Talkin ’bout Steam Cleaners

Source: Baltimore Sun ()

Efforts to boost recycling collections are getting extra emphasis in Howard and Anne Arundel counties as officials contemplate the looming end of their bargain-price trash disposal contracts.

Both jurisdictions have shipped most of their residential trash by train from Annapolis Junction on their common border to a private commercial landfill in Virginia for $33 a ton since the mid-1990s. That contract with Waste Management Inc. will expire in five years, and the cost of any new agreement is expected to more than double.

“Fees going to go up, one way or another,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “People believe they could triple,”

Source: American Chronicle ()

Not all models of Riccar upright vacuum cleaners are worth buying - certainly not at the price being asked. However, one or two of them are worth taking a closer look at. Here are some reviews of vacuum cleaners from Riccar.

Before discussing individual models lets first list what’s good and bad about all the uprights by Riccar. First, what’s good?

All Riccar vacuum cleaners are made in America. You’ll find more metal on a Riccar upright than you will find on any other domestic model. The wand is metal, the base plate is stainless steel, there’s a reinforced metal pedal and even the cord hook is metal. More importantly, there’s metal where the eye can’t see - there are reinforced metal pivots inside the head that will withstand wear and tear better then other vacuums. If you get the chance, compare a Riccar upright cleaner to a leading brand like an Electrolux Oxygen 3 vacuum cleaner. You’ll find a lot less metal and far more plastic on the Electrolux upright.

Components made from metal will last longer than those made with plastic.

As if to underscore the durability of its upright vacuum cleaners, Riccar offers warranties ranging from 2 to 6 years on its models. The expensive Electrolux Oxygen 3 vacuum cleaner comes with only a 2 year warranty.

So, what’s bad about a Riccar upright vacuum?

The biggest complaint about its uprights is the absence of certain types. For instance there is no cyclonic version (Dyson and Hoover make one). You won’t find a bagless one either. Also, if you want one that will clean your carpet (with water and/or steam) you’re not going to find it from this manufacturer.

They’re also a little on the heavy side and they aren’t the most modern looking of vacuum cleaners. They’re also hard to find; only authorized retailers are allowed to sell them, so it’s far easier to go and and compare other brands.

Riccar Vibrance Vacuum

This is the cheapest of the uprights. There are 6 models …

Source: Emediawire (press release) ()

Biomass Gas & Electric Company LLC (BG&E), an Atlanta-based renewable energy company, announces plans to build a power plant that will use waste wood products to create electricity. The environmentally friendly plant will generate about 75 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 46,000 homes. BG&E has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for Progress Energy to buy the output of the plant, scheduled for completion in 2011. This is the second plant BG&E will build to provide power to Progress Energy out of a total of four power plants BG&E will construct in the next four years.

This partnership continues our long history of supporting innovative technologies and promoting cost-effective, cleaner energy sources.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) December 21, 2007 — Biomass Gas & Electric Company LLC (BG&E), an Atlanta-based renewable energy company, announces plans to build a power plant in north or Central Florida that will use waste wood products - such as yard trimmings, tree bark and wood knots from paper mills - to create electricity. The environmentally friendly plant will generate about 75 megawatts, or enough electricity to power 46,000 homes. By the use of advanced gasification technology the plant will convert the woody biomass to electric power in an oxygen free environment.

BG&E has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for Progress Energy to buy the output of the plant. This is the second plant BG&E will build to provide power to Progress Energy out of a total of four power plants BG&E will build in the next four years. The two plants are the same size. The first plant for Progress Energy will be the largest waste wood-fueled power generating plant in the U.S. using advanced gasification.

BG&E's advanced technology uses a two-step process. First, the woody is superheated in an oxygen-free environment to produce a synthetic gas. The gas, produced by breaking …

Source: CNNMoney.com ()

Dec. 3, 2007 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) — SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) - General Electric Co. plans to invest $50 million to increase its steam-turbine production capacity to meet growing demand, the industrial conglomerate said Sunday.

GE (NYSE:GE) will expand its production and engineering centers in North America, Europe and Asia.

Much of the demand for the equipment is being driven by combined-cycle power generation plants, the company said. GE has received more than $2 billion this year in orders for combined-cycle power generation plants in Europe and the Middle East. It also expects increased demand for steam turbines for renewable-energy projects, like nuclear, solar-thermal and cleaner coal.

‘Although a full range of technology options is required to meet the world’s growing electricity needs, steam turbines remain a backbone of the energy industry,’ Larry Blystone, vice president of global supply for GE Energy, said in a statement.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Newstex ID: AFX-0013-21379002

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) - General Electric Co. plans to invest $50 million to increase its steam-turbine production capacity to meet growing demand, the industrial conglomerate said Sunday.

GE (NYSE:GE) will expand its production and engineering centers in North America, Europe and Asia.

Much of the demand for the equipment is being driven by combined-cycle power generation plants, the company said. GE has received more than $2 billion this year in orders for combined-cycle power generation plants in Europe and the Middle East. It also expects increased demand for steam turbines for renewable-energy projects, like nuclear, solar-thermal and cleaner coal.

‘Although a full range of options is required to meet the world’s growing electricity needs, steam turbines remain a backbone of …

Source: PR Newswire (press release) ()

Multi-year Modernization Effort Expands Capabilities and Adds to the New
River Region’s Economic Base
New Equipment will be Cleaner and More Energy Efficient

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Alliant Techsystems
(NYSE: ATK) has received $23 million from the Program Executive Office for
Ammunition, Picatinny, New Jersey and the U.S. Army Sustainment Command,
Rock Island, IL, to design a new Nitric Acid Concentrator/Sulfuric Acid
Concentrator (NAC/SAC) for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) and to
install new cutters and deflakers in the nitrocellulose production
facility. The NAC/SAC is an important piece of equipment that allows the
plant to capture chemicals from the energetics manufacturing process,
refortify them and reuse them. The new cutters and deflakers will ensure
the nitrocellulose propellant particles are uniform and optimized to meet
the high quality standards for today’s high-tech weapons.

The existing NAC/SAC is 28 years old and is at the end of its useful
life. Replacing it will not only save energy and reduce emissions, it will
also help ensure that the RFAAP is able to continue operating reliably for
years to come. This is particularly important given the more than 1,300
jobs the plant provides in the New River Valley and its role as the top
producer of propellant and energetics for the Department of Defense.

ATK, in partnership with the Army, is currently managing a total of $43
million in modernization projects at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant. All
are on schedule and on budget. In addition to the NAC/SAC, these projects
include improvements to the facility’s power house and steam distribution
system that will improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

ATK is an advanced weapon and space systems company with annual
revenues in excess of $4.1 billion that employs more than 17,000 people in
21 states. ATK operates the RFAAP under contract from the U.S. Army. News
and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com.

…

Source: Trading Markets (press release) ()

International Stock Targets: Begins Preliminary Research on Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

Thursday, December 13, 2007; Posted: 04:24 AM

Dec 13, 2007 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) — APD | charts | news | PowerRating — International Stock Targets has announced a “Strong Buy” recommendation along with a one-month and six-month price target for our newest “Stock Target”. Please note that the following is an investment opinion issued by International Stock Targets. For full details on this equity visit the attached link and we highly recommend that all interested small-cap investors contact phone one of our representatives toll free 1 866 657 3334 to get access to our “small-cap” stock pick of the year. Wednesday, December 12, 2007 Air Products & Chemicals Inc. had a news release that caught our attention at International Stock Targets. We therefore have also Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD) to our “NYSE” stocks to watch list, their recent market activity has made them a possible candidate for a full analytical research report, to see a sample of our newest report view this link http://www.internationalstocktargets.com/December_2007_Target_Report.pdf For future reports on Air Products & Chemicals Inc. and other growth stocks sign up to www.internationalstocktargets.com for a 3 month trial subscription. “Investors looking to get the edge on the markets are always encouraged to read our new reports, and to become a member to our website to gather as much information as possible, click the link below and read why I believe our new small-cap gem could go from below $.50 to over $20.00 per share, and if that’s not enough to convince you, speak to a representative of their IR firm at 1866 657 3334, you will not be disappointed.” Stefen Gorgin CEO and Head Analyst International Targets http://www.internationalstocktargets.com/December_2007_Target_Report.pdf Air Products & Chemicals Inc. was in the red by late trading; however they …

Source: American Chronicle ()

You may not have heard of a Riccar vacuum cleaner but don’t assume because you haven’t it’s not as good as other, well-known brands. In many aspects Riccar vacuum cleaners outperform their more famous competitors.

Riccar vacuum cleaners are made in America and built with components that will last many years. Its uprights use metal components where other brands use plastic. You get metal wands, metal pedals, metal base plates and even polished metal cord hooks. Although you can’t see it, you also get metal pivots inside that help prolong the life of the vacuum. Compare these components to a Hoover vacuum cleaner, which has mainly plastic where Riccar has metal.

The company also makes excellent canister vacuums. Another major plus is that it makes them in all sizes ranging from the small subcompact models right through to heavy duty models. Hardly any other manufacturer offers this range of size and function. Again many of the components are made from metal.

What really impresses those that own one is the suction power. Each model, no matter its size, is given a generously large motor. On some of the Riccar upright vacuum cleaners there’s something called the Tandem Air System. Tandem Air is the use of two motors; a high-flow, direct air motor just above the head, giving powerful suction, and a high-flow clean air motor that gives good suction power for the onboard tools as well as helping with high efficiency filtration.

Some models come with HEPA filters and some of the top-of-the-range models come with HEPA filters that are 100% sealed. A sealed HEPA filter means that as well as cleaning your carpet the vacuum also cleans your air. While this feature is not unique to Riccar it’s the mark of a top-notch vacuum.

Okay, this sounds great but what don’t you get with a Riccar vacuum cleaner?

The company does uprights and canisters but doesn’t do specialist models such as steam vacuums, such as the Hoover SteamVac. It doesn’t make …

Source: Houston Chronicle ()

It almost sounds too good to be true.

Take an oil refinery waste product, turn it into a cleaner-burning fuel for chemical plants, and capture and sell all the greenhouse gases.

That’s just what Houston-based Hunton Energy plans to do on a 250-acre site next to Dow Chemical’s Freeport complex.

In a 15-year deal with the chemical giant, Hunton will convert a refining byproduct called petroleum coke into a synthetic natural gas that Dow will purchase and use to run a number of processes on its 5,000-acre site in Freeport. The facility will also produce steam for Dow and generate about 400 megawatts of electricity.

Hunton’s president, Rocky Sembritzky, said the plant will be able to capture essentially all the carbon dioxide it produces — about 8 million tons a year — and will sell it to a third party to use in enhanced oil recovery. The company is in negotiations with three companies for the CO2, he said.

“What we’re planning is a plant that can produce a lot of energy, yet have no emissions except for startup and shutdown,” Sembritzky said. “There’s been a lot of talk in the industry about carbon capture, but we’ve committed to it from day one.”

The Hunton project will help Dow reach its goal of a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2015, said Kenneth Bromfield, director of Dow’s energy business.

“The synthetic natural gas component of the project is also significant for us,” Bromfield said, noting that chemical plants use large quantities of natural gas, an increasingly expensive fuel, subject to volatile price swings.

Environmental groups said they are encouraged by the pro- ject, scheduled to break ground late next year and begin operating between 2012 and 2014.

Jim Marston, a Texas-based director of Environmental Defense, praised the project and the participation of Dow and Energy, the refining giant that will provide the new plant’s petroleum coke.

Dow’s existing on-site power plant …

Source: Modesto Bee ()

Pollution district says goal is to cut particles from fireplaces, other sources

By KEN CARLSON
kcarlson@modbee.com

last updated: December 14, 2007 08:18:23 AM

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is unveiling a plan for reducing the tiny particles in the air that are considered the most harmful form of air pollution.

About 80 percent of the particle pollution comes from automobile and truck exhausts, but the air district doesn’t have authority to regulate those sources.

The rest of the pollution comes from stationary sources such as industrial boilers and residential fireplaces. Air district officials are considering tighter regulations for those sources, including more days when the district would put a damper on household wood burning to protect the public’s health.

The plan dealing with what’s known as “PM2.5″ pollution — air particles 2.5 microns or smaller — will be discussed at workshops next week and in February before the district governing board considers adopting the measures in April. The plan also requires approval from the federal government, which could require tougher restrictions.

“In the valley, we have problems with smog and particulate matter, but there are studies showing that particulate matter has more severe impacts on people’s health,” said Seyed Sadredin, the district’s executive director.

The particles are so small they are breathed directly into the lungs and may be absorbed into the bloodstream, raising the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other health problems.

The valley has met the standards set by the federal government in 1997 to safeguard the public against the short-term effects of particle pollution, although the Environmental Protection Agency tightened the rules last year.

Sadredin said the valley should be able to meet the 1997 short- long-term standards for particle pollution with the new plan and make progress with the more stringent …

Source: Houston Chronicle ()

A power plant designed to release virtually no greenhouse gases, first planned for Fort Bend County, instead will be built in Freeport and will create gas for use in Dow Chemical’s plants there, participants announced today.

The power plant, which will run on the refining byproduct petroleum coke and capture almost all its carbon dioxide emissions, also will create up to 180 million cubic feet per day of synthetic gas for Dow to use in making products at its massive Brazoria County complex.

The plant will emit about 8 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, but project developer Hunton Energy said it will capture and sell the CO2 for use in enhanced oil recovery. Rocky Sembritzky, president of Hunton, said the company is negotiating with three companies to purchase the CO2, which will be shipped via pipeline to oil fields.

“What we’re planning is a plant that can produce a lot of energy yet have no emissions except for start-up and shut-down,” Sembritzky said. “There’s been a lot of talk in the industry about carbon capture but we’ve committed to it from day one.”

Some environmentalists are encouraged by the project, scheduled to begin operating by 2012.

Hunton Energy “appears to be closer than any other developer in the country to being able to capture such a huge amount of CO2,” said Scott Anderson, senior policy adviser for Environmental Defense, in a prepared statement. “The 8 million tons per year the company plans to capture is more CO2 than comes from fossil fuel combustion in the entire state of Vermont.”

Jim Marston, a Texas-based director of Environmental Defense who was part of a successful effort to get TXU Energy to cut back its plans for new coal power plants, praised the project and the participation of Dow and Valero Energy, the refining giant that will provide the new petroleum coke.

Hunton Energy, a unit of Houston-based heating and air-conditioning contractor Hunton Group, announced plans in …