Friday 3 June 2011

Melvindin on fuel crisis Assignment 2 PLEFT 708

I am planning to set up a forum that not only discuses but also generates practical answers to current fuel crisis as part of my assignment 2.
Energy, fuel in particular has become a major concern and the situation is cascading.
The ecommunity will look at
1  History of fuels
2  Current trends and modes of using fuel
3  Geo political situations and hotspots that fuel the fuel prices
4 Big boys who harvest $$$$$ through momentary or instantaneous  issues for instant gains
5 Sources of alternative fuels/ eg biofuels
6 Ways to reduce fuel consumrtion
7 ..............................and similar matters arrising from discussions    eg   how to make biofuels/biodiesel on small scale
Method:
A base dicussion statement will be sent to all members with invitation for comments.
To provoke discussions, the base statement will have some pointers for the members to comments/feedback
A summary will then be made available to attract more guided disussions
A semi-formal document/ file will be complied as an outcome
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Hope to see all participating in this activity


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Thanks, Melvin - looks interesting and timely!

I think the purpose  is to 'generate solutions to the current fuel crisis' - I guess these are personal things we can do rather than global solutions? If so, that looks to be a very suitable purpose.

I'm a bit concerned that you have a lot of 'content' in the 7 points which will be hard to cover without resorting to an 'information transfer' mode and diminishing the community approach. When I look at the purpose, it seems that point 6 (and maybe point 7) seem to be the most relevant.

Re step 2 - I'd suggest the discussion will need specific questions rather than just pointers.

I'm looking forward to some innovative ideas from the group on how I can save fuel!

Paul
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Thanks Paul. for the feedback .
The pupose will now be
To generate solutions to the current fuel crisis  and I will try to zoom into specific questions to get most people involved in productive discussion ...melvin

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Hi Melvin
I have to admit to joining the discussion a little late but I totally agree with Wendy,  I think its  positive that you are already listening to the community and adjusting to suite the community needs.  I think that is one of the points that we will be checked against when the assignment is marked
I look forward to the discussion
thanks
Bob

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Hey Melvin , Looks like yourve been busy well done , assignment looks great ,
John M
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Hi Melvin
Apologies for late response. Very worthwhile topic and important for us all. Maybe narrow down the anumber of questions for this assignment.
Pam


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Hi Melvin, you made a really good point in some of the other discussion threads about keeping it small and manageable. Your topic sounds great but it seems that, like some of the rest of us, you might need to narrow your discussion topic a bit to make it more manageable. It is a bit like a research project I guess, it needs to be very small so that you can focus on the findings without getting bogged down.
Wendy
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Thanks wendy
It is funny I give advice to others but refuse to take my own adivice. ( call it arrogance or similar thing )
But Now I am taking your advice, that makes me little less "arrogant '.
I am narrowing it down to make it manageable
melvin

Author: Melvin Din
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2011 11:59:46 AM NZST
Subject: visit www.melvindin.blogspot.com
I am now trying drop some bullet points to keep the forum more focused for productive discussions. I am aware of the time available to me and to others and the relevance to the outcome. I do realise having many bullet points will just attract  comments and not  in depth  meaningful discussion. In order to generate discussion with a measurable outcome
I feel the need of bullet point 6 to stay on the top as
Ways to reduce fuel consumption             and
How to make biofuels/biodiesel on small scale

Please start adding your comments while i look for making biofuel the easy way.
I  have written some articles about it in NZ magazines and used to conduct hands on workshops nationwide in my heydays. I am sure will pull out some material from here and there for you. In the meantime start collecting used vegetable oil, or even better siphon it out form your kitchen as a starter ingredients .

as well as some safety glasses. gloves, apron, two larger 3 L just juice bottles, pH paper, funnel, some common sense safety rules about using methanol and caustic soda.....................
  • ( I may be able to set up a video  on how to make biofuel/biodiesel ) and
    send the first 5  people a small pack of methanol , caustic soda and pH paper

    Animal fat or vegetable oil are must
http://melvindin.blogspot.com/2011/05/melvindin-on-fuel-crisis.html
melvin
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Hey Melvin , I like this idea looks straight forward as well !
John M
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I have to be more specific and will narrow it down to two specifics otherwise the topic will become fuzzy and fizzy.
I need many people to participate actively, ie two way communication ie they add information to the information.
melvin
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Hi Melvin
Looks like a good topic - one we all have a strong vested interest in contributing to. I have quite a personal interest in alt fuels, and look forward to contributing to this group.
Look forward to finding out how to participate in this group
cheers
Fred
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Thanks Fred
That is great. You are in
Using electricity also means using existing but quickly depletinig non renewable resources. Most of the electric power is poduced by burning coal and gas in NZ.
What we need is to grow cash crops that will produce oil and add nirogen to soil . The byproducts will be added attraction.
warmly
melvin



Hi Melvin
Don't know much about Biofuels but I found this on one of my favourite wwebsite 'How stuff works'
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/pros-and-cons-of-hydrogen-energy.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/alternative-energy-quiz.htm
Pam
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My ideas on ways to reduce fuel consumption:

* keep your car tires at the correct pressure
* walk to the shops, don't drive
* get a bike
* don't use an outdoor gas heater - if it's cold, go inside to eat

Paul
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Thanks Pam and Paul
The better way to reduce fuel consumtion is drive at 75-80 km /hr. back in 80,s there was fuel rationing in NZ and drivers were advised to lower the speed to 70 for better milage.
Do not stop or restart the engine often, watch these courier drivers they are fuel smart. If you are just hopping out to post a letter and it wil take less than 5 minutes then leave the engine running.
Drive smoothly and use roots that have less traffic signals even though you have couple of extra km to do.
Fine tune engine often, replace filter and ask for better fuel combustion set up.
Do dot drive with extra load. Keep the vehicle tidy and fee of junk.
Go through gear shift as quickly as possible.
Keep an eye on tyre pressure in summer.
Do not drive with windows open, it disturbs the aerodynamics of the car.
Any trip less than 1km should not be taken, just walk to the shop.
Change engine oil often.
Wash fuel tank at least every 5 years.
But less than 1.8 L vehicles for personal use.
Make your own biofuels ( biodiesel, bioethanol)
Switch to LPG .
Car pooling will help you to develop socail skills and save a lot of money.
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Hi Melvin
Some very good tips. I was once told not to use the air conditioning as it uses petrol so I started to open the windows, now it seems I am not going to do either and overheat. I did not know about the switching the engine on and off.
I drive over the attached bridge every day from North to South and am always thinking of ways to reduce fuel consumption. I sometimes share a car with someone else from our department and have got the bus. I am going to be based at Middlemore hospital for some days in the next semester so am going to use the ferry and train which will reduce my fuel but it will cost just about the same not including wear and tear on the car. It will be much more relaxing. I would love to know how you will make fuel from fish and chip oil.
Pam

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Good morning Pam
Please see my website http://www.etec.net.nz/
or in the google search type in melvindin cooking up fuel
if all that does not help then try this


Things you need

20g NaoH
200ml - 400mL methanol
3 L used vege oil
2 plastic bottles
( just juicce bottles will be fine)
safety galsses. apron, gloves, thermometer
pH paper with chart 1-14 full range
funnel
vinegar to neutralise spills
Plastic tray ( no wodden or metal surafaces to be used  as you are making corrosive solutions





Step- 1 : Make 200 mL meth Oxide (  NaOH + methanol in a glass bottle )  and let it settle for 30 minutes
              ( extra care required here  .. use gloves,googles, apron, away from metal surfaces)
step 2: warm up 1 L used vegetable oil in a 3L " just juice " plastic bottle
step 3: test pH of the oil ( mostly 6 or 5 )...that will help you to make suitable concetration of methoxide ( it is a little tricky step)
Step 4: add meth oxide into the warm oil.
Step 5: Place the lid and give it a good shake for two minutes, then do the pH test ( around 12-13)
Step 6: losen the cap for gases to escape and place the bottle in a warm place for two hours
step 7: wash the mess, tidy up and make a cup of tea and wait
Step 8: if every thing gone well you will see three layers in the bottle
            bottom think ( honel like layer is glycerol with lots of NaOH and some methanol)
           the middle thin yellow white layer is just liquid soap
         the thin layer ( about 900mL ) is RAW Biodiesel with some traces of NaOH ( that need to be washed before using the biodiesel)
         Decant the Raw Biodiesel into another palstic bottle.
Step 9; polishing or washing Raw biodiesel
           the urpose is to remove suspended parcltes of NaOH and methano
          Do the pH test of the raw Biodiesel layer  ( it will be around 9-10  not good for the metal part of the fuel system, nozles)
Step 10; add 2 mL of vinegar in 1l water and gently wash the raw biodiesel
Step 11: allow it to settle for 2-3  Hours
               Do the PH test again ( aroud 8 will be Ok )
             the bottom layer is NaOH and glcerol based water , good for the garden, compost in particular
             The Top transparent layer is washed biodiesel, all goof and ready to godirectly  into your DIESEL fuel TANK
     
Be careful during this activity,
No smoking or sparks
No open fire or electric heaters within 10 m
keep windows open
use white vinegar to neutallise the spills
Give it a try, I am sure after 3rd attempt you will get it.
methanol