http://crowncapitalmanagement.bravesites.com/entries/business/crown-capital-eco-management-political-industry-leaders-aim-to-bolster-steel-s-status-in-u-s-

The weather forecast in Washington these days is cloudy with a chance of gridlock, based on interviews with steel industry representatives.

In the next few years, political and business leaders say trade groups will play an increasingly important role advocating on behalf of the steel industry. They say it also will be important to push current and future White House administrations to develop policies supporting the manufacturing sector, which likely will include discussions on how to handle international trade relations.

Lack of consensus

International trade has been one of the strongest lobbying platforms the domestic steel industry has promulgated as the share of imports consumed has grown in the last few decades.

In the last few legislative sessions, U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said there hasn't been a majority of members in the House or Senate who have been willing to take "forceful, compelling action on trade." Visclosky has backed legislation to add countervailing duties on imports from countries that have an undervalued currency. The House passed the measure in 2010, but it died in the Senate. The following year, the Senate approved a similar measure, but it wasn't brought to the House floor for a vote.

"That's not getting the job done," Visclosky said. "And that's (just) one example."

In the future, Visclosky said it will be important for the government to respond faster with trade remedies. Typically, petitions are filed seeking trade relief after the industry has suffered significant damage and jobs are lost. He said if the system were improved to compress the time frame for trade cases and so customs personnel could spot duty violations, the domestic industry would benefit greatly.

"Steel, while it's profitable today, remains under great competitive pressures," Visclosky said.

Thomas Gibson, American Iron and Steel Institute CEO, said the industry has received good support from the Department of Commerce and individuals working in trade relations with the government. However, he said would like to see more support from the Oval Office.

 
http://crowncapitalmng.livejournal.com/

Princeton film festival explores broad range of environmental issues

Sometimes the best way to educate is to entertain; this has proven true by Princeton
Public Library for the seventh straight year.

Last weekend was the start of the annual Princeton Environmental Film Festival, the
festival features more than 30 films that explore environmental sustainability from a
wide range of perspectives. The film series will run from now through Feb. 10, with 13
days of free films for 2013.

“An Inconvenient Truth” and “Who Killed the Electric Car?” pave the way to the annual
festival. Curator Susan Conlon says the library was inspired to create the film festival
after the overwhelming success of two environmentally themed films.

“The festival is a way to bring these kinds of films to the community; to explore new
ideas and become aware of different perspectives,” Conlon says. “There are often more
than two sides to an issue, and these films really make you expand your thinking.”

It isn’t just the quantity of the film yet the quality as well, Conlon stresses that while
the majority of the films address environmental matters, every film was primarily
selected not just because it addressed a specific issue, but because it was a well-made,
entertaining film.

As diverse as the films may be, Conlon notes that they are all linked by a common
theme. This year’s films explore a wide range of topics and present perspectives from
literally around the world.

 
http://equiefahp.inube.com/blog/2521484/crown-capital-eco-management-biomass-as-a-fuel-for-boilers/


Biomass for energy often mean plant base material although can equally apply to both
animal and vegetable draw from material. Biomass is actually a biological material
derive form living or recently living organisms. Biomass chemical composition is carbon
based and is composed of a mixture of organic molecules containing hydrogen, usually
including atoms of oxygen, often nitrogen and also small quantities of other atoms,
including alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metals, metals are often found in functional
molecules such as the porphyrins which include chlorophyll which contains magnesium.
There are five basic categories of material of biomass such as:
•Virgin wood- from forestry, arboriculture activities or from wood processing.
•Energy crops- high yield crops grown specifically for energy applications
•Agricultural residues- residues from agriculture harvesting or processing
• Food waste- from food and drink manufacture, preparation and processing, and
post-consumer waste
•Industrial waste and co-products- from manufacturing and industrial processes.
The question is how are we going to use this biomass as a fuel for boilers? But what is
a boiler in the first place? A boiler is defined as “a closed vessel in which water or other
liquid is heated, steam or vapor is generated, steam is superheated, or any combination
thereof, under pressure or vacuum, for use external to itself, by the direct application of
energy from the combustion of fuels, from electricity or nuclear energy.”
 
NIFES Consulting Group commissioned by Calor Gas showed that commercial buildings can reduce carbon emissions by 22 per cent by replacing an old oil boiler with one that uses LPG. This was partly a result of a more efficient system, and partly a result of the emissions factor for fuel oil standing at 0.265 kilograms of CO2 per kWh, higher than that of LPG, which comes in at 0.214 kilograms of CO2 per kWh.
In addition, a separate study published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review earlier proved that, in domestic buildings, heating oil generates about 20 per cent more greenhouse gas emissions than LPG.
It is also more energy efficient. The same NIFES study also showed that an oil boiler installed 15 years ago replaced with LPG can cut energy use by 11 per cent.


http://crowncapitalecomanagement.spotlife.se/
 
http://forums.ebay.com/db2/topic/Business-Industrial/Crown-Capital-Management/5100123009

While propane is most commonly used for domestic, commercial and industrial heating applications, a shift is now on that could see this Liquefied Petroleum Gas, or LPG, play a bigger role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings.
Propane certainly has a lot of things going for it, especially in remote rural and outback locations unable to be connected to the main electricity grid.

It is also more energy efficient. The same NIFES study also showed that an oil boiler installed 15 years ago replaced with LPG can cut energy use by 11 per cent.
From a supply and performance perspective, LPG has also been demonstrated to be more reliable. One volume of liquid LPG will yield about 270 volumes of vapour. This enables high volumes to be stored on-site as liquid in pressurised containers. Also, because LPG is stored under pressure, it is difficult to illegally siphon off – a growing problem for oil storage tanks.
It boils at -42ºC at atmospheric pressure, which means that its performance is not affected by cold weather. This means it can provide a constant supply of gas throughout the year whatever the temperature.

Though highly flammable, it still has good safety credentials, at least from a pollution perspective.
Safety LPG is non-toxic and a leak of LPG vapour is unlikely to pose any significant ground or water pollution hazard. As a liquid, it is lighter than water so has the environmental benefit of always remaining above the water level. Any LPG spillages simply vaporise and do not cause soil or water contamination.
 
http://www.trade2win.com/boards/site-news-feedback/162810-crown-capital-management-benefits-propane-energy-alternative.html#post2028368

While propane is most commonly used for domestic, commercial and industrial heating applications, a shift is now on that could see this Liquefied Petroleum Gas, or LPG, play a bigger role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings.
Propane certainly has a lot of things going for it, especially in remote rural and outback locations unable to be connected to the main electricity grid.

It is also more energy efficient. The same NIFES study also showed that an oil boiler installed 15 years ago replaced with LPG can cut energy use by 11 per cent.
From a supply and performance perspective, LPG has also been demonstrated to be more reliable. One volume of liquid LPG will yield about 270 volumes of vapour. This enables high volumes to be stored on-site as liquid in pressurised containers. Also, because LPG is stored under pressure, it is difficult to illegally siphon off – a growing problem for oil storage tanks.
It boils at -42ºC at atmospheric pressure, which means that its performance is not affected by cold weather. This means it can provide a constant supply of gas throughout the year whatever the temperature.

Though highly flammable, it still has good safety credentials, at least from a pollution perspective.
Safety LPG is non-toxic and a leak of LPG vapour is unlikely to pose any significant ground or water pollution hazard. As a liquid, it is lighter than water so has the environmental benefit of always remaining above the water level. Any LPG spillages simply vaporise and do not cause soil or water contamination.



 
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvme3s_crown-capital-management-benefits-of-propane-low-energy-alternative_news#.UL7wheR196_

While propane is most commonly used for domestic, commercial and industrial heating applications, a shift is now on that could see this Liquefied Petroleum Gas, or LPG, play a bigger role in reducing the energy consumption of buildings.
Propane certainly has a lot of things going for it, especially in remote rural and outback locations unable to be connected to the main electricity grid.
 It boasts strong environmental credentials. According to the BRE in the UK, LPG is the lowest carbon-intensive fuel available in gas-main-free areas.
Furthermore, a recent study by energy consultant NIFES Consulting Group commissioned by Calor Gas showed that commercial buildings can reduce carbon emissions by 22 per cent by replacing an old oil boiler with one that uses LPG. This was partly a result of a more efficient system, and partly a result of the emissions factor for fuel oil standing at 0.265 kilograms of CO2 per kWh, higher than that of LPG, which comes in at 0.214 kilograms of CO2 per kWh.
In addition, a separate study published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review earlier proved that, in domestic buildings, heating oil generates about 20 per cent more greenhouse gas emissions than LPG.
It is also more energy efficient. The same NIFES study also showed that an oil boiler installed 15 years ago replaced with LPG can cut energy use by 11 per cent.
From a supply and performance perspective, LPG has also been demonstrated to be more reliable. One volume of liquid LPG will yield about 270 volumes of vapour. This enables high volumes to be stored on-site as liquid in pressurised containers. Also, because LPG is stored under pressure, it is difficult to illegally siphon off – a growing problem for oil storage tanks.
It boils at -42ºC at atmospheric pressure, which means that its performance is not affected by cold weather. This means it can provide a constant supply of gas throughout the year whatever the temperature.

Though highly flammable, it still has good safety credentials, at least from a pollution perspective.
Safety LPG is non-toxic and a leak of LPG vapour is unlikely to pose any significant ground or water pollution hazard. As a liquid, it is lighter than water so has the environmental benefit of always remaining above the water level. Any LPG spillages simply vaporise and do not cause soil or water contamination.
Furthermore, LPG suppliers typically own and are therefore responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the LPG tank installation. This means each time a delivery is made, the tank is checked by the driver and, periodically, the installation is checked by a qualified engineer. Essentially, this means that the tanks are one less thing for the home or business to worry about.
LPG can be integrated with low-carbon and renewable technologies to provide solutions for rural commercial developments and refurbishments, which combine to create a reliable year-round heating supply with further carbon and cost savings; an increasingly attractive option, especially given the potential effects of the Carbon Tax.

Renewable and low-carbon technologies that can be used with LPG include condensing boilers, solar and photovoltaic installations, gas absorption heat pumps (GAHP) and combined heat and power systems (CHP).
A modern condensing LPG boiler will lower fuel consumption as much as 30 per cent by reusing the energy that would typically be lost through the flue. Condensing LPG boilers are suitable for most commercial premises.
The lower greenhouse gas emissions produced by using LPG compared to oil make a condensing LPG boiler particularly suitable as a year-round back-up to solar power.
GAHPs are low-carbon solutions for heating and hot water which can use LPG as a clean primary fuel source. They are suitable for outdoor operation, which means there is no need for a plant room, and can achieve extremely high levels of efficiency.
A CHP system is effectively an on-site, stand-alone power plant, which is capable of producing both electricity and heat from a single fuel source. While the generator produces electricity, the heat by-product is captured and used for central heating and hot water. If additional heat is required, a back-up condensing LPG boiler can boost output.
With demand increasing for high-performing energy solutions, the rise of LPG is certainly making a good case as an alternative. For remote locations, it may well be the best solution.

 
http://blog.crowncapitalmngt.com/what-fossil-fuel-really-do-to-america/

Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are America’s primary source of energy. America’s annual consumption of fossil fuels grown rapidly. 89 % of these consumption are consumed by boilers, transportation, residential usage, fuels for direct heating of process. The balance is used for feed-stocks, raw materials, and other miscellaneous uses. And most of the dirty fuels such as coal and residual oil go into boilers.

Fuel burned are by far the largest single source of air pollution. This pollution is from sulfur oxide. It is also a significant source of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. Boiler combustion is sufficiently important to warrant the effort to analyze the complete nature of the problems.

Fuel consumption in boilers is divided into three sectors: utility boilers producing steam for generation of electricity which is actually consuming probably 59%, industrial boilers producing steam or hot water for process heat,generation of electricity or space heat consuming about 24%, and boilers for space heating for commercial and institutional facilities consuming the 17%.