving the temperature to 800 to 900 ºC and the pressure to almost 2,000 PSI.

Under those pressures, the oxygen, coal, and saline water (present in the coal and also injected via the feed well) react to form a gas that is roughly one-third methane and two-thirds hydrogen, along with some carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The gas is drawn to the surface via the adjacent production well, where the carbon monoxide is converted to hydrogen and CO?, and all of the CO? is removed.” – Full Article Source

Five-Story Steel Ball Makes Novel Hyperbaric Hospital

Fascinating and on such a large scale!

“RESEMBLING a strange machine from another planet, a huge steel ball standing five stories high is being erected at Cleveland, Ohio, so that persons suffering from diabetes may be given treatment under ideal conditions.

In the strange spherical “health hotel,” patients will live constantly in an atmosphere of high oxygen content, maintained at a pressure of 30 pounds per square inch, twice that of the normal atmosphere. There are five floors inside the tank. An elevator in the center of the tank connects the different levels. Each of the private rooms is furnished like that in a modern hotel.

Light enters through windows shaped like portholes to resist the pressure. The treatment tank was designed in the shape of a ball so that air-tight seams could be secured more easily.

Air under 30 pounds pressure will be maintained, and the temperature and humidity will be carefully regulated. A large refrigerating plant has been built for cooling air as it leaves the compressors, and a drying plant will remove excess moisture.” – Full Article Source

UV to grow new skin

An old but interesting discovery that I find fascinating. Infrared is a hot heat, Ultraviolet is a cold heat.

“AS A MECHANICAL aid to beauty, the National Beauty and Barbers Supply Dealers Association introduced in a recent convention a new type of light treatment which emits a blue actinic light called “Frigidine.”

At present it is estimated that American women pay $3,472 every second to heighten their beauty through the use of cosmetics and beauty treatments. This figures out at $55.30 a year per woman. This light was devised as a substitute for astringent massages.

“Frigidine” dries the tissue in the skin, removing it. This causes fresh skin growth to be stimulated and a beautiful complexion is the result. The woman in the photo is Miss Elaine Neilon, who is giving a demonstration of the new device.” – Full Article Source

About Machines and Curiosity

Think of Sargent Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes, reading this;

ACHTUNG!

Das machine is nicht fur gerfingerpoken und mittengrabben.
Ist easy schnappen der Sprinngwerk, blowenfusen und
poppencorken mit spitzensparken.
Ist nicht fur gewerken by das Dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken
sightseeren keepen hands in das Pockets.
Relaxen und watch das blinkenlights…

Printing Living Organs

This offers a lot of hope for those with failing organs. Personally I’d rather we regenerate our own organs internally but hey, whatever works!

“Organovo and strategic partner Invetech hope in 2010 to release a commercial version of their 3D organ printer capable of producing very basic tissues like blood vessels.

While it is still limited to simple tissue structures (full organs are a long ways off), Organovo plans to deliver the printers to various research institutions interested in organ and tissue production.

Working with these institutions, Organovo hopes to one day progress to creating a system that can print organs as easily as other 3D printers print plastic figurines.” – Full Article Source