AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
A three-dimensional, three-phase, simulator for permeability modification treatments using gelled polymers

A three-dimensional, (oil, water, and gas) simulator was developed by incorporating an in situ gelation model into a black oil simulator (BOAST). This simulator can be used to design permeability modification treatments and to assess the applicability of the method in oil fields using crosslinked polymer gels. Features of the simulator include: transport of each chemical species of the polymer/crosslinker system in porous media, gelation reaction kinetics of the polymer with crosslinking agents, rheology of the polymer and gel, inaccessible pore volume to macromolecules, adsorption of chemical species on rock surfaces, retention of gel on the rock matrix, and permeability reduction caused by the adsorption of polymer and gel. The simulator was validated by comparing the results of simulation runs on an in situ gelation model and polymer flooding with data reported in the literature. Three-dimensional sensitivity runs were performed using a two-layer reservoir model with a horizontal permeability contrast of 10:1 to investigate the effect of vertical to horizontal permeability contrast on incremental oil recovery and to determine the optimal time for initiation of a polymer gel treatment in a waterflood. 35 refs., 35 figs., 11 tabs.

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Prediction of fracture orientation from oriented cores and aerial photos in Sand Draw Field, Wyoming

A request for a qualified prediction of the compass direction that induced hydraulic fractures follow in the Sand Draw Field in Wyoming led to a joint effort between the Morgantown Energy Research Center and an operating company in the area. An oriented core of the producing sand was obtained and evaluation measurements of directional rock properties and data obtained and the interpretations were used in completing this study. Results indicate the directions of induced hydraulic fracturing might be reliably found within  -10 degrees of the azimuth bearing N 70 W.

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Selective methane oxidation over promoted oxide catalysts. Quarterly report, March--May 1994

Experimental work aiming at developing active catalysts for selective oxidation of methane to methanol was started in this quarter. Some of the experiments used a double catalyst bed design and with H{sub 2}O as cofeed. The first catalyst bed, which serves as CH{sub 3} radical generator, was chosen to be 1 wt % SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}}/Sr/La{sub 2}O{sub 3}, as this catalyst exhibits remarkable activity and selectivity at lower temperature (500{degrees}C--550{degrees}C). A few transition metal oxides were used as the second catalyst bed to react with CH{sub 3} to form CH{sub 3}O{sup {minus}}M{sup  } species, which was then hydrolyzed to form CH{sub 3}OH. It was found that unsupported metal oxides ZrO{sub 2}, Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, SrO; Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3},MnO{sub 2}, Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3}, CaO, and MgO did not produce CH{sub 3}OH between 430{degrees}C and 600{degrees}C when used as the only catalysts, while MoO{sub 3} supported on silica produced CH{sub 3}0H in the temperature range of 430{degrees}C--480{degrees}C under the current single-bed reactor configuration. However, when the double-bed configuration was used with the 1 wt % SO{sub 4}{sup 2{minus}}/Sr/La{sub 2}O{sub 3} as the first methyl radical generating catalyst bed, CH{sub 3}0H was observed when ZrO{sub 2}and Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} were used as the second bed catalysts. Preliminary quantitative analysis showed that the ability of producing CH{sub 3}OH was in the order of unsupported Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} > unsupported ZrO{sub 2} > MoO{sub 3} on silica. For all of these cases, the CH{sub 3}OH space time yield was within a dozen grams per kilogram catalyst per hour.

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Monitoring the sulfur content of coal streams by thermal-neutron-capture gamma-ray analysis

A theory was developed for evaluating a complex, prompt gamma ray spectrum to serve as the basis for an instrument to monitor continuously the sulfur content of tonnage streams of coal. Equations for the energies and intensities of prompt gamma rays emitted from 13 most significant elements in coal are combined into a single equation that defines the basic electronic design of the meter. The sulfur content of up to 10 tons per hour of coal was determined in pilot plant tests with a prototype meter. The precision of 0.04 percent sulfur substantiates the validity of the theory. In subsequent industrial plant tests the precision was determined to be a comparable 0.05 percent sulfur.

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Directional viscoelastic properties of the Pittsburgh coal at elevated temperatures in compression and shear. [24 to 343/sup 0/C; temperature dependence; 139 references]

The mechanical properties of Pittsburgh coal were determined at elevated temperatures from stress-strain, stress-relaxation, and creep experiments in both uniaxial compression and shear. The primary variables examined included specimen size, loading rate, viscoelastic linearity, orientation of loading, and temperature 75/sup 0/-650/sup 0/F (24/sup 0/-343/sup 0/C) for both compression and shear modes. Temperature has a major effect on the mechanical properties of Pittsburgh coal, especially in the thermal softening stage 575/sup 0/-650/sup 0/F (302/sup 0/-343/sup 0/C). The S-shape of the stress-strain curves indicates that the coal is non-linear elastically. In general, the strength of the Pittsburgh coal is a function of coal specimen size, i.e., as the specimen size decreases, the strength of the coal increases. This size effect becomes negligible at 575/sup 0/-650/sup 0/F (302/sup 0/-343/sup 0/C). The strength of the coal is also a function of loading rate, i.e., as the loading rate increases, the strength of the coal increases. The effect of the orientation of loading is such that, the strength of the coal when loaded normal to the bedding planes is approximately twice that for loading normal to the face or butt cleats. The effect of loading rate and orientation is independent of temperature. The stress-relaxation and creep experiments show that the Pittsburgh coal is nonlinear viscoelastically at temperatures below the softening stage 575/sup 0/F ( 302/sup 0/C). (LTN)

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Geological evolution and analysis of confirmed or suspected gas hydrate localities

Geological factors controlling the formation, stability, and distribution of gas hydrates of the Beaufort Sea region were investigated by basin analysis. Geological, geophysical, and geochemical data from the region were assembled and evaluated to determine the relationships of geological environments and gas hydrates. The Beaufort Sea is the southern part of the Arctic Ocean offshore of the North Slope of Alaska and the Yukon and Mackenzie districts of Canada. The Beaufort Sea study region extends northward from the Arctic coasts of Alaska and Canada between Point Barrow on the west to Cape Beaufort on the east. The northern boundary of the Beaufort Sea study region is 72.5{degrees}N. The study region comprises broad continental shelves, slopes, rises, and the Arctic abyssal plain. 84 refs., 76 figs., 9 tabs.

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Advanced on-site power plant development technology program

The subject contract was initiated in August 1982 and the technical effort concluded in April 1989. The purpose of the technical effort was to establish a technology base for 200-kW on-site fuel cell power plants. It was conducted in two phases: (1) Component evaluation; and (2) Full-scale system verification. This contract was supplemented by a Gas Research Institute (GRI) contract which was conducted in the 1981--1986 time period. This GRI contract concentrated on 200-kW scale component design, thermal management/water treatment system analysis and redesign and advanced DC/AC inverter development. The component evaluation phase generally included subscale component tests, scale-up to full-size 200-kW hardware and full-size hardware tests of the cell stack (in Tasks 1 and 2), the power conditioner (in Task 3), the heat exchangers and ancillary components (in Task 4), and the fuel processor (in Task 5). The full-size cell stack, fuel processor, heat exchangers, and ancillary components from the component development tasks were integrated into a dc system called the Verification Test Article (VTA). The VTA which was fabricated and tested under Task 7 allowed for system integration issues associated with the cell stack, fuel processor, thermal management, and water treatment subsystems to be explored under conditions similar to an actual fuel cell power plant. Key accomplishments of this contract are described. 193 figs., 37 tabs.

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Modification of chemical and physical factors in steamflood to increase heavy oil recovery. Annual report, October 1, 1991--September 30, 1992

This report covers work performed in the various physicochemical factors for the improvement of oil recovery efficiency. In this context, three general areas were studied: (i) The understanding of vapor-liquid flow in porous media, whether the flow is internal (boiling), external (steam injection) or countercurrent (as in vertical heat pipes,8326 ); (ii) The effect of reservoir heterogeneity, particularly as it regards fractured systems; (iii) The flow properties of additives for the improvement of recovery efficiency, in particular the injection of caustic and foams. The studies completed under this contract involved ap three research tools, analysis, computation and experiments. We have focused on pore level modeling using pore networks and on flow visualization using Hele-Shaw cells. Experiments involving core samples were conducted for the chemical additives investigation. Finally, simulation at the pore scale, pore network scale and reservoir scale were also undertaken. Part of the work has been detailed in five DOE Technical Reports as shown at the end of this report.

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Stress state determinations in West Virginia and Kentucky, Pricetown site. [ERTS/LANDSAT imagery of Princetown area of West Virginia]

Stress state determinations were made to aid in ERDA's prediction of the orientation that hydraulically induced fractures will take in deep reservoir rocks. The stress state determinations were made using overcoring techniques and instrumentation developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Stress relief was measured by overcoring a borehole deformation gage and from these measurements the stress state was calculated. Results obtained for the Pricetown site, Wetzel County, West Virginia, located west of Mannington and approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Pricetown are presented. Field reconnaissance encompassed much of the surrounding area while the actual measurements used to determine the stress state were taken on the premises of ERDA's Underground Coal Gasification Site.

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Borehole gravity survey to determine density variations in the Devonian shale sequence of Lincoln County, West Virginia

In situ bulk densities of the Devonian shale section penetrated by the Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. 20402 well, Lincoln County, West Virginia, were determined using the U.S. Geological Survey-LaCoste and Romberg/sup 2/ borehole gravity meter. Densities from two gamma-gamma logs, run by different companies, were also available. A cumulative difference of .034 g/cm/sup 3//1000 ft (.112 g/cm/sup 3//km) exists between the two gamma-gamma logs. The two intervals of lowest density derived from the borehole gravity data show higher densities on both gamma-gamma logs, possibly indicative of the deeper investigation radius of the borehole gravity meter. In most intervals, higher gamma-ray intensity correlates with lower density, indicating that organic content is the primary variable affecting both bulk density and uranium concentration.

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Seismic imaging of the SWCC

The Cascades mountain range of southern Washington is a geologically complex and tectonically active region. The area has been explored for potential oil and gas reserves by several major oil companies, but exploration efforts (mostly electrical and seismic reflection surveys) are hampered by the geologic complexity which often leads to poor data quality. Although no commercial quantities of oil or gas have been found to date, the existence of major sedimentary basins and potential source rocks has lead to continued interest. The Department of Energy and the US Geological Survey have conducted geophysical studies in the southern Washington region to study possible petroleum-bearing sedimentary basins as well as crustal tectonic structures. The natural gas potential of deep sedimentary basins is an area of research supported by the Morgantown Energy Technology Center of DOE's Office of Fossil Energy. This report summarizes the work to date which has been conducted at LBL's Center for Computational Seismology. A major goal of our work is to investigate the seismic reflection characteristics of a possible marine sedimentary basin located between Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. The zone of interest was initially identified by magnetotelluric studies (Stanley et. al., 1987) as an anomalous conductor called the southern Washington Cascades conductor (SWCC). As part of our research we have studied several aspects of seismic imaging of the SWCC. Our work has included ray tracing and synthetic seismograms generated for planning and interpretation of explosive shots using a 1024 channel sign-bit acquisition system; a comparison of the signal strength and imaging capabilities of explosive and vibrioses sources, and processing and interpretation of one of a series of seismic reflection surveys conducted over the SWCC with the sign-bit recording system.

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Determination of solid phase boundaries in coal gas desulfurization by zinc ferrite. Final report

This report presents results of a study of desulfurization conditions (gas phase composition, temperature, and pressure) needed to prevent the formation of the by-product solid phases wustite, metallic iron, iron carbides, and elemental carbon in the high temperature desulfurization of coal gas by zinc ferrite. Chemical thermodynamic calculations of Fe/sub 3/O/sub 4/ reduction, iron carbide formation, and carbon deposition equilibria were made at incremental values of temperatures from 500/sup 0/ to 700/sup 0/ C and pressures from 1 to 20 atm. Laboratory experiments using solid-gas equilibration and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the calculated phase boundaries. The phase boundaries were plotted on triangular C-H-O phase diagrams indicating the conditions of temperature, pressure, and gas composition needed to avoid the formation of unwanted solid phases. A computer program was written to interpolate the phase boundaries to intermediate temperatures and pressures. Inert substances such as nitrogen act primarily to dilute the C-H-O components of the gas phase. Zinc loss during desulfurization can be minimized by lowering the temperature, increasing the total gas pressure, and by using less chemically reducing coal gas compositions. 9 refs., 23 figs.

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Use of treated gasification wastewater in a pilot cooling tower: Final report for the period ending June 30, 1986

To date, six cooling tower tests have been conducted to evaluate the wastewater treatment and reuse process utilized by the Great Plains Gasification Plant (GPGP) facility near Beulah, North Dakota. The first three tests, Phases I, II, and III, were performed using extracted, steam-stripped gas liquor (SGL) produced in the UNDERC pilot-scale slagging fixed-bed gasifier as makeup. The last three tests, Phases IV-A, IV-B and V, were conducted using GPGP produced SGL as makeup. The final test, Phase V, is the subject of this report. Prior to its use as Phase V cooling tower makeup, the GPGP SGL was solvent extracted using the Phenosolvan process to reduce the phenolics level, followed by treatment by the Phosam-W process to reduce ammonia concentrations. Additional pretreatment of the Phase V makeup stream included activated sludge treatment to reduce the organic loading, filtering through diatomaceous earth to remove solids, the use of the Calgon Corporation pHreeGUARD dispersant/corrosion inhibitor system to reduce corrosion and fouling, and the use of Calgon H-510 biocide to control microbial populations within the system. All steps in the pretreatment scheme proved to be effective. Corrosion of carbon steel in the system was held to 2 mils per year (mpy) or less, as measured by weight loss coupons. There was no apparent loss of heat transfer capability or increase in pressure drops in the heat transfer equipment. Fouling was minimal in the Phase V system, although at the end of the testing there was a small amount of biomass present on the cooling tower packing as well as some inorganic fouling in the tower basin. The results of this test indicated that a pretreatment program exists that will allow the successful reuse of SGL as cooling tower makeup. 11 refs., 22 figs., 10 tabs.

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Sour gas plant remediation technology research and demonstration project, Task 7.53. Topical report, January--December 1993

Recognizing the potential impacts of sour gas plant operations on the subsurface environment, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and Environment Canada initiated a multiphase study focusing on research related to the development and demonstration of remedial technologies for soil and groundwater contamination at these facilities. Research performed under this project was designed to supplement and be coordinated with research activities being conducted at an operational sour gas plant located in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada. These research tasks included hydrogeological site characterization, subsurface contaminant characterization, ex situ treatment of groundwater, and subsurface remediation of residual contamination in the unsaturated zone. Ex situ treatment of groundwater included evaluations of air stripping, steam stripping, advanced oxidation, and biological treatment, as well as the development of an artificial freeze crystallization process. Soil vapor extraction was evaluated as a technique to address residual contamination in the unsaturated zone.

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Comparison of the activated sludge and rotating biological contactor processes for treatment of Great Plains Gasification Plant's stripped gas liquor: Final report for the period ending June 30, 1986

Fixed film (rotating biological contactor, RBC) and suspended growth (activated sludge) biological treatment processes were used to treat gasification wastewater from the Great Plains Gasification Plant. This report contains the results of the study, including a comparison of the two processes. The wastewater used was a condensate from Lurgi dry-ash gasification of lignite. The condensate was pretreated at Great Plains by solvent extraction and steam stripping to reduce phenols and ammonia, respectively. This pretreated wastewater is known as stripped gas liquor (SGL). At the University of North Dakota Energy Research Center, this wastewater was treated by both methods at the process development unit (PDU) scale. The RBC was a three stage unit that was tested at four organic loadings, ranging from 0.9 to 3.4 lbs BOD/1000 ft/sup 2/-day. The activated sludge treatment was a completely mixed system with the following operating parameters: a hydraulic retention time of 1 to 4 days, solids retention times of 2 to 13.6 days, and flow rates from 170 to 1500 liters per day (45 to 405 gpd). Process performance data were obtained and the kinetics of treatment were estimated for both treatment units. This report also includes preliminary design data for the RBC and activated sludge processes at the design wastewater flow rate for the Great Plains Gasification Plant. This comparison indicates that for a single process, the activated sludge would probably be the most cost effective. However, the advantages inherent in each process can be realized using the RBC as a pretreatment and the activated sludge process as the polishing step. 22 refs., 36 figs., 17 tabs.

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Evaluation of fluidized bed coal gasification present status and future development problems, Task III. Final report

This report summarizes a detailed evaluation of the design potential and present achievements of oxygen-blown fluidized-bed gasifiers for medium BTU production. The main emphasis is on the suitability of such gasifiers for Eastern, bituminous coals, and the results are extended to subbituminous coals. The authors tried to achieve these goals by investigating the kinetic, design, and operating constraints of these gasifiers using suitable models and other techniques.

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Fixation of alkali and trace metals in high temperature co-current entrained flow gasifiers and combustors: Final report

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of programmed process temperature profiles and coal/additive mixtures on the alkali and trace metal content of both supermicron fly ash particulate matter and submicron aerosols formed during the high temperature entrained flow gasification and combustion of pulverized coal. The research is based on the idea that control of temperature and temperature quench rate can favorably influence the fraction of volatile trace and alkali metals condensing on larger fly ash particles, and the additional surface area and surface properties provided by additives such as kaolin and bauxite might enhance this process further. Theory indicates that nucleation mechanisms, which form tiny submicron particles which are difficult to remove, might be inhibited by decreasing the temperature quench rate below 600 K/s. The combustor experiments were guided by selected bench scale experimental studies, which focused on the influence of substrate properties in the vaporization and condensation of volatile alkali metals, and were utilized to determine those additives subsequently tested in the combustor. For all coals considered, it was evident that some degree of enrichment of the more volatile species in the smaller particle sizes does occur. The level to which this effect was important depended on both the ash content and the rank of the coals considered. The degree to which the nucleation and condensation process could be programmed via control of temperature quench rate also varied with coal type, with the most pronounced effects being observed for the high-alkali coal. More extensive work must be done to ascertain whether the results obtained with the laboratory scale studies can be applicable to practical full scale systems. 42 refs.

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Coal/limestone variability effects on FDG

This report covers Phases I and II, the Preliminary Sampling Effort, and Bias Testing, together with a proposed procedure for the Phase III Extensive Sampling Effort. The Widows Creek sampling system was found to be free of systematic error of any practical importance. The procedures of ASTM D-2234 Appendix Al for determination of random and segregation variances was demonstrated to be applicable to constituents of coal other than ash as well as constituents of lumpy bulk materials other than coal. Stopped belt sampling techniques, however, were found to have only limited practical applicability within normal operating routines of a power plant. TVA operating experience indicates that heterogeneity of coal and limestone would rank only as minor factors in facilities performance, the effects of which would tend to be swamped out by several other operating factors. Considering this and the observed disadvantages of stopped belt sampling techniques, the use of random and segregation variances for an index of variability is not recommended. A time series index of variability generated from a series of increments collected by existing equipment at regular time intervals offers some promise, and is suggested as a possible alternative that would have several advantages. A proposed method for obtaining such an index of variability is outlined.

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