To: Dusty who wrote (778 ) 4/16/1998 11:17:00 AM From: jmhollen Read Replies (4) | Respond to of 7209
A few notes of interest: It is common practice for beds (actually a pallet of blankets) in a Chinese household to be placed on what could best be described as a bunk bed with brick pizza oven bottom. Hot rocks, heated on charcoal fires (no longer desirable), are placed in popcorn-popper-like containments and shoved into the "oven" space to provide warmth for the sleepers above. And - just in case you didn't know - China is one cold-a** place! The low per capita LNG consumption is due to its use for cooking only, at this point in time. This won't last! As the LNG pipelines and bottled LNG distribution improve (along with general economics and more rigid no-charcoal enforcement) LNG will be used for water and space heating also. The most environmentally friendly and efficient water and space heating comes from use of the the new "combustion-type" gas-fired units. Their efficiency is proven by the fact that they only have to have a PLASTIC (pvc) exhaust pipe. Please see: ticrtm.hotwater.com I have seen line-ups of multiple, combustion-type gas water heaters in schools; so that fuel usage can exactly match heat load demand (for both water and spaces); with negligible waste heat "going up the stack". These type of systems will be really hot items for LGOV to market as value-added products to the current LNG gas business. LNG Kg per capita use will soar, as availability and general economics improve. Think about it, when you feel like a NICE, LONG, HOT SHOWER - you either get gratified - or you get grumpy! :-( If you had to go out and tote coal from the other side of town....you might wash a little less often - but I don't think you'd give up that "N.L.H.S." once you'd had one! You can bet your "sweet bippy" that these folks - who are now bathing with a wash cloth and a pot of luke warm water - will get with the program as soon as it becomes a non-bankrupting possibility. Counterpoint: how long could you live without electricity? [I love being an electrical engineer, and part-time smarty-poop! :-) ] Same situation - different neighborhood! LNG per capita usage is going to skyrocket at the same speed it takes the women in the neighborhood to pass a rumor! When Mrs. Wang Chan Chu, in apartment 22, gets her first gas water heater supported Sears Kenmore do-it-yourself shower stall kit (with shiney new WaterPick adjustible, massaging showerhead), there isn't one husband within 1000 miles who will get a peaceful nights sleep - until he's broken open the family checkbook! Now THAT"S REALITY!!! Like I've said before..... "Hey Da-aaaan, can I just have the lollipop concession!?!?!?!?...." Let's Rock! John M. Hollen, EE