Info Blog 4 You: Energy

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Friday, 10 June 2011

Types of Bullets

The bullet is a piece of ammunition that is shot using a gun, pistol or rifle. The invention of bullets revolutionized warfare. Today, bullets are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, depending on what purposes they are designed for. Bullets are made of different materials such as lead, jacketed lead (lead coated with steel or copper alloys), copper, steel and even bismuth and tungsten. A bullet has three parts: the tip or head, the ogive or body and the heel or base. Read ahead to know which are the different bullet types.

Different Types of Bullets

Bullets can be classified on the basis of their shapes, construction and the purpose for which they are used. Here you'll find a list of bullets under each category, along with a brief description of each.

Bullet Types Based On Construction
Construction refers to how the bullet is designed to behave after hitting the target. Bullets can be frangible, non-expanding or expanding.

Frangible Bullets
These bullets break into a number of small pieces on hitting the target. They do not pierce deep into the target and cause damage close to the surface. Used for shooting small animals.

Non-Expanding Bullets
These types of bullets neither break into pieces nor expand, on impact. Non-expanding bullets pierce the target and pass through the target, failing to kill it immediately. It is for this reason that non-expanding bullets are banned for use in hunting medium for large sized animals in the U.S.

Expanding Bullets
These bullets expand on hitting the target and come in wide varieties. These bullets are used for hunting large animals, as they cause immediate death of the animal. The purpose of using these bullets is to kill the animal as soon as possible by causing damage to organs such as the heart.

Bullet Types Based on Purpose
Bullets come in different shapes and sizes and each one is used for a different purpose. Let's have a look at the different purposes bullets are used for.

Target Bullets
Target bullets are meant to be used for shooting targets from a greater distance, due to which these bullets are designed such that they have a high level of accuracy. Due to this reason, close attention is paid to the weight and dimensional tolerances of these bullets. These bullets come in different shapes and with different tips. These are generally high velocity bullets that are fired at speeds that are anywhere around 2500 to 3500 feet per second. Some examples are Lapua Scenar and Hornady A-max. There are no legal restrictions on the purchase of these bullets.

Varmint Bullets
The purpose of these bullets is to shoot small game animals such as rabbits or small species of birds such as crows. These expanding bullets are so designed that they split into two on hitting the target. One needs special permission to purchase these bullets due to legal restrictions imposed on their purchase. Some examples of varmint bullets are Hornady V-max and 0.204 Ruger. These bullets are fired with velocities that reach around 3000-4000 feet per second.

Hunting Bullets
Like the varmint bullets, these bullets are also meant for hunting smaller animals like wild goats. However, these differ from the varmint bullets in the fact that these are designed to expand on hitting the target or game. This effect is termed as 'mushrooming'. It is also illegal to purchase these bullets without special permission. These bullets may be round or pointed in shape and their property of expanding on hitting leads to immediate death of the animal. These bullets can be fired at velocities ranging from 2000 feet to 3000 feet per second.

Premium Bullets
The purpose of these bullets is to shoot larger game animals and are similar to hunting bullets in all but one aspect: a thicker copper jacket and an additional solid section. These additional features ensure that the premium bullets don't split into pieces even after hitting hard targets. Classified under expanding bullets, it is illegal to purchase these bullets without a proper license. Nosler Partition is an example of premium bullets that are designed to hit the target with a velocity of 2000-3000 feet per second.

The GROM Bullet
Another type of expanding bullet, the GROM bullet is a product of the Serbian ammunition company Prvi Partizan. The unique feature of this bullet is its core made of soft lead, the shape of which gets altered on hitting the target causing the surrounding copper jacket to spread like flower petals. The velocity of the GROM bullet is anything between 2000-3000 feet per second. The purchase of these bullets are restricted.

The Naturalis Bullet
The problem with lead bullets such as the GROM bullet is that lead is a toxic metal and the residual lead from these bullets would adversely affect the environment in the long run. Thus came the need for bullets that did not have lead in them. This problem was solved by the Naturalis bullet that came with a polymer tip and was developed by the Finnish company Lapua. The velocity of the Naturalis bullet is anything between 2000 to 3000 feet. The purchase of the bullets are restricted.

Full Metal Jacket Bullets
Full metal jacket bullets are not suitable for shooting game. These bullets are used for loading military rifles and are the type of bullets allowed to be used during warfare where the use of expanding bullets is strictly prohibited. There are no restrictions on the purchase of these bullets.

Bullet Types Based on Shape
Now, finally let's have a look at the different shapes of bullets commonly used.

Flat Point Bullets
These bullets have a flat nose which means more lead exposed at the tip, which ensures better expansion.

Round Nose Bullets
These bullets have a round shaped nose that is blunt. These bullets are more inclined to travel in a straight line.

Spitzer Bullets
These bullets are characterized by a pointed nose and a flat base, which reduces air drag, thus increasing the velocity of the bullet. However, such a design is not suitable for expanding bullets.

Boat-tail Spitzer Bullets
The characteristic feature of these bullets are the pointed tip and the tapered base. The streamlined shape reduces air drag and makes these bullets the best choice for long range shooting.

This was a brief description of the various kinds of bullets. The types of bullets also vary with the type of gun used. So, there are different bullets for handguns, machine guns, rifles, pistols and revolvers. Thus, in order to choose a bullet, one should also have a prior idea of the type of gun to be used and its range. Choosing the wrong bullet might defeat the purpose of using the gun in the first place!

Advantages of Water Jet Cutting

Water jet cutting is a novel technological leap that manages to fluster one and all with its profound ability of cutting the toughest of metals or any material such as tiles or concrete that demand energy and equal investment of time with the force of water. To explicate the principle or the basis alongside which a water jet works, is the force with which water is let out through a mechanical opening towards the object that has to be cut. You may be aware of the potential that water harnesses. The opening is minuscule through which water finds an outlet, in order to exert optimum pressure through the metal. Water jets and its advanced technology can cut through any metal or material that is tough by nature, however, water jets are most preferred for slitting through aluminum and steel sheets. Tiles are also cut through with the help of water jet machines.

Where is Water Jet Technology Used

Water jet benefits and its novel technology is used in:

➙ Aerospace sectors; where the materials have to be cut intricately for the machine and constructing body parts.
➙ Tiles and stones that are custom made have to be cut to derive contours that are demanded by the individual.
➙ Aluminum sheets and other metals such as titanium and copper sheets are also watered down with the water jet technology.
➙ Wood that has to be converted into a piece of furniture can also be cut to conform to custom designs.
➙ Automotive industry where parts of the body such as tires, rear view mirrors and other components of the machine are required to constitute a specific structure.

What are the Advantages of Water Jet Cutting

Water jet technology has a number of positive and helpful benefits to boast about. Keep reading to decipher the benefits of a water jet cutter.

Versatile Cutting
Water jet technology can cut any material with ease, irrespective of its durability and composition. It may also cut shapes desired by an individual or company for the purpose of formulating specific components.

Feasible Option for Cutting Materials
Water jet cutting technology is all the more preferred over laser or flame cutting as there is no inclusion of any chemicals or external heat applied to facilitate the cutting procedure. However, when cutting a material becomes extremely tough, gravel is added to water to promote higher efficiency for cutting the metal.

Wide Parameters of Cutting
Water jet technology is equipped in such a manner that cutting any material is no more a task that is messy and troublesome. Water jet technology can cut thickness ranging up to 200 mm. The speed of a water jet machine may be categorized high in terms of its efficiency in cutting materials.

Intricate Cutting Ability
The metals that are cut with the help of water jet technology are cut with supreme accuracy. The contours that one may desire are achieved through the process. Marble and various tiling materials can be cut to custom fit a decor or suffice a requirement.

No Heat Involved
Heat is not involved when the cutting process has to be executed. The cutting is on the contrary conducted at room temperature. Thus, there is no emission of fumes or dust when cutting the material. There are times when due to the material being exposed to heat; it galvanizes into a different shape. With water jet technology, this case does not hold true.

Smooth Finish
Often called burrs, in the industrial nomenclature, there are no rough edges (burrs) that are left behind after the cutting is completed. Often the parts that have to be compounded together have to be smoothed to get rid of their irregular edges. With water jet mechanism the parts procured can be used right after they have been cut.

Reducing Wastage of Material
You may be elated to know that water jet machines are environment friendly as well. They believe in minimal wastage and do not entertain parts that have to be disposed off without being optimally utilized. Thus, the water jet cutting process waters down to fragment-like wastage.

With these advantages of water jet cutting, I would like to believe that you are thoroughly convinced by its effectiveness. Bid farewell to mechanisms that made cutting a task, water jet cutting technology is here to make your cutting experience a pleasant one; one that is 'acoustically sound' as well!

How to Use Solar Energy to Generate Electricity

As the technology for solar cells gets better and better, this form of clean, renewable energy will find more applications that take up less space and produce more electricity, to meet the energy needs of our homes, schools and businesses.
~ Samuel Bodman

Isn't it wonderful to have a power source so unlimitedly vast and reliably consistent as the sun at our immediate disposal? It's a different thing altogether that till now, not many of us have paid any amount of serious attention to the possibility of converting all that unlimited heat and radiance into electricity for everyday use to run regular applications and appliances. However, with the threat of environmental pollution and dwindling fossil fuel reserves breathing down its neck, humanity has finally come to terms with the idea of exploring alternative energy sources to generate fuel as well as power for its mundane domestic as well as industrial and commercial needs. After wind and water, lots of countries and regions all over the world are gradually turning to solar power for fulfilling their electricity needs. You see, compared to wind and water force, which tend to be influenced by seasons and other climatic factors, solar energy is more constantly and consistently available. Now, if you're wondering how to use solar energy to generate electricity, ski through the next segment without missing a single turn to get to the details!

How do We Use Solar Energy to Generate Electricity?

The heat and radiance of the sun can be harnessed and converted to electricity for human uses in two major ways - via photovoltaic systems or with the help of concentrated solar thermal systems. Photovoltaic method using solar panels and semiconductors is the easiest and most widely used method of harnessing solar energy to generate electricity for homes and small to medium sized industrial and commercial establishments. The following points lay down the basic guidelines regarding how to generate electricity from solar energy using solar panels:-

☀     In order to be able to generate electricity from solar energy, you will need a solar power plant generator. You can either buy a ready-made one, or make one yourself. However, the commercially available ones are likely to burn a hole in your pocket so it's better to build a power plant generator yourself.
☀     To assemble a solar power plant generator yourself, you will need photograph voltaic cells or solar cells, which you can easily get from online stores such as eBay. Apart from the solar cells (number of cells depending upon how much power you wish to generate), you'll need a wooden frame of a size that will perfectly accommodate a lateral solar panel matrix and a glass sheet to cover the wooden frame.
☀     Connect the solar cells adjacent to each other in such a way that the final result looks like a flat sheet of connected solar cells. Follow the wiring instructions that came with the cells and fit these connected cells inside the wooden frame. Cover the surface with the sheet of glass.
☀     Build a battery bank using rechargeable batteries and connect it to your solar power panel. The solar cells will absorb all the solar energy they can and this energy will be routed to the battery bank, which will, in turn, pass the DC power through a circuit, which is what a power inverter would be needed for.
☀     Connect the battery output to the power inverter input point. Connect the inverter output to the input point of your home's residence's wiring system. Once the DC charge passes through the power inverter, it gets converted to an AC charge and the voltage is also adjusted to suit your power requirements. There! Your very own solar power plant generator is ready for domestic use!

So, you see, even if your local county hasn't become solar-power-savvy yet, you yourself can go ahead and make a difference to your individual residential unit by installing a self made solar power plant at your own place! You'll be delighted by how surprisingly less electricity will cost if you generate it by harnessing solar energy. Now that you know how to use solar energy to generate electricity yourself, go ahead and let your inner engineer out - trust me, your individual initiative will inspire many others around you go solar and eventually, it will dawn upon the power industry to run things sunny side up!

Chemical Properties of Zinc

The compounds and alloys of zinc were known to mankind since ancient times. However, the properties of the metal were first described by Paracelsus Aracelsus, a Swiss-born German alchemist in the early part of the 16th century. He had given the metal its name 'zink', which is believed to be derived from a German word 'zinke' which means pointed as zinc crystals look like sharp needles. However, he was not aware of the exact composition of the metal. For this reason, many people feel that the credit for discovering zinc should go to German chemist, Andreas Marggraf as he isolated the pure form of the metal in 1746.

Basic Facts about Zinc Metal
In its pure form, zinc metal is lustrous, bluish gray in color. It is mostly extracted from its ore, zinc blende or sphalerite, which is a sulfide form of zinc. This ore is abundantly available on the surface of the earth. Large deposits of this ore are found in various parts of Asia, Australia and the United States. In chemistry, the element zinc is considered as a transition metal and is represented with the symbol Zn. Like other transition metals, it is a d-block element in the periodic table. Here, it is placed in the fourth period and twelfth group. It is in the same group as that of cadmium and mercury.

What are the Chemical Properties of Zinc?
The chemical properties exhibited by an element are governed by the properties of its atoms. Therefore, before we discuss about the chemical properties of zinc, let us take a look at some of the atomic properties of zinc:

    * Atomic Number: 30
    * Atomic Weight: 65.37
    * Electrons per Shell: 2, 8, 18, 2
    * Atomic Radius: 134 pm
    * Oxidation State: +2

Some important points about chemical properties of zinc metal are as follows:

    * As you can see from the electronic configuration of zinc, it is bivalent in nature as it has two electrons in its outermost shell or the valence shell.
    * Its oxidation state is +2 and thus, it acts as a strong reducing agent where it is the donor of these two electrons to form an ion. During a chemical reaction, it has a tendency to form a covalent bond.
    * The size of zinc ion is same as that of magnesium and has an oxidation of +2. For this reason, chemical properties of zinc and magnesium have got lots of similarities.
    * This metal does not react with atmospheric air in absence of moisture. However, when it comes in contact with the moist air, then its surface gets tarnished easily. This is because its outer layer reacts with carbon dioxide present in the air to form zinc carbonate (Zn5(OH)6(CO3)2). This thin and tarnished coat is referred to as passivation layer and is formed to provide protection to its underlying surface from air and water.
    * When pure zinc metal is burnt in air, then it gives out a bright bluish green flame and gaseous form of zinc oxide is obtained in the process.
    * At room temperature, pure form of zinc usually does not react with weak or dilute acids because of the presence of passivation layer on its surface. However, if it comes in contact with concentrated form of strong acids like hydrochloric acid, then it undergoes a slow chemical reaction and hydrogen gas is released. The acids first dissolve the protective layer on zinc and then the reaction with the metal starts. However, these acids can corrode zinc faster, if it has trace amounts of nickel salts in them.
    * At normal room temperature, zinc does not react with gaseous form of halogens like chlorine or fluorine. If it is exposed to these gases at a higher temperature, then zinc halides are formed.
    * When zinc salts are dissolved in water, then they undergo hydrolysis to form zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)2), which is insoluble in water and forms precipitates. Moreover, this hydroxide is amphoteric in nature, which means that it has both acidic and basic properties.

Hope this article on chemical properties of zinc was a useful read for you. All these properties are utilized in various uses and applications of zinc. One key application of zinc is in galvanizing metals. In the galvanization process, iron and steel are coated with a layer of zinc to protect the surface from corrosion or rusting. It is also used in batteries and helps to remove water impurities, thus being one of the most valuable metals amongst others.

Biodiesel vs Diesel

As the population increases, lifestyle requirements increase and so does the use of various energy sources. The main concern is with those sources which are nonrenewable such as fossil fuels like coal, wood, oil, gas, and minerals like copper. As the name suggests, these sources of energy cannot be renewed or reused, and needless to say, the Earth may not have a lifetime supply of the same. So to keep the energy store from running out, scientists came up with the advent of natural and renewable sources of energy. These can not only be reused, but they pose less or no threat to the environment and, are biodegradable. This article is about biodiesel vs diesel; the former being a renewable source of energy, while the latter is a nonrenewable one.

Difference Between Biodiesel and Diesel

The main factor that separates biodiesel from petroleum diesel is in the source from which these products are derived, and the manufacturing process behind their production. So keeping this in mind, here is a brief on how each of these fuels is produced.

Biodiesel - Its Making
Stuffs such as vegetable oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats are the ones which are used in the manufacture of biodiesel - known as a pollutant-free, clean-burning alternative to petroleum diesel. The procedure of making biodiesel is a chemical process which separates glycerin from animal fats or vegetable oil (mostly, oils derived from soy and corn). For this, the process requires the use of methanol or ethanol, and a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide. So once the glycerin gets separated, it leaves behind what is known as methyl ester (chemical name for biodiesel). Now, the byproduct, that is glycerin is used in manufacture of soap, and other products. And in addition, the chemicals and catalyst that were used in the chemical process, can also be recovered and reused. So you see, the whole concept of biodiesel is about reusing, and recycling resources.

Petroleum Diesel - Its Making
Diesel, needless to say, is a nonrenewable source of energy, and the most common source of fuel for almost all types of diesel operated vehicles and other machinery. Also known as petroleum diesel, it is obtained by treating crude oil through the process of separation, conversion and purification. This whole process is carried out at a refinery.

Under the separation procedure, the crude oil is put through a process known as fractional distillation. This is carried out in a fractional distillation column, which is exposed to a specific temperature. Now, the different compounds in the crude oil get separated from each other depending upon their respective boiling points. Those having a high boiling point get settled below the column, while those with low boiling point, remain at the top. In this way, the crude oil is distilled into propane gas, gasoline, diesel fuel and lubricating oil.

Since the distillation procedure does not produce enough diesel fuel, the conversion process is required for breaking heavier fractions of the crude oil thus, producing more of this fuel.

And the last step involves purification of the product obtained. Here, excess sulfur is gotten rid of reacting the diesel with catalyst and exposing it to hydrogen under controlled conditions.

Comparison Between Diesel and Biodiesel

Having discussed the most important aspect on biodiesel vs diesel, here are a few more points of differences between.

Biodiesel	Petroleum Diesel
The combustion of this fuel is 75% cleaner than petroleum diesel.	This fuel is one of the major air pollutants in the world, thus, is associated with medical ailments of the heart and lungs.
Carbon dioxide emission is appreciably lower (about 78% less) thus, is a major contributing factor in the management of global warming. And whatever amount of this gas gets released does not add to the level of the same in the atmosphere.	Needless to say, petroleum diesel is a fossil fuel thus, burning it release a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere thus, contributing to the increase in global warming.
This fuel has a certain solvent that helps in cleaning off deposits of petroleum diesel from the tank walls and pipes thus, serving as a super-lubrication agent. Also, its combustion leaves fewer particulate deposits behind. This may extend the lifetime of engines.	Petro-diesel does not possess such properties
Engines that run on this fuel not only start easily, but run better with cleaner emissions. This is because of the fuel's higher cetane number, which means more oxygen.	This one has a lower cetane number thus is less efficient.
It produces lesser soot (particulate matter), carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide.	Diesel is known for its high-sulfur emissions, which are extremely harmful for the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency regards this fuel as non-toxic, and biodegradable.	This fossil fuel is not. So when it mixes with water or soil, it causes pollution.
This less polluting-fuel is also helpful in removing crude oil from water, such as in the case of shorelines that get soiled with crude oil	With petro-diesel, there is no such scope.
Older diesel vehicles, especially those made before 1992, may encounter some problems with higher concentrations of biodiesel. The fuel can jam the fuel filter, and damage rubber components.	It does not give rise to any such problems
The distribution of this fuel is not widespread. If we speak of the United States, then there are 19 National Biodiesel Board, which supply this fuel.	Diesel is available in all fuel stations.
Biodiesel is not only environment friendly, but is highly economical as well. This is because, it does not incur any import costs.	Diesel is an imported product thus, is one of the major reasons of inflation in the country.

And to conclude with one last point on biodiesel vs diesel, the former fuel type is more expensive than the latter. One of the reasons behind this is soybean, which is the most common source of biodiesel. Soybean is only 20% oil thus, makes biodiesel costlier. However, if we leave out the cost part, then petroleum diesel does not provide the same level of energy conservation, environmental benefits, economic benefits, and energy security that biodiesel does.

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