#177 - Earth Day – Mars Day

Here is a very cool picture of a Mars landscape. The picture was taken on March 27, 2014 by the Curiosity rover currently exploring the planet as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission. The picture credit is Nasa / JPL-Caltech/MSSS. The composite / editing was done by Jason Major.

"City on Mars" 
Frank R. Paul, 1940

In years past, the traditional mental image of Mars (and associated Martians) has been influenced by science fiction stories that conjure up strange landscapes and exotic cityscapes.

However, science non-fiction has provided us with real photos that often present a landscape that seems very earth-like in appearance. That is until we remember that the temperature on Mars can drop to minus 125 degrees C (-195F) in the winter. The thin atmosphere is a lethal blend of 95% CO2. For breathing, human safety generally requires monitoring in the 0-5,000ppm CO2 range.

Here is another picture in the Mars series.

From the Mars One website:

Mars One is a not-for-profit foundation that will establish a permanent human settlement on Mars. Human settlement on Mars is possible today with existing technologies. Mars One mission plan integrates components that are well tested and readily available from industry leaders worldwide. The first footprint on Mars and lives of the crew thereon will captivate and inspire generations; it is this public interest that will help finance this human mission to Mars.

The Mars One mission plan consists of cargo missions and unmanned preparation of a habitable settlement, followed by human landings. In the coming years, a demonstration mission, communication satellites, two rovers and several cargo missions will be sent to Mars. These missions will set up the outpost where the human crew will live and work.

Before a manned Mars mission happens, it probably makes sense to re-visit our heavy propulsion and lunar capabilities. All of the technology proven out for reusable rockets and a successful moon mission will have direct relevance to a Mars mission. And the moon is a lot closer. The people at SpaceX are working on these issues.

Maybe when we have people successfully living and working on Mars, we will have Mars Day as a follow-up to Earth Day. It is fascinating to think about a Mars mission and possible Mars habitation. However, it is equally fascinating to see the wonders all around us here on planet earth. Here are some beautiful photos inspired by Earth Day - https://mybeautifulearth.withgoogle.com/

#176 - Some beautiful photos inspired by Earth Day

Some beautiful photos inspired by Earth Day here - https://mybeautifulearth.withgoogle.com/

Here's another one of Norm's Mount Kilimanjaro pics from his recent climb.

http://nova-gas.blogspot.ca/2014/04/173-nova-tech-climbs-mount-kilimanjaro.html

#175 - Tenova Factories

Our area of the Tenova Group specializes in R&D, analysis instrumentation, and process optimization. However, Tenova also has heavy manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Tenova Pomini

The Tenova Pomini factory, based in Castellanza, Varese (Italy), is the pride of Tenova’s internal production and assembly capability. Equipped with the most advanced CNC machine tools, the workshop is mainly focused on the production of Tenova Pomini roll grinders. With over 25,000 sqm of covered area the production facility is able to meet the most demanding delivery schedules and quality requirements.

Tenova I2S

The Tenova I2S production facility is located in Yalesville, CT. USA and takes up an area of about 12,550 sqm. The factory is equipped with one of the largest indoor cranes in the USA (125 ton) and a full service machine shop focused on the design, manufacture and assembly of cold reduction mills and thickness gauging systems. By combining quality manufacturing capability, a strong engineering foundation, and the latest in controls technology, Tenova I2S excels in the support of its customer's needs.

Tenova Metals India

Tenova's Indian manufacturing plants are located in the Thane district of Maharashtra (India), in the industry park near Mumbai, on an area of 1600 sq.m. The full-service workshops handle fabrication, machining, and equipment assembly for strip processing lines and cold rolling mills.

Fabrication and machining are restricted to critical items, while final assemblies and testing of the majority of equipment are conducted internally, to ensure compliance with Tenova quality standards.

Tenova Timec

Tenova Timec is Tenova’s production facility in China. Based in the industrial area of Tanggu (Tianjin) Tenova Timec is located near the third largest Chinese port, just 2 hours’ drive from Beijing. The factory is 54,000 sqm, including 15,000 sqm that is covered. The excellent quality of production is guaranteed under Tenova’s worldwide quality assurance program carried out to the strictest required standards.

Tenova TAKRAF

Tenova TAKRAF factory, based in Lauchhammer (Germany) is 235,000 sqm including 17,900 sqm that is covered and is divided into four separate bays used for:

- Metal prefabrication

- Steel construction

- Assembly

- Wearing parts manufacture

Tenova TAKRAF factory was constructed in 1996 and is equipped with new and efficient machinery. The internal fabrication is used just for complicated parts with elevated technological content, and for huge size and non-standard parts that would be difficult and time consuming to produce them through external fabrication. Twelve radio-controlled cranes with lifting capacities of up to 80 tons are installed in the bays. Equipped with the latest standards, the factory produces the key components for Tenova’s product range as well as all related spares and wearing parts.

More than 100 highly specialized and experienced workers contribute daily to the successful and on time delivery of the parts and components internally fabricated. Tenova TAKRAF factory is a highly specialized workshop with a specific focus on the production of:

- Bucket wheel drives and their components

- Crawler links of all types and sizes

- Ball bearing slewing rims up to a diameter of 6m, with hardened or as-rolled bearing races

- Gear rims in all diameters between module 20 and module 40

- Support bearings with ball diameter up to 1500 mm.

Here is a previous post with some other very cool Takraf-related information.

#174 - Nova Analyzers from the Field – Episode 5

I spotted this unit in our service department recently. Nothing wrong with the instrument; just needed a tune-up and calibration. This is a 3-channel portable CO2 analyzer.

People who research or install fire suppression systems are frequently interested in carbon dioxide (CO2) analysis. They may be using CO2 to blanket an area to stifle a fire. Or they may be burning something in a controlled environment and want to observe the effects.

As can be seen in the pictures there are 3 displays, 3 flow meters, 3 sample inlets, etc. on this analyzer. Different concentrations of gas may stratify in enclosed areas. So in these applications, we have sometimes produced CO2 analyzers with three entirely separate CO2 channels. This allows the users to get a picture of what CO2 levels are developing at different elevations in the space.

For this application, we have typically used our Model 302 Portable CO2 Analyzer and modified it to essentially result in a 3-in-1 analyzer. We can't do this kind of scale-up with every type of analyzer; but with this model, it is possible.

http://catalog.nova-gas.com/item/all-categories/sters-portable-carbon-dioxide-analyzer-302a-series/model-302ak  (This is a link to the standard, un-modified version of Model 302.)

If a system like this is of interest to you, contact Nova for details.

Episode 1 - old portable flue gas with dual CO channel
Episode 2 - portable ppm H2 analyzer for university metallurgical lab
Episode 3 - ex-proof H2 analyzer in South Africa
Episode 4 - 14yr old continuous CO/H2 analyzer on heat treat furnace

1-800-295-3771

sales at nova-gas dot com

websales at nova-gas dot com

http://www.nova-gas.com/

https://twitter.com/NOVAGAS

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http://www.tenovagroup.com/

#173 - Nova tech climbs Mount Kilimanjaro

One of the technicians here at Nova climbed Mount Kilimanjaro recently. This wasn't a service call. It was just…well...‘because it was there’.

From Wikipedia:

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level.

The Uhuru Peak/Kibo Peak is the highest point on Kilimanjaro. This peak is where Norm, our technician, ended the up-hill portion of his trek. The Mountain as a whole has 5 distinct climate areas that change with altitude. It begins with dense forests that slowly transition into lighter, sparser growth. This eventually turns into type of alpine grassland. Grasses later give way to a rocky, lunar landscape. At the peak, a glacier dominates the area. Some of the photos below show these various climates.

Climbing a mountain of this size has its challenges to say the least. The physical climb, the wind and cold, the reduced O2 levels at upper elevations, and other conditions begin to wear on a climber after a few days. Pre-climb training is a very good idea. Various techniques are used along the way to help acclimatize the hikers to the conditions. Norm reports that maintaining a controlled pace for a long time in those conditions can add an unexpected emotional burden to the climb.

Norm and his climbing partners camped at various places on the way up the mountain. It was their intention to make it up to the peak in time to see a sunrise. Some of the photos he took below say it all.

Mountains and Analyzers

We have sold engine exhaust analyzers for high altitude use in the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan). A facility located somewhere in the Tien Shan Mountains at an elevation of 4000m / 13,100ft is using our analyzers for mechanical maintenance of site equipment.

These analyzers can be used in high altitude conditions if they are calibrated correctly. However, it is important for customers to let us know if they are using the instruments in extreme conditions. This may require design changes to help make the instrument suitable to the application.

A few years ago, we sold a portable SO2 analyzer for high altitude use in measuring volcano emissions. I believe it was in Hawaii. The customer was quite pleased with the performance of the instrument, but accidentally dropped it into a volcano. So a few weeks after receiving the first instrument, they bought a second unit. Many Nova analyzers are classified as ‘weather-proof’, but not volcano-proof!

I noticed this very interesting article recently in Wired magazine about unusual carbonatite lava that originates in only a few spots on earth. The most notable example is Ol Doinyo Lengai, also in Tanzania, about 160kms (100 miles) away from Kilimanjaro. Check it out

The Pics

Here are a few of Norm's Mount Kilimanjaro pics:

Mount Kilimanjaro - forest climate before
approaching foothills.

Mount Kilimanjaro - forest climate before approaching foothills.

Mount Kilimanjaro - forest climate before approaching foothills.

Mount Kilimanjaro - alpine grassland climate.

Mount Kilimanjaro - alpine grassland climate.

Mount Kilimanjaro - alpine grassland climate.

Mount Kilimanjaro - alpine grassland climate.

Mount Kilimanjaro - rock & scrub landscape.

Mount Kilimanjaro - rocky landscape.

Mount Kilimanjaro - rocky landscape.

Mount Kilimanjaro - close-up of bird on a rock.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Stella Point is about 100m from the top-most elevation.

Mount Kilimanjaro - on top of the glacier at Uhuru Point.

Mount Kilimanjaro sunrise.

Mount Kilimanjaro sunrise.

Mount Kilimanjaro - Here is Norm's panoramic shot of the sunrise. The curvature of the earth is visible from this high vantage point.

Mount Kilimanjaro sunrise.
Taken towards another direction just shortly after the sunrise pictures above.
At this angle and time, blue light becomes dominant.  

One last look at Mount Kilimangaro as they head back into forest on the way home.