Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Low cost carbon filter? From the American Chemical Society: "Researchers in Wyoming report development of a low-cost carbon filter that can remove 90 percent of carbon dioxide gas from the smokestacks of electric power plants that burn coal and other fossil fuels. Their study is scheduled for the May 21 issue of ACS' monthly journal, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. Maciej Radosz and colleagues at Wyoming's Soft Materials Laboratory cite the pressing need for simple, inexpensive new technologies to remove carbon dioxide from smokestack gases. Coal-burning electric power plants are major sources of the greenhouse gas, and control measures may be required in the future. The study describes a new carbon dioxide-capture process, called a Carbon Filter Process, designed to meet the need. It uses a simple, low-cost filter filled with porous carbonaceous sorbent that works at low pressures. Modeling data and laboratory tests suggest that the device works better than existing technologies at a fraction of their cost." "cc" 5:43:59 PM     Energy policy: Nuclear, HB 08-1161 Governor Ritter signed HB 08-1161 yesterday, according to The Fort Collins Coloradoan. From the article: HB 1161, sponsored by Fort Collins Democratic Reps. John Kefalas and Randy Fischer and Republican Sen. Steve Johnson, requires uranium miners to prove they can return groundwater either to pre-mining conditions or those in line with existing state standards. The bill also requires mining operations to notify nearby landowners of their intent to mine... Any water testing now must be completed by a third-party contractor approved by the state, a shift from former state requirements that allowed the mining company to do the testing... "This is a pretty amazing example of an engaged citizenry acting positively on something that affects their community," Ritter said. The legislation was introduced in the House to encompass almost all mining operations in Colorado. But after hard-rock mining advocates protested, the bill's language was watered down to include only proposed in-situ leech uranium mines in Colorado. Fischer, an engineer, said he spent many years working in mining reclamation and saw a need for the bill after Davis and others approached him and Kefalas last year. "I have traveled all over the world cleaning up abandoned mine sites, and there is a huge legacy of abandoned sites that are leaking toxic waste and heavy metals into the groundwater," Fischer said. "Having this bill signed today represents a unique opportunity ... to make sure we protect groundwater and our environment before a new kind of mining technology is brought to use - not after." More coverage from The Greeley Tribune. From the article: "Powertech representatives worked with the sponsors to make the bill more palatable to the industry, but in the end, mining opponents said they believe the legislation will help protect their water. Powertech officials were not available for comment Tuesday." Click through and check out the new look of the Fort Collins Coloradoan. More Coyote Gulch coverage here, here and here. "2008 pres" 6:07:32 AM

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