AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Displacement of oil by carbon dioxide. Annual report, October 1978-September 1979

Good progress has been made on all aspects of the carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/) research program at the New Mexico Petroleum Recovery Research Center. Construction of high pressure experimental equipment for measurements of CO/sub 2/ displacement efficiency in cores and slim tubes has been completed. A sophisticated apparatus for measurements of phase behavior and fluid properties of mixtures of CO/sub 2/ and crude oils has been designed and built. The experimental setup permits a variety of multiple contact phase behavior experiments which explore mixture compositions which realistically model displacement processes at temperatures and pressures of interest. Gas chromatography techniques previously used to characterize crude oils have been extended to allow analyses of mixtures containing CO/sub 2/ and hydrocarbons ranging from methane to molecules as heavy as tetracontane (C/sub 40/). A series of displacements with alcohol-oil-water mixtures, which are analogue systems with useful similarities to CO/sub 2/-hydrocarbon systems have been completed. A one-dimensional CO/sub 2/ flooding simulator has been developed which gives excellent agreement between simulated and experimental results for the analogue alcohol-oil-water displacements. Finally, a qualitative analysis is given for the complex phase behavior observed for mixtures of CO/sub 2/ and crude oils at temperatures below 50/sup 0/C and the effects of phase behavior on expected displacement efficiency are calculated. The results indicate that relatively small changes in pressure can be expected to have a strong influence on the efficiency of CO/sub 2/ displacements of crude oils.

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Enhanced recovery by injection of treated exhaust gases from existing engines. Phase I report, September 21, 1978-July 31, 1979

The inert gas system being developed under DOE contract produces a non-corrosive gas consisting of approximately 88% nitrogen, 12% carbon dioxide, to be used for oil and gas field enhanced recovery programs. The system treats the engine exhaust of oil field engines which power the compressors for injecting the inert gas into the underground formations. In Phase I the potential of the system to increase oil and gas production was studied, a technical feasibility study done, and the designs of the component and pilot plant test stands developed. The major components of the system were evaluated and a thermal reactor designed for testing. In addition, a study of the system economics was made in order to estimate the cost of the inert gas. It is concluded that inert gas has the potential to add 3.3 billion barrels of oil to reserves and to increase production of natural gas by 10 trillion cubic feet. Technically, it is concluded that there are no significant barriers to development of the system. It is recommended that the program proceed to Phase II so that operating data can be developed to provide the basis for further evaluations of the commercial attractiveness of the system with regard to economics and reliability.

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Predicted costs of environmental controls for a commercial oil shale industry. Volume 1. An engineering analysis

The pollution control costs for a commercial oil shale industry were determined in a joint effort by Denver Research Institute, Water Purification Associates of Cambridge, and Stone and Webster Engineering of Boston and Denver. Four commercial oil shale processes were considered. The results in terms of cost per barrel of syncrude oil are predicted to be as follows: Paraho Process, $0.67 to $1.01; TOSCO II Process, $1.43 to $1.91; MIS Process, $2.02 to $3.03; and MIS/Lurgi-Ruhrgas Process, $1.68 to $2.43. Alternative pollution control equipment and integrated pollution control strategies were considered and optimal systems selected for each full-scale plant. A detailed inventory of equipment (along with the rationale for selection), a detailed description of control strategies, itemized costs and predicted emission levels are presented for each process. Capital and operating cost data are converted to a cost per barrel basis using detailed economic evaluation procedures. Ranges of cost are determined using a subjective self-assessment of uncertainty approach. An accepted methodology for probability encoding was used, and cost ranges are presented as subjective probability distributions. Volume I presents the detailed engineering results. Volume II presents the detailed analysis of uncertainty in the predicted costs.

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Market enhancement of shale oil: The native products extraction technology

The overall objective of this work was to assess the feasibility of enhancing shale oil commercialization through SO/NPX technology. Specific objectives were: (1) To determine the properties and characteristics of fractions isolable from shale oil utilizing separation sequences which are based on thermodynamic considerations; (2) To identify product streams of market value for promising technology development; (3)To conduct technology development studies leading to a shale oil extraction and processing sequence which promises economic enhancement of shale oil commercialization; (4) To develop an analytical methodology and model for obtaining engineering design data required for process development; (5) To estimate the economics of SO/NPX including the potential for enhancing the profitability of a commercial-scale shale oil MIS retort.

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Fracture of Devonian shale by tailored pulse-loading. Final report, August 15, 1977-August 15, 1978

The Department of Energy (DOE), Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) at Morgantown, West Virginia, is examining methods to increase production of natural gas from marginal reserves. Because of the potentially large reserves present in the eastern Devonian shales, these materials have been selected for the application and evaluation of novel and existing well fracturing and simulation techniques. As part of this program, SRI International has studied the feasibility of enhancing fracture formation and growth in well stimulation by tailored pulse loading, i.e., shaping the borehole input pressure-time history to produce a specified fracture pattern. Specifically, SRI's computational fracture model, NAG-FRAG, was used to evaluate the effect of pulse shape and rock properties in controlling dynamic rock fracture. Preliminary calculations were made of the amount and location of damage in a cylindrical configuration, and laboratory-scale springing experiments were performed to determine the NAG-FRAG fracture parameters of the Devonian shale. An exponentially decaying input pressure history was selected as the pulse shape for use in the final pulse shaping calculations.

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Mathematical methodology for evaluating simulations of flow in porous media. Final report, February 1, 1980-August 31, 1983

This report concerns development of a methodology for evaluation of reservoir simulators. Although validity and usefulness of reservoir simulations might be questioned on various grounds, this study involves tests of resolution of numerical computational difficulties and of compatibility of correlations used in representation of fluid properties and phase flow interference. A similarity concept is used which allows testing of simulators to be based on solution of a system of ordinary differential equations, referred to as a Similarity Porous Media System (SPMS), rather than on the usual system of partial differential equations, referred to as a Porous Media System (PMS). The SPMS can be solved with the same computational effort as would be required for a single time step in the usual application of the PMS itself. The SPMS consists of study of possible level curves, also called similarity curves, on which all the unknowns in the PMS are constant. The curves can be chosen to be either a family of coaxial, common vertex parabolas or of parallel lines for evaluation of a simulator restricted to a linear reservoir. Moreover, the SPMS can be used, on a family of parabolas, for a simulator restricted to porous media problems with circular symmetry. Simulation of an actual reservoir problem imposes field conditions on a simulator's solution of the PMS, but use of the similarity concept in evaluation of a simulator involves imposition of selected samples from a solution of the SPMS as conditions on a solution of the PMS by the simulator. Then, this solution of the PMS can be checked against a solution predicted by the solution of the SPMS. Examples have been tested and data are available on request. 7 references, 2 figures, 5 tables.

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Industrial application of fluidized-bed combustion. Phases I and II. Quarterly technical progress report, July-September 1979

Analysis and evaluation of Sub-Scale Unit operational and test data has not shown any cause to expect unsuccessful operation of the Demonstration Plant. Major changes to the Demonstration Plant based on the SSU results significantly improve the prospect for a smooth shakedown and startup of the plant. Modification of in-bed heat transfer to compensate for changes in the design heat transfer rates and heat release distribution has been accomplished. Provisions to vary reinjection rates during operation over the range of 0 to 90 percent maximum expected flow rates and control dust loadings have been added. Redesign of the bed air distribution (grid plates), allowing for free thermal expansion, has been included. Improvements to the design of instrumentation probes to provide reliable sensing for control valves were provided. In addition, the operation of the SSU has verified that the fluidized bed combustion process as designed for the Demonstration Plant should achieve the required performance. All major components of the Demonstration Plant have been specified. Fabrication releases have been issued for critical items. The design phase of the project is near 95% completion. Construction is well underway. Concrete work is more than 90% complete. Structural steel erection has started, as well as silo fabrication. The facility should be enclosed with roofing and siding before the arrival of severe winter weather. A test program has been prepared and submitted to DOE. Arrangements are being made for operational manpower and test equipment.

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Phosphoric and electric utility fuel cell technology development. Technical progress report No. 22, February 1-March 31, 1985

A subscale cell test containing GSB-18, dry mix catalyst accumulated over 7400 hours with performance 10 mV above E-line at 120 psia and 400/sup 0/F. The seven cell cross pressure test rig has been assembled and readied for testing. Successful carbonizing of separator plates and thick cooler plates was verified using the load restrain fixture. Preliminary designs of reactant inlet manifold baffles and attachment hardware were completed. All repeat part components for the next 10-ft/sup 2/ short stack have been formed.

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Kinetics of catalyzed steam gasification of low-rank coals to produce hydrogen. Final report

The principal goal of coal char-steam gasification research is to establish the feasibility of low-rank coal gasification for hydrogen production. The program has focused on determining reaction conditions for maximum product gas hydrogen content and on evaluating process kinetics with and without catalyst addition. The high inherent reactivity of lignites and subbituminous coals, compared to coals of higher rank, make them the probable choice for use in steam gasification. An extensive matrix of char-steam gasification tests was performed in a laboratory-scale thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) at temperatures of 700/sup 0/, 750/sup 0/, and 800/sup 0/C. Reaction conditions for these tests were based on the results of earlier work at UNDERC in which product gases from fixed-bed, atmospheric pressure, steam gasification at temperatures of 700/sup 0/ to 750/sup 0/C were found to contain 63 to 65 mole % hydrogen, with the remainder being carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and less than 1 mole % methane. Four low-rank coals and one bituminous coal were included in the TGA test matrix. Catalysts screened in the study included K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/, Na/sub 2/CO/sub 3/, trona, nahcolite, sunflower hull ash, and lignite ash. Results of this study showed uncatalyzed North Dakota and Texas lignites to be slightly more reactive than a Wyoming subbituminous coal, and 8 to 10 times more reactive than an Illinois bituminous coal. Several catalysts that substantially improved low-rank coal steam gasification rates included pure and mineral (trona and nahcolite) alkali carbonates. The reactivity observed when using trona and nahcolite to catalyze the steam gasification was the highest, at nearly 3.5 times that without catalysts. The use of these inexpensive, naturally-occurring, alkalis as gasification catalysts may result in elimination of the need for catalyst recovery in the hydrogen-from-coal process. 11 refs., 23 figs., 9 tabs.

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MHD Coal-Fired Flow Facility. Annual technical progress report, January-December 1978

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) reports on significant advances, as well as problems and planned research and testing, and on construction progress for the Coal-Fired Flow Facility (CFFF) during the year January 1, 1978 through December 31, 1978. Advances made and reported include the following: (1) the Fuels and Chemistry Laboratory significantly improved its capability for evaluating the performance of the MHD system and its components, (2) the UTSI data acquisition system bandwidth was increased from 0.03 to 10 Hertz so that all of the data channels can be analyzed statistically, even under frequently changing plant conditions during a run, (3) the least cost superconducting magnet useful throughout the operating range of the CFFF was determined, (4) a method for reducing NO/sub x/ at the stack to about 300 ppM (0.18 lb/10/sup 6/ Btu) was demonstrated (this level is below EPA limits,5300 ); the system operated with a primary combustor (operating at approximately equal to 85% of stoichiometry) and a secondary combustor, (5) seed regeneration analysis and evaluation indicates that the Direct Reduction process offers the greatest potential advantage, and (6) calculated channel parameters and experimental data have been used to calculate the limiting resistor values needed to maximize diagonal conducting wall (DCW) channel system current extraction. Other technical subjects are covered.

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Low-rank coal liquefaction solvent effects. Final report for the period ending March 31, 1986. [Chemical ionization-proton exchange (CIPE)]

Several areas of research pertaining to solvent effects on low-rank coal liquefaction were investigated. A set of three direct liquefaction experiments were carried out in the UNDERC continuous process unit under the conditions shown by previous experiments to give the highest distillate yield. Each experiment was carried through at least 40 four-hour yield periods before it was terminated, to provide samples of process-derived ''lined-out''recycle solvent and equilibrium samples of coal-derived products. Two coals, a North Dakota lignite and a Wyoming subbituminous coal, were compared in the same solvent, and the North Dakota lignite was processed in two very different solvents. The processing conditions were kept at the same nominal values throughout the three runs. The two start-up solvents were chosen because they differ in several important ways. The PDU solvent contained about seven times as much total alkane content and ten times as much n-alkane content than did the A04 solvent. The PDU solvent also contained a higher concentration of methylated and other alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons than A04. These differences in composition are expected to affect the solvating power of the solvent toward the coal and coal-derived products. The difference in reactive nature of the solvents at high temperature and pressure is expected to lead to different initial products. One of the objectives of this set of experiments was to determine whether these differences would affect the composition of the products at line-out. Another goal of the experiments was to assess the differences in the operability, yield, and nature of the products when two different low-rank coals were liquefied with the same start-up solvent. 25 refs., 22 figs., 6 tabs.

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Supercritical solvent extraction. Final report for the period ending March 31, 1986

Supercritical solvent extraction (SCSE) has been performed at the University of North Dakota Energy Research Center (UNDERC) using a semicontinuous extraction system. Extractions were performed using low-rank coals and supercritical solvents which included water, methanol, and various hydrocarbons such as benzene, cyclohexane, trimethylpentane and the n-alkanes; n-hexane through n-octane. Except for the supercritical water runs, these experiments were carried out at temperatures below the temperature where significant thermal decomposition of the coal occurs (i.e., less than or equal to350/sup 0/C). The objective of this work has been to establish the fundamental principles of coal-solvent interactions at or above the solvent critical point. Results from supercritical water extractions indicate that conversions ranged from 40% to 50% while extract yields ranged from 10% to 30% at 380/sup 0/C. Extract yields between 0.7% and 6.2% were obtained with lower temperature extractions (less than or equal to350/sup 0/C) of a North Dakota lignite using various simple hydrocarbon solvents at supercritical conditions. These yields were found to increase with increasing solvent temperature and solvent pressure or density. In contrast to the extractions with supercritical hydrocarbon solvents in which the extract was composed mainly of alkanes and long-chain fatty acids and the yield of extract varied little with temperature and pressure, the extraction with supercritical methanol showed a dramatic increase in extract yield with increasing temperature and pressure. The composition of the extract varied with the increase in temperature, with phenolics and methyl ethers predominating at the higher temperatures (up to 350/sup 0/C). 40 refs., 28 figs., 20 tabs.

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Physical properties and moisture. Final report for the period ending March 31, 1986

There are three major goals of this research project. The first is to develop methodologies and data on mechanical properties of crushed and finely ground low-rank coals and their mineral residues, relevant to their behavior and handling problems in gasification, liquefaction, and slurry transport applications. These properties include: shear strength, compressibility and permeability of dry, free-sliding coal; abrasiveness of finely ground coal and mineral residues in slurries; viscosity of coal and residue slurries in water and in coal-derived liquid products; porosity, defined as size distribution and continuity of pores and their variation through processing steps; mechanical and thermal friability; and shear and compressive strength of cokes or chars formed by devolatilization of coals. The second research goal is to relate observed mechanical or physical properties, such as elasticity, plasticity, or internal friction, to the three-dimensional structural arrangement of the coal macromolecules via the theories and models of polymer science. The third research goal is to determine the distribution and modes of incorporation of water in low-rank coals, and develop approaches for the measurement of ''moisture''which can be interpreted in ways meaningful for low-rank coal utilization. 64 figs., 4 tabs.

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Investigation of nonintrusive radiometers for entrained gasifier temperature measurement. Final report

The Sodium Line Emission Pyrometer (SLEP) concept has been successfully utilized to perform nonintrusive temperature measurements in a coal combustor. Measurements were performed during many hours of operation, and no degradation in either the optical access or the signal were observed. Temperatures between 1700 to 2000 K were measured with accuracy of  -10 K (often  -1 K). An analysis indicates that errors due to the presence of particles or walls do not exist for the parameter range at which coal conversion facilities operate. The SLEP apparatus is at a laboratory development stage and it consists of the following components: an aerodynamic window optical access port, a fiber optic cable to transfer the collected emission, a high-resolution echelle spectrometer, a linear detector array and an optical multichannel analyzer. The theoretical background, design details, and laboratory and field measurements test results are discussed in this report. The instrument has a potential of serving as a key diagnostic for the fossil energy industry. Recommendations for future work are discussed. 9 refs., 32 figs., 15 tabs.

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Evaluation of cooling tower and wastewater treatment operations at the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant

The objective of this study was to provide a technical assessment of the Great Plains Coal Gasification Plant Wastewater Treatment System. This Scope of Work consisted of five primary tasks described as follows: Task 1 - Determine the quantity of hydantoins in the stripped gas liquor (SGL), their precursors, and the kinetics of their formation in condensed liquor for the Great Plains Gasification Associates (GPGA) gasification facility. The University of North Dakota Energy Research Center (UNDERC) has measured a high concentration of hydantoins in the gas liquor from their slagging gasifier. UNDERC has tested the use of SGL in a pilot cooling tower and they witnessed some adverse effects in the cooling tower and heat exchanger systems. Task 2 - Investigate the adverse Department of Energy (DOE) findings at UNDERC with regard to corrosion, foaming, biological and organic fouling, chemical attack on concrete and organic emissions resulting from the use of SGL in a pilot plant cooling tower. Task 3 - Validate the heat load on the cooling tower for both summer and winter operation and determine the adequacy of the surge pond to store the maximum predicted amount of excess water accumulated during winter operation. Task 4 - Assess potential fouling, foaming and organic carry-over problems associated with operability of the multiple-effect evaporator and develop recommendations on possible alternate use of evaporator condensate to alleviate possible problems in disposing of excess wastewater. Task 5 - Provide DOE with recommendations on the wastewater treatment backup design and test program already committed to by GPGA. This paper presents Fluor's findings regarding the five primary tasks. 12 refs., 4 figs., 15 tabs.

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Biological upgrading of coal-derived synthesis gas: Final report

The technical feasibility of the biological conversion of coal synthesis gas to methane has been demonstrated in the University of Arkansas laboratories. Cultures of microorganisms have been developed which achieve total conversion in the water gas shift and methanation reactions in either mixed or pure cultures. These cultures carry out these conversions at ordinary temperatures and pressures, without sulfur toxicity. Several microorganisms have been identified as having commercial potential for producing methane. These include a mixed culture of unidentified bacteria; P. products which produces acetate, a methane precursor; and Methanothrix sp., which produces methane from acetate. These cultures have been used in mixed reactors and immobilized cell reactors to achieve total CO and H/sub 2/ conversion in a retention time of less than two hours, quite good for a biological reactor. Preliminary economic projections indicate that a biological methanation plant with a size of 5 x 10/sup 10/ Btu/day can be economically attractive. 42 refs., 26 figs., 86 tabs.

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