https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Nolen+ForresterOpen Source Ecology - User contributions [en]2026-04-17T04:54:06ZUser contributionsMediaWiki 1.39.13https://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=Electric_Motor_Generator&diff=33732Electric Motor Generator2011-07-16T18:51:41Z<p>Nolen Forrester: /* Collaboration */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Category=Energy}}<br />
Electric motors convert energy from kinetic to electrical (as in [[Wind Turbine|wind turbines]]), or from electrical to kinetic (as in the spraying pump in the [[Freeze Dried Fruit Powders|freeze dried fruit powder machine]]). We need a design that is infinitely scalable in power and speed. Thus, we could produce motors for all applications, from pumps, vaccuum pumps, to hybrid car wheel motors. The challenge is to produce a smart design, where a larger or smaller motor can be built around the same design, such that the motor is essentially stackable for higher power. Electric generators are used in [[Bladed Turbine|turbines]], [[Wind Turbine|windmills]], stationary power, hybrid electric vehicles, etc.<br />
<br />
=Collaboration=<br />
==Review of Project Status==<br />
<br />
Start with some dullish [http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/hsc/hsc/electric_motors.html background]. Move onto real people involved in the industry - such as [http://hitorqueelectric.com/contact/ Hi-Torque Electric]. Move over to advanced electrical generator options, such as [http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Solar_Turbine_CHP_System#Component_Design_-_Boundary_Layer_Turbine_.28BLT.29 bladeless turbines]. Include open source motor controls, such as [http://www.robotpower.com/osmc_info/ Open Source Motor Controller], but upgraded to full scaleability in voltage and power. There you have the context for electric motor development. Applications are many: hybrid electric cars and tractors, and dedicated electric motors for moving parts in advanced devices such as agricultural combines, with potential of significant simplification of mechanical devices.<br />
<br />
Presently, we are seeking to identify someone working on open source electric motors.<br />
<br />
Along with the need for an open source motor comes the need for motor control. There is already a fully tested and released open source motor controller called the ReVolt Cougar. It is designed for use with series wound DC motors of any voltage up to 144 at a maximum of 500 amps. The wiki can be found at [http://ecomodder.com/wiki/index.php/ReVolt<br />
<br />
==Appropedia page: "Comparison of electric engines"==<br />
The [[Appropedia: Comparison of electrical motors]] page reviews types and applications and also has a large number of links to 3D models.</div>Nolen Forresterhttps://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=Polyethylene_from_Ethanol&diff=33308Polyethylene from Ethanol2011-07-13T02:35:46Z<p>Nolen Forrester: /* Introduction: Polyethylene */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Category=Bioplastics}}<br />
<br />
==Introduction: Polyethylene==<br />
Polyethylene (PE) is a polymer of long chains of the monomer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene ethylene] (IUPAC name "''ethene''"). It is one of the world’s most common plastics, with a wide range of uses and over 60 million tons produced worldwide every year. Several different categories exist, based on density and branching. Common types are high-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE HDPE]; plastic # 2) and low-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene LDPE]; plastic # 4). Polyethylene is not biodegradable, therefore significant environmental issues are associated with its use. Recycling of PE is relatively straightforward. When disposables are involved, every effort should be made to replace PE with biodegradable alternatives. However, resistance to biodegradation can also be a desired effect for some applications. For example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomembranes geomembranes] are often made of HDPE and are widely used as liners for fish ponds, constructed wetlands and biogas digesters. Its resistance to degradation also warrants its use in the natural gas industry in transporting natural gas underground in high density PE pipes. Excellent chemical resistance of PE allows for widespread use in storage applications. PE is also useful as a material for digital fabrication. It can be used in the [[RepRap]] 3D printer.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene – the current status==<br />
Almost all PE today is derived from petroleum. In a very energy-intensive process, a petroleum feedstock is cracked at high temperatures. After distillation and purification in large, capital-intensive facilities, ethylene is produced. This is then polymerized to polyethylene, a process that again involves high temperatures, high pressures and often toxic organic solvents. Clearly not an ideal situation.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene from ethanol==<br />
[[File:Ethanol2Ethene.jpg|right|250px]]Ethene is a very simple two-carbon organic molecule (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) that does not have to be derived from petroleum. In fact, it can easily be [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 produced from ethanol] in a dehydration reaction. This has been known for many decades, but was not cost-competitive at low oil prices. Recently, a Brazilan-Japanese joint venture announced the "Green Polyethylene Project", with sugarcane as the feedstock. Commercial-scale introduction of this "BIO-polyethylene" is planned for 2011. We welcome PE to the club of bioplastics and believe that small-scale production from ethanol can be made practical.<br />
<br />
==Possible use in carbon sequestration==<br />
If renewable energy is used in the polymerization step, bio-PE could even be considered a carbon-negative plastic. Recently, wood-HDPE or bamboo-HDPE composite materials have become popular, combining good structural properties with durability. Taking this idea further, a form of carbon sequestration can be proposed, in which completely dry biomass is stored above ground. Plastic sheets are then used to limit moisture, preventing biodegradation ("plastic-enabled carbon landfill"). <br />
<br />
==Links==<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 production of ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jan. 1979)<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=yYAzAAAAEBAJ&dq=4670620 process for obtaining ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jun. 1987) <br />
*News article: [http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=5203 "Brazilian company to make renewable polyethylene"]<br />
*Treehugger: [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/polyethylene-made-from-ethanol-9times-more-efficient-to-make-with-sugar-cane-over-corn.php "Polyethylene Made From Ethanol 9 Times More Efficient To Source From Sugar Cane, Over Corn"]<br />
*Wikipedia entries on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene polyethylene] in general, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE high-density polyethylene (HDPE)] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene low-density polyethylene (LDPE)]<br />
<br />
==Collaboration Discussions==<br />
Can someone research the patents to the point of proposing a rigorous procedure for producing a test batch of bio-polyethylene, with the hope of scale-up for small-scale production?<br />
<br />
==Making Ethylene==<br />
Dehydration of ethanol seems fairly simple to do with an [http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/dehydration.html aluminum oxide catalyst]. This method is well suited to small batches and could be easily scaled up to larger batch sizes. It sounds fairly easy to test out. They don't mention the required temperature but it has to be lower than the ignition point of ethanol(~362°C).<br />
<br />
If we want food-independent ethylene production, especially for larger scale use, we could go from carbon dioxide and water to syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) and then finally to ethylene [http://spot.colorado.edu/~meyertr/rwgs/rwgs.html]. This [https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/sunshine.html] may be useful for producing the syngas.<br />
<br />
==Polymerization==<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=6dRTAAAAEBAJ&dq=3004020 Ethylene Polymerization using a Mixture of Metals and a Halogen as Catalyst] (issued Oct. 1961) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=hDcoAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and process for preparing same] (issued Dec. 1990) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=H4sgAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Method for producing an ethylenic polymer composition] (issued Jun. 1995)<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=F9UFAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and processes for obtaining it] (issued 2001)</div>Nolen Forresterhttps://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=Polyethylene_from_Ethanol&diff=33307Polyethylene from Ethanol2011-07-13T02:31:59Z<p>Nolen Forrester: /* Polyethylene – the current status */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Category=Bioplastics}}<br />
<br />
==Introduction: Polyethylene==<br />
Polyethylene (PE) is a polymer of long chains of the monomer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene ethylene] (IUPAC name "''ethene''"). It is one of the world’s most common plastics, with a wide range of uses and over 60 million tons produced worldwide every year. Several different categories exist, based on density and branching. Common types are high-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE HDPE]; plastic # 2) and low-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene LDPE]; plastic # 4). Polyethylene is not biodegradable, therefore significant environmental issues are associated with its use. Recycling of PE is relatively straightforward. When disposables are involved, every effort should be made to replace PE with biodegradable alternatives. However, resistance to biodegradation can also be a desired effect for some applications. For example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomembranes geomembranes] are often made of HDPE and are widely used as liners for fish ponds, constructed wetlands and biogas digesters. Excellent chemical resistance of PE allows for widespread use in storage applications. PE is also useful as a material for digital fabrication. It can be used in the [[RepRap]] 3D printer.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene – the current status==<br />
Almost all PE today is derived from petroleum. In a very energy-intensive process, a petroleum feedstock is cracked at high temperatures. After distillation and purification in large, capital-intensive facilities, ethylene is produced. This is then polymerized to polyethylene, a process that again involves high temperatures, high pressures and often toxic organic solvents. Clearly not an ideal situation.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene from ethanol==<br />
[[File:Ethanol2Ethene.jpg|right|250px]]Ethene is a very simple two-carbon organic molecule (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) that does not have to be derived from petroleum. In fact, it can easily be [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 produced from ethanol] in a dehydration reaction. This has been known for many decades, but was not cost-competitive at low oil prices. Recently, a Brazilan-Japanese joint venture announced the "Green Polyethylene Project", with sugarcane as the feedstock. Commercial-scale introduction of this "BIO-polyethylene" is planned for 2011. We welcome PE to the club of bioplastics and believe that small-scale production from ethanol can be made practical.<br />
<br />
==Possible use in carbon sequestration==<br />
If renewable energy is used in the polymerization step, bio-PE could even be considered a carbon-negative plastic. Recently, wood-HDPE or bamboo-HDPE composite materials have become popular, combining good structural properties with durability. Taking this idea further, a form of carbon sequestration can be proposed, in which completely dry biomass is stored above ground. Plastic sheets are then used to limit moisture, preventing biodegradation ("plastic-enabled carbon landfill"). <br />
<br />
==Links==<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 production of ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jan. 1979)<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=yYAzAAAAEBAJ&dq=4670620 process for obtaining ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jun. 1987) <br />
*News article: [http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=5203 "Brazilian company to make renewable polyethylene"]<br />
*Treehugger: [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/polyethylene-made-from-ethanol-9times-more-efficient-to-make-with-sugar-cane-over-corn.php "Polyethylene Made From Ethanol 9 Times More Efficient To Source From Sugar Cane, Over Corn"]<br />
*Wikipedia entries on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene polyethylene] in general, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE high-density polyethylene (HDPE)] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene low-density polyethylene (LDPE)]<br />
<br />
==Collaboration Discussions==<br />
Can someone research the patents to the point of proposing a rigorous procedure for producing a test batch of bio-polyethylene, with the hope of scale-up for small-scale production?<br />
<br />
==Making Ethylene==<br />
Dehydration of ethanol seems fairly simple to do with an [http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/dehydration.html aluminum oxide catalyst]. This method is well suited to small batches and could be easily scaled up to larger batch sizes. It sounds fairly easy to test out. They don't mention the required temperature but it has to be lower than the ignition point of ethanol(~362°C).<br />
<br />
If we want food-independent ethylene production, especially for larger scale use, we could go from carbon dioxide and water to syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) and then finally to ethylene [http://spot.colorado.edu/~meyertr/rwgs/rwgs.html]. This [https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/sunshine.html] may be useful for producing the syngas.<br />
<br />
==Polymerization==<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=6dRTAAAAEBAJ&dq=3004020 Ethylene Polymerization using a Mixture of Metals and a Halogen as Catalyst] (issued Oct. 1961) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=hDcoAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and process for preparing same] (issued Dec. 1990) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=H4sgAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Method for producing an ethylenic polymer composition] (issued Jun. 1995)<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=F9UFAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and processes for obtaining it] (issued 2001)</div>Nolen Forresterhttps://wiki.opensourceecology.org/index.php?title=Polyethylene_from_Ethanol&diff=33306Polyethylene from Ethanol2011-07-13T02:25:18Z<p>Nolen Forrester: /* Polyethylene – the current status */</p>
<hr />
<div>{{Category=Bioplastics}}<br />
<br />
==Introduction: Polyethylene==<br />
Polyethylene (PE) is a polymer of long chains of the monomer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene ethylene] (IUPAC name "''ethene''"). It is one of the world’s most common plastics, with a wide range of uses and over 60 million tons produced worldwide every year. Several different categories exist, based on density and branching. Common types are high-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE HDPE]; plastic # 2) and low-density PE ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene LDPE]; plastic # 4). Polyethylene is not biodegradable, therefore significant environmental issues are associated with its use. Recycling of PE is relatively straightforward. When disposables are involved, every effort should be made to replace PE with biodegradable alternatives. However, resistance to biodegradation can also be a desired effect for some applications. For example, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geomembranes geomembranes] are often made of HDPE and are widely used as liners for fish ponds, constructed wetlands and biogas digesters. Excellent chemical resistance of PE allows for widespread use in storage applications. PE is also useful as a material for digital fabrication. It can be used in the [[RepRap]] 3D printer.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene – the current status==<br />
Almost all PE today is derived from petroleum. In a very energy-intensive process, a petroleum feedstock is cracked at high temperatures. After distillation and purification in large, capital-intensive facilities, ethylene is produced. This is then polymerized to polyethylene, a process that again involves high temperatures, high pressures and often toxic organic solvents. Clearly not an ideal situation.<br />
PE (high density) is also used extensively in the natural gas industry for pipeline material on the low pressure distribution side.<br />
<br />
==Polyethylene from ethanol==<br />
[[File:Ethanol2Ethene.jpg|right|250px]]Ethene is a very simple two-carbon organic molecule (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>) that does not have to be derived from petroleum. In fact, it can easily be [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 produced from ethanol] in a dehydration reaction. This has been known for many decades, but was not cost-competitive at low oil prices. Recently, a Brazilan-Japanese joint venture announced the "Green Polyethylene Project", with sugarcane as the feedstock. Commercial-scale introduction of this "BIO-polyethylene" is planned for 2011. We welcome PE to the club of bioplastics and believe that small-scale production from ethanol can be made practical.<br />
<br />
==Possible use in carbon sequestration==<br />
If renewable energy is used in the polymerization step, bio-PE could even be considered a carbon-negative plastic. Recently, wood-HDPE or bamboo-HDPE composite materials have become popular, combining good structural properties with durability. Taking this idea further, a form of carbon sequestration can be proposed, in which completely dry biomass is stored above ground. Plastic sheets are then used to limit moisture, preventing biodegradation ("plastic-enabled carbon landfill"). <br />
<br />
==Links==<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=SWg4AAAAEBAJ&dq=4134926 production of ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jan. 1979)<br />
*Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents?id=yYAzAAAAEBAJ&dq=4670620 process for obtaining ethylene from ethanol] (issued Jun. 1987) <br />
*News article: [http://www.ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=5203 "Brazilian company to make renewable polyethylene"]<br />
*Treehugger: [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/12/polyethylene-made-from-ethanol-9times-more-efficient-to-make-with-sugar-cane-over-corn.php "Polyethylene Made From Ethanol 9 Times More Efficient To Source From Sugar Cane, Over Corn"]<br />
*Wikipedia entries on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene polyethylene] in general, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDPE high-density polyethylene (HDPE)] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-density_polyethylene low-density polyethylene (LDPE)]<br />
<br />
==Collaboration Discussions==<br />
Can someone research the patents to the point of proposing a rigorous procedure for producing a test batch of bio-polyethylene, with the hope of scale-up for small-scale production?<br />
<br />
==Making Ethylene==<br />
Dehydration of ethanol seems fairly simple to do with an [http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/dehydration.html aluminum oxide catalyst]. This method is well suited to small batches and could be easily scaled up to larger batch sizes. It sounds fairly easy to test out. They don't mention the required temperature but it has to be lower than the ignition point of ethanol(~362°C).<br />
<br />
If we want food-independent ethylene production, especially for larger scale use, we could go from carbon dioxide and water to syngas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) and then finally to ethylene [http://spot.colorado.edu/~meyertr/rwgs/rwgs.html]. This [https://share.sandia.gov/news/resources/releases/2007/sunshine.html] may be useful for producing the syngas.<br />
<br />
==Polymerization==<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=6dRTAAAAEBAJ&dq=3004020 Ethylene Polymerization using a Mixture of Metals and a Halogen as Catalyst] (issued Oct. 1961) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=hDcoAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and process for preparing same] (issued Dec. 1990) <br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=H4sgAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Method for producing an ethylenic polymer composition] (issued Jun. 1995)<br />
* Patent: [http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=F9UFAAAAEBAJ&dq=4975485 Ethylene polymer and processes for obtaining it] (issued 2001)</div>Nolen Forrester