Stored Energy in Geologic Traps

A while back when I was in college I had to attend a seminar about different ways to store energy underground.There are several options but the one that makes the most sense is to store the energy in an aquifer.
An aquifer happens when a large sandstone formation gets buried and covered by an "aquitard" ...generally this is simply a layer of clay over top of the sandstone.
The following video goes through the seminar I attended....be sure to check it out.




The largest problem I can see is this process fills up void space under ground. Instead of a cone of depression we may get some sort of mound forming where the air is trying to escape from the geologic trap. If you do not know what a geologic trap is then stay tuned for future posts over other geologic topics. No matter how tight the aquifer is sealed air will find a way to escape, but energy collected but not used is wasted....so any way to be able to store some potential energy should be explored further. 

Gemology - Students Drying Up

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Are students opting for courses in gemology/diamonds?A recent discussion was that students are drying up for the longer courses because they fear no future in our field....no way to make any real money...

On one hand...Any real geologist knows there was never any "big money" in the mineral and crystal world it was never a get rich career. It is about knowledge of the minerals and ability to answer questions of perspective buyers. In these days anyone can do a little research on the internet and get a rough idea about any stone. Being up to date with recent knowledge is very crucial. 

Passion for one's profession is always the key. Whether you want to be an engineer or doctor or a carpenter or anything else your desire for it should be paramount.

Okay but more importantly...

Students seem to still only want to join the course or enter into the field because of money. None of them have patience for the long in-depth courses. Is this happening everywhere?

It seems as though there is a chasm that is widening between the simple retailers who prefer a lighter knowledge of stones...and the scholars who know how and when the crystal grows....it seems less people are caring about what caused the inclusion and more concerned with the overall color of the stone. 

On the other hand...

 In my experience the students currently enrolling are hoping things will improve and they'll be able to stand out, they are occupying their time during a "career break" or are being led on to think that they'll earn loads of cash by schools for being so qualified.

To make money in this trade you need to be in the sales side of things, where qualifications in gemmology are a bonus but not essential. So why pay out for it?

Gemmology is a passion, to echo Mike's point. Someone who is passionate about this industry will walk over hot coals to learn a bit more, see a different viewpoint or touch that rare piece.

If the educators want to pull in more students, they need to make it all a bit more modular and help to spread the payments. GIA seem to be doing this, but they need to ease up on the time scales.

(Thank you Damon Miles) 

American Power Group making moves in the Marcellus

American Power Group

American Power Group Receives $1.5 Million Order From Cudd Energy Services for Hydraulic Fracturing Installation in the Marcellus Shale Region

American Power Group Corporation (OTCQB: APGI) announced today that its subsidiary, American Power Group, Inc. ("APG"), has received purchase orders totaling $1.5 million from Cudd Energy Services to upgrade and convert diesel pumps used for hydraulic fracturing to APG's Turbocharged Natural Gas(TM) Dual Fuel System. APG will provide full turnkey installation including engineering services under an EPA Test Exemption while completing the EPA Memo 1A Testing and Compliance process, similar to the procedure APG completed in June 2012 for a different high-horsepower non-road compression ignition engine family. APG expects the installations to be completed during the next two calendar quarters in conjunction with the scheduled completion of the Memo 1A Testing.

Cudd Energy Services (www.cudd.com), a subsidiary of RPC Inc., is an oilfield service company offering a broad range of technical and specialized oilfield services to companies engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas worldwide.

Prometheus Energy (www.prometheusenergy.com) will manage the onsite supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the primary natural gas fuel source. Prometheus Energy provides turnkey fuel solutions that enable oilfield and other industrial users of diesel and other crude-derived fuels to use secure domestic LNG, reducing fuel cost and emissions. The company is vertically integrated from LNG production, distribution and logistics to onsite storage and vaporization.

American Power Group

Green Energy Generation

Thank you ETRADE for keeping me up to date....for more information please follow the 

LINK