Smart Sealing

I found a very interesting page at the department of energy today. I found from the Energy department talking about energy saving for process heating in the Aluminum industry (link to report).

some of the more interesting things they state:
On page 3 regarding saving money for heat generation:
“Minimize air leakage into the melter or oven. Furnace sealing can prevent air from leaking into the furnace, which in turn keeps the air-fuel ratio consistent. Preventing cold air from entering the furnace can avoid excess fuel use and help maintain temperature uniformity. Keep seals tight.”

On page 5 regarding heat containment:
“Maintain proper furnace pressure. Prevent air leakage. Furnace draft or the negative pressure created by the “chimney” effect in a furnace promotes air leakage through the furnace openings. Door seals, gaskets, and other “hidden” openings should be checked for possible air leakage. Replace or repair any damage. Investigate new seal types and materials that may improve Performance. Maintaining a balanced (zero) or slightly positive pressure inside the furnace can also minimize air leakage. In addition to saving energy, minimizing air leaks can help maintain more uniform temperature in the furnace and load”

“Air leakage through furnace openings, particularly moving parts such as furnace doors, can result in large heat losses. For a melting furnace without pressure control, even a ¼-inch gap around one door can cost as much as $225,000 per year.”

Been playing around with "jumpcut" - a yahoo company. Very cool.
Here is a video (no sound).

Well I have been really fascinated with this writer named Cliff Atkinson.
Who is he and why should I care?
- he is an independent consultant to leading attorneys and Fortune 500 companies on how to give better presentations
- He designed the presentations that helped persuade a jury to award a $253 million verdict to the plaintiff in the nation's first Vioxx trial in 2005, which Fortune magazine called "frighteningly powerful."

Here is a link to a few of his writings on the subject.
Five ways to reduce PowerPoint overload -
The first 5 slides
The science of PowerPoint overload

I was so taken by his ideas I watched one of his on-line webcasts (recorded) on his concepts. I really got a lot out of it.
Here is a link for his video’s

I also ran out and got his book.
I hope you get something out of this to help in presenting better PowerPoint’s as much as I did.

Yes it is true. I have one of my presentations actually published - the only problem the entire article is in Chinese. Except for the untranslatable English word every so often, I can not read a world of it.

A few months ago I got an email from the editor of the magazine that had seen my presentation at last years Valve world in the Netherlands. She asked if she could turn it into an article and I said yes.
Here is a link to the entire paper.