AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Economic evaluation of the modified TRW Gravichem process:  one unit train per day of coal

The TRW Gravichem process, a chemical desulfurization process to remove sulfur from coal, has been modified and evaluated by the Process Evaluation Office of the Department of Energy. The study was based on a revised version of the flowsheet which was received from TRW, and it was assumed that the coal was from the Lower Kittanning seam. Costs were determined for a commercial plant to produce 9902 tons per day of clean coal meeting the May 1978 EPA standards on sulfur emissions for new steam powerplants. Results of the study indicate processing charges of $20.36, $23.03, and $27.83 per ton of product assuming 12-, 15-, and 20-percent discounted cash flows (DCF) and 100 percent equity financing. With 33:67 debt-equity financing, again assuming 12-, 15-, and 20-percent DCF rates, the processing charges are $18.58, $20.33, and $23.50 respectively.

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Chemistry of potassium and sulfur in entrained flow gasifiers. Task report No. 6, January-March 1979

Gas-phase chemistry has been extended to allow prediction of the feasibility of the removal of H/sub 2/S from gasifier effluent to very low levels. The motivation for sulfur removal emphasis is the requirement of molten carbonate fuel cell systems coupled to entrained flow gasifiers. Molten carbonate fuel cells operate at around 1000/sup 0/K and cannot tolerate H/sub 2/S levels greater than 10 ppM and perhaps 1 ppM. Because of the loss in system efficiency from cold gas cleanup and because of the inability of conventional hot gas cleanup systems to meet the low H/sub 2/S requirements of molten carbonate fuel cells, the feasibility of the removal of H/sub 2/S by injection of alkalies in the combustion section and precipitation of alkali sulfides in the cooler region is being studied. The thermochemistry and chemical kinetic information for potassium and potassium-sulfur species have been extended by the estimation of thermochemical properties and reaction rate constants. These values, when incorporated in the equilibrium and nonequilibrium chemistry codes, indicate no fundamental hurdle to the possibility of removal of sulfur species to levels of the order of a part per million from typical entrained flow gasifier outputs by addition of potassium to the high temperature region of the flow followed by removal of condensed phase of potassium sulfides at the cooler downstream section. The major technical questions remaining are the condensation rates of the species and the rate of the condensed phase reaction for the formation of potassium carbonate.

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Fundamental combustion studies of low-rank coal slurries. Quarterly technical progress report No. 9, March 1-May 31, 1986

This contract for fundamental combustion studies of low-rank coal slurries was initiated March 1, 1984. Slurries being studied are primarily those produced from steam-dried lignite coal provided by the Grand Forks Project Office. Contract work includes virgin coal and slurry characterization, slurry spray and atomization measurements, and parametric combustion optimization tests. Also included are detailed mapping of combustion products and pollutants for low-rank coal slurries in a laboratory reactor and comparison of results with computer model predictions, and with data obtained earlier under similar conditions from combustion of high-rank coal-water mixtures. The coal slurry characterization and spray studies have been nearly completed. No significant additional results were obtained during this quarterly reporting period. A summary of the principal activities during the past quarter follows for the lignite slurry combustion characterization studies. Parametric optimization combustion tests continued during the reporting period. Flame front location moved down the reactor as air to slurry flow rate ratio (A/S) decreased. Maximum coal burnout of over 99% was achieved at a stoichiometric ratio of 1.1, an A/S of 0.8 and a combustion air swirl number of 1.5. Combustion tests at a variety of spray conditions indicate that the most significant factors affecting coal burnout are droplet size and spray angle. The droplet size and spray angle are most strongly influenced by A/S for a particular nozzle.

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PFBC process variable characterization in combined-cycle power generation application. Final report

The currently planned commercial applications for Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Combustion (PFBC), are steam cycles in which most of the power is generated by steam turbines, and in which the gas turbines either generate additional power (high gas temperature cycles) or only drive the compressor(s) that pressurize the boiler (low gas temperature cycles or turbocharged boilers). Load changing in a system involving gas turbines and steam generation in a pressurized bed combustion system is complicated by operating characteristics of both the gas turbines and the combustion system. The main alternatives for reducing load to 55 to 60% on an ''hour to hour basis''are: Reduction of bed temperature, or reduction of bed height, using air bypassing as a means for ''trimming''. Further reduction of load by reduction of bed temperature would entail unacceptably low bed temperatures with all but highly reactive sub-bituminous coals; consequently, for most fuels, reduction of bed height would be needed and, for very low loads (e.g., 30%), air bypassing may also be required. The main conclusions are: Within the accuracies of assumptions made, the difference in the estimated cost of power between control by bed temperature and bed height is not significant. A much more rigorous analysis would be needed to show whether either had a clear cost advantage; the estimated cost for power is significantly higher for the high excess air cycle. The estimated (and unsubstantiated) reduction in fuel cost is achieved at the expense of a much higher capital cost component. There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account when considering the relative merits of the various control options which do not necessarily have an immediate impact on the cost of electric power.

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Performance evaluation of a cross flow filter on a subpilot-scale pressurized fluid bed coal combustor

The design, installation and testing of a 15-element (1200 acfm) cross flow filter unit at the New York University (NYU) Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion (PFBC) facility was completed. The facility is located at the Antonio Ferri Laboratory in Westbury, New York and operated by the NYU staff as a high temperature, high pressure (HTHP) particle control test system. The Westinghouse filter system utilized the 12 {times} 12 {times} 14 inch mid-rib bond cross flow filter elements manufactured by Coors Ceramics Company. The test unit consisted of five filter modules each containing three filter elements. During operation, each module was cleaned online by the reverse pulse jet method. The ability of the cross flow filter to operate stably in the PFBC environment and collect ash particles was evaluated in two nominally 50-hour continuous test runs. The particle filtration performance of the filter system was determined from isokinetic grab and cascade impactor sampling. In PFBC application, the high temperature particle control device must protect the gas turbine expander blades from particle erosion and deposition damage and provide sufficient cleanup to meet environmental emission standards. 6 refs., 29 figs., 22 tabs.

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Western gas sands project. Status report, 1 October 1979-31 October 1979

This report summarizes progress of government-sponsored projects directed toward increasing gas production from the low-permeability gas sands of the western United States. The USGS in Denver continued work toward resource assessment in the four primary study areas. Preparations continue for the coring of the Pacific Transmission Supply Company No. 3-10A Federal well in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, and coring and logging operations were completed at PTS No. 22-12 Federal well, Rio Blanco County, Colorado. Work on fracture conductivity, rock-fluid interaction and log evaluation and interpretation techniques continued at Bartlesville. The Gas Research Institute suspended work on the Rio Blanco 397-19-1 Government well but continued progress on two other projects. Lawrence Livermore Laboratory continued work on hydraulic fracturing mechanics. Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory continued NMR resonance studies. Analyses of the borehole seismic system and the borehole hydrophone system continued at Sandia Laboratories, as well as electromagnetic logging experimentation. Field tests and demonstrations are reported on.

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Material property development for refractories

The application area of this research is the analysis and design for high temperature high pressure vessels, with a focus on slagging coal gasifiers. Objectives are (1) to characterize the short-term compressive behavior of refractories at elevated temperatures, (2) to expand and refine the existing data, and (3) to develop a model for predicting creep behavior of refractories at elevated temperature. The focus was on refractory materials for slagging coal gasifier linings. Four categories of refractory materials were chosen for examination. Those are dense brick, dense castable, insulating castable, and insulating firebrick refractories. The selected dense brick materials studied for thermo-mechanical properties were high alumina and high chromia refractories manufactured by cold pressing and sintering (CPS). The cold-pressed and sintered high alumina refractory consists of 90% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (A) and 10% Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} (C). The cold-pressed high chromia refractory consist of 82% Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} and 18% MgO (M), a picochromite (MgCr{sub 2}O{sub 4}) spinel matrix and fused pirochromite grains. The castable refractories for the thermomechanical properties studies were manufactured by mixing them with water room temperature. The dense castable (DC) refractory consists of 95% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and 4.6% CaO (Ca). The insulating castable (IC) refractory consists of 54.5% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and 36.3% SiO{sub 2}. Insulating firebrick consists of 39% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and 44% SiO{sub 2}. 71 refs., 72 figs., 2 tab.

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A preliminary investigation of acid-catalyzed polymerization reactions of shale oil distillates

Sinor (1989) reported that a major specialty market may exist for shale oil as an asphalt blending material. Shale oil can be converted to an asphalt blending material by acid catalyzed condensation and polymerization reactions of the many molecular species comprising the composition of shale oil. To simplify the investigation, crude shale oil was separated by distillation into three distillates of different hydrocarbon and heteroaromatic compositions. These distillates were then treated with two different types of acids to determine the effect of acid type on the end products. Three western shale oil distillates, a naphtha, a middle distillate, and an atmospheric gas oil, were reacted with anhydrous AlCl{sub 3} and 85% H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} under low-severity conditions. At relatively low temperatures, little change in the hydrocarbon composition was noted for the AlCl{sub 3} reactions. AlCl{sub 3}{center dot} (a polymerized product and/or complex) was formed. However, it is assumed that the sludge was mainly the result of heteroaromatic-AlCl{sub 3} reactions.

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Proof-of-Concept Oil Shale Facility Environmental Analysis Program

The objectives of the Project are to demonstrate: (1) the Modified In- Situ (MIS) shale oil extraction process and (2) the application of CFBC technology using oil shale, coal and waste gas streams as fuels. The project will focus on evaluating and improving the efficiency and environmental performance of these technologies. The project will be modest by commercial standards. A 17-retort MIS system is planned in which two retorts will be processed simultaneously. Production of 1206-barrels per calendar day of raw shale oil and 46-megawatts of electricity is anticipated. West Virginia University coordinated an Environmental Analysis Program for the Project. Experts from around the country were retained by WVU to prepare individual sections of the report. These experts were exposed to all of OOSI's archives and toured Tract C-b and Logan Wash. Their findings were incorporated into this report. In summary, no environmental obstacles were revealed that would preclude proceeding with the Project. One of the most important objectives of the Project was to verify the environmental acceptability of the technologies being employed. Consequently, special attention will be given to monitoring environmental factors and providing state of the art mitigation measures. Extensive environmental and socioeconomic background information has been compiled for the Tract over the last 15 years and permits were obtained for the large scale operations contemplated in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Those permits have been reviewed and are being modified so that all required permits can be obtained in a timely manner.

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Design, construction, operation and evaluation of a Prototype Culm Combustion Boiler/Heater Unit. Quarterly technical progress report, January 1-March 31, 1983

This report provides a summary of the work performed on the Prototype Culm Combustion Boiler/Heater Unit, Phase I - Engineering Design and Analysis, Phase II - Prototype Plant Construction and Phase III - Start-Up and Operation during the period January 1, 1983 through March 31, 1983. The objectives of the program as well as the technical progress and problem areas encountered during the reporting period are presented. The Extended Test Program continued throughout the reporting period. An additional 2019-1/2 hours of operation were accumulated during the reporting period bringing the total boiler operating time through the end of this quarter to 9600 hours. The plant availability during this quarter has averaged 93.5%. Steam was delivered to the User (Cellu Products) during this time to generate steam revenue. A test of bituminous waste is planned during the next month.

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Design, construction, operation and evaluation of a Prototype Culm Combustion Boiler/Heater Unit. Quarterly technical progress report, April 1-June 30, 1983

This report provides a summary of the work performed on the Prototype Culm Combustion Boiler/Heater Unit, Phase I - Engineering Design and Analysis, Phase II - Prototype Plant Construction and Phase III - Start-Up and Operation during the period April 1, 1983 through June 30, 1983. The objectives of the program as well as the technical progress and problem areas encountered during the reporting period are presented. The Extended Test continued throughout April after which the plant was shutdown for final inspection and preparation for storage. An additional 528-1/2 hours of operation were accumulated during April bringing the total boiler operating time through the end of this quarter to 10,128 hours. Steam was delivered to the User (Cellu Products) during this time to generate steam revenue. During this period, a stack emission test was conducted which indicated particulate emissions well below the state requirement. Also, a short (100 hrs.) feasibility test was conducted using bituminous waste (gob) as fuel. The test demonstrated the successful combustion and sulfur capture characteristics of the fluidized bed combustion of this low heating value (3000 Btu/lb.), high sulfur (5%) fuel type. Data analysis and report preparation has continued throughout the period. A compilation of economic operating cost data was completed and forwarded to DOE and to Gilbert Associates of Reading, Pennsylvania for use in preparation of an operating cost analysis for the Shamokin Fluidized Bed Boiler.

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Deep source gas

Three separate emplacement concepts could explain the occurrence of gas at extreme depths: abiogenesis (a primordial, nonbiologic origin source,5409 ); subducted, organic-origin gas (involving the deep, tectonic subduction emplacement of hydrocarbon-generating ocean sediments,5409 ); and deep sedimentary basin gas (the more conventional emplacement of sedimentary rocks by deep downwarping of the Earth's crust). Of these concepts, Deep Source Gas research focuses on the subducted, organic-origin concept. The purpose of Deep Source Gas research is to verify natural gas arising from depths in excess of 30,000 feet, to relate these occurrences to conceptual models, to define the limits of target areas, to quantify the resource, and to determine the significance of the gas to the nation's reserves. The research emphasizes an Earth science study (geology, geochemistry, and geophysics) of the Cordilleran Geologic Province of western North America. This area is considered a prospective source largely because of known and suspected plate tectonic structures and their youthful emplacement, which increase the likelihood of a timely entrapment of deep-source generated hydrocarbons. Detailed geochemical studies indicate that the deep-source-gas generating capacity of the Aleutian Trench area of southern Alaska is high. Furthermore, geophysical studies show that an apparent fossil subduction zone exists in western Washington. This zone appears to have very thick sedimentary rock units, the existence of which will be evaluated through a more detailed seismic study and possibly through drilling activities. Structural observations made in the northern Brooks Range and central Alaskan Range indicate that overthrusting and compressional features may serve as large-scale target areas for deep source gas generation and occurrence. 12 figures, 2 tables.

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Gas hydrates

There is a definite need for the US government to provide leadership for research in gas hydrates and to coordinate its activities with academia, industry, private groups, federal agencies, and their foreign counterparts. In response to this need, the DOE Morgantown Energy Technology Center implemented a gas hydrates R and D program. Understanding the resource will be achieved through: assessment of current technology; characterization of gas hydrate geology and reservoir engineering; and development of diagnostic tools and methods. Research to date has focused on geology. As work progressed, areas where gas hydrates are likely to occur were identified, and specific high potential areas were targeted for future detailed investigation. Initial research activities involved the development of the Geologic Analysis System (GAS,5408 ); which will provide, through approximately 30 software packages, the capability to manipulate and correlate several types of geologic and petroleum data into maps, graphics, and reports. Preliminary mapping of hydrate prospects for the Alaskan North Slope is underway. Geological research includes physical system characterization which focuses on creating synthetic methane hydrates and developing synthetic hydrate cores using tetrahydrofuran, consolidated rock cores, frost base mixtures, water/ice base mixtures, and water base mixtures. Laboratory work produced measurements of the sonic velocity and electrical resistivity of these synthetic hydrates. During 1983, a sample from a natural hydrate core recovered from the Pacific coast of Guatemala was tested for these properties by METC. More recently, a natural hydrate sample from the Gulf of Mexico was also acquired and testing of this sample is currently underway. In addition to the development of GAS, modeling and systems analysis work focused on the development of conceptual gas hydrate production models. 16 figs., 6 tabs.

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Eastern oil shale research involving the generation of retorted and combusted oil shale solid waste, shale oil collection, and process stream sampling and characterization: Final report

Approximately 518 tons of New Albany oil shale were obtained from the McRae quarry in Clark County, Indiana and shipped to Golden, CO. A portion of the material was processed through a TOSCO II pilot plant retort. About 273 tons of crushed raw shale, 136 tons of retorted shale, 1500 gallons of shale oil, and 10 drums of retort water were shipped to US Department of Energy, Laramie, WY. Process conditions were documented, process streams were sampled and subjected to chemical analysis, and material balance calculations were made. 6 refs., 12 figs., 14 tabs.

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Sorption-desorption capacity of oil shale materials. Volume 1. Literature review. [188 references]

Co-disposal of spent shale and process waters will reduce the demand on water needed for compacting. Furthermore, if the spent shale proves to be a good adsorbent of the materials present in the process waters, then the extent and associated costs of treatment of the process waters prior to disposal will be reduced. It was, therefore, with a view to aid in assessing the feasibility of these alternatives that this project was undertaken. The specific objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the sorption/desorption behavior of several cations and anions and three organic agents in the presence of four types of oil shale; (2) contrast the ability of a western soil to sorb the various solutes of interest with the sorption capacities of the shales; (3) relate and contrast the results of batch sorption tests to data obtained through continuous-flow, column trials; and, (4) determine if a novel spectrophotometric method might be used to quantitatively analyze mixtures of organic agents in shale leachates. Volume I includes: executive summary; introduction; and literature review where 188 references are cited. 7 figs., 41 tabs.

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Chattanooga shale (Devonian and Mississippian) from the Tennessee Division of Geology - US Department of Energy cored drill holes number 1 and 2, Claiborne County, Tennessee

The Chattanooga Shale of the Newman Ridge syncline lies stratigraphically above the Silurian Hancock Dolomite and below the siltstone and shale of the Mississippian Grainger Formation. Core examination indicates that the Chattanooga is predominately a black shale composed of clay, finely divided carbonaceous material, and quartz. Seventy-five % of the sequence cored is black, brownish-black, or grayish-black shale; the remaining 25 percent is made up of lighter shades of gray to greenish-gray clay shale and siltstone. Siltsize quartz is disseminated throughout the unit and also as very thin laminae. Minor to trace amounts of pyrite are common throughout the core.

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Natural gas to liquids

In 1984, DOE initiated a program for expanding the knowledge base and for developing concepts, methods, and processes to convert natural gas to liquid fuels. The initial research activities focused on developing a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanisms and kinetics when partially oxidating methane directly to methanol as the basis for designing a process. The goal is to achieve a sufficiently high yield that an operable and economically viable process can be applied to converting remote natural gas to liquids for transportation to US markets. This research project is ongoing and has progressed to include research in catalytic, noncatalytic, and biological conversion processes. This report discusses these processes. 8 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.

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