Nuclear energy has been and continues to be highly controversial. It is an awesome way to create sustainable power but when it goes wrong, the results are truly catastrophic. While the possibility of recurrence of such accidents is small, the scale of damage to the environment and our health will be a big disaster. That is why safety and maintenance must be of the highest quality, along with the components used inside the power plants. For a Brass Ball Valve supplier of a quality that is regularly used in the nuclear industry, visit https://www.orseal.com/products/ball-valves/

But despite the risks, many of the leading economies use nuclear energy to create the majority of their power.

One of the strongest reasons for supporting nuclear energy is the country’s independence from fossil fuels. In addition, nuclear power supplies energy for a long time without polluting the air. Here are some top facts about nuclear energy:

1. France is a major exporter

France produces so much electricity through nuclear power that it exports its surplus to other countries. France provides more than 70% of the nation’s electricity from nuclear energy and then exports the surplus to Italy, Britain, Spain, Switzerland and Belgium.

2. The United States disposes of a lot of nuclear power

Nuclear energy produces about 20% of the electricity used by the United States. In 2016, US nuclear power plants produced more than 800 billion kWh of electricity, which was twice that of France produced, but the US also dumped 25-40% of all electricity produced through inefficient use.

3. Climate-friendly nuclear energy

The production of electricity that uses nuclear energy emits greenhouse gases in amounts comparable to wind energy, hydroelectric power or that derived from biomass. Solar energy releases three times more greenhouse gas emissions than nuclear energy. This means that nuclear energy is better for the climate than fossil fuel power. Coal releases even more emissions, as much as 30 times that of nuclear.

4. Uranium is named after the planet Uranus

Discovered in 1789 by a chemist from Germany called Martin Klaproth, he was studying mineral samples from around the world. After that discovery, Klaproth named it after the planet Uranus.

5. Not all nuclear reactors produce electricity

There are around 447 large commercial nuclear reactors operating today with 60 more under construction and 160 planned. Interestingly, not all of these reactors produce electricity, much of which is actually used for scientific research, or medical isotope production.

6. Energy trapped in atoms

Nuclear phases occur when an atom splits into two parts and then releases energy. The reaction can occur through either natural decay or in a controlled laboratory setting. Nuclear energy plants use energy by splitting atomic nuclei under strictly controlled conditions, whereas nuclear weapons function on the concept of uncontrolled nuclear fission.

7. Energy found even in the Sun.

Nuclear energy can be produced through fission (atomic separation) or through fusion (the union of atoms together). Nuclear fusion continues in the sun, when hydrogen atoms combine to produce helium. However, nuclear fission is a process that occurs in nuclear reactors.

8. Nearly half of the world’s uranium is found in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has 50 extensive uranium deposits. Nearly 40% of the world’s supply of uranium in 2016 came from this landlocked country. And this country has been one of the world’s leading suppliers of uranium for the past 50 years.

Though we use harmless and safe metals every day, heavy metals such as cadmium or lead can pollute the soil, usually as a by-product of industrial processes. Consuming or being in contact with toxic metals can make people ill, so a contaminated area becomes a no-go zone. A new process offers more options for cleaning polluted sites.

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Technology for Washing Away Pollutants

Researchers at Stanford University have developed technology using a chemical which binds to heavy metals that effectively washes soil clean. The method in some ways is like making coffee. Water containing the chemical is applied to contaminated soil, and when the solvent has washed through it, the liquid is collected.

The liquid contains heavy metals which have been attracted to the chemical in the water. This water is then filtered with an electrochemical procedure that isolates the heavy metals, which can then be disposed of. The chemical and water mixture can then be re-used to clean another area of soil. The chemical being used is called EDTA, which has been used to treat patients with heavy metal poisoning. EDTA has a strong negative charge, which means it can bond with the positively charged heavy metal atoms.

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Common Pollutants

Apart from cadmium and lead, which are frequently found at toxic sites, the process has also been applied to copper, which can be dangerous when the concentrations are high enough. It is hoped that this process can also be applied to the removal of chromium and mercury, which also contribute to soil pollution. Mercury is frequently found in emissions where coal is used in industry. Environmental activists and industrialists have clashed over rules limiting mercury emissions, according to this report in The Guardian.

Soil remediation services can convert an abandoned piece of land into a site which can be used for work or housing. If you are interested in learning more about soil remediation services, then it would be worthwhile making contact with an expert in this field such as soilfix.co.uk/services/soil-groundwater-remediation, where you can find out more about the most practical and cost-effective procedures.

In the past, once heavy metals have seeped into soil, it has been extremely difficult to get rid of them. Emerging technology is making the process of reclaiming valuable land much cheaper and easier, with many benefits for the local community.

Of all the steps and techniques you’ve ever read about successful branding, has the idea of treating your brand like a person ever appeared? Possibly not – but this technique is, in fact, one of the most powerful that you have at your disposal for brand success.

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Why? Because customers identify with people. They can’t identify with logos and conceptual entities. When they feel warm and fuzzy feelings about a brand, it is because they feel friendly and well-intentioned towards it. They associate it with people that they like and values that they also believe in.

When we start to picture our brand as a person, everything becomes easier. For example, we can suddenly produce brand materials that are intuitive. We can develop a voice that is human, approachable and desirable. Writing copy in the brand voice becomes easier.

Introducing the brand persona

If you couldn’t already describe your brand as a person, then it’s time to develop it so that you can. What personality characteristics would that person have? What sort of age – a similar age to your target audience perhaps? What would it be like to spend time with that person – and why would you want to spend time with them?

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MTV is a great case study here. The brand was set up very cheaply by the four company leads, who were young, energetic, slightly crazy and looking to transform TV. They wanted a quirky brand that wasn’t corporate and which would allow that sense of fun to shine. MTV went on to define an era’s programming.

This can be a tricky process at first because, without clear definition already in place, people within the organisation might have different views about that brand and its persona. In these instances, a Cheltenham branding agency such as www.reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/brand-development/ can assist with a facilitated brand development session.

Translating persona to marketing

Once that persona is identified, the core values and messaging are far easier to create. From here, a solid set of brand guidelines can be created which will inform every marketing, communications, PR and internal engagement activity on the agenda.

The acid test for every material becomes less about semantics and more about – “Would our brand say this”? Would our brand phrase this? Is this the message that our brand would want to convey?

A company that constantly handles various types of materials in their factories, will usually have a conveyor system. According to the required application and specific work area, this is one efficient tool and here is what they are used for:

To transport food in large quantities

Bulk materials, from minerals, chemicals, food, or others that have features to be products with certain types of granules, are usually handled by conveyor belts. These systems must be regulated significantly as the features and operation processes have direct contact with the product during the entire process.

Interconnection between processes

When a product is needed to go through a different process before arriving at the shipping area, the conveyor system helps to connect each place where the product must go. When requested, they are built in stainless steel, if not, they are made in carbon steel and painted electrostatically.

For End-of-Line

The end-of-line conveyor system also assists in the movement and transportation of products, which are usually packed in boxes or regular packages.

In this area, the following modular conveyors are usually used, integrated into bigger conveyor systems:

Belt conveyor.

Rugged belt conveyors, usually for corrugated handling operations.

Modular roller conveyor.

Conveyor accumulation.

Conveyors for moving and collecting pallets.

Combine conveyors.

Sorting conveyors.

Designed according to product and flow, conveyors provide the vital strength to improve order, the safety of the operator and the product itself, in addition to increasing operating productivity. For Telescopic Conveyors, visit https://fmhconveyors.com/products/telescopic-conveyors/

To transport food in large quantities

Bulk materials, from minerals, chemicals, food, or others that have features to be products with certain types of granules, are usually handled by conveyor belts.

Work with the right equipment

If you want to start working with, or are thinking of increasing your existing conveyor belt, it is important to know what system will work best with your operation. Choosing the wrong type of belt or conveyor parts can reduce efficiency and can even cause a fearful period of downtime. It is important to consider the size and weight of the product you need to transport it, whether it will travel with the slope or decrease and the desired speed of the conveyor. These are just a few aspects to keep in mind when looking to invest in a delivery system.

Regular care

Although the tasks that seem simple to complete, it is important to regularly check the conveyor system for any inconsistencies or damage that might occur due to daily use and in turn allow you to quickly repair and repair your system. In addition to checking whether the belt tracks and runs smoothly, check for debris that might be stuck in belt gaps that might damage it. Listening to a belt while walking also helps in showing problems that you might not be able to see. It is also wise to test all safety equipment in working conditions and that employees are up to date with regulations to minimize incidents at work.

A commercial kitchen must be spick and span. This is vital for the health and safety of your staff and customers. Kitchen surfaces, sinks, fridges and floors can become breeding grounds for germs in a short amount of time. Make sure your commercial kitchen is cleaned to perfection with our quick guide or hire a professional to do this for you. This could be a set amount of times in a week or month to keep your business clean so with a Commercial Cleaning Company in Cheltenham offering different services from sites like http://cleaningcompanycheltenham.co.uk you can be sure to keep your standards high. Continue reading Perfecting the Cleaning of your Commercial Kitchen →

Speaking in public is a skill that takes practice to perfect. There are very few people who nail it on their first public speaking engagement, especially a business event. At corporate events, the stakes are that much higher because a good performance can rocket your career into the stratosphere, whilst a bad performance might mean you’re never invited to speak publicly again! Continue reading Top tips for speaking at a business event →

Is your business making the most of Facebook? Facebook is the largest social networking site on earth and you, as a business owner, could be greatly benefiting from all that it has to offer. So far this year, the site has over 2 billion monthly users who are active, so it offers huge opportunities for businesses to connect with their target audience. Continue reading Using Facebook for the benefit of your business →

When choosing a generator, there is more to consider than simply the cost. For instance, how many power tools will rely on it? Will it be used for lighting? Is it robustly built? How large is the fuel tank? Remember, time spent refuelling can quickly cancel out cost savings. Continue reading What Generator Is Best for a Construction Site? →

When a DBS certificate is issued, not all convictions and cautions are revealed due to the DBS process of filtering. As you would expect, this has led to many employers and applicants wondering what the process entails and its implications. People who are in a job position that needs a DBS check are regarded by many as being in a position of trust. A possible reason for this is that many job positions that require this check involves coming into frequent contact with people who could be considered vulnerable. By having this check in place it ensures that no one gets a job in a role that isn’t appropriate for them. In care for example, someone who has a history of violence would not pass a DBS check as they would be deemed as unsafe to look after vulnerable people. If you are looking to work in care you would need to ensure you are suitable for it and have all the relevant qualifications. If you believe you meet the criteria to work in care, then you may be interested in a live in care London agency, such as https://www.guardiancarers.co.uk/services/live-in-care

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What is the process of filtering?

The process of filtering is a recent one. It came to fruition in 2013 following a high court case that questioned why all criminal record information should appear on DBS certificates, especially if incidents were minor and/or had been committed a long time ago. The outcome of the case determined that not all cautions and convictions should appear on a certificate following a DBS check.

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As a result, the DBS filtering process was initiated to limit the disclosure of offences if they met the predetermined criteria. These strict criteria vary in accordance with the type of offence committed, the age of the offender at the time of the offence, and whether they have other offences.

If cautions or convictions are withheld, they won’t appear on the certificate and neither will the certificate state that criminal information has been withheld. Although the information is withheld, this does not mean that a person’s criminal record has been discarded by the Police National Computer (PNC).

You can find out more about criminal records checks – including DBS checks .

What are the implications for applicants?

With regard to applicants, the filtering process means that if they have a previous caution or conviction that qualifies for protection, it will be removed during the filtering process. They will therefore not have to declare this information to the employer, even if the employer asks about it.

What are the implications for employers?

The filtering process should not have any implications for employers, as any information protected is determined by legislation to be peripheral. Employers are not entitled to be notified of these offences via a DBS check.

Nevertheless, employers should be wary of how they question applicants with regard to their criminal records in relation to this legislation; for example, employers that are permitted to question an applicant on their criminal record must be careful not to ask for information protected by the filtering process.