Grain Size Triangle Chart or Triangular Diagram Geological UK

Grain Size Triangle Chart or Triangular Diagram Geological UK

Most of the triangular diagrams I can  see on the interweb are for farmers etc. So this is the one for geologists, and geology students and professionals who might find it handy when working out the soil classifications from particle size distributions.

Geotechnical Consultants

Water Quality in the River Creedy

Water Quality in the River Creedy

Below based on content from a very old report published 1995:

• Punchbowl waste disposal site was operated on the ‘attenuate and dilute’ principle which was a previously acceptable method for this type of domestic waste site. Problems with leachate contamination have been experienced in the upper reaches of the Hollacombe Water, a tributary of the River Creedy, where high ammonia and low oxygen concentrations have been frequently recorded 
• Improvements to the sewage treatment facilities at Crediton and Newton St Cyres have resulted in significant improvements in water quality in the River Creedy.
• Recent (1994) improvements to river water quality following significant improvements to the treatment facilities at two STWs mean that current water quality in the lower stretches of the River Creedy meet the proposed RQO RE2
•  Crediton STW is consented for copper, zinc and lead, and discharges to both the River Creedy and the River Yeo (Creedy). The EQS for iron was exceeded in the River Creedy and Yeo (Creedy) in 1992 due to elevated background concentrations from the catchment geology.
• The River Creedy has been identified as a Sensitive Area (Eutrophication) from Crediton STW (SS 8484 0063) to the Exe Estuary (SX 9310 9090). The qualifying STW is Crediton with a population equivalent of 12,500. Phosphorus removal is to be installed at this STW by the end of 1998. Routine monitoring will continue to confirm the Sensitive Area status.

Gradient of the River Creedy

Rivers Flowing in to Lyme Bay 

Environmental Permit Applications  

Description of Sewage / Effluent Treat Process RBC Process

Description of Sewage / Effluent Treat Process RBC Process

The RBC process involves allowing the wastewater to come in contact with a biological medium in order to remove pollutants in the wastewater before discharge of the treated wastewater to the environment, usually a body of water (river, lake or ocean). A rotating biological contactor is a type of secondary treatment process. It consists of a series of closely spaced, parallel discs mounted on a rotating shaft which is supported just above the surface of the waste water. Microorganisms grow on the surface of the discs where biological degradation of the wastewater pollutants takes place.

The rotating packs of disks (known as the media) are contained in a tank or trough and rotate at between 2 and 5 revolutions per minute. Commonly used plastics for the media are polyethylene, PVC and expanded polystyrene. The shaft is aligned with the flow of wastewater so that the discs rotate at right angles to the flow with several packs usually combined to make up a treatment train. About 40% of the disc area is immersed in the wastewater.

Biological growth is attached to the surface of the disc and forms a slime layer. The discs contact the wastewater with the atmospheric air for oxidation as it rotates. The rotation helps to slough off excess solids. The disc system can be staged in series to obtain nearly any detention time or degree of removal required. Since the systems are staged, the culture of the later stages can be acclimated to the slowly degraded materials.

The discs consist of plastic sheets ranging from 2 to 4 m in diameter and are up to 10 mm thick. Several modules may be arranged in parallel and/or in series to meet the flow and treatment requirements. The discs are submerged in waste water to about 40% of their diameter. Approximately 95% of the surface area is thus alternately submerged in waste water and then exposed to the atmosphere above the liquid. Carbonaceous substrate is removed in the initial stage of RBC. Carbon conversion may be completed in the first stage of a series of modules, with nitrification being completed after the 5th stage. Most design of RBC systems will include a minimum of 4 or 5 modules in series to obtain nitrification of waste water.

Biofilms, which are biological growths that become attached to the discs, assimilate the organic materials in the wastewater. Aeration is provided by the rotating action, which exposes the media to the air after contacting them with the wastewater, facilitating the degradation of the pollutants being removed. The degree of wastewater treatment is related to the amount of media surface area and the quality and volume of the inflowing wastewater.

The system is typically covered but not enclosed; air can circulate through the white vents visible in the above photographs. Intermittent odours will also be produced be from irregular activities such as the bi-quarterly de-sludge, where displaced air from tankers being filled will constitute the most likely source. 

Ship Recycling Page

The Real Danger of Shale Gas - Fugitive Emissions

The Real Danger of Shale Gas - Fugitive Emissions - Intro

To many the thought of shale gas or fracking is unpleasant, after all shattering the earth to release gas seems drastic, and  many are upset at the thought of the "go anywhere" mineral rights that allow fracking companies grab resources.

There is also the question of are continued use of fossil fuels, and their contribution to global warming. Burning the gas (methane) releases CO2, which has been proven to raise global temperatures.

It is all rather ugly.

But these observations pale in comparison to the real risks generated from production of methane in this way, and that is  Fugitive Emissions.

The Real Danger of Shale Gas - Fugitive Emissions - What are Fugitive Emissions?

Fugitive Emissions are when methane that has been released from the rocks in which it has been trapped for millions of years, leak out in to the atmosphere, instead of be collected up for use as energy.

The main aim if fracking is to extract as much shale gas a s possible from the ground, but inevitably large quantities will escape, migrating to the surface.

The Real Danger of Shale Gas - Fugitive Emissions - Why is this  Problem?

Methane has 72 times the global warming potential of CO2, per unit is holds in 72 time more heat than CO2.

In the UK Shale Gas Extraction / Fracking is still very small scale, but in the US where it is a large concern very high volumes of methane leak in to the atmosphere. Recent studies indicate 30 - 60% of methane from human sources comes from Shale Gas Exploration in the US alone.

Imagine the impacts if the rest of the world were to begin extraction at the same level. . . 

"The Aliso leak (US Fracking Well) spewed enough methane into the atmosphere to equal the greenhouse gases emitted by more than 440,000 cars in a year."

It is impacts like this that lead many experts to believe that shale gas is worse than coal when it comes to global warming. 

The Real Danger of Shale Gas - Fugitive Emissions - Future of UK Fracking

Even before we burn shale gas in a power station or to cook our pasta, it has already done a great deal of damage.

A report has been written by the climate change quango in the UK (CCC), which likely contains these doubts, yet the Conservative Government have  purposefully delayed its release, until after the issue of the first fracking license in the UK. . . .

The current conservative government seems to take its environmental responsibilities very lightly, and unless they come under significant pressure from the public the fracking industry in the UK will likely continue to grow.


Methane from Meat Production 

Dulverton Hydro Power Plant - December 2015

Dulverton Hydro Power Plant

You may have noticed a little shack on the right as you go in to Dulverton from Tiverton Direction. This is a micro hydro power plant which works on the archimedes' screw principal.

Dulverton Hydro Power Plant - Photos

Dulverton Hydro power Plant - Video

Tory Hatchet Job on Low Carbon Initiatives Continues

Tory Hatchet Job on Low Carbon Initiatives Continues

George Osborne and the party he represents continued their hatchet job on the UK low carbon economy yesterday with deep cuts revealed in key areas following the chancellors comprehensive spending review. The only logical explanation for this thorough and wide spread merge, must stem from fossil powered lobbying. The Conservatives are normally described as "the nasty party" but when it comes to the Low Carbon agenda, they are just plain weak.

Recent moves demonstrate the Tory's deep lack of understanding of climate change and the urgency required in dealing with carbon emissions. It also sends out a confusing message to the world community ahead of the Paris Climate Change Talks, with potential to inflict cumulative damages from lost confidence, which will resonate world wide.

• DECC spending cut 22% over next five years
• £1bn Prise for Carbon Capture and Storage Scraped 
• Renewable Heat Incentive cut by 700 million

Osborne has also pledged to lower household bills by £30 a year. Energy saving measures are suggested, although it is likely these will be no more popular than the "Green Deal" which must be considered a failure. Presumably then the savings on Energy Bills will come from the continued subsidisation of coal fired power stations, whilst renewable energy subsides are slashed.

So we see the continued trend of the last few months as we the Tory bend over backwards to help big business maintain their strangled hold on the energy sector, whilst ignoring the overwhelming scientific consensus that climate change is on track to produce dangerous warming effects beyond the 2 degree rise many consider should be a maximum.

The mind boggles. How short sighted and ignorant can a government be. Very.

Where can I find evidence to support global warming?

Is Man-made Global Warming all a big Con?

Bank of England Boss: "Catastrophic Climte Risks"

Bank of England Boss: "Catastrophic Climate Risks"

James Carney the Bank of Englands Boss has warned of catastrophic climate risks, and the need to protect the UK's economy from the cumulative impacts of climate change.

The Governor of the BoE raised these concerns during a London dinner event held for bankers. But his views are backed up with reporting carried out by the Bank of England.

He has warned that many of or top businesses are in "carbon rish" sectors and that the the required decarbonsitaion of the economy could lead to to a shift, with these corner stone businesses becoming less sucessful.

Investment is green tech needs to quadrupedal said Carnry, and that it could no longer afford to be considered a niche market.

Watch the video of the speech below.

Full details at Bank of England.

Environmental Consultants London