I am admittedly, and shamefully, a former climate-change denier. There. I said it! I believed that global warming was real, but thought that humans played little to no role in the process. It has happened before, and we need to stop obsessing over something we have no control over. I was not a person you would consider to be environmentally conscious, at all; in fact, those “tree-huggers” often annoyed me, with their suggestions that I make changes in my own life, to stop this process I didn’t think I had a role in. [Read more…]
Earth Day Tips
With Earth Day being in the month of April, we here at GCES spent a lot of timelearning ways we can reduce our own carbon foot prints. We shared what we learned, including great articles, tips, and videos so our followers could learn with us. With all that research, we were able to put together a pretty awesome series of tips, we titled “Easy Ways to Save The Planet.” These daily posts were designed to help people reduce the amount of energy they use, waste they create, and save money! While we have the industrial side of it covered, here, these are things you can easily emulate. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Wi
th this being Day 1 of our, series we decided to keep it simple with #Recycle. Looking for ways to improve on the basics of cardboard, glass and paper? Well look no further, those little K-cups of coffee can be recycled! It is estimated that 17 million K-cups end up in US landfills every year. Keep watching for more easy ways to save the planet from your pollution control partners at GCES. [Read more…]
5 Tips for Reducing Plant Shutdown Costs
Shutdowns and turnarounds are anything but inexpensive but with proper planning and prioritization, budgets can be maintained and stress managed. Use these tips to help you reduce plant shutdown costs.
- Implement a Project Management App or System
The use of project management software is often utilized to streamline both the planning and execution processes. While it does take time to implement a new project management system there are many advantages to consider. For example) systematic project management can help you achieve a better understanding of a process and in turn opens the door for process improvements and streamlined operations. There are many software systems available including some that offer a free trial. Some examples of these include: [Read more…]
Before the Storm: A Storm Readiness Guide from the GCES Field Services Team
If you have decided to put a storm readiness plan together, these are the essentials items that you will need to consider as part of your storm plan.
Facility Checklists: The following suggestions should be part of a larger Storm Preparedness Plan that should be executed once the storm is imminent and the warning of severe weather has been issued.
Protecting your Facility:
- Site Preparation – Keeping your site clean is a must.
- Secure Site – Secure all tools, movable equipment, etc. so to avoid creating projectiles. Cover or remove dumpster and trash from the job site. Dismantle all wood or fences that could be lifted by high winds.
- Maintenance – Perform a complete full maintenance of all electrical and mechanical equipment. Identify precautions for equipment exposed to water or high humidity and procedures for restarting machinery and equipment.
- Backup Systems – Check and perform tune-ups of generators. Purchase extra batteries for all systems that utilize a backup battery system.
- Emergency Site Supplies – Check and maintain proper supply of sandbags, fans, generators and other items that may be needed during an emergency.
- High Reaching Equipment – Dismount and secure all scaffolding. Booms should be laid down if time permits or the load line hooked to the structure at some low point.
- Piping and Inlets – Protect all underground piping and underground drains to prevent any accumulation of debris inside. Confirm all storm water inlets and catch basins are free of any material that can lead to obstruction.
- Deliveries – Postpone any scheduled delivery at least two days after storm occurrence.
- Power – Disconnect all power lines and remove temporary connections susceptible to damage.
Ammonia Removal Utalizing an Ammonia Scrubber
Part 5 of Abating Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ammonia
What is Ammonia?
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. A colorless gas with the formula NH3, ammonia has a pungent smell. Ammonia boils at 33.34 degrees and must be stored under pressure or at a low temperature. Industrial ammonia is sold as either an ammonia liquor or as a pressurized and/or refrigerated anhydrous liquid ammonia transported in 
tanks cars or cylinders. In 2014 the global production of ammonia was 176 million tonnes. China is the top worldwide producer with nearly one-third of total production, followed by India, Russia and the United States.
Ammonia molecules have a trigonal pyramidal shape. The molecules shape allows for a dipole moment and makes it polar. This polarity allows the ability to form hydrogen bonds and makes ammonia highly miscible with water. The central nitrogen atom has five outer electrons with additional electron from each hydrogen atom. This makes a total of eight electrons or four electron pairs that are arranged tetrahedrally. Of these electron pairs three of them are used as bonded pairs leaving one sole pair of electrons. This long pair repels more strongly than bond pairs. [Read more…]
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