AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Toxic trace elements and oil shale production

An interdisciplinary, tri-university research program on the potential release of toxic trace elements by shale oil production involving faculty from the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines, and Colorado State University has the objective of determining if shale oil production will lead to the emission of significant amounts of toxic trace elements such as As, B, F, Mo, and Se into the environment. An intensive field sampling of surficial material, leachates, revegetation plots, and retort material, as well as laboratory studies, is being performed in order to determine the lleachability of raw and processed shales and the ultimate fate of trace elements that were mobilized by retorting oil shale. The results of the first two years of study will be presented. Results to date indicate that As and Se are not of great concern in aqueous effluents and plants, while, on the other hand, F, B, and Mo are of concern and require further study.

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STRESS RESPONSES ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION

"The primary objective of this project was to improve the LAMP code by adding transient and nonlinear analysis capability for investigation the thermo-mechanical responses associated with underground coal conversion (UCC). In particular, this study entailed (i) the determination of transient-nonlinear and steady-state temperature profiles from the energy balance equation for a selected cavity configuration and (ii) the evaluation of the associated displacements and stresses induced by thermal and in situ loading. A nonlinear constitutive law is used and interface elements are introduced for a more realistic modeling. This program supplements an ongoing contract with the Department of Energy which has the specific objectives of studying 2-D and 3-D subsidence histories, stable cavity configurations, thermal crack propagation, and design guidelines for UCC applications.  Subsidiary objectives of this program included the transfer of technology to staff from Gulf R. and D. by means of frequent interaction and graduate student input.  The computer program HEAT is written primarily for UCC applications. However, the program can be applied to various other problems such as steady-state or transient convective diffusion (or mass transport), potential flow, geothermal and any other thermal stress problems.  This report outlines model formulations and numerical methods employed in the program HEAT. Input data preparations and formats are shown in detail. Various sample input data and results are provided also."

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Laramie Energy Technology Center annual report 1978

We have just completed our fourth full year working under a succession of changes brought about in response to our Nation's critical energy problem. The first year (1975) brought our reorganization into ERDA from  many years under the Bureau of Mines. In late 1976, the LERC was internally reorganized into a matrix-team organization. October 1, 1977, saw the implementation of  the Department of Energy; and 1978 saw our name change to the Laramie Energy Technology Center. Also, in late 1978, another major change towards  decentralization of project execution authority to the  field was announced. All of these changes, while difficult to bring about, reflect a critical national response to the major challenge of the latter half of this century-the energy situation. The effect of this critical situation,  as President Carter said, has this Nation involved in the "moral equivalent of war." You, the employees of LETC, are uniquely involved in an opportunity to render  important national service. Your professionalism is being called upon to serve as few are privileged. "How well are we doing?" I submit that in most respects for 1978 we did quite well. The body of this annual report will record our  progress in 1978. This report will highlight[ our major achievements and emphasize a theme of decentralization.  In the middle of the year, our name was changed from the Laramie Energy Research Center to the Laramie Energy Technology Center. The significance of the word "technology" is important for us. It is a broader term than the word "research" and recognizes our roles not only in research and development but also in field project execution. It is applied science. The name change  also recognizes our organizational relationship to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Energy Technology.  A major milestone in LETC history was reached when the Program Director for Fossil Energy, George Fumich, Jr., issued memoranda on August 23 and 29, 1978,  establishing a decentralized fossil energy management plan. Functional roles were delineated for Headquarters and Energy Technology Centers. i.e.:  Policy and program development in Headquarters -Implementation of the program in the field by the Energy Technology Centers  resulting in the maximum utilization of fossil energy resources. LETC was designated for lead center  assignments for oil shale anti non-oil shale in situ processes, our natural role and area of expertise.

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Heat transfer to oil shale in a closely spaced bundle as an approximation to a packed bed

The heat transfer to a single cylindrical sample of oil shale in a staggered tube bundle was studied both numerically and experimentally in order to evaluate the thermal and chemical processes associated with the retorting of oil shale in packed beds particular to in situ processing. The cylinders were subjected to constant gas temperatures and to gas temperature histories experienced in an actual combustion retort.

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Synthetic fuels from eastern oil shale. Final report. [Parcho; HYTORT]

The main objectives of this study were to make a resource assessment, a mining study and a process economic evaluation of oil shale in Lewis and Fleming Counties, Kentucky. Two surface retorting processes, Paraho and Hytort, were selected and the process and economic analyses were made for a 30,000 tons/day oil shale retorting facility. The results of this investigation are presented in this report.

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Development of nondestructive-evaluation techniques for high-temperature ceramic heat-exchanger components. Fourth annual report, October 1980-September 1981

"An assessment has been made of ultrasonic techniques developed to date for nondestructive evaluation of SiC heat-exchanger tubes. The results suggest that ultrasonic inspection is a useful and valuable technique for inspecting these tubes, including ceramic butt joints. However, this method alone is currently not sufficiently effective to detect all critical flaws because of (a) the difficulties in following the surface of an out-of-round tube; (b) the high velocity and thus the large angle of refraction of sound in SiC, which for small-diameter tubes loads to significant beam distortion; and (c) insufficient resolution, relative to the small critical flaw size in ceramics, at conventional ultrasonic testing frequencies. The experiments show that higher frequencies (up to 35 MHz) are required for effective wall-thickness measurements and detection of laminar-type flaws.  While acoustic microscopy techniques for flaw and material characterization and holographic interferometry for crack sizing can be used for pre service inspection, in-service inspection of heat-exchanger tubes will probably be limited to ultrasonic inspection from the bore side. A new 22-MHz ultrasonic bore-side probe has been assembled. This probe is built to tighter tolerances than earlier versions to reduce mirror wobble, is designed for easy exchange of ultrasonic mirrors, and has a magnetic coupling to rotate the mirror (this prevents water damage of the mirror motor, a problem encountered with previous probe designs). Circumferential EDM notches as small as 125 um deep x 250 um long were readily detected. Axial notches as small as 500 um deep x 1250 um long were also detected. Natural flaws of the order of hundreds of um in size were readily detected. Calculations have shown that effective detection of axial flaws with this probe will be possible only for tubes with essentially circular cross sections (i.e., out-of-roundness limited to about plus or minus 1% variation in inner diameter). A special 20-MHz surface-wave probe was also tested and proved sensitive enough to detect a 125-um-deep outer-surface notch.  Acoustic microscopy (for flaw and material characterization) and holographic interferometry (for crack sizing), although not adaptable to bore-side inspection, were shown to be effective as complementary or confirmatory techniques when used in conjunction with conventional ultrasonic testing.  Preliminary results employing the micro focus radiography technique have indicated that his method is more sensitive than conventional radiographic techniques for ceramic butt joint assessment."

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Replacement costs of domestic crude oil

"The United States has a rich base of petroleum resources, but replacing domestic oil reserves will be costly and will require advances in technology. In the mature onshore and offshore regions, the bulk of the future oil will be found in small fields. The promise of large discoveries lies in the costly and challenging deep offshore waters and the hostile Arctic. With significant investment in R&D, advanced tertiary recovery methods could also make a major contribution to lower-cost domestic supplies.  The study of the replacement costs of domestic crude oil shows that adequate supplies of lower cost oil could be available through the middle of the 1990s. However, as these lower-cost sources are depleted, replacement costs will begin to escalate rapidly, reaching very high levels after the turn of the century."

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Numerical studies of rock fragmentation

The dynamic fracture process in rock has been modeled as a continuous accrual of damage, where the damage is defined to be the volume fraction of material that has been stress relieved by multiple crack growth. A rate equation, governing the growth of the damage, has been formulated based upon a micro structural analysis of crack growth rates and Weibull crack distribution concepts. For a prescribed tensile loading history, damage levels and fragment sizes can be obtained. In most geometries of explosive applications, there are large spatial variations in loading histories which lead to a variation in fragment sizes. Using a two-dimensional finite-difference wave propagation code and fracture parameters for oil shale, calculations of several configurations of explosives illustrate the resulting damage to surrounding rock.

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Hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene catalyzed by sulfided CoO-MoO/sub 3/. gamma. -Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/: the reaction network. [Dibenzothiophene]

Kinetics experiments have determined the reaction network in the hydrodesulphurization of dibenzothiophene catalyzed by sulfided CoO-MoO3/gammaAL2O3 at 573 K and 102 atm.  The predominant reaction is a direct sulfur extrusion giving biphenyl and hydrogen sulfide; the biphenyl is subsequently hydrogenated slowly to give cyclohexylbenzene and then bicyclohexyl.  Dibenzothiophene also undergoes a primary hydrogenation reaction preceding sulfur removal, but it is about one thousand times slower than the sulfur extrusion reaction.

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Methane production from geopressured aquifers

A number of assessments about geopressured aquifers have been performed over the past several years.  This paper re-examines an earlier SPE publication (SPE 6826) in light of  the data available from recent research and geopressured aquifer well tests.  What has been learned about geopressured aquifers in terms of reservoir parameters such as permeability, pay zone thickness, reservoir drive, drainage area, and gas-water ratios is incorporated to narrow the ranges of uncertainty in conducting parametric studies to predict production of natural gas.  Economic sensitivity of the reservoir parameters is studied in terms of a total reassessment of the capital investment and operating costs in current (1980) dollars required for a complete geopressured aquifer production system.  A review of methane production from geopressured aquifers using discounted cash flow analyses strongly suggests that the minimize the wellhead gas price the well should be allowed to flow wide open, even though a rapid but predictable decline in production would result.  The often discussed 5 to 7 years of constant production could result in up to a 30% higher gas price at the wellhead.  To illustrate this point, test data from the DOE geothermal -geopressured well, Pleasant Bayou No. 2 is utilized in the analysis. The potential economic sensitivity of the Pleasant Bayou No. 2 well to its possible range of reservoir characteristics is examined.

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Mechanism of the pyrolysis of torbanite. [Details of 4-step decomposition]

The study of kerogen pyrolysis is reviewed in the light of recent investigations on the New South Wales torbanites.  In the case of torbanites, it has  been shown that four main stages may be distinguished in the decomposition, although no stage exists to the exclusion of another.  The properties of each stage are discussed.  In the absence of air, it has been proved that the rate of pyrolysis obeys micro molecular laws and the reaction velocity of decomposition of similar to that of other oil shales and heavy mineral oil.  Calculations on the heat energy of activation of torbanite pyrolysis have shown that this value is 48,500 g.cal/g. mol. a result comparable with that obtained for similar materials.  The thermophysics of the decomposition of torbanite is discussed from a quantitative viewpoint, and an experimental value found for the heat necessary to transform torbanite into oil, gas and coke.

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Effects of desulfurization on the lead susceptibility of distillates from some crude oils from Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma

Desulfurization experiments at the Petroleum Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Bartlesville on virgin light distillates obtained from some "high-sulfur" crude oils have shown that the octane numbers of the original distillates are increased on the average about one unit; that the octane numbers of distillates with 4 ml tetraethyl lead are increased 2 to 13 units; and that the amount of increase of both the clear and leaded samples depends on the type as well as the quantity of sulfur compounds removed.

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Recovery of oil from Utah's Tar Sands. Final report, December 1, 1979-March 31, 1983

"The singular most important variable for successful bitumen recovery by hot water separation is bitumen viscosity. Experimental results by several investigators (Hupka and Aguilar) confirm this conclusion which  is reflected by the composite plot of separation efficiency versus viscosity for 13 different tar sands presented in Figure A-3. Generally, it is noted that a bitumen viscosity of 10 poise is required by temperature control and/or diluent addition. Cleaning of the bitumen concentrate has been made possible by simple sedimentation in either a gravity settler or centrifuge. Increased additions of diluent are required and the need for a centrifuge can be  eliminated under certain conditions of bitumen concentrate production. Under most favorable conditions the suspended sand and water can be reduced by sedimentation for 24 hours to <2%. Finally, research is in progress to adapt the air sparged hydrocyclone  (ASH) for bitumen flotation and evaluate its efficiency with respect to conventional flotation. Successful adaptation of the ASH system could result in substantial reduction in the capital cost for flotation because of its high capacity. The ASH circuit has been installed and is operating . Preliminary results have been encouraging and further research in this area is warranted."

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Analytical distillation of crude oils at high altitudes by the Bureau of Mines routine method. [Specific gravity, sulfur content, viscosity, API gravity, color, and distillation]

"Apparatus for the analytical distillation of crude oils under an artificial pressure of 760 mm. of mercury has been designed and constructed. This apparatus enables laboratories at high altitudes to make Bureau of Mines routine analyses of crude oils with results similar to those obtained by laboratories at sea level. This is especially important for laboratories in the Rocky Mountain region, where barometric pressures of approximately 600 mm. of mercury are encountered.    During the past 30 years, the Bureau of Mines has made several thousand analyses of crude oils from various parts of the United States and from foreign countries. The first part (stage 1) of the distillation for the analysis is made at atmospheric pressure, and as most petroleum laboratories are near sea level, comparable results are obtained ordinarily. However, the increased use of the method by laboratories at high altitudes has caused difficulty, as the analyses cannot be accurately compared with analyses from laboratories at sea level. For instance, laboratories at 7,200 feet generally report 2 to 4 percent (based upon the crude oil) more gasoline than sea level laboratories. The use of the pressurized apparatus developed by the writers makes it possible for these high-altitude laboratories to duplicate analyses made at sea level."

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Processing high-resolution mass spectrographic plates with a comparator-microdensitometer--programmable calculator system

This Bureau of Mines publication describes the hardware system and software package for the semiautomatic acquisition and automatic processing of high-resolution mass spectrographic plates. The semiautomatic data acquisition allows a tenfold saving of time compared with manual data acquisition. Automatic processing of the high-resolution data to yield exact masses, intensity, and the corresponding empirical formulas is accomplished by efficient programming on a small, inexpensive, programmable calculator system.

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Combination method for predicting waterflood performance for five-spot patterns in stratified reservoirs

A method of predicting waterflood performance has been developed that combines certain facets of several previously published prediction techniques. The manner of combination has required the development and use of some new and some little-known relationships and has eliminated several of the weaker assumptions inherent in the original individual prediction methods. This approach, which was designed for computer solution, has removed the necessity of referring to plotted curves and permits the analytical prediction of waterflood performance for a five-spot well pattern in either homogeneous or stratified reservoirs. The predicted values are expressed in common oilfield units rather than in abstract or dimensionless terms. The calculation procedure has been programmed in FORTRAN IV and the entire program listing is available to potential users.

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Nitrogen compounds in distillate fuels. [34 samples from various areas in U. S]

Some types of nitrogen compounds have been shown to cause instability in distillate fuels. An analytical scheme for types of nitrogen compounds in petroleum distillates has been based on a combination of methods for total nitrogen, basic nitrogen, and pyrrole nitrogen. This analysis has been made on 34 samples of distillate fuels chosen to be representative of geographical origin of the crude oil and of processing methods. With the exception of the California oils of total nitrogen content is below 0.05% for each oil. Differentiation between catalytically and thermally cracked stocks can be made on the basis of the types of nitrogen compounds present. A test for distinguishing among straight-run, catalytically cracked, and thermally cracked fuels is proposed.

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Adsorption of aliphatic acids from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon

The radioisotope technique was applied to study the removal of allphatic acid contaminants found in byproduct waters of fossil fuel conversion processes at three different temperatures. Five pure component systems (acetic acid, propionic acid, n-butyric acid, n-hexanoic acid, and n-heptanoic acid) were investigated at three different temperature, 278, 298, and 313 K, by using activated carbon as the adsorbent. The results were modeled by a three-parameter adsorption isotherm equation.

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Potential for underground coal gasification in the southwest

In occasional outcroppings and beneath the surface of the high plateaus and just west of the southern Rocky Mountains are large deposits of sub-bituminous coals. These coals were formed in the estuaries, swamps, and lagoons at the edges of the extensive epicontinental sea of the Late Cretaceous Period. Many millions of tons of this coal lie strippable depths (overburden is less than 250 feet), but perhaps 90% of the total deposits lie deeper. These deposits will probably only be tapped if underground gasification proves feasible. In this paper the question of the suitability of Southwestern coals for underground gasification is examined.

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Evaluation of Dumas procedures by mass spectrometry

Attempts to determine nitrogen in shale oil or its fractions by the Dumas micromethod generally resulted in high and variable results. The mass spectrometer was used to analyze the gases in the nitrometer. The presence of hydrocarbons and nitric oxide indicated that proper techniques were not being used in the combustion. The ability to detect extraneous gases and to identify them provides a tool by which the effectiveness of the procedures may be tested. Revision of the procedure until only nitrogen is collected in the nitrometer results in good analyses. In some instances corrections may be applied to nitrometer readings containing extraneous gases, so that acceptable results are obtained.

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Survey of the high-sulphur crude oils (black oils) produced in Wyoming

"Refining of the so-called black oils produced in Wyoming and other Rocky Mountain States always has been a troublesome problem, both technically and economically. These low-gravity crudes have high sulphur content, a low gasoline yield, and high asphalt content.  The present estimated potential production of black oils in Wyoming is between 36,000 and 46,000 barrels per day for wells already drilled. The actual black-oil production in 1930 was approximately 6,000 barrels a day. This small production is due to the limited market for black oils, which, in turn, is due largely to the almost prohibitive cost of refining these crudes into marketable products by present methods.  These conditions indicate the need for further chemical and refining research on black oils to develop more adequate and economical methods of removing their objectionable constituents so that the market for these oils may be increased. Another factor which indicates the need for refining the black oils profitably is the decreasing production of low-sulphur light gravity crude oils in Wyoming. Since 1923 the production of light crudes has been decreasing, until in 1930 it was about equal to the potential production of black oil, and unless new light-oil fields are discovered more and more black oil must be refined to supply the regional demand for petroleum products.  This preliminary survey gives brief history of black-oil fields in Wyoming, together with the potential and actual production of each field a Bureau of Mines Hempel analysis of each crude; and a discussion of the different products that may be obtained from these crudes, as indicate by the analyses."

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