AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Task 3.11 -- Fuel Quality Advisor. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

The objective of the Fuel Quality Advisor project is to create a generalized software package capable of advising operations, purchasing, environmental, and maintenance personnel in making decisions related to the use of coal in electricity generation facilities. The specific goals for this year`s work at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) include the following: develop a standardized computer shell to integrate existing and future algorithms; develop a strategy for integrating the shell with future databases and boiler models; integrate the current ash transformations and deposition algorithms into the shell; generate algorithms for coal handleability through experimentation and integrate them into the code; enhance the current ash transformation algorithms for low-NOx and entrained gasification through laboratory experimentation and integrate available full-scale results into the code. The program is divided into three primary focus areas: development of computerized shell and interface, development of a coal handleability advisor, and enhancement of ash formation algorithms. The progress in each of these three areas is described in detail.

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Task 6.3 -- Engineering performance of advanced structural materials. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

SiC sublimes without melting at temperatures over 2,000 C. This makes SiC difficult to use in the fabrication of large structures, because pieces made from SiC cannot be joined together in the same way that metals can be welded. Therefore, the size of the monolithic ceramic structures that can be manufactured are limited by the size of the sintering furnaces (approximately 10 feet for sintered alpha silicon carbide). In order to make larger objects such as heat exchangers, many small ceramic pieces must be fused or joined. In addition, repair of the objects will require the use of field joining techniques. At present, no joining techniques for high-temperature structural ceramics are routinely available. The objective of this work at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) is to develop a patentable technique for joining large silicon based advanced ceramics in the field. The key to developing a successful technique will be the use of reactive joining compounds to lower the joining temperature but without leaving continuous channels of unreacted compounds that can weaken the joint or be conduits for corrosion at temperatures over 1,400 C. 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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Task 7.2 -- Resource data evaluation. Topical report, July 1, 1994--May 31, 1995

The Resource Data Evaluation subtask of the US Department of Energy (DOE) base program represents an Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) initiative to promote the integration of geographic information system (GIS) technologies with other ongoing and planned EERC research in the areas of resource utilization, remediation, land use planning, and regulatory and policy assessment. Significant demand for GIS based information already exists for energy resource evaluation, interpretation of remote sensing data, environmental assessment at the state and local levels, and use in strategic planning. Through sound data taking procedures and wise data management policies, a GIS approach can serve an integral function in permitting cross disciplinary uses of information by many EERC researchers. The use of GIS methodologies will expand the potential for interaction between the researcher, governmental agencies, and private companies. The objective of this task was to determine the appropriate platform and approach upon which to develop GIS applications for optimizing resource evaluation and integrating this information with related areas of interest. Database design was undertaken for two EERC projects: coal occurrence in Bowman and adjacent counties in the Fort Union Coal Region of southwestern North Dakota; and energy resource utilization concerns for selected sites in Alaska related to energy consumption, gas fields, gas pipelines, and coal availability.

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Maxi-Acid{trademark}: In-situ amelioration of acid mine drainage problems. Topical report, February 1, 1995--February 1, 1996

The development of technologies to ameliorate acid mine drainage problems has had few successes. Most often, once acid mine drainage exists, the company responsible develops treatment programs to make sure that water resources and land are not contaminated by the acid mine drainage. These treatments usually result in significant costs and do not result in a cure to the problem. Much effort and money has been spent on the problems associated with acid mine drainage. However, it appears that most of the meaningful breakthroughs have come in the area of treatment of the results of the problem (i.e. water treatment). There have been few breakthroughs in the prevention of acid formation. Most of the work associated with the prevention of acid formation has dealt with the prevention of oxidation using grouting to seal mines, removing oxygen from the system or preventing water flow into the mines, using bactericides to eliminate the catalytic effect of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, and modifying the mining methods. The Maxi-Acid{trademark} technology takes a different approach to the problem. A site treated using Maxi-Acid won`t be expected to generate acid mine drainage for a number of years, if ever. The application of Maxi-Acid is expected to eliminate continuous treatment of acid waters discharged from applicable mine sites. The work accomplished to date includes characterization of overburden materials that contain large quantities of potential acidity, and preliminary evaluations of the acid-generating capabilities of materials containing high levels of potential acidity (pyritic materials) using humidity cells. This research effort is in the preliminary stages. To date, a number of interesting findings have been made that could be used to contribute to the elimination of acid mine drainage. However, the concepts that are expected to have the most significant impact on the formation of acid mine drainage have not yet been substantiated.

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Char particle fragmentation and its effect on unburned carbon during pulverized coal combustion. Final report, March 20, 1997

This document is the final report of work on a project concerned with the fragmentation of char particles during pulverized coal combustion that was conducted at the High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory at Stanford University, Stanford, California. The project is intended to satisfy, in part, PETC`s research efforts to understand the chemical and physical processes that govern coal combustion. The overall objectives of the project were: (1) to characterize the fragmentation events as a function of combustion environment, (2) to characterize fragmentation with respect to particle porosity and mineral loadings, (3) to assess overall mass loss rates with respect to particle fragmentation, and (4) to quantify the impact of fragmentation on unburned carbon in ash. The knowledge obtained during the course of this project can be used to predict accurately the overall mass loss rates of coals based on both the physical and chemical characteristics of their chars. The work provides a means of assessing reasons for unburned carbon in the ash of coal fired boilers and furnaces.

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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, January 1--June 30, 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, and with analytical turnaround times requiring several days. The objectives of this subtask include the following: evaluate the use of additional film-type sorbent media for spectroscopic clarity and sorption characteristics for organic pollutants related to fuel processing (e.g., fuel components, PAHs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PCBs polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated solvents), using both UV and FT-IR spectroscopy as detection methods; and construct prototype dipstick devices and demonstrate their analytical capabilities.

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Subtask 3.12 -- Small power systems. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1996

The programmatic goal in advanced power systems is to develop small integrated waste treatment, water purification, and power systems in the range of 20 kW to 20 MW in cooperation with commercial vendors. These systems will be designed to incorporate the advanced technical capabilities of the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) with the latest advancement in vendor-offered hardware and software. The primary objective for the work to be performed under this subtask is to develop a commercialization plan for small power systems, evaluate alternative design concepts, and select practical and economical designs for targeted development in upcoming years. A leading objective for the EERC will be to continue to form strong business partnerships with equipment manufacturers who can commercialize the selected power system and treatment design(s). FY95 activities were focused on collecting information from vendors and evaluating alternative design concepts. This year`s activities began with the process of selecting one or more designs for targeted development. Once the design(s) are selected, specific technical requirements will be defined that will be the subject of focused studies to overcome technical barriers to achieving a clean, cost-effective generating system. During this program year, the technical barriers limiting the use of the selected technology in the small power system market will be identified. A plan will be devised to overcome these barriers. Also during this program year, strong business partnerships will be developed between the EERC, Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC), and equipment manufacturers who can commercialize the selected power system(s). A plan will be created for rapid development leading to commercialization. This may involve integration of this task with other research activities currently ongoing at the EERC and METC.

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[Alaskan resource development and remote power generation]. Task 7.1 -- Strategic planning. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

Assessment of Alaskan opportunities for demonstrating new technologies for resource development and remote power generation was continued. The design and cost estimates for a demonstration plant to produce coal-water fuel (CWF) from low-sulfur Alaskan subbituminous coal were further reviewed to resolve issues of budget and plant capability. A preliminary evaluation was performed of potential cost and performance benefits to be derived from integrating the CWF plant with the demonstration of the AD Little/Cooper Bessemer CWF-fired diesel engine under the DOE Clean Coal Technology demonstration program. Tests on the Cooper Bessemer engine using Alaskan CWF prepared by the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) were recommended to determine engine performance at two levels of coal cleaning: physical cleaning to about 3%--4% ash or additional chemical cleaning to under 2% ash (dry basis). Assistance was provided to graduate students in the Energy Engineering doctoral program at the University of North Dakota in reference to policy papers prepared by them on advanced power options, repowering strategies, and waste management. The information developed in these papers will be used by the EERC in its ongoing assessment of energy and environmental policy issues relating to its research and development program.

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Task 6.5 -- Gas separation and hot-gas cleanup. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

The objective of this task is to develop and test superior gas separation membranes. Several methods will be tested to prepare new membrane materials, including physical vapor deposition via electron beam evaporation. Other ceramic filter materials used in hot-gas particulate filters will be obtained from selected suppliers for use as substrates to develop a thin-film membrane selective to hydrogen permeation. This thin-film membrane will be modified via an EERC proprietary process. The base filter materials will already have been characterized for hydrothermal and chemical stability and pore size. The selectivity of these membrane materials for separating undesired gases will be determined. Selectivity will be measured by mixing bottled gases in a manifold, feeding the gases to the membrane, and sampling the inlet, permeate, and raffinate streams for gas composition and volumetric flow rate. Specific questions to be answered include the following: What are the effects of ceramic membrane properties (i.e., surface area, pore size, and coating thickness) on permeability and selectivity of the desired gases? What are the effects of operating conditions (i.e., temperature, pressure, and flow rate) on permeability and selectivity?

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Task 5.8 -- Development of a coal by-product classification protocol for utilization. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

A large volume of fly ash is produced that does not meet current American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications for use in the production of cement and concrete but could be used for other applications. In many cases, coal ash is required to meet ASTM specifications even when they are clearly inappropriate for the application (i.e., structural fill). Creating a classification system for fly ash that facilitates the use of performance-based specifications for use applications will broaden the utilization options for coal ash, resulting in elimination of disposal costs and opportunities for industry to develop new products and expand the use of coal ash in existing products. The inadequacy of the current classification system is one of the major technical barriers to increased coal by-product utilization. The goal of this project is to develop a classification system for fly ash that will provide a means of evaluating fly ash suitability for applications.

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Development of advanced hot-gas desulfurization sorbents. Final report

The objective of this project was to develop hot-gas desulfurization sorbent formulations for relatively lower temperature application, with emphasis on the temperature range from 343--538 C. The candidate sorbents include highly dispersed mixed metal oxides of zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, nickel and molybdenum. The specific objective was to develop suitable sorbents, that would have high and stable surface area and are sufficiently reactive and regenerable at the relatively lower temperatures of interest in this work. Stability of surface area during regeneration was achieved by adding stabilizers. To prevent sulfation, catalyst additives that promote the light-off of the regeneration reaction at lower temperature was considered. Another objective of this study was to develop attrition-resistant advanced hot-gas desulfurization sorbents which show stable and high sulfidation reactivity at 343 to 538 C and regenerability at lower temperatures than leading first generation sorbents.

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Task 6.4 -- The use of coal ash in ceramics. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

Previous empirical tests at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) have indicated that coal combustion by-products are a viable starting material for the production of a variety of ceramic products, including brick, tile, and high-flexural-strength ceramics. The EERC has focused on high-temperature properties of coal ash and has provided valuable insight into ash transformation, fouling, and slagging for the utility industry. It is proposed to utilize the information generated in these past projects to develop material selection criteria and product manufacturing techniques based on scientific and engineering characteristics of the ash. Commercialization of the use of coal combustion by-products in ceramics is more likely to become viable if a quality-assured product can be made, and predictive materials selection is a key component of a quality-assured product. The objective of this task is to demonstrate the development and production of a ceramic material using coal ash as a key component. Chemical and high-temperature properties of ash will be carefully determined, with the objective of identifying criteria for materials selection and manufacturing options for ceramic production.

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Subtask 1.7 -- Hot-water extraction of organics, metals, and chlorides from coal and mixed wastes. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

Supercritical and subcritical water have been demonstrated at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) to give high removal efficiencies of sulfatic, pyritic, and organic sulfur from coal (IBC-101). Under similar conditions, 78% of the mercury was removed from the coal, indicating that water can be used as an extraction fluid to both reduce the sulfur and hazardous metal content. Water extractions of metal-contaminated soils also demonstrate very high removals of mercury and arsenic, although metals such as vanadium are not efficiently removed. An extraction cell that is reliable for multiple water extractions at conditions up to 450 C and 400 atm has been developed jointly with Keystone Scientific and is now being commercialized. Subcritical water was shown to be an extremely efficient extraction fluid for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated soils, and > 99% removal of PCBs can be achieved in as little as 5 minutes. A method for determining the solubility behavior of organics in water up to 400 C and 400 atm has been developed and is currently being evaluated.

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Task 3.12 -- Small power systems. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

The programmatic goal in advanced power systems will be to develop small power systems in the range of 20kW to 20 MW in cooperation with commercial vendors. These systems will be designed to incorporate the advanced technical capabilities of the EERC with the latest advancement in vendor-offered hardware and software. Work during this program year has focused on two main technical issues. Pressurized fluid-bed combustion has been identified as one technology applicable to the small user`s market. Work is focused on the development of sorbents for in-bed alkali, sulfur, and chlorine capture to reduce or eliminate problems on backend equipment. Tar production in the gasification of coal is deleterious to the operation of downstream equipment, including fuel cells, gas turbines, hot-gas filters, and pressure swing adsorption systems, all of which are candidate technologies for use in small power generation systems. Cracking of these tars into smaller hydrocarbons is the second technical issue addressed in this year`s advanced power systems task. In addition to working to solve these technically related problems, existing and developing power systems are being surveyed and a technology option(s) chosen as the focus of further development. The specific objectives of the three tasks are the following: to determine optimum sorbents and their range of effectiveness as in-bed sorbents for alkali, sulfur, and chlorine control during pressurized fluid-bed combustion; to determine the effective operating range of selected sorbents for cracking tars from gasification systems, measure the quality of the resultant gas, and determine the best advanced power systems to utilize this gas; to collected information from vendors, evaluate alternative design concepts, and select a practical and economic design for targeted development in upcoming years.

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Task 5.10 -- Value-added coproducts. Semi-annual report, January 1--June 30, 1995

Research focused on end-use products is needed to integrate value-added coproducts with power generation and to reduce escalating waste disposal costs by developing profit centers from recycling. Substantial public benefits can be derived from by-products utilization through conservation of energy and resources, reduction in gaseous emissions, and prevention of solid waste pollution. Continued research on carbon products under the base Cooperative Agreement addresses the central question of whether uniquely cost-effective activated carbons can be produced by taking advantage of the inherently porous and reactive structure of low-rank coals (LRCs). Carbon products will be evaluated in reference to their potential use in air toxics control and other applications. The Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) designated value-added carbon as a product line, with the goal of developing superior carbon products at competitive prices for a range of applications, including SOx/NOx/air toxics adsorption, wastewater treatment, molecular sieves, catalyst supports, metallurgical and foundry carbons, and clean-burning solid fuels using EERC processes previously developed under the US Department of Energy (DOE) Mild Gasification program. The approach to be used in meeting specifications for marketable activated carbon products is to develop a fundamental understanding of the extent and quality of the porous surface needed to achieve rapid, high-capacity adsorption of pollutant gases or toxic metals and the processing conditions needed to transform coal and other raw materials into products possessing these superior properties.

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Commercialization plan laser-based decoating systems

F2 Associates Inc. (F2) is a small, high-technology firm focused on developing and commercializing environmentally friendly laser ablation systems for industrial-rate removal of surface coatings from metals, concrete, and delicate substrates such as composites. F2 has a contract with the US Department of Energy Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) to develop and test a laser-based technology for removing contaminated paint and other contaminants from concrete and metal surfaces. Task 4.1 in Phase 2 of the Statement of Work for this DOE contract requires that F2 ``document its plans for commercializing and marketing the stationary laser ablation system. This document shall include a discussion of prospects for commercial customers and partners and may require periodic update to reflect changing strategy. This document shall be submitted to the DOE for review.`` This report is being prepared and submitted in fulfillment of that requirement. This report describes the laser-based technology for cleaning and coatings removal, the types of laser-based systems that have been developed by F2 based on this technology, and the various markets that are emerging for this technology. F2`s commercialization and marketing plans are described, including how F2`s organization is structured to meet the needs of technology commercialization, F2`s strategy and marketing approach, and the necessary steps to receive certification for removing paint from aircraft and DOE certification for D and D applications. The future use of the equipment built for the DOE contract is also discussed.

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