AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
PFBC Utility Demonstration Project

This report provides a summary of activities by American Electric Power Service Corporation during the first budget period of the PFBC Utility Demonstration Project. In April 1990, AEP signed a Cooperative Agreement with the US Department of Energy to repower the Philip Sporn Plant, Units 3   4 in New Haven, West Virginia, with a 330 KW PFBC plant. The purpose of the program was to demonstrate and verify PFBC in a full-scale commercial plant. The technical and cost baselines of the Cooperative Agreement were based on a preliminary engineering and design and a cost estimate developed by AEP subsequent to AEP's proposal submittal in May 1988, and prior to the signing of the Cooperative Agreement. The Statement of Work in the first budget period of the Cooperative Agreement included a task to develop a preliminary design and cost estimate for erecting a Greenfield plant and to conduct a comparison with the repowering option. The comparative assessment of the options concluded that erecting a Greenfield plant rather than repowering the existing Sporn Plant could be the technically and economically superior alternative. The Greenfield plant would have a capacity of 340 MW. The ten additional MW output is due to the ability to better match the steam cycle to the PFBC system with a new balance of plant design. In addition to this study, the conceptual design of the Sporn Repowering led to several items which warranted optimization studies with the goal to develop a more cost effective design.

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Addendum to:  a diffusivity model for fluid flow and heat conduction in porous media. [SIMPAC]

In this U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) investigation a revised version of a three-dimensional finite-difference diffusivity model is presented with the capability of simulating horizontal or vertical induced fractures by several different methods. Fractures may be of finite, semi-infinite, or infinite flow capacity. In the first case, the fracture width and permeability is specified and the appropriate permeability of each node penetrated by a fracture is altered according to the relationship for linear beds in parallel. In addition, the block size normal to the fracture orientation is decreased to a very small value thus giving a reasonable representation of the fissure. A semi-infinite fracture is simulated for a specified total rate by uniformly distributing the flow along the reservoir nodes penetrated by the fracture. Finally, an infinite capacity fracture may be simulated for either the constant potential or constant rate case. In addition to simulating gas, liquid, or heat flow in a heterogeneous, anisotropic fractured media this model (1) relates block pressures to wellbore pressures through radial flow equations, (2) is unlimited in the number of time-steps per run, (3) offers three different implicit solution algorithms, (4) will simulate pressure (temperature) or rate pulse tests, (5) accumulates elapsed time, total production, and material balance errors, (6) can begin each run with any pressure distribution in one of two different formats, and (7) can be used with a mixture of hydrocarbon gases containing up to 14 components over reduced temperature and pressure ranges of 1.1 to 3.0 and 1.1 to 20.0, respectively. The generality of the model developed precludes listing the entire scope of its applications. Sample problems are given for the cases of liquid flow and heat conduction. Also a special 3-D fracture problem is included which shows the usefulness of this package to the natural gas industry.

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Geologic and geochemical studies of the New Albany Shale Group (Devonian-Mississippian) in Illinois. Final report

The Illinois State Geological Survey is conducting geological and geochemical investigations to evaluate the potential of New Albany Group shales as a source of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas. Geological studies include stratigraphy and structure, mineralogic and petrographic characterization; analyses of physical properties; and development of a computer-based resources evaluation system. Geochemical studies include organic carbon content and trace elements; hydrocarbon content and composition; and adsorption/desorption studies of gas through shales. Separate abstracts have been prepared for each task reported.

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Study to determne the optimum bit offset at various drilling depths

Tests were performed using a single roller cone from a 4 /sup 3///sub 4/ inch diameter modified chisel bit to evaluate the effects of cutter offset ''skew''on drill bit cutting efficiency at depth. Drilling experiments were conducted using Colton Sandstone (11% porosity and 50 microdarcy permeability). Tests were performed at simulated depths ranging from 0 to 20,000 feet using six different offsets (0 to 0.24 inches) and two different penetrations (0.05 and 0.1 inches). A single revolution of the cone arm was made with torque, thrust and the resulting removed volume recorded. The application of test results to future drill bit design is discussed. 30 figures, 3 tables.

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Geology and resources of the Tar Sand Triangle, southeastern Utah

The Tar Sand Triangle is located in southeastern Utah between the Dirty Devil and Colorado Rivers and covers an area of about 200 square miles. The geology of the area consists of gently northwest dipping strata exposed in the box canyons and slopes of the canyonlands morphology. Strata in the area range in age from Jurassic to Permian. The majority of tar sand saturation is found in the Permian White Rim Sandstone Member of the Cutler Formation. The White Rim Sandstone Member consists of a clean, well-sorted sandstone which was deposited in a shallow marine environment. Resources were calculated from analytical data from the three coreholes drilled by the Laramie Energy Technology Center and other available data. The total in-place resources, determined from this study, are 6.3 billion barels. Previous estimates ranged from 2.9 to 16 million barrels. More coring and analyses will be necessary before a more accurate determination of resources can be attempted. 8 references, 11 figures, 7 tables.

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On the constitutive relation for frictional flow of granular materials: Topical report

The flow of granular materials is an economically important phenomenon which is poorly understood. Granular materials may flow in several regimes: gas-solid two phase flow, rapid flow, or frictional flow. The purpose of this report is to develop a constitutive relation for the frictional flow regime in which the grains slide or roll over one another. Ultimately this relation will be incorporated into a large computer code which will be able to simulate all aspects of the motion of bed material in fluidized bed combustors. 13 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.

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Combined shift and methanation in a fluidized-bed reactor. Final report, 25 September 1979-31 December 1980

The objective of this program was to demonstrate the feasibility of employing a gas-phase, catalytic, fluidized-bed reactor to carry out the water-gas shift and methanation reactions simultaneously, without product gas recycle. The major portion of the experimental work involved PEDU-scale tests in a 6-inch ID reactor, operating at 1000 psig and temperatures in the range of 900 to 1000/sup 0/F, with a nominal catalyst charge of one cubic foot. These tests included operation for extended time periods (35 to 40 hours) with feed H/sub 2/:CO ratios of 2:1 in the absence of steam, and 1:1 using steam: gas ratios of 0.1:1 to 0.2:1. Five different catalysts were evaluated. Bench-scale tests, each of approximately 10 days'duration, were also conducted. At H/sub 2/:CO = 2:1 (without steam), no significant carbon deposition occurred at temperatures of 800 and 950/sup 0/F. At 1100/sup 0/F, however, considerable carbon formation did occur, possibly due to the onset of CH/sub 4/ pyrolysis. At H/sub 2/:CO = 1:1 and 950/sup 0/F, carbon deposition took place readily in the absence of steam. Small amounts of steam in the feed (e.g., steam: gas ratio = 0.1:1) were effective in inhibiting carbon formation, although larger amounts (steam: gas ratio = 0.5:1) resulted in deactivation and loss of metal surface area through sintering. Results of auxiliary studies at Brigham Young University (BYU) on rates of carbon formation and removal are also presented. As to the relative tendencies of the various catalysts to undergo carbon deposition, results of the BYU studies generally confirmed observations made during PEDU testing at BCR. Catalyst regeneration tests at BYU with 10 percent O/sub 2/ in N/sub 2/ showed that 80 to 96 percent of the original metal surface could be restored at temperatures of 572 to 662/sup 0/F.

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Coal-fueled diesel: Cycle simulation: Final report

An engine cycle simulation for a coal-fueled internal combustion, reciprocating engine was developed. The primary objective of this work was to develop the simulation for evaluating the viability of coal fuels for engines. The cycle simulation was used to investigate details of the combustion process to identify controlling phenomenon and to establish directions for future evaluations. Models for coal particle combustion and devolatilization, liquid droplet vaporization, fuel vapor combustion, cylinder heat transfer, piston work, and mass flow rates were combined with a thermodynamic analysis of the engine to yield instantaneous cylinder conditions and overall indicated engine performance. For selected engine and operating conditions, sensitivity of engine performance on fuel characteristics such as coal reactivity, devolatilization, liquid carriers, atomization, and pilot fuels for ignition were investigated. Several commercially manufactured engines were also simulated with the model. The major conclusions of this work include: (1) devolatilization can have a significant effect on the ignition and combustion processes, (2) liquid carriers can have a significant effect on the ignition and combustion processes, (3) the cylinder gas temperature and pressure at fuel injection are important engine operating parameters for coal fuels, (4) the characteristics of the coal fuel (such as particle size and reactivity) can have a significant impact on the ignition and combustion processes, and (5) the combustion process of coal slurry fuels is largely diffusion (air mixing) controlled. 98 refs., 64 figs., 20 tabs.

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Fluidized bed pressure probes

Detailed information on local fluid bed behavior cannot be obtained using global instrumentation. However, dual static pressure probes (DSPP) which measure local axial differential pressures can be used to infer the presence of bubbles or slugs in a fluid bed. DSPP consist of two probe stems, one positioned vertically above the other, connected to a differential pressure transducer. Response of DSPP has been modeled and is fast enough to capture transient phenomena in a fluid bed provided a low dead volume transducer is used. DSPP with 0.5 inch, 0.75 inch and 1 inch stem spacings have been used to measure slugging properties of a 5.5 inch diameter air-fluidized bed filled with 0.125 inch nylon spheres. Over 500 20 second pressure traces were digitally recorded for two distributor types a variety of bed heights, air flowrates and probe positions. Slugging frequency was found from the traces using the autocorrelation function, Fourier transform and spectral density function, and was shown to decrease with bed height. Slug velocity was found using cross-correlation of signals from two DSPP, and was shown to increase with air throughput. In addition, analysis was performed to show that a distribution of bubble sizes in a fluid bed can be inferred from a distribution of chord lengths found using a probe, and pressure fields around bubble pairs were modeled. The research showed that DSPP can be used successfully to measure local phenomena in fluid beds. 27 refs., 88 figs., 4 tabs.

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Geochemistry studies in Eastern Kentucky. Final report

Presented here are the results of inorganic geochemical studies on well cuttings from fourteen wells in the Big Sandy Gas Field. Both x-ray fluorescence and x-ray diffraction were used in analysis. Resultant mineralic data and elemental data were mapped by computer and by hand for five intervals of Ohio Shale and for the Berea/Bedford sequence. Comparisons of the geochemistry trend maps were made with lithology, structure, thermal maturation, gas open flow, and paleoenvironment. Techniques used included visual map comparison, computer map comparison programs utilizing correlation coefficients based on grid derived data sets, cluster analysis, x-y plots, and r/sup 2/ (coefficient of determination). A limited number of regional maps are included. It is concluded that inorganic geochemical analysis can be useful in: (1) suggesting paleoenvironmental trends; (2) establishing depositional trends; (3) enhancing exploration in terms of setting limits and pinpointing potential areas for hydrocarbon recovery; and (4) identification of likely locations for large gas fields when used with other geological studies. Elemental data analysis is the most accurate, and can be done quickly and inexpensively. It is concluded that the Big Sandy gas field area is a unique stratigraphic-structural gas trap, in which sedimentary factors, depositional basin features, plant evolution and occurrence, and structural elements all played important roles. Combinations of certain of these ingredients in different amounts may exist in other parts of the basin, and thus, suggest areas for hydrocarbon accumulation and potential recovery.

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Development of mobility control methods to improve oil recovery by CO/sub 2/. First annual report, October 1, 1979-September 30, 1980

Phase 1 of this project was completed in July 1980 with the publication of the report Mobility Control for CO/sub 2/ Floods - A Literature Survey. The report's topics include the fundamental mechanisms of displacement and displacement instability in porous media, field tests and laboratory experiments on CO/sub 2/ flooding, and the methods which have been proposed to alleviate the low sweep efficiency caused by unfavorable mobility ratio. These suggested methods have been grouped, into three categories of mobility control procedures. They all involve the reduction of the displacing fluid mobility. The first of the three methods is called Water Alternated with Gas, or WAG for short. A second method which has been proposed for mobility control is the use of foam - a dispersion of gas or solvent in water. Several early studies demonstrated the marked increase in flow resistance when the rock contained such a surfactant-stabilized dispersion. The third proposed mobility control method is the use of thickeners. Existing literature on this method has been concerned with the use of polymers which, when dissolved at low concentration in brine, are able to greatly increase its viscosity. Activity on Phase 2 - experimental design, and laboratory work - was initiated early in the life of the project and has accelerated steadily. A suitable dolomite rock sample has been obtained and cut to shape, a high pressure core holder has been designed and constructed, and preliminary tests made on a foam generation method. In addition to the work outlined above on Phases 1 and 2 some time has also been devoted to the consideration of Phase 3 - the available methods for optimum mobility control in enhanced oil recovery projects using CO/sub 2/.

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Methane oxidation over dual redox catalysts

Catalytic oxidation of methane to partial oxidation products, primarily formaldehyde and C[sub 2] hydrocarbons, was found to be directed by the catalyst used. In this project, it was discovered that a moderate oxidative coupling catalyst for C[sub 2] hydrocarbons, zinc oxide, is modified by addition of small amounts of Cu and Fe dopants to yield fair yields of formaldehyde. A similar effect was observed with Cu/Sn/ZnO catalysts, and the presence of a redox Lewis acid, Fe[sup III] or Sn[sup IV], was found to be essential for the selectivity switch from C[sub 2] coupling products to formaldehyde. The principle of double doping with an oxygen activator (Cu) and the redox Lewis acid (Fe, Sn) was pursued further by synthesizing and testing the CuFe-ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst. The Cu[sup II](ion exchanged) Fe[sup III](framework)-ZSM-5 also displayed activity for formaldehyde synthesis, with space time yields exceeding 100 g/h-kg catalyst. However, the selectivity was low and earlier claims in the literature of selective oxidation of methane to methanol over CuFe-ZSM-5 were not reproduced. A new active and selective catalytic system (M=Sb,Bi,Sn)/SrO/La[sub 2]O[sub 3] has been discovered for potentially commercially attractive process for the conversion of methane to C[sub 2] hydrocarbons, (ii) a new principle has been demonstrated for selectivity switching from C[sub 2] hydrocarbon products to formaldehyde in methane oxidations over Cu,Fe-doped zinc oxide and ZSM-5, and (iii) a new approach has been initiated for using ultrafine metal dispersions for low temperature activation of methane for selective conversions. Item (iii) continues being supported by AMOCO while further developments related to items (i) and (ii) are the objective of our continued effort under the METC-AMOCO proposed joint program.

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Hot-gas cleanup for molten carbonate fuel cells:  dechlorination and soot formation. Annual topical report, May 19, 1981-July 18, 1982

Two separate aspects of hot-gas conditioning for molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) were investigated under this contract: a thermodynamic analysis and screening of potential high temperature chloride sorbent materials and an experimental study of carbon deposition conditions on MCFC components to determine guidelines for maximizing MCFC efficiency while avoiding carbon fouling. Initial evaluation and screening of candidate sorbent materials for high temperature removal of HCl from coal gasifier effluent has been completed. Lower limits on the pressure of chloride species over potential sorbents were determined from equilibrium thermodynamics of the gas mixtures and sorbent materials. Sodium and potassium carbonates have been identified as the best candidates for chloride cleanup. Sulfide species should not interfere with this chloride sorption. Measurements showed that carbon deposition boundaries are determined by chemical kinetics such that carbon fouling can occur in the equilibrium carbon free region because of the relative rates of the relevant reactions; on all surfaces tested the Boudouard carbon formation reaction is much faster than the water-gas shift reaction which is much faster than the methanation reaction. This means that the normal practice of adding H/sub 2/O to prevent carbon formation will only succeed if flows are slow enough for the water shift reaction to go substantially to completion. More direct suppression of carbon formation can be achieved by CO/sub 2/ addition through anode recycle to force the Boudouard reaction backward. Addition of either gas must be minimized to attain the highest possible MCFC efficiency. Data being accumulated at other temperatures and at higher pressure will allow more detailed analysis.

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The MAGSORB process for bulk separation of carbon dioxide

Objective was to investigate the removal of CO[sub 2] from fuel gas produced by a coal gasifier, with a K[sub 2]CO[sub 3]-modified MgO sorbent. During this period, 12 successful thermobalance tests were conducted. Results with a K-free MgO standard confirmed the role of K for effective CO[sub 2] absorption. The other tests were made with varying gas mixtures.

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Fuel preparation plant description and performance, June 1982-April 1983

The Fuel Preparation Plant processes raw coal by crushing, drying, cooling and screening and mixes this in a predetermined ratio with a sulfur absorbing agent, commonly dolomite. This mixture is used as fuel for the Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor at Grimethorpe, South Yorkshire, UK. The plant also contains two systems for the pneumatic conveying of solids: for transport of the prepared raw coal to an intermediate storage silo and for the transport of blended coal and sorbent from the Fuel Preparation Plant to the Main Facility building. Commissioning of the plant began in the summer of 1979. Subsequent operation of the plant up to December 1981 revealed a number of problem areas. The primary screen and primary crusher for raw coal had often become choked with wet solids; the pneumatic conveying systems had proved unreliable and experienced high pipe line wear rates; also, segregation and bridging of solids in the storage silos were experienced. Plant equipment and layout changes were thus implemented in a shutdown period from December 1981 to June 1982. This report provides a detailed description of the process and equipment as in June 1982. From June 1982 to April 1983 the Plant operated more reliably than prior to this period, although certain modifications were still necessary to maintain operation; these are described. After the plant shutdown in April 1983 new systems for pneumatic conveying and a primary screen to remove damp fines from the raw coal were installed; details are provided.

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Symposium on electroslag component casting:  proceedings

The US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Fossil Energy, Office of Surface Coal Gasification, has established a Materials Program to develop and apply appropriate materials to coal gasification plant components. The overall goals of the Surface Gasification Materials Program (SGMP) are to improve operational reliability and system durability and to reduce fabrication and operating costs of coal gasification plant components. The SGMP Electroslag Component Casting Project is directed to the development of electroslag casting (ESC) technology for use in coal conversion components such as valve bodies, pump housings, and pipe fittings. The aim is to develop a sufficient data base to permit ESC to become an ASME Code-accepted process. It is also intended to transfer the ESC process technology to private industry. This symposium was planned to discuss not only the SGMP Electroslag Component Casting Project but the activities and experiences of other organizations as well. The symposium addressed descriptions of electroslag processes; a worldwide perspective on the status of ESC technology; and details of production, mechanical properties, economics, and use of ESC for coal gasification components. Ten papers were presented, and a panel discussion was held to provide participants an opportunity to express their opinions and to offer recommendations on the content of the DOE program. This document constitutes the proceedings of that symposium. The papers included here are minimally edited transcripts of the presentations made at the symposium. All papers have been processed for inclusion in the Energy Data Base.

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Pressurized fluidized-bed combustion: Supplement to report on work carried out at the Coal Utilization Research Laboratories, Leatherhead, England: Final report

Equations are derived for predicting sulphur retention, combustion efficiency and heat transfer coefficients in pressurised fluidised-bed combustors. The data are based on published results obtained from various NCB (CURL) combustors and from the IEA Grimethorpe combustor. Additional data on sulphur retention from Exxon, Argonne, and Curtiss-Wright combustors are utilised. In the absence of experimental investigations, the data are also used to predict the possible effect of recycle on sulphur retention. The operating conditions forming the data base are tabulated. 29 refs., 4 figs., 27 tabs.

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