AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Coal gasification: Technology status report

The Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) of the US Department of Energy (DOE) is currently sponsoring the Surface Coal Gasification Program, which is aimed at developing the full capacity of coal gasification technology to meet the needs of gasification-based systems for future energy requirements. These systems include gas turbines for combined-cycle power generation, new fuel forms production from mild gasification, synthesis gas production, and industrial fuel gas production, as well as fuel cells for the production of power and steam. Gasification projects in the DOE program cover a wide range of scales from laboratory investigations to pilot-plant scale. Fundamental studies of gasification reactions, ash chemistry, transport processes, and modeling are being conducted to uncover potential improvements that may be made to gasification processes. Several pilot plant projects are being sponsored to further promising processing. Fuel gas processing studies may lead to ways of developing an effective, economic process for gas separation and upgrading. Computer models and process simulation techniques are being developed to enhance the capabilities for systems simulations and engineering assessment of existing and advanced processes. These approaches and a description of the projects, along with the major accomplishments in the gasification program, are presented in this technology status report. 57 refs., 26 figs.

Tags: kmd
Pyrolysis and devolatilization of low-rank coals: Final report, April 11, 1983-June 30, 1986

The effects of pyrolysis conditions and coal type on the nature of water-soluble organic effluents have been investigated using a small pyrolysis reactor system and a variety of atmospheres and pressures. The reactor is capable of a maximum heating rate of 45/sup 0/C/min and a maximum furnace temperature of 1100/sup 0/C. Variables examined include: (1) particle size, (2) maximum temperature, (3) time at temperature, (4) heating rate, (5) pressure, and (6) effect of atmosphere. Comparisons were made between the yields of water-soluble organic effluents produced from pyrolysis of coal samples under two different atmospheres and those obtained from Great Plains Gasification Plant gas liquor condensate. Results indicated that it may be possible to predict the gas liquor composition of a particular coal in a moving burden or ''fixed bed''gasifier, such as a Lurgi dry ash gasifier, system. Four different lithologic layers have been identified in the Freedom Mine which supplies the lignite for the Great Plains Gasification plant in Beulah, North Dakota. The layers were identified on the basis of readily observable megascopic characteristics including luster, fracture characteristics and the presence of clay and silt zones. Lignite sampled from each of the four layers has been pyrolyzed in a bench-scale reactor system designed to simulate the production of gas liquor condensate from the pyrolysis of an actual gasifier. The yields of water-soluble organic effluents from each of the layers were found to differ significantly, particularly the yields of phenol, cresol, and catechol. Thus, by selective mining and/or blending of coal from different layers, gasifier performance may be improved. 7 refs., 5 figs., 12 tabs.

Tags: kmd
Computational nature of combustion modeling

An overview is given which describes the role of computational modeling in combustion research. The modeling effort is divided into two broad subgroups-fundamental processes and systems simulation-which are amenable to computational solution. The study of fundamental processes is addressed primarily at understanding complex chemical kinetic interactions while systems simulation seeks primarily to quantify complicated hydrodynamic behavior. Even though the two approaches seek to predict different aspects of combustion phenomena, they share a number of common computational difficulties. Four such areas are identified and the scope of the mathematical problems are outlined. These topics are operator-splitting, stiff differential equations, coordinate systems and resolution and iterative minimization techniques.

Tags: kmd
Preparation and analyses of low-rank coals for combustion applications: Final report

The preparation of low-ash and low-sodium micronized low-rank coal (LRC) fuels for test firing in a gas-turbine combustor module is described in this report. Four subbituminous coals and one lignite were examined for their amenability to the preparation of high-quality powder and coal-water slurry fuels (CSF). The data base included the proximate, ultimate, ash composition, trace element, heating value, and free swelling index determinations and the slurry rheology for the raw coals and for the same coals after various physical separations, chemical treatments and hydrothermal processing. Eagle Butte subbituminous coal from the Powder River Basin was selected for preparation of ''available-quality''and ''improved-quality''micronized powder and slurry fuels for the combustion tests. This coal was cleaned in a dense-medium separator for preparation of available-quality fuels. Two advanced beneficiation steps were added for preparation of improved-quality fuels. The additional steps were (1) acid treatment to remove sodium and soluble ash minerals and (2) hydrothermal processing at 330/sup 0/C to improve the heating value and the rheology of the CSF. Twenty-four hundred pounds (dry basis) of minus 30-micrometer fuel were prepared for the combustion testing. A conceptual design was developed and costed for a 650,000 tpy improved-quality micronized CSF plant fueling 100 MW of gas-turbine generating capacity. The plant would be located adjacent to a mine in northeastern Wyoming. The capital construction cost for the plant was estimated to be $86.9 million and the operating cost for the plant (including amortization) was projected to be $4.55 per million Btu (HHV), FOB plant. The operating cost could be reduced to $3.22/MBtu if the plant were scaled for 500 MW of generating capacity instead of 100 MW. 19 refs., 12 figs., 31 tabs.

Tags: kmd
Methane hydrate synthesis in the DOE/METC Gas Hydrates Laboratory: Technical note

In the Department of Energy (DOE), Morgantown Energy Technology Center's (METC's) Gas Hydrates Laboratory, a proven method of synthesizing methane hydrate has been developed. The synthesis technique involves conversion of frost to gas hydrate in a high-pressure methane atmosphere, at temperatures above 0/sup 0/C. After 24 hours, 90- to 99-% conversion of ice to hydrate can be achieved using this method. Study of pressure and temperature profiles generated during over 30 runs of this experiment reveal that hydrate formation is governed by temperature within the reactor vessel until about 50% of the voids in the hydrate lattices are filled. Thereafter, competition for the remaining guest sites determines the rate of conversion. 5 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.

Tags: kmd
Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) process. Quarterly technical progress report, January 1979-March 1979

This report summarizes the progress of the Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) Project by the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Co. for the Department of Energy for the period January 1, 1979  to March 31, 1979. Activities included the operation and modification of the Solvent Refined Coal Pilot Plant at Fort Lewis, Washington; the Process Development Unit P-99 at Harmarville, Pennsylvania; and research at Merriam Laboratory in Merriam, Kansas. The Pilot Plant processed Powhatan No. 5 Coal in the SRC-II mode of operation studying the effect of coal particle size and system temperature on coal slurry blending and the effect of carbon monoxide concentration in the reaction feed gas on process yields. January and February were spent completing installation of a fourth High Pressure Separator on Process Development Unit P-99 to better simulate operating conditions for the proposed Demonstration Plant. During March, one run was completed at P-99 feeding Pittsburgh Seam Coal from the Powhatan No. 5 Mine. Merriam investigations included a study of the effect of iron containing additives on SRC-I operation, the addition of carbon monoxide to the feed gas, utilization of a hydrogenated solvent (Cresap process solvent) in the SRC-I mode under both normal and short residence time operating conditions, and development of a simulated distillation technique to determine the entire boiling range distribution of product oils.

Tags: kmd
Development of algorithms for capacitance imaging techniques for fluidized bed flow fields

The objective of this research is to provide support for the instrumentation concept of a High Resolution Capacitance Imaging System (HRCIS). The work involves the development and evaluation of the mathematical theory and associated models and algorithms which reduce the electronic measurements to valid physical characterizations. The research and development require the investigation of techniques to solve large systems of equations based on capacitance measurements for various electrode configurations in order to estimate densities of materials in a cross-section of a fluidized bed. Capacitance measurements are made for 400 connections of the 32-electrode system; 400 corresponding electric-field curves are constructed by solving a second order partial differential equation. These curves are used to partition the circular disk into 193 regions called pixels, and the density of material in each pixel is to be estimated. Two methods of approximating densities have been developed and consideration of a third method has been initiated. One method (Method 1) is based on products of displacement currents for intersecting electric-field curves on a cross section. For each pixel one point of intersection is chosen, and the product of the capacitance measurements is found. Both the product and the square-root-of-product seem to yield good relative distribution of densities.

Tags: kmd
Western gas sands project status report, August 1-31, 1980

August progress of government-sponsored projects, directed towards increasing gas production from the low permeability gas sands of the western United States, is summarized in this report. Superior Oil has not yet made a decision concerning the use of their lease as a possible MWX site. Bartlesville Energy Technology Center has completed embedment tests of 20/40 mesh bauxite into grey berea and typical tight gas sand cores. At Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, numerical routines have been developed for computing unsteady growth of hydraulically-driven cracks in plain and circular geometries. Three studies have been initated at Sandia National Laboratories: laboratory determination of the fracture crack-tip process zone; detailed petrographic characterization of a Mesaverde tight gas sand lens and surrounding shale; and determination of oil-base drilling fluid invasion in support of the MWX.

Tags: kmd
Ice island creation, drift, recurrences, mechanical properties, and interactions with arctic offshore oil production structures

Research and engineering studies on first-year sea ice for over two decades has resulted in the design, construction, and operation of jacket platforms, of artificial islands, and of massive gravity structures which routinely withstand moving sea ice of thickness up to 2 meters. However, the less-common interactions between such structures and moving multiyear ice ([ge]3 meters thick), and also moving ice islands (10 to 60 meters thick) remain as the unknown and potentially most serious hazard for Arctic offshore structures. In this study, research was addressed across the complete span of remaining questions regarding such features. Ice island components, thickness distributions, scenarios and models for the interactions of massive ice features with offshore structures, all were considered. Ice island morphology and calving studies were directed at the cluster of 19 ice islands produced in a calving from the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf on Ellesmere Island in 1983, and also at a calving from the Milne Ice Shelf in 1988. The statistics of ice island dynamics, on both a short-term small-scale basis and also on a long-term basis, were studied. Typical wind velocities of 5 to 7.5 meters per second led to ice island speeds of about 0.014 of the wind speed, at an angle of 20[degrees] to the right of the wind direction. Ice island samples were tested for their stress/strain characteristics. Compressive strength values ranged from 1.64 MPa at a strain rate of 2 [times] 10[sup [minus]7] s[sup [minus]1] to 6.75 MPa at a strain rate of 1 [times] 10[sup [minus]3] s[sup [minus]1]. Scenarios for ice island/structure interactions were developed, and protective countermeasures such as spray ice and ice rubble barriers were suggested. Additional computer modeling of structure/ice interactions for massive ice features is recommended.

Tags: kmd
Tar-sand potential of selected areas in Carter and Murray Counties, South-Central Oklahoma

The Department of Energy-Oklahoma Geological survey effort to evaluate the tar-sand potential of several sites in Carter and Murray Counties consisted of a 20-hole coring program, determination of bitumen content, and calculation of in-place bitumen content. Because of the good well control at the Sulphur Quarry area, the calculated volume of in-place bitumen is considered measured rather than probable. Where well control is less abundant in the Sulphur area, the calculated bitumen is in the probable category. The estimates for in-place bitumen at the Dougherty Quarry and Overbrook areas are also probable. The calculated bitumen at the South Woodford site is considered measured in the area defined by OGS cores and propable with reasonable extrapolations. Table 7 is a summary of in-place calculations for both measured and probable bitumen content at the Sulphur-Dougherty, Overbrook and South Woodford areas. Thus the potential for future tar-sand development at sites in Carter and Murray Counties appears to be quite high. The Sulphur and South Woodford areas offer the greatest possibilities for combined surface handling and in-situ programs, and together they constitute a resource base approaching 42 million barrels. Lack of detailed information makes it difficult to classify Dougherty and Overbrook potential as anything other than probable. The assumptions made in evaluating these two sites are geologically reasonable and somewhat conservative, however, and future studies could significantly alter the tar-sand potential of these areas. 23 references, 13 figures, 7 tables.

Tags: kmd
Computer modeling of the Morgantown Energy Research Center's fixed bed gasifier. [Theory and development]

This report describes the modeling of a fixed bed stirred gasifier operated by the Morgantown Energy Research Center. One objective of this project was to increase the fundamental understanding of existing gasification processes with mathematical modeling, and thereby assist the Department of Energy in its overall project planning. Models are used for scale-up and optimization purposes and also for extrapolation beyond the normal operating conditions. However, very often, due to the complexity of the real system and the mathematical limitations, certain simplifying assumptions are made. Therefore, before using any model, its assumptions and hence its limitations should be examined and clearly understood. The theory and the development of the model are described. Background information about the MERC's and similar commercial gasifiers is provided.

Tags: kmd
Engineering support services for the DOE/GRI (Gas Research Institute) Coal Gasification Research Program: Quarterly report, March 28--June 26, 1987

The following joint program projects comprised the scope of Foster Wheeler's current monitoring activities: KRW Energy System, Inc.-- Fluidized-Bed Gasification Process Development Unit (PDU), Madison, Pennsylvania. CNG Research Company--Acid Gas Removal System, Cleveland, Ohio. The test program in KRW's fluidized-bed gasifier PDU was resumed, following shutdown for winter maintenance. During this quarter, CNG completed construction on the new flash crystallizer PDU and started shakedown testing of the unit. Details of Foster Wheeler's monitoring activities on these projects are presented in Sections 3.0 and 4.0 of this report. Under the technical evaluation scope of modular integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power systems. This study was authorized by DOE in mid-March 1987 and was initiated during the current period. Discussions on the status of the IGCC systems study is included in Section 5.0 of this report. 4 refs.

Tags: kmd
Trend analysis of coal gasification product yields in an entrained flow reactor

The coal gasification experiments performed by Bissett (1986) under a wide range of residence time, reaction temperatures and pressures form an excellent data base for either verification or predictive computational models. The experiments have been conducted on the METC advanced gasification facilities reactor. For the steam tests via the primary stream a mixture of pulverized coal and conveying Argon, and via the secondary stream (the annular region) a mixture of steam and Argon are introduced into the reactor. For the carbon dioxide tests, a mixture of pulverized coal and conveying Argon is introduced into the reactor via the primary stream; reactant CO{sub 2} is introduced into the reactor via the secondary stream. 8 refs., 20 figs., 9 tabs.

Tags: kmd
Second-generation pressurized fluidized bed combustion plant: Phase 1, Task 2 topical report: Grimethorpe tube bundle   E''wastage evaluation

This report is the second part of a two-part topical report on Grimethorpe Tube Bundle   E''Wastage Evaluation. Detail drawings, tube material certifications, spent bed and fuel/sorbent analyses, and field photographs make up this report. (JDL)

Tags: kmd
Feasibility of a phosphoric acid fuel cell basic technology program

Large reductions in PAFC power plant installed costs and other significant benefits are possible with the present technology if power plant production rates achieve significant levels. However, the required rates cannot currently be met because of low market penetration. Utilities will not commit to this alternative method of power production without convincing evidence that PAFC power plant performance, reliability, and economics are acceptable risks. A private sector demonstration initiative aimed at this issue is currently underway. A modest parallel R and D program could produce cost reductions and performance improvements that will leverage the industry demonstration program to substantially greater market success. DOE has completed a feasibility study, requested by the 99th Congress, which identified discrete areas of research in the PAFC and the associated benefits expected from such research. Consensus has been reached by all participants in the Fuel Cell Program that a focussed research program could be developed and implemented to achieve those benefits and readily permit their incorporation into power plants offered by the manufacturers in the mid 1990's at the completion of the demo program.

Tags: kmd
Subduction Zone Tectonic Studies to Develop Concepts for the Occurrence of Sediment Subduction (Phase II) Volume I

This is volume one of three volumes. The objectives of this study represent a continuation and refinement of the objectives addressed in Phase I. This study focuses on trying to define the tectonics of sediment subduction at the trench axis through the use of accepted plate tectonic principles and the application of new subduction theory. The fundamental methods include: (1) compilation of all available bathymetric data from our Global Marine Geophysical Data Collection for all major ocean trenches, (2) generation of stacked bathymetric profiles and corresponding navigational maps, and structural maps, (3) selection and analysis of appropriate seismic reflection and refraction profiles and additional supporting data such as side-scan sonar, SEABEAM, magnetic, gravity and drilling data, and (4) detailed study of selected trench regions in which data quality and/or quantity is exceptional. Phase II of this project represents a unique compilation and synthesis of existing data for the world's deep ocean trenches. The analysis of data and discussion of results in the context of current literature aids our understanding of the sediment distribution and nature of sediment deformation through various stages of plate convergence, the determination of whether sediments are subducted or accreted, and the evaluation of the controlling factors for sediment subduction and/or accretion. A discussion is included on forearc petroleum and natural gas hydrate resource potential. 128 figs.

Tags: kmd
Subduction zone tectonic studies to develop concepts for the occurrence of sediment subduction (Phase 2): Volume 3

The objectives of this study represent a continuation and refinement of the objectives addressed in Phase 1. This study focuses on trying to define the tectonics of sediment subduction at the trench axis through the use of accepted plate tectonic principles and the application of new subduction theory. The fundamental methods include: (1) compilation of all available bathymetric data from our Global Marine Geophysical Data Collection for all major ocean trenches, (2) generation of stacked bathymetric profiles and corresponding navigational maps, and structural maps, (3) selection and analysis of appropriate seismic reflection and refraction profiles and additional supporting data such as side-scan sonar, SEABEAM, magnetic, gravity and drilling data, and (4) detailed study of selected trench regions in which data quality and/or quantity is exceptional. Phase 2 of this project represents a unique compilation and synthesis of existing data for the world's deep ocean trenches. The analysis of data and discussion of results in the context of current literature aids our understanding of the sediment distribution and nature of sediment deformation through various stages of plate convergence, the determination of whether sediments are subducted or accreted, and the evaluation of the controlling factors for sediment subduction and/or accretion. A major emphasis in our analysis of the data was to try and map the seaward-of-the-trench distribution of faults and associated surface roughness. Illustrations and an extensive bibliography are included in the report.

Tags: kmd
Measurement of dynamic reservoir conditions. Fourth project status report, July 1-September 30, 1983

Project reports are presented for Task IV.6 perforation of the Mary Lee seam, Task IV.7 natural fracture study of the Oak Grove Field, and for Task V monitoring. Summary status assessment and forecast: The overall project is healthy from a cost and technical standpoint. Because of changes in mining projections at Oak Grove, interception of the bottom of borehole DHM-7 will be delayed indefinitely. Therefore, Task 3.IV.5, Borehole Stimulation, will be delayed until spring of 1984 to permit further testing of the borehole and gathering baseline production data from the unstimulated borehole.

Tags: kmd