AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
An NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) investigation of the chemical association and molecular dynamics in asphalt ridge tar sand ore and bitumen

Preliminary studies on tar sand bitumen given in this report have shown that the reassociation of tar sand bitumen to its original molecular configuration after thermal stressing is a first-order process requiring nearly a week to establish equilibrium. Studies were also conducted on the dissolution of tar sand bitumen in solvents of varying polarity. At a high-weight fraction of solute to solvent the apparent molecular weight of the bitumen molecules was greater than that of the original bitumen when dissolved in chloroform-d/sub 1/ and benzene-d/sub 6/. This increase in the apparent molecular weight may be due to micellar formation or a weak solute-solvent molecular complex. Upon further dilution with any of the solvents studied, the apparent molecular weight of the tar sand bitumen decreased because of reduced van der Waals forces of interaction and/or hydrogen bonding. To define the exact nature of the interactions, it will be necessary to have viscosity measurements of the solutions. 30 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

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Potential end uses of oil produced by wet forward combustion of Asphalt Ridge tar sand

In this report an evaluation is made of the potential end uses of an oil produced from Asphalt Ridge tar sand by wet forward combustion. The oil is evaluated with respect to its potential to produce a specification-grade asphalt and an aviation turbine fuel. To accomplish this the oil was vacuum distilled to produce a distillate and a residue. The distillation residue meets all of the ASTM D-3381 Table 1 specification tests for an AC-10 asphalt. However, the 135/sup 0/C (275/sup 0/F) viscosity is low when compared with the more stringent ASTM D-3381 Table 2 requirements. The residue also has an unusually low aging index. This indicates not only that it may not set properly, but also it may be resistant to rapid age hardening. The results from successive freeze-thaw cycling indicate that the residue, when coated on appropriate aggregates, is comparable to or better than some petroleum asphalts coated on the same aggregates. Freeze-thaw cycling to failure is an indirect measure of the resistance of an asphalt-aggregate mixture to moisture-induced loss of strength. The distillate of the thermally produced oil represents about 50 wt % of the oil. The chemical and physical properties of the distillate are better than those of the original bitumen and the thermally produced oil. Combined gas chromatographic/mass spectral analysis of the neutral fraction from the distillate indicates it is composed of predominantly aromatic structures. The aromatic structures are primarily of the 2- and 3-ring type and the saturate structures are primarily of the 3-ring type. It is believed that upon hydrogenation this distillate could be a source of high-density or endothermic aviation turbine fuels.

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Plan for addressing issues relating to oil shale plant siting

The Western Research Institute plan for addressing oil shale plant siting methodology calls for identifying the available resources such as oil shale, water, topography and transportation, and human resources. Restrictions on development are addressed: land ownership, land use, water rights, environment, socioeconomics, culture, health and safety, and other institutional restrictions. Descriptions of the technologies for development of oil shale resources are included. The impacts of oil shale development on the environment, socioeconomic structure, water availability, and other conditions are discussed. Finally, the Western Research Institute plan proposes to integrate these topics to develop a flow chart for oil shale plant siting. Western Research Institute has (1) identified relative topics for shale oil plant siting, (2) surveyed both published and unpublished information, and (3) identified data gaps and research needs. 910 refs., 3 figs., 30 tabs.

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Oil shales, tar sands, and underground coal gasification. Quarterly technical progress report, October-December 1984

Progress is reported for the quarter ending December 1984. The report is divided into 3 sections: oil shale, tar sand, and underground gasification. Recovery processes, novel concepts, and environmental impact mitigation have been investigated for each of the above energy sources. Physical/chemical properties of oil shales are also included. Separate abstracts have been prepared for each section for inclusion in the Energy Data Base. (DMC)

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Recommended documentation plan for the FLAG and CHEMFLUB computer codes

Reviews have been conducted on both FLAG and CHEMFLUB's documentation and computer codes. The documentation of both models is: (1) incomplete, (2) confusing, (3) not helpful to the reader, (4) filled with extraneous information and (5) lack claimed versatility in analyzing coal gasifier systems. The documentation is such that the computer coding itself must be used as a reference to complete the documentation. Once the codes are set up they are relatively easy to run. We have exercised both of them. Most of our efforts thus far have been concentrated on FLAG because of its importance and complexity. FLAG in its present form can not be expected to yield meaningful data applicable to coal gasifier systems. The reasons for this are twofold. First, the model is incorrect in describing some aspects of fluid particle behavior in coal gasifier systems. Second, the numerical formulation/solution methodology is incorrectly implemented and introduces spurious numerical effects, thereby obscuring the physics of the model. In brief, this means that resulting calculations are not correctly related to the physics. CHEMFLUB, while less extensively exercised, shows that it should be no surprise that CHEMFLUB is best utilized as a tool for generating first approximations. We have concluded from these reviews that we cannot perform meaningful comparisons as required under tasks 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 without first reconstructing and correcting when necessary the physical/numerical models. A plan is presented for accomplishing this reconstruction/modification.

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Analysis of photographic records of coal pyrolysis

Bituminous coals upon heating undergo melting and pyrolytic decomposition with significant parts of the coal forming an unstable liquid that can escape from the coal by evaporation. The transient liquid within the pyrolyzing coal causes softening or plastic behavior that can influence the chemistry and physics of the process. Bubbles of volatiles can swell the softened coal mass in turn affecting the combustion behavior of the coal particles. The swelling behavior of individual coal particles has to be taken into account both as the layout as well as for the operation of pyrolysis, coking and performance of coal-fired boilers. Increased heating rates generally increase the amount of swelling although it is also known that in some cases, even highly swelling coals can be transformed into char with no swelling if they are heated slowly enough. The swelling characteristics of individual coal particles have been investigated by a number of workers employing various heating systems ranging from drop tube and shock tube furnaces, flow rate reactors and electrical heating coils. Different methods have also been employed to determine the swelling factors. The following sections summarize some of the published literature on the subject and outline the direction in which the method of analysis will be further extended in the study of the swelling characteristics of hvA bituminous coal particles that have been pyrolyzed with a laser beam.

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Hydrocarbon reforming for hydrogen fuel cells:  a study of carbon formation on autothermal reforming catalysts. Final report

The mechanism of carbon formation on nickel autothermal steam reforming catalysts has been studied by temperature-programming, thermogravimetric and electron microscopic techniques. Temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) studies of carbon deposited on nickel reforming catalysts by the decomposition of C/sub 2/H/sub 4/ and C/sub 2/H/sub 2/ exhibit seven forms of carbon that are distinguished by their characteristic reactivity with H/sub 2/ and 3.0-vol % H/sub 2/O/He. The relative population of the different carbon states depends primarily on the temperature during deposition. C/sub 2/H/sub 2/ exposure populates the same carbon states as C/sub 2/H/sub 4/ exposure but at approximately 100/sup 0/K lower deposition temperature. Similar carbon states were found on all nickel catalysts studies including Ni/..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ and Ni/MgO-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ leading to the conclusion that the support has little effect on carbon deposit formation and reactivity. The reactivity of the carbon states is not altered by exposure to steam in C/sub 2/H/sub 4/-H/sub 2/O mixtures, but the amount of carbon deposited decreases to zero as H/sub 2/O/C increases past a critical ratio.

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Hot gas cleanup for molten carbonate fuel cells. Third quarterly report, November 1, 1981-January 31, 1982

Progress is reported on task 2:  soot control for molten carbonate fuel cell anode. Results of the gas chromatographic analysis of all runs on stainless steel, nickel and Ni(Cr) anode material are presented. These results show that the Boudouard reaction is by far the fastest reaction in the MCFC anode gas mixture. The water-gas shift reaction goes on the most active Ni(Cr) surface and the methanation reaction is never important. These conclusions support our recommendation that anode recycle of CO/sub 2/ is the most effective measure to prevent carbon deposition. The first few hundred hours of operation are when carbon is most likely to form.

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The influence of texture on steady foam flow in Berea sandstone

We have studied the quantitative role of bubble size in the steady flow of strong foam through a 0.8-{mu}m{sup 2} Berea sandstone. Inlet and outlet textures are determined from photomicrographs taken of bubbles flowing through specially designed visual cells. Concurrent measurements of pressure profiles and liquid saturation profiles by microwave attenuation are acquired for gas velocities ranging from 1 to 3 m/day and covering a foam quality range from 70 to 90%. At steady state, liquid saturations remain constant near 35% independent of gas velocity. Moreover, measured foam-flow resistances practically do not vary with gas velocity over the studies range. Foam textures, however, do vary dramatically. For example, injected fine bubbles near 80 {mu}m in diameter exit the sandstone with sizes around 300 {mu}m. Powerful coalescence forces are the origin of this coarsening. Effluent bubble sizes increase slightly with increasing gas velocity, but are independent of the injected size. A simple one-dimensional foam population-balance model is outlined to quantify the observed flow and texture behavior. At steady state, generation and coalescence mechanisms alter the foam texture over distances of less than about a centimeter. 31 refs., 12 figs., 1 tab.

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Use of amine oxide surfactants for chemical flooding EOR (enhanced oil recovery)

The use of amine oxides with and without alcohols as cosolvents, and in combination with other surfactants as mixed micellar formulations for enhanced oil recovery by surfactant flooding was investigated. Amine oxides are a salt-tolerant class of surfactants that produce low interfacial tension and can develop viscosity without the addition of polymers. These salt-tolerant formulations generate three-phase regions with hydrocarbons over a broad salinity range, develop moderate solubilization, and produce low interfacial tensions, however oil recovery from amine oxide-alcohol phase behavior optimized formulations was directly dependent upon the quantity of surfactant injected. The large pore volume and high concentration of surfactant required prohibits their economic use as the primary surfactant in chemical flooding EOR. Dimethylalkylamine oxides are useful as cosurfactants and viscosifiers in formulations with other surfactants for chemical flooding EOR but the use of ethoxylated and propoxylated amine oxides should be avoided due to the decomposition of these amine oxides under reservoir conditions. Phase behavior, phase inversion temperatures, and viscosity scans have been correlated with surfactant structures to provide a guide for amine oxide applications in chemical flooding. 36 refs., 5 figs., 6 tabs.

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Development of molten carbonate fuel cell technology: Quarterly technical status report, October-December 1985

This report describes the three tasks of this program design: Component development, fabrication, and testing; and verification testing. The objective of the design task is to identify a reference application for an internal reforming power plant and develop a power plant conceptual design. A design control document will be developed and maintained and will include the reference application description and power plant requirements of the reference application. The design control document will define and record the specifications, drawings, and conditions of operation for the complete power plant, dc power section, fuel cell stacks and stack components. Cost goals for the plant elements will also be developed under this task and periodically compared with the cost status of plant elements under development. The objectives of the component task are to develop, fabricate and test components to meet the component functional requirements (CFR). These tests will include status tests, accomplishment tests, and cells for independent testing. Verification tests will be conducted in bench-scale single cell hardware.

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Cathode dissolution: Quarterly report, January-March 1987

One important mode of degradation of current MCFCs is the dissolution of the NiO cathode into the electrolyte tile and the subsequent precipitation of Ni in the tile. Over time the performance of the cell degrades, and eventually the cell may short out locally via a bridge of Ni particles between the cathode and anode. The purpose of this program is to further the understanding of the processes which cause degradation of the NiO cathode in MCFCs, especially those processes involving dissolution of the cathode and the transport of soluble Ni species in the electrolyte. 6 figs., 3 tabs.

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Technical constraints limiting application of enhanced oil recovery techniques to petroleum production in the United States

In the interval since the publication in September 1980 of the technical constraints that inhibit the application of enhanced oil recovery techniques in the United States, there has been a large number of successful field trials of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. The Department of Energy has shared the costs of 28 field demonstrations of EOR with industry, and the results have been made available to the public through DOE documents, symposiums and the technical literature. This report reexamines the constraints listed in 1980, evaluates the state-of-the-art and outlines the areas where more research is needed. Comparison of the 1980 constraints with the present state-of-the-art indicates that most of the constraints have remained the same; however, the constraints have become more specific. 26 references, 6 tables.

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Proceedings of the natural gas R D contractors review meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to present key results of research in the DOE sponsored Natural Gas Program and to simultaneously provide real time technology transfer to the interested public. Over the past year, the DOE Natural Gas Research and Development program has been broadened in scope to include emphasis on the geoscience aspects that relate to eventual gas recovery, gas utilization, and research to recover additional gas from producing or previously produced fields. Major emphasis is on activities in Eastern Gas, Western Gas, Secondary Gas Recovery, Natural Gas to Liquids, Gas Hydrates, Deep Gas and Arctic/Offshore Research. Forty-one papers and fifteen poster presentations were given in seven formal sessions and one informal session: Two General Sessions, Natural Gas to Liquids, Eastern Gas, Western Gas, Hydrates/Deep Gas, and Arctic/Offshore. Individual projects are processed separately for the data bases.

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Development of a reservoir simulation for thermal recovery of heavy oils/tar sands in the presence of gas hydrates

The primary goal of this study was to determine the effect of presence of gas hydrates on the performance of thermal recovery methods such as steamflooding of heavy oils and tar sand bitumens. In order to achieve this goal, three models have been developed. The first model provides a fully implicit, r-z, finite difference simulation of hydrate dissociation for a reservoir containing only layered hydrates. The second model is a fully implicit, r-z, finite difference reservoir simulator which allows prediction of performance of a steamflood for a reservoir containing layered hydrates in conjunction with a zone of heavy oil/tar sands. For the third model, it is considered that the reservoir contains uniformly distributed packs of gas hydrates within a heavy oil or tar sand zone. The report provides detailed equations, numerical solution approach for all the three models. A user friendly, interactive, menu-driven computer software for the fundamental hydrate dissociation model was developed and the program listing is provided. This model has been fully validated with other finite element type models. The results of the fundamental hydrate dissociation model are provided, and discussed. The other two models have also been computer coded. 24 refs., 19 figs., 3 tabs.

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Demonstration of high-resolution inverse VSP for reservoir characterization applications

Seismic imaging of the subsurface has been very successful in delineating the relatively gross structural features that are significant in oil and gas exploration. Since conventional seismic exploration imaging (frequency range 10--100 Hz) can only resolve subsurface features having dimensions or thickness greater than about 50 feet, it has limited direct application to detailed reservoir characterization. Experiments have indicated that, although more demanding in instrumentation and field efforts, frequencies in the range of 500--2500 Hz can be used in downhole seismic applications. Measurements in this high-frequency range may allow a detailed determination of acoustic parameters related to permeability, porosity, temperature, etc., and may provide spatial imaging of the reservoir lithology and tectonic characteristics to an unprecedented degree. This quality of high-resolution seismic imaging can be used for planning the overall development of oil and gas fields, monitoring of secondary and tertiary recovery projects in mature oil fields, monitoring of fire or stream flood projects in tar sands and heavy oils, and monitoring of oil shale processing techniques developed in situ production. One seismic imaging technique that has high potential for application in reservoir delineation is inverse vertical seismic profiling (VSP) in which a seismic source is positioned at different depths in the well and the detectors are carefully planted near the surface. Inverse VSP measurements in the frequency range of 500--2500 Hz can image a significant volume of the subsurface immediately surrounding a well bore with a resolution in the order of 5--10 feet. With this degree of spatial resolution, petroleum engineers will have the necessary information for accurately designing EOR projects, fire, floods, etc.

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Enhanced durability of high-temperature desulfurization sorbents for moving-bed applications

The objective of this contract was to identify and test fabrication methods and sorbent chemical compositions that enhance the long-term chemical reactivity and mechanical strength of zinc ferrite and other novel sorbents for moving-bed, high-temperature desulfurization of coal-derived gases. Desired properties to be enhanced for moving-bed sorbent materials are: (1) high chemical reactivity (sulfur absorption rate and total sulfur capacity), (2) high mechanical strength (pellet crush strength and attrition resistance), and (3) suitable pellet morphology (e.g., pellet size, shape, surface area, and average specific pore volume). In addition, it is desired to maintain the sorbent properties over extended cyclic use in moving- bed systems.

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Prediction and measurement of optimum operating conditions for entrained coal gasification processes. Quarterly technical progress report, No. 1, 1 November 1979-31 January 1980

This report summarizes work completed to predict and measure optimum operating conditions for entrained coal gasifications processes. This study is the third in a series designed to investigate mixing and reaction in entrained coal gasifiers. A new team of graduate and undergraduate students was formed to conduct the experiments on optimum gasification operating conditions. Additional coal types, which will be tested in the gasifier were identified, ordered, and delivered. Characterization of these coals will be initiated. Hardware design modifications to introduce swirl into the secondary were initiated. Minor modifications were made to the gasifier to allow laser diagnostics to be made on an independently funded study with the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. The tasks completed on the two-dimensional model included the substantiation of a Gaussian PDF for the top-hat PDF in BURN and the completion of a Lagrangian particle turbulent dispersion module. The reacting submodel is progressing into the final stages of debug. The formulation of the radiation submodel is nearly complete and coding has been initiated. A device was designed, fabricated, and used to calibrate the actual Swirl Number of the cold-flow swirl generator used in the Phase 2 study. Swirl calibrations were obtained at the normal tests flow rates and at reduced flow rates. Two cold-flow tests were also performed to gather local velocity data under swirling conditions. Further analysis of the cold-flow coal-dust and swirl test results from the previous Phase 2 study were completed.

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Assessment of instrumentation needs for advanced coal power plant applications: Final report

The purpose of this study was to identify contaminants, identify instrumentation needs, assess available instrumentation and identify instruments that should be developed for controlling and monitoring gas streams encountered in the following power plants: Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle, Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion, and Gasification Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell. Emphasis was placed on hot gas cleanup system gas stream analysis, and included process control, research and environmental monitoring needs. Commercial process analyzers, typical of those currently used for process control purposes, were reviewed for the purpose of indicating commercial status. No instrument selection guidelines were found which were capable of replacing user interaction with the process analyzer vendors. This study leads to the following conclusions: available process analyzers for coal-derived gas cleanup applications satisfy current power system process control and regulatory requirements, but they are troublesome to maintain; commercial gas conditioning systems and in situ analyzers continue to be unavailable for hot gas cleanup applications; many research-oriented gas stream characterization and toxicity assessment needs can not be met by commercially available process analyzers; and greater emphasis should be placed on instrumentation and control system planning for future power plant applications. Analyzers for specific compounds are not recommended other than those needed for current process control purposes. Instead, some generally useful on-line laser-based and inductively coupled plasma methods are recommended for further development because of their potential for use in present hot gas cleanup research and future optimization, component protection and regulation compliance activities. 48 refs., 21 figs., 26 tabs.

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