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“The volcanic island of St. Lucia plans to tap geothermal power trapped beneath sulfur springs and rolling mud pools in a rare attempt at developing alternative energy sources in the Caribbean.” ^[1]

Extract Geothermal Power

Although the details have not been fully released, the Associated Press reports that a US company plans to extract geothermal power from a location on the island where fumaroles are flooded with water warmed by hot rocks.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from the heat in the Earth’s core. Geothermal energy is extracted from the relatively stable earth core temperature of 54º to 56ºF using specifically designed geothermal supplies and equipment such as geothermal pipes, slotted pipes and geothermal fittings

Geothermal power is a sustainable, cost-effective, dependable and environmentally friendly. This form of energy stems from the planet’s formation, from radioactive decay and from the solar energy that is absorbed at the surface of the earth. ^[2]

Volcanic Island ^[3,4]

Saint Lucia is part of the Windwards Islands; it is situated in the middle of the Eastern Caribbean island chain. Saint Lucia is located roughly 34 km (21 miles) south of Martinique and 145 km (90 miles) northwest of Barbados.

The island covers an area of about 620 km² (239 m²) and has a population of approximately 160,000. The island’s capital Castries, with a population of 50,000, is situated in the north western part of the island.

This volcanic island is the most mountainous of the Caribbean islands. A mountain range extends the length of the island with peaks varying from 100 feet to 3145 feet.

^{On the south western coast, two volcanoes Gros Piton (2615 feet) and Petit Piton (2461 feet) make up some of the Caribbean’s most renowned landmarks.}  

Tourism is vital to Saint Lucia's economy. Tourism is more popular in the dry season; tourists are attracted by Saint-Lucia’s tropical weather, beautiful scenery and abundant beaches and resorts.

Potential Geothermal Power

“The Sulfur Springs area where drilling is planned lies near St. Lucia's twin volcanic peaks, the Pitons, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The peaks, formed by a volcanic eruption about 35 million years ago, shelter several bird species, giant ferns and wild orchids and are tourist attractions.” ^[5]

The location of the underground cauldrons is estimated to hold a reserve of 30 megawatts and to have a potential of an additional reserve of up to 140 megawatts.

Currently, the volcanic island of Saint-Lucia obtains all its electricity needs from oil-burning plants, which is very common throughout the Caribbean. This project would fulfill a long standing plan of the governments throughout the area to invest in alternative energy resources.

The realization of this geothermal energy project would provide an alternative energy resource from the oil that is currently imported as well as offer a bit of energy security to this small Caribbean island.

A leading supplier of PVC pipe and fittings, PVC Plus Drilling products manufacturers geothermal pipe, slotted PVC pipe and PVC pipe fitting.  Contact us today.

1.     http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJFs3FCIsGR4XkrRxuAQ5Y0MVuugD9H72RS81

2.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal_power

3.     http://www.stlucia.org/planner/about.asp

4.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucia

5.     http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJFs3FCIsGR4XkrRxuAQ5Y0MVuugD9H72RS81

Shale gas is very much in the news these days and it appears that this natural energy source could become the energy resource of the future in North America. Centered in Pennsylvania, the Marcellus shale formation, the largest shale deposit in the United States could possibility create thousands of jobs and supply the United States with its own fuel resources. This reservoir of natural gas could have major economic implications, not only for the U.S., but for the world.


Cleaner energy
This supply of cleaner burning fuel could potentially generate electricity that would result in 50% less greenhouse gas emissions than coal and cause less pollutants when powering motor vehicles.


Marcellus Reservoir
This reservoir extends from New York State through much of north eastern and western Pennsylvania and through parts of West Virginia and Ohio. This shale formation has attracted billions of dollars in investments from companies all over the world. Within the next ten years more than 3 500 wells may be drilled by 70 companies, conceivably creating more than 200 000 jobs.


Shale gas
Shale gas refers to natural gas, primarily methane, which is found in fine-grained, organic-rich rocks, known as gas shales. Shale gas has become a significant source of natural gas in the U.S in the past ten years, and awareness of potential gas shales is increasing in Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada.


Shale
Gas “shales” are not a specific type of rock, but refer to various types of fine-grained particle rocks such as mudstone, shale, siltstone, carbonate rocks and fine-grained sandstone with layers of shale or mudstone. Gas shale refers to a reservoir or a trap where natural gas is contained.


Creation of shale gas
Shale gas is generated through any blend of primary thermogenic degradation of organic matter, secondary thermogenic cracking of oil or biogenic degradation of organic matter.


Horizontal drilling
The exploration and production of shale gas is a technology driven industry since complex technologies are required to access the low-permeability reservoirs.
The horizontal drilling technique that is used in the shale gas industry enables drilling companies to access the gas from a distance, stay out of sensitive areas, reduce damage to the rock during drilling, maximize the drainage area of the well and decrease the visual impact by reducing the number of vertical wells.

Geologists believe that the Marcellus shale formation may contain up to 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, making it the second-largest reservoir in the world. This massive natural gas resource, which geologists have known about for 75 years, was thought to be inaccessible until ten years ago when producers began using high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to access it.

PVC Plus Drilling Products is a distributor and manufacturer of environmental drilling products supplying a wide range of drilling products including monitoring well supplies, drilling fluids and well drilling supplies. PVC Plus Drilling Products also sells geothermal supplies such as geothermal pipe, geothermal fittings and slotted pipe.

http://press.nationalgeographic.com/pressroom/index.jsp?pageID=pressReleases_detail&siteID=1&cid=1288290349360
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101022-energy-marcellus-shale-gas-parks-forests/
http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/energy/shale-gas/shale-gas.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101022-breaking-fuel-from-the-rock/

Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has rapidly become the most valuable technology in the oil drilling business. Not only does directional drilling allow accessing areas that are otherwise out of reach economically, horizontal wells are now a favoured method to extract oil and gas. Directional drilling enables a larger contact with the productive area than vertical wells. Even though the HDD process may cost as much as two or three times the cost of a vertical well, the end result (e.g. the production factor) pays for itself as it can be as much as 15 to 20 times more advantageous.

Horizontal directional drilling is not only beneficial in drilling for gas and oil; today this technology is being applied to assist other areas as well.

Directional drilling to avoid traffic issues

In Mahoning County in Ohio, directional drilling is being used to install new sewer lines. This type of project inevitably causes traffic disruptions and destroys front lawns, streets and landscaping. The sanitary engineers in Mahoning County have turned to horizontal drilling to help solve the majority of issues relating to this type of project. Directional drilling allows workers to bore 500 feet at a time. This project, which consists of placing new 12 inch PVC pipe along a 4000 foot stretch, typically requires that a trench be dug the entire length and then entails landscaping, road work and clean up to complete the task. Using directional drilling, the crew digs underground for 500 to 800 feet and then pulls the piping through. With the use of horizontal drilling, the affected area is only about 40 feet in diameter, every 500 feet or so.

Directional drilling is a technology which enables drilling in areas and situations where traditional drilling methods would be unproductive, even impossible.

PVC Plus Drilling Products offers solutions for various types of drilling challenges by offering superior products and service. For more information regarding horizontal directional drilling, well drilling supplies, drilling fluids and HDPE pipe, contact PVC Plus Drilling Products.

http://www.agwt.org/info/pdfs/welldrilling.pdf

http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Sanitary-Engineer-Uses-Horizontal-Drilling/p-6GHTl9WUW4jz2Myho5Kg.cspx

On GoHawaii’s website1, Hawaii’s Big Island is described as allowing adventurers or romantics to discover an assortment of unparalleled natural wonders. The Big Island, the biggest and youngest of the five Hawaiian islands making up this U.S. State, is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea; the tallest sea mountain in the world, Maunakea; the largest mountain in the world, Maunaloa, and the biggest park in the state, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Soon, the Big Island of Hawaii may also be able to pride itself as being a supplier of its own electricity using geothermal energy.

Pele’s energy
Local communities which are built on and around the volcano Kilauea have always respected the power and revered the goddess of the volcano, Pele. The realities of enormous utility costs and draining fossil fuel resources are forcing Hawaiians to consider using the power of Pele to sustain the future island’s economy and its residents.

Using geothermal energy to produce energy from the heat of Pele is a mixed topic amongst the Hawaii people. The belief is that as long as the volcano is active and producing heat, the energy should not be used or controlled in any way or form. In the traditional Hawaiian way of thinking, geothermal energy is not encouraged.

Varying perspectives
Other Native Hawaiians, who are very respectful of the environment as well as the need for alternative energy resources, offer different perspectives on the use of geothermal energy on the Big Island. On the one hand, using geothermal energy to benefit from the power of Pele can be considered sacrilege; on the other hand, this natural heat and energy source can be taken as a gift from the goddess Pele to help surmount hardship.

Astronomical energy costs
Many Hawaiians cannot make ends meet due to the astronomical costs related to coal, oil and gasoline on the islands. Currently, a 30-megawatt power plant which has been operating a closed geothermal system for nearly 17 years, employs 30 full-time employees, contributes 3 million$ to the local economy and provides approximately 20 percent of the Big Island’s electrical needs. The geothermal company also pays royalties to the State of Hawaii since the underground steam is deemed to be a state-owned resource.

Earlier in the year, the Hawaii Geothermal Working Group was formed to verify the feasibility of geothermal energy becoming the principal energy source that would supply the base-load demand for electricity on the Big Island.

This group’s report, which is expected in early 2011, will be used to promote the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. The goal of this Initiative is to have renewable energy resources make up 70 percent of the state’s consumption by 2030.

According to many, several of the most obvious obstacles to converting to geothermal energy are the lack of investors and money to explore new wells and to construct new facilities.

With the potential to give Hawaiians affordable and sustainable energy resources by tapping into the Big Island’s enormous source of renewable energy, it seems that many Islanders may soon welcome the use of geothermal energy as they welcome visitors to their beautiful island paradise.

PVC Plus Drilling, a leading supplier of PVC pipe and fittings, PVC Plus Drilling products also provides geothermal pipe and coils, geothermal grouts and fittings. Contact PVC for your horizontal directional drilling and all geothermal accessories.

1. http://www.gohawaii.com/statewide/choose-an-island/
http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/national/Hawaii-takes-a-close-look--at-geothermal-energy--111221394.html

PVC piping has long been used in aquariums to make certain the water circulating through the tanks is clean and filtered. PVC pipes are extremely resistant to the accumulation of clogging and corroding bio film, a slimy layer of bacteria which tends to develop in the tanks.

Leading aquariums
The Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Georgia Aquarium, two world renowned centres, rely on the characteristics of PVC piping to maintain the purity of their huge tanks.

• The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, located in San Diego, California, is not only one of the most important centers for ocean and earth science research, education, and public service in the world, but it is also amongst the oldest and the largest.
• The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the world. The aquarium houses 500 different species and more than 100,000 animals. Visitors to the Ocean Voyager exhibit at Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium view a tank that is the length of a football field and contains 6.3 million gallons of salt water. Visitors do not see the life support system for all the creatures which constitutes in 10 miles of PVC pipe behind the massive tank.
   

PVC pipe specifications

• Durability and smoothness

The low friction on the inside of the PVC piping, limits biological growth, such as algae, crabs and mussels. PVC piping is low maintenance and very durable.

•  Economical and durable

In Los Angeles, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium still relies on its original PVC piping system that was installed in 1981. The nearly 30 year old pipes have never needed repairs.

• Non corrosive

The salt water used in many aquarium tanks is extremely corrosive. PVC does not corrode; therefore the pipes do not leak or allow chemicals to trickle into the water, affecting fish and plant life.

• Efficiency and limited space

PVC is easy to install, cut and configure. As well, PVC piping necessitates a less significant turning radius than other piping material, saving space in smaller areas.

Closed filtration system
The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, far from the coast, produces its own artificial salt water. The water is made once and then continuously recycled and disinfected by multiple filters in a closed system. PVC pipes connect all stages of filtration and heat exchangers. The PVC pipes then return the clean water into the tank.

Horizontal directional drilling
When the Scripps Institution of Oceanography needed to replace sections of its filtration system’s piping, contractors relied on horizontal drilling to bore a path for the new PVC piping that would replace the run down concrete pipes. Horizontal drilling limited the disturbances on the Institution’s campus, and the flexibility of the PVC pipes enabled the workers to pass the pipe through underground areas which were crammed full of existing utilities. Upon completion of the project, more than 4,000 feet of PVC pipe was used.

Today, the use of PVC piping is no longer limited to natural gas and drinking water. PVC piping is widely used. In many conditions, PVC is a better choice than other materials as it is non-corrosive, durable and amongst the simplest material to utilize and configure.

PVC Plus Drilling is an important supplier of PVC pipes and fittings. PVC Plus Drilling manufacturers slotted PVC pipe screen in horizontal and custom patterns, distributes Teflon, CPVC, Stainless Steel and HDPE pipes and fittings, as well as being a key PVC pipe supplier.

http://www.vinylnewsservice.com/MainMenu/CaseStudies/PVCPipingIsCriticaltoModernMegaAquariums.aspx
http://www.vinylinfo.org/Environment/PVCPipeMeetsStringentRules.aspx
 

Lanthanum, europium and neodymium: these rare earth minerals play an important role in clean power generation. Rare earth minerals are naturally occurring metallic elements that are used worldwide in tiny amounts to manufacture many of the high tech goods that we are so dependent on today.

These minerals hold particular chemical and physical characteristics which make them essential to the high-tech industry. The increase in high-tech toys has nearly doubled the demand for rare earth minerals since the last decade.

To fulfill this need, mineral exploration and drilling must be used to extract these elements from the earth.

Accuracy of a name
While these necessary minerals are labelled “rare earth elements”, the British Geological Survey compares the available quantity of these elements to that of lead and copper.

Near production monopoly
China owns approximately 35% of the estimated world reserves of these rare earth minerals (36 million tonnes in comparison to the United States’ 13 million tonnes); in addition, China controls about 97% of the production and transformation capacity of these rare earth minerals.

In the fall of 2010, China began limiting exportation of these prized mineral (as of October 2010, China had reduced its exportation of rare earth elements by some 70% from 2009); for countries that rely on these minerals to remain competitive in the high tech world, cuts in exportations could have huge repercussions.

Desert mineral reserves
The Mojave Desert, located in California, may hold the key that will release the United States from its dependence on another nation to supply it with rare earth minerals.

This desert is home to a mine that holds the minerals that have become essential to the high tech world. This mine, shut down since 2002 when the United States relinquished the rare minerals exploration market to China, is the biggest known rare earth elements deposit outside of China.

Increasing demand
The world’s demand of rare earth minerals is 125,000 metric tonnes per year. Educated guesses place the demand for these minerals at 205,000 metric tonnes by 2015, some 80,000 tonnes more than the current demand. The Mojave Desert mine, producing at total capacity, is believed to be capable of turning out 20,000 metric tonnes a year; a tad more than the United States’ present demand.

Complex knowledge
In spite of the fact that sufficient rare earth minerals may exist on US soil, it is unclear whether the country has obtained enough knowledge and expertise to successfully alter the critical minerals into serviceable components for the manufacturing of high tech devices.

One of the largest and most challenging markets in the industrial drilling industry, mineral exploration is dependent on a number of factors such as geologic conditions, operator requirements, drilling methods and environmental concerns. These and other factors stress the importance of using the proper drilling fluids and well drilling supplies. PVC Plus Drilling Products has the solution for reduced core recovery or problematic hole conditions. For more information contact PVC Plus Drilling Products.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/ANALYSIS+Rare+earths+Next+thing+will+bubble+burst/3733211/story.html
http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/japan-boosts-pacific-mineral-exploration-20110104-19e2f.html
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/05/3107031.htm?section=justin

A hundred and fifty years since its unearthing, oil maintains its critical role in the world’s economy. It seems that ever since the world has become dependent on oil, it has worried that its reserves will run out.

Although oil is a primary source of energy for many countries, its positioning has been re-evaluated since the energy shortages in the 1970s and 80s where the developed world was forced to realize how dependant it was on petroleum products and vulnerable to deficits in supply. In the early 1970s, 46% of the global energy consumption was oil; in 2005, oil accounted for 35%.

Today, oil still tops other energy source on a worldwide scale (nuclear power covers 6% of the world’s energy needs, natural gas covers 20% and coal, 25%).

Oil dependence
The world is very dependent on oil and the primary reason is that oil possesses some very interesting characteristics. Oil offers optimal energy in a small volume, making it easy to transport.

Also, using distillation, oil can be separated into other products such as gasoline, kerosene, bitumen and paraffin.

Maximum oil production
Many theorists predict that the oil production has reached its maximum potential and that current output levels are not maintainable.

As of yet, the oil industry has maintained, even raised, its production by using newly available technologies: deep water drilling, three dimensional seismic imaging and horizontal drilling.
Horizontal drilling consists in drilling horizontally into rock, pumping water, sand and drilling fluids into the gaps in order to split the shale.

Roller coaster
It seems that the price of oil is constantly increasing and dropping; in the past ten years, the cost of a barrel of crude oil has risen steadily from 2002 to 2007, peaking at $147 in 2008 to then crash to $33 a barrel some 6 months later as a result of a worldwide recession which largely affected demand. In 2010, with some economic revival, the barrel price had gone back up to $80 and, so far, in 2011 the increasing price in energy costs is bringing back memories of 2008; suddenly, oil is back up to $100 a barrel and, amidst fears of long term Middle East interruptions in supplies, this will likely increase further.

Horizontal drilling: new opportunities
Fortunately, technology is allowing companies to explore oil and gas reservoirs that were previously deemed inaccessible, either economically or technically. Horizontal directional drilling is opening up new opportunities such as accessing poor quality rock that would have been considered far too costly to access using conventional vertical drilling. Horizontal drilling has re-energized the drilling industry by enabling oil to be located and accessed in areas that remained untapped in the past due. It is estimated that horizontal drilling techniques will elevate oil production in the United Stated by roughly 20% over the next 4 or 5 years.

PVC Plus Drilling Products exports worldwide wholesaling PVC pipe, PVC fittings, PVC valves as well as numerous other drilling related products to North American distributors, consulting firms, industrial, commercial and residential customers.

PVC Plus Drilling Products Inc. supply a comprehensive range of drilling products which include: Bentonite drilling fluids, polymer drilling fluids and additives, grouts and sealants including specialist geothermal grouts and well cleaning additives.

http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/energy-environment/oil-petroleum-and-gasoline/index.html?scp=2&sq=horizontal%20drilling%20&st=cse
http://www.theenergyreport.com/pub/na/8840

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Botanical Garden, a leader in native plant conservation and education in the southeastern United States for more than 30 years, is a "conservation garden." The mission of the garden is to inspire understanding, appreciation and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature.[1] True to this mission, the UNC Botanical Garden’s Totten Centre is one of the most sustainable and energy efficient buildings amongst all the UNC buildings. This is due in large part to its geothermal heating and cooling system that enables the building to saves on nearly 50 percent of its energy expenditures.

Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that is derived from the heat contained in the Earth’s core. Geothermal energy is extracted from the relatively stable earth core temperature of 54º to 56ºF. Even in colder areas, the ground contains heat; at a depth of 10 feet, the ground is a constant 55ºF. Geothermal heating is a practical and energy saving alternative for heating and cooling a building. A nearby water source is used as a heat sink in the warm months and heat source in the winter month.

Environmentally Friendly
Geothermal is an environmentally friendly means of heating and cooling because it does not require as much non-renewable energy and fossil fuel to reach the same temperature as other systems. A geothermal system is also less expensive to operate than traditional heating and cooling systems.

Geothermal coils
At the Botanical Garden’s, a closed loop geothermal coil system heats and cools water. In a closed loop system, the most popular type of geothermal installation, water is circulated throughout small diameter loops. A closed loop system can be set up vertically or horizontally in the ground, or submerged in water.

At UNC, water from deep wells (3500 feet) within the botanical garden is circulated through the underground geothermal coils. These coils, nearly three and a half miles of closed pipes, use the earth’s constant temperatures to cool or heat water according to a thermostat setting. The geothermal pipes run to and fro the wells to the building. In essence, the water, which is simply used to carry warmth or freshness, is cooled and heated again and again.

The Botanical Garden's Education Center has been given the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s platinum certification, the highest award for green buildings.

PVC Plus Drilling Inc. supplies a complete range of drilling products and geothermal accessories that are used in geothermal heating and cooling installations. PVC Plus Drilling can supply you with geothermal fittings, slotted pipe, geothermal grouts and HDPE geothermal pipes.

1. http://www.ncbg.unc.edu
2. http://www.leed.net
3. http://reesenews.org/2011/03/29/n-c-botanical-garden-goes-geothermal/13089/
4. http://ncbg.unc.edu/pages/4/
5. http://www.energync.net/wdocs/EPC_Wind_Hyrdo_Geothermal.pdf

Thanks to its resistance to corrosion and its overall durability, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a very popular choice for use in clean water distribution systems and the sanitary collection of waste water. At present more than 70% of the new underground water distribution pipes in the United States and Canada are PVC; 75% of the newly installed sanitary sewage systems use PVC piping.

Broken water mains and aging and corroded metal pipes are responsible for some 2.3 trillion gallons of treated water being are lost every year in the United States. As a result of these failing systems, more and more cities are resolving the issue by installing PVC pipe systems that are intended to last into the next century.

Critical Systems
Today’s economy and fast paced society rely on many infrastructures, but the water delivery and wastewater handling infrastructure are likely the most critical. In the United States, nearly 265 million people depend on drinking water systems for clean water. In Canada, more than 31 million residents count on drinking water systems to provide them with safe water.

• Wastewater systems keep our wastewater systems safe for recreational activities by preventing billions of tons of pollutants from accessing rivers, lakes and coastlines
• Wastewater systems keep us safe from water-borne disease by reducing illness and related healthcare costs.

Economy

• Efficient and reliable systems enable our society by promoting a $50 billion a year recreation industry, some $300 billion in coastal tourism and $45 billion in commercial fishing;
•  The manufacturing industry, which generates hundreds of billions of dollars annually, depends on clean water;
• Clean coastlines, rivers and lakes promote investments in an area which enhances land value, promotes job creation, and increases taxes.

Daily water main breaks
The importance of these water systems is put into light on a daily basis in many communities as the dependability of these critical systems are deteriorating at an alarming rate. Corrosion and failures are threatening safe drinking water and sanitation services; in North America alone, some 700 water main breaks occur every day!


PVC pipes
The popularity of PVC to replace old water mains and its use in newly installed systems is certainly as a result of its greater durability.
In a survey supported by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, 162 responding utilities rated PVC pipe as having a durability of 4.1 on a scale of 1 to 5; this rating was the highest amongst all pipe material.

A two-year study carried out by the National Research Council of Canada found that PVC piping has only 0.7 breaks per year for every 100 kilometres of water distribution piping laid. In comparison, cast iron accounts for 35.9 breaks and ductile iron 9.5 breaks.

Every time a pipe fails the resulting costs are enormous, not only to repair the pipe, but the overheads for clean up, business disruptions and resulting illness outbreaks.

• Versatile

PVC is a versatile product that can be used to pump fresh water into our homes to the toy that will entertain your toddler.

• Durable

Product made from PVC will not disintegrate or corrode, and require very little maintenance. The ability of PVC to bend and flex without breaking makes it an ideal choice for piping as it is able to handle ground movements caused by unstable or shifting soils, as well as earthquakes.

• Environment

Less energy is used to produce PVC than many of its rival components and as much as 20% less energy than other plastics. PVC’s most important raw material, making up almost 60% of the vinyl, is derived from common salt, saving on fossil fuels.

• Recyclable

Vinyl is recyclable and all types of products can be remade into other products.

PVC pipes have been used in drinking water and wastewater systems since the 1950s. Today, a large number of these installations have been thoroughly tested for reliability and safety. These PVC pipe systems are extremely resistant to internal and external corrosion, transfer clean drinking water, and offer a greater flow, are resistant to cracking, even when they are bent or exposed to extreme loads, as well, PVC pipes offer water tight joints.

An important supplier of PVC pipe and fittings, PVC Plus Drilling products makes slotted PVC pipe screen in horizontal and custom patterns and distributes Teflon, CPVC, Stainless Steel and HDPE pipes and fittings. Look to PVC Plus Drilling Products for all your PVC pipe and fittings, drilling related products, as well as many other drilling related products.

www.vinylinfo.org
www.watermainbreakclock.com
http://www.vinylnewsservice.net/default.aspx

Geothermal heating uses the natural and constant warmth that is stored in the earth’s core. Geothermal energy has been used for thousands of years. Both the Romans and the Native Americans used the natural heat supplied by hot springs. In the present time, incessant trepidation regarding energy concerns and costs have improved interest in geothermal power.

Geothermal energy is all the rage now as people seem to be learning more about this natural form of renewable energy.

Geothermal energy is used in different ways:

• To generate electricity indirectly
• To heat buildings through direct-use methods
• To cool and heat buildings by means of geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal pipe and geothermal earth loops that are used in geothermal cooling and heating systems are specifically designed from high density polyethylene pipe (HDPE pipe and PVC piping)

Here are some interesting geothermal facts:

Geothermal energy

• Geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source since the earth constantly generates heat
• While the surface of the earth can become quite cool, even cold, the temperatures at the center of the Earth can attain several thousand degrees.
• Geothermal energy can supply both heat and electricity.

Heat from the earth

• The word “geothermal” comes from the words “geo” meaning “earth” and “thermal” meaning “heat”.
• The earth’s core temperature increases as you dig; for every 100 meters (328 feet) below ground, there is an increase in the rock temperature of approximately, 5.4˚ Fahrenheit (3˚Celsius).
• Geothermal energy is commonly acquired by accessing geothermal springs (also known as hydrothermal sites); these areas are geologically active area where water seeps into the

Earth's crust, is heated by the Earth's core and then rises to the surface of the earth in the form of steam.

Geothermal power worldwide

• Geothermal power is produced in more than 20 countries worldwide (eg: the United States, Italy, France, Iceland, New Zealand, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Russia, the Philippines, China and Japan, to name a few)
• More than 25% of Iceland’s electrical energy is produced from geothermal sources; nearly 90% of homes in Iceland are heated by geothermal heating.

In geothermal heating and cooling, vertical or horizontal drilling (eg: horizontal well drilling) wells bore into the ground to reach the constant core temperatures. A thermal loop, made out of geothermal pipe, is then created to enable the heat to be transferred to fluid within the HDPE pipes. The thermal loop is composed of a series of geothermal pipes connected using geothermal fittings. The geothermal pipes (HDPE pipes and PVC pipes) have exceptional physical and thermal characteristics. The geothermal pipes carry a fluid which connects the geothermal system's heat pump to the underground.

Geothermal power plants

• In comparison to other forms of power facilities, geothermal power plants leave a very small footprint on area in which they are located.
• Geothermal electricity plants offer a constant source of power; operating generally more than 95% of the year.
• Italy is home to the first geothermal power plant that is still in operation today; the plant started operating in 1904.
•  

PVC Plus Drilling Inc. supplies a complete range of drilling products and geothermal supplies that are used in geothermal heating and cooling installations. PVC Plus Drilling can supply you with geothermal fittings, well drilling supplies, geothermal accessories and HDPE pipes.

http://www.our-energy.com/energy_facts/geothermal_energy_facts.html
http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/03/geothermal-energy-facts.html
http://www.cangea.ca/what-is-geothermal/geothermal-energy-facts/

With only 3% of water on earth being freshwater, life on earth depends upon the security and maintenance of this most valuable resource. Here in North America, we typically think of lakes and flowing rivers as our sources of freshwater—in particular the Great Lakes, which are shared between Canada and the United States. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In their book The changing earth: Exploring geology and evolution, J.S. Monroe and R. Wicander suggest that 97% of North America’s freshwater lies beneath the earth’s surface, in aquifers.  This groundwater  is used in varying degrees across North America. In Canada, for example, less than half of the population of Quebec rely on groundwater, whereas almost everyone on Prince Edward Island depends on groundwater for their drinking water. And from an agricultural perspective, over 75% of farms and ranches across Canada rely on groundwater for irrigation.

Despite the importance of groundwater  reservoirs to North America, these supplies are under threat from over pumping and, in particular, pollution. Nitrates from pesticides and fertilizers have contaminated most groundwater that lies below agricultural land—though at present the level of pollution does not pose a health risk. And in urban areas, gasoline, oil and salt from winter gritting leeches into groundwater supplies and pollutes them. Salt is also a risk from rising sea levels. Some scientists suggest salt water is bound to infiltrate low-lying reservoirs of groundwater, rendering them unfit for human consumption. 

Thankfully, there’s still hope, especially for Canada. With the country’s tiny population but large geographic size, most Canadian groundwater has yet to be affected by either over pumping or pollution. How Canada goes about managing and protecting this resource will have implications around the world.

A leading supplier of PVC slotted pipe and fittings, PVC Plus Drilling products manufacturers slotted PVC pipe screen in horizontal and custom patterns for a range of applications, including the monitoring and testing of groundwater.

Visit PVC Plus Drilling Products for all your PVC pipe, fittings, well-drilling supplies and drilling-related products and advice.


http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/assessments/completed/groundwater.aspx
http://www.groundwater.org/gi/sourcesofgwcontam.html

 

Using the relatively constant temperature that exists just below the Earth’s surface is a renewable and environmentally friendly resource for heating and cooling that’s gaining popularity around the World. And as the cost of installing geothermal heating and cooling systems continues to fall, this trend is set to continue and become even cheaper and more efficient.

In Australia, shares in geothermal companies closed up to 25% higher on July 11. The hike followed an announcement by the federal government there that a new carbon tax is to be introduced to help fund $13.2 billion (Aus) in investment of renewable energy sources.

Closer to home, In Aspen, Colorado, city officials are planning to drill a well in the hopes of tapping into geothermal  resources that are believed to be below the ground there. With local projects aiming to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 80%, Aspen officials see geothermal energy as a step in the right direction. The goal is to use the geothermal energy to heat and cool buildings in the Aspen area.

Although geothermal energy is not generally recognized as being suitable for anything other than small applications in homes and offices, this isn’t actually the case. Most media attention and marketing from geothermal companies is aimed at the consumer. But drilling deeper into the earth’s surface can offer heating sources that will power much larger applications, such as turbines in power plants. This is because the deeper into the earth’s crust you drill, the warmer the temperatures you find, especially in areas with volcanic activity.

For over a decade, PVC Plus Drilling Products Inc. has been helping its clients progress through innovation. PVC Plus Drilling recognizes that in order to be unique and achieve a competitive advantage, the company must offer custom manufactured screen pipe products and solutions. Visit PVC Plus Drilling Products Inc. For all your geothermal pipe and geothermal supplies.

Geothermal Accessories : Well Completion : Flushmount and Casings : Decontamination Products : Drilling Muds & Polymers

http://www.geosunnrg.com/about-geothermal-heat-pump/benefits-of-geothermal/
http://www.centreforenergy.com/AboutEnergy/Geothermal/Overview.asp?page=5
 

Landfills were supposed to be the answer to our garbage-disposal issues. Over time, however, they have caused as many problems as they appear to have solved. It is estimated that there are over 8,000 fires at landfills across the United States each year? How are these fires started? Heat from decaying garbage can become hot enough to ignite gas below the surface and cause fires that burn under or above ground for miles.

Gas from decaying garbage is a major issue. If the conditions are right, A single ton of garbage can produce up to 500 cubic yards of gas. All landfills produce potentially explosive emissions. In modern landfills, the gas is channelled away by PVC pipe and burned off, or perhaps used as an alternative energy source. But when landfills first began appearing, back in the 60’s, many of the safety measures in place today were not considered. There could be up to 10,000 landfills in the United States alone that have zero safety measures in place.

Another major problem with older landfills is the pollution of groundwater. As organic garbage decomposes, the bacteria created leech into the soils and eventually—with the help of rainwater—find their way into the groundwater system. Heavy metals, oil, gasoline and solvents can also leak into these precious water supplies. Many cities and communities in North America rely on groundwater alone for their drinking water, so the repercussions of having this supply contaminated by decaying landfill refuse are serious.

We have become much more aware of the potential environmental issues of landfills here at home. By utilizing PVC pipelines to channel waste gases and liquids safely away from landfill sites and improving landfill design, these garbage-disposal sites have become much safer. But here is still much to be done to make older landfills safe both here and in the developing world—where huge landfills pose a major health risk to local populations.

PVC Plus Drilling are a leading supplier of PVC pipe, fittings and drilling-related products that are utilized for a range of applications including groundwater sampling and testing, and pipeline constructions for landfills.

http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/landfills.htm
http://www.ejnet.org/landfills/
 

Remember how lead piping was supposed to have contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire? Turns out that actually this might not have been the case. The Romans were a clever bunch and used lead piping to channel water extensively in Rome. But it seems that the supposed lead poisoning of the population from lead leeching into the water supply is wide of the mark. Why? Because Rome is built on sedimentary calcareous soil which, according to John Scarborough, a noted pharmacologist, caused limestone encrustation around the pipes. This encrustation required regular cleaning, which in turn caused deposits of calcium carbonate to build up in the pipes. This build up protected the pipes from corrosion, and formed a barrier that stopped lead deposits from leeching into the water supply.

This was a very good thing, because lead is nasty stuff—real nasty. The toxicity of lead is such that it can wreak havoc on all the major systems of the body. Overexposure to lead can kill.

Lucky, then, that as far as water is concerned, we can rely on PVC piping to channel our supplies. But PVC is far more widely used than simply to channel our drinking or waste water. According to the PVC website, PVC is one of the most used plastics in the World today. Demand for PVC exceeds 35 million tonnes per annum, and the product has an average global growth rate of 5%. PVC is used in building and construction, health, transportation, packaging and throughout our everyday lives—all in all, PVC pipes have many benefits.

PVC Plus Drilling Products is a leading supplier of PVC pipe and fittings for a variety of applications, including decontamination products, environmental pumps, well drilling and geothermal energy. Contact PVC Plus Drilling Products for all your PVC pipe and fittings requirements today.

http://www.pvc.org/en/p/how-is-pvc-used

Some of the latest news from the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association:

On September 14 and 15 this year, the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association will be holding their fourth annual conference. According to their website, this year’s conference will feature Canadian development, activities by developers internationally, drilling and drilling services, geothermal direct use applications, policy needs, power plant options and an investment forum about the financing of geothermal projects and the potential insurance of exploration risk. The event will also feature two workshops on geothermal energy.

This edition of the event is expected to be particularly upbeat given the recent news coming out of Ottawa and the headquarters of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). According to a recent report conducted by GSC and a team of scientists, electricity generated by geothermal energy could cover 10% of Canada’s current electricity generation. Other highlights of the report include:
• Geothermal energy potential is distributed across Canada
• Canada's in-place geothermal power exceeds one million times Canada's current electrical consumption
• Canada has significant potential for geothermal energy development
• Research on decreasing installation costs could facilitate further exploitation of abundant low-temperature geothermal resources.
• Geothermal installations could displace other more costly and environmentally damaging technologies

Overall, this represents great news for the geothermal energy industry. As well as offering a potential market worth billions of dollars, the industry could help create thousands of new jobs across the country. Canadian developers, technology and service firms are already active globally and represent activities across the World, including United States, South America and Europe.
For over ten years, PVC Plus Drilling Inc. has been a leading supplier to the growing geothermal industry. The company supplies a full range of PVC geothermal pipe, geothermal fittings and accessories.

http://www.cangea.ca/
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/geothermal-energy

While the many conflicts over oil have been a staple diet for our media outlets since black gold was first discovered, conflict over water is less widely reported—but it happens, too. The Six Day War, in June 1967, was the culmination of rising tension between Israel and its Arab neighbors. One of the causes of this tension was Israel diverting water from the River Jordan, to help irrigate the Negev Desert. In response, Syria tried to divert water away from Israel, but the construction work was destroyed by Israeli forces.

It’s estimated that within 20 years, the demand for freshwater will outstrip supply by up to 40%. If this is the case, then we can expect to see more conflicts fought over water than ever before.

Although water covers around 70% of the Earth’s surface, 97% of it is salt water, contained in oceans, seas and bays. This leaves just 3% of fresh water contained on the earth’s surface. Of this, 2.4% is contained as ice in glaciers and polar caps, with only 0.6% in the form of freshwater bodies such as lakes or rivers.

In fact, by far the largest supply of the world’s fresh water (around 1.6 %) lies below ground, in aquifers. For example, the Ogallala aquifer, found beneath the Great Plains, in the U.S., covers around 174,000 square miles. The aquifer supplies drinking water to around 82% of people that live within its borders.

The challenge for groundwater, as with oil, is to locate it and extract it—but there’s more. Unlike oil, many of the Earth’s aquifers are naturally replenished...albeit slowly. So the added challenge with this planet’s most valuable commodity is to manage the resources effectively to ensure that supply doesn’t exceed replenishment.

A leading supplier of well-drilling supplies, geothermal pipe and geothermal supplies, PVC Plus Drilling Products manufactures slotted PVC pipe screen in horizontal and custom patterns, and distributes Teflon, CPVC, stainless steel and HDPE slotted pipes and fittings. PVC Plus Drilling Products exports worldwide, wholesaling PVC pipe, PVC fittings, PVC valves and numerous other drilling related products to North American distributors, consulting firms, industrial, commercial and residential customers. Look to PVC Plus Drilling Products for all your PVC pipe, fittings and drilling-related products.

 http://www.awwda.com/

http://www.ngwa.org/Pages/default.aspx

With around 25% of Canadians and close to 50% of Americans relying on groundwater for drinking, there’s a lot of municipal and private wells that need to be maintained to ensure safe supplies. While most municipalities that have wells will use a regular contractor for well inspection and maintenance, contracts will come up for tender from time to time. And for residential properties, every time a home with a private well changes hands, the buyers (If they are doing their job properly) will consult a contractor for a detailed well analysis before signing. It’s big business and can prove very lucrative for contractors, especially those that operate in areas with a high concentration of wells. To put a potential home owner at ease and improve your company’s chances of securing a long term contract, it pays to be comfortable with the mechanics of well inspection and maintenance.

There are three main types of water well—drilled, bored or dug. Bored and dug wells are usually situated above shallow aquifers, while drilled wells are used to extract water from deeper aquifers.

When inspecting a well for a client, the following checklist should be adhered to:

• Ensure there is a copy of the well record on hand for reference. The well record contains all the data about the well—history and specs.
• Check that the well is at least 50 feet away from any potential sources of contamination.
• Make sure the well cap is at least a foot off the ground and watertight.
• See that the ground slopes are away from the casing and that the casing isn’t cracked or damaged in any way.
• Check that the pump and all associated piping is in good condition.
• Ensure a 12-foot wide grass buffer is maintained around the well head.
• Check the tap strainer inside the house for signs of sand or grit, which would indicate a corroded well screen.

Finally, recommend that the buyer takes at least three water samples over a period of seven days and has them tested to ensure cleanliness of the water source.

PVC Plus Drilling Products exports worldwide, wholesaling PVC pipe, PVC fittings, PVC valves and numerous other drilling-related products to North American distributors, consulting firms, industrial, commercial and residential customers. PVC Plus also resells products from industry leaders such as Baroid and IPEX and numerous other industry leading distributors.

Look to PVC Plus Drilling Products for all your PVC pipe, fittings and drilling and well- related products.

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/maintenance.html