Energy Management in Thermal Power Plants - 895 Words

ENERGY MANAGEMENT IN THERMAL POWER PLANT INTRODUCTION Thermal Power Plants are the most important source of power generation. They are based on the Rankine Cycle where high pressure and high temperature steam raised in a boiler is expanded through a steam turbine that drives an electric generator. In a thermal power plant, the chemical energy stored in fossil fuels such as coal, fuel oil, natural gas is converted successively into thermal energy, mechanical energy and finally electrical energy for continuous use and distribution across a wide geographic area. Thermal Power plants have very high availability. Their unplanned or forced outage rates are very low. Thermal Power Plant assets need to be flexible to meet rapidly fluctuating†¦show more content†¦RECENT CONCEPTS Some of the recent concepts are directed at the development of advanced technologies and knowledge products that can enhance the environmental performance of the existing fleet of coal-fired power plants. The overall goal of these efforts is to reduce the amount of freshwater needed for power plant operations and to minimize potential impacts on water quality and increase in reliability due to better control of the operation by providing instrumentation of the latest design. The program is built around four specific areas of research: †¢ Non-Traditional Sources of Process and Cooling Water †¢ Innovative Water Reuse and Recovery †¢ Advanced Cooling Technology †¢ Advanced Water Treatment and Detection Technology Non-Traditional sources of Process and Cooling water: Research and analysis are being conducted to evaluate and develop cost-effective approaches to using non-traditional sources of water to supplement or replace freshwater for cooling and thermal power plant needs. Examples include surface and underground mine pool water, geological carbon sequestration and coal-bed methane produced waters, and industrial and/or municipal wastewater. This will help save freshwater. 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I would like to choose Motkamills for my module project, which happens to be a paper mill which specialises in producing laminating paper. I have chosen this particular industry because of the fact, pulp for making paper is extracted fromRead MoreIGCC Technology : Bypassing Environmental Barriers?1735 Words   |  7 Pages When it comes to environmental concerns and power plants, global warming and carbon dioxide emissions come to mind. As mentioned in the Bypassing Regulatory Barriers section, IGCC technology still requires the use of generators which are where emissions exit. As stated by Christou, Hadjipaschalis, and Poullikkas (2008): It is acknowledged that greenhouse gas emissions from an IGCC plant are much lower than those from a typical pulverized coal plant. 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It aims at offering an updated pictur e of current technology trends and markets, as well as new analyses on how solar energy technologies for electricity, heat and fuels can be used in the various energy consuming sectors, now and in the future. If effective support policies are put in place in a wide number of countries during this decade, solar energy in its variousRead MoreMunicipal Solid Waste ( Msw )1380 Words   |  6 Pagesand composition. This can be difficult to feed into thermal treatment plants especially gasifiers (Valkenburg et al., 2008) and can lead to variable behavior of the treatment process. The suitability and effectiveness of a waste treatment process depends on the waste stream’s physical and chemical composition (Chester et al., 2008; McDougall et al., 2001). The unavailability of these properties can manifest as financial risk to new process plants. 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Primary energy consumption in Pakistan has grown by almost 80% over the past 15 years, from 34 million tons oil equivalent (TOEs) in 1994/95 to 61 million TOEs in 2009/10 and has supported an average GDP growth rate in the country of about 4.5% per annum. However since 2006/07Read MoreApplications Of Distribution Generation Storage Distribution System1376 Words   |  6 Pagesand Spurthi Varma2 ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS ECE 5560 Abstract-Distribution generation is the electricity generating technology adopted at the distribution system level. There are times when then the supply of these sources of generation exceed demand and in order to strike a balance between the supply and demand of electricity, we need to store the excesses being generated into storage devices and also these storage devices can discharge their stored energy to the grid when demand exceeds

Interning At The Tmc Head Start My Internship Experience

EDUC 6310 Final Paper Dr.Vafa May 7, 2017 Interning at the TMC Head Start My internship experience Pre-Kindergarten students it provided me with a cumulative opportunity to integrate all I had learned at University of Houston-Victoria and apply it in a practical setting. Since most of my coursework revolved around the social, emotional, and moral development of children, my paper focuses on the importance of classroom community in schools. Through journaling, observing, and working directly with Pre-Kindergarten students, I discovered how classroom community can facilitate learning, promote social awareness, and provide much needed stability. At first, I was overwhelmingly nervous about my placement in a substantially separate†¦show more content†¦In small groups, I tested out how children can learn by using augmented reality in education. Through this experience, I discovered how powerful it was for students to have the opportunity to be able to learn through technology. What is more, by integrating technology, students became more engaged with the material and with each other. In my journals, I was able to manage my daily communication with the students and also keep track. One of the most memorable experiences for me was when my student didn’t know the letter U but when I started using technology and augmented reality the student was able to gain more knowledge and learn the letter that they did not know. One of the most enlightening aspects of my internship experience was watching my student with autism use technology to facilitate academic and social growth. For example, in small group the student rarely moved on until everyone in the group had clearly demonstrated an understanding of the concept. I sought to replicate this teaching style and quickly realized there was a nuance to differentiating instruction and encouraging cooperation without it feeling demeaning to the struggling student. Looking back through my journals, I believe classroom community is so important because it pervades every aspect of the student experience. Learning does not exist in a vacuum, and therefore, it is critical students understand how classroom community

Top Research Paper Outline Examples Secrets

Top Research Paper Outline Examples Secrets Research Paper Outline Examples Ideas Obviously, there are lots of benefits of employing an outline. If you don't possess the slightest clue on the best way to compose a research paper outline, it's time you got some ideas. To begin with, you have to have an outline that will help you determine just what you're going to be searching for. In setting up your research paper outline you are really utilizing a deductive approach. After you are in possession of a very clear and logically connected outline, you won't ever fail the assignment. Writing an excellent research paper outline may look like an intimidating task, and you might discover that it's tricky to understand its value in case you have never written one before. In the event of a lengthier project, it's difficult to imagine a successful writing process with no obstacles in the event the outline is missing. When you know the aim of your outline, writing it will become easy. It is an impossible task to compose a persuasive research paper without having and crystal clear outline. The outline of your customized research paper is likely to reflect upon your research so be sure that it offers a reasonable idea about what your paper is likely to discuss. Therefore, if your professor requested your research paper needs to be written in APA style, start searching for a trustworthy APA research paper outline template. Writing a research paper outline is a powerful way of ensuring appropriate organization of your ideas and ideas in the last paper. If you're thinking that you require a person to compose my essay at this time, you can merely rely on our honest reviews. For a paper about a specific theory, giving the overall background on the theory may be a great place to get started. After all, you're making a paper outline so that it is possible to guide yourself towards starting a research paper, so naturally, you won't wish to enter the literature review procedure. The very first thing you ought to do is to make an outline for your paper. To compose a research paper outline, you'll need to ascertain every one of your topics and subtopics, organize them, then place them in a typical outline format. If you've ever done a research before, then you know it is hard to find the best results if you don't use an outline. A topic outline entails the usage of short phrases. It might be helpful as you're developing your outline to likewise write down a tentative collection of references. You can also state what kind of approa ch it is you'll use in your paper for the full discussion of your topic. Though the title is the shortest page of your report, it's often the toughest to write. Select a topic you're interested in. You may pick any topic for your research but you must make sure which you're familiarized with the topic you've chosen to write about. Firstly, you'll have to locate general info to strengthen your thesis statement, then you will need to dig deeper. So, creation of an outline ought to be the next step after you've decided on your topic. It helps to determine the way a student will build other important sections such as Literature Review. It should present at least three major points. Guidelines exist to aid in organizing your contents and structure that will permit you to write a productive research paper. Outline might be final or draft. Appendices are very beneficial because they supply you with somewhere to dump raw data and calculations. They make it easier to keep a check on which parts you need to omit to make your report relevant. An outline shows your major thoughts and the order in which you will write about them. To begin, you're going to want a great topic and a strong focus to be able to receive your paper outline rolling. The paper should get off to a good beginning with respect to clarifying unfamiliar information as not to depart from your readers puzzled. It should be consistent from the beginning to the very end. Don't forget that the primary intention of the research paper is to clearly show your abilities to work on your own and demonstrate the reach of your knowledge on several different topics. As the title of the writing implies you should conduct the research in the certain region of knowledge. Few high-school students keep philosophical diaries (although they aren't named like that) where the former manifest their very own comprehension of the planet, of the folks around them, and of a certain topic. Great research paper' s examples almost always concentrate on novel suggestions to address which will be of value in the area. Maximizing your research outline's purpose will be able to help you compose a thorough paper. Let's consider the components of your research program and the way to compose a structured outline that will make it possible for you to begin a research paper as rapidly and effectively as possible. Research Paper isn't a task for a single day. Research proposals are extremely often underestimated. Possessing a Research proposal outline example provides the required boost to the success of the paper. Otherwise, you might estimate it yourself. It's never recommended to fluff-up your report simply to hit the desirable word count. When you get a good outline and have your ideas in place, you will need to start your very first draft. Outlines save you time and supply peace of mind in regards to writing papers. Correct all errors you may spot and enhance the general grade of the paper to the best of your ability. Be certain your paper doesn't contain any mistakes and includes a proper writing style. In the practice of researching and writing, you can come across new information that falls outside the reach of your initial plan and wish to incorporate it in your paper. As a consequence, it's critical that you treat writing as a process, understand prewriting and even revisi on because they're crucial and play a fantastic role in deciding the caliber of your paper.

Ad Reinhardt Abstract Painting 19601965 Essay Example For Students

Ad Reinhardt Abstract Painting 19601965 Essay Ad Reinhardts painting, Abstract Painting 1960-65, is at first glance a black square canvas. The subject matter seems to be just what it is, a black painting. There are no people. No event or action is taken except for the fact that Reinhardt has made the painting. The title only provides us with the information that we are looking at an abstract painting. The only other information that the artist gives you is the time period, in which it was conceived, 1960 to 1965. In the least amount of words possible, we could describe the painting as an abstract color field. It is possible that a narrative is expressed through the piece, although, we can not be certain what it is. There is nothing narrated through conventional means in any way. The composition of the painting takes place with the square of the canvas. The square is approximately 5 x 5. A black frame surrounding the painting protrudes approximately 4 off the canvas. There is a 1 inlay between the canvas and frame. From this square, Reinhardt breaks the composition into six equal squares in three even rows. Texture is no where to be found in the painting. No visual indication of the artists brush stroke is present. No varnished glare is given off by the piece. The entire work, including the frame, is completely matte. The squares take up the entire canvas in a checkerboard type arrangement. Each square is a slightly different shade of blue-black. It almost becomes impossible to see the difference between each square. The middle squares in the top and bottom rows shift more towards blue than the rest of the squares. The division of these middle squares become more obvious than the others. When the painting is looked at from a distance, it is almost impossible to see any of the squares at all. When looking from a far, all a viewer can see is a blackish blue canvas. As you stare longer into the painting, a halo begins to form around the corners of the canvas, creating a circle inside the square. Once you look away from the canvas, the circle is gone. With this observation in mind, we could say that the painting most definitely relies on the viewer. A viewer is required to look at the piece for its full affect. We could say that the squares in the painting are self-contained. On the other hand, the squares create a visual effect that isnt even on the canvas. They create an experience and shape thats completely opposite of the paintings overall form and composition. Reinhartds painting is abstract, expressive and analytical. We can recognize the abstractness as the idea of a black on black square. The expressive quality becomes evident when we realize that Reinhartds hand can not be seen. The amount of self-containment and painstaking labor needed to make such a flat painting is immense. This labor can be recognized as Reinhartds expressive nature through paint. As we dig deeper, the subject matter lends itself to analyticity. The plane on which we view Ad Reinhardts painting is much higher than first perceived. To understand the subject, the viewer most also understand Reinhardts philosophy of painting. Reinhardts painting goes further than the visual black square. Within this black square is the end of all painting and the start of a new. Ad Reinhardts Abstract Painting 1960-65 (history and context)Ad Reinhardts Abstract Painting 1960-65, was created over a span of five years. This painting, as well as many of Reinhardts paintings is considered to be the end of painting. The nothingness of painting. In 1959 painters such as Jasper Johns, Ellsworth Kelly, Frank Stella, Joseph Albers and Willem de Kooning were showing exhibiting regularly and thought to be in their prime. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City was showing a Miro retrospective. .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .postImageUrl , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:hover , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:visited , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:active { border:0!important; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:active , .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf91ab8059270584397997679af57895a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Life s came, so did a new president and a war. John F. Kennedy was to be the new president. A young, energetic, All-American male from Harvard. He gave a new

Mexican Economy Essays (4270 words) - Military History Of Mexico

Mexican Economy Mexico was the site of some of the earliest and most advanced civilizations in the western hemisphere. The Mayan culture, according to archaeological research, attained its greatest development about the 6th century AD. Another group, the Toltec, established an empire in the Valley of Mexico and developed a great civilization still evidenced by the ruins of magnificent buildings and monuments. The leading tribe, the Aztec, built great cities and developed an intricate social, political, and religious organization. Their civilization was highly developed, both intellectually and artistically. The first European explorer to visit Mexican territory was Francisco Fern?ndez de C?rdoba, who in 1517 discovered traces of the Maya in Yucat?n. In 1535, some years after the fall of the Aztec capital, the basic form of colonial government in Mexico was instituted with the appointment of the first Spanish viceroy, Antonio de Mendoza. A distinguishing characteristic of colonial Mexico was the exploitation of the Native Americans. Although thousands of them were killed during the Spanish conquest, they continued to be the great majority of inhabitants of what was referred to as New Spain, speaking their own languages and retaining much of their native culture. Inevitably they became the laboring class. Their plight was the result of the 'encomienda' system, by which Spanish nobles, priests, and soldiers were granted not only large tracts of land but also jurisdiction over all Native American residents. A second characteristic of colonial Mexico was the position and power of the Roman Catholic church. Franciscan, Augustinian, Dominican, and Jesuit missionaries entered the country with the conquistadores. The Mexican church became enormously wealthy through gifts and bequests that could be held in perpetuity. Before 1859, when church holdings were nationalized, the church owned one-third of all property and land. A third characteristic was the existence of rigid social classes: the Native Americans, the mestizos, mixed Spanish and Native American (an increasingly large group during the colonial era), black slaves which were brought from Africa and the Caribbean, freed blacks and white Mexicans. The white Mexicans were themselves divided. Highest of all classes was that of the peninsulares, those born in Spain, as opposed to the criollos, or Creoles?people of pure European descent who had been born and raised in New Spain. The peninsulares were sent from Spain to hold the highest colonial offices in both the civil and church administrations. The peninsulars held themselves higher than the criollos, who were almost never given high office. The resentment of the criollos became an influential force in the later movement for independence. In 1808 the viceroy, under pressure from influential criollos, permitted them to participate in the administration. Other peninsular officials objected and expelled the viceroy. In the midst of these factional struggles a political rebellion was begun by the Mexican people. Mexico has been rocked by political rebellion during most of its entire history in one way or another. Under the various dictatorships that Mexico found itself under at times in history, it made tremendous advances in economic and commercial development. Many of the new undertakings were financed and managed by foreigners (mostly American and European). This was and continues to be a major factor in the discontent of most Mexicans. Moreover, the government favored the rich owners of large estates, increasing their properties by assigning them communal lands that belonged to the Native Americans. When the Native Americans revolted, they were sold into peonage. Discontent, anger and a spirit of revolt continued to grow throughout Mexico. Madero was elected president in 1911, but was not forceful enough to end the political strife. Other rebel leaders, particularly Emiliano Zapata and Francisco (Pancho) Villa, completely refused to submit to presidential authority. Victoriano Huerta, head of the Madero army, conspired with the rebel leaders and in 1913 seized control of Mexico City. New armed revolts under Zapata, Villa, and Venustiano Carranza began, and Huerta resigned in 1914. Carranza took power in the same year, and Villa at once declared war on him. In addition to the ambitions of rival military leaders, intervention by foreign governments seeking to protect the interests of their nationals added to the confusion. In August 1915, a commission representing eight Latin American countries and the United States recognized Carranza as the lawful authority in Mexico. The rebel leaders, except for Villa, laid down their arms. The bandit leader incited his forces to commit crimes against Americans to show his resentment against the United States and in 1916 led a raid on Columbus, New Mexico. As a result, an American force under General John J. Pershing was sent to Mexico. A new

Ways to De-Stress in College

Ways to De-Stress in College Knowing how to destress can make all the difference between a crazed college experience and one you feel you have control over. Sometimes, however, knowing that you need to destress can be different than actually knowing how to destress. Check out this list of tips- theres sure to be one (or more) for nearly everyone! Relaxing Ways to Destress Breathe deeply.  It only takes a few minutes, but it can really help you achieve more positive mental health. Focus on inhaling and exhaling while trying to let all the stress in your brain slowly melt away.Put your headphones in and listen to some music.  Closing your eyes and relaxing while listening to some music can do wonders for your brain. Tuning out the world for even just five minutes can be a great way to lower your stress and increase your mental clarity.Daydream about your life after  graduation.  College can be overwhelming because there is so much to do all of the time. Let yourself daydream for a few minutes about what your dream life will be like after graduation. Dont worry about how youll make everything happen; just imagine the best possible scenario and the goals youre working so hard to achieve.Look through your personal pics online.  You can check out things youve posted on Facebook or elsewhere. Looking through your personal pics can warm your heart a nd cool your stress. Look through the pics you have on your phone.  Most people take a ton of pictures with their cell phone- and then forget all thats on there. Take a quick trip down memory lane while also giving yourself a break and a few minutes to relax.Read motivational quotations about college and education.  Sometimes, college life can simply seem- if not be- overwhelming. Give yourself some perspective by reading over some  motivational quotations about college  that can help remind you why you work so hard in the first place.Come up with a list of 10 things youve accomplished today/this week.  Sometimes people can get so focused on what they have left to do that theyve forgotten all the things theyve already done. Lower your stress by writing down at least 10 things youve accomplished today or this week. You just might surprise yourself!Take a quick shower.  Most of the time you shower to get clean. Today, however, take a shower to just relax yourself. Let the hot water massage your shoulders and try to imagine your stress being rinsed off and going down the drain, too. Take a quick bath.  If youre lucky enough to live in a place that has bathtubs, a quick bath can be a magical escape. Squirt some soap (or even shampoo) in for some bubbles and pretend youre somewhere far, far away.Wash your face.  If you dont have time for a bath or a shower, a quick face-wash can help wake you up, making you feel refreshed, and relax you- even if its just for a minute or two. If you dont have your soap handy, a quick splash of water will do.Give yourself a mani/pedi.  You dont have to escape to a nail salon to feel fancy. Grab some polish and give yourself a visual pick-me-up as a way to destress and focus on something fun and funky for a few minutes.Address the thing that is stressing you out the most.  Chances are, amidst all your stressors, theres at least one or two things that really stand out. Do at least one thing to address the biggest stress factor(s) in your life- even if its deciding not to worry about it until tomorrow. Active Ways to Destress Do some stretching.  You dont have to be a yoga teacher to know how to stretch. Whether youre in the library, the quad, or your room, a few minutes of slow, deep stretching can improve your mood immensely.Do some  yoga specifically catered to stress reduction.  Of course, if you do love yoga, you know how helpful some good stretching and breathing can be for your health. Take what youve learned in a yoga class and apply it at a time you need it most.Go for a walk.  It doesnt matter where you go- in fact, an aimless walk might be better than one with tasks assigned to it. Remove yourself from a stressful situation and enjoy a few minutes out and about.Go for a quick run.  Grab your shoes, throw on some running clothes, and get your stress out while hitting the pavement (or track or treadmill). A quick, high-intensity run can lower your stress and increase your energy for hours afterward.Go for a bike ride.  Who says you can only use your bike to get to and from class? Go f or a quick ride thats more fun than functional. Ride a skateboard.  If youre able to ride a skateboard on (or near) campus, this pastime can be a great break from your regular, stressful college routine.Clean up your desk.  Alright, it sounds lame, but wouldnt it be nice to start your homework with a nice, clean, organized desk? A clear space leads to a clear mind and cleaning up your desk can do wonders for your productivity.Clean up your room.  Even people who like clean rooms often dont like actually cleaning them. Set a timer for five minutes and see how much you can get done in that time. Youll get yourself moving, get your things organized, and get your head away from the source of your stress for at least a few minutes.Clean out your backpack.  Boring? Maybe. Well, actually ... totally boring. But doing something completely mindless that will result in feeling productive can be a great way to focus on something other than your stress.Do  some laundry.  You may not want to do it, but think of the benefits: Youll get yourself out of your current, stress-inducing project, youll get yourself moving, youll get a mental break from your more stressful tasks, and youll finally get some clean clothes. Dance.  For some, dancing can be a great escape from the stressors of everyday life. Dance to your hearts content for a few minutes before returning to your regularly scheduled tasks.Go for a walk and buy a cup of tea.  Sure, you may have some tea in your room, but sometimes the extra little splurge can be worth it. Youll get moving while also getting a break.Go for a walk and buy a cup of coffee.  If its looking like itll be a long night, go walk to the campus coffee shop and splurge on a cup o joe. Youll get your blood pumping while also getting a little caffeine in your system.Go for a walk and buy a healthy snack.  Sure, those french fries look delicious, but opting for a piece of fruit and some whole wheat toast from the dining hall will make you feel better, both physically and mentally.Go for a walk and treat yourself to, well, a treat.  Alright, lets be honest here: Sometimes you just need a candy bar. Take the long way to the vending machines before selecting a spe cial treat to pick you up and lower your stress, even if its just for a little while. Social Ways to Destress Call a friend and catch up for a few minutes.  Checking in with someone you hold near and dear can be great for your heart. Get the latest from your friend while also sneaking in a nice mental break, too.Send a friend an email.  Chances are that theres at least one friend you need to catch up with, but you may not have time right now for a phone call. Send a quick email letting them know the latest and greatest in your life. And if youre lucky, the next time you need a break, there will be an email from them, too!Send your parents an email.  Face it- you dont talk to your parents enough while youre away at school and theyd like you to  keep in touch more. If a phone call isnt going to work for you right now, zip them a quick email about whats going on with you.Send your sibling(s) an email.  Many students get so caught up in their lives in college that they forget to check in with their siblings. Take a moment or two to send along an update to your brother(s) and/or sister( s)- you might be surprised at how much better doing so makes you feel. Go hang out with other folks for a few minutes.  Even if youre on a tight deadline and feel like you cant spare a few minutes, guess what? You can. Spending a few minutes de-stressing with friends can help your productivity during the rest of the night.Find some friends and have everyone give everyone else a quick massage.  The power of a 3-minute neck and shoulder rub should never, ever be underestimated. Grab several folks, line up, and have everyone rub each others shoulders for a few minutes.Kiss your significant other.  The power of human touch can always help you destress. Grab your honey and enjoy a few minutes of lip-locking before getting back to what you have to do.Look at the events happening on campus this weekend.  If youre feeling overwhelmed with what you have to do between now and the weekend, looking at what options await you at the end of the tunnel can be a great way to destress. Check out an events calendar online or go for a quick walk and actually take t he time to read the posters and flyers everyone puts up all over the place. Make fun plans for the weekend.  If taking a break from campus is what your brain needs, make some fun plans for the weekend. Check out a local city guide or call a friend to see what the scoop is. Fun Ways to Destress Watch your favorite scene from your favorite movie on  YouTube,  Hulu, etc.  Even if you dont own your favorite movie, chances are you can find it online somewhere. Treat yourself to some old-fashioned escapism and tune out for a few minutes.Search for funny clips on YouTube.  Things go viral so quickly that theres always new stuff to watch. Put yourself on a time limit and watch ridiculous things to your hearts content.Create a new  Pandora  channel.  If you really need to work, incorporate ways to destress into your process. Create a new Pandora channel that will energize and refocus you as you work.Treat yourself to some new songs on iTunes.  Buying a few songs for a few bucks can perk you up, give you something fun to look forward to, and let you feel happy instead of stressed- both during and after your purchase.Play around on  Facebook.  Of course, the key here is only to do so for a few minutes. Losing 30 minutes when youre stressed can sometimes add more f uel to the fire. But spending a few minutes poking around can be a great break for your brain. Play around on  Twitter.  Even if youre new to Twitter, seeing what the buzz is at any point in time can be a fun diversion.Play around on  Flickr.  If youre a visual person, looking at cool pictures of things that make you happy can be a nice uplift for your heart- and a nice decrease for your blood pressure.Play around on  StumbleUpon.  StumbleUpon can be enjoyable because it takes you to new sites you may never have heard of but that other users, with interests similar to yours, have recommended. Its a great way to surf the web and find new sites without getting lost in a ton of junk.Read the national news headlines.  Reading the national news can be a great break for your mind while also helping to keep you informed of current events. If youre really lucky, the headlines you read today can be used during a class conversation tomorrow.Read the news headlines in your local town.  You may be so busy living your college life that you dont know what current events are in your new local town. Find out a little more about your home-away-from-home by checking out the local paper online. Read news headlines from your hometown.  What better way to get out of your little stress bubble at school than to learn about the happenings back in your hometown? Even the ads for local restaurants you havent thought about for months might cheer you up a bit.Play around on a gossip website for a few minutes (like  People).  Catching up on the latest celebrity news can be entertaining and provide a fun few minutes of escape.Catch up on the latest sports news.  Most students spend so much time reading homework in college that skimming the latest from the sports world isnt really an option. Check out whats happening with your favorite team, favorite sport, or favorite athlete for a few minutes.

USS South Dakota (BB-57) in World War II

USS South Dakota (BB-57) in World War II In 1936, as the design of the North Carolina-class moved towards finalization, the US Navys General Board met to discuss the two battleships that were to be funded in Fiscal Year 1938.   Though the group favored construction of two addition North Carolinas, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral William H. Standley insisted on a new design.   As a result, construction of these vessels was pushed to FY1939 as naval architects commenced work in March 1937.   While the first two ships were formally ordered on April 4, 1938, an additional pair of vessels was added two months later under the  Deficiency Authorization which passed due to increasing international tensions.   Though the escalator clause of the Second London Naval Treaty had been invoked allowing the new design to mount 16 guns, Congress specified that the vessels stay within the 35,000-ton limit set by the earlier Washington Naval Treaty. In conceiving the new South Dakota-class, naval architects developed a wide variety of designs for consideration.   A key challenge proved to be finding ways to improve upon the North Carolina-class but remain within the tonnage limit.   The result was the design of a shorter, by approximately 50 feet, battleship that employed an inclined armor system.   This allowed for better underwater protection than its predecessors.   As fleet commanders desired vessels capable of 27 knots, designers worked to find a way to accomplish this despite the shorter hull length.   This was found through the creative arrangement of machinery, boilers, and turbines.   For armament, the South Dakotas mirrored the North Carolinas in mounting nine Mark 6 16 guns in three triple turrets with a secondary battery of twenty dual-purpose 5 guns.   These weapons were supplemented by an extensive and constantly evolving array of anti-aircraft guns.   Assigned to New York Shipbuilding in Camden, NJ, USS South Dakota (BB-57) was laid down on July 5, 1939.   The lead ships design varied slightly from the rest of the class as it was intended to fulfill the role of a fleet flagship.   This saw an extra deck added to the conning tower to provide additional command space.   To accommodate this, two of the ships twin 5 gun mounts were removed.   Work on the battleship continued and it slid down the ways on June 7, 1941, with Vera Bushfield, wife of South Dakota Governor Harlan Bushfield serving as sponsor.   As construction moved toward completion, the US entered World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.   Commissioned on March 20, 1942, South Dakota entered service with Captain Thomas L. Gatch in command.   To the Pacific Conducting shakedown operations in June and July, South Dakota received orders to sail for Tonga.   Passing through the Panama Canal, the battleship arrived on September 4.   Two days later, it struck coral in the Lahai Passage causing damage to the hull.   Steaming north to Pearl Harbor, South Dakota underwent the necessary repairs.   Sailing in October, the battleship joined Task Force 16 which included the carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6).   Rendezvousing with USS Hornet (CV-8) and Task Force 17, this combined force, led by Rear Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, engaged the Japanese at the Battle of Santa Cruz on October 25-27.   Attacked by enemy aircraft, the battleship screened the carriers and sustained a bomb hit on one of its forward turrets.   Returning to Noumà ©a after the battle, South Dakota collided with the destroyer USS Mahan while attempting to avoid a submarine contact.   Reaching port, it received repairs for the damage caused in the fighting and from the coll ision.   Sortieing with TF16 on November 11, South Dakota detached two days later and joined USS Washington (BB-56) and four destroyers.   This force, led by Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee, was ordered north on November 14 after American forces suffered heavy losses in the opening phases of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.   Engaging Japanese forces that night, Washington and South Dakota sank the Japanese battleship Kirishima.   In the course of the battle, South Dakota suffered a brief power outage and sustained forty-two hits from enemy guns.   Withdrawing to  Noumà ©a, the battleship made temporary repairs before departing for New York to receive an overhaul.   As the US Navy wished to limit the operational information provided to the public, many of South Dakotas early actions were reported as those of Battleship X. Europe Arriving at New York on December 18, South Dakota entered the yard for approximately two months of work and repairs.   Rejoining active operations in February, it sailed in the North Atlantic in consort with USS Ranger (CV-4) until mid-April.   The following month, South Dakota joined Royal Navy forces at Scapa Flow where it served in a task force under Rear Admiral Olaf M. Hustvedt.   Sailing in conjunction with its sister, USS Alabama (BB-60), it acted as a deterrent against raids by the German battleship Tirpitz.   In August, both battleships received orders to transfer to the Pacific.   Touching at Norfolk, South Dakota reached Efate on September 14.   Two months later, it sailed with the carriers of Task Group 50.1 to provide cover and support for the landings on Tarawa and Makin.     Ã‚   Island Hopping On December 8, South Dakota, in company with four other battleships, bombarded Nauru before returning to Efate to replenish.   The following month, it sailed to support the invasion of Kwajalein.   After striking targets ashore, South Dakota withdrew to provide cover for the carriers.   It remained with Rear Admiral Marc Mitschers carriers as they mounted a devastating raid against Truk on February 17-18.   The following weeks, saw South Dakota continue to screen the carriers as they attacked the Marianas, Palau, Yap, Woleai, and Ulithi.   Briefly pausing at Majuro in early April, this force returned to sea to assist Allied landings in New Guinea before mounting additional raids against Truk.   After spending much of May at Majuro engaged in repairs and upkeep, South Dakota steamed north in June to support the invasion of Saipan and Tinian.    On June 13, South Dakota shelled the two islands and two days later aided in defeating a Japanese air attack.   Steaming with the carriers on June 19, the battleship took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.   Though a resounding victory for the Allies, South Dakota sustained bomb hit that killed 24 and wounded 27.   In the wake of this, the battleship received orders to make for Puget Sound Navy Yard for repairs and an overhaul.   This work occurred between July 10 and August 26.   Rejoining the Fast Carrier Task Force, South Dakota screened attacks on Okinawa an Formosa that October.   Later in the month, it provided cover as the carriers moved to aid General Douglas MacArthurs landings on Leyte in the Philippines.   In this role, it participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and served in Task Force 34 which was detached at one point to aid American forces off Samar. Between Leyte Gulf and February 1945, South Dakota sailed with the carriers as they covered the landings on Mindoro and launched raids against Formosa, Luzon, French Indochina, Hong Kong, Hainan, and Okinawa.   Moving north, the carriers attacked Tokyo on February 17 before shifting to assist the invasion of Iwo Jima two days later.   After additional raids against Japan, South Dakota arrived off Okinawa where it supported the Allied landings on April 1.   Providing naval gunfire support for troops ashore, the battleship suffered an accident on May 6 when a tank of powder for the 16 guns exploded.   The incident killed 11 and injured 24.   Withdrawn to Guam and then Leyte, the battleship spent much of May and June away from the front. Final Actions Sailing on July 1, South Dakota covered American carriers as they struck Tokyo ten days later.   On July 14, it took part in the bombardment of the Kamaishi Steel Works which marked the first attack by surface ships on the Japanese mainland.   South Dakota remained off Japan for the remainder of the month and into August alternately protecting the carriers and conducting bombardment missions.   It was in Japanese waters when hostilities ceased on August 15.   Proceeding to Sagami Wan on August 27, it entered Tokyo Bay two days later.   After being present for the formal Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) on September 2, South Dakota  departed for the West Coast on the 20th.    Arriving at San Francisco, South Dakota moved down the coast to San Pedro before receiving orders to steam to Philadelphia on January 3, 1946.   Reaching that port, it underwent an overhaul before being shifted to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet that June.   On January 31, 1947, South Dakota was formally decommissioned.   It remained in reserve until June 1, 1962, when it was removed from the Naval Vessel Registry prior to being sold for scrap that October.   For its service in World War II, South Dakota earned thirteen battle stars.