A Million Green Ideas

Question by GKIRK78: What roles do chemical engineers play in the research and development of alternative energy?


I know that chem E’s work on fuel cell development. I wondered what else is availble in alt energy research, and what classes should a chem E take to be prepared for the alternative energy field?

Best answer:

Answer by David in Kenai
Yes, they work on fuel cell development. And not just hydrogen fuel cells, but the trickier ones being developed for other fuels. So classes in electrochemistry are an obivous choice.

Other projects that they would be critical in include:

Alternative fuels: ethanol – take classes in fermentation (“Curds & Whey 101″);
hydrogen -the shift-gas reaction will be covered in your normal curriculum;
biodiesel – separations, reactor design

Solar (hot water/steam): heat transfer (listen during radiant topics, most ChemEngs don’t use it much), mass transfer, piping systems, control systems.

Passive solar: heat transfer, natural convection topics in fluid flow. HVAC/building design (archy classes).

Wind is more of a MechEng or AeroEng thing to do. But you could take some of those classes as technical electives. Tidal and Hydro are usually done by Mechs and Civils.

Since efficient reactions of future will be biologically mediated, IMO, try to find the most engineering/production oriented microbiology classes you can. The most sophisticated are those to make drugs, but, heck, wine-making addresses many of the issues.

As a Chem Eng, you will bring a more thorough understanding of fluid flow, mass transfer, chemical reactions, process controls, and how those all inter-relate, to any project team. Take classes in (or read up on) any of the above topics to know what to listen for in lecture, what class projects to research, etc. I found that knowing I was going to be doing environmental eng very helpful in my coursework. I knew how incredibly useful many classes would be and how absolutely pointless P-chem is (for a practicing engineer).

It sounds like you have a plan or at least a vision. That can be such an advantage and motivation in your classes. Try to meet with practicing engineers in alt energy – for lunch or at a career day or a company tour. Ask them for their thoughts. Good luck.

What do you think? Answer below!

VIMS scientists, part of the Chesapeake Algae Project (ChAP), were conducting basic research that promises to clean agricultural and other pollutants from the Chesapeake—and potentially the oceans—while delivering a carbon-based, sustainable stock that can meet the automotive fuel needs of an increasingly mobile world population. www.wm.edu
Video Rating: 5 / 5

A new video with more detailed for King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC; non-porfit energy think tank), is under construction in Riyadh and located in the KKIA airport road on the right hand side as you drive from the airport toward the city. It is exactly N. of Prince Norah University which is also under construction. To see the center vision, mission, attributes and more informations including its programs, its Energy Kownledge Center and still images, please visit www.kapsarc.org. Very soon the Arabic version of the website will be lunched.

www.wood-gasification.com How to make charcoal for your gasifier. Charcoal is essential in the lower hearth zone for a tar free fuel.

Prof. Martin Tangney talks about the Biofuel Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier University, a portal of information, research and knowledge transfer. www.sdi.co.uk has more information on the chemicals industry in Scotland.
Video Rating: 0 / 5

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Question by andrew 4: What are your views on alternative energy research?


I just want to know what you think about researching alternative ways for green energy.

Such as wind turbines and solar cells, and what not.

Best answer:

Answer by Anis Hamdani
Alternative energy resources should be researched not only due to global warming problems but also due to depletion of fossil fuel reserves. Moreover, the survival of mankind depends on finding alternative energy sources. But I am sure the Big Oil Companies will not let the alternative energy sources developed due to vested interests.

According to my observation the funding for alternative energy research will not be available until there is a military benefit to the countries.

Give your answer to this question below!

i’m looking to research a paper titled ‘portrayal of the urban environment by contemporary artists’ and need some artsits to get started with and look at… any help?

Best reply by artiste:

It all started with the “Ashcan School” in the early 20th Century and has been going on ever since.
Just check Wikipedia for the best answers.
Good luck!

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contemporary artists who portray or work from the urban environment?

I’m in 11th grade and I need some science project ideas. While I can choose anything that is related to science, I’m hoping to do something that benefits the environment. However, I’m not interested in doing research (for example, working with plants). I really want to build something like a solar panel or something similar. As a student, my budget is limited and I need something that is relatively cheap. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

Best reply by Colette:

Without the sun there would be no earth but with the sun we have global warming. Would that help?

Read the original question here
Help with a science project idea that has to do with the environment?

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Why has organized crime created an international environment since the end of the cold war that encourages people to work outside of society’s structures and possibly threaten national securities around the world?…………. I need help im doing a research paper on organized crime for my high school class.

Best reply by NYAD:

When the people of a country are tightly controlled and are at the economic and political mercy of their government, some people learn to use any means to get what they need and what they want. Some of these will do things the average person will not. Since there is strength in numbers, some organize into groups. When the tight control is lifted, such as the soviet held countries, some African countries, etc., these groups have fewer restrictions to operate and tend to become stronger and more aggressive. They spread their operations to places that have an unusual amount of freedom and places where many people are defenseless and vulnerable. That is how the problem becomes international.

Read the original question here
Why has organized crime created an international environment since the end of the cold war?

I am writting a research paper for english class and I haven’t been able to find very much on what the environment is as a teacher. Yes, I already have your own classroom. But if any of you are teachers and have something else I could add, I would greatly appreciate it!!!!
I am doing a research project for english class at school. I dont really know what the environment of an elementary school teacher. So any of you teachers out there, help!!!!

Best reply by Rita:

I’m not exactly sure which type of Teacher you’re talking about because there lots of different kinds, but I’ll give you some general information about them I found online..

“Depending on the subject they teach, high school teachers may work in classrooms, science labs, computer labs, or machine shops. Typically, they deal with 20 to 35 students at a time. In addition to teaching, they have to maintain order in the classroom and discipline disruptive students. Teachers usually spend many evening and weekend hours preparing lessons and grading assignments; on average, they work about 50 hours a week. Most teachers work a 9 or 10-month school year, with 2 or 3 months off during the summer.
Teachers tend to have a very high level of job satisfaction. Helping young people learn and grow can be very rewarding.”

Read the original question on Yahoo! site
What is the work environment as a teacher?

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I’m doing a project on paint and I’m having trouble deciding what type of paint to specifically do. I need to discuss how the paint is toxic to humans, how it is toxic to the environment, how to recycle this paint, and how recycling this paint has a positive environmental impact. It seems like oil-based paint is pretty toxic when compared to latex, but can I get more specific than that? I just need to know what type of paint to start doing research on. Thank you!

Best reply by Kash:

All of them, regular paints are bad and need a haz mat to clean up spills–remember there was one on rt. 128 years ago and it halted traffic for hours. Just try looking for a paint with the cheapest regular retail cost.

The best paints are called Low V.O.C. and you can google that. They are not as flammable and have no lead dryers in them . I have severe chemical allergies and can be in a room that’s painted with these paints a couple of hours later and be OK.

You could also try looking in google under paints-toxic or try the EPA site to find out more about paints. They might list them by the amount of volatile organic compounds in them which is what makes paint so toxic. In general, the government does not allow harmful lead paints anymore.

Also talk to Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore as they have the non-toxic kind and would be able to tell you more about the poor quality paints that they refuse to sell.

Good luck….

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What paint is most toxic to the environment?

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