date:20040101

Fwd from SANET (Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group). - Keith

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 17:41:46 -0500
From: jcummins [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: USDA: ADDITIONAL PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST BSE
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

In reply to William Thomas of USDA, currently there has been no overt
mention of restrictions on blood meal use in cattle feed as there was
last May in the Canadian Import Restrictions by USDA. Because there is
evidence that vCJD that originated from BSE may be passed through blood
transfusion it seems most prudent to restrict use of blood meal in
cattle feed. Blood meal may also expose farm hands by breathing feed dust
or contact with skin cuts or abrasions. It seems unwise to ignore blood
meal and focus only on nerve tissue. sincerely, prof.  joe cummins

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 16:32:29 -0500
From: William B. Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: USDA: ADDITIONAL PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST BSE
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Release No. 0449.03

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Julie Quick (202) 720-4623

Veneman Announces Additional Protection Measures To Guard Against BSE

  WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2003-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman 
today announced additional safeguards to bolster the U.S. protection 
systems against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or BSE, and further 
protect public health.

  For more than a decade, the United States has had in place an 
aggressive surveillance, detection and response program for BSE, 
said Veneman. While we are confident that the United States has 
safeguards and firewalls needed to protect public health, these 
additional actions will further strengthen our protection systems.

 Veneman said the policies announced today have been under 
consideration for many months, especially since the finding of a case 
of BSE in Canada in May 2003. The policies will further strengthen 
protections against BSE by removing certain animals and specified 
risk material and tissues from the human food chain; requiring 
additional process controls for establishments using advanced meat 
recovery (AMR); holding meat from cattle that have been tested for 
BSE until the test has confirmed negative; and prohibiting the 
air-injection stunning of cattle.

 While many cattle in the United States can be identified through 
a variety of systems, the Secretary also announced that USDA will 
begin immediate implementation of a verifiable system of national 
animal identification. The development of such a system has been 
underway for more than a year and a half to achieve uniformity, 
consistency and efficiency across this national system.

 USDA has worked with partners at the federal and state levels 
and in industry for the past year and a half on the adoption of 
standards for a verifiable nationwide animal identification system to 
help enhance the speed and accuracy of our response to disease 
outbreaks across many different animal species, Veneman said. I 
have asked USDA's Chief Information Officer to expedite the 
development of the technology architecture to implement this system a 
top priority.

 These are initial steps that USDA will take to enhance our 
protection system, Veneman said. I am appointing an international 
panel of scientific experts to provide an objective review of our 
response actions and identify areas for potential additional 
enhancements.

Specifically, USDA will take the following actions:

Downer Animals. Effectively immediately, USDA will ban all downer 
cattle from the human food chain. USDA will continue its BSE 
surveillance program.

Product Holding. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspectors 
will no longer mark cattle tested for BSE as inspected and passed 
until confirmation is received that the animals have, in fact, tested 
negative for BSE. This new policy will be in the form of an 
interpretive rule that will be published in the Federal Register.

 To prevent the entry into commerce of meat and meat food products 
that are adulterated, FSIS inspection program personnel perform ante- 
and post-mortem inspection of cattle that are slaughtered in the 
United States. As part of the ante-mortem inspection, FSIS personnel 
look for signs of disease, including signs of central nervous system 
impairment. Animals showing signs of systemic disease, including 
those exhibiting signs of neurologic impairment, are condemned. Meat 
from all condemned animals has never been permitted for use as human 
food.

 Specified Risk Material. Effective immediately upon publication 
in the Federal Register, USDA will enhance its regulations by 
declaring as specified risk materials skull, brain, trigeminal 
ganglia, eyes, vertebral column, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia 
of cattle over 30 months of age and the small intestine of cattle of 
all ages, thus prohibiting their use in the human food supply. 
Tonsils from all cattle are already considered

[biofuels-biz] Fwd: Comments on USDA press release

Fwd from SANET (Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group). 
See Veneman Announces Additional Protection Measures To Guard 
Against BSE. - Keith

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:14:52 -0500
From: chris reid [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Comments on USDA press release
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

THE USDA press release is interesting.  I'm tempted to be encouraged by it,
even relieved that the right noises seem to be coming out of Washington.

Again, with this apparently encouraging news, I remind myself to keep your
eye on the ball.  This is a press release, and we need to see how it
actually plays out, and examine it carefully to see if the key changes we
need to see are actually happening here, and what the pattern of changes
implies for the meat industry and for consumers. There's many a slip twixt
the cup and the lip, and so we must not let our optimism run away with us
(grin).

What has not disappeared is the atmosphere in Washington typified by the
very recent defeat of legislation in Congress intended to make our meat
supply safer (related to downer cattle), and the strength of the dairy and
cattle industry lobbies that contributed to said defeat.  Therefore, I would
make the interpretation that even in the face of this press release, the
bent of these industries is in profits and the thinking is not humane
thinking, it is green eyeshade thinking about risk levels and profit levels,
and numbers, numbers, numbers.

So I will be quite watchful and mindful that press releases are not the same
as the actions that are ultimately carried out, that this administration has
a history of positioning its anti-progress actions in progressive prose, and
our citizens are believed to have an attention span of about one
millisecond.  Again, if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears does it
make a sound?  If the federal government does not live up to the apparent
game plan laid out in a press release but citizens look no farther than the
press release, will citizens remember the press release or the actions?

One hopes that the Japanese can hold their ground and be a factor in causing
actual changes to occur.

I think there are a lot of hardworking people at USDA who really want to see
this matter handled competently and correctly, so I don't mean to insult
them or paint them with a broad brush.  I guess what I am saying is that the
current BSE situation exists within a context in which profits and influence
are frequently play out as more important than human health and welfare.
Based on the track record of the administration so far and the documented
results of previous attempts to protect the meat/food chain, I consider it
worthwhile to read carefully and distinguish between real and apparent
changes, and keep an eye on actual enforcement and actions to see if
technicalities and end runs water down any apparent progress.

Quick notes on the press release:

Regardless of the USDA's self-characterization of its efforts as aggressive,
the US Surveillance system is not characterized as aggressive by people in
the know, the words HUMAN food chain suggest that downer meat will
continue to be used for other animals' consumption, ALL existing and legal
cannibalistic feeding practices are NOT banned in these rules, the
inadequate BSE surveillance program is described as will be continued so
no improvements there, visual pre-mortem inspection of cattle headed for
slaughter is described but no comprehensive post mortem testing using
advanced, more sensitive testing (as demanded by the Japanese government) is
described - not clear if the visual inspection is anything new.

In general, this is a press release that does not fully and completely
address the believed cause of BSE, cannibalistic feeding practices.  It
occurs to me that it would not be possible for USDA to broaden the ban on
cannibalistic feed practices without calling the public's attention to their
continued existence in the US today.

MISSING BUT DESIRABLE: I would want to see stepped up enforcement  of the
1997 feed ban, banning of use of downer cattle in ANY food, not just human
food, and appropriate destruction of all downer cattle as if they had BSE; a
new ban on the use of AMY cattle remains in non-ruminant feed (currently
cattle can be used in chicken feed, and the chicken remains can then be
turned around and used in cattle feed), the banning of the use of cow blood
protein for weaning calves. We have to remember that human food is a
defined concept, and it means food labeled or intended for human
consumption. There are people who are too poor to buy this food and eat food
labeled for animal consumption.  The placement of a label on food as human
or nonhuman is to permit the use and sale of otherwise unfit matter.  It in
no way guarantees that humans would not eat the food or get BSE from eating
it; nor does it guarantee that we could not see some cross-species TSE
infectivity happening between our pet dogs and cats and

Re: [biofuels-biz] Embodied energy in biodiesel

2004-01-01 Thread David Teal


Tom,
This report incorporates most previous studies on the topic.  It has been
criticised for being less than generous to biodiesel from waste oil, but
have a look anyway:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/acu/research/reports/nf0422.pdf

David T.


Biofuels at Journey to Forever
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
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[biofuels-biz] SwRI wins EPA contract for development of hybrids


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

SwRI wins EPA contract for development of hybrids

The U.S. EPA has awarded the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) a 
five-year contract worth up to $14.3 million to provide engineering 
support in developing advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient 
automotive technology.

This program will research hybrid vehicle technologies. The SwRI has 
teamed with AVL Powertrain Engineering, a subcontractor for this 
project, and will provide staff to work at the EPA's National Vehicle 
and Fuels Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, MI.

The primary focus of this contract will be to test and develop high- 
efficiency engines with low emission rates. SwRI will test and 
optimize advanced technology engines, powertrains, and hydraulic pump 
motors.

http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/EPA.htm

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News

Southwest Research Institute¨ wins $14 million, 5-year EPA contract 
for advanced engine testing, optimization

San Antonio -- Dec. 4, 2003 -- The Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) has awarded Southwest Research Institute¨ (SwRI¨) a five-year 
contract worth up to $14.3 million to provide engineering support in 
developing advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient automotive 
technology.

This clean automotive technology program will research and test the 
potential of hybrid vehicle technologies. The Institute has teamed 
with AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc., a subcontractor for this 
project, and will provide staff to work at the EPA's National Vehicle 
and Fuels Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The primary focus of this contract will be to test and develop 
high-efficiency engines with low emissions rates, said Gary 
Stecklein, director of SwRI's Vehicle and Driveline Research 
Department. We will test and optimize advanced technology engines, 
powertrains and hydraulic pump motors.

Since 1994, the Vehicle and Driveline Research Department has 
supported the EPA on improving vehicle and engine designs.

This contract expands our existing base of EPA work, said Bob 
Burrahm, work assignment manager of the EPA project and Program 
Manager in SwRI's Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division. 
We have been providing electronic engine management and controls 
expertise to the EPA for nearly a decade and already have engineers 
in Ann Arbor to support these efforts. This new award goes beyond 
electronic controls into basic combustion and hardware development 
and optimization.

As an independent, multidisciplinary research, development and 
testing organization, SwRI offers an unbiased, third-party 
perspective. The Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division has 
achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized 
quality standard, and ISO 14001, an environmental management system 
standard. In addition, SwRI has the expertise to perform combustion 
visualization, detailed airflow analysis, combustion bomb testing, 
and competitive engine and vehicle benchmarking. The division also 
develops specialized instruments, control systems, test apparatus, 
and data acquisition systems to help achieve engine and vehicle 
performance and emissions goals.

AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc. is the world's largest privately 
owned, independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel, 
alternative fuel powertrain systems as well as fuel cell and hybrid 
technologies. The company also manufactures powertrain 
instrumentation and test systems. AVL's North American headquarters 
is located in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth, Mich., with an 
additional test center in Ann Arbor. AVL has 2,850 employees 
worldwide. For more information about AVL, contact Amy Howell at 
(734) 414-9608.

For more information, contact Tracey Whelan, Communications 
Department, (210) 522-2256, Fax (210) 522-3547, PO Drawer 28510, San 
Antonio, TX 78228-0510.

Biofuels at Journey to Forever
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html
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[biofuels-biz] General Motors introducing improved Duramax 6600


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

General Motors introducing improved Duramax 6600

GM's Duramax 6600 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine will provide higher 
power and torque ratings and an emission improvement beginning in 
January 2004.

Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500 Series trucks with the Duramax 
6600 and the Allison automatic transmission will receive a new 
version of the engine with 310 hp @3100 rpm, 10 more hp than before. 
The engine also features a higher torque rating of 590 lb-ft @ 1600 
rpm, a 70 lb-ft increase over its previous maximum high.

An EGR system in conjunction with a catalytic converter reduces NOx 
emissions in all 50 states to approximately 2 g/bhp-hr, from a 
previous 4 g/bhp-hr in 49 states and 3.5 g/bhp-hr in California. The 
engine also features a closed crankcase ventilation, 2 years ahead of 
the regulatory requirement.

http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?6081

For Release: December 5, 2003

Duramax 6600 Provides Major Improvements In Power, Torque, and Emissions

PONTIAC, MICH. -
GM's Duramax 6600 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine will provide higher 
power and torque ratings and major emission improvements beginning in 
January 2004.

Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500 Series trucks with the Duramax 
6600 and the Allison automatic transmission will receive a new 
version of the engine with 310 hp @ 3100 rpm, 10 more horsepower than 
before. The engine also features a higher torque rating of 590 lb-ft 
@ 1600 rpm, a 70 lb-ft increase over its previous maximum high. At 
the same time, Duramax 6600 NOx emissions have been reduced almost by 
half.

Since its introduction in 2001, the Duramax 6600 has re-established 
GM in the full-size diesel powered truck market by increasing our 
share of the segment to nearly 30 percent, said Charlie Freese, 
executive director, diesel engineering for GM Powertrain.

Silverado and Sierra models with the Duramax 6600 and a standard ZF 
S6-650 six-speed manual transmission receive the same emissions 
improvements as those with the Allison 1000, with carryover power 
ratings.

Over 90 percent of our three-quarter and one-ton customers order 
their Duramax 6600 with the Allison 1000 five-speed automatic 
transmission - prompting us to focus on power, torque and emissions 
improvements, where they provide greatest benefits for the largest 
number of customers, Freese said.

Both the new version of the Duramax 6600 turbo diesel with the 
Allison automatic transmission and the version with the standard ZF 
six-speed manual feature improved hardware. The new version also has 
additional software calibration changes to help provide its higher 
power output.

Primary hardware changes include a variable nozzle turbocharger, new 
electronic control module, next-generation fuel injectors, 
electronically controlled cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), 50 
state catalytic converter usage, improved charge air-cooling and a 
closed crankcase ventilation system:

The common rail fuel system also uses smaller, more precisely 
machined and positioned next-generation fuel injectors to inject its 
fuel pulses into the cylinders. The injectors are now fully 
accessible, allowing service technicians to access them without 
having to take the cylinder head cover off. Servicing is typically 
required only every 100,000 miles or more.

The new variable nozzle turbocharger features vanes that are now 
hydraulically controlled to precisely adjust the level of boost 
generated by the turbocharger.

A more powerful, 32-bit, next-generation engine control module 
provides the capabilities for integrated control of the additional 
engine hardware. The new engine controller provides faster 
microprocessor speeds, increased throughput and more memory than the 
previous generation controller.

The EGR system in conjunction with catalytic converter usage reduces 
NOx emissions in all 50 states to approximately 2 grams per brake 
horsepower hour from a previous 4 grams in 49 states and 3.5 grams in 
California.

Charge-air cooling is used to provide cool dense air to the cylinders 
to help generate the new engine's increased power, torque and 
improved emissions.

The closed-crankcase ventilation system, although not required to 
meet 2004 emissions regulations, anticipates upcoming 2006-model 
emissions requirements by incorporating a closed crankcase 
ventilation system in which harmful vapors are vented internally and 
burned as part of the combustion process, rather than being vented to 
the outside atmosphere.

The engine's high torque across the power band helps Duramax 
6600-equipped GM trucks excel in off-the-line performance, 
acceleration and heavy-duty trailering and hauling, Freese said.

New versions of the Duramax 6600 will be produced at GM's Moraine, 
Ohio facility. The engine was developed through a GM and Isuzu Motors 
joint ventures (DMAX Ltd. and GMIDEL).

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, 
castings and components for GM

[biofuels-biz] Mazda launching DPF-equipped light Bongo truck


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

Mazda launching DPF-equipped light Bongo truck

Mazda Motor Corporation has introduced a new diesel engine and a 
diesel particulate filter (DPF) system to its Mazda Bongo van and 
truck range. It is the first light commercial vehicle to employ a DPF 
system.

The new Mazda Bongo vans are the first light commercial vehicles to 
comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel Emissions Regulations 
(2003/2004) and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law, making them 
eligible for sale and registration in Japan's major metropolitan 
areas.

The new 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, common-rail direct injection 
turbo diesel engine (RF-CDT type, based on the MZR-CD engine from the 
EU specification Mazda6) delivers improved performance compared to 
the previous 2.2-liter diesel engine. Maximum output has been 
increased from 58 kW @4,250 rpm to 63 kW @3,500 rpm. Maximum torque 
has been enhanced by around 30% from 138 Nm @2,000 rpm to 178 Nm 
@2,000 rpm. Comparing the fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) of a manual 
front-wheel drive, wide-low long body truck, the new 2.0-liter diesel 
engine achieves a 6.49 l/100km compared to the previous 2.2-liter 
diesel engine's 7.35 l/100km.

PM emissions have been reduced by 75%, while NOx emissions have been 
cut by 25% compared to the 2.2-liter diesel engine (R2 type) 
previously used in the Bongo series.

In order to reduce PM emissions, the engine employs a DPF coated with 
an oxidation catalyst. The filter is automatically regenerated 
through the combined effect of the catalyst and increased combustion 
temperature, controlled by the common-rail injection system. The DPF 
utilizes an Si-SiC wall-flow monolith substrate (NGK).

NOx emissions are reduced through the use of cooled exhaust gas 
recirculation (EGR) and by improving combustion efficiency with fuel 
injected at high pressure from the common-rail.

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200312/1209e.html

December 9, 2003

'Mazda Bongo' First in Class to Employ Diesel Engine with DPF
- Cleaner emissions, qualifies for registration in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya -

Mazda Motor Corporation has partially restyled its Mazda Bongo van 
and truck range with the introduction of a newly developed diesel 
engine designed to greatly reduce exhaust emissions. The upgraded 
vehicles go on sale today at Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam 
dealers throughout Japan.

Mazda Bongo vehicles equipped with the new diesel engine are the 
first in their class*1 to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law*2 making 
them eligible for sale and registration in the major metropolitan 
areas of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Moreover, performance and fuel 
economy show a significant improvement over the previous diesel 
engines used in the Bongo series. With the introduction of this 
engine Mazda actively responds to customer demands by providing a 
clean, yet powerful and responsive diesel engine with enhanced fuel 
economy. These features ensure that Bongo commercial vehicles 
continue to be the ideal business partner.

Additional enhancements for the Bongo van/truck lineup include a more 
powerful gasoline engine, revised seat and door trim fabric and a 
driver's seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiter.

Mazda Bongo Van GL-Super

Features of the New Diesel Engine
1)  Cleaner emissions (Complies with New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law)

The new 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, common-rail direct 
injection turbo diesel engine (RF-CDT type) employs technology that 
greatly reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen 
oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas emissions. Based on the MZR-CD engine 
mounted in the European specification Mazda6, the engine is equipped 
with an all-new diesel particulate filter (DPF) and an improved 
engine control unit. As a result, PM emissions have been reduced by 
more than 75 percent, while NOx emissions have been cut by 25 percent 
compared to the 2.2-liter diesel engine (R2 type) previously used in 
the Bongo series.

In order to reduce PM emissions, the engine employs a diesel 
particulate filter coated with an oxidation catalyst. The ceramic 
filter traps PM, and when the amount of PM in the filter reaches a 
designated level, it is automatically removed through the combined 
effect of the catalyst and combustion temperature controlled by the 
common-rail injection system. Further, NOx emissions are reduced by 
optimally controlling the combustion temperature with Cooled EGR*3 
and by improving combustion efficiency with fuel injected at high 
pressure from the common-rail. As a result, Mazda Bongo is the first 
vehicle in its class to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Law.

2)  Improved performance (maximum torque increased by around 30%)
The new engine employs a common-rail direct injection

[biofuels-biz] Mercedes-Benz to unveil a diesel hybrid car in Detroit


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003


Mercedes-Benz to unveil a diesel hybrid car in Detroit

Mercedes-Benz said it will unveil its Vision Grand Sports Tourer at 
the Detroit Auto Show in January 2004. Series production development 
of this model has already reached an extremely advanced stage, 
according to Mercedes. This concept may become the first of a new 
line of R-class vehicles, will would be the second model line (after 
the M- class) to come from the Mercedes plant in Alabama.

The Mercedes concept is a touring saloon which offers space for up to 
six occupants. It is powered by a newly developed diesel hybrid 
powerplant consisting of a V8 diesel engine (from the S-Class) with 
184 kW (250 hp) and a 50 kW electric motor. This combination yields 
234 kW (314 hp) of total power, 860 Nm (634 lb-ft) of torque, and an 
impressive acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.6 
seconds.  The maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h 
(155 mph).

http://www.car-data.com/xpage.preview/pre.template.asp?mfg=mercedesmo 
del=visiongst

Mercedes-Benz Unveils a New Interpretation of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer

Model - Mercedes-Benz Vision GST

Status - Model Year 2005, Available early 2005

Source - DaimlerChrysler

Mercedes-Benz will pave the way for a new vehicle category when it 
unveils the Vision Grand Sports Tourer - a new take on the 
groundbreaking touring saloon concept - at the North American 
International Auto Show in January 2004. Series production 
development of this Mercedes model has already reached an extremely 
advanced stage. The new Vision Grand Sports Tourer from 
Mercedes-Benz is a highly appealing and versatile touring car that 
offers space, comfort and power. This latest trend-setter will enable 
us to gain a firm foothold in what is a new and exciting market 
segment in early 2005. We believe that the concept offers enormous 
potential for the launch of a new Mercedes model family, says 
Professor Jrgen Hubbert, member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of 
Management and head of the Mercedes Car Group.

Thanks to its intelligent use of space, the Mercedes concept offers 
first-class comfort for up to six occupants. Featuring comfortable 
individual seats and high-grade appointments, the luxurious interior 
has everything it takes to ensure exemplary driving enjoyment whilst 
touring. Further innovative features of the Vision Grand Sports 
Tourer include a newly developed diesel hybrid powerplant which 
develops 234 kW.

Grand Sports Tourer: saloon, van, estate and SUV all in one

First unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in 2002, the Grand Sports Tourer idea 
combines the best features of familiar vehicle concepts such as the 
touring saloon, van, estate and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to create 
a new and unique entity. This Mercedes concept thus offers comfort, 
space and practicality as well as meeting extremely high stan-dards 
in terms of performance and driving dynamics. It also provides 
outstanding long-distance comfort. In other words, it is an all-new 
interpretation of the touring car.

Mercedes-Benz created this concept in response to the desire among 
modern-day drivers for a versatile car which, as well as being ideal 
for the family, recreation, travel and work, also features elegant 
design and the leading-edge technology for which the brand is 
renowned. The concept of the Grand Sports Tourer is the result of 
intensive dialogue between the Stuttgart-based manufacturer and 
customers from all around the world. These discussions form the basis 
of new and exciting vehicle concepts such as the Vision Grand Sports 
Tourer and the recently unveiled Vision CLS.

Design: the perfect blend of elegance, dynamism and supremacy

The new Mercedes-Benz show car is concrete proof that the Grand 
Sports Tourer has evolved from a design study and is ready to be 
phased into series production. It features a host of exciting details 
that are sure to arouse great interest. One of the main features that 
contributes to the dynamic appearance is the arc-shaped contour of 
the roof line which forms a powerfully smooth link between the 
A-pillar and C-pillar, thus projecting the desired coup-like 
image. These lines lend the concept car a sporty elegance that belies 
its impressive size.

Other prominent characteristics of the Grand Sports Tourer, such as 
assurance and high performance, are highlighted by the design of the 
radiator grille with its wide aluminium louvers as well as the 
powerful contours of the bonnet and the prominent bumper. The 
pronounced wedge shape of the front end adds further emphasis to this 
design language.

Interior: relaxed touring for up to six occupants

A large panoramic glass roof stretches practically the entire 
distance between the windscreen and the rear end, bathing the 
interior in light. Up to six occupants can enjoy the relaxing ride in 
the luxurious individual seats. In terms of interior space, 
meanwhile, the distance of 920 mm between

[biofuels-biz] PSA and Ricardo UK to develop ultra-low CO2 hybrid car


http://www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/en/psa_espace/imprimer.php?espace=p 
ressescript=communiques_presseid=305template=communiques_presse_det 
ails_purl=url_send=
PSA Peugeot Citroen
12/16/2003

PSA and Ricardo UK to develop ultra-low CO2 hybrid car

EFFICIENT-C holds prospect of ultra-low CO2 emission car

Following their winning submission to the UK Government's Ultra Low 
Carbon Car Challenge, PSA Peugeot Citron, Ricardo UK Ltd and QinetiQ 
today revealed plans for their £3M project, codenamed EFFICIENT-C, to 
develop a C-segment passenger car capable of ultra-low CO2 emissions 
while delivering competitive standards of vehicle performance and 
refinement.

EFFICIENT-C will involve the development and demonstration of a 
highly efficient parallel hybrid power train system installed in a 
Citron Berlingo Multispace passenger car. Development of this 
vehicle is expected to take 18 months and with a potential for 
delivery in future products available to customers. The first phase 
of the programme will comprise a feasibility study, which will define 
the final vehicle architecture. Key technologies envisaged at this 
stage for in the EFFICIENT-C vehicle include:

- An efficient PSA Peugeot Citron HDi common rail diesel engine, 
delivering peak performance of around 90 bhp while achieving Euro IV 
emissions levels with low-cost after treatment technology.
- A high output Direct Current (DC) electric motor-generator enabling 
stop/start operation of the diesel engine, torque assist, efficient 
electrical power generation, regenerative braking and all electric 
traction at low speed.
- An automated manual transmission (AMT) delivering high standards of 
refinement and driveability in a cost effective manner
- An advanced energy storage system using NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) 
or Li-ION (Lithium-Ion) batteries, possibly combined with super 
capacitors, to achieve the energy and power densities required for 
efficient operation of the vehicle.
- Advanced control and electronics architecture, enabling the many 
constituent technologies of the hybrid vehicle to operate at optimal 
efficiency.

The EFFICIENT-C vehicle is targeted to achieve CO2 emissions of 
89.5g/km over the combined ECE + EUDC drive cycle (this equates to a 
well-to-wheels CO2 emissions level of 100g/km, using pump grade 
diesel fuel). Exhaust emissions will be within Euro IV levels. 
Vehicle performance targets include a 0-100kph acceleration time of 
less than 13 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150kph.

The EFFICIENT-C team represents a unique mix of skills in the 
development of hybrid vehicle technology that will be used for the 
benefit of the project:

- PSA PEUGEOT CITROèN will provide its expertise in vehicle 
architecture. It will deliver the base vehicle hardware and 
engineering support to the integration of hybrid technologies, 
including power train, energy storage and associated control systems. 
The company will also provide guidance to ensure production and cost 
feasibility and consumer acceptability.

- RICARDO the world leading independent automotive engineering 
consultancy, will contribute programme management and hybrid vehicle 
systems integration expertise. It will also provide power train and 
vehicle control/electronics development, demonstrator vehicle build 
and production cost-benefit analysis.

- QINETIQ Europe's largest science and technology solutions provider, 
will bring expertise in the areas of energy storage, power 
electronics, battery management and hybrid power train modelling. The 
company will also provide prototype energy storage and management 
hardware to support the demonstrator vehicle

Note to editors:

The Ultra Low Carbon Challenge was launched by the UK Government on 
29 April 2003 and invited proposals from individual companies and 
consortia to demonstrate the feasibility of a family sized ultra-low 
carbon car in the UK. The five winning proposals, which included the 
EFFICIENT-C project, were announced by Green Fuels Minister David 
Jamieson on October 15, 2003.


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[biofuels-biz] It's the Cow Feed, Stupid!


http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1231-07.htm
Published on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 by CommonDreams.org

It's the Cow Feed, Stupid!

by John Stauber

 

The USDA's much ballyhooed new measures to address the emergence of 
mad cow disease in the US are wholly inadequate. Until there is a 
complete and total ban on all feeding of slaughterhouse waste to 
livestock, coupled with the testing of millions of animals, mad cow 
disease will continue to amplify and spread in US animal feed and 
among livestock. Eventually we will see cases of human mad cow 
disease emerging. It was a decade after the recognition of the first 
mad cow in Britain that the human deaths, continuing today, began 
appearing.

We know now that in the US the so called firewall, the FDA's 1997 
feed regulation misnamed a feed ban, has been woefully ineffective, 
a farce. Sheldon Rampton and I exposed this in our 1997 book, Mad Cow 
USA: Could the Nightmare Happen Here?

We waited to see what the FDA would do before we concluded our book 
in the fall of 1997. The FDA wrote feed regulations that allowed the 
livestock and animal feed industry to continue their dangerous 
practices that are spreading mad cow disease in North America.

The USDA knew way back in 1991, more than a decade ago, that a feed 
ban was necessary to protect human and animal health, but sided with 
the livestock industry. In a 1991 report I obtained under the Freedom 
of Information Act USDA said, the advantage of this option is that 
it minimizes the risk of BSE. The disadvantage is that the cost to 
the livestock and rendering industries would be substantial. (Mad 
Cow USA, p. 149-150)

The 1997 FDA feed regulation is not a feed ban, but a labeling 
requirement that meat and bone meal from cattle and other ruminants 
be labeled 'do not feed to ruminants.' (MCUSA, p. 215-218) Government 
investigators have found that this rule has been widely ignored and 
poorly enforced. Without offering proof, USDA officials now say there 
is 99% compliance with this rule.

However, even if that were true, it would mean little since farmers, 
ranchers and cattle producers can buy properly labeled feed and still 
feed it to cattle. There is no on-farm inspection of how even 
properly labeled feed is actually used, and such inspection is 
impossible.

As long as billions of pounds of rendered slaughterhouse waste are 
being fed to livestock, labeling regulations and the sort of partial 
requirements that USDA announced December 30, 2003, will not stop mad 
cow disease from spreading.

The 1997 feed labeling regulation is so bad that it even allows 
animals known to be infected with mad cow and similar diseases to be 
rendered into animal feed, despite the fact that the World Health 
Organization has urged for a decade that no infected animals be fed 
to animals or people.

Researchers have long shown that blood can transmit mad cow type 
diseases, yet under the 1997 labeling regulations massive amounts of 
cattle blood are today being fed to calves in milk replacer, calf 
starter and feed supplements. Government and industry sources are 
telling reporters that it is safe to feed cattle blood to calves and 
cattle, yet Dr. Stanley Prusiner, the Nobel-prize wining mad cow 
researcher, says that feeding cattle blood to calves is stupid.

Why was cattle blood exempted from the 1997 FDA regulation? The 
politically powerful dairy industry wanted cheap blood protein in 
milk formula for weaning calves. The 1997 FDA regulations were 
written for industry, not to protect human or animal health.

Also, under the 1997 FDA regulations, all parts of cattle are 
rendered and fed to pigs and poultry, which are rendered and all 
parts are fed back to themselves and to cattle. This feeding loop can 
spread and amplify mad cow disease, and even create and spread new, 
never before seen, strains of the disease.

Unless and until the US follows the lead of the EU nations by 
implementing a total ban on byproduct feeding, along with testing 
millions of animals, the mad cow crisis will only worsen with time.

In January, 1997, FDA projected that with no feed ban in place, the 
appearance of a single mad cow in the US would mean that over the 
next 11 years at least 299,000 additional mad cows cases would 
emerge, because of the spread of the disease via infected feed and 
the long invisible latency period in cattle. These 299,000 case would 
occur even if an airtight, mandatory feed ban were put in place 
immediately after the appearance of the first mad cow in the US. 
(MCUSA, page 211-212)

Clearly, there is no effective livestock feed ban currently in place 
in the US, and USDA and FDA have absolutely no plans to put one in 
place. The so-called firewall feed ban of 1997 is a farce, an 
ineffective labeling requirement and nothing more.

The powerful livestock and animal feed industries continue to call 
the shots at FDA and USDA. Apparently they believe that their current 
crisis management PR

Diseases Was: [biofuel] my two cents on mad cow

2004-01-01 Thread csakima


I know epidemics are a good way of eliminating the aged and weak  you
know, those who are liabilities.   Those who drain the pot with higher
medical needs  yet contribute very little, in terms of taxes (if you're
talking about a governmental point of view) or in terms of Corporate Profits
(if you're talking about an employee from a CEO point of view).

Slaves need to be assets.Strong backed, shut mouthed, and requiring a
minimum of maintenance ... in terms of food and other requirements.

Curtis

-
Make her feel special this coming holiday season with flowers
www.flowerson55.com



- Original Message -
From: Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED]

I dont know what is true and false about mad cow..

--snip---

 Think the government is not telling all of us what is really going on.




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[biofuel] Re: Was deodorant..

2004-01-01 Thread Grahams


At 09:02 PM 12/31/2003, you wrote:
Caroline here is something that looks to me to be completely over the top. I
might add that I'm a millitant antismoker.

Courier Mail  6th Nov 2003 (Australia)
snip
The Anti-Smoking Manifesto Bra

It seems to be over someone's top.

Caroline 



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[biofuel] Re: Just looking of some advice.

2004-01-01 Thread david


--- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, Larry Little [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

you might check with the cotton gin in OKC.  they may have or know of
something you can use.  I plan on starting up research on a new
processing method this spring in MWC.  if it works out, you're welcome
to stop by and chat.

da




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[biofuel] my two cents on mad cow


I dont know what is true and false about mad cow.. but I do know ...
that after living in england for a year... The Feds have passed a
ruling that keeps me from donating blood anymore.  Think the
government is not telling all of us what is really going on.



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[biofuel] Re: food for thought


More and more local code enforcement agencies really are pushing every
new building towards  higher insulation values. Only a few major
glitches that they seem to not understand or just totally ignore. 

Tests by researchers show that fiberglass is good at 75 degrees... but
has no insulating value at 20 degrees F.  

Second.  How much insulation value is there in a building constructed
with Steel studs?  Even the building industry admits steel is a super
great conductor of heat.. be it into or out of a building.  Always
enjoy that they put batts between the studs.. and then you get a
thermal nose bleed every 16-24 inches.
Here is the reprint from Oakridge testing labs

Did you know that R-Value testing is done at 72 degrees Fahrenheit
with no infiltration/exfiltration, humidity at 40% or lower and with a
small temperature change for a short duration?  This test, which is
the standard R-Value test was designed when the only insulation
material being evaluated was fiberglass.  It was developed by the
Fiberglass industry, so it's hardly surprising that it would favor
them.  When the conditions of the test are varied fiberglass doesn't
do well.  For example, at 20 degrees F with 50% humidity, fiberglass
is R-0.  EPs acually gets higher R-values as the temperatures
decrease, and humidity does not affect it at all.  The test is an
unreliable guide to efficiency.

Imagine how effective insulation is when doors and windows are left
open.  Essentially, infiltration and exfiltration issues are similar.
 Air and moisture flow through the structure greatly reduce the energy
efficiency of the home.  SIPs address this issue better than
conventional stick or steel frame construction.  Blower door tests
indicate that SIPs are 20% tighter than very well built stick frame
homes and as much as 40% tighter than most conventional construction.

If you've ever used a space blanket, you've seen how effective
reflective radiant sheeting can be for insulating.  Any material which
keeps radiant energy from converting to condutive energy is considered
good as a radiant barrier.  Stick frame, steel studs and masonry are
all exceptionally bad at this and SIPs are good at it.

Some materials are slow to change temperature- they have inertia to
temperature change.   Air and metal are very bad at this and
non-metallic solids are good at it.   SIPs are excellent insulators
where thermal mass is a factor.

A standard stick or steel frame wall has studs every 16, which
translates to about 20% to 25% of the actual surface area.  Obviously
there is no insulation where the framing is so the less framing, the
higher the insulation efficiency.  According to Oak Ridge National
Labs, this one issue reduces the efficiency of a wood stud wall by 33%
and a steel stud wall by as much as 55%.  SIPs rate a 7% loss of
efficiency.

SIPs are generally tighter at the window connections, but teh quality
of the window (R-value and low E) is often the most under-rated issue
in energy efficiency.  If you look at thermographic images of highly
energy-efficient homes the loss through windows is striking.

Connection details at the corners, wall top and bottom and at openings
are another weak spot for energy efficiency in conventional
construction which is well-handled in SIPs.

As you can see- the real issues of energy efficiency are ignored when
R-value is stressed.

So as I was dreaming about earlier today.. wouldnt it be lovely if we
could all have houses rated at R 45?  Yeah pipe dreams for 90% of the
buildings going up... 

--- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, Bryan Brah [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 Would this law arbitrarily apply to EVERY new building nationwide?  What
 about Hawaii, where many people don't have heat or AC, and drafty,
 semi-permeable walls are desirable?  If you can grant an exemption for
 Hawaiians, then why not for Floridians?  Even if the law was passed, how
 do you propose enforcing it?  Currently building code enforcement is a
 local jurisdictional responsibility which many communities' may resent
 being usurped by the federal government.  Additionally, building
 inspection departments in small communities could be overburdened by
 additional inspection requirements.   An unfunded federal mandate of
 this nature would exasperate state and local budget shortfalls unless
 there was some provision to pay for additional inspectors with federal
 tax money.  
 
  
 
 Assuming that you could overcome these problems, there would still be
 the problem of fair application of the law.  Since building codes are
 local, they vary widely.  In some communities, building a new structure
 utilizing even a single wall of an existing structure constitutes a
 remodel, even if the rest of the structure is demolished.  To avoid this
 problem you would have to Federalize all local building codes to
 prevent builders from skirting the law by declaring their projects
 remodels rather than new constriction.  Then there is the question
 of penalties.  Since it would

[biofuel] Re: food for thought


Would hate to the be that .6 of a person LOL.. but there is lots to be
said for body heat ... Hum.. two people and a 75 pound dog.. hum. that
might equal out to 2.6 people LOL.. As you can tell I am not to
serious about all of this.. but it is fun to think about.  Dont think
I want to do the chicken coup thing though..

Steve


--- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, Dan Maker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
 [EMAIL PROTECTED] said:
  
  When last I was in Finland, they lived 2.6 people per room in
large state-run 
  apartment complexes, a Green dream for saving energy,
particularly with no 
  elevators.  Let's just pass a law ;-)
 
 That sounds like the human eqv. of a battery box chicken coup.
 
 Dan
 -- 
 Jack of all trades, master of none.
 Fiber Artist - Genealogist - Kilt Maker - Linux Geek - Piper -
Woodworker
 http://www.xmission.com/~redbeard



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Re: [biofuel] Re: Was deodorant..

2004-01-01 Thread gobie



- Original Message - 
From: Grahams [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 The Anti-Smoking Manifesto Bra
 
 It seems to be over someone's top.
 
 Caroline 
 
LOL, good on you Caroline you are a good sort.

Regards,
Paul Gobert 





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SIPs was Re: [biofuel] Re: food for thought

2004-01-01 Thread Appal Energy


Not all SIPs (structured insulated panels) are created equal

Their insulating medium and the incumbent toxic gasses that occur under
conditions of combustion should be the determining factor in what they're
constructed with. Unfortunately, it's not. Rather, the industry glosses over
such questions and goes into deflect and distract mode by explaining how
they can meet residential and commercial fire code. Well that's all well and
fine, but that's achieved by various layers of gypsum wallboard and has
nothing to do with SIPs proper.

And it still doesn't address the issue of combustion toxicity. On that
front, the closest industry gets to addressing toxic gases is the usual
short dismissal about how low the formaldehyde outgassing is, and then
pointing out that it's not a problem of the insulation, but the OSB. But no
answer on combustion gases unless you crucify them to a wall and hold a
bloody nailgun to their heads.

Expanded polystyrene may be a great insulator, but it never has been and
will continue to not be a construction medium of choice if the first thought
of what if were considered. I certainly wouldn't want to include it as a
factor if I were trying to locate a missing child or remove an unconscious
adult in a fire scenario.

Rigid polyisocyanurate foam would be a far better option, even more
attractive if it were manufactured from vegetable-oil based polyols.

But the consuming public isn't supposed to think or worry about such things.
Why?

Because We're the experts! - experts being industry and regulatory
agencies. There's probably not much comfort in that assurance after
inhaling the first lungful.

It's a valid question as to whether or not polystyrene has been included in
the primary constrution of a building and a solid reason to walk away from a
home purchase no matter how good the price.

Todd Swearingen

- Original Message - 
From: Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 10:37 PM
Subject: [biofuel] Re: food for thought


 More and more local code enforcement agencies really are pushing every
 new building towards  higher insulation values. Only a few major
 glitches that they seem to not understand or just totally ignore.

 Tests by researchers show that fiberglass is good at 75 degrees... but
 has no insulating value at 20 degrees F.

 Second.  How much insulation value is there in a building constructed
 with Steel studs?  Even the building industry admits steel is a super
 great conductor of heat.. be it into or out of a building.  Always
 enjoy that they put batts between the studs.. and then you get a
 thermal nose bleed every 16-24 inches.
 Here is the reprint from Oakridge testing labs

 Did you know that R-Value testing is done at 72 degrees Fahrenheit
 with no infiltration/exfiltration, humidity at 40% or lower and with a
 small temperature change for a short duration?  This test, which is
 the standard R-Value test was designed when the only insulation
 material being evaluated was fiberglass.  It was developed by the
 Fiberglass industry, so it's hardly surprising that it would favor
 them.  When the conditions of the test are varied fiberglass doesn't
 do well.  For example, at 20 degrees F with 50% humidity, fiberglass
 is R-0.  EPs acually gets higher R-values as the temperatures
 decrease, and humidity does not affect it at all.  The test is an
 unreliable guide to efficiency.

 Imagine how effective insulation is when doors and windows are left
 open.  Essentially, infiltration and exfiltration issues are similar.
  Air and moisture flow through the structure greatly reduce the energy
 efficiency of the home.  SIPs address this issue better than
 conventional stick or steel frame construction.  Blower door tests
 indicate that SIPs are 20% tighter than very well built stick frame
 homes and as much as 40% tighter than most conventional construction.

 If you've ever used a space blanket, you've seen how effective
 reflective radiant sheeting can be for insulating.  Any material which
 keeps radiant energy from converting to condutive energy is considered
 good as a radiant barrier.  Stick frame, steel studs and masonry are
 all exceptionally bad at this and SIPs are good at it.

 Some materials are slow to change temperature- they have inertia to
 temperature change.   Air and metal are very bad at this and
 non-metallic solids are good at it.   SIPs are excellent insulators
 where thermal mass is a factor.

 A standard stick or steel frame wall has studs every 16, which
 translates to about 20% to 25% of the actual surface area.  Obviously
 there is no insulation where the framing is so the less framing, the
 higher the insulation efficiency.  According to Oak Ridge National
 Labs, this one issue reduces the efficiency of a wood stud wall by 33%
 and a steel stud wall by as much as 55%.  SIPs rate a 7% loss of
 efficiency.

 SIPs are generally tighter at the window connections, but teh quality
 of the window

[biofuel] Fwd: Veneman Announces Additional Protection Measures To Guard Against BSE

Fwd from SANET (Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group). - Keith

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 17:41:46 -0500
From: jcummins [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: USDA: ADDITIONAL PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST BSE
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

In reply to William Thomas of USDA, currently there has been no overt
mention of restrictions on blood meal use in cattle feed as there was
last May in the Canadian Import Restrictions by USDA. Because there is
evidence that vCJD that originated from BSE may be passed through blood
transfusion it seems most prudent to restrict use of blood meal in
cattle feed. Blood meal may also expose farm hands by breathing feed dust
or contact with skin cuts or abrasions. It seems unwise to ignore blood
meal and focus only on nerve tissue. sincerely, prof.  joe cummins

Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 16:32:29 -0500
From: William B. Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: USDA: ADDITIONAL PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST BSE
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Release No. 0449.03

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Julie Quick (202) 720-4623

Veneman Announces Additional Protection Measures To Guard Against BSE

  WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2003-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman 
today announced additional safeguards to bolster the U.S. protection 
systems against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, or BSE, and further 
protect public health.

  For more than a decade, the United States has had in place an 
aggressive surveillance, detection and response program for BSE, 
said Veneman. While we are confident that the United States has 
safeguards and firewalls needed to protect public health, these 
additional actions will further strengthen our protection systems.

 Veneman said the policies announced today have been under 
consideration for many months, especially since the finding of a case 
of BSE in Canada in May 2003. The policies will further strengthen 
protections against BSE by removing certain animals and specified 
risk material and tissues from the human food chain; requiring 
additional process controls for establishments using advanced meat 
recovery (AMR); holding meat from cattle that have been tested for 
BSE until the test has confirmed negative; and prohibiting the 
air-injection stunning of cattle.

 While many cattle in the United States can be identified through 
a variety of systems, the Secretary also announced that USDA will 
begin immediate implementation of a verifiable system of national 
animal identification. The development of such a system has been 
underway for more than a year and a half to achieve uniformity, 
consistency and efficiency across this national system.

 USDA has worked with partners at the federal and state levels 
and in industry for the past year and a half on the adoption of 
standards for a verifiable nationwide animal identification system to 
help enhance the speed and accuracy of our response to disease 
outbreaks across many different animal species, Veneman said. I 
have asked USDA's Chief Information Officer to expedite the 
development of the technology architecture to implement this system a 
top priority.

 These are initial steps that USDA will take to enhance our 
protection system, Veneman said. I am appointing an international 
panel of scientific experts to provide an objective review of our 
response actions and identify areas for potential additional 
enhancements.

Specifically, USDA will take the following actions:

Downer Animals. Effectively immediately, USDA will ban all downer 
cattle from the human food chain. USDA will continue its BSE 
surveillance program.

Product Holding. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service inspectors 
will no longer mark cattle tested for BSE as inspected and passed 
until confirmation is received that the animals have, in fact, tested 
negative for BSE. This new policy will be in the form of an 
interpretive rule that will be published in the Federal Register.

 To prevent the entry into commerce of meat and meat food products 
that are adulterated, FSIS inspection program personnel perform ante- 
and post-mortem inspection of cattle that are slaughtered in the 
United States. As part of the ante-mortem inspection, FSIS personnel 
look for signs of disease, including signs of central nervous system 
impairment. Animals showing signs of systemic disease, including 
those exhibiting signs of neurologic impairment, are condemned. Meat 
from all condemned animals has never been permitted for use as human 
food.

 Specified Risk Material. Effective immediately upon publication 
in the Federal Register, USDA will enhance its regulations by 
declaring as specified risk materials skull, brain, trigeminal 
ganglia, eyes, vertebral column, spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia 
of cattle over 30 months of age and the small intestine of cattle of 
all ages, thus prohibiting their use in the human food supply. 
Tonsils from all cattle are already considered

[biofuel] Fwd: Comments on USDA press release

Fwd from SANET (Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group). 
See Veneman Announces Additional Protection Measures To Guard 
Against BSE. - Keith

Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 00:14:52 -0500
From: chris reid [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Comments on USDA press release
To:   [EMAIL PROTECTED]

THE USDA press release is interesting.  I'm tempted to be encouraged by it,
even relieved that the right noises seem to be coming out of Washington.

Again, with this apparently encouraging news, I remind myself to keep your
eye on the ball.  This is a press release, and we need to see how it
actually plays out, and examine it carefully to see if the key changes we
need to see are actually happening here, and what the pattern of changes
implies for the meat industry and for consumers. There's many a slip twixt
the cup and the lip, and so we must not let our optimism run away with us
(grin).

What has not disappeared is the atmosphere in Washington typified by the
very recent defeat of legislation in Congress intended to make our meat
supply safer (related to downer cattle), and the strength of the dairy and
cattle industry lobbies that contributed to said defeat.  Therefore, I would
make the interpretation that even in the face of this press release, the
bent of these industries is in profits and the thinking is not humane
thinking, it is green eyeshade thinking about risk levels and profit levels,
and numbers, numbers, numbers.

So I will be quite watchful and mindful that press releases are not the same
as the actions that are ultimately carried out, that this administration has
a history of positioning its anti-progress actions in progressive prose, and
our citizens are believed to have an attention span of about one
millisecond.  Again, if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears does it
make a sound?  If the federal government does not live up to the apparent
game plan laid out in a press release but citizens look no farther than the
press release, will citizens remember the press release or the actions?

One hopes that the Japanese can hold their ground and be a factor in causing
actual changes to occur.

I think there are a lot of hardworking people at USDA who really want to see
this matter handled competently and correctly, so I don't mean to insult
them or paint them with a broad brush.  I guess what I am saying is that the
current BSE situation exists within a context in which profits and influence
are frequently play out as more important than human health and welfare.
Based on the track record of the administration so far and the documented
results of previous attempts to protect the meat/food chain, I consider it
worthwhile to read carefully and distinguish between real and apparent
changes, and keep an eye on actual enforcement and actions to see if
technicalities and end runs water down any apparent progress.

Quick notes on the press release:

Regardless of the USDA's self-characterization of its efforts as aggressive,
the US Surveillance system is not characterized as aggressive by people in
the know, the words HUMAN food chain suggest that downer meat will
continue to be used for other animals' consumption, ALL existing and legal
cannibalistic feeding practices are NOT banned in these rules, the
inadequate BSE surveillance program is described as will be continued so
no improvements there, visual pre-mortem inspection of cattle headed for
slaughter is described but no comprehensive post mortem testing using
advanced, more sensitive testing (as demanded by the Japanese government) is
described - not clear if the visual inspection is anything new.

In general, this is a press release that does not fully and completely
address the believed cause of BSE, cannibalistic feeding practices.  It
occurs to me that it would not be possible for USDA to broaden the ban on
cannibalistic feed practices without calling the public's attention to their
continued existence in the US today.

MISSING BUT DESIRABLE: I would want to see stepped up enforcement  of the
1997 feed ban, banning of use of downer cattle in ANY food, not just human
food, and appropriate destruction of all downer cattle as if they had BSE; a
new ban on the use of AMY cattle remains in non-ruminant feed (currently
cattle can be used in chicken feed, and the chicken remains can then be
turned around and used in cattle feed), the banning of the use of cow blood
protein for weaning calves. We have to remember that human food is a
defined concept, and it means food labeled or intended for human
consumption. There are people who are too poor to buy this food and eat food
labeled for animal consumption.  The placement of a label on food as human
or nonhuman is to permit the use and sale of otherwise unfit matter.  It in
no way guarantees that humans would not eat the food or get BSE from eating
it; nor does it guarantee that we could not see some cross-species TSE
infectivity happening between our pet dogs and cats and

Re: [biofuel] my two cents on mad cow


I dont know what is true and false about mad cow..

Time to learn, if you're a food-eating human who lives in the US (or 
anywhere). I've given you some good places to start, especially 
Rampton and Stauber's Mad Cow USA, free full-text download.
http://www.prwatch.org/books/madcow.html

This from Misha Gale-Sinex, who seldom puts a foot wrong in these 
issues, dead on target, as usual:

... regardless of whether prions are or aren't in this or that food, 
there is a bigger problem:

***INDUSTRIAL FOOD SYSTEMS CONCENTRATE PATHOGENS***

[UW Madison veterinary researcher] Dick Marsh wrote about the 
feeding of animal proteins to animals as a main vector for 
amplifying the disease cycle. At the moment he put those words 
into print--August of 1990--he put his finger on the crucial 
crossroads between epidemiology and industrial ag practices. For all 
of us.

I heard from various sources that Dick was harassed, and threatened 
with lawsuits, by the meat industry in the 1990s. That was the era 
when PR companies helped industry groups develop agricultural 
disparagement legislation to shut down discussion of food systems 
issues like BSE, pesticides, or food safety. This is what led Howard 
Lyman to appear on the Oprah show, and for him and her afterward to 
become the victims of a SLAPP lawsuit by the Texas Cattlemen's 
Association...

And that's why you don't know.

but I do know ...
that after living in england for a year... The Feds have passed a
ruling that keeps me from donating blood anymore.  Think the
government is not telling all of us what is really going on.

Okay, good start, keep going...

Best

Keith


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Re: [biofuel] food for thought



Dan,

I do not know when and where he visited in Finland, if he did it at all. I 
do nor recognize his description and it is no support for it in the Finnish 
statistics. In general the Nordic countries have less inhabitants per room 
than US. To get a picture of the real situation, United Nations Development 
Programme reports are here,

http://www.undp.org/

of special interest is,

Human Development Report 2003
http://www.undp.org/hdr2003/

In Sweden and in Finland, it is some parts of Helsinki and Stockholm, that 
became some sort of immigrant centers and this is a difficult problem. This 
problem is common for all larger cities in Europe and it is considerable 
efforts done to improve the adaptation of the immigrants to their new 
environment. A problem that is also common in the US.

Hakan


At 21:13 31/12/2003, you wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] said:
 
  When last I was in Finland, they lived 2.6 people per room in large 
 state-run
  apartment complexes, a Green dream for saving energy, particularly 
 with no
  elevators.  Let's just pass a law ;-)

That sounds like the human eqv. of a battery box chicken coup.

Dan
--
Jack of all trades, master of none.
Fiber Artist - Genealogist - Kilt Maker - Linux Geek - Piper - Woodworker
http://www.xmission.com/~redbeardhttp://www.xmission.com/~redbeard



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Re: [biofuel] my two cents on mad cow



Steve,

It was many things introduced in US, when US thought that they could 
capture a larger market share for their beef export. The Mad Cow was then a 
very serious issue for US and by the same people that are now claiming that 
it is not a big deal. Even Bush is keeping to his beef diet, as if anyone 
would notice if he got mad cow or not. LOL

I was a lot of hype and deliberate scare mongers in US, when Europe had the 
problems and the Feds ruling is probably from that time. Just think about 
the lack of blood it is going to be in US now. Blood from Europe and US is 
not good for Mad Cow and the rest of the world for AIDS.

It is sad to again see the examples of US policies being exposed, that 
created the current world animosity against US.

Hakan

At 04:26 01/01/2004, you wrote:
I dont know what is true and false about mad cow.. but I do know ...
that after living in england for a year... The Feds have passed a
ruling that keeps me from donating blood anymore.  Think the
government is not telling all of us what is really going on.



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Re: [biofuel] Re: food for thought



Energy transmission in buildings,

http://energysavingnow.com/

Hakan


At 04:37 01/01/2004, you wrote:
More and more local code enforcement agencies really are pushing every
new building towards  higher insulation values. Only a few major
glitches that they seem to not understand or just totally ignore.

Tests by researchers show that fiberglass is good at 75 degrees... but
has no insulating value at 20 degrees F.

Second.  How much insulation value is there in a building constructed
with Steel studs?  Even the building industry admits steel is a super
great conductor of heat.. be it into or out of a building.  Always
enjoy that they put batts between the studs.. and then you get a
thermal nose bleed every 16-24 inches.
Here is the reprint from Oakridge testing labs

Did you know that R-Value testing is done at 72 degrees Fahrenheit
with no infiltration/exfiltration, humidity at 40% or lower and with a
small temperature change for a short duration?  This test, which is
the standard R-Value test was designed when the only insulation
material being evaluated was fiberglass.  It was developed by the
Fiberglass industry, so it's hardly surprising that it would favor
them.  When the conditions of the test are varied fiberglass doesn't
do well.  For example, at 20 degrees F with 50% humidity, fiberglass
is R-0.  EPs acually gets higher R-values as the temperatures
decrease, and humidity does not affect it at all.  The test is an
unreliable guide to efficiency.

Imagine how effective insulation is when doors and windows are left
open.  Essentially, infiltration and exfiltration issues are similar.
Air and moisture flow through the structure greatly reduce the energy
efficiency of the home.  SIPs address this issue better than
conventional stick or steel frame construction.  Blower door tests
indicate that SIPs are 20% tighter than very well built stick frame
homes and as much as 40% tighter than most conventional construction.

If you've ever used a space blanket, you've seen how effective
reflective radiant sheeting can be for insulating.  Any material which
keeps radiant energy from converting to condutive energy is considered
good as a radiant barrier.  Stick frame, steel studs and masonry are
all exceptionally bad at this and SIPs are good at it.

Some materials are slow to change temperature- they have inertia to
temperature change.   Air and metal are very bad at this and
non-metallic solids are good at it.   SIPs are excellent insulators
where thermal mass is a factor.

A standard stick or steel frame wall has studs every 16, which
translates to about 20% to 25% of the actual surface area.  Obviously
there is no insulation where the framing is so the less framing, the
higher the insulation efficiency.  According to Oak Ridge National
Labs, this one issue reduces the efficiency of a wood stud wall by 33%
and a steel stud wall by as much as 55%.  SIPs rate a 7% loss of
efficiency.

SIPs are generally tighter at the window connections, but teh quality
of the window (R-value and low E) is often the most under-rated issue
in energy efficiency.  If you look at thermographic images of highly
energy-efficient homes the loss through windows is striking.

Connection details at the corners, wall top and bottom and at openings
are another weak spot for energy efficiency in conventional
construction which is well-handled in SIPs.

As you can see- the real issues of energy efficiency are ignored when
R-value is stressed.

So as I was dreaming about earlier today.. wouldnt it be lovely if we
could all have houses rated at R 45?  Yeah pipe dreams for 90% of the
buildings going up...

--- In biofuel@yahoogroups.com, Bryan Brah [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
  Would this law arbitrarily apply to EVERY new building nationwide?  What
  about Hawaii, where many people don't have heat or AC, and drafty,
  semi-permeable walls are desirable?  If you can grant an exemption for
  Hawaiians, then why not for Floridians?  Even if the law was passed, how
  do you propose enforcing it?  Currently building code enforcement is a
  local jurisdictional responsibility which many communities' may resent
  being usurped by the federal government.  Additionally, building
  inspection departments in small communities could be overburdened by
  additional inspection requirements.   An unfunded federal mandate of
  this nature would exasperate state and local budget shortfalls unless
  there was some provision to pay for additional inspectors with federal
  tax money.
 
 
 
  Assuming that you could overcome these problems, there would still be
  the problem of fair application of the law.  Since building codes are
  local, they vary widely.  In some communities, building a new structure
  utilizing even a single wall of an existing structure constitutes a
  remodel, even if the rest of the structure is demolished.  To avoid this
  problem you would have to Federalize all local building codes to
  prevent builders from skirting the law by

Re: [biofuel] Room insulation was: food for thought



Steve,

One of the problems is also that in resting, the body system is only 
effected by 24% of convection. Direct radiation is 50% and humidity 22%. So 
you can design a room that feel the same at 16 degree C as an other room at 
25 degree C. You will die in a room at 80 degree C and 100% humidity, but 
enjoy a sauna at 110 degree C and 5-10% humidity.

You can also insulate a room by create a controlled vacuum in a room and 
let it suck the air for ventilation trough the walls. This way the incoming 
air will be preheated by the outgoing heat losses. In practise it is 
however too difficult to control and keep this on the optimum levels, but 
it is cases where this will work.

A very well insulated attic with 40 cm mineral wool and low-e humidity 
barrier (ventilation and humidity control), will reduce the heating losses 
with up to 40-50%

Even if the walls have a very poor insulation, it can be somewhat 
compensated by,
- Sealing of air intakes around windows and other known leakages.
- No air blowing into the room by ventilation system.
- Ventilation by low capacity evacuation fans (larger if you are a smoker) 
and no direct air intakes.
- Double or triple glass windows, the latter preferred. Low-e windows 
optional and if you also want better comfort in summer.
- Heating with larger single pane radiators on outer walls. Convection type 
radiators for hot air production is a no-no.
- Floor carpeting.
- Painting of room with low-e paint.
- Thermostat at 19 degree C. If electrical radiators a pulsating control.

All of above is not very expensive, but will deliver a significant 
improvement in both economy and comfort. This without large construction 
changes and can be implemented step by step.

Why it will work well is explained at http://energysavingnow.com/

Hakan

At 05:23 01/01/2004, you wrote:
Yes, I agree with esbuck!  I thought that the glass let everything 
through, and that impacted on the interior, was absorbed, and was warmed 
up.  Then the warmed interior surfaces  began to cool by 
emitting  infrared radiation that that was blocked by the window 
glass.  So, in summer, a double glazed window still let all the light 
through the two glass surfaces as before,  and still blocked the return 
infrared radiation as before.  The big difference is that it also blocks 
the loss of heat by convection. That is, when warmed interior air touches 
the cold glass and gives up all its heat, droops all its moisture and 
causes massive condensation on the interior window surface.  With double 
glazing, that can't happen.So, who is right???   KeyCee Jones. 
(ZL4RG!   t
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2004 3:49 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [homeenergysolutions] Plastic on the windows

In a message dated 12/31/2003 7:46:47 PM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
When sunlight passes through glass, the glass slightly changes the 
wavelength of light to the infra red side of the spectrum.
Can somebody explain that?  Is there a web site or something?  I'm really 
curious, because I have an MS in optics, and they never explained it that 
way to me in school.



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SIPs was Re: [biofuel] Re: food for thought


Well there you go. Coming up with an elegant solution ... and then
complaining about it. Geeze :) Rigid polyisocyanurate foam would be a
far better option, even more
 attractive if it were manufactured from vegetable-oil based polyols.
Happy new years to all




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Re: [biofuel] food for thought

2004-01-01 Thread R. Joseph Murphy


I agree with bryan.
At present here in Massachusette r-19 walls and r-30 ceiling are on average
the minimum. New construction and additions/renovations require a
Masscheckenergy audit form(available online). this system allows you to
trade off less insulation for more efficient heating systems.
or more efficient windows. whatever you need for the situation.
What to note is they are looking at the house as a system as well as
defining minimum levels of construction details.

r-values alone are not an accurate measure.


I believe the construction industry is and has been moving to a unified
building code. this allows for regional demands and practices. Local
inspectors are still the interpreters and inforcers.



thank you,
joseph










Message: 12
   Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:08:22 -0600
   From: Bryan Brah [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: food for thought

Would this law arbitrarily apply to EVERY new building nationwide?  What
about Hawaii, where many people don't have heat or AC, and drafty,
semi-permeable walls are desirable?  If you can grant an exemption for
Hawaiians, then why not for Floridians?  Even if the law was passed, how
do you propose enforcing it?  Currently building code enforcement is a
local jurisdictional responsibility which many communities' may resent
being usurped by the federal government.  Additionally, building
inspection departments in small communities could be overburdened by
additional inspection requirements.   An unfunded federal mandate of
this nature would exasperate state and local budget shortfalls unless
there was some provision to pay for additional inspectors with federal
tax money.



Assuming that you could overcome these problems, there would still be
the problem of fair application of the law.  Since building codes are
local, they vary widely.  In some communities, building a new structure
utilizing even a single wall of an existing structure constitutes a
remodel, even if the rest of the structure is demolished.  To avoid this
problem you would have to Federalize all local building codes to
prevent builders from skirting the law by declaring their projects
remodels rather than new constriction.  Then there is the question
of penalties.  Since it would be a federal crime to build a wall that is
not R45, does the commercial construction company building an office
complex incur the same penalty as the back-to-nature guy building a
cabin from salvage and scrap lumber?



Sorry, but the only food for thought your suggestion provides is pie in
the sky.  We're not going to find solutions to any of our problems in
new laws, particularly one-size-fits-all federal laws.



If you insist on a government solution, then offer meaningful tax
incentives to those individuals and companies that build responsibly.



-BRAH





-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 9:05 AM
To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [biofuel] food for thought



In a message dated 12/29/2003 9:55:00 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Just imagine if the building codes in this country were changed so
that every new building had to be whole wall rated at R45... how much
coal burning could be eliminated by making such a small change.  So
much so that over time a lot of the really horribly polluting electric
plants that run on coal could be decommissioned.
When last I was in Finland, they lived 2.6 people per room in large
state-run
apartment complexes, a Green dream for saving energy, particularly
with no
elevators.  Let's just pass a law ;-)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




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[biofuel] Problem #8: How much wood do I need?

2004-01-01 Thread Steve Spence


Continuing the series, started with Problem #1: How Much Does Heat 
Cost?,
Problem # 8 How Much Wood Do I Need? Gives further information for
calculating How much wood is needed to heat a dwelling. Stay tuned 
for
Problem #9, which will deal with heat exchangers.

The purpose of this exercise is to learn how to calculate the amount 
of wood
we need, given some information about the weather, the wood burning 
stove
and the wood that's available.  Predicting how much wood we'll need 
in any
given situation, such as how much wood to stack for the winter, is 
always a
risky endeavor.  Any calculations we make are based on best 
guesses.  It is
prudent to always err on the conservative side.  It's better, and a 
lot less
costly, to have an extra cord of wood in the spring than to run out 
of wood
in the middle of a harsh winter, unless of course, you like to cut 
and split
wood in the winter.

http://webconx.green-trust.org/2003/howmuchwood.htm
http://webconx.green-trust.org/2003/heatcost.htm

-- 
Steve Spence
Renewable energy and sustainable living
http://www.green-trust.org
Donate $30 or more to Green Trust, and receive
a copy of Joshua Tickell's From the Fryer to
the Fuel Tank, the premier documentary of
biodiesel and vegetable oil powered diesels.





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Re: [biofuel] food for thought



Hi Joseph,

At 13:06 01/01/2004, you wrote:
I agree with bryan.
At present here in Massachusette r-19 walls and r-30 ceiling are on average
the minimum. New construction and additions/renovations require a
Masscheckenergy audit form(available online). this system allows you to
trade off less insulation for more efficient heating systems.
or more efficient windows. whatever you need for the situation.
What to note is they are looking at the house as a system as well as
defining minimum levels of construction details.

r-values alone are not an accurate measure.

Good, It is nice to hear it from someone else.

Hakan


I believe the construction industry is and has been moving to a unified
building code. this allows for regional demands and practices. Local
inspectors are still the interpreters and inforcers.

thank you,
joseph


Message: 12
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 2003 11:08:22 -0600
From: Bryan Brah [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: food for thought

Would this law arbitrarily apply to EVERY new building nationwide?  What
about Hawaii, where many people don't have heat or AC, and drafty,
semi-permeable walls are desirable?  If you can grant an exemption for
Hawaiians, then why not for Floridians?  Even if the law was passed, how
do you propose enforcing it?  Currently building code enforcement is a
local jurisdictional responsibility which many communities' may resent
being usurped by the federal government.  Additionally, building
inspection departments in small communities could be overburdened by
additional inspection requirements.   An unfunded federal mandate of
this nature would exasperate state and local budget shortfalls unless
there was some provision to pay for additional inspectors with federal
tax money.



Assuming that you could overcome these problems, there would still be
the problem of fair application of the law.  Since building codes are
local, they vary widely.  In some communities, building a new structure
utilizing even a single wall of an existing structure constitutes a
remodel, even if the rest of the structure is demolished.  To avoid this
problem you would have to Federalize all local building codes to
prevent builders from skirting the law by declaring their projects
remodels rather than new constriction.  Then there is the question
of penalties.  Since it would be a federal crime to build a wall that is
not R45, does the commercial construction company building an office
complex incur the same penalty as the back-to-nature guy building a
cabin from salvage and scrap lumber?



Sorry, but the only food for thought your suggestion provides is pie in
the sky.  We're not going to find solutions to any of our problems in
new laws, particularly one-size-fits-all federal laws.



If you insist on a government solution, then offer meaningful tax
incentives to those individuals and companies that build responsibly.



-BRAH





-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 31, 2003 9:05 AM
To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [biofuel] food for thought



In a message dated 12/29/2003 9:55:00 PM Central Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Just imagine if the building codes in this country were changed so
that every new building had to be whole wall rated at R45... how much
coal burning could be eliminated by making such a small change.  So
much so that over time a lot of the really horribly polluting electric
plants that run on coal could be decommissioned.
When last I was in Finland, they lived 2.6 people per room in large
state-run
apartment complexes, a Green dream for saving energy, particularly
with no
elevators.  Let's just pass a law ;-)



Biofuel at Journey to Forever:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html

Biofuels list archives:
http://archive.nnytech.net/index.php?list=biofuel

Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address.
To unsubscribe, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] 

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Re: [biofuel] Problem #8: How much wood do I need?

Steve,

For the type of stove that is mentioned, the average efficiency is more
like 35 to 40%. For combination burners, I often say that you need 4 times
the volume in wood as for oil. This thumb rule come quite close to reality.
If you have an efficient 3 stage wood burner, you can get average 60 to 70%
efficiency and only need around 2 times the volume of oil.

Hakan

At 13:10 01/01/2004, you wrote:
Continuing the series, started with Problem #1: How Much Does Heat
Cost?,
Problem # 8 How Much Wood Do I Need? Gives further information for
calculating How much wood is needed to heat a dwelling. Stay tuned
for
Problem #9, which will deal with heat exchangers.

The purpose of this exercise is to learn how to calculate the amount
of wood
we need, given some information about the weather, the wood burning
stove
and the wood that's available. Predicting how much wood we'll need
in any
given situation, such as how much wood to stack for the winter, is
always a
risky endeavor. Any calculations we make are based on best
guesses. It is
prudent to always err on the conservative side. It's better, and a
lot less
costly, to have an extra cord of wood in the spring than to run out
of wood
in the middle of a harsh winter, unless of course, you like to cut
and split
wood in the winter.

http://webconx.green-trust.org/2003/howmuchwood.htmhttp://webconx.green-trust.org/2003/howmuchwood.htm
http://webconx.green-trust.org/2003/heatcost.htm

--
Steve Spence
Renewable energy and sustainable living
http://www.green-trust.orghttp://www.green-trust.org
Donate $30 or more to Green Trust, and receive
a copy of Joshua Tickell's From the Fryer to
the Fuel Tank, the premier documentary of
biodiesel and vegetable oil powered diesels.

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Re: SIPs was Re: [biofuel] Re: food for thought

2004-01-01 Thread Appal Energy


An elegant solution achieved by using an inappropriate mix of materials is
not a solution but the creation of another problem that has to be faced
somewhere down the line.

An appropriate solution is to use the best material options in the first
place and forego the potential problem before the concept ever gets off the
drafting table.

To say that acknowleding a patent flaw and making it known is complaining
about it sounds almost as if you're suggesting that everyone is supposed to
just turn their head and pretend the flaw doesn't exist.

Styrene is far more flammable and far more toxic (both in its manufacture
and combustion) than isocyanurate. Backyard proof of that is as simple as
putting a plumber's torch to a block of each.

When there exists a less threatening option and that option is not used,
especially when that option is cost comparative, there's even greater reason
to question what the motivating forces are behind the choices. Concern for
the overall health and well being of the end user or anyone who may be
exposed to a fire environment where styrene is present is not one of them.

That's not whining. That's basis in fact.

Todd Swearingen

- Original Message - 
From: Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: biofuel@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 01, 2004 6:51 AM
Subject: SIPs was Re: [biofuel] Re: food for thought


 Well there you go. Coming up with an elegant solution ... and then
 complaining about it. Geeze :) Rigid polyisocyanurate foam would be a
 far better option, even more
  attractive if it were manufactured from vegetable-oil based polyols.
 Happy new years to all




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Re: [biofuel] food for thought

2004-01-01 Thread Alan Petrillo


Steve wrote:

 Have another dumb question which someone might have a few thoughts
 on.. When they take one of the electric plants offline that is really
 badly polluting...  Why do they just throw the generators away.  As
 far as I know, the technology of these big generators has not really
 changed radiically over the years. Burn something.. make steam.. run a
 turbine turbine turns the generator.. bing... out comes electricity.

Actually, IIRC, most of the time when a plant gets decomissioned the 
equipment usually gets sold as surplus, burners, boilers, turbines, 
generators and all.  There is a worldwide market for such stuff, and 
power companies will always take advantage of anything that adds to the 
bottom line.


AP


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Re: [biofuel] food for thought

2004-01-01 Thread Alan Petrillo


Bryan Brah wrote:

 Would this law arbitrarily apply to EVERY new building nationwide?  What
 about Hawaii, where many people don't have heat or AC, and drafty,
 semi-permeable walls are desirable?  If you can grant an exemption for
 Hawaiians, then why not for Floridians?  

No, you do NOT want to engineer in a loophole for Floridians.  The way 
people use air conditioners down here, many of them don't even know how 
to open their windows.  Some new houses are built with windows that 
_don't_ open.  Some kids don't even know that windows can be openned.

The problem is we have too many transplanted Yankees moving into the 
state, and they all complain about how hot it gets down here.  I have a 
solution for them: Go back up North.  Instead, they crank down their air 
conditioning units to subarctic levels and leave them there whether or 
not they are home, to the point that they suck up all of our power 
grid's reserves on hot days.

 An unfunded federal mandate of
 this nature would exasperate state and local budget shortfalls unless
 there was some provision to pay for additional inspectors with federal
 tax money.  

Indeed.  And we have WAY too many unfunded mandates already.

 Assuming that you could overcome these problems, there would still be
 the problem of fair application of the law.  Since building codes are
 local, they vary widely.  In some communities, building a new structure
 utilizing even a single wall of an existing structure constitutes a
 remodel, even if the rest of the structure is demolished.  

Indeed.  This is how people down here get around the restriction on new 
building in hurricane zones.  They can't knock down the old house and 
build a new one, so they build a new one around the old one, use some of 
the old house's structure in the new house, and demolish the rest.  This 
is how we've gone from hundred-thousand dollar houses to milti-million 
dollar houses in hurricane zones, just waiting for the next big storm to 
wash them into the Gulf, so that their owners can get low interest FEMA 
loans to build even bigger houses.

 Sorry, but the only food for thought your suggestion provides is pie in
 the sky.  We're not going to find solutions to any of our problems in
 new laws, particularly one-size-fits-all federal laws.

No doubt.  Those one-size-fits-all laws almost always don't.

 If you insist on a government solution, then offer meaningful tax
 incentives to those individuals and companies that build responsibly.  

Yes.  Apply the carrot instead of the stick.


AP


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[biofuel] SwRI wins EPA contract for development of hybrids


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

SwRI wins EPA contract for development of hybrids

The U.S. EPA has awarded the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) a 
five-year contract worth up to $14.3 million to provide engineering 
support in developing advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient 
automotive technology.

This program will research hybrid vehicle technologies. The SwRI has 
teamed with AVL Powertrain Engineering, a subcontractor for this 
project, and will provide staff to work at the EPA's National Vehicle 
and Fuels Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, MI.

The primary focus of this contract will be to test and develop high- 
efficiency engines with low emission rates. SwRI will test and 
optimize advanced technology engines, powertrains, and hydraulic pump 
motors.

http://www.swri.org/9what/releases/EPA.htm

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News

Southwest Research Institute¨ wins $14 million, 5-year EPA contract 
for advanced engine testing, optimization

San Antonio -- Dec. 4, 2003 -- The Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) has awarded Southwest Research Institute¨ (SwRI¨) a five-year 
contract worth up to $14.3 million to provide engineering support in 
developing advanced, affordable, clean and fuel-efficient automotive 
technology.

This clean automotive technology program will research and test the 
potential of hybrid vehicle technologies. The Institute has teamed 
with AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc., a subcontractor for this 
project, and will provide staff to work at the EPA's National Vehicle 
and Fuels Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The primary focus of this contract will be to test and develop 
high-efficiency engines with low emissions rates, said Gary 
Stecklein, director of SwRI's Vehicle and Driveline Research 
Department. We will test and optimize advanced technology engines, 
powertrains and hydraulic pump motors.

Since 1994, the Vehicle and Driveline Research Department has 
supported the EPA on improving vehicle and engine designs.

This contract expands our existing base of EPA work, said Bob 
Burrahm, work assignment manager of the EPA project and Program 
Manager in SwRI's Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division. 
We have been providing electronic engine management and controls 
expertise to the EPA for nearly a decade and already have engineers 
in Ann Arbor to support these efforts. This new award goes beyond 
electronic controls into basic combustion and hardware development 
and optimization.

As an independent, multidisciplinary research, development and 
testing organization, SwRI offers an unbiased, third-party 
perspective. The Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division has 
achieved certification to ISO 9001, an internationally recognized 
quality standard, and ISO 14001, an environmental management system 
standard. In addition, SwRI has the expertise to perform combustion 
visualization, detailed airflow analysis, combustion bomb testing, 
and competitive engine and vehicle benchmarking. The division also 
develops specialized instruments, control systems, test apparatus, 
and data acquisition systems to help achieve engine and vehicle 
performance and emissions goals.

AVL Powertrain Engineering Inc. is the world's largest privately 
owned, independent company for the development of gasoline, diesel, 
alternative fuel powertrain systems as well as fuel cell and hybrid 
technologies. The company also manufactures powertrain 
instrumentation and test systems. AVL's North American headquarters 
is located in the Detroit suburb of Plymouth, Mich., with an 
additional test center in Ann Arbor. AVL has 2,850 employees 
worldwide. For more information about AVL, contact Amy Howell at 
(734) 414-9608.

For more information, contact Tracey Whelan, Communications 
Department, (210) 522-2256, Fax (210) 522-3547, PO Drawer 28510, San 
Antonio, TX 78228-0510.

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[biofuel] General Motors introducing improved Duramax 6600


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

General Motors introducing improved Duramax 6600

GM's Duramax 6600 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine will provide higher 
power and torque ratings and an emission improvement beginning in 
January 2004.

Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500 Series trucks with the Duramax 
6600 and the Allison automatic transmission will receive a new 
version of the engine with 310 hp @3100 rpm, 10 more hp than before. 
The engine also features a higher torque rating of 590 lb-ft @ 1600 
rpm, a 70 lb-ft increase over its previous maximum high.

An EGR system in conjunction with a catalytic converter reduces NOx 
emissions in all 50 states to approximately 2 g/bhp-hr, from a 
previous 4 g/bhp-hr in 49 states and 3.5 g/bhp-hr in California. The 
engine also features a closed crankcase ventilation, 2 years ahead of 
the regulatory requirement.

http://www.gm.com/cgi-bin/pr_display.pl?6081

For Release: December 5, 2003

Duramax 6600 Provides Major Improvements In Power, Torque, and Emissions

PONTIAC, MICH. -
GM's Duramax 6600 6.6L turbo-diesel V-8 engine will provide higher 
power and torque ratings and major emission improvements beginning in 
January 2004.

Silverado and Sierra 2500HD and 3500 Series trucks with the Duramax 
6600 and the Allison automatic transmission will receive a new 
version of the engine with 310 hp @ 3100 rpm, 10 more horsepower than 
before. The engine also features a higher torque rating of 590 lb-ft 
@ 1600 rpm, a 70 lb-ft increase over its previous maximum high. At 
the same time, Duramax 6600 NOx emissions have been reduced almost by 
half.

Since its introduction in 2001, the Duramax 6600 has re-established 
GM in the full-size diesel powered truck market by increasing our 
share of the segment to nearly 30 percent, said Charlie Freese, 
executive director, diesel engineering for GM Powertrain.

Silverado and Sierra models with the Duramax 6600 and a standard ZF 
S6-650 six-speed manual transmission receive the same emissions 
improvements as those with the Allison 1000, with carryover power 
ratings.

Over 90 percent of our three-quarter and one-ton customers order 
their Duramax 6600 with the Allison 1000 five-speed automatic 
transmission - prompting us to focus on power, torque and emissions 
improvements, where they provide greatest benefits for the largest 
number of customers, Freese said.

Both the new version of the Duramax 6600 turbo diesel with the 
Allison automatic transmission and the version with the standard ZF 
six-speed manual feature improved hardware. The new version also has 
additional software calibration changes to help provide its higher 
power output.

Primary hardware changes include a variable nozzle turbocharger, new 
electronic control module, next-generation fuel injectors, 
electronically controlled cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), 50 
state catalytic converter usage, improved charge air-cooling and a 
closed crankcase ventilation system:

The common rail fuel system also uses smaller, more precisely 
machined and positioned next-generation fuel injectors to inject its 
fuel pulses into the cylinders. The injectors are now fully 
accessible, allowing service technicians to access them without 
having to take the cylinder head cover off. Servicing is typically 
required only every 100,000 miles or more.

The new variable nozzle turbocharger features vanes that are now 
hydraulically controlled to precisely adjust the level of boost 
generated by the turbocharger.

A more powerful, 32-bit, next-generation engine control module 
provides the capabilities for integrated control of the additional 
engine hardware. The new engine controller provides faster 
microprocessor speeds, increased throughput and more memory than the 
previous generation controller.

The EGR system in conjunction with catalytic converter usage reduces 
NOx emissions in all 50 states to approximately 2 grams per brake 
horsepower hour from a previous 4 grams in 49 states and 3.5 grams in 
California.

Charge-air cooling is used to provide cool dense air to the cylinders 
to help generate the new engine's increased power, torque and 
improved emissions.

The closed-crankcase ventilation system, although not required to 
meet 2004 emissions regulations, anticipates upcoming 2006-model 
emissions requirements by incorporating a closed crankcase 
ventilation system in which harmful vapors are vented internally and 
burned as part of the combustion process, rather than being vented to 
the outside atmosphere.

The engine's high torque across the power band helps Duramax 
6600-equipped GM trucks excel in off-the-line performance, 
acceleration and heavy-duty trailering and hauling, Freese said.

New versions of the Duramax 6600 will be produced at GM's Moraine, 
Ohio facility. The engine was developed through a GM and Isuzu Motors 
joint ventures (DMAX Ltd. and GMIDEL).

GM Powertrain is a global producer of engines, transmissions, 
castings and components for GM

[biofuel] Mazda launching DPF-equipped light Bongo truck


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003

Mazda launching DPF-equipped light Bongo truck

Mazda Motor Corporation has introduced a new diesel engine and a 
diesel particulate filter (DPF) system to its Mazda Bongo van and 
truck range. It is the first light commercial vehicle to employ a DPF 
system.

The new Mazda Bongo vans are the first light commercial vehicles to 
comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel Emissions Regulations 
(2003/2004) and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law, making them 
eligible for sale and registration in Japan's major metropolitan 
areas.

The new 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, common-rail direct injection 
turbo diesel engine (RF-CDT type, based on the MZR-CD engine from the 
EU specification Mazda6) delivers improved performance compared to 
the previous 2.2-liter diesel engine. Maximum output has been 
increased from 58 kW @4,250 rpm to 63 kW @3,500 rpm. Maximum torque 
has been enhanced by around 30% from 138 Nm @2,000 rpm to 178 Nm 
@2,000 rpm. Comparing the fuel efficiency (10.15 mode) of a manual 
front-wheel drive, wide-low long body truck, the new 2.0-liter diesel 
engine achieves a 6.49 l/100km compared to the previous 2.2-liter 
diesel engine's 7.35 l/100km.

PM emissions have been reduced by 75%, while NOx emissions have been 
cut by 25% compared to the 2.2-liter diesel engine (R2 type) 
previously used in the Bongo series.

In order to reduce PM emissions, the engine employs a DPF coated with 
an oxidation catalyst. The filter is automatically regenerated 
through the combined effect of the catalyst and increased combustion 
temperature, controlled by the common-rail injection system. The DPF 
utilizes an Si-SiC wall-flow monolith substrate (NGK).

NOx emissions are reduced through the use of cooled exhaust gas 
recirculation (EGR) and by improving combustion efficiency with fuel 
injected at high pressure from the common-rail.

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200312/1209e.html

December 9, 2003

'Mazda Bongo' First in Class to Employ Diesel Engine with DPF
- Cleaner emissions, qualifies for registration in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya -

Mazda Motor Corporation has partially restyled its Mazda Bongo van 
and truck range with the introduction of a newly developed diesel 
engine designed to greatly reduce exhaust emissions. The upgraded 
vehicles go on sale today at Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam 
dealers throughout Japan.

Mazda Bongo vehicles equipped with the new diesel engine are the 
first in their class*1 to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law*2 making 
them eligible for sale and registration in the major metropolitan 
areas of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Moreover, performance and fuel 
economy show a significant improvement over the previous diesel 
engines used in the Bongo series. With the introduction of this 
engine Mazda actively responds to customer demands by providing a 
clean, yet powerful and responsive diesel engine with enhanced fuel 
economy. These features ensure that Bongo commercial vehicles 
continue to be the ideal business partner.

Additional enhancements for the Bongo van/truck lineup include a more 
powerful gasoline engine, revised seat and door trim fabric and a 
driver's seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiter.

Mazda Bongo Van GL-Super

Features of the New Diesel Engine
1)  Cleaner emissions (Complies with New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Control Law)

The new 2.0-liter inline four cylinder, common-rail direct 
injection turbo diesel engine (RF-CDT type) employs technology that 
greatly reduces the amount of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen 
oxides (NOx) in exhaust gas emissions. Based on the MZR-CD engine 
mounted in the European specification Mazda6, the engine is equipped 
with an all-new diesel particulate filter (DPF) and an improved 
engine control unit. As a result, PM emissions have been reduced by 
more than 75 percent, while NOx emissions have been cut by 25 percent 
compared to the 2.2-liter diesel engine (R2 type) previously used in 
the Bongo series.

In order to reduce PM emissions, the engine employs a diesel 
particulate filter coated with an oxidation catalyst. The ceramic 
filter traps PM, and when the amount of PM in the filter reaches a 
designated level, it is automatically removed through the combined 
effect of the catalyst and combustion temperature controlled by the 
common-rail injection system. Further, NOx emissions are reduced by 
optimally controlling the combustion temperature with Cooled EGR*3 
and by improving combustion efficiency with fuel injected at high 
pressure from the common-rail. As a result, Mazda Bongo is the first 
vehicle in its class to comply with Japan's New Short-term Diesel 
Emissions Regulations and the Automobile NOx/PM Law.

2)  Improved performance (maximum torque increased by around 30%)
The new engine employs a common-rail direct injection

[biofuel] Mercedes-Benz to unveil a diesel hybrid car in Detroit


DieselNet UPDATE
December 2003


Mercedes-Benz to unveil a diesel hybrid car in Detroit

Mercedes-Benz said it will unveil its Vision Grand Sports Tourer at 
the Detroit Auto Show in January 2004. Series production development 
of this model has already reached an extremely advanced stage, 
according to Mercedes. This concept may become the first of a new 
line of R-class vehicles, will would be the second model line (after 
the M- class) to come from the Mercedes plant in Alabama.

The Mercedes concept is a touring saloon which offers space for up to 
six occupants. It is powered by a newly developed diesel hybrid 
powerplant consisting of a V8 diesel engine (from the S-Class) with 
184 kW (250 hp) and a 50 kW electric motor. This combination yields 
234 kW (314 hp) of total power, 860 Nm (634 lb-ft) of torque, and an 
impressive acceleration from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.6 
seconds.  The maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h 
(155 mph).

http://www.car-data.com/xpage.preview/pre.template.asp?mfg=mercedesmo 
del=visiongst

Mercedes-Benz Unveils a New Interpretation of the Vision Grand Sports Tourer

Model - Mercedes-Benz Vision GST

Status - Model Year 2005, Available early 2005

Source - DaimlerChrysler

Mercedes-Benz will pave the way for a new vehicle category when it 
unveils the Vision Grand Sports Tourer - a new take on the 
groundbreaking touring saloon concept - at the North American 
International Auto Show in January 2004. Series production 
development of this Mercedes model has already reached an extremely 
advanced stage. The new Vision Grand Sports Tourer from 
Mercedes-Benz is a highly appealing and versatile touring car that 
offers space, comfort and power. This latest trend-setter will enable 
us to gain a firm foothold in what is a new and exciting market 
segment in early 2005. We believe that the concept offers enormous 
potential for the launch of a new Mercedes model family, says 
Professor Jrgen Hubbert, member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of 
Management and head of the Mercedes Car Group.

Thanks to its intelligent use of space, the Mercedes concept offers 
first-class comfort for up to six occupants. Featuring comfortable 
individual seats and high-grade appointments, the luxurious interior 
has everything it takes to ensure exemplary driving enjoyment whilst 
touring. Further innovative features of the Vision Grand Sports 
Tourer include a newly developed diesel hybrid powerplant which 
develops 234 kW.

Grand Sports Tourer: saloon, van, estate and SUV all in one

First unveiled by Mercedes-Benz in 2002, the Grand Sports Tourer idea 
combines the best features of familiar vehicle concepts such as the 
touring saloon, van, estate and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to create 
a new and unique entity. This Mercedes concept thus offers comfort, 
space and practicality as well as meeting extremely high stan-dards 
in terms of performance and driving dynamics. It also provides 
outstanding long-distance comfort. In other words, it is an all-new 
interpretation of the touring car.

Mercedes-Benz created this concept in response to the desire among 
modern-day drivers for a versatile car which, as well as being ideal 
for the family, recreation, travel and work, also features elegant 
design and the leading-edge technology for which the brand is 
renowned. The concept of the Grand Sports Tourer is the result of 
intensive dialogue between the Stuttgart-based manufacturer and 
customers from all around the world. These discussions form the basis 
of new and exciting vehicle concepts such as the Vision Grand Sports 
Tourer and the recently unveiled Vision CLS.

Design: the perfect blend of elegance, dynamism and supremacy

The new Mercedes-Benz show car is concrete proof that the Grand 
Sports Tourer has evolved from a design study and is ready to be 
phased into series production. It features a host of exciting details 
that are sure to arouse great interest. One of the main features that 
contributes to the dynamic appearance is the arc-shaped contour of 
the roof line which forms a powerfully smooth link between the 
A-pillar and C-pillar, thus projecting the desired coup-like 
image. These lines lend the concept car a sporty elegance that belies 
its impressive size.

Other prominent characteristics of the Grand Sports Tourer, such as 
assurance and high performance, are highlighted by the design of the 
radiator grille with its wide aluminium louvers as well as the 
powerful contours of the bonnet and the prominent bumper. The 
pronounced wedge shape of the front end adds further emphasis to this 
design language.

Interior: relaxed touring for up to six occupants

A large panoramic glass roof stretches practically the entire 
distance between the windscreen and the rear end, bathing the 
interior in light. Up to six occupants can enjoy the relaxing ride in 
the luxurious individual seats. In terms of interior space, 
meanwhile, the distance of 920 mm between

[biofuel] PSA and Ricardo UK to develop ultra-low CO2 hybrid car


http://www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/en/psa_espace/imprimer.php?espace=p 
ressescript=communiques_presseid=305template=communiques_presse_det 
ails_purl=url_send=
PSA Peugeot Citroen
12/16/2003

PSA and Ricardo UK to develop ultra-low CO2 hybrid car

EFFICIENT-C holds prospect of ultra-low CO2 emission car

Following their winning submission to the UK Government's Ultra Low 
Carbon Car Challenge, PSA Peugeot Citron, Ricardo UK Ltd and QinetiQ 
today revealed plans for their £3M project, codenamed EFFICIENT-C, to 
develop a C-segment passenger car capable of ultra-low CO2 emissions 
while delivering competitive standards of vehicle performance and 
refinement.

EFFICIENT-C will involve the development and demonstration of a 
highly efficient parallel hybrid power train system installed in a 
Citron Berlingo Multispace passenger car. Development of this 
vehicle is expected to take 18 months and with a potential for 
delivery in future products available to customers. The first phase 
of the programme will comprise a feasibility study, which will define 
the final vehicle architecture. Key technologies envisaged at this 
stage for in the EFFICIENT-C vehicle include:

- An efficient PSA Peugeot Citron HDi common rail diesel engine, 
delivering peak performance of around 90 bhp while achieving Euro IV 
emissions levels with low-cost after treatment technology.
- A high output Direct Current (DC) electric motor-generator enabling 
stop/start operation of the diesel engine, torque assist, efficient 
electrical power generation, regenerative braking and all electric 
traction at low speed.
- An automated manual transmission (AMT) delivering high standards of 
refinement and driveability in a cost effective manner
- An advanced energy storage system using NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) 
or Li-ION (Lithium-Ion) batteries, possibly combined with super 
capacitors, to achieve the energy and power densities required for 
efficient operation of the vehicle.
- Advanced control and electronics architecture, enabling the many 
constituent technologies of the hybrid vehicle to operate at optimal 
efficiency.

The EFFICIENT-C vehicle is targeted to achieve CO2 emissions of 
89.5g/km over the combined ECE + EUDC drive cycle (this equates to a 
well-to-wheels CO2 emissions level of 100g/km, using pump grade 
diesel fuel). Exhaust emissions will be within Euro IV levels. 
Vehicle performance targets include a 0-100kph acceleration time of 
less than 13 seconds and a top speed in excess of 150kph.

The EFFICIENT-C team represents a unique mix of skills in the 
development of hybrid vehicle technology that will be used for the 
benefit of the project:

- PSA PEUGEOT CITROèN will provide its expertise in vehicle 
architecture. It will deliver the base vehicle hardware and 
engineering support to the integration of hybrid technologies, 
including power train, energy storage and associated control systems. 
The company will also provide guidance to ensure production and cost 
feasibility and consumer acceptability.

- RICARDO the world leading independent automotive engineering 
consultancy, will contribute programme management and hybrid vehicle 
systems integration expertise. It will also provide power train and 
vehicle control/electronics development, demonstrator vehicle build 
and production cost-benefit analysis.

- QINETIQ Europe's largest science and technology solutions provider, 
will bring expertise in the areas of energy storage, power 
electronics, battery management and hybrid power train modelling. The 
company will also provide prototype energy storage and management 
hardware to support the demonstrator vehicle

Note to editors:

The Ultra Low Carbon Challenge was launched by the UK Government on 
29 April 2003 and invited proposals from individual companies and 
consortia to demonstrate the feasibility of a family sized ultra-low 
carbon car in the UK. The five winning proposals, which included the 
EFFICIENT-C project, were announced by Green Fuels Minister David 
Jamieson on October 15, 2003.


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