County Runs on BioDiesel

Maricopa County leadership services one of the fastest growing populations in the USA. As a responsible organization, Maricopa County is also committed to ensuring the quality of life in the provision of those services, specifically as they relate to air quality and the environment.

One of the largest contributors of air pollution is exhaust from motor vehicles. Not satisfied with just minimizing emissions from its own large fleet, Maricopa County looked for ways to lead other agencies of the community to solutions.

In an effort to help lower emissions and utilize available natural resources, Maricopa County implemented the use of biodiesel. Produced from domestic and renewable resources, biodiesel contains no petroleum itself but can be blended with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that requires no special infrastructure and is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

Maricopa County continues to be a leader in many other great initiatives throughout the county and strives to support local or national initiatives that improve quality of life within the community.

To read the full article here: http://www.maricopa.gov/pr_detail.aspx?releaseID=1051

SUMMARY/OPINIONS:

Equipment Services, a department that functions for the Maricopa County and it's other departments, has made a positive impact on the community by implementing the use of bio fuels in their fleets of vehicles. Their mission is to provide vehicles, equipment and fuel services to employees and departments of the County so they can have transportation and equipment that is needed to perform their jobs.

Maricopa County implementing the use of biodiesel, is an example to other communities on the commitment and quality of life and the provision of its services, specifically on the issues of air quality and the environment.

This county has looked for ways to improve its services, minimizing emissions from its own large fleet, utilizing available natural resources while leading other agencies of the community to solutions.

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that requires no special infrastructure and is simple to use, biodegradable, nontoxic, and essentially free of sulfur and aromatics.

To learn more about this green initiative click here: http://www.maricopa.gov/equipment_services/

RELATED SENTENCES:

1. The County has looked for ways to lead other agencies in the comunity to solutions.
Here "lead" is a verb, and its subject is "Maricopa County"

Main Entry: lead
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: guide physically
Synonyms: accompany, attend, be responsible for, chaperone, coerce, compel, conduct, convey, convoy, direct, drive, escort, find a way, force, get, go along with, guard, impel, induce, manage, pass along, persuade, pilot, point out, point the way, precede, prevail, protect, quarterback, route, safeguard, see, shepherd, show, show around, show in, show the way, span, squire, steer, traverse, usher, watch over
Antonyms: follow

For full reading of the main entry, go here: http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=lead&o=100074

2. This County has looked for ways to improve its services.

Here "improve" is verb and "The County" is a subject.

Main Entry: improve
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: make or become better
Synonyms: advance, ameliorate, amend, augment, better, boost, civilize, come around*, convalesce, correct, cultivate, develop, doctor up, edit, elevate, emend, enhance, gain ground*, help, increase, lift, look up*, make strides, meliorate, mend, perk up*, pick up*, polish, progress, promote, purify, raise, rally, recover, rectify, recuperate, refine, reform, revamp, revise, rise, set right, shape up, sharpen, skyrocket*, straighten out*, take off*, touch up*, turn the corner, update, upgrade
Antonyms: damage, decline, decrease, diminish, harm, hurt, injure, weaken, worsen

For full reading of the Main entry, go here: http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/improve?o=100074

3. Maricopa County continues to be a leader in many other great initiatives.

Here "Maricopa County" is the subject, "to be" the verb, "great" is the adjective

Main Entry: great
Part of Speech: adjective
Definition: important, celebrated
Synonyms: august, capital, chief, commanding, dignified, distinguished, eminent, exalted, excellent, famed, famous, fine, glorious, grand, heroic, high-minded, highly regarded, honorable, idealistic, illustrious, impressive, leading, lofty, magnanimous, main, major, noble, notable, noted, noteworthy, outstanding, paramount, primary, principal, prominent, puissant, regal, remarkable, renowned, royal, stately, sublime, superior, superlative, talented
Antonyms: infamous, insignificant, powerless, uncelebrated, undignified, unimportant, unknown, weak

For full reading of the Main entry go here: http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/great?o=100074

EPA Proposes Rule for Renewable Fuel Standard

NEW WORDS TO ME:

1. EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

Phrase:

"The EPA is proactive when it comes to protecting the environment"

2. Poised: adj.
1.1. Assured; composed.

Phrase:

"She stood poised for the jump"

3. Bolster: tr.v., -stered, -ster·ing, -sters.
3.1. To support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion.

Phrase:

"The new economical measures will bolster the country's economy"

4. Cellulosic Biofuels: is a biofuel produced from wood, grasses, or the non-edible parts of plants. According to U.S. Department of Energy studies conducted by the Argonne Laboratories of the University of Chicago, one of the benefits of cellulosic ethanol is that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 85% over reformulated gasoline. By contrast, starch ethanol (e.g., from corn), which most frequently uses natural gas to provide energy for the process, may not reduce GHG emissions at all depending on how the starch-based feedstock is produced. A study by Nobel Prize winner Paul Crutzen found ethanol produced from corn, and sugarcane had a "net climate warming" effect when compared to oil.

5. Yeoman's work:
5.1. An attendant, servant, or lesser official in a royal or noble household.
5.2. A yeoman of the guard.
5.3. A petty officer performing chiefly clerical duties in the U.S. Navy.
5.4. An assistant or other subordinate, as of a sheriff.
5.5. A diligent, dependable worker.
5.6.A farmer who cultivates his own land, especially a member of a former class of small freeholders in England.

6. RFS: Renewable Fuels Standard.

7. Lifecycle: Refers to the greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the fuels.

8. Biomass-based diesel:
8.1. The total mass of living matter within a given unit of environmental area.
8.2. Plant material, vegetation, or agricultural waste used as a fuel or energy source.

SUMMARY:

The EPA proposed a new renewable fuel standard that may ultimately prohibit some corn ethanol production processes because of their level of greenhouse gas emissions.

The goal of the standard is to bolster the nation's supply of renewable fuels, poised to reach 36 billion gallons by 2022, as mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

The EPA proposal spells out two different emission scenarios for a range of biofuels and production methods. One scenario generally favors the ethanol industry, while the other would prohibit all but one corn ethanol production process but accelerate alternatives such as cellulosic biofuels. The EPA has done yeoman's work in developing the framework upon which the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) will be implemented," Its success is considered very important to the nations economic, environmental and energetic resources.

One source of controversy is how projected land-use change and its environmental impact should figure in setting renewable fuel policy.

The EPA said the Energy Independence and Security Act will establish four categories of renewable fuels: cellulosic biofuels, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuels and total renewable fuel. In 2022, the proposal would require 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels, 15 billion gallons annually of conventional biofuels, 4 billion gallons of advanced biofuels and 1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel.

To be considered an advanced biofuel, the fuel type must have greenhouse gas emissions that are at least 50 percent lower than those associated with ordinary gasoline. New biofuel plants must produce fuels with emissions that are at least 20 percent lower.

To read the full article click here:

http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2009/05/EPA-Proposes-Rule-for-Renewable-Fuel-Standard.aspx?interstitial=1

Professional Interview

I had the pleassure to interview my classmate Dianella. Below are the answers to some of the questions that I presented her with.

Name: Dianella A. Gómez D.



Questions:

1. Could you please define Engineering in your own words?
R: An engieer desings implements all kinds of projects/proceses.Engineering is the capacity to create and proproduce solutions. Engineers identify problems, analyze and look for opportunities to improve machines, processes, etc.Engineering is the field that allows us to study and apply the technology to improve the quality of our lives.

2. What influenced you to pursue Electronics engineering, industrial ingeneering, computer science engineering or informatics engineering?
R:Industrial engineering - The opportunity to learn different disciplines related to engineering. The ability to produce and transfrer energy.

3. Could you please describe the educational process required to become an Engineer?
R:Initially engineers need to learn basic subject that would allow engineers to perform special evaluations. Algebra, Maths, differential equations, physics, chemistry, etc. One of the areas of studies that I enjoyed the most, were the lab courses because they give you a more hands or applied approach to learning.Later the engineers have the opportunity to take elective to learn specifics on different areas of interest.

4. What are the skills you need to be a good engineer?
R:It helps to be good at math, physics and logical and critical thinking. Understanding how processes flow and cause-effect mind frame.

5. What job considerations were you looking for after you completed your education?
R:I will consider a job in safety and environment areas, management of the quality, design engineering, process evaluations, economics and optimization.

6. What's something of your school life that you enjoy the most?
R:Diversity of people (one of the things that i enjoy the most is sharing with my friends), the lab courses, and I also enjoyed some of my professors a great deal.

7. from your perspective, what is the most difficult part of being an engineering student?
R:Not enought time to learn what I would like.

8. What are your plans for the future?
R:Continue evolving in my career and obtain a job in the engineering field.

9. Point out your most personally gratifying moment in Engineering school.
R: When I aproved Geometry with 10 and Thermofluids with 12, I felt that was the most espectacular and gratifying experience ever.

10. Why would you recommend Engineering as a career?
R: This allows you to be creative, to learn on every project, to improve processes, to create more profits.I would only recommend it to those students that have a passion for problem solving and for making our world a better place to live in.

If you want to know more about dianella, visit her blog at:
http://dianeindustrial.blogspot.com/

Class Blogs

Germán Rodríguez http://germanj1990.blogspot.com/

Mariangely Diaz http://mariandiazeng.blogspot.com/

Kevelin Sanchez http://kevelinsanchez.blogspot.com

Veronica Franco http://vero09.blogspot.com/

Vanessa Villasmil http://vanessavillasmilurbe.blogspot.com/

Juan Piñeiro http://juanpineiro.blogspot.com/

Yilda López http://losoyi.blogspot.com/

Yanina Alviilar http://lyaninaalvillar1@gmail.com/

Luis Delgado http://delgado8838.blogspot.com/

Luis Urdaneta Paz http://urdanetaluis88.blogspot.com/

Ricardo Schilling http://rikrdos6.blogspot.com/

Ignacio Davila http://ignacio1819.blogspot.com/

Carolina Zambrano B http://angelapeace.blogspot.com/

Asdrubal Polidor http://asdrubalpolidor.blogspot.com/

Jessica Cuello http://jessicacuello.blogspot.com/

Ignacio Davila http://ignacio1819.blogspot.com/

About Green Engineering

Engineers who want to lower the emissions of their products, develop devices that consume less energy, create viable renewable energy technologies, or better understand the global ecosystem need green engineering.

Green engineering is the use of measurement and control techniques to design, develop, and improve products, technologies, and processes that result in environmental and economic benefits. While green may be the focus today, performing green engineering is fundamentally no different than any other type of engineering innovation.

First, you need to measure the variables with which you are concerned, and then you can begin the process of designing or “fixing” products and processes that achieve your desired goal. Green engineering encompasses common measurements such as power quality and consumption; emissions from vehicles and factories, such as mercury and nitrogen oxides; and environmental data, including carbon, temperature, and water quality. National Instruments enables green engineering by providing measurement, automation, and design tools that empower engineers and scientists to first quantify and understand real-world data and, second, correct problems by designing and developing the next generation of products and technologies with improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Graphical System Design Platform enabling Technologies is the technology components required for green engineering are not only accessible but also easier to use and available at a lower price than ever before. Some of the key technologies that enable green engineering include the following:

• Graphical software to measure and fix
• High-speed and high-resolution measurements
• Domain-specific analysis libraries
• FPGAs for advanced control

Ni.com did several case studies of a variety of cases from preserving the costa rican forrest to how mercury emissions are affecting the environment in different locations of the world. Ni.com found that through the use of green technologies and its applications, power plants will increase in effiency, as well as increase also in profits while lowering costs.

My challenge? Is for all young engineers to begin to see the world in a way that it has yet to be be seen. We need to envision a world that we do not know yet, a world that changes and emerges into new technologies that can ensure the health of our planet and therefore, an enheritance to the new generations to come.

I invite you all to see this link: http://www.fleetmanager.org.uk/shai-agassi-a-bold-plan-for-mass-adoption-of-electric-cars/ it has very interesting new information on battery power vehicles and how this new technology is changing the world.

Think about it. Do something about it. Do it now.

About Me

Hello Everyone!

My name is Carolina Zambrano. I was born and raised in Maracaibo, Zulia Estate. I am a student of Industrial Engineering at URBE university in Maracaibo and I am currently on my 6th semester.

I enjoy music, poetry, traveling and spending time with people I love and care about.
I have been able to visit many wonderful places in the world and I have also been able to live in a few countries like: Nashville, USA; Manila, Phillipines; Lima Peru and of course, my country of birth, Venezuela. Being able to meet so many different people have added a great deal of value to my personal life. I am greatful for that. I am greatful to all those people who added value to my life and to those who add value to my life daily. I love to learn about other cultures and I enjoy to learn and listen to their experiences.

English is a very important language today. I love languages and as a hobby I am also currently learning portugess and hungarian. I love to hear music from other contries, I find that fascinating, is like you can feel the¨´soul¨ of those people.

I am excited about my English 7 class because the teacher is very inspiring! She loves to teach and you can see that from the very first class. She challenges me to go to a new level. I appreciate that very much. She made me do this blog, and even though I felt reluctant at first I think that I am really going to enjoy it!

Thank you all for reading!

Caro