[Stoves] Request for source material

[Pat]

Hello, Stovers,

I have been a silent listener to this list for a few years. Now a friend, David Brown, wants to write a non-scientific objection to ‘Clean Coal’,  He is well-educated, but not a scientist, (nor am I). Would a few kind stovers send him a few pointers about where he can find anwers to his questions?

Here is what he writes:

> Hi Pat and Bill
> As I said, publishing is only of interest to me if it helps with the political aim to sink the absurdity of clean coal.  To be honest I would like to publish as a philosopher should, ie, anonymously, expecting people to judge the case on its merits without reference to personalities, profiles and professional prestige.  I have no need or desire for fame and neither do I think I will perish if I dont publish.
> 
> Ideally I would like it published in some 'establishment' paper that is produced for the well heeled, and likely to be read by the people with power/money, the people who make the decisions.
> It isnt exactly journalistic, eg, it has dot points and numbers.
> 
> I want to add some things to the business aspects, eg
> 
> Water is essential to all heat motor generating systems, such as coal, gas, oil, nuclear and solar thermal.  So water supply sets a direct limitation on what is possible, on whether a station can operate at all, and if so, at what level.  The supply of water is a real issue in this driest continent.  Its supply is a much greater uncertainty than the supply of coal, and more so when we are experiencing climate change with unknown consequences, potentially more droughts, erratic rainfall, and higher temperatures requiring more water for other purposes.
>  
> Therefore, intelligent governments and businesses will favour technologies that are not critically dependent on a steady supply of water.
> 
> My problem is that I have no sense of scale, ie, as to how much water goes up the chimney in an 'average' coal station and what proportion it is to the total water system.  I seem to recall reading about some power stations over East that were running at half capacity or switched off - was it because of water shortages??  If I can point to such a case, it is perfect to include it in the article (so long as it is 100% accurate)
> Can either of you enlighten me on this please?.
> 
> I am waiting to hear from Scott Ludlam. (Greens Senator from Western Australia)  And I hope it happens soon. He might not like the challenge to solar thermal, which he has championed.

His address is: behimself at yahoo.com

Thanking you in advance,

Pat