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Fertilizer Availability

December 16, 2013, 6:34 am
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Fertilizer Availability
There has been adequate availability of Chemical Fertilizers throughout the country during current year both for the Kharif and Rabi Seasons. In a statement laid down on the table of the Lok Sabha, in reply to a starred question today, the Minister for Chemicals & fertilizers Shri Srikant Kumar Jena said that both the prices and subsidy of Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilizers have also come down during the current year.

Shri Jena tabled the State and UT-wise details of the demand, availability and consumption of Chemical Fertilizers for the last three years. He said the State Governments are empowered under the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985 to draw the samples to check the quality of fertilizer besides being empowered to take penal action-including prosecution of the offending fertilizer dealers. The offender who is convicted may be awarded a sentence up to seven years imprisonment under Essential commodities Act (ECA), besides cancellation of authorization letter. Under clause 6 of FCO, it is required that the dealer displays the stock position and price list of fertilizers at the premises.
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Unemployed Youths in the Country

December 16, 2013, 6:34 am
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Unemployed Youths in the Country

 As per results of two surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) during 2004-05 and 2009-10, unemployment rates among persons in the age group of 15-29 years on usual status basis have marginally increased in rural areas and have reduced in urban areas.  The details of unemployment rate on the basis of education level in the age group of 15-29 are at Annex-I.  State-wise details of unemployment rates among youth in 2004-05 and 2009-10 in the age group of 15-29 years are at Annex II.

Employment to large number of people has been provided through schemes like  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), SwaranaJayantiShahariRozgarYojana (SJSRY); Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP); Swarnajayanti Gram SwarozgarYojana (SGSY) now restructured as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), besides entrepreneurial development programmes run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises. Recognizing the need to skill large number of people to make them employable, the Government set a target of skilling 5 crore persons during 12th Plan period. National Skill Development Agency has been set up to coordinate action among Central Ministries in this context.  

This information was given by Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri  Kodikunnil Suresh in the Lok  Sabha today in reply to a written question.
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Annex I
Unemployment rates among youth in the age group of 15-29 on usual status basis during 2004-05 and 2009-10.
Educational level
Unemployment Rate (%)
2004-05
2009-10
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Not literate
1.3
0.6
2.8
1.0
2.2
0
3.8
2.6
Literate & up to primary
2.5
1.7
4.6
5.1
2.9
1.4
4.1
2.0
Middle school
3.1
4.7
7.8
11.7
4.0
3.9
5.4
8.1
Secondary
6.4
13.3
9.6
22.5
5.0
6.8
5.9
20.5
Higher secondary
9.2
22.1
10.5
25.4
7.8
22.2
10.9
19.1
Diploma/certificate
15.2
32.5
17.5
24.5
21.4
46.6
12.8
17.9
Graduate & above
15.7
36.3
18.5
30.4
16.6
30.4
13.8
24.7
Secondary & above
9.1
20.8
13.3
26.7
8.3
17.8
10.3
22.5
All
3.9
4.2
8.8
14.9
4.7
4.6
7.5
14.3

Source: NSSO Survey Reports.




Annex II
State wise unemployment rates among youth in the age group of 15-29 on usual status basis during 2004-05 and 2009-10.


2004-05
2009-10
Sl. No.
State/UT
Rural
Urban
Rural
Urban
1
Andhra Pradesh
1.8
8.5
3.1
8.4
2
Arunachal Pradesh
2.5
4.8
2.6
15.4
3
Assam 
6.8
19.9
11.3
20.1
4
Bihar 
4.3
17.4
6.2
23.0
5
Chhattisgarh
1.3
7.6
1.8
8.7
6
Delhi
5.1
10.8
5.2
6.6
7
Goa
26.0
18.5
11.1
9.8
8
Gujarat
1.4
4.9
2.2
4.3
9
Haryana
5.5
9.3
4.6
5.2
10
Himachal Pradesh
4.2
9.7
4.9
14.3
11
Jammu & Kashmir
4.1
13.6
6.4
16.1
12
Jharkhand
3.7
18.6
12.3
18.6
13
Karnataka
1.5
6.4
1.6
7.3
14
Kerala 
26.8
32.5
24.4
19.9
15
Madhya Pradesh
1.0
7.3
1.9
7.0
16
Maharashtra
2.7
8.4
1.6
7.9
17
Manipur
2.6
17.4
12.8
18.1
18
Meghalaya
0.7
10.7
0.9
14.8
19
Mizoram
0.8
4.8
3.5
7.9
20
Nagaland
5.5
18.9
27.7
34.4
21
Odisha
10.2
31.7
9.7
13.4
22
Punjab
9.7
10.5
8.3
11.4
23
Rajasthan
1.8
6.2
1.1
5.8
24
Sikkim
6.4
7.9
13.2
0.0
25
Tamil Nadu
3.5
8.2
5.8
9.7
26
Tripura
32.1
60.1
23.3
40.2
27
Uttarakhand
3.3
12.2
4.8
7.8
28
Uttar Pradesh
1.5
7.4
3.1
6.7
29
West Bengal
6.0
13.2
5.2
13.2
30
Andaman & Nicobar Island
13.2
21.5
24.0
20.5
31
Chandigarh
6.2
13.9
47.7
8.9
32
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
6.9
7.9
12.8
10.7
33
Daman & Diu
0.6
4.9
14.5
3.5
34
Lakshadweep
16.7
45.5
30.3
18.8
35
Puducherry
18.3
25.5
11.8
9.2

All India
4.0
10.1
4.7
8.9
Source: NSSO Survey Results, 2004-05 and 2009-10


                                                      
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Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel

December 16, 2013, 6:55 am
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Ethanol as an Alternative Fuel
The Minister for Petroleum& Natural Gas ShriDr. M. VeerappaMoilyinformed the LokSabha in a written reply today that Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have recently floated a new tender for procurement of ethanol, covering the period December 2013 to November 2014. The tender has been opened and is under evaluation. He added That the Government has decided on 3.7.2013 (OMCs) will procure ethanol ( Produced from molasses route only) from domestic sources to achieve the requirement of 5% ethanol blending with petrol by October 2013 in areas/parts of country where sufficient quantity of ethanol is available.  In other parts of the country, blending of ethanol may be increased progressively depending upon the availability of ethanol to reach the 5% level.  Accordingly, OMCs are implementing the programme in 20 States and 4 UTs depending upon the availability of ethanol.

The Minister stated that the Government launched Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme w.e.f. 1.11.2006 in the entire country except the North Eastern States, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Dr. Moily also said that as par the information received form Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the cost of production of fuel-grade ethanol varies from Rs. 36 to Rs. 39 per litre.

He also informed that the Quantity of ethanol (alcohol) produced in the country during last three years as per figures given by Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) are as under:

Year
Ethanol (alcohol) Production (in million litres)
2010-11
2742.75
2011-12
2956.00
2012-13
2934.25 (estimated)

The Minister further informed that as per the Report of the Committee on Development of Bio-fuels, published by Planning Commission of India in 2003, by the end of 12th Five Year Plan (2013-17) the demand for ethanol in India by the transport sector at 5 percent level of blending was project at 1,039.27 million litres.  The overall supply/production of ethanol in 2016-17 was projected at 3,785 million litres, out of which 1754 million litreswas available for utilization by the transport  sector/EBP Programme after meeting the projected demand of the chemical industy ( 1003 million litres) and  potable alcohol ( 1028 million litres).

In reply to another query, MoS (PNG) Smt. P.Lakshmi informed that as on 28 November 2013, Industry have procured 14.1 crorelitreof ethanol.  This is against tenders floated in December 2012 for requirement of 140.4 crorelitresof ethanol for 10% blending in 6 States and 5 % blending in another 14 States and  4 UTs for the period from July 2013 to June 2014.  Against the said tender, a total quantity of 55 crorelitres of ethanol was offered by the bidders.  Offers were not received for West Bengal. Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. A total quantity of 40 crorelitreswas finalized by the oil Industy for procurement at 54 industry locations.   

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RCJ

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MATERIAL HANDLING QUIZ

December 19, 2013, 6:36 am
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MATERIAL HANDLING QUIZ

1. Which is the correct method in manual handling?
(1. Straight back)
(2. Bent leg)

2. What is the name of the disease caused due to improper lifting?
(Slipped disc)

3. Shell we roll the gas cylinder for transportation?
(No)

4. For handling rough and sharp materials, ---------------hand gloves must be used.
(Leather)

5. The color of the Acid and Alkali-proof gloves is-----------.
(Black)

6. The color of electrical resistance gloves is-------------------.
(Red)

7. To protect the X-rays and gamma rays -------------gloves must be used.
(Lead)

8. For lifting the machined components -------------rope must be used.
(Manila)

9. The factor of safety of a wire rope is --------------
(5)

10. For outer yard gentry crane -------------are essential.
(End stopper, Lock with rail)

11. Gas cylinders can be stacked one over the another as pyramid to the height of ------
(4 cylinders)

12. The bricks can be stacked in ----------------system.
(Cross bar)

13. For opening the drum containing flammable material, ------------------tools can be used.
(Non-sparking)

14. Material handling contributes above --------% in industrial accidents.
(33%)

15. A man can lift more with his legs than with his back.
(True)

16. Walking under suspended load is not harmful.
(No)

17. Sudden lifting is safer.
(No)

18. What is SWL
(Safe working load)

19. To transport the loads by hand trolley from lower level to upper level.
(Pulling)

20. To transport the load by hand trolley in slope from upper level to lower level.
(Pushing)

21. What is the name of guard used in the hand trolley to protect the hand?
(Knuckle guard)

22. Hand trolley can be pulled for transportation.
(No)

23. Improper filing of materials results in many accidents.
(Yes)

24. A check - list of the things to be inspected is not usually worthwhile.
(No)

25. If the wire ropes are having damage more ---------------% is to be rejected.
(10%)

26. For lifting hot objects which of the following can be used?
(1. Manila ropes.
2. Chain sling.
3. Wire rope)


27. For lifting the heavy plates by crane ------------can be used.
(Plate clamp)

28. What is EOT?
(Electrical Operated Overhead Trenches)

29. When a man is lifting the load, what are the precautionary methods he should take?
(1. His back should be arched
(2. He should keep his back straight.
(3. He should assure a full squatting position.)

30. The lifting ability of a man can be in proportionate to the weight of the man.
(False)

31. The Lifting Tackles can be dragged on the floor.
(No)

32. The over loading in the crane up to--------is allowable occasionally.
(25%)

33. Before lifting a load, the following should attend.
(Size, shape, and weight)

34. Gas cylinders are the best rollers for transporting the load.
(No)

35. Gas cylinders need to be chained.
(No)

36. For transporting the gas cylinder by cranes---------should be used.
(Cradle)

37. For the pyramid stacking of drums ------------ supporting is necessary.
(Wedge packing)

38. Material handling accidents cause damage to --------------.
(1. Men. 2.Materials. 3.Machinary. 4. All the three)

39. A material handling depends on.
(a) Individual who handles
(b) The method of handling
(c) The implements used
(d) All the above.

40. Select the basic principles of material handling from the following:
(a) Good grip
(b) Straight back
(c) Tuck the chin
(d) Feet in position
(e) Use body weight
(f) Arms close to the body
(a, b, d, e, f)


41. While using crow bar for material handling, we must ensure:
(a) correct leverage
(b) Pointed crow bar
(c) Inserting pack pieces
(d) All the three.
(d)

42. Lifting capacity of jacks is to be marked on them
(Yes)

43. Mechanical handling
(a) Quicken the process
(b) Economy for large scale employment
(c) All the above
(c)

44. Wheeled trucks are provided with-----------.
(a) 2 wheels
(b) 4 wheels
(c) 5wheels
(d) All the types.
(d)

45. In the two wheeled trucks, load must be placed----------
(a) In the front
(b) In the back
(c) In the middle
(d) In any way
(a)

46. In two wheeled trucks, load must be placed with center of gravity
(a) High
(b) Low
(c) Out side the bar
(b)

47. In two wheeled trucks -------------------.
(a) Truck should carry the load.
(b) Operator should only balance
(c) Running with truck allowed.
(b)

48. The position of the truck should be as follows:
(a) In down gradient follow
(b) In up gradient load
(c) In level ground load
(c)

49. In 5 wheeled trucks
(a) Steering handle is attached to swerving axle
(b) Steering handle is to be pulled
(a)

50. Oil collected at base of machine must be removed before jacking.
(Yes)

51. Load slip due to .
(a) Clamp
(b) Clamping
(c) Balancing
(d) All the three
(d)

52. Periodical inspection of lifting tackles should be done by-----------------.
(Competent Authority)

53. Give three defects, which may arise in the lifting tackles?
(a) Wear
(b) Elongation
(c) Opening Strand

54. The hook should be discarded if the opening of hook is ---------------
( More than 12% dia. of hook)

55. Hook can a twist of
(a) 10%
(b) 15%
(c) 20%
(d) 25%

56. While using lifting magnet, what are the safety points should be observed?
(a) Not to use close to steel machines
(b) Switches supplying power to magnet should be identified by “ Danger”
(c) Metal part of magnet to be grounded
(d) Supply to magnet from main feeder
( a, b, c, d)

57. Open hook can be used?
(No)

58. Dragging of load can be done.
(No)

59. Limit switches are generally provided for crane hoists.
(Yes)

60. Maximum allowable included angle of the lifting tackle is -------
(90 degree)

61. Over load trip devices are the disturbance in lifting
(No)

62. The signal can be given only by----------------.
(Rigger)

63. Large hooks must be provided with------------
(Swivel base)

64. Walking step in the EOT cranes should be provided on ---------------on side of the crane.
(Both)

65. Stop signal can be given only by --------------.
(Any body)

66. What would be the clearance level needed the gentry crane side?
(30”)
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FIRE SAFETY QUIZ

December 19, 2013, 6:45 am
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FIRE SAFETY QUIZ

1. The three media’s for fire is ---------, ----------, ------------.
(Fuel, Heat, Oxygen)

2. Name two type of fire------------, -------------.
(Oil, Electrical)

3. What is the fire extinguisher for oil fire?
(Foam)

4. Why soda acid will not be used to extinguish electric fire?
(Water is a conductor)

5. Which is the suitable extinguisher for electric fire in sophisticated electrical equipment?
(Carbon-di-oxide)

6. We should not keep easily ------------material in kitchen.
(Combustible)

7. What will you do if the container of kerosene stove is empty while burning?
(Put off the stove and then pour)

8. What will you do if oil in the vessel catch fire while cooking?
(Close the vessels with a plate)

9. We shell use --------------dress while cooking.
(Cotton)

10. LPG means---------------------------.
(Liquefied Petroleum Gas)


11. Cooking gas is in the form -------------- with pressure in cylinder.
(Liquid)

12. Vapor of LPG is ----------- than air.
(Heavier)

13. LPG cylinders should be kept in ----------position.
(Vertical)

14. The stove position should be the ------------level of the gas cylinder.
(Above)

15. To light the gas stove first ------------valve should be opened.
(Cylinder)

16. How will you check the leakage in gas cylinder?
(By using soap water)

17. If there is any leakage in gas cylinder, we have to keep -------------the doors and windows.
(Open)

18. The color of the LPG cylinder is--------------.
(Red)

19. After smoking, the cigarette bits should be put in to waste basket.
(False)

20. Smoking in the bed is not correct.
(True)

21. Loose connection in electrical wiring will cause fire.
(True)

22. Too many connections in single socket makes wiring heated up.
(True)

23. Short-circuiting between the electrical line will not cause electrical fire.
(False)


24. To extinguish the fire, throw the extinguishers in to the fire.
(False)

25. BHEL fire station number is -----------.
(99)

26. In case of fire first we have to inform fire station.
(True)

27. Paint will catch fire easily.
(True)

28. To clean the empty paint tin, we have to put fire inside and should be closed it.
(False)

29. While repairing the cars, we can keep kerosene lamp/candles nearly.
(False)

30. To avoid fire phosphorus should be kept in fire.
(True)

31. Turpentine waste will get fire automatically.
(False)

32. Burn injury due to electrical fire is most dangerous.
(True)

33. ------------- tools should be used in inflammable areas.
(Non-sparkable)

34. We can dump all fire proof materials in the kitchen.
(False)

35. We can keep the kerosene stove near gas cylinder.
(False)

36. For better utilization of crackers, we can put sulphur from the waste crackers together and put fire.
(False)

37. We can catch the crackers In hand which is of exploded in nature.
(False)

38. We can store the crackers in kitchen.
(False)

39. We can ignite the crackers in stoves at kitchen.
(False)

40. We can put crackers near flammable articles.
(False)
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CHEMICAL SAFETY QUIZ

December 19, 2013, 6:53 am
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CHEMICAL SAFETY QUIZ

1. What would you do before working on a pipeline?
(Isolate it. Drain and burgee it of fume or liquid)

2. If a person is heavily splashed with corrosive liquid .What will you do?
(Get him quickly under running water and remove clothing)

3. How will you neutralize split acid?
(Use an alkali or plenty of water)

4. What must be provided where corrosive fluids are being used?
(Means of drenching persons with cold water. Eye wash bottles)

5. What are best and safe method of decanting acid from a carboy?
(The siphon type of pumping is the best method)

6. What type of construction is required for laboratory?
(Fire resistant on non-combustible construction)

7. What are the basic requirement to prevent build-up of highly flammable or toxic gases?
(Adequate ventilation)

8. How do you cut large size tubing’s?
(By means of a nichrome wire looped around the piece at the point of severance)

9. How do you identify samples in the bottles?
(By means of labeling clearly)

10. What type if tools should be used on drums containing flammable liquids?
(Non-sparking tools)


11. What are the hazard resulting from lighting Bunsen burner?
(Burn injury)

12. What is meant by flash point of a liquid?
(Flash point of a liquid is the temperature at which it gives off vapor sufficient to form an ignisible mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or with in the vessel used)

13. What do you mean by the term explosive range?
(The range between lower and higher explosive limits expressed in terms of percentage of vapor or gas in air by volume is called explosive range)

14. What are the different hazards in the Chemical Laboratory?
(a. Fire b. Health c .Handling hazards(handling storage)

15 What is MAC?
(Maximum allowable concentration)

16. What is acute toxicity?
(Acute toxicity is defined as that which is manifest on short exposure)

17. What is chronic toxicity?
(Chronic toxicity is defined as that which is manifest over a long period of time)

18. What are the sensory effects that warn of the exposure to many toxicants?
(Small and pain)

19. What is TLV?
(Threshold Limit Value)

20. Give four precautions when storing flammable liquids?
a. Fire proof building
b. Fire proof electrical fitting
c. Means of escape
d. Fire appliances
e. Warning notice.

21. When handling flammable solvents give four points to observe
a. No smoking or naked light
b. Wear protective clothing.
c. No spillage.
d. Use of proper safety appliances and carriers.

22. Why earth metal equipment when dealing with flammable liquids?
(To reduce the risk of build-up of static electricity which might cause a spark)

23. How would you dispose of flammable waste?
(Put in a metal bin with a lid and empty bin regularly)

24. Your overalls have become soaked with flammable solvents what action do you take
(Remove them at once)

25. When the quantity of flammable liquid does not exceed 50 Ltrs. where may it be kept?
(In a closed vessel or a fire-resisting cup board or bin)

26. How many persons may be employed in a room with two exits, only one of which open out wards?
(Nine or less)

27. Describe a form of eye - wash bottle?
(Glass bottle with gravity feed. Squizable plastic bottle)

28. If the skin comes in contact with corrosive liquids, What should you do/
(Flush with large amount of water)

29. How should adequate ventilation be provided?
(By circulation of fresh air)

30. Where there is dust or fumes given off, where should the exhaust hood be placed?
(Where the dust or fume originate)

31. If the fume is flammable, what precautions are necessary concerning the fan motors?
(They should be of flameproof type or not be in the exhaust stream)

32. Why we use barrier cream?
(To prevent direct contact of chemicals with skin)

33. What are the four chemical criminals?
a. Hydrogen sulfide
b. Nitrogen oxide
c. Benzol
d. Carbon tetra chloride


34. What is the well known property of Hydrogen Sulphide?
(Odor of rotten egg)

35. What is the name of the gas emanated from sewage pipelines?
(Hydrogen Sulphide)

36. What is the name of the gas emanates from Carbon tetra chloride getting contact with Oxygen?
(Phosgene)

37. What is the best antidote for a majority of industrial chemical injuries?
(Water)

38. What is an explosion?
(Explosion is a sudden release of pressure regardless of the source)

39. What is an asphyxiant?
(asphyxiant is the substance which deprives the body tissues of oxygen causing oxygen) starvation)

40. What is the most frequent form of industrial injury due to chemicals?
(Dermatitis)

41. How can we remove a hazard caused by absorption of chemicals through the skin?
(Frequent washing of the hands with soap and plenty of water)

42. What are the common materials cause serious poisonings to children?
(Kerosene and Aspirin)

43. What is an explosive?
(An explosive is a substance that can produce in thousands or millionths of a second; high pressure gas capable of destroying the surroundings)

44. What is an autogenous ignition temprature?
(The autogenous ignition temperature is the temperature at which a small amount of a substance will spontaneously ignite in a given atmosphere and burn without further heat input)

45. Give an example for most common source of ignition.
(Acetylene welding)

46. What are aerosols?
(Aerosols are substances present in the as minute particles (dusts) as fumes (metal fumes) or as mists (chromic acid mists))
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MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL PAPER IN 2000-Insecticide basathrin induced histoanatomical insult of ovarian tissue of Indian catfish, Hetropneustes fossilis , 2000,26(1),20-4

December 19, 2013, 8:07 am
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Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT)

December 20, 2013, 3:31 am
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Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT)
 
The Perform Achieve and Trade scheme is a market-based mechanism to enhance energy efficiency in the ‘Designated Consumers’ (large energy-intensive industries and facilities).  The scheme includes the following project steps:
  1. Goal setting: Set a specific energy consumption (SEC) target for each plant, depending on level of energy intensity (specific energy consumed = energy use / output) of that plant. The target will specify by which percentage a plant has to improve its energy intensity from the base line value in a period of three years.
  2. Reduction phase: Within a three-year period (2009-2012) the designated consumers try to reduce their energy intensity according to their target.
  3. Trading phase: Those consumers who exceed their target SEC will be credited tradable energy permits. These permits can be sold to designated consumers who failed to meet their target. Designated Consumers who fail to achieve their target have to compensate this failure by buying permits. If they fail to do either of this, they may have to pay penalties.
The energy consumption reported by designated consumers is based on audit by any of the BEE accredited agencies. The BEE may verify correctness of reported values.
The PAT Scheme is specific to the Designated Consumers only (except Railways). The PAT scheme is evolved in order to incentivise industry to achieve better energy efficiency target in a cost-effective manner. Identified industries are required to improve their SEC within specified period of three years or face penalty provisions under the mandate of the government. At the same time it provides incentive to efficient industries to trade their additional certified energy savings (that beyond the assigned target) can be with other designated consumers who could use these certificates to comply with their SEC reduction targets.
Energy Savings Certificates (Escerts) – How will it work?
Designated consumers will be given Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) targets to meet over a period of three years. If they succeed in meeting the threshold for the energy saving, they will have no obligation to buy ESCerts from others through the PAT mechanism. Those who have surpassed the target (i.e. achieved additional savings above the benchmark) will  qualify for earning Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts), which could be traded with DCs  falling short of their targets. 
PAT Legal Framework 
The operational guidelines for the PAT framework to be implemented are embedded in the various sections of the Act as under 
Furnish report of energy consumption to the Designated Authority of the State as well as to BEE (section 14(k)) Designate or appoint an Energy Manager who will be in-charge of submission of annual energy consumption returns of the Designated Agencies and BEE (section 14 (l)) Comply with the energy conservation norms and standards prescribed under section 14 (g) of the Act Purchase Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts) for compliance to section 14 (g) in the event of default.
The Act has been amended with the addition of new sub-section 14A to enable this and section 14A(2) allows such trading. EScerts are defined by adding a new sub-section 2(ma).
Monitoring and Verification of compliance by Designated Energy Auditors (DENA) which will be prescribed the Government/ BEE under section 14A/13 (p) of the Act Excess achievement of the target set would entail issuance of ESCerts under section 14A(1) Penalty for non-compliance being Rs. 10 lakhs and the value of non-compliance measured in terms of the market value of tons of oil equivalent by inserting a new section 26(1A) BEE to be the overall regulator and dispute resolution agency and Energy Efficiency Service Ltd. (EESL) to be the process manager
Key features of the Energy Saving Certificates
Energy Savings Certificates (ESCerts) issued to units where energy-efficiency improvements is in excess of targets EScerts can be traded and used for compliance purposes Trading can be carried out bilaterally or on special platforms created on the power exchanges ESCerts will be maintained in the DEMAT form and each ESCert will be equivalent to 1 Metric Tonne of Oil Equivalent (MTOE).
Conclusion 
PAT is a unique mechanism for institutionalizing energy efficiency. PAT has been rolled out from April 2011 and is targeted at savings 9.78 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (mMTOE), which amounts to an avoided capacity of 5623 MW over a period of three years.
Many operators have more than one unit for the energy consumption. BEE has not yet provided guidelines for the exact boundary setting for the units Experts are divided over keeping the Energy efficiency improvement targets as “unit specific or at entity level. Clear methodologies are needed for the same. There is a great heterogeneity within each sector. Target Setting Energy Consumption Norms under the PAT mechanism may not be feasible with a single standard at sector level.

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40 WAYS TO BETTER HEALTH IN 2014 -

December 25, 2013, 5:23 am
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40 WAYS TO BETTER HEALTH IN 2014 -
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants, and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time for prayer and reflection
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2013.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for at least 7 hours.
Personality:
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day —- and while you walk, smile.
11. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don’t over do; keep your limits.
14. Don’t take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
15. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Community:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70&under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when youare sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right things.
33. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. Forgiveness heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, don’t take it for granted – embrace life.
39. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy and ENJOY LIFE!
Last but not least:
40. Grow your relationship with God
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M Veerappa Moily takes charge of Environment Ministry, vows speedy decisions

December 25, 2013, 7:31 am
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M Veerappa Moily takes charge of Environment Ministry, vows speedy decisions

Tuesday, Dec 24, 2013, 18:51 IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: PTI
Taking the reins of Environment Ministry after Jayanthi Natarajan's controversial exit, M Veerappa Moily on Tuesday promised speedy decisions on clearances without compromising image of the green regulator.
"I am the one who is accustomed to dispose of the files by the evening. Not even a single file will be taken home and not even a single file will be pending unless it requires yet another (look)," said the Petroleum Minister, who assumed the additional charge of the Environment Ministry this morning.
His comments came amid reports that Natarajan was asked to quit the Ministry last week because of complaints that she was holding up environmental clearances to big ticket projects worth thousands of crores and thus impeding growth.
Moily, while rejecting any possibility of conflict of interest because of his holding Petroleum Ministry, asserted that he would strictly follow the rules while considering projects for clearances.
"Everything has its space. Petroleum has its space.... every ministry has a space....Ultimately, we have to go by the rules of the game which have been laid out by any ministry. We should not cross it. There should not be any fear or favour while discharging the duties," he said.
Contending that "as far as possible nothing should be left to discretion," he said, "Ultimately, we have to go by the rules of the game which are laid down by the Ministry. People may have a lot of expectations....but we will have to go strictly according to the rules of the game." On the issue of conflict of interest, Moily cited his experience as Minister for Law, Corporate Affairs and Petroleum and said he had effectively dealt with such issues.
Asked about the opposition charge that the green image of the Ministry may be compromised after the change of guard, he said, "There will be no compromise.... We will have to maintain (it)....I don't want to compromise the basic environmental principles....the benchmark of this Ministry."

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta's moves have India Inc see red

By Megha Mandavia, ET Bureau | 23 Dec, 2013, 04.00AM IST
3 comments |Post a Comment



Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta's moves have India Inc see red
By Megha Mandavia, ET Bureau | 23 Dec, 2013, 04.00AM IST
3 comments |Post a Comment

MUMBAI: For India Inc, 39-year-old environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta is a perennial nuisance, someone who has been obstructing, slowing and litigating against the industrialisation of the country. But for tree huggers, he's Captain Planet trying to save the earth from mindless destruction.

Dutta, a Supreme Court lawyer for more than a decade, has blocked big projects like bauxite mining by Vedanta Resources and Posco's steel project in Odisha. He fought 350 cases against behemoths lik .. fought 350 cases against behemoths like Posco, Vedanta, Jindal SteelBSE -1.14 %, and government-backed NTPCBSE 0.55 % in the past 10 years, making him unpopular with Corporate India.

"A substantive amount of our industrialism is happening at the cost of the livelihoods of people," says Dutta. "The locals are saying that they'll get jobs as watchmen, guards, but top jobs will go to engineers from outside. It is a real issue of livelihood loss."

He fought his first case at the age of 28 against Vedanta, representing the Dongria Kondh tribals of Niyamgiri, who wanted to stop the London-listed giant from mining bauxite. Dutta fought the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which then asked Vedanta to get approval from the tribals to start mining.
The tribals rejected the request, and the hills remain untouched. "Virtually 330 acres of forest land is diverted every day in India, according to the ministry of environment," says Dutt ..
The cases that come for legal challenge are less than 1% of the approved (projects)." Dutta, along with another environment lawyer Rahul Choudhary, founded the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) in 2005.

Local communities, farmers, horticulturists, who fear loss of business and sustenance, make up 90% of their clients. Dutta fights about 30-40% cases for free while for the rest he gets paid sometimes in cash, sometimes in vegetables, fruits and hand-woven clothes.
The cases that come for legal challenge are less than 1% of the approved (projects)." Dutta, along with another environment lawyer Rahul Choudhary, founded the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) in 2005.

"Between 2005 and 2009, we succeeded in one or two cases. It was problematic to get evidence. But the coming of Right to Information Act helped a lot," says Dutta. "We found, using Right to Information, the former power secretary, P Abraham, chairing the Expert Appraisal Committee for dams in northeast was himself sitting on the board of the company whose project he approved."

Today, 65-70% of lawsuits result in at least some outcome in terms of more scrutiny through public hearings or  .. Even corporate lawyers, who have fought against him, call him honest, focussed and driven.

"He has raised important issues. No one earlier was bringing up these issues so consistently," says Prashanto Chandra Sen, who represented a leading mining firm against Dutta. However, there is a concern about his overwhelming activism. "He is a good lawyer as far as environment is concerned. He is a mix of activism and law.

He should see both sides of the issue," said Supreme Court lawyer ADN Rao, who too has fought against Dutta. Dutta, a graduate in sociology and law, never intended to become an environment lawyer. His interest lay in environment activism and conservation.

But he realised that there were few full-time environment lawyers ready to fight on behalf of communities. "Frankly I don't think I have the capacity to study anything else which is non-environmental. I would have turned into a very fluff corporate lawyer. It is not a sacrifice," says Dutta.
Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/27763912.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Read more at:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/27763912.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta has blocked big projects like bauxite mining by Vedanta Resources and Posco’s steel project in Odisha.

He fought his first case at the age of 28 against Vedanta, representing the Dongria Kondh tribals of Niyamgiri, who wanted to stop the London-listed giant from mining bauxite. Dutta fought the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which then asked Vedanta to get approval from the tribals to start mining.
The tribals rejected the request, and the hills remain untouched. "Virtually 330 acres of forest land is diverted every day in India, according to the ministry of environment," says Dutt ..


Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta's moves have India Inc see red

By Megha Mandavia, ET Bureau | 23 Dec, 2013, 04.00AM IST
3 comments |Post a Comment

Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta's moves have India Inc see red

By Megha Mandavia, ET Bureau | 23 Dec, 2013, 04.00AM IST
3 comments |Post a Comment
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ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF LITHIUM

December 27, 2013, 6:54 am
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ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF LITHIUM

Lithium and its compounds have several industrial applications, including heat-resistant glass and ceramics, high strength-to-weight alloys used in aircraft, lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries. These uses consume more than half of lithium production.
Trace amounts of lithium are present in all organisms. The element serves no apparent vital biological function, since animals and plants survive in good health without it. Nonvital functions have not been ruled out. The lithium ion Li+ administered as any of several lithium salts has proved to be useful as a mood-stabilizing drug in the treatment of bipolar disorder, due to neurological effects of the ion in the human body.  Lithium affects the flow of sodium through nerve and muscle cells in the body. Sodium affects excitation or mania.  Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger. It also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes.
THEORY:Atomic spectroscopy is an instrumental method that takes advantage of the fact that every atom has unique quantized energy levels for electrons in a particular atom. If a source of energy is applied to a sample that can produce an atom of an element in an atomic state, several techniques are available to probe these atomic states. Flames are a commonly used source of excitation since their high temperature atomizes most materials. In aqueous solutions, the solvent water is stripped from the ions and atoms in the gaseous state are obtained. Since flames are a rich source of electrons, the large majority of the atoms will be in the atomic ground state.
   
Two common analytical methods are then used to determine the amount of a particular atom in the flame. Since the majority of the atoms will be in the atomic ground state, a the light from a high energy source made from the element to be determined can be passed through the flame. Atoms of that specific element will absorb the light resulting in a decrease of light intensity reaching the detector as compared to a distilled water blank containing none of the atoms of that element. This technique is known as atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A block diagram of this instrument is shown in Figure 1. Light from the hollow cathode lamp source is passed through the flame and then through a monochromator which isolates the particular wavelength selected for analysis. The change in intensity of the light striking the detector generates a voltage signal which is read out on a digital-panel-meter or recorder.
A simpler technique which gives high sensitivity for a few elements, notably the alkali metal elements, takes advantage of the fact that the flame can supply enough energy for these elements to reach an excited atomic state. The atom will quickly return to the ground state by emitting a photon of light that exactly corresponds to the energy difference between the excited state and the ground state. Quantitative analysis can then be performed by measuring the intensity of the emitted light which is proportional to the number of atoms of the particular element in the flame. The block diagram of the instrument is exactly the same as in atomic absorption spectrophotometry except that no light source is used. The sample response is then measured as the difference in signal between the solution being measured and a distilled water blank.

This particular experiment involves the determination of lithium in a prepared sample.The most intense analytical line is the 670.8 nm transition which will be used in this experiment.
Reagents:
1000 ppm certified lithium standard 
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Preparation of Standards and Determination of a Calibration Curve
You will be divided into groups to prepare the following solutions: 
A standard solution containing 1000 ppm (1000 mg/mL) of Li+ will be available in the laboratory  (Pipet these standards directly from the bottle - do not waste this solution).  Standard dilutions will be made with an adjustable 1000 μL pipet.  See your laboratory instructor for directions on how to use these pipets.  Six standards should be prepared by making the following dilutions:
Solution
mL 1000 ppm
 Li standard
Total
Volume
1
100
100 mL
2
200
100 mL
3
300
100 mL
4
500
100 mL
5
700
100 mL
6
1000
100 mL
check 200 - 400 100 mL
In addition, a check standard of known concentration should be prepared (use a value different from your standards). Each student should present the instructor with a clean 100 mL volumetric flask for the unknown with a tape label with your initials (it does not have to be dry.) Dilute the sample to the mark, mix thoroughly, and pour the solutions into 15 mL conical centrifuge tubes.
The atomic emission spectrometer will be available in the prep room. The instructor will ignite the oxygen/acetylene flame and optimize the instrumental parameters.  The instrument should be in emission mode. We will attempt to use the auto-sampler accessory for this experiment.  The Instructor will show you how to load the vials into the racks.
Manually you would zero the meter while aspirating distilled water into the flame. The most concentrated Li solution is aspirated into the flame and the instrument automatically adjusts the signal for optimal analyisis. A method will be set up to run your calibration standards and your samples. Run the Li solutions from lowest to highest concentration.  When running your samples, dip the tip in distilled water for about 5 seconds and wipe with a Kimwipe before running each sample solution. Obtain a printout of your data.
LAB CLEAN-UP
 When you have finished running your solutions, rinse all flasks, centrifuge tubes, caps and stoppers with distilled water.  Place them upside down in racks to dry.  Do not dry volumetric flasks upside down.

DATA ANALYSIS:
Obtain a printout or a digital copy of the spectrometer signal versus lithium concentration data.  Alternatively, you may read the signal directly from the spectrometer.
Use a spreadsheet to prepare a calibration plot of the standard solutions. Check your standards for linearity. Discard any points that significantly differ from a straight line. Use regression analysis to obtain the equation for a straight line. The slope and intercept of the calibration line can be used to determine the concentration of the unknown.
Calculations:
Use a spreadsheet to generate a plot of your data. Use the standards to prepare a calibration curve by plotting signal (y) versus lithium concentration (x). Perform a least-squares regression analysis of your data to determine the slope and intercept. If you are using Excel, you can use the "TRENDLINE" feature to draw your best regression line and choose the "show equation" option to obtain the slope and intercept. Try fitting the data with both a linear fit and a polynomial fit.   Check the linearity of the curve and omit any points that fall significantly outside the best straight line  (You can use CHART/SOURCE DATA/ADD to select a new set of x-y values to plot from the CHART menu).
Atomic Emission Determination of Lithium  —  Sample Data
Solution
Li  conc   (ppm)
signal
110.110
2 10.139
3 20.227
420.258
5 30.341
6 30.365
7 50.635
8 50.652
9 70.867
10 70.849
11 100.980
12 101.021
unknown? 0.418


The new spectrometer may be much more sensitive than older instruments.  The atomic spectroscopy techniques are inherently non-linear at higher concentrations due to self absorption in the flame.  Light emitted by an excited atom on one side of the flame may be absorbed by a ground state atom of that element on the other side of the flame and therefore not reach the detector.  This effect becomes more pronounced at higher concentrations where the atom density in the flame is increased.  The net effect of this self-absorption will be a curved calibration curve.   Many instruments can correct for this effect by using a polynomial calibration curve ( y = a + bx + cx2 ).  The following example shows how this data can be evaluated in Excel.
   intercept slope  
fitting parameters a b c R2
Linear Fit (all points) 0.0599 0.1022 --- 0.9646
Linear Fit (selected points) -0.0163 0.1299 --- 0.9912
Polynomial Fit (all points) -0.0717 0.1754 -0.0067 0.9923
      
unknown mean 
0.418
   signal for your unknown
      
Linear Fit (all points)  3.50   ppm   =(y-a)/b
Linear Fit (selected points) 3.34   ppm   =(y-a)/b
      
Polynomial Fit (all points)        the calculated unknown signal is evaluated from the guessed value using the polynomial fitted parameters  from using TRENDLINE (polynomial fit) on the graph.guessed unknown concentrationmeasured unknown signalcalculated unknown signal from guessed valuedifference between observed and calculated
choose Tools/Goal Seek from menu
by changing the value in this cell   SELECT THIS CELL and set the desired value to 0
3.00 0.418 0.394 0.024
   
  Results 3.18 0.418 0.418 0.000
Note that all 3 estimates give different values.  This is a choice the analysts must face.  One observation that might be used is where the plot intersects the y-axis at zero concentration.  The linear fit for all points is biased high while the polynomial fit curves away from the origin.  For trace analyses, the difference between 3.50, 3.54, and 3.18 might not be significant but the analyst needs to make a rational choice.

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SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF IRON

December 27, 2013, 7:15 am
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SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF IRON

Spectrophotometry:
For chemical species that appear to have color, it is a logical assumption that the intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of the species in solution. We see color as a complement of the visible wavelength being absorbed by the sample. Things that appear red absorb blue visible light and reflect other visible colors to our eyes. Conversely, things that appear blue are absorbing red light. Absorption of light or more precisely electromagnetic radiation is related to available energy levels in the molecule or ion. A molecule in its "ground state" or lowest energy level can absorb energy to jump to an "excited state" or higher energy state. The amount of energy and therefore the wavelength of radiation involved in this transition is a function of the electronic structure of the molecule or ion.
The eye can only see a limited range of electromagnetic radiation, from approximately 400 to 700 nm. However, molecules, atom, and ions are capable of absorbing many different energies of radiation ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to microwaves depending on the specific energy levels being excited. For some types of energy changes, the wavelengths of light are very specific for certain types of chemical structure resulting in a method of qualitatively identifying chemical species. Other types of energy absorption may be less qualitative since it may relate only to bond types. In both cases however, our initial premise that intensity of absorption is related to concentration can be used for quantitative analysis.
Since our vision if not quantitatively calibrated, an electronic instrument called a spectrophotometer is used to precisely measure light intensities at given energy (wavelength) settings. A spectrophotometer is an instrument that measures the amount of transmission of light through a substance. The drawing below illustrates a simple spectrophotometer system consisting of a light (energy) source, a monochromator to select a given energy range, a sample, and a light intensity detector.

When light is absorbed by a sample, the radiant power or intensity of the light beam decreases. Radiant power, I, refers to the energy per second per unit area of the beam. In the figure, light passes through a monochromator that selects one wavelength. Light of this wavelength, with radiant power I0, passes through a sample of pathlength b. The radiant power of the beam emerging from the other side of the sample is I. Mathematically, the amount of light that is absorbed (A) is given by
Note that if no light is absorbed, A = 0 and if all the light is absorbed ( I = 0) then A = ¥. The amount of light absorbed by the sample should be proportional to the probability that the molecule or ion will absorb the electromagnetic radiation (a), the number of absorbing molecules or ions per unit volume that the light beam passes through (C), and the length of the light path (b). This relationship is quantified in the Beer-Lambert (or Beer's) Law which is 
A = a × b × C 
Note that this equation is in the form of Y = m × X + b where the intercept, b, is zero when X or the concentration, C, is zero. If we measure a series of solutions of known C at a given wavelength in a cuvet or sample cell with a constant pathlength, b, then we can determine the proportionality constant, m, which is a × b. This procedure generates a "calibration curve" which allows the determination of an unknown concentration, Cunk, from the measurement of the absorbance of the unknown, Aunk. Determination of the slope, m, and intercept, b, of the calibration curve gives
In this experiment, we will use a fiber optic diode array spectrophotometer.  A schematic diagram of this instrument is shown below.

The advantage of this instrument is that all wavelengths are recorded at once.  Therefore we can signal-average to reduce noise and apply other digital spectral smoothing techniques.  The spectrometer uses an incandescent tungsten lamp to produce radiation in the visible region.  In this experiment, we will only use spectral data between 400 and 6005 nm although every spectrum records data from 360 to 900 nm.
Fe(II)-phenanthroline spectrum
Structure of 1,10-phenanthroline
Many of the transition metal ions such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and chromium exhibit color in solution. However, this color can be made more intense by reacting the metal ion with a molecule that increases the absorbance of the metal ion. Iron(II), Fe2+, exhibits little color in solution. When Fe2+ reacts with the ligand o-phenanthroline (or 1,10-phenathroline), a stable, intensely colored red complex is formed that can be used to determine iron. The intensity of the color varies over the pH range of 2 to 9. In this procedure an ammonium acetate buffer will adjust the pH to between 6 and 9.  The iron must be in the +2 oxidation state, requiring a pre-reduction step before formation of the colored complex. Hydroxylamine is used as a reducing agent.
2 Fe3+  +  2 NH2OH  +  2 OH-      2 Fe2+  +  N2  +  4 H2O
Reagents:
hydroxylamine solution1:1 H2SO4
sodium acetate solution1,10-phenanthroline solution 
ferrous ammonium sulfate hexahydrate
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Preparation of Standards and Determination of a Calibration Curve
You will be divided into groups to prepare the following solutions: 
  1. Prepare a stock Fe solution by accurately weighing to the nearest 0.1 mg approximately 0.07 g of pure iron (II) ammonium sulfate hexahydrate and quantitatively transferring to a 1 L volumetric flask. 
  2. Add 200 mL water and shake to dissolve any remaining solid. 
  3. Add 5 mL of 1:1 sulfuric acid. 
  4. Dilute to the mark with distilled water and homogenize thoroughly. 
  5. Calculate the concentration of the solution in mg Fe/L.  
  6. Prepare a series of standards by pipetting into each of five 100 mL volumetric flasks, 1.00, 5.00, 10.00, 25.00, and 50.00 mL aliquots of the stock Fe2+ solution (a buret can be used for this addition). 
  7. Into a sixth 100 mL volumetric flask add approximately 50 mL of distilled water to serve as a blank. 
  8. To all of the solutions add, in sequence 
          1 mL of hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution,
          10 mL of 1,10-phenanthroline, and
          8 mL of sodium acetate buffer.
  9. Dilute to the mark, mix thoroughly, and allow to stand for 10 minutes. 
It is important to add all reagents in proper sequence.
Determination of Unknown Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate:
In order to prepare your unknown in the desired concentration range for the spectrophotometric measurement it will be necessary to do a serial dilution. Each student will individually prepare their own unknown. Be sure to record your unknown number in your lab notebook. 
  1. Accurately weight 0.70-0.75 g of your unknown to the nearest 0.1 mg. 
  2. Quantitatively transfer the solid to a 1 L volumetric flask. 
  3. Add 200 mL of water, 5 mL of 1:1 H2SO4 and dissolve. 
  4. Dilute to the mark and mix thoroughly 
  5. Pipet a 10.00 mL aliquot into a 100 mL volumetric flask. 
  6. Dilute to the mark and mix thoroughly 
Finally prepare the actual sample for analysis. 
  1. Take a 20 mL aliquot (2 × 10 mL) of this second solution and place it in a 100 mL volumetric flask. 
  2. Treat this as you did your standards by adding ·
          1 mL of the hydroxylamine solution,
          10 mL of the 1,10- phenanthroline solution, and
           8 mL of sodium acetate. 
  3. Dilute to the mark, mix thoroughly and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
At this point each group should be ready to run their spectra.  Each should have 6 known solutions: the blank plus 5 different iron(II) concentrations plus one unknown for each group member.
Operating Procedure for the Red Tide/Logger Pro Spectrometers
Detailed Procedure for running a spectrum can be found on the Honors Chemistry 294L Web page.  The links are: Red Tide/Logger Pro Instructions

Calculations:
In order to calculate the concentration of iron in your unknown sample, a calibration plot must be calculated. A calibration plot or working curve is a plot of the analytical signal (the instrument or detector response; in this case the absorbance (A) on the y axis) as a function of known analyte concentration (C) on the x axis. This must be done at a specific wavelength.  These calibration plots are obtained by measuring the absorbance from a series of standards of known concentration at the wavelength of maximium absorbance. The calibration plots are then used to determine the linearity of response of an analytical method.
Use a spreadsheet to generate a plot of your data. Perform a least-squares regression analysis of your data to determine the slope and intercept. If you are using Excel, you can use the "add trendline" feature to draw your best regression line and choose the "show equation" option to obtain the slope and intercept. Use the standards to prepare a calibration curve as directed by your instructor. Plot absorbance vs. concentration. Check the linearity of the curve to see if Beer's Law is obeyed.
Spectrophotmetric Determination of Iron  —  Sample Data
SolutionFe(II) conc.  (mg/L)Absorbance
blank0.000000.000
10.000250.056
20.000500.119
30.001000.194
40.002500.509
50.005001.046
unknown0.001810.377
slope207.8  =slope(y-values,x-values)
intercept0.0001  =intercept(y-values,x-values)
unknown   mg Fe(II) /L0.00181  =(y-intercept)/slope
  y=0.377
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Green Laws: Is India in line with rest of the world?

December 28, 2013, 5:11 am
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Dec 28, 2013, 04.12 PM IST
Green Laws: Is India in line with rest of the world? There is a problem of quality of personnel, both at the industry level -- the consultants they employ -- and at the ministry level -- the quality of the experts who man the expert committees. If these issues are sorted out and there’s an intent to work together, then the delay in environment clearance can be avoided, feels Pradipto Ghosh of TERI

Two successive environment ministers in the UPA cabinet have been seen as obstructive of investments. Is India Inc unable to come to terms with environmental costs or is the ministry being unreasonable? According to environment ministry’s website, 72 coal mining projects are awaiting environmental clearance, out of which only nine came in 2013. The rest of them are pending for over a year. Ninety one mining projects awaiting environment clearance, only 25 came in this year. 118 industrial projects awaiting environment clearance, only 13 came in this year. If one does the math, 83 percent of the projects have waited well over one year. That’s the number of projects awaiting environment clearance, more than double that number of projects at any point in time await terms of reference from the ministry. Why this inordinate delay in clearance? Aren't there well laid out standards in most industries? Is the delay on account of haggling by the industry which doesn’t want to meet its obligations or is unable to understand the obligations or is it that the administration is either incompetent or the wrong people are in the assessment space?
Also Read: No files will be kept pending in Environment Min: Moily Below is the edited interview transcript

Q: Quickly if you can tell us what is a typical process that a project travels from the moment it enters the environment ministry to its final disposal? Ghosh: We are talking about the category A projects that is projects which are required to be appraised at the level of these central government. And there are other projects which are cleared at the level of the states. We are talking about the ones which require clearance at the central level. The process starts with the proponent submitting an application with a check list of the impacts of the proposed project to the ministry, which in turn submits it to the notified expert group. The expert group in consultation with the proponent and their consultants, develop the terms of reference for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study. We need to understand that the EIA study is not a checklist which is tick-marked. It is a detailed technical examination which requires a year to produce and which typically is about 400-500 pages long.If this seems onerous, let me clarify that this is the worldwide practice, whether it is in the US, whether it is in Europe, whether it is in Australia, it is exactly the same kind of document. Then once the proponent has prepared the EIA document, and I must emphasize it is up to the proponent to prepare it, it is then submitted to the environment ministry and the expert committee has a 145 days to deliberate upon it in consultation with the project proponent and their consultants. Then at the closer of the period of 145 days they are supposed to send their recommendation within 15 days to the regulator, which happens to be the ministry. Then the ministry, which includes the minister concerned, can take another 45 days to take a final decision and of course if the ministry does not take a final decision at the level of minister within 45 days then the project proponent is deemed to have got environment clearance in clear legal terms on the basis of the minutes of the expert committee’s deliberation. So this is the process in short. Now in the course of this conversation I can point out to some of the reasons why it takes longer than that by way of comparison. The notified period in the World Bank for their own projects after submission of the EIA is one year, the notified period in the case of Canada is two years and this is -- in two years ago -- after they had comprehensively overhauled that environment clearance system. So the Indian system -- the way it is designed to work is not out of line by any means with the worldwide practice.

Q: If it is a 145 days or maybe 200 days at best that the ministry should take after a proposal issubmitted for environment clearance, my numbers show that out of some 300-odd projects only 85 have come in this year, clearly many projects are waiting for well-over 365 days to get environmental clearance. I am sure you must have gone through environmental clearances for many of your projects, where is the bottleneck? Rao: As Dr Ghosh has explained there are category A and category B. So in the case of category A, the steps, which are involved, either for getting approval of expert appraisal committee (EAC) for terms of reference (TOR) and then preparing an environmental impact assessment report and then doing a public hearing. After public hearing again approaching environmental clearance and if at all it is located in the forest again forest 1 clearance, forest 2 clearance is a prerequisite for environmental clearance. There is no time limit for the forest clearances. After the forest clearance, it is referred for environmental clearance, if it is located near the wildlife sanctuary or any such area, wildlife departmental approval is required. That takes time. So if you see the whole process which is involved, it is not parallel, it is sequential. There is no single window clearance. If there is a problem at one stage then the project gets delayed. Q: Is that the only issue that it is not parallely done, these several clearances, or is it that even otherwise there is an unconscionably long time? Rao: It is unconscionably long time why I am saying again in a public hearing for instance if you have to have a public hearing, in my view, it should be restricted only to the items which are there in the environmental impact assessment study and will impact the environment. Today public consultation when it is happening, first the people who are not affected, outsiders will come to the public hearing, they also raise irrelevant issues which are nowhere connected with the project nor EIA. So all those grievances sought to be addressed before again we approach back, based on the minutes of the public hearing.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/green-laws-is-indialinerestthe-world_1015413.html?utm_source=ref_article


Dec 28, 2013, 04.12 PM IST Green Laws: Is India in line with rest of the world? There is a problem of quality of personnel, both at the industry level -- the consultants they employ -- and at the ministry level -- the quality of the experts who man the expert committees. If these issues are sorted out and there’s an intent to work together, then the delay in environment clearance can be avoided, feels Pradipto Ghosh of TERI Pradipto Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow ,TERI More about the Expert... Tags Environment Ministry, Pradipto Ghosh, TERI, Seshagiri Rao, JSW Steel Indianomics Share . Email . Print . A+ Two successive environment ministers in the UPA cabinet have been seen as obstructive of investments. Is India Inc unable to come to terms with environmental costs or is the ministry being unreasonable? According to environment ministry’s website, 72 coal mining projects are awaiting environmental clearance, out of which only nine came in 2013. The rest of them are pending for over a year. Ninety one mining projects awaiting environment clearance, only 25 came in this year. 118 industrial projects awaiting environment clearance, only 13 came in this year. If one does the math, 83 percent of the projects have waited well over one year. That’s the number of projects awaiting environment clearance, more than double that number of projects at any point in time await terms of reference from the ministry. Why this inordinate delay in clearance? Aren't there well laid out standards in most industries? Is the delay on account of haggling by the industry which doesn’t want to meet its obligations or is unable to understand the obligations or is it that the administration is either incompetent or the wrong people are in the assessment space? Former Environment Secretary and currently with TERI Pradipto Ghosh and Seshagiri Rao, Group CFO at JSW Steel, discuss the issue on CNBC-TV18. Also Read: No files will be kept pending in Environment Min: Moily Below is the edited interview transcript Q: Quickly if you can tell us what is a typical process that a project travels from the moment it enters the environment ministry to its final disposal? Ghosh: We are talking about the category A projects that is projects which are required to be appraised at the level of these central government. And there are other projects which are cleared at the level of the states. We are talking about the ones which require clearance at the central level. The process starts with the proponent submitting an application with a check list of the impacts of the proposed project to the ministry, which in turn submits it to the notified expert group. The expert group in consultation with the proponent and their consultants, develop the terms of reference for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study. We need to understand that the EIA study is not a checklist which is tick-marked. It is a detailed technical examination which requires a year to produce and which typically is about 400-500 pages long.If this seems onerous, let me clarify that this is the worldwide practice, whether it is in the US, whether it is in Europe, whether it is in Australia, it is exactly the same kind of document. Then once the proponent has prepared the EIA document, and I must emphasize it is up to the proponent to prepare it, it is then submitted to the environment ministry and the expert committee has a 145 days to deliberate upon it in consultation with the project proponent and their consultants. Then at the closer of the period of 145 days they are supposed to send their recommendation within 15 days to the regulator, which happens to be the ministry. Then the ministry, which includes the minister concerned, can take another 45 days to take a final decision and of course if the ministry does not take a final decision at the level of minister within 45 days then the project proponent is deemed to have got environment clearance in clear legal terms on the basis of the minutes of the expert committee’s deliberation. So this is the process in short. Now in the course of this conversation I can point out to some of the reasons why it takes longer than that by way of comparison. The notified period in the World Bank for their own projects after submission of the EIA is one year, the notified period in the case of Canada is two years and this is -- in two years ago -- after they had comprehensively overhauled that environment clearance system. So the Indian system -- the way it is designed to work is not out of line by any means with the worldwide practice. Q: If it is a 145 days or maybe 200 days at best that the ministry should take after a proposal is submitted for environment clearance, my numbers show that out of some 300-odd projects only 85 have come in this year, clearly many projects are waiting for well-over 365 days to get environmental clearance. I am sure you must have gone through environmental clearances for many of your projects, where is the bottleneck? Rao: As Dr Ghosh has explained there are category A and category B. So in the case of category A, the steps, which are involved, either for getting approval of expert appraisal committee (EAC) for terms of reference (TOR) and then preparing an environmental impact assessment report and then doing a public hearing. After public hearing again approaching environmental clearance and if at all it is located in the forest again forest 1 clearance, forest 2 clearance is a prerequisite for environmental clearance. There is no time limit for the forest clearances. After the forest clearance, it is referred for environmental clearance, if it is located near the wildlife sanctuary or any such area, wildlife departmental approval is required. That takes time. So if you see the whole process which is involved, it is not parallel, it is sequential. There is no single window clearance. If there is a problem at one stage then the project gets delayed. Q: Is that the only issue that it is not parallely done, these several clearances, or is it that even otherwise there is an unconscionably long time? Rao: It is unconscionably long time why I am saying again in a public hearing for instance if you have to have a public hearing, in my view, it should be restricted only to the items which are there in the environmental impact assessment study and will impact the environment. Today public consultation when it is happening, first the people who are not affected, outsiders will come to the public hearing, they also raise irrelevant issues which are nowhere connected with the project nor EIA. So all those grievances sought to be addressed before again we approach back, based on the minutes of the public hearing.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/economy/green-laws-is-indialinerestthe-world_1015413.html?utm_source=ref_article
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Five metals of five planets can cure variety of diseases

December 28, 2013, 7:36 am
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Five metals of five planets can cure variety of diseases

Five metals of five planets can cure variety of diseases. 49268.jpeg
 

Gold and silver jewelry, steel items, brass coins and many other metal things have been known as healers since ancient times. However, most people do not treat metal as a method of treatment and consider it to be remnants of the past. Yet, metal therapy continues to help people. The most important aspect in this method is its simplicity, accessibility and the absence of side effects.
Metals of planets
In ancient times, there were only seven metals known, which corresponded to the number of planets that people knew. It was thought that metals were formed in Earth's interior under the influence of celestial bodies. They attributed metals to each celestial body. Gold was attributed to the sun, tin - to Jupiter, silver to the Moon, iron - to Mars, mercury - to Mercury, lead - to Saturn and copper - to Venus. Modern scientists count about 83 metals, but some of them possess intermediate properties and can hardly be regarded as metals.
Carry and apply
Jewelry made of different metals that people wear on the body for beauty show a permanent effect on the energy field.  As a rule, a person does not pay attention to that. In ancient times it was known that metals and their alloys had not only the material value, but also healing and energetic properties. Metals were used to treat and prevent various diseases. Nowadays, the action of metals on the human body continues to be studied, and their beneficial properties find new applications in traditional and alternative medicine.
Applying metal plates to different parts of the body that correspond to active points to improve health and heal people is known as metallotherapy or siderism. They can be used in various ways. One can apply metal plates to the affected area for a short period of time either directly or through cloth. One can also wear plates all the time. When metal gets into contact with the skin, this connection produces barely perceptible electric current, which affects energy flows in the body. Doctors and scientists proved that with the application of gold, copper, lead or zinc on the affected area, the current flows from the metal piece to the skin. When silver or tin is used, the current flows in the opposite direction - that is, from the skin to the metal. Therefore, gold, copper and lead are recommended to treat the diseases related to impaired functions of organs. Silver and tin are recommended for diseases of excessive functions.
  Gold
This highly reactive metal has unique healing properties. It is capable of attracting heat to the body, which is important when the body produces insufficient amount of energy. It is preferable to have old gold items of round shape. For example, family gold jewelry passed on from generation to generation have an ability to accumulate energy potential. Therefore, it is highly undesirable to part with them. In ancient times, gold was considered a powerful remedy to strengthen spirit and prolong life. A belief preserved from those times says that gold jewelry turn the evil eye away, strengthen the energy of the solar plexus. It is also believed that wearing a gold ring on a finger of the right hand extends life for a few years.
Modern scientists proved that this metal has a positive effect on the mood, invigorates and inspires confidence in the future. In addition, its sunny and bright glow shows a beneficial effect during seasonal depression. People who suffer from arrhythmia, can wear a gold medallion or a cross. Noteworthy, if gold jewelry gets dark or discolors over time, it means that there is a large percentage of metal-additives in this item. One should replace such an item without additives, since metals affect the body in different ways.
Gold has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, so it is used in the production of a new generation of cosmetics. The precious metal is also used for age correction surgeries.
Silver
Women love to decorate themselves with various trinkets of silver, but not everyone knows that this metal is excellent doctor. For example, decorations on the neck calm the nerves. And if you wear silver on the ring finger of right or left hand - it removes excessive energy in blood circulation and reduces blood pressure. A ring on the index finger of both right and left hand normalizes the work of gastrointestinal tract. For heart invigoration, it is recommended to constantly wear a silver ring on the little finger of the left hand. Silver is also a great diagnostician. Silver things blacken, if a person has a problem in the endocrine system. And it may also happen that a silver item may become brighter than it was. This may indicate a serious kidney disorder, since sweat releases substances containing nitrogen, which comes into reaction with silver decorations and makes them shine. Medical drugs containing silver, unlike antibiotics, have a broader antibacterial spectrum. More importantly, they do not suppress the immune system.
People have long known that an alloy of gold and silver is a powerful health improver. Silver and gold-plated cutlery and crockery can disinfect food and water from harmful substances. Our ancestors knew that and used silver spoons to feed children. Coins of silver, when placed in water tanks, kill bacteria.
People's honor and respect to these metals can be seen even in etiquette. Dishes served on gold or silver plates have always been considered an expression of hospitality.
Iron
If you cut an apple with a steel knife, the cut will quickly darken due to the production of glandular salt of malic acid. The consumption of this substance contributes to the normalization of blood composition, especially after infectious diseases. It is recommended to eat grated apples twice a day, which is conducive to the work of the spleen and the liver. It also strengthens muscles and prevents anemia.
It is not recommended to wear things made of iron all the time. It can also be harmful to stay in a room for a long time, if there are many things made of iron in that room. A long stay in such a room will quickly lead to fatigue. In addition, it is bad to sleep with your head to a heater (a radiator), it leads to the destruction of the human biofield. Afterwards, a person may suffer from tiredness, irritability and headaches.
During an unpleasant conversation it is good to hold a iron object in your hand and mentally transmit negative emotions to this object.
Steel
This alloy of iron and carbon has the ability to "clean" the spine. To do this, one should run a steel knife upward along the whole spine (from the coccyx to the crown of the head) at a distance of 10-15 cm from the body. The exercise can be done with someone else's help several times a day.
Copper
Applying copper coins to the body can cure many diseases. This method is the most simple-minded kind of reflexology. Applications of copper remove fever, bruised pain, possess strong antibacterial properties, stop bleeding, improve metabolism, calm the nervous system, enhance the effect of insulin and heal inflammation in the body.
Treatment with copper
Metallotherapy technique is valuable because it can be applied to people of all ages, children and pregnant women. Copper coins or plates can be used for the treatment. The therapeutic effect will significantly increase if you polish the plate and drill holes in it. Before applying them to your body, heat them up for 10-20 minutes in a pan for 10-20 minutes, then let them cool down and rub them with sandpaper "to release copper" so to speak. You can put a copper plate in a glass containing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (1 table spoon for a glass) for 1 hour. When dried, apply the plates to the affected area. Hold for at least 15 minutes and repeat the procedure every day for two weeks.
Siderism can be supplemented with the use of decoctions or infusions of herbs that help in heal the disease.
Useful tips
Headache will subside in 15-20 minutes if a copper coin is placed on the forehead, temples or back of the head, depending on the location of pain.
When having problems with digestion, put 2-4 coins in the area of the esophagus.
Blood pressure will reduce if you wear a copper rim on the head.
A bruise will disappear faster if you put a copper coin on it.
It is good to wear a copper bracelet on the wrist. It protects against insomnia, neurosis, hypertension crises, facilitates joint and muscle pains.

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Gas Chromatography

December 28, 2013, 9:22 am
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Gas Chromatography

by Warangkana Punrattanasin and Christine Spada


Table of contents

      Introduction
        Basic Components of a GC
        Theory of Gas Chromatography
        Example Chromatograms
        EPA 500 Series Methods
        Key to Terminology
        Pop Quiz
        Web Links to Related Topics
        References

    Introduction


    Gas chromatography (GC) is an analytical technique for separating compounds based primarily on their volatilities. Gas chromatography provides both qualitative and quantitative information for individual compounds present in a sample. Compounds move through a GC column as gases, either because the compounds are normally gases or they can be heated and vaporized into a gaseous state. The compounds partition between a stationary phase, which can be either solid or liquid, and a mobile phase (gas). The differential partitioning into the stationary phase allows the compounds to be separated in time and space.



    Figure 1. Gas Chromatographic System





    Figure 2. Schematic of a Gas Chromatographic System






    Basic Components of a GC


    Gas supply or Carrier Gas


    Figure 3. Gas Supply

    The carrier gas is usually helium, hydrogen, or nitrogen. This serves as the mobile phase that moves the sample through the column. The carrier gas flow can be quantified by either linear velocity, expressed in cm/sec, or volumetric flow rate, expressed in mL/min. The linear velocity is independent of the column diameter while the flow rate is dependent on the column diameter.




    Injector


    Figure 4. Auto Sampler Injection System (Hewlett-Packard Model No. 7673)

    The injector is a hollow, heated, glass-lined cylinder where the sample is introduced into the GC. The temperature of the injector is controlled so that all components in the sample will be vaporized. The glass liner is about 4 inches long and 4 mm internal diameter.


    Column


    Figure 5. Capillary GC Column (Supelco ® PAG)

    The GC column is the heart of the system. It is coated with a stationary phase which greatly influences the separation of the compounds. The structure of the stationary phase affects the amount of time the compounds take to move through the column. Typical stationary phases are large molecular weight polysiloxane, polyethylene glycol, or polyester polymers of 0.1 to 2.5 micrometer film thickness. Columns are available in many stationary phases sizes. A typical capillary column is 15 to 60 meters in length and 0.25 to 0.32 mm ID. A typical packed column is 6 to 12 feet long and 2.2 mm ID.


    Oven


    Figure 6. GC Oven with column in place

    The column is placed in an oven where the temperature can be controlled very accurately over a wide range of temperatures. Typically, GC oven temperatures range from room temperature to 300�C, but cryogenic conditions can be used to operate at temperatures from about -20�C to 20�C.


    Detector


    Figure 7. Electron Capture Detector (ECD) and Flame Ionization Detector (FID) (Shown actual size)

    As compounds come off the column, they enter a detector. The compound and detector interact to generate a signal. The size of the signal corresponds to the amount the compound present in the sample. There are several different types of detectors that can be employed, depending on the compounds to be analyzed. These detectors can measure from 10-15 to 10-6 gram of a single component.


    Data Recorder System


    Figure 8. Data Recorder

    The data recorder plots the signal from the detector over time. This plot is called a chromatogram. The retention time, which is when the component elutes from the GC system, is qualitatively indicative of the type of compound. The data recorder also has an integrator component to calculate the area under the peaks or the height of the peak. The area or height is indicative of the amount of each component.





    Theory of Gas Chromatography


    Retention Time (tR)

    The retention time is the total time that a compound spends in both the mobile phase and stationary phase. Retention time is generally reported in minutes.

    Dead Time (tm)

    The dead time is the time a non-retained compound spends in the mobile phase which is also the amount of time the non-retained compound spends in the column. Dead time is generally reported in minutes.

    Adjusted Retention Time (tR')

    The adjusted retention time is the time a compound spends in the stationary phase. The adjusted retention time is the difference between the dead time and the retention time for a compound.


    Capacity Factor (or Partition Ratio) (k')

    The capacity factor is the ratio of the mass of the compound in the stationary phase relative to the mass of the compound in the mobile phase. The capacity factor is a unitless measure of the column's retention of a compound.


    Phase Ratio (ß)

    The phase ratio relates the column diameter and film thickness of the stationary phase. The phase ratio is unitless and constant for a particular column and represent the volume ratioß.


    Distribution Constant (KD)

    The distribution constant is a ratio of the concentration of a compound in the stationary phase relative to the concentration of the compound in the mobile phase. The distribution constant is constant for a certain compound, stationary phase, and column temperature.


    Selectivity (or Separation Factor) (alpha)

    The selectivity is a ratio of the capacity factors of two peaks. The selectivity is always equal to or greater than one. If the selectivity equals one the two compounds cannot be separated. The higher the selectivity, the more separation between two compounds or peaks.


    Linear Velocity (u)

    The linear velocity is the speed at which the carrier gas or mobile phase travels through the column. The linear velocity is generally expressed in centimeters per second.


    Efficiency

    The efficiency is related to the number of compounds that can separated by the column. The efficiency is expressed as the number of theoretical plates (N, unitless) or as the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP, generally in millimeters). The efficiency increases as the height equivalent to a theoretical plate decreases, thus more compounds can be separated by the column. The efficiency increases as the number of theoretical plates increases, thus the column's ability to separate two closely eluting peaks increases.




    Example Chromatograms


    Sample contains 6 aromatic hydrocarbons dissolved in a solvent (methanol). The compounds' properties are summarized in Table 2.


    The compounds were separated on an nonpolar, 95% methyl, 5% phenylpolysiloxane column, 30 m long, 0.25 mm ID, and 0.25 micrometer film thickness. About 1 microliter of the hydrocarbon sample were injected. Approximately 5 nanograms (ng) of each component was injected per 1 microliter. A flame ionization detector (FID) was used.

    Temperature Programming Effects


    Figure 9.

  1. Temperature Program: 50�C (min) - 10�C/min - 100�C
  2. Head Pressure: 12 psi
  3. Split Ratio: 1/50
    4.  This chromatogram shows an ideal temperature program for separation of the 6 aromatic compounds on this column. The first peak is the solvent, methanol. The compounds elute in order of increasing boiling point, that is, compounds with higher boiling points are more retained by the stationary phase. Note that para-xylene and meta-xylene cannot be separated on this column; the peak (#5) containing these compounds is broad at the baseline and shows a distinct shoulder.




    Figure 10.

  4. Temperature Program: 60�C Isothermal
  5. Head Pressure: 12 psi
  6. Split Ratio: 1/50
    7.  This chromatogram shows the effects of an isothermal* temperature program at 60�C. The result is an increase in the retention time of all compounds. The heights of the later eluting peaks are reduced and the peak widths increased because they are more affected by the lower temperature program used. (*isothermal means a constant oven temperature was used throughout the run.)




    Flow Rate Effects


    Figure 11.

  7. Temperature Program: 50�C (1 min) - 10�C/min - 100�C
  8. Head Pressure: 9 psi
  9. Split Ratio: 1/50
    10. This chromatogram shows the effects of a reduced head pressure while using the ideal temperature program. The flow rate was reduced by decreasing the head pressure. The retention time is slightly increased due to the low flow rate used. All of the peak heights were reduced and the peak widths are increased.



    Figure 12.

  10. Temperature Program: 50�C (1 min) - 10�C/min - 100�C
  11. Head Pressure: 15 psi
  12. Split Ratio: 1/50
    13. This chromatogram shows the effects of a higher head pressure while using the ideal temperature program. The flow rate was increased by increasing the head pressure. The retention time was reduced and all of the peak heights were increased.



    Split Ratio Effects


    Figure 13.

  13. Temperature Program: 50�C (1 min) - 10�C/min - 100�C
  14. Head Pressure: 12 psi
  15. Split Ratio: 1/25
    16. This chromatogram shows the effects of a low split ratio while using the ideal temperature program. All of the peak heights were increased due to the greater amount of the sample introduced into the column.




    Figure 14.

  16. Temperature Program: 50�C (1 min) - 10�C/min - 100�C
  17. Head Pressure: 12 psi
  18. Split Ratio: 1/75
    19. This chromatogram shows the effects of a high split ratio while using the ideal temperature program. All of the peak heights were reduced due to the smaller amount of the sample introduced into the column.




    Effect of Stationary Phase on Separation of Para-Xylene and Meta-Xylene


    Figure 15.

    This chromatogram shows the separation of benzene, toluene, para-xylene, meta-xylene and ortho-xylene. The first peak is the solvent, hexane. A polyalkylene glycol fused silica capillary column 30 m long, 0.25 mm ID, and 0.25 micrometer film thickness was used for separation. Para-xylene (peak #4) and meta-xylene (peak #5) can be separated on this column. This illustrates the matching of the stationary phase with the desired compounds to be separated.







    EPA 500 Series Methods


    • Method 502.1: Volatile haloginated organic compounds in water by purge and trap gas chromatography
    • Method 502.2: Volatile organic compounds in water by purge and trap capillary column gas chromatography with photoionization and electrolytic conductivity detectors in series
    • Method 503.1: Volatile aromatic and unsaturated organic compounds in water by purge and trap gas chromatography
    • Method 504: 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) in water by microextraction and gas chromatography
    • Method 505: Analysis of organohaline pesticides and aroclors in drinking water by microextraction and gas chromatography
    • Method 507: Determination of nitrogen-and phosphorus-containing pesticides in water by gas chromatography with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector
    • Method 508: Determination of chlorinated pesticides in water by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector
    • Method 510.1: Determination of the maximum total trihalomethane potential
    • Method 515: Determination of chlorinated herbicides in drinking water
    • Method 524.1: Volatile organic compounds in water by purge and trap gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry
    • Method 524.2: Volatile organic compounds in water by purge and trap capillary column gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry
    • Method 525: Determination of organic compounds in drinking water by liquid-solid extraction and capillary column gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry



    Key to Terminology








    Pop Quiz


    1. What is the component that most influences the separation of compounds?
    a) injector
    b) mobile phase
    c) stationary phase
    2. Given napthalene (boiling point = 218�C), phenol (boiling point = 181.7�C), and toluene (boiling point = 110.6�C). Which compound will elute first on a nonpolar column?
    a) naphthalene
    b) phenol
    c) toluene
    3. What will happen to the retention time if the flow rate is increased?
    a) increase
    b) decrease
    c) no change
    4. If a variable temperature program is used rather than an isothermal temperature program, what parameter will not be affected?
    a) order in which compounds elute
    b) retention time
    c) peak height
    5. What will happen to the peak height if the split ratio is decreased?
    a) increase
    b) decrease
    c) no change
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    Global Warming

    December 28, 2013, 8:08 pm
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    Global Warming

    Spatial pattern of trend in mean annual temperature anomalies, for the period 1902-2012, suggests significant positive (increasing) trend (0.50C in general with few pockets of 1.00C) over most parts of the country except some parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Bihar, where significant negative (decreasing) trend was observed.  No significant long-term trends are reported in the frequencies of large-scale droughts or floods in the summer monsoon season.

    The Government has undertaken the following steps in the area of Climate Change:

    i)        Launched a high-priority Programme to address the Science issues of Global and Regional Climate Change (GRCC) with a well-equipped state-of-the-art Center for Climate Change Research (CCCR) at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune for inter-disciplinary research and training in the area of science of climate change.

          Development of Earth System Model (ESM) has been taken up by building additional marine biogeochemistry module to the coupled ocean-atmospheric model and numerical experimentation is carried out for ESM utilization for generating projections of global climate. Regional scale climate downscaling is carried out using variable grid (zoom) general circulation model, WRF and REGCM models.
          Currently, CCCR is leading “Co-ordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX)” for the South Asian region under the aegis of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The CORDEX program provides an important framework for a co-ordinated set of downscaled regional climate simulations for both the historical past and future decades. Training workshops are conducted for end-users, stakeholders in the South Asian region.
    ii)      Under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, it is proposed to establish a permanent institutional mechanism that will play a development and coordination role.

    iii)    The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was released by the Prime Minister on 30th June 2008.

    iv)    The National Action plan outlines eight missions in specific areas of Solar Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Habitat, Water, Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, Green India, Sustainable Agriculture and Strategic knowledge for Climate Change. Eight National Missions form the core of the National Action Plan, representing multipronged, long term and integrated strategies for achieving key goals in the context of climate change.

    Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy  gave this   information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha.
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    Research on Climate Change

    December 28, 2013, 8:13 pm
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    Research on Climate Change

                Ministry of Earth Sciences has a long-term program of monitoring one of the major fjords at Ny-Ålesund(1200km to the south of the North Pole) on the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic region to understand how it may respond to changing climate. Main objective of the project is to establish a long-term comprehensive physical, chemical, biological and atmospheric measurement programme to study:

                 i)      The variability in the Arctic/Atlantic climate signal.
               ii)      The effect of interaction between the warm Atlantic water and the cold glacial-melt
             iii)      fresh water on the biological productivity and phytoplankton species composition
             iv)      anddiversity within the fjord.
               v)      The winter convection and its role in the biogeochemical cycling.
             vi)      The trigger mechanism of spring bloom and its temporal variability and biomass production.
           vii)      The production and export of organic carbon in the fjord.

    In addition, following the understanding on February 2013 Delhi meeting of the Belmont Forum, a new multi-institutional Collaborative Research Activity has been proposed for exploring the linkage between the Arctic and Antarctic climate variability and the Monsoon as a new global initiative to be led by India and France.

    Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences ShriS.JaipalReddy  gave this   information in reply to a written question in the LokSabha.
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    Weather Forecast

    December 28, 2013, 8:35 pm
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    Weather Forecast
    Government has launched the National Monsoon Mission to build state-of-the-art coupled ocean-atmospheric climate model framework for a) improved prediction of monsoon rainfall on extended range to seasonal time scale (16 days to one season) and b) improved prediction of temperature, rainfall and extreme weather events on short to medium range time scale (up to 15 days). Through these efforts, an appropriate dynamical prediction system will be implemented for more accurate monsoon rainfall prediction on all spatial and time scales over the Indian region. The improved system will help us in issuing more accurate short range forecasts (up to 3 days) and warnings for extreme weather events like heavy rainfall events, active (heavy) and break (weak) spells during the monsoon season in advance and more accurate seasonal forecasts for all-India monsoon rainfall.

    Operational implementation of improved forecast suite of models after the commissioning of the High Performance Computing (HPC) systems, under the Modernization of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) - India Meteorological Department (IMD) have enhanced the weather forecasting capacities through assimilating all available global satellite radiance data for the production of finer-scale forecast products at 22Km grid globally and 9Kms/3Kms grid over India/regional/mega city domains. The performance evaluation of the updated global/meso-scale forecast systems for the past 5-7 years have demonstrated enhanced forecast skill by about 18% quantitatively as far as the track and landfall forecasts of the tropical cyclones are concerned.

    As and when the cyclone systems move in to the 500Km surveillance range of DWRs, identification of strong wind zones and pockets of heavy rainfall within the core cyclone area is carried out and their rapid changes are monitored on continuous basis. IMD currently operates 5- Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) at Chennai, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Sriharikota on the east coast along with a network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) for continuous weather surveillance over the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

    There is no proven scientific technique available, anywhere in the world, to forewarn/ predict the occurrence of earthquakes. Nevertheless, efforts are continuously made world-over including India, to monitor and study various earthquake precursory phenomena in critical seismotectonic regions, which would not only help for advancing understanding of earthquake generation processes but also lead to identifying possible earthquake precursors, which may serve as potential predictors in future. As part of this, a National Program on Earthquake Precursors (NPEP) has been initiated, through a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary mechanism to adopt an integrated approach of generation, assimilation and analyses of a variety of earthquake precursory phenomena in critical seismotectonic environments in the country in a comprehensive manner. The ESSO of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) has also launched a major program on drilling a deep bore holes in the seismically active Koyna-Warna region in Maharashtra to study in detail the ongoing earthquake generation processes in the region. The on-going scientific deep drilling investigations in the seismically active Koyna region will provide a unique opportunity and the much desired data sets to better understand the mechanisms of faulting, physics of reservoir triggered earthquakes and also contribute towards earthquake hazard assessment and develop models for earthquake forecast in future.

    Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha
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    Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting

    December 28, 2013, 8:41 pm
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    Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting
    Various States/Union Territories have made rainwater harvesting mandatory by enacting laws or by formulating rules & regulations or by including provisions in Building byelaws or through suitable Government Orders.  Details are given in Annexure.  Data on quantum of rainwater being harvested/ saved in the States is not maintained by any single agency.

    Four States/UT viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram and Lakshadweep have not made roof top rainwater harvesting mandatory.  In Jammu & Kashmir, as the stage of ground water development is very low, the state does not feel it necessary to adopt any such regulation. In Mizoram, rainwater harvesting is already a common practice; hence, the State Government has not imposed any regulation for making it mandatory. In Manipur, demonstrative projects of roof top rainwater harvesting are being taken up by the State Government.  In Lakshadweep, due  to the hydrogeological conditions, need for rainwater harvesting is not felt.  Besides, Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted under Section 3(3) of The Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Authority has issued directives to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all UTs to take measures to promote/adopt artificial recharge to ground water/rainwater harvesting.  CGWA has also taken up the matter with various Central and State government organizations for adopting rainwater harvesting and recharge to the ground water.  A Model Bill has also been circulated to all the States/UTs which, inter-alia, has provisions for rainwater harvesting to enable them to enact ground water legislation for its regulation and management.

    Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has prepared a conceptual document entitled “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground Water in India” which envisages construction of different types of Artificial Recharge and Rainwater Harvesting structures in the Country by harnessing surplus monsoon runoff to augment ground water resources.  The Master Plan has been circulated to all State Governments & is also available in Public Domain.
    This information was given by Union Water Resources Minister Shri Harish Rawat  in written reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha
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    Adequate Availabilty of Fertlizers at APT Cost Through the Year -Year End Review 2013

    December 28, 2013, 9:57 pm
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    Adequate Availabilty of Fertlizers at APT Cost Through the Year

    Year End Review
    2013

                                                                                                                 
    There has been adequate availability of Chemical Fertilizers throughout the country during current year both for the Kharif and Rabi Seasons. Demands have been met through domestic production and through imports and timely supplies were made as required in all States.
    Movement and Distribution of Fertilizers 

    The cumulative availability and Sales of Urea, DAP, MOP and NPK during the year 2013 (April’13 to November’13) in the country is as follows:

    Name of Fertilizers
    Availability
    (in LMT)
    Sales
    (in LMT)
    Urea
    210.5
    200.3
    DAP
    57.4
    49.1
    MOP
    16.5
    14.2
    NPK
    53.2
    47.4
    Details regarding the direct transfer of subsidy are being worked out. The whole objective is to ensure the availability of fertilizers to the farmer and to effectively reach the envisaged subsidy to them.
    Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for Phosphatic& PotassicP&K fertilizers

    With a view to ensure balanced use of fertilizers and to promote investment in fertilizer sector, the Department of Fertilizers is implementing the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy for decontrolled Phosphatic& Potassic (P&K) Fertilizers w.e.f. 1.4.2010. Under the NBS policy, a fixed rate of subsidy (in Rs. per Kg. basis) decided on annual basis is provided to each grade of subsidized P&K fertilizers depending upon its nutrient (N, P, K & S) content. Any variant of the fertilizers under the NBS fortified with micronutrient Boron and Zinc, as provided under the FCO, is eligible for a separate additional fixed subsidy. Under the Policy the prices are allowed to be fixed by the fertilizer companies at reasonable level. In order to ascertain the reasonableness of Prices fixed by the fertilizer manufacturers/importers, they are mandatorily required to provide subsidy cost data of their fertilizers products.

    At present 22 grades of P&K fertilizers, namely, DAP, MAP, TSP, MOP, Ammonium Sulphate(produced by FACT), SSP including 16 grades of complex fertilizers are covered under the NBS Policy. The subsidized fertilizers are allowed for use in manufacturing of mixture and customisedfertilizers after their receipt in the District.

    -2-

    The Subsidy outgo in P&K sector during the implementation of NBS policy w.e.f. 1.4.2010 has been contained and showing decreasing trends as can be
                                                   (in Rs. Crore)
    Year
    Subsidy on P & K fertilizers
    2010-11
    41500.00
    2011-12
    36107.94
    2012-13
    30576.12
    2013-14 (BE)
    29426.88

    With the implementation of NBS Policy, there is adequate availability of P & K fertilizers in the country and subsidy outgo in P & K sector has also been contained. Prices of P & K fertilizers remained stable during the year and were reported lower as on November 2013 as compared to prices during previous year.

    New Pricing Scheme beyond Stage – III
                The matter of formulation of policy for the existing urea units beyond stage-III of New Pricing Scheme (NPS) is under consideration of Group of Ministers (GOM) constituted to review the fertilizers policy, the meeting of which was held on 5th June, 2013. During the meeting, it was decided that further deliberations on the issues are required before formulation of policy for existing urea units beyond New Pricing Scheme.

    At the beginning of this calendar year on 2nd January, 2013 the Department of Fertilizers had notified ‘New Investment Policy- 2012’ with an eye on future requirements  and to always make adequate supplies of fertilizers in the country. It is expected that the demand of urea in the country by the end of 12th Five Year Plan will be around 360 lakh MT. With the approval of this policy, nearly 100 lakh MT of additional urea capacity is expected to be added in the country to an already existing indigenous capacity of 220 LMT and 20 LMT from Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) in Oman. An investment of nearly Rs. 35,000 crores is proposed to be made during 12thFive Year Plan period (2012-17). This will make country self reliant in urea by end of 12th Five Year Plan. In response to the Policy, the Department of Fertilizers has received over 15 proposals from companies in the private, cooperative and public sector.
    Currently consultations are on to amend the New Investment Policy (NIP)- 2012 as the response to   the NIP 2012  had been more than expected.
    Meanwhile the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had also approved the proposal regarding revival of five closed units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) at Sindri, Talcher, Ramagundam, Gorakhpur and Korba. The CCEA in May 2013 approved the waiver of Government of India loan and interest thereon amounting to Rs.10, 644/- crore for the purpose. This would ensure positive net worth for FCIL and enable FCIL to come out of the purview of BIFR, and hasten the process of revival of closed units of FCIL.

    Contd……..3
    -3-
    Revival of closed units of HFCL/FCIL:-

    (i)         There are five closed units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) at Sindri, Talcher, Ramagundam, Gorakhpur & Korbaand three closed units of Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd. (HFCL) at Durgapur, Haldia and Barauni. The cabinet had in 2008 approved revival of FCIL and HFCL units subject to non-recourse to Government funding and to consider write off of GoI Loan and interest to the extent required. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affair (CCEA) in 2011 approved revival of Sindri, Talcher and Ramagundam Units of FCIL on ‘nomination basis’ by the nominated PSUs and Gorakhpur & Korba units of FCIL and Durgapur, Haldia, Barauniof HFCL through bidding route with the stipulation that Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) proceedings be expedited. Cabinet also approved the Draft Rehabilitation Scheme (DRS) for revival of all the Units of FCIL and HFCL. DRS envisaged revival of Talcher Unit by the consortium of M/s. Rashtriya Chemical & Fertilizers Limited (RCF), M/s Coal India Limited (CIL), and M/s Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), revival of Ramagundam Unit by M/s. Engineers India Limited (EIL) and M/s. National Fertilizers (NFL) Limited and revival of Sindri unit by M/s Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Proposal/action plan on revival of HFCL units to be taken up once revival of FCIL units is on track.

    (ii)        The revival process of closed units of FCIL is on.  For Talcher unit, it is proposed to establish two joint venture (JV) companies viz. first company for upstream coal gasification section, with GAIL being a major stakeholder and second company comprising RCF, CIL and FCIL for downstream section of Ammonia-urea, Nitric Acid, Ammonia Nitrate plants, off sites and utilities. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among consortium PSUs, i.e. CIL, RCF, GAIL and FCIL, has been signed on 5/9/2013. For RamagundamProject, EIL & NFL are having discussions with the Technology providers and selection of the same is in the final stage. EIL itself would take up the Engineering and Project Construction for the project. For Sindriunit, it has been decided to entrust the assignment of R&R activities at Sindri Unit to M/s. Project & Development India Limited (PDIL) and PDIL have submitted their offer for assignment to SAIL on 20/09/2013 for their examination and approval, before Work Order is issued to PDIL for the R&R activities.

    Disinvestment of RCF/NFL/FACT:-

    As per amendment of the Securities Contract (Regulation) Rules 1957, it is mandatory for the company to dilute its shareholding to a minimum level of 10% of public equity by 8thAugust 2013. Accordingly, 7.64% GOI shareholding in NFL, 12.5% of GOI shareholding in RCF have been disinvested and 8.56% of GOI shareholding in FACT has been transferred to Special National Investment Fund to be sold over a period of five years.

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