Steam drive is an oil recovery method that uses steam to increase the percentage of crude oil removed from a reservoir. It requires drilling multiple wells and is more efficient than other methods due to its heat advantage. It is commonly used on thick and heavy oil fields, with estimates of 40-50% additional oil recovered. […]
Hogmanay is a Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration with origins in Gaelic, Roman, and Viking traditions. It includes fire rituals, first-footing, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne”. The celebration has grown in recent decades with large events held in major cities. It was once celebrated more like Christmas, with parties and gift-giving. Children used […]
The Pap smear is a gynecological screening used to detect precancerous and malignant cells in the cervix. The test is named after its inventor, Georgios Papanikolaou, and involves collecting cervical cells for examination. Abnormal results are not necessarily cancerous, and few side effects are involved. Women depend on many different screenings to maintain their overall […]
Customs services monitor international trade to ensure compliance with regulations and laws, acting as a barrier against unscrupulous traders and preventing the trade of illegal items. They also enforce bans and quotas on certain products and can seize and destroy dangerous or substandard items. The advent of globalization has made it easier to trade between […]
Cajuzinho is a sweet peanut candy popular in Brazil, made with peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. It can be made at home or purchased prepackaged. The name means “small cashew” but the candy does not usually contain cashews. Cajuzinho is a sweet peanut candy found throughout Brazil. This candy can be found […]
Maraging steel is a low carbon, nickel-rich alloy based on martensite steel and exposed to a prolonged heat treatment process. It possesses good strength, malleability, welding, quenching, and machining characteristics. It is widely used to produce weight-sensitive and high-stress parts, including missile and rocket shells and automatic weapons components. The inclusion of chromium allows for […]
Hybrid heat uses two energy sources to optimize energy efficiency, switching between an electric heat pump and a furnace depending on ambient conditions. The system can be retrofitted to existing heating systems and can result in significant savings on utility bills. Hybrid heat is a dual fuel system used to heat a building, most typically […]
Jubilee® clips are worm screw clamps used to secure tubing to fittings. They consist of a stamped metal band joined by a worm gear, allowing for high torque. Originally invented in the UK, variations are used in many applications, with the brand name sometimes used generically. The design is simple but effective, using stainless steel […]
Dining cars on passenger trains have a small kitchen and dining room for freshly prepared meals. They were elegant during the height of passenger train travel, but have been replaced by informal bars in the 21st century. Short-distance rail travel still exists, but most commuter trains do not have a dining car. A dining car […]
Coiled tubing is used in various oil and gas well operations, including completion, production, cleaning, cementing, and fracturing. It can perform open hole drilling and is made of fine-grained carbon steel metal piping. Coiled tubing can pump chemicals and eliminate the need for constant interruptions and a lifting device, making it a cheaper alternative to […]
Hydraulic fracturing uses hydraulic pressure to inject a fluid containing sand or other abrasive material into rock formations to create passageways for oil and gas to flow to production wells. The technology is used worldwide and is essential for shale oil development. The process involves pumping a liquid mix through a borehole, creating cracks in […]
Angkor Wat is a large temple complex in Cambodia, known for its Khmer architecture and ornate carvings. It was built in the 12th century as a Vishnu temple and later became a Buddhist temple. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts around half a million tourists every year. Angkor Wat is a […]
Cardiac output is a measurement of how well the heart works, calculated by multiplying heart rate and stroke volume. A range of 4-8 liters is considered normal, with variations based on fitness level. Exercise increases cardiac output, but a lack of increase could indicate heart problems. There are a number of measurements of how well […]
The Appraisal Foundation sets standards and qualifications for appraisers in the US through the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). It was established in response to the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s and has two independent boards, the Appraisal Standards Board and the Appraisal Qualifications Board. The USPAP is the national standard […]
The short hood of American locomotives is known as the front and offers better visibility for the crew. The design evolved to offer more protection in collisions, and Canadian railways were the first to use the short, wide hood as the front. The short hood also houses equipment and a chemical toilet for the crew. […]
Yankee dryers are used in paper manufacturing to dry tissue paper. They are separate from the main dryer, reducing its size and allowing better use of workspace. The dryer can cut and press paper, and uses less energy. Yankee Drying Units are used in paper manufacturing, especially to dry thin sheet tissue paper, for both […]
Donor trees are recognition tools used to honor contributors to a charity or cause. Participants receive leaves with their names and donation level information. Donor trees can be made from various materials and can attract potential donors. Different sheet colors can distinguish between donation levels, and some projects have space for company logos. Metal trees […]
A windshield decal can be a legal requirement to show that a person has fulfilled a requirement, such as paying taxes, or it can be decorative. It can verify that a vehicle is roadworthy and is often self-adhesive, but removing it can be difficult. A windshield decal is an item that is attached to the […]
Mint liqueur is popular in Eastern Europe and can be used as a digestif or in cocktails. It is often made with vodka, mint leaves, sugar, and water and takes a few days to prepare. The Bulgarian cocktail known as a ‘cloud’ is made with mint and aniseed liqueur. Mint is a mint liqueur popular […]
Railway brakes have evolved from simple closing brakes operated by an individual to more sophisticated systems using boiler pressure, continuous brakes, air brakes, and electromagnetic brakes. Modern railway brakes use regenerative braking to divert active energy for braking. Upgrades to railway brakes have been necessary to handle the higher demands of modern trains. A railroad […]
