AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Sampling and Analysis at the Vortec Vitrification Facility in Paducah, Kentucky. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The Vortec Cyclone Melting System (CMS) facility; to be located at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, is designed to treat soil contaminated with low levels of heavy metals and radioactive elements, as well as organic waste. The primary components of Vortec`s CMS are a counter rotating vortex (CRV) reactor and cyclone meter. In the CMS process, granular glass forming ingredients and other feedstocks are introduced into the CRV reactor where the intense CRV mixing allows the mixture to achieve a stable reaction and rapid heating of the feedstock materials. Organic contaminants in the feedstock are effectively oxidized, and the inert inorganic solids are melted. The University of North Dakota Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) has been contacted to help in the development of sampling plans and to conduct the sampling at the facility. This document is written in a format that assumes that the EERC will perform the sampling activities and be in charge of sample chain of custody, but that another laboratory will perform required sample analyses.

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Task 8 - Management and Reporting. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The task of restoring nuclear defense complex sites under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) Program presents an unprecedented challenge to the environmental restoration community. Effective and efficient cleanup requires the timely development or modification of novel cleanup technologies applicable to radioactive wastes. Fostering the commercialization of these innovative technologies is the mission of EM-5O, the EM Program Office of Science and Technology. DOE`s Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) pursues activities integral to the EM-5O mission through its Cooperative Agreement with the EM Office of Science and Technology. On the road to commercialization, innovative technologies must overcome significant barriers with respect to technical issues, proof of performance, partnering, capitalization, and regulatory acceptance. The Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC), a not for profit, contract supported organization focused on research, development, demonstration, and commercialization (RDD{ampersand}C) of energy and environmental technologies, has entered the third year of a Cooperative Agreement with FETC designed to (1) overcome key barriers through technical support, real world demonstrations, and partnering; and (2) support the integration and deployment of winner technologies at EM sites. These activities, along with program management, make up the program areas of the FETC- EERC EM Cooperative Agreement (EMCA): Technology Commercialization, Technology Integration, and Management and Reporting.

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Laser Cleaning of Contaminated Painted Surfaces. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The objective of this project is to develop a software tool for use by personnel who must select a surface decontamination technique. The software will incorporate performance data for available surface decontamination techniques. The major activities in the project are broken down as follows: Task 1 - Complete decision tree development. Task 2 - Literature search for surface decontamination reports. Task 3 - Compilation of database from literature data. Task 4 - Sensitivity analysis and model design. Task 5 - Design of model data structures. Task 6 - PC software design and coding

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Cone Penetrometer for Subsurface Heavy Metals Detection. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

Surface and subsurface contamination of soils by heavy metals, including Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Cd, has become an area of concern for many industrial and government organizations (1). Conventional sampling and analysis techniques for soil provide a high degree of sensitivity and selectivity for individual analytes. However, obtaining a representative sampling and analysis from a particular site using conventional techniques is time consuming and costly (2). Additionally, conventional methods are difficult to implement in the field for in situ and/or real-time applications. Therefore, there is a need for characterization and monitoring techniques for heavy metals in soils which allow cost-effective, rapid, in situ measurements. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used to successfully measure metals content in a variety of matrices (3-15) including soil (16,17). Under the Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) Industry Program, Science {ampersand} Engineering Associates (SEA) is developing a subsurface cone penetrometer (CPT) probe for heavy metals detection that employs LIBS (18). The LIES-CPT unit is to be applied to in situ, real-time sampling and analysis of heavy metals in soil. As part of its contract with DOE FETC, SEA is scheduled to field test its LIBS-CPT system in September 1997.

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Ceramic component development analysis -- Volume 1. Final report

The development of advanced filtration media for advanced fossil-fueled power generating systems is a critical step in meeting the performance and emissions requirements for these systems. While porous metal and ceramic candle-filters have been available for some time, the next generation of filters will include ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) (Techniweave/Westinghouse, Babcock and Wilcox (B and W), DuPont Lanxide Composites), intermetallic alloys (Pall Corporation), and alternate filter geometries (CeraMem Separations). The goal of this effort was to perform a cursory review of the manufacturing processes used by 5 companies developing advanced filters from the perspective of process repeatability and the ability for their processes to be scale-up to produce volumes. Given the brief nature of the on-site reviews, only an overview of the processes and systems could be obtained. Each of the 5 companies had developed some level of manufacturing and quality assurance documentation, with most of the companies leveraging the procedures from other products they manufacture. It was found that all of the filter manufacturers had a solid understanding of the product development path. Given that these filters are largely developmental, significant additional work is necessary to understand the process-performance relationships and projecting manufacturing costs.

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Task 9- Centrifugal Membrane Filtration. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The overall project consists of several integrated research phases related to the applicability, continued development, demonstration, and commercialization of the SpinTek centrifugal membrane filtration process. This phase of work is a continuation of the Phase 1 evaluation of the SpinTek centrifugal membrane filtration technology. During Phase 1 testing conducted at the EERC using the SpinTek ST-IIL unit operating on a surrogate tank waste, a solids cake developed on the membrane surface. Solids cake development was observed where linear membrane velocities were less than 17.5 feet per second and resulted in a reduction of unobstructed membrane surface area of up to 25%, reducing overall filtration performance. The primary goal of the Phase 2 research effort is to enhance filtration performance through the development and testing of alternative designs of the turbulence promoters to generate a shear force across the entire membrane surface that is sufficient to maintain a self-cleaning membrane capability and improve filtration efficiency and long term performance. Specific Phase 2 research activities include the following: System modifications to accommodate an 11-inch-diameter, two-disk rotating membrane assembly. Development and fabrication of alternative designs to the existing turbulence promoters. *Testing and evaluation of the existing and alternative turbulence promoters under selected operating conditions using a statistically designed test matrix Data reduction and analysis.

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Task 1.11 - Spectroscopic field screening of hazardous waste and toxic spills. Semi-annual report, July 1--December 31, 1995

Techniques for the field characterization of soil contamination due to spillage of hazardous waste or toxic chemicals are time consuming and expensive. Thus more economical, less time intensive methods are needed to facilitate rapid field screening of contaminated sites. In situ detection of toxic chemicals in soil offers both time and cost advantages for field screening, with additional application to real time site monitoring.

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Task 10 - Technology Development Integration. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996--March 31, 1997

The Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) in conjunction with the Waste Policy Institute (WPI) will identify and integrate new technologies to meet site-specific environmental management (EM) requirements at contaminated sites appropriate to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) interests. EM technologies offered by developers will be evaluated to determine their complementary contribution to new cleanup systems focused on particular characterization and remediation problems at specific EM sites. The technology clusters identified will provide EM cleanup capabilities that are significantly faster, better, safer, and cheaper than systems that are currently available. Work will be performed under the DOE-EERC EM Cooperative Agreement (EMCA), which includes provisions to develop, demonstrate, and commercialize technologies that address environmental management needs of contaminated sites together with management activities which accelerate transfer of technologies. The effort began July 1, 1995.

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Task 3.10 - Gas Separation and Hot-Gas Cleanup: Topical report, August 1995

Catalytic gasification of coal to produce H{sub 2}-, CO-, and CH{sub 4}-rich mixtures of gases for consumption in molten carbonate fuel cells is currently under development; however, to optimize the fuel cell performance and extend its operating life, it is desired to separate as much of the inert components (i.e., CO{sub 2} and N{sub 2}) and impurities (i e., H{sub 2}S and NH{sub 3}) as possible from the fuel gas before it enters the fuel cell. In addition, the economics of the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) can be improved by separating as much of the hydrogen as possible from the fuel, since hydrogen is a high-value product. Researchers at the Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Bend Research, Inc., investigated pressure-driven membranes as a method for accomplishing this gas separation and hot- gas cleanup. These membranes are operated at temperatures as high as 800{degrees}C and at pressures up to 300 psig. They have very small pore sizes that separate the undesirable gases by operating in the Knudsen diffusion region of mass transport (30-50 A) or in the molecular sieving region of mass transport phenomena (less than 5A). In addition, H{sub 2} separation through a palladium metal membrane proceeds via a solution- diffusion mechanism for atomic hydrogen. This allows the membranes to exhibit extremely high selectivity for hydrogen separation.

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Task 6.3 - Engineering Performance of Advanced Structural Materials Semi-annual report, July 1- December 31, 1996.

The objective of this work by the Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) is to assist in the development of new materials that can be used for the construction of high-temperature components in advanced energy systems. This work will include the development of data on corrosion resistance of selected high- temperature alloys and the development of a patentable technique for joining large silicon-based advanced ceramics in the field. The key to developing a successful joining technique will be the use of reactive joining compounds to lower the joining temperature without leaving continuous channels of unreacted compounds that can weaken the joint at temperatures over 1400{degrees}C or serve as conduits for transport of corrodents. Special efforts will be made in this project to transfer the developed technologies to the materials industry via licensing agreements through the EERC Foundation.

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Subtask 1.12 - Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) Coupled with Optical Spectroscopy for Near-Real-Time Determination of Fuel and Related Pollutants in Water Samples: Semi-annual report, July 1--December 31, 1996

The measurement of organic pollutants in water requires that samples be collected, transported to a laboratory, extracted (usually with large volumes of hazardous chlorinated solvents), and analyzed using chromatographic techniques. Such limitations make rapid determinations in the field (e.g., for emergency response and/or for survey investigations) very expensive with analytical turnaround times requiring several days. Similar limitations exist for the collection and analysis of organic pollutants in air. An alternative approach is being developed at the Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) that has been demonstrated to yield good sensitivities (ppb to ppm) and be easily adapted for rapid (less than 30 minutes) and inexpensive field surveys. This new approach is based on the preconcentration of organic pollutants in optically clear sorbent media followed by measurement with either ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy or Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). Investigations using sorbent media including methylsilicone gums (for UV spectroscopy) and `Parafilm` (for FT-IR) have shown that quantitative determinations of aromatic fuel components, such as benzene and alkylbenzenes (BTEX), can be achieved using UV spectrometry, and of common solvents (e.g., chloroform and other chlorinated solvents) can be achieved using FT-IR. Sample concentration and spectroscopic steps can be performed in a few minutes using the combination of solid-phase sorption followed by spectroscopic measurements. This work has demonstrated that the approach can yield low-ppm to low-ppb detection limits for organic pollutants in water without the negative influences of water matrix components (e.g., dissolved humic material) that prohibit the use of direct spectroscopic measurements.

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Task 6.6 - Sialon Coatings for Alkali-Resistant Silicon Nitride: Semi-annual report, July 1-December 31, 1996

The efficiency of a gas turbine can be improved by increasing operating temperature. Construction materials should meet both high strength requirements and hot-alkali corrosion resistance. Structural ceramics based on silicon nitride are promising candidates for high temperature engineering applications because of their high strength and good resistance to corrosion. Their performance varies significantly with the mechanical properties of boundary phases which, in turn, depend on their chemical composition, thickness of the amorphous phase, and the deformation process. To make silicon nitride ceramics tough, SiAION ceramics were developed with controlled crystallization of the amorphous grain boundary phase. Crystallization of the grain boundary glass improves the high temperature mechanical properties of silicon nitride ceramics.

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Task 7.1 - Strategic Planning: Semi-annual report, July 1- December 31, 1996.

As directed by the EERC senior management, activities during the reporting period have focused on research in support of the development of a series of white papers dealing with the status and future direction of select areas of environmental policy. These areas include (1) brownfields, (2) onshore solid waste management, (3) water related policy, (4) climate change, (5) nuclear facility cleanup and waste disposition, and (6) air emissions. Each white paper is designed to consist of two parts: (1) a summary of status and future directions and (2) an evaluation of a select group of key issues. The EERC believes that energy and environmental issues are inseparable and the environmental policy evaluations are considered to be a continuation of the activities begun at the EERC in 1989 focused on the assessment of trends and policies affecting energy industries. The conclusions reached are our own, based on a broad list of sources with certain findings attributed by reference.

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Task 1.10 - Biodesulfurization Year 2. Semi-annual report, July 1-December 31, 1995

Conventional catalytic hydrodesulfurization involves high costs, largely due to heavy metal deactivation of the catalysts. A potentially lower-cost treatment is a microbiological or enzymatic desulfurization. Recent advances at the Energy {ampersand} Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota have improved our understanding of sulfur-specific microbial desulfurization pathways in Rhodococcus bacteria (1, 2), but further work is needed to develop a technology based on biodesulfurization.

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Task 15 - Remediation of Organically Contaminated Soil Using Hot/Liquid (Subcritical) Water. Semiannual report, November 1, 1996-- March 31,1997

This activity will perform a pilot-scale demonstration of the use of hot/liquid water for the removal of organic contaminants from soil at the pilot (20 to 40 kg) scale. Lab-scale studies will be performed to determine the optimum temperature, contact time, and flow rates for removal of the organic contaminants. Initial investigations into using carbon sorbents to clean the extractant water for recycle use and to concentrate the extracted contaminants in a small volume for disposal will also be performed.

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Results of high resolution seismic imaging experiments for defining permeable pathways in fractured gas reservoirs

As part of its Department of Energy (DOE) Industry cooperative program in oil and gas, Berkeley Lab has an ongoing effort in cooperation with Industry partners to develop equipment, field techniques, and interpretational methods to further the practice of characterizing fractured heterogeneous reservoirs. The goal of this work is to demonstrate the combined use of state-of-the-art technology in fluid flow modeling and geophysical imaging into an interdisciplinary approach for predicting the behavior of heterogeneous fractured gas reservoirs. The efforts in this program have mainly focused on using seismic methods linked with geologic and reservoir engineering analysis for the detection and characterization of fracture systems in tight gas formations, i.e., where and how to detect the fractures, what are the characteristics of the fractures, and how the fractures interact with the natural stresses, lithology, and their effect on reservoir performance. The project has also integrated advanced reservoir engineering methods for analyzing flow in fractured systems such that reservoir management strategies can be optimized. The work at Berkeley Lab focuses on integrating high resolution seismic imaging, (VSP, crosswell, and single well imaging), geologic information and well test data to invert for flow paths in fractured systems.

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Organic Sulfur and HAP Removal from Coal with Subcritical Water

To date, no economically feasible organic sulfur and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) precursor removal process has been developed; however, an effective sulfur and selected HAP removal process is needed to enhance the utilization of high-sulfur coals and to comply with increasingly stringent regulations. Subcritical water has been shown by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) researchers on this project to be an extremely effective fluid for the removal of organic sulfur from coals. A multigram reactor designed and built at the EERC for supercritical water extraction was used to scale up from milligram-sized samples to 10-20 grams of coal charge. Work performed during this project year resulted in production of low-sulfur (as low as 0.5% S) extracted coal first at supercritical conditions, i.e., 450{degrees}C and 400 atm (5880 psig), but then at conditions below the critical conditions, i.e., 420{degrees}C and 156 atm (2300 psig). Still milder conditions of 400{degrees}C and 156 atm (2300 psig) resulted in sulfur values similar to those of obtained under the supercritical conditions. IBC-102 extracted with supercritical water had a sulfur value of 0.7 wt%. Extraction of IBC-102 at subcritical conditions of 420{degrees}C and 156 atm (2300 psig) resulted in a sulfur content of 0.490A. The tar obtained from the extracted coal had sulfur values ranging from 1.4 to 6.5 wt% and when treated by catalytic desulfurization, tar was quantitatively recovered with a sulfur value of 0.6 wt%. Float-sink physical cleaning of IBC-102 with Certigrav 1.4 reduced the sulfur content of the coal to 1.5 wt% in a recovered float fraction of 83.3%. Approximately 300 lb of IBC-102 was obtained for use in preparing 100 lb of low-sulfur fuel. Float- sink cleaning on a sample of this new coal returned 87.1 wt% as float fraction, with 1.7 wt% sulfur. 158 lb of physically cleaned IBC-102 was used for the continuous process test on the pilot scale. An additional 150 lb of physically cleaned coal slurry was received from Dr. R. Honaker of southern Illinois University (SIU) for testing in the continuous unit. The hydrothermal process development unit (PDU) in the continuous mode was used to prepare 100 lb of low-sulfur fuel from physically cleaned IBC-102 at three temperatures (300{degrees}, 325{degrees} and 340{degrees}C) and a pressure of 2300 psig. Residence time was controlled by flow rate. Treating a swelling coal such as IBC-102 required a slurry with low solids loading to prevent plugging due to expansion during residence in the reactor. In this preliminary test with physically cleaned IBC-102, the sulfur content was decreased by as much as one-third, few volatiles were lost, and mercury and selenium levels were decreased by 87% and 46%, respectively.

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Industrial advanced turbine systems: Development and demonstration. Quarterly report, October 1--December 31, 1997

The US DOE has initiated a program for advanced turbine systems (ATS) that will serve industrial power generation markets. The ATS will provide ultra-high efficiency, environmental superiority, and cost competitiveness. The Industrial ATS Development and Demonstration program is a multi-phased effort. Solar Turbines Incorporated (Solar) has participated in Phases 1 and 2 of the program. On September 14, 1995 Solar was awarded a Cooperative Agreement for Phases 3 and 4 of the program. Phase 3 of the work is separated into two subphases: Phase 3A entails Component Design and Development; Phase 3B will involve Integrated Subsystem Testing. Phase 4 will cover Host Site Testing. Forecasts call for completion of the program within budget as originally estimated. Scheduled completion is forecasted to be approximately 3 years late to original plan. This delay has been intentionally planned in order to better match program tasks to the anticipated availability of DOE funds. To ensure the timely realization of DOE/Solar program goals, the development schedule for the smaller system (Mercury 50) and enabling technologies has been maintained, and commissioning of the field test unit is scheduled for May of 2000. As of the end of the reporting period work on the program is 24.7% complete (22.8% last quarter). Work on the Mercury 50 development and ATS technology development portions of the program (WBS 10000 et seq) is 41.6% complete. Although a great amount of work occurred in the quarter, a significant amount of this work entailed the revision and rerelease of several Mercury 50 drawings. Estimates of percent compete are based upon milestones completed. In order to maintain objectivity in assessing schedule progress, Solar uses a 0/100 percent complete assumption for milestones rather than subjectively estimating progress toward completion of milestones. Cost and schedule variation information is provided in Section 4.0 Program Management.

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