Biofuel: an alternative to fossil fuel for alleviating world energy and economic crises.

The time has come when it is desirable to look for alternative energy resources to confront the global energy crisis. Consideration of the increasing environmental problems and the possible crisis of fossil fuel availability at record high prices dictate that some changes will need to occur sooner rather than later. The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is just another example of the environmental threats that fossil fuels pose. This paper is an attempt to explore various bio-resources such as corn, barley, oat, rice, wheat, sorghum, sugar, safflower, and coniferous and non-coniferous species for the production of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel). In order to assess the potential production of biofuel, in this paper, countries are organized into three groups based on: (a) geographic areas; (b) economic development; and(c) lending types, as classified by the World Bank. First, the total fossil fuel energy consumption and supply and possible carbon emission from burning fossil fuel is projected for these three groups of countries. Second, the possibility of production of biofuel from grains and vegetative product is projected. Third, a comparison of fossil fuel and biofuel is done to examine energy sustainability issues.

A single automated instrument for monitoring total trihalomethane and total haloacetic acid concentrations in near real-time.

A single instrument is presented for selectively measuring the concentrations of total trihalomethanes (THM4) and total haloacetic acids (HAA9) directly from drinking water distribution systems. The method is based on the fluorescence reaction of THM4 or HAA5 species with nicotinamide. The method detection limit (MDL) for THM4 was 2.5 microg L(-1) with mean % recovery of 108% and % relative standard deviation (% R.S.D.) of 4%. For HAA5, the MDL was 3.3 microg L(-1) with mean % recovery and % R.S.D. of 102% and 3.5%, respectively. Side-by-side comparisons to United States Environmental Protection Agency methods (Methods 502.2 and 552.3) in chlorinated and chloraminated distribution systems exhibited reproducible biases that ranged from approximately 0.2 to 5 microg L(-1) for THM4 and from approximately -0.7 to -27 microg L(-1) for HAA5. The device provides for automated on-line sampling and analysis of THM4 and HAA9 with hourly sample analysis rates and is effectively a real-time system for drinking water monitoring.

On-line monitoring of nine haloacetic acid species at the microgL(-1) level using post-column reaction-ion chromatography with nicotinamide fluorescence.

A laboratory-built automated instrument is reported for on-line, near real-time monitoring of nine haloacetic acids species (HAA9) in drinking water. The device uses anion-exchange chromatography to separate the HAA9 species, followed by post-column reaction with nicotinamide in basic solution with fluorescence detection. Method detection limits for HAA9 species ranged from 0.6 to 10.1microgL(-1), mean % recovery values ranged from 58 to 161%, and % relative standard deviation ranged from 3.5 to 32% while operating within a factor of 2.5-5 of the method detection limit. The bias between the proposed method and United States Environmental Protection Agency Method 552.3 was measured during two separate on-line studies and using grab samples collected from different distribution systems. In general, the two methods showed good agreement with biases for HAA9 of less than 10microgL(-1).

Measuring the concentrations of drinking water disinfection by-products using capillary membrane sampling-flow injection analysis.

A capillary membrane sampling-flow injection analysis method is presented for selectively measuring the concentrations of total trihalomethanes (THMs) and total haloacetic acids (HAAs) in drinking water. The method is based on the reaction between nicotinamide and THM or HAA species to yield a fluorescent product. Two configurations are presented, one selective for total THMs and another selective for total HAAs. The construction of a capillary membrane sampler is described, and the results of method detection limit, accuracy and precision studies are reported for each method. Interference, selectivity and linearity studies are reported as well as the effect of temperature and ionic strength changes. Drinking water samples were analyzed by each proposed method and the results were compared to USEPA methods 502.2 and 552.3.