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Study finds high sodium bicarbonate concentrations in water from coal-bed natural gas production harms aquatic life; water treatment can mitigate effects

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Produced water from coal-bed natural gas (CBNG) production may contain sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) at concentrations that can harm aquatic life, according to a new study by the US Geological Survey; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; the Bureau of Land Management and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Sodium 218
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Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Gains Steam

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On a planet aspiring to become carbon neutral, the once-stalwart coal power plant is an emerging anachronism. It is true that, in much of the developing world, coal-fired capacity continues to grow. But in every corner of the globe, political and financial pressures are mounting to bury coal in the past.

Coal 144
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Ganfeng Lithium’s Ma Hong Factory adding 50,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annual production capacity; 81,000t total capacity

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The plant uses natural gas instead of coal as the main energy source; realizes 100% recycling and recycling of condensed water; encourages the utilization of by-products, and transports products such as calcium silicate slag, sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate slag, etc. produced during the production process.

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China’s New Breeder Reactors May Produce More Than Just Watts

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Liquid sodium is used as a coolant because it does not slow down neutrons as much as water does. But Russia has decided not to build another one until the 2030s, because they are more expensive than conventional water-cooled reactors. Weapons-grade plutonium can be separated chemically from the blanket.

Russia 103
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Stanford study quantifies energetic costs of grid-scale energy storage over time; current batteries the worst performers; the need to improve cycle life by 3-10x

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Only about 3% currently is generated from wind, solar, hydroelectric and other renewable sources, with most of the electricity produced in the United States currently coming from coal- and natural gas-fired power plants, followed by nuclear according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

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WHO links 7 million premature deaths annually to air pollution; 12.5% of total global deaths

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Poor women and children pay a heavy price from indoor air pollution since they spend more time at home breathing in smoke and soot from leaky coal and wood cook stoves. million deaths in 2012 in households cooking over coal, wood and biomass stoves. Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General Family, Women and Children’s Health.

Pollution 358
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Researchers develop new catalysts for a direct Fischer-Tropsch to olefins (FTO) process

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using catalysts that constitute iron nanoparticles (promoted by sulfur plus sodium) homogeneously dispersed on weakly interactive ?-alumina Although Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis can convert coal-, biomass-, and natural gas-derived synthesis gas into hydrocarbon derivatives, selectivity toward lower olefins tends to be low.