AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
LLL Gas Stimulation Program. Quarterly progress report, October-December 1979

This report summarizes the research and activities of the LLL Gas Stimulation Program during the final quarter of FY 1979. We have continued our theoretical model development and application. Analyses of frictional interfaces, with similar materials on both sides of the interface, show that frictional slippage along the interface tends to draw a pressurized fracture toward the interface. Increasing friction along the interface changes the position at which the pressurized fracture is affected by the interface. The dynamic effects of propagation near a well-bonded interface between two dissimilar materials are not significantly modified by the velocity of the dynamically propagating fracture for fracture by velocities below the body wave speeds. We have shown the pressure evaluation of the fracturing fluid in a crack. One notable feature of these calculations is the rather sudden increase in fluid pressure at the fracture tip just after the fluid reaches it. Frictional interface experiments using various lubricants on the interface show distinct changes in the frictional coefficient; however, these tests indicate that the interface must support about 350 psi (24 GPa) in shear (frictional) stress before a fracture will penetrate the interface. Our studies of the occurrence and mechanics of natural fractures in the western reservoirs show that in a relaxed tectonic setting, one principal stress is most often nearly vertical and the other two are horizontal. Local stresses that control small fractures such as joints may be different from, although compatible with, the regional stresses. Fractures are controlled by the physical environment, the stresses, and changes in stresses due to burial and uplift. Jointing frequency is greater in weak and thinly bedded rocks and is directly related to the intensity of folding.

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Attenuation properties of soils from the waste disposal site of a Texas lignite-fired power plant

Samples of soil and plant solid wastes were collected at the site of a lignite-fired electrical generation facility near San Antonio, Texas. Ranging studies provided information on the chemical constituents of both the matrices and leachates. For this particular site the overburden soils are slightly basic (pH approx. =7.5). A large (approx. =200 kg) composite overburden sample was collected. The chemical composition was characterized by both neutron activation and analysis of leachates. Columnar studies were performed to determine the attenuation characteristics of the soil. Both arsenic and selenium readily penetrate the soil samples. Selenium, which was introduced to the column at an influent concentration of 673 ..mu..g/L was initially observed in the effluent at a concentration of <1 ..mu..g/L. After the passage of 10 L of artificial leachate solution per kg of soil, the effluent concentration was approx.200 ..mu..g/L. The effluent concentration rose to approx. =500 ..mu..g/L after exposure of the sample to approx. = 30 L/kg.

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Performance of an electrostatic precipitator at simulated pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC) conditions

Results are given in this report for testing at Denver Research Institute's High Temperature-High Pressure Electrostatic Precipitator (HTHP-ESP) Facility, for the period 2 September 1981 to 31 December 1984. This work is part of the DOE/Fossil Energy's Gas Stream Cleanup Program. The objective of this work was to determine technical feasibility of ESPs as final particulate cleanup devices for Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combined Cycle Power Plants. Test results are given for electrical conditions for three corona electrodes operating under clean and dirty conditions for temperatures from 705/sup 0/ to 955/sup 0/C (1300/sup 0/ to 1750/sup 0/F) and pressures 510 and 640 kPa (5.1 and 6.4 atm). PFBC conditions were simulated by reentrainment of fly ash from the Curtiss-Wright small gas turbine test rig into the flue gas stream from a methyl alcohol burner. Results of mass efficiency measurements are presented for temperatures of 743/sup 0/ to 915/sup 0/C (1370/sup 0/ to 1680/sup 0/F) at a pressure of 640 kPa (6.4 atm). Both of the results are for negative corona. However, some data for positive corona are presented. Tests were performed to supplement the data from the foreshortened sub-pilot scale ESP tests performed by Cottrell Environmental Sciences at the Curtiss-Wright test facility. Tests were first performed to verify that the DRI facility adequately simulated conditions at Curtiss-Wright. These results are presented together with results from tests which extended the operating temperature and pressure beyond that possible at Curtiss-Wright. Results for initial parametric testing are presented. The parametric test program was not completed due to mechanical problems in the precipitator. A test plan is presented for the completion of this work which is expected to be completed within the next year and reported on later. 7 refs., 45 figs., 15 tabs.

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42-inch gas producer Run 99:  Holmes-Stretford system evaluation. Final report

From the standpoint of the Holmes-Stretford plant operation, Run 99 was largely a success. The only serious problem is presented by the entrainment from the plate tower. The maximum flow rate at which the tower can be operated (four gallons per minute) enables the Holmes-Stretford system to scrub hydrogen sulfide only to a level of 300 to 400 parts per million. Peabody Process Systems, Inc. recommends that vertical knockout drums be installed following both the polishing tower and the flash drum. Deentrained Stretford liquor is to be returned from both knockout drums to the oxidizer. Suggested proportions for the two knockout drums are presented. Pursuant to Run 99, PPSI performed a review of the design of the existing polishing tower. It is our contention that the tower should be capable of handling the design liquor and gas flows at the system design conditions. The possibility exists, therefore, that some unaccounted-for blockage is present in the METC polishing tower. PPSI recommends that a thorough inspection and engineering review of the polishing tower internals be made to ensure that the liquor flow path is unobstructed and the result is fabricated in accordance with the design. The results of this review will dictate the further course of action. Other specific recommendations are made.

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Advanced coal gasification system for electric power generation. Third quarterly progress report, April 1 to June 30, 1981

Three operational tests were performed in the PDU. The operation of the two-stage cyclone system was verified; overall fines collection efficiency ranged from 80 to 90% on the Pittsburgh coal. This compares favorably with the 65% efficiency experienced with the single cyclone. Two tests were conducted in the cold flow scale-up facility (CFSF) to determine the operability of the cyclone, as well as to obtain data on jet penetration, bubble diameter and bubble frequency. A matrix of nine set points was completed, each of which was filmed with a high-speed movie camera. Following the test, the films were analyzed with a motion analyzer. The design of the high temperature unit was completed and the necessary materials and instrumentation were ordered. Because of modeling and design needs, the extent to which solids mix and/or deviate from the ideal flow patterns in different regions within the fluidized-bed gasifier was investigated. Of particular interest was the history of solids injected into the reactor by means of a gas-solid two-phase jet. To study the history of injected solids, solid tracer particles were fed pneumatically through a jet into a steady fluidized-bed. The experiments were performed at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. The preliminary data obtained at the CFSF during test TPM002-1 were analyzed for jet penetration depth, bubble diameter, and bubble frequency. The jet penetration correlation developed at Westinghouse successfully correlated the data to within 25%, far superior to the most quoted correlations available in the literature, which showed deviations from 114 to 506%.

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Dew points of hot gases from coal-gasification processes. Final report

Effluent gases from coal-gasification processes often contain high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons (tars) which, upon condensation, may foul heat exchangers needed to recover sensible heat. Efficient design of heat exchangers and separation equipment for the removal of tars requires information about the phase-equilibrium behavior of these systems. A computer program has been written to predict dew points and condensation-versus-temperature behavior of gasifier effluents containing coal tars. Predictions have been tested using experimentally determined dew points for methane/water/Lurgi coal-tar fraction mixtures. The comparisons are generally good. Calculation of tar properties is based on a tar-characterization procedure where vacuum distillation, at high reflux, is used to produce narrow-boiling fractions. Each fraction is treated as a pseudo component; its properties are based on the vapor-pressure datum obtained during fractionation, on the results of elemental analysis, and on the proton NMR spectrum of the fraction. Calculation of vapor-phase properties are based on the viral equation of state with second coefficients calculated using the square-well potential. Calculation of liquid-phase properties are based on Henry's constants for the light gases and on standard-state fugacities (vapor pressures) for the tar fractions. To establish and verify our vapor-pressure correlation (SWAP), measurements were made of vapor pressures for seven heavy hydrocarbons; four heavy, nitrogen-containing hydrocarbons derivatives; and four sulfur-containing hydrocarbon derivatives. If water is present, it is assumed to condense as a pure liquid.

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Overburden Characterization and Post Burn Study at the Hanna, Wyoming Site

Several underground coal gasification (UCG) experiments have been conducted in the Hanna No. 1 coal seam. During the fall of 1980 the Laramie Energy Technology Center performed a post-burn field study of the Hanna II, Phases 2 and 3 experiment at the Hanna UCG site. The field work consisted of high resolution seismic, drilling, coring, and geophysical logging. The Department of Earth Resources, Colorado State University, contributed to the post-burn study by doing laboratory work on the cores and geophysical logs. The purpose of the laboratory work was to provide an estimate of the temperatures and chemical conditions reached during the conversion experiment by studying the mineralogical and textural characteristics of thermally altered and unaltered overburden. In the vicinity of the burn cavity, overburden rocks have been subjected to high temperature pyrometamorphism during the Hanna II Phases 2 and 3 UCG experiments. Paralava rocks, buchites and paralava breccias containing glass and various high temperature minerals such as oligoclase, clinopyroxene, ferrocordierite, mullite, cristobalite, magnetite, and tridymite formed. Textures of some of these minerals suggest crystallization directly from a melt. Mineralogy and melting relations of the paralavas, ash fusion temperatures, and thermocouple measurements made during the experiment suggest that temperatures in excess of 1200/sup 0/C were attained. Rock color and the presence of reduced iron bearing minerals and blebs of native iron indicate that the experimental burn and the product gases in the area of paralava formation were reducing.

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3-D thermodynamic model of underground coal gasification in Eastern thin-seam coals. Final report, Task 19, October 1, 1979-December 31, 1980

The thermodynamic modeling of underground coal gasification (UCG) is a very complex problem. We have just completed a survey of current status of UCG models. Models can be applied to the air bubble, initial linking, combustion link enhancement, or forward gasification phase. Chemical reactions can be treated as local, distributed, or overall phenomena. Heat transfer can include wall conduction, bulk gas convection in a cavity or porous zone, and radiation with an optically thick, translucent, or optically thin gas. Sloughing or swelling of the wall material as well as the influx of water may be treated in various ways. Most models employ several basic concepts or equations and utilize one or two dominant mechanisms to obtain a model which is tenable with computer memory and run time limitations. Models employing basic constitutive equations plus chemical reaction subroutines are therefore limited to the number of finite difference nodes which can be used and hence have geometry definition limitations, as well as process limitations. The Lawrence Livermore National Labs model, which is one of the better models available today, is limited to 2-Dimensions (thin seam only) and requires input data based on field test output data to obtain a reasonable match of cavity shape. Perhaps the most comprehensive effort under way is at ARCO, where it appears that a finite element program will include almost all aspects of the UCG problem and will require the use of a Cray or equivalent super computer which uses a CDC Cyber 76 or equivalent, as an input/output processor.

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Process-information definition for evaluation of gasification and gas-cleanup processes for use in molten-carbonate fuel-cell power plants. Task A topical report

This report satisfies the requirements for DOE contract DE-AC21-81MC16220 to list coal gasifiers and gas cleanup systems suitable for supplying fuel to molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) in industrial and utility power plants. The process information and data necessary for this study were extracted from sources in the public domain, including reports from DOE, EPRI, and EPA; work sponsored in whole or in part by federal agencies; and from trade journals, MCFC developers, and manufacturers. The listings included data on the state of development, operating characteristics, effluents, and effectiveness of the gasifiers and coal gas cleanup systems, to the extent that such information is available in the public domain. Information available in the public domain on the effects of contaminants on MCFC performance and on the design constraints on heat recovery equipment used to adjust coal gas temperatures to levels appropriate for available cleanup systems was also provided. Cleanup systems not chosen by DOE's MCFC contractors, General Electric and United Technologies, Inc., for their MCFC power plant work, by virtue of the resource requirements of those systems for commercial development, were extensively characterized. Such characterization is included in Appendix B, principally for the hot gas cleanup processes listed therein. One of those processes, using zinc ferrite for coal gas desulfurization, is now under active development by METC and has the potential for effective use in MCFC power plants.

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Engineering analyses for evaluation of gasification and gas-cleanup processes for use in molten-carbonate fuel-cell power plants. Task C

This report satisfies the Task C requirement for DOE contract DE-AC21-81MC16220 to provide engineering analyses of power systems utilizing coal gasifiers and gas cleanup systems suitable for supplying fuel to molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC) in industrial and utility power plants. The process information and data necessary for this study were extracted from sources in the public domain, including reports from DOE, EPRI, and EPA; work sponsored in whole or in part by Federal agencies; and from trade journals, MCFC developers, and manufacturers. The computer model used by Westinghouse, designated AHEAD, is proprietary and so is not provided in this report. The engineering analyses provide relative power system efficiency data for ten gasifier/gas cleanup fuel supply systems, including air- and oxygen-blown gasification, hot and cold desulfurization, and a range of MCFC operating pressure from 345 kPaa (50 psia) to 2069 kPaa (300 psia).

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Market potential of valve products in the synthetic-fuels industry

This report analyzes the market potential for process valves for synfuel plants from 1980 to 2000. Several segmentations are used to estimate the market for synfuel valves. Three time periods have been specified: 1980 to 1985, 1985 to 1990, and 1990 to 2000. Four categories of synfuel technologies have been identified: gasification, indirect liquefaction, direct liquefaction, and shale oil. For each of these categories, the market for process valves is broken down according to valve type and valve rating. The major distinction in valve types is between block valves and control valves. These two major valve types are divided into three material categories: carbon steel, alloy steel, and miscellaneous (i.e., brass, bronze, copper). A fourth category, specialty valves, has also been considered. Specialty valves are those which are not proven in their proposed process application. Synfuel valves have also been classified according to their pressure rating: 150 psig valves, 300 psig valves, and greater than or equal to 600 psig valves. For specialty valves only, the design temperature has also been stipulated: < 450/sup 0/F, 450 to 1000/sup 0/F, and > 1000/sup 0/F. This report analyzes only the valve market potential for the initial construction of synthetic fuel plants. The replacement valve market which is not considered here, can be of a significant size, especially for the specialty valves which encounter most severe operating conditions. The replacement valve market will consist of supplying repair parts and replacement trims, valve rebuilding services, and to lesser extent, replacing entire valves.

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GC/MS characterization of condensable tars in the output stream of a stirred fixed-bed gasifier

The output stream of the stirred fixed-bed gasifier at the Morgantown Energy Technology Center was sampled for total entrained material. A major portion of the entrained material, in addition to particles, is condensable tar that is subsequently removed from the process gas by wet scrubbing. Characterization of the entrained materials, specifically the tar, is important to establish contaminant levels and to evaluate performance of downstream cleanup units. Samples of tars were collected from the process unit in a combined ice, dry ice, and liquid nitrogen sampler and stored in a refrigerator. The tar samples were then separated into asphaltene, neutral oil, tar acid, and base fractions by solvent extraction using toluene, pentane, sulfuric acid, and potassium hydroxide extraction. Characterization of the fractions obtained from these tars include IR, UV, GC, and GC/MS analysis. The mass spectrometer analysis of the various isolates shows that many individual peaks in the gas chromatograph are in fact mixtures that can be readily identified by the mass spectrometer. It was found that many of the species identified in these fractions were members of aromatic homologous series consisting of parent, mono, di, and tri substituted compounds. Compound identification was made by comparison of the data system library and standard reference spectra. This paper will discuss the instrumental approach and limitation of the GC/MS and the results of the characterization studies of entrained hydrocarbons collected from the gasifier stream.

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New England Energy Park:  feasibility study for alternative-fuels production

Although falling oil prices and the generally dismal economic outlook have resulted in many synfuel project cancellations and deferrals, the developers of the New England Energy Park have determined, on the basis of this feasibility study, that a  coal based, synthetic fuel facility is environmentally, technically, and politically viable in the New England region. The major area of uncertainty involves the financial/economic issues which relate directly to the construction and operation of a multibillion dollar energy production facility. The NEEP developers are now reasonably confident the products produced by the project can be sold to displace foreign oil products. However, despite its ability to displace foreign oil, the project is subject to operating losses in the first years of operation before unit production costs reach stability. The financial issues that face the NEEP development group center around the risks present in a multibillion dollar pioneer energy production facility and the ability or willingness of the participants to absorb these risks. NEEP has structured a risk mitigation strategy that addresses all of these factors; but real risks remain which require support from the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation (SFC) to encourage investors to participate in the project.

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Fly ash and coal mineral matter surface transformations during heating

A study is reported of surface segregation phenomena for fly ash and aluminosilicates representative of coal mineral matter during heating. The materials studied included a 20-..mu..m average diameter fly ash powder, a glass prepared from the fly ash, and Ca- and K-rich aluminosilicate minerals. The samples were heated both in air and under vacuum for extended periods at temperatures up to 1100/sup 0/C. XPS, Auger and SIMS methods were used to obtain relative surface elemental concentrations for major and minor components and depth profiles for some of the samples. Major differences were noted between samples heated in air (oxidizing) and those heated in vacuum (reducing) environments. For the fly ash glass heated in air Fe, Ti and Mg become enriched on the surfaces while heating in vacuum leads to Si surface segregation. Different trends upon heating were also observed for the Ca- and K-rich aluminosilicates. The results indicate two levels of surface enrichment upon the fly ash glass; a thin (< 500 A) layer and a thicker (1- to 2-..mu..m) layer most evident for heating in air where an Fe-rich layer is formed. The present results indicate that the rates of surface segregation may not be sufficiently fast on the time scale of fly ash formation to result in equilibrium surface segregation. It is concluded that condensation processes during fly ash formation probably play a major role in the observed fly ash surface enrichments.

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Differential optical absorption techniques for diagnostics of coal gasification. Technical progress report, October, November, December 1982

The application of differential optical absorption (DOA) techniques for the in-situ determination of the chemical composition of coal gasification process streams is investigated. Absorption spectra of relevant molecular species and the temperature and pressure effects on DOA-determined spectral characteristics of these species will be determined and cataloged. A system will be configured, assembled, and tested.

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