Fuel handling system for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Saiveau, James G.; Kann, William J.; Burelbach, James P.

1986-01-01

A pool type nuclear fission reactor has a core, with a plurality of core elements and a redan which confines coolant as a hot pool at a first end of the core separated from a cold pool at a second end of the core by the redan. A fuel handling system for use with such reactors comprises a core element storage basket located outside of the redan in the cold pool. An access passage is formed in the redan with a gate for opening and closing the passage to maintain the temperature differential between the hot pool and the cold pool. A mechanism is provided for opening and closing the gate. A lifting arm is also provided for manipulating the fuel core elements through the access passage between the storage basket and the core when the redan gate is open.

Fuel handling system for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Saiveau, James G.; Kann, William J.; Burelbach, James P.

1986-12-02

A pool type nuclear fission reactor has a core, with a plurality of core elements and a redan which confines coolant as a hot pool at a first end of the core separated from a cold pool at a second end of the core by the redan. A fuel handling system for use with such reactors comprises a core element storage basket located outside of the redan in the cold pool. An access passage is formed in the redan with a gate for opening and closing the passage to maintain the temperature differential between the hot pool and the cold pool. A mechanism is provided for opening and closing the gate. A lifting arm is also provided for manipulating the fuel core elements through the access passage between the storage basket and the core when the redan gate is open.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sarta, Jose A.; Castiblanco, Luis A

With cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States, several calculations and tasks related to the waste disposal of spent MTR fuel enriched nominally to 93% were carried out for the conversion of the IAN-R1 Research Reactor from MTR-HEU fuel to TRIGA-LEU fuel. In order to remove the spent MTR-HEU fuel of the core and store it safely a program was established at the Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares y Energias Alternativas (INEA). This program included training, acquisition of hardware and software, design and construction of a decay pool, transfer ofmore » the spent HEU fuel elements into the decay pool and his final transport to Savannah River in United States. In this paper are presented data of activities calculated for each relevant radionuclide present in spent MTR-HEU fuel elements of the IAN-R1 Research Reactor and the total activity. The total activity calculated takes in consideration contributions of fission, activation and actinides products. The data obtained were the base for shielding calculations for the decay pool concerning the storage of spent MTR-HEU fuel elements and the respective dosimetric evaluations in the transferring operations of fuel elements into the decay pool.« less

Electrorefining process and apparatus for recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuels

DOEpatents

Ackerman, J.P.; Miller, W.E.

1987-11-05

An electrorefining process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuels is disclosed using an electrolytic cell having a lower molten cadmium pool containing spent nuclear fuel, an intermediate electrolyte pool, an anode basket containing spent fuels, two cathodes and electrical power means connected to the anode basket, cathodes and lower molten cadmium pool for providing electrical power to the cell. Using this cell, additional amounts of uranium and plutonium from the anode basket are dissolved in the lower molten cadmium pool, and then purified uranium is electrolytically transported and deposited on a first molten cadmium cathode. Subsequently, a mixture of uranium and plutonium is electrotransported and deposited on a second cathode. 3 figs.

A&M. TAN607. Detail of fuel storage pool under construction. Camera ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

A&M. TAN-607. Detail of fuel storage pool under construction. Camera is on berm and facing northwest. Note depth of excavation. Formwork underway for floor and concrete walls of pool; wall between pool and vestibule. At center left of view, foundation for liquid waste treatment plant is poured. Date: August 25, 1953. INEEL negative no. 8541 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Computational Flame Characterization of New Large Aircraft Immersed in Hydrocarbon Pool Fires

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

hydrocarbon liquid pool fires, their interaction with engulfed bodies, along with a brief overview of pool fire modeling. An industry-accepted...two-dimensional (2-D) horizontal liquid , heavy hydrocarbon fuel surface. A heavy hydrocarbon is characterized by properties consistent with aviation... jet fuels representing common diesel derivatives, such as Jet A and JP-8. Pool diameters are assumed to be much greater than 1 m to coincide with

Model of large pool fires.

PubMed

Fay, J A

2006-08-21

A two zone entrainment model of pool fires is proposed to depict the fluid flow and flame properties of the fire. Consisting of combustion and plume zones, it provides a consistent scheme for developing non-dimensional scaling parameters for correlating and extrapolating pool fire visible flame length, flame tilt, surface emissive power, and fuel evaporation rate. The model is extended to include grey gas thermal radiation from soot particles in the flame zone, accounting for emission and absorption in both optically thin and thick regions. A model of convective heat transfer from the combustion zone to the liquid fuel pool, and from a water substrate to cryogenic fuel pools spreading on water, provides evaporation rates for both adiabatic and non-adiabatic fires. The model is tested against field measurements of large scale pool fires, principally of LNG, and is generally in agreement with experimental values of all variables.

Pool-site fuel inspection and examination techniques applied by the Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft Fuel Service. [PWR; BWR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Knaab, H.; Knecht, K.

The need for pool-site inspection and examination of fuel assemblies was recognized by Kraftwerk Union Aktiengesellschaft with the commissioning of the first nuclear power stations. A wet sipping method has demonstrated high reliability in detection of leaking fuel assemblies. The visual inspection system is a versatile tool. It can be supplemented by attaching devices for oxide thickness measurement or surface replication. Repair of leaking pressurized water reactor fuel assemblies has improved fuel utilization. Applied methods and typical results are described.

The Need for Integrating the Back End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle in the United States of America

DOE PAGES

Bonano, Evaristo J.; Kalinina, Elena A.; Swift, Peter N.

2018-02-26

Current practice for commercial spent nuclear fuel management in the United States of America (US) includes storage of spent fuel in both pools and dry storage cask systems at nuclear power plants. Most storage pools are filled to their operational capacity, and management of the approximately 2,200 metric tons of spent fuel newly discharged each year requires transferring older and cooler fuel from pools into dry storage. In the absence of a repository that can accept spent fuel for permanent disposal, projections indicate that the US will have approximately 134,000 metric tons of spent fuel in dry storage by mid-centurymore » when the last plants in the current reactor fleet are decommissioned. Current designs for storage systems rely on large dual-purpose (storage and transportation) canisters that are not optimized for disposal. Various options exist in the US for improving integration of management practices across the entire back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.« less

The Need for Integrating the Back End of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle in the United States of America

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bonano, Evaristo J.; Kalinina, Elena A.; Swift, Peter N.

Current practice for commercial spent nuclear fuel management in the United States of America (US) includes storage of spent fuel in both pools and dry storage cask systems at nuclear power plants. Most storage pools are filled to their operational capacity, and management of the approximately 2,200 metric tons of spent fuel newly discharged each year requires transferring older and cooler fuel from pools into dry storage. In the absence of a repository that can accept spent fuel for permanent disposal, projections indicate that the US will have approximately 134,000 metric tons of spent fuel in dry storage by mid-centurymore » when the last plants in the current reactor fleet are decommissioned. Current designs for storage systems rely on large dual-purpose (storage and transportation) canisters that are not optimized for disposal. Various options exist in the US for improving integration of management practices across the entire back end of the nuclear fuel cycle.« less

Motor fuels and chemicals from coal via the Sasol Synthol route

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogendoorn, J. C.

1981-03-01

The production of synthetic motor fuels and chemicals from coal by the Sasol procedures is discussed. This process is based on the Fischer-Tropsch reaction by passing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a specific ratio over iron catalysts at elevated temperatures and pressures. Two parallel reactor systems are discussed. The smaller system employs fixed-bed reactors, using a precipitated iron catalyst and produces predominantly heavy hydrocarbons of an aliphatic nature with carbon chains up to 100. These straight-chain hydrocarbons yield excellent waxes and high quality diesel oil. The larger system uses a powdered iron catalyst in a circulating fluid-bed reactor, a concept developed from American catalytic cracker technology. This system has the advantage of high production capacity and scale-up potential, and produces light olefins which can be used either as petrochemical feedstock or refined and added to the motor fuel pool, and ethylene which is augmented by ethane cracking. Analysis of product selectivities and values shows that co-production of chemicals and motor fuels from coal is profitable and efficient.

Fire safety distances for open pool fires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sudheer, S.; Kumar, Lokendra; Manjunath, B. S.; Pasi, Amit; Meenakshi, G.; Prabhu, S. V.

2013-11-01

Fire accidents that carry huge loss with them have increased in the previous two decades than at any time in the history. Hence, there is a need for understanding the safety distances from different fires with different fuels. Fire safety distances are computed for different open pool fires. Diesel, gasoline and hexane are used as fuels for circular pool diameters of 0.5 m, 0.7 m and 1.0 m. A large square pool fire of 4 m × 4 m is also conducted with diesel as a fuel. All the prescribed distances in this study are purely based on the thermal analysis. IR camera is used to get the thermal images of pool fires and there by the irradiance at different locations is computed. The computed irradiance is presented with the threshold heat flux limits for human beings.

Heterobimetallic Zeolite, InV-ZSM-5, Enables Efficient Conversion of Biomass Derived Ethanol to Renewable Hydrocarbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narula, Chaitanya K.; Li, Zhenglong; Casbeer, Erik M.; Geiger, Robert A.; Moses-Debusk, Melanie; Keller, Martin; Buchanan, Michelle V.; Davison, Brian H.

2015-11-01

Direct catalytic conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbon blend-stock can increase biofuels use in current vehicles beyond the ethanol blend-wall of 10-15%. Literature reports describe quantitative conversion of ethanol over zeolite catalysts but high C2 hydrocarbon formation renders this approach unsuitable for commercialization. Furthermore, the prior mechanistic studies suggested that ethanol conversion involves endothermic dehydration step. Here, we report the complete conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons over InV-ZSM-5 without added hydrogen and which produces lower C2 (<13%) as compared to that over H-ZSM-5. Experiments with C2H5OD and in situ DRIFT suggest that most of the products come from the hydrocarbon pool type mechanism and dehydration step is not necessary. Thus, our method of direct conversion of ethanol offers a pathway to produce suitable hydrocarbon blend-stock that may be blended at a refinery to produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, JP-8, and jet fuel, or produce commodity chemicals such as BTX.

Heterobimetallic Zeolite, InV-ZSM-5, Enables Efficient Conversion of Biomass Derived Ethanol to Renewable Hydrocarbons.

PubMed

Narula, Chaitanya K; Li, Zhenglong; Casbeer, Erik M; Geiger, Robert A; Moses-Debusk, Melanie; Keller, Martin; Buchanan, Michelle V; Davison, Brian H

2015-11-03

Direct catalytic conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbon blend-stock can increase biofuels use in current vehicles beyond the ethanol blend-wall of 10-15%. Literature reports describe quantitative conversion of ethanol over zeolite catalysts but high C2 hydrocarbon formation renders this approach unsuitable for commercialization. Furthermore, the prior mechanistic studies suggested that ethanol conversion involves endothermic dehydration step. Here, we report the complete conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons over InV-ZSM-5 without added hydrogen and which produces lower C2 (<13%) as compared to that over H-ZSM-5. Experiments with C2H5OD and in situ DRIFT suggest that most of the products come from the hydrocarbon pool type mechanism and dehydration step is not necessary. Thus, our method of direct conversion of ethanol offers a pathway to produce suitable hydrocarbon blend-stock that may be blended at a refinery to produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, JP-8, and jet fuel, or produce commodity chemicals such as BTX.

Radiation Transport Calculation of the UGXR Collimators for the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chento, Yelko; Hueso, César; Zamora, Imanol; Fabbri, Marco; Fuente, Cristina De La; Larringan, Asier

2017-09-01

Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR), a major infrastructure of European interest in the fission domain, will be built and operated in the framework of an international cooperation, including the development and qualification of materials and nuclear fuel used in nuclear industry. For this purpose UGXR Collimators, two multi slit gamma and X-ray collimation mechatronic systems, will be installed at the JHR pool and at the Irradiated Components Storage pool. Expected amounts of radiation produced by the spent fuel and X-ray accelerator implies diverse aspects need to be verified to ensure adequate radiological zoning and personnel radiation protection. A computational methodology was devised to validate the Collimators design by means of coupling different engineering codes. In summary, several assessments were performed by means of MCNP5v1.60 to fulfil all the radiological requirements in Nominal scenario (TEDE < 25µSv/h) and in Maintenance scenario (TEDE < 2mSv/h) among others, detailing the methodology, hypotheses and assumptions employed.

A quantitative model and the experimental evaluation of the liquid fuel layer for the downward flame spread of XPS foam.

PubMed

Luo, Shengfeng; Xie, Qiyuan; Tang, Xinyi; Qiu, Rong; Yang, Yun

2017-05-05

The objective of this work is to investigate the distinctive mechanisms of downward flame spread for XPS foam. It was physically considered as a moving down of narrow pool fire instead of downward surface flame spread for normal solids. A method was developed to quantitatively analyze the accumulated liquid fuel based on the experimental measurement of locations of flame tips and burning rates. The results surprisingly showed that about 80% of the generated hot liquid fuel remained in the pool fire during a certain period. Most of the consumed solid XPS foam didn't really burn away but transformed as the liquid fuel in the downward moving pool fire, which might be an important promotion for the fast fire development. The results also indicated that the dripping propensity of the hot liquid fuel depends on the total amount of the hot liquid accumulated in the pool fire. The leading point of the flame front curve might be the breach of the accumulated hot liquid fuel if it is enough for dripping. Finally, it is suggested that horizontal noncombustible barriers for preventing the accumulation and dripping of liquid fuel are helpful for vertical confining of XPS fire. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Default operational intervention levels (OILs) for severe nuclear power plant or spent fuel pool emergencies.

PubMed

McKenna, T; Kutkov, V; Vilar Welter, P; Dodd, B; Buglova, E

2013-05-01

Experience and studies show that for an emergency at a nuclear power plant involving severe core damage or damage to the fuel in spent fuel pools, the following actions may need to be taken in order to prevent severe deterministic health effects and reduce stochastic health effects: (1) precautionary protective actions and other response actions for those near the facility (i.e., within the zones identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency) taken immediately upon detection of facility conditions indicating possible severe damage to the fuel in the core or in the spent fuel pool; and (2) protective actions and other response actions taken based on environmental monitoring and sampling results following a release. This paper addresses the second item by providing default operational intervention levels [OILs, which are similar to the U.S. derived response levels (DRLs)] for promptly assessing radioactive material deposition, as well as skin, food, milk and drinking water contamination, following a major release of fission products from the core or spent fuel pool of a light water reactor (LWR) or a high power channel reactor (RBMK), based on the International Atomic Energy Agency's guidance.

Impacts of initial convective structure on subsequent squall line evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varble, A.; Morrison, H.; Zipser, E. J.

2017-12-01

A Weather Research and Forecasting simulation of the 20 May 2011 MC3E squall line using 750-m horizontal grid spacing produces wide convective regions with strongly upshear tilted convective updrafts and mesoscale bowing segments that are not produced in radar observations. Similar features occur across several different bulk microphysics schemes, despite surface observations exhibiting cold pool equivalent potential temperature drops that are similar to and pressure rises that are greater than those in the simulation. Observed rear inflow remains more elevated than simulated, partly counteracting the cold pool circulation, whereas the simulated rear inflow descends to low levels, maintaining its strength and reinforcing the cold pool circulation that overpowers the pre-squall line low level vertical wind shear. The descent and strength of the simulated rear inflow is fueled by strong latent cooling caused by large ice water contents detrained from upshear tilted convective cores that accumulate at the rear of the stratiform region. This simulated squall evolution is sensitive to model resolution, which is too coarse to resolve individual convective drafts. Nesting a 250-m horizontal grid spacing domain into the 750-m domain substantially alters the initial convective cells with reduced latent cooling, weaker convective downdrafts, and a weaker initial cold pool. As the initial convective cells develop into a squall line, the rear inflow remains more elevated in the 250-m domain with a cold pool that eventually develops to be just as strong and deeper than the one in the 750-m run. Despite this, the convective cores remain more upright in the 250-m run with the rear inflow partly counteracting the cold pool circulation, whereas the 750-m rear inflow near the surface reinforces the shallower cold pool and causes bowing in the squall line. The different structure in the 750-m run produces excessive mid-level front-to-rear detrainment that widens the convective region relative to the 250-m run and observations while continuing the cycle of excessive latent cooling and rear inflow descent at the rear of the stratiform region in a positive feedback. The causes of initial convective structure differences that produce the divergence in simulated squall line evolutions are explored.

Electrorefining process and apparatus for recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuels

DOEpatents

Ackerman, John P.; Miller, William E.

1989-01-01

An electrorefining process and apparatus for the recovery of uranium and a mixture of uranium and plutonium from spent fuel using an electrolytic cell having a lower molten cadmium pool containing spent nuclear fuel, an intermediate electrolyte pool, an anode basket containing spent fuel, and two cathodes, the first cathode composed of either a solid alloy or molten cadmium and the second cathode composed of molten cadmium. Using this cell, additional amounts of uranium and plutonium from the anode basket are dissolved in the lower molten cadmium pool, and then substantially pure uranium is electrolytically transported and deposited on the first alloy or molten cadmium cathode. Subsequently, a mixture of uranium and plutonium is electrotransported and deposited on the second molten cadmium cathode.

Converting Maturing Nuclear Sites to Integrated Power Production Islands

DOE PAGES

Solbrig, Charles W.

2011-01-01

Nuclear islands, which are integrated power production sites, could effectively sequester and safeguard the US stockpile of plutonium. A nuclear island, an evolution of the integral fast reactor, utilizes all the Transuranics (Pu plus minor actinides) produced in power production, and it eliminates all spent fuel shipments to and from the site. This latter attribute requires that fuel reprocessing occur on each site and that fast reactors be built on-site to utilize the TRU. All commercial spent fuel shipments could be eliminated by converting all LWR nuclear power sites to nuclear islands. Existing LWR sites have the added advantage ofmore » already possessing a license to produce nuclear power. Each could contribute to an increase in the nuclear power production by adding one or more fast reactors. Both the TRU and the depleted uranium obtained in reprocessing would be used on-site for fast fuel manufacture. Only fission products would be shipped to a repository for storage. The nuclear island concept could be used to alleviate the strain of LWR plant sites currently approaching or exceeding their spent fuel pool storage capacity. Fast reactor breeding ratio could be designed to convert existing sites to all fast reactors, or keep the majority thermal.« less

Helium Leak Detection of Vessels in Fuel Transfer Cell (FTC) of Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutta, N. G.

2012-11-01

Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) is engaged in construction of 500MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpak am, Chennai. In this very important and prestigious national programme Special Product Division (SPD) of M/s Kay Bouvet Engg.pvt. ltd. (M/s KBEPL) Satara is contributing in a major way by supplying many important sub-assemblies like- Under Water trolley (UWT), Airlocks (PAL, EAL) Container and Storage Rack (CSR) Vessels in Fuel Transfer Cell (FTC) etc for PFBR. SPD of KBEPL caters to the requirements of Government departments like - Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), BARC, Defense, and Government undertakings like NPCIL, BHAVINI, BHEL etc. and other precision Heavy Engg. Industries. SPD is equipped with large size Horizontal Boring Machines, Vertical Boring Machines, Planno milling, Vertical Turret Lathe (VTL) & Radial drilling Machine, different types of welding machines etc. PFBR is 500 MWE sodium cooled pool type reactor in which energy is produced by fissions of mixed oxides of Uranium and Plutonium pellets by fast neutrons and it also breeds uranium by conversion of thorium, put along with fuel rod in the reactor. In the long run, the breeder reactor produces more fuel then it consumes. India has taken the lead to go ahead with Fast Breeder Reactor Programme to produce electricity primarily because India has large reserve of Thorium. To use Thorium as further fuel in future, thorium has to be converted in Uranium by PFBR Technology.

Heterobimetallic Zeolite, InV-ZSM-5, Enables Efficient Conversion of Biomass Derived Ethanol to Renewable Hydrocarbons

PubMed Central

Narula, Chaitanya K.; Li, Zhenglong; Casbeer, Erik M.; Geiger, Robert A.; Moses-Debusk, Melanie; Keller, Martin; Buchanan, Michelle V.; Davison, Brian H.

2015-01-01

Direct catalytic conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbon blend-stock can increase biofuels use in current vehicles beyond the ethanol blend-wall of 10–15%. Literature reports describe quantitative conversion of ethanol over zeolite catalysts but high C2 hydrocarbon formation renders this approach unsuitable for commercialization. Furthermore, the prior mechanistic studies suggested that ethanol conversion involves endothermic dehydration step. Here, we report the complete conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons over InV-ZSM-5 without added hydrogen and which produces lower C2 (<13%) as compared to that over H-ZSM-5. Experiments with C2H5OD and in situ DRIFT suggest that most of the products come from the hydrocarbon pool type mechanism and dehydration step is not necessary. Thus, our method of direct conversion of ethanol offers a pathway to produce suitable hydrocarbon blend-stock that may be blended at a refinery to produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, JP-8, and jet fuel, or produce commodity chemicals such as BTX. PMID:26526963

Heterobimetallic zeolite, InV-ZSM-5, enables efficient conversion of biomass derived ethanol to renewable hydrocarbons

DOE PAGES

Narula, Chaitanya K.; Li, Zhenglong; Casbeer, Erik M.; ...

2015-11-03

Here, direct catalytic conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbon blend-stock can increase biofuels use in current vehicles beyond the ethanol blend-wall of 10–15%. Literature reports describe quantitative conversion of ethanol over zeolite catalysts but high C 2 hydrocarbon formation renders this approach unsuitable for commercialization. Furthermore, the prior mechanistic studies suggested that ethanol conversion involves endothermic dehydration step. Here, we report the complete conversion of ethanol to hydrocarbons over InV-ZSM-5 without added hydrogen and which produces lower C 2 (<13%) as compared to that over H-ZSM-5. Experiments with C 2H 5OD and in situ DRIFT suggest that most of the productsmore » come from the hydrocarbon pool type mechanism and dehydration step is not necessary. Thus, our method of direct conversion of ethanol offers a pathway to produce suitable hydrocarbon blend-stock that may be blended at a refinery to produce fuels such as gasoline, diesel, JP-8, and jet fuel, or produce commodity chemicals such as BTX.« less

Hydrocarbon characterization experiments in fully turbulent fires.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ricks, Allen; Blanchat, Thomas K.

As the capabilities of numerical simulations increase, decision makers are increasingly relying upon simulations rather than experiments to assess risks across a wide variety of accident scenarios including fires. There are still, however, many aspects of fires that are either not well understood or are difficult to treat from first principles due to the computational expense. For a simulation to be truly predictive and to provide decision makers with information which can be reliably used for risk assessment the remaining physical processes must be studied and suitable models developed for the effects of the physics. The model for the fuelmore » evaporation rate in a liquid fuel pool fire is significant because in well-ventilated fires the evaporation rate largely controls the total heat release rate from the fire. A set of experiments are outlined in this report which will provide data for the development and validation of models for the fuel regression rates in liquid hydrocarbon fuel fires. The experiments will be performed on fires in the fully turbulent scale range (> 1 m diameter) and with a number of hydrocarbon fuels ranging from lightly sooting to heavily sooting. The importance of spectral absorption in the liquid fuels and the vapor dome above the pool will be investigated and the total heat flux to the pool surface will be measured. The importance of convection within the liquid fuel will be assessed by restricting large scale liquid motion in some tests. These data sets will provide a sound, experimentally proven basis for assessing how much of the liquid fuel needs to be modeled to enable a predictive simulation of a fuel fire given the couplings between evaporation of fuel from the pool and the heat release from the fire which drives the evaporation.« less

Determination of the steam volume fraction in the event of loss of cooling of the spent fuel storage pool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sledkov, R. M.; Galkin, I. Yu.; Stepanov, O. E.; Strebnev, N. A.

2017-01-01

When one solves engineering problems related to the cooling of fuel assemblies (FAs) in a spent fuel storage pool (SFSP) and the assessment of nuclear safety of FA storage in an SFSP in the initial event of loss of SFSP cooling, it is essential to determine the coolant density and, consequently, steam volume fractions φ in bundles of fuel elements at a pressure of 0.1-0.5 MPa. Such formulas for calculating φ that remain valid in a wide range of operating parameters and geometric shapes of channels and take the conditions of loss of SFSP cooling into account are currently almost lacking. The results of systematization and analysis of the available formulas for φ are reported in the present study. The calculated values were compared with the experimental data obtained in the process of simulating the conditions of FA cooling in an SFSP in the event of loss of its cooling. Six formulas for calculating the steam volume fraction, which were used in this comparison, were chosen from a total of 11 considered relations. As a result, the formulas producing the most accurate values of φ in the conditions of loss of SFSP cooling were selected. In addition, a relation that allows one to perform more accurate calculations of steam volume fractions in the conditions of loss of SFSP cooling was derived based on the Fedorov formula in the two-group approximation.

Early direct-injection, low-temperature combustion of diesel fuel in an optical engine utilizing a 15-hole, dual-row, narrow-included-angle nozzle.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gehrke, Christopher R.; Radovanovic, Michael S.; Milam, David M.

2008-04-01

Low-temperature combustion of diesel fuel was studied in a heavy-duty, single-cylinder optical engine employing a 15-hole, dual-row, narrow-included-angle nozzle (10 holes x 70/mD and 5 holes x 35/mD) with 103-/gmm-diameter orifices. This nozzle configuration provided the spray targeting necessary to contain the direct-injected diesel fuel within the piston bowl for injection timings as early as 70/mD before top dead center. Spray-visualization movies, acquired using a high-speed camera, show that impingement of liquid fuel on the piston surface can result when the in-cylinder temperature and density at the time of injection are sufficiently low. Seven single- and two-parameter sweeps around amore » 4.82-bar gross indicated mean effective pressure load point were performed to map the sensitivity of the combustion and emissions to variations in injection timing, injection pressure, equivalence ratio, simulated exhaust-gas recirculation, intake temperature, intake boost pressure, and load. High-speed movies of natural luminosity were acquired by viewing through a window in the cylinder wall and through a window in the piston to provide quasi-3D information about the combustion process. These movies revealed that advanced combustion phasing resulted in intense pool fires within the piston bowl, after the end of significant heat release. These pool fires are a result of fuel-films created when the injected fuel impinged on the piston surface. The emissions results showed a strong correlation with pool-fire activity. Smoke and NO/dx emissions rose steadily as pool-fire intensity increased, whereas HC and CO showed a dramatic increase with near-zero pool-fire activity.« less

ORIGAMI Automator Primer. Automated ORIGEN Source Terms and Spent Fuel Storage Pool Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wieselquist, William A.; Thompson, Adam B.; Bowman, Stephen M.

2016-04-01

Source terms and spent nuclear fuel (SNF) storage pool decay heat load analyses for operating nuclear power plants require a large number of Oak Ridge Isotope Generation and Depletion (ORIGEN) calculations. SNF source term calculations also require a significant amount of bookkeeping to track quantities such as core and assembly operating histories, spent fuel pool (SFP) residence times, heavy metal masses, and enrichments. The ORIGEN Assembly Isotopics (ORIGAMI) module in the SCALE code system provides a simple scheme for entering these data. However, given the large scope of the analysis, extensive scripting is necessary to convert formats and process datamore » to create thousands of ORIGAMI input files (one per assembly) and to process the results into formats readily usable by follow-on analysis tools. This primer describes a project within the SCALE Fulcrum graphical user interface (GUI) called ORIGAMI Automator that was developed to automate the scripting and bookkeeping in large-scale source term analyses. The ORIGAMI Automator enables the analyst to (1) easily create, view, and edit the reactor site and assembly information, (2) automatically create and run ORIGAMI inputs, and (3) analyze the results from ORIGAMI. ORIGAMI Automator uses the standard ORIGEN binary concentrations files produced by ORIGAMI, with concentrations available at all time points in each assembly’s life. The GUI plots results such as mass, concentration, activity, and decay heat using a powerful new ORIGEN Post-Processing Utility for SCALE (OPUS) GUI component. This document includes a description and user guide for the GUI, a step-by-step tutorial for a simplified scenario, and appendices that document the file structures used.« less

Hydrocarbon characterization experiments in fully turbulent fires : results and data analysis.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suo-Anttila, Jill Marie; Blanchat, Thomas K.

As the capabilities of numerical simulations increase, decision makers are increasingly relying upon simulations rather than experiments to assess risks across a wide variety of accident scenarios including fires. There are still, however, many aspects of fires that are either not well understood or are difficult to treat from first principles due to the computational expense. For a simulation to be truly predictive and to provide decision makers with information which can be reliably used for risk assessment the remaining physical processes must be studied and suitable models developed for the effects of the physics. The model for the fuelmore » evaporation rate in a liquid fuel pool fire is significant because in well-ventilated fires the evaporation rate largely controls the total heat release rate from the fire. This report describes a set of fuel regression rates experiments to provide data for the development and validation of models. The experiments were performed with fires in the fully turbulent scale range (> 1 m diameter) and with a number of hydrocarbon fuels ranging from lightly sooting to heavily sooting. The importance of spectral absorption in the liquid fuels and the vapor dome above the pool was investigated and the total heat flux to the pool surface was measured. The importance of convection within the liquid fuel was assessed by restricting large scale liquid motion in some tests. These data sets provide a sound, experimentally proven basis for assessing how much of the liquid fuel needs to be modeled to enable a predictive simulation of a fuel fire given the couplings between evaporation of fuel from the pool and the heat release from the fire which drives the evaporation.« less

75 FR 23821 - Final License Renewal Interim Staff Guidance LR-ISG-2009-01: Aging Management of Spent Fuel Pool...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-04

... approach acceptable to the NRC staff for meeting the requirements of 10 CFR part 54. On December 1, 2009... nuclear power plant spent fuel pool neutron-absorbing materials for compliance with part 54... Regulations (10 CFR part 54). The final LR-ISG revises the NRC staff's aging management recommendations...

Dry transfer system for spent fuel: Project report, A system designed to achieve the dry transfer of bare spent fuel between two casks. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dawson, D.M.; Guerra, G.; Neider, T.

1995-12-01

This report describes the system developed by EPRI/DOE for the dry transfer of spent fuel assemblies outside the reactor spent fuel pool. The system is designed to allow spent fuel assemblies to be removed from a spent fuel pool in a small cask, transported to the transfer facility, and transferred to a larger cask, either for off-site transportation or on-site storage. With design modifications, this design is capable of transferring single spent fuel assemblies from dry storage casks to transportation casks or visa versa. One incentive for the development of this design is that utilities with limited lifting capacity ormore » other physical or regulatory constraints are limited in their ability to utilize the current, more efficient transportation and storage cask designs. In addition, DOE, in planning to develop and implement the multi-purpose canister (MPC) system for the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System, included the concept of an on-site dry transfer system to support the implementation of the MPC system at reactors with limitations that preclude the handling of the MPC system transfer casks. This Dry Transfer System can also be used at reactors wi decommissioned spent fuel pools and fuel in dry storage in non-MPC systems to transfer fuel into transportation casks. It can also be used at off-reactor site interim storage facilities for the same purpose.« less

Convective cooling in a pool-type research reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sipaun, Susan; Usman, Shoaib

2016-01-01

A reactor produces heat arising from fission reactions in the nuclear core. In the Missouri University of Science and Technology research reactor (MSTR), this heat is removed by natural convection where the coolant/moderator is demineralised water. Heat energy is transferred from the core into the coolant, and the heated water eventually evaporates from the open pool surface. A secondary cooling system was installed to actively remove excess heat arising from prolonged reactor operations. The nuclear core consists of uranium silicide aluminium dispersion fuel (U3Si2Al) in the form of rectangular plates. Gaps between the plates allow coolant to pass through and carry away heat. A study was carried out to map out heat flow as well as to predict the system's performance via STAR-CCM+ simulation. The core was approximated as porous media with porosity of 0.7027. The reactor is rated 200kW and total heat density is approximately 1.07+E7 Wm-3. An MSTR model consisting of 20% of MSTR's nuclear core in a third of the reactor pool was developed. At 35% pump capacity, the simulation results for the MSTR model showed that water is drawn out of the pool at a rate 1.28 kg s-1 from the 4" pipe, and predicted pool surface temperature not exceeding 30°C.

Fuel subassembly leak test chamber for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Divona, Charles J.

1978-04-04

A container with a valve at one end is inserted into a nuclear reactor coolant pool. Once in the pool, the valve is opened by a mechanical linkage. An individual fuel subassembly is lifted into the container by a gripper; the valve is then closed providing an isolated chamber for the subassembly. A vacuum is drawn on the chamber to encourage gaseous fission product leakage through any defects in the cladding of the fuel rods comprising the subassembly; this leakage may be detected by instrumentation, and the need for replacement of the assembly ascertained.

77 FR 21815 - South Carolina Electric And Gas Company (Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Units 2 and 3); Order...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-11

... (Effective Immediately) I The Licensee identified in this Order holds licenses issued by the U.S. Nuclear... fuel pool. This caused concerns that the pool may have boiled dry, resulting in fuel damage.\\1... shall be whether this Order should be sustained. Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.202(c)(2)(i), the Licensee, or any...

Initial fuel temperature effects on burning rate of pool fire.

PubMed

Chen, Bing; Lu, Shou-Xiang; Li, Chang-Hai; Kang, Quan-Sheng; Lecoustre, Vivien

2011-04-15

The influence of the initial fuel temperature on the burning behavior of n-heptane pool fire was experimentally studied at the State Key Laboratory of Fire Science (SKLFS) large test hall. Circular pool fires with diameters of 100mm, 141 mm, and 200 mm were considered with initial fuel temperatures ranging from 290 K to 363 K. Burning rate and temperature distributions in fuel and vessel wall were recorded during the combustion. The burning rate exhibited five typical stages: initial development, steady burning, transition, bulk boiling burning, and decay. The burning rate during the steady burning stage was observed to be relatively independent of the initial fuel temperature. In contrast, the burning rate of the bulk boiling burning stage increases with increased initial fuel temperature. It was also observed that increased initial fuel temperature decreases the duration of steady burning stage. When the initial temperature approaches the boiling point, the steady burning stage nearly disappears and the burning rate moves directly from the initial development stage to the transition stage. The fuel surface temperature increases to its boiling point at the steady burning stage, shortly after ignition, and the bulk liquid reaches boiling temperature at the bulk boiling burning stage. No distinguished cold zone is formed in the fuel bed. However, boiling zone is observed and the thickness increases to its maximum value when the bulk boiling phenomena occurs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermos reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Labrousse, M.; Lerouge, B.; Dupuy, G.

1978-04-01

THERMOS is a water reactor designed to provide hot water up to 120/sup 0/C for district heating or for desalination applications. It is a 100-MW reactor based on proven technology: oxide fuel plate elements, integrated primary circuit, and reactor vessel located in the bottom of a pool. As in swimming pool reactors, the pool is used for biological shielding, emergency core cooling, and fission product filtering (in case of an accident). Before economics, safety is the main characteristic of the concept: no fuel failure admitted, core under water in any accidental configuration, inspection of every ''nuclear'' component, and double-wall containment.

Laser-diagnostic mapping of temperature and soot statistics in a 2-m diameter turbulent pool fire

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kearney, Sean P.; Grasser, Thomas W.

We present spatial profiles of temperature and soot-volume-fraction statistics from a sooting 2-m base diameter turbulent pool fire, burning a 10%-toluene / 90%-methanol fuel mixture. Dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and laser-induced incandescence are utilized to obtain radial profiles of temperature and soot probability density functions (pdf) as well as estimates of temperature/soot joint statistics at three vertical heights above the surface of the methanol/toluene fuel pool. Results are presented both in the fuel vapor-dome region at ¼ base diameter and in the actively burning region at ½ and ¾ diameters above the fuel surface. The spatial evolution of themore » soot and temperature pdfs is discussed and profiles of the temperature and soot mean and rms statistics are provided. Joint temperature/soot statistics are presented as spatially resolved conditional averages across the fire plume, and in terms of a joint pdf obtained by including measurements from multiple spatial locations.« less

Laser-diagnostic mapping of temperature and soot statistics in a 2-m diameter turbulent pool fire

DOE PAGES

Kearney, Sean P.; Grasser, Thomas W.

2017-08-10

We present spatial profiles of temperature and soot-volume-fraction statistics from a sooting 2-m base diameter turbulent pool fire, burning a 10%-toluene / 90%-methanol fuel mixture. Dual-pump coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and laser-induced incandescence are utilized to obtain radial profiles of temperature and soot probability density functions (pdf) as well as estimates of temperature/soot joint statistics at three vertical heights above the surface of the methanol/toluene fuel pool. Results are presented both in the fuel vapor-dome region at ¼ base diameter and in the actively burning region at ½ and ¾ diameters above the fuel surface. The spatial evolution of themore » soot and temperature pdfs is discussed and profiles of the temperature and soot mean and rms statistics are provided. Joint temperature/soot statistics are presented as spatially resolved conditional averages across the fire plume, and in terms of a joint pdf obtained by including measurements from multiple spatial locations.« less

Electrolysis cell for reprocessing plutonium reactor fuel

DOEpatents

Miller, William E.; Steindler, Martin J.; Burris, Leslie

1986-01-01

An electrolytic cell for refining a mixture of metals including spent fuel containing U and Pu contaminated with other metals, the cell including a metallic pot containing a metallic pool as one anode at a lower level, a fused salt as the electrolyte at an intermediate level and a cathode and an anode basket in spaced-apart positions in the electrolyte with the cathode and anode being retractable to positions above the electrolyte during which spent fuel may be added to the anode basket and the anode basket being extendable into the lower pool to dissolve at least some metallic contaminants, the anode basket containing the spent fuel acting as a second anode when in the electrolyte.

Electrolysis cell for reprocessing plutonium reactor fuel

DOEpatents

Miller, W.E.; Steindler, M.J.; Burris, L.

1985-01-04

An electrolytic cell for refining a mixture of metals including spent fuel containing U and Pu contaminated with other metals is claimed. The cell includes a metallic pot containing a metallic pool as one anode at a lower level, a fused salt as the electrolyte at an intermediate level and a cathode and an anode basket in spaced-apart positions in the electrolyte with the cathode and anode being retractable to positions above the electrolyte during which spent fuel may be added to the anode basket. The anode basket is extendable into the lower pool to dissolve at least some metallic contaminants; the anode basket contains the spent fuel acting as a second anode when in the electrolyte.

Vibro-acoustic Imaging at the Breazeale Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, James Arthur; Jewell, James Keith; Lee, James Edwin

2016-09-01

The INL is developing Vibro-acoustic imaging technology to characterize microstructure in fuels and materials in spent fuel pools and within reactor vessels. A vibro-acoustic development laboratory has been established at the INL. The progress in developing the vibro-acoustic technology at the INL is the focus of this report. A successful technology demonstration was performed in a working TRIGA research reactor. Vibro-acoustic imaging was performed in the reactor pool of the Breazeale reactor in late September of 2015. A confocal transducer driven at a nominal 3 MHz was used to collect the 60 kHz differential beat frequency induced in a spentmore » TRIGA fuel rod and empty gamma tube located in the main reactor water pool. Data was collected and analyzed with the INLDAS data acquisition software using a short time Fourier transform.« less

Methodology and Software for Gross Defect Detection of Spent Nuclear Fuel at the Atucha-I Reactor [Novel Methodology and Software for Spent Fuel Gross Defect Detection at the Atucha-I Reactor

DOE PAGES

Sitaraman, Shivakumar; Ham, Young S.; Gharibyan, Narek; ...

2017-03-27

Here, fuel assemblies in the spent fuel pool are stored by suspending them in two vertically stacked layers at the Atucha Unit 1 nuclear power plant (Atucha-I). This introduces the unique problem of verifying the presence of fuel in either layer without physically moving the fuel assemblies. Given that the facility uses both natural uranium and slightly enriched uranium at 0.85 wt% 235U and has been in operation since 1974, a wide range of burnups and cooling times can exist in any given pool. A gross defect detection tool, the spent fuel neutron counter (SFNC), has been used at themore » site to verify the presence of fuel up to burnups of 8000 MWd/t. At higher discharge burnups, the existing signal processing software of the tool was found to fail due to nonlinearity of the source term with burnup.« less

Methodology and Software for Gross Defect Detection of Spent Nuclear Fuel at the Atucha-I Reactor [Novel Methodology and Software for Spent Fuel Gross Defect Detection at the Atucha-I Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sitaraman, Shivakumar; Ham, Young S.; Gharibyan, Narek

Here, fuel assemblies in the spent fuel pool are stored by suspending them in two vertically stacked layers at the Atucha Unit 1 nuclear power plant (Atucha-I). This introduces the unique problem of verifying the presence of fuel in either layer without physically moving the fuel assemblies. Given that the facility uses both natural uranium and slightly enriched uranium at 0.85 wt% 235U and has been in operation since 1974, a wide range of burnups and cooling times can exist in any given pool. A gross defect detection tool, the spent fuel neutron counter (SFNC), has been used at themore » site to verify the presence of fuel up to burnups of 8000 MWd/t. At higher discharge burnups, the existing signal processing software of the tool was found to fail due to nonlinearity of the source term with burnup.« less

Development and Assessment of CFD Models Including a Supplemental Program Code for Analyzing Buoyancy-Driven Flows Through BWR Fuel Assemblies in SFP Complete LOCA Scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artnak, Edward Joseph, III

This work seeks to illustrate the potential benefits afforded by implementing aspects of fluid dynamics, especially the latest computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling approach, through numerical experimentation and the traditional discipline of physical experimentation to improve the calibration of the severe reactor accident analysis code, MELCOR, in one of several spent fuel pool (SFP) complete loss-ofcoolant accident (LOCA) scenarios. While the scope of experimental work performed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) extends well beyond that which is reasonably addressed by our allotted resources and computational time in accordance with initial project allocations to complete the report, these simulated case trials produced a significant array of supplementary high-fidelity solutions and hydraulic flow-field data in support of SNL research objectives. Results contained herein show FLUENT CFD model representations of a 9x9 BWR fuel assembly in conditions corresponding to a complete loss-of-coolant accident scenario. In addition to the CFD model developments, a MATLAB based controlvolume model was constructed to independently assess the 9x9 BWR fuel assembly under similar accident scenarios. The data produced from this work show that FLUENT CFD models are capable of resolving complex flow fields within a BWR fuel assembly in the realm of buoyancy-induced mass flow rates and that characteristic hydraulic parameters from such CFD simulations (or physical experiments) are reasonably employed in corresponding constitutive correlations for developing simplified numerical models of comparable solution accuracy.

A light hydrocarbon fuel processor producing high-purity hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Löffler, Daniel G.; Taylor, Kyle; Mason, Dylan

This paper discusses the design process and presents performance data for a dual fuel (natural gas and LPG) fuel processor for PEM fuel cells delivering between 2 and 8 kW electric power in stationary applications. The fuel processor resulted from a series of design compromises made to address different design constraints. First, the product quality was selected; then, the unit operations needed to achieve that product quality were chosen from the pool of available technologies. Next, the specific equipment needed for each unit operation was selected. Finally, the unit operations were thermally integrated to achieve high thermal efficiency. Early in the design process, it was decided that the fuel processor would deliver high-purity hydrogen. Hydrogen can be separated from other gases by pressure-driven processes based on either selective adsorption or permeation. The pressure requirement made steam reforming (SR) the preferred reforming technology because it does not require compression of combustion air; therefore, steam reforming is more efficient in a high-pressure fuel processor than alternative technologies like autothermal reforming (ATR) or partial oxidation (POX), where the combustion occurs at the pressure of the process stream. A low-temperature pre-reformer reactor is needed upstream of a steam reformer to suppress coke formation; yet, low temperatures facilitate the formation of metal sulfides that deactivate the catalyst. For this reason, a desulfurization unit is needed upstream of the pre-reformer. Hydrogen separation was implemented using a palladium alloy membrane. Packed beds were chosen for the pre-reformer and reformer reactors primarily because of their low cost, relatively simple operation and low maintenance. Commercial, off-the-shelf balance of plant (BOP) components (pumps, valves, and heat exchangers) were used to integrate the unit operations. The fuel processor delivers up to 100 slm hydrogen >99.9% pure with <1 ppm CO, <3 ppm CO 2. The thermal efficiency is better than 67% operating at full load. This fuel processor has been integrated with a 5-kW fuel cell producing electricity and hot water.

Method development and validation for simultaneous determination of IEA-R1 reactor’s pool water uranium and silicon content by ICP OES

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulrich, J. C.; Guilhen, S. N.; Cotrim, M. E. B.; Pires, M. A. F.

2018-03-01

IPEN’s research reactor, IEA-R1, an open pool type research reactor moderated and cooled by light water. High quality water is a key factor in preventing the corrosion of the spent fuel stored in the pool. Leaching of radionuclides from the corroded fuel cladding may be prevented by an efficient water treatment and purification system. However, as a safety management policy, IPEN has adopted a water chemistry control which periodically monitors the levels of uranium (U) and silicon (Si) in the pool’s reactor, since IEA-R1 employs U3Si2-Al dispersion fuel. An analytical method was developed and validated for the determination of uranium and silicon by ICP OES. This work describes the validation process, in a context of quality assurance, including the parameters selectivity, linearity, quantification limit, precision and recovery.

Convective cooling in a pool-type research reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sipaun, Susan, E-mail: susan@nm.gov.my; Usman, Shoaib, E-mail: usmans@mst.edu

2016-01-22

A reactor produces heat arising from fission reactions in the nuclear core. In the Missouri University of Science and Technology research reactor (MSTR), this heat is removed by natural convection where the coolant/moderator is demineralised water. Heat energy is transferred from the core into the coolant, and the heated water eventually evaporates from the open pool surface. A secondary cooling system was installed to actively remove excess heat arising from prolonged reactor operations. The nuclear core consists of uranium silicide aluminium dispersion fuel (U{sub 3}Si{sub 2}Al) in the form of rectangular plates. Gaps between the plates allow coolant to passmore » through and carry away heat. A study was carried out to map out heat flow as well as to predict the system’s performance via STAR-CCM+ simulation. The core was approximated as porous media with porosity of 0.7027. The reactor is rated 200kW and total heat density is approximately 1.07+E7 Wm{sup −3}. An MSTR model consisting of 20% of MSTR’s nuclear core in a third of the reactor pool was developed. At 35% pump capacity, the simulation results for the MSTR model showed that water is drawn out of the pool at a rate 1.28 kg s{sup −1} from the 4” pipe, and predicted pool surface temperature not exceeding 30°C.« less

LPT. Shield test facility test building interior (TAN646). Camera facing ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

LPT. Shield test facility test building interior (TAN-646). Camera facing south. Distant pool contained EBOR reactor; near pool was intended for fuel rod storage. Other post-1970 activity equipment remains in pool. INEEL negative no. HD-40-9-4 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Fire Protection Informational Exchange

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

0.95 L/min concurrent spray & 274x521 mm pool (66°C) i. Persistent fuels; turbine fuel in spray/pool; lubricant, hydraulic fluid in spray ii...conjugate image plane La Vision sCMOS + Kl long- distance microscope with CF4 objective wire .. " " " " ... in-line hologram image plane La...distance microscope with CF4 objective wire I phase disrurbanc.e (f= 2000 nun) .. " " " " ... in-line hologram image plane La Vision sCNlOS

75 FR 52892 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Residential Water Heaters...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-30

.... Treatment of Fossil-Fuel Consumption in Existing Test Procedures for Fossil-Fuel Vented Heaters 2. Specific.... Proposed Test Procedure Amendments for Pool Heaters 1. Treatment of Fossil-Fuel Consumption in Existing.... Fossil-fuel standby mode and off mode energy use is already integrated into the vented [[Page 52895...

Effects of Fuel Composition on Combustion Stability and NO X Emissions for Traditional and Alternative Jet Fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vijlee, Shazib Z.

Synthetic jet fuels are studied to help understand their viability as alternatives to traditionally derived jet fuel. Two combustion parameters -- flame stability and NOX emissions -- are used to compare these fuels through experiments and models. At its core, this is a fuels study comparing how chemical makeup and behavior relate. Six 'real', complex fuels are studied in this work -- four are synthetic from alternative sources and two are traditional from petroleum sources. Two of the synthetic fuels are derived from natural gas and coal via the Fischer Tropsch catalytic process. The other two are derived from Camelina oil and tallow via hydroprocessing. The traditional military jet fuel, JP8, is used as a baseline as it is derived from petroleum. The sixth fuel is derived from petroleum and is used to study the effects of aromatic content on the synthetic fuels. The synthetic fuels lack aromatic compounds, which are an important class of hydrocarbons necessary for fuel handling systems to function properly. Several single-component fuels are studied (through models and/or experiments) to facilitate interpretation and understanding. The flame stability study first compares all the 'real', complex fuels for blowout. A toroidal stirred reactor is used to try and isolate temperature and chemical effects. The modeling study of blowout in the toroidal reactor is the key to understanding any fuel-based differences in blowout behavior. A detailed, reacting CFD model of methane is used to understand how the reactor stabilizes the flame and how that changes as the reactor approaches blowout. A 22 species reduced form of GRI 3.0 is used to model methane chemistry. The knowledge of the radical species role is utilized to investigate the differences between a highly aliphatic fuel (surrogated by iso-octane) and a highly aromatic fuel (surrogated by toluene). A perfectly stirred reactor model is used to study the chemical kinetic pathways for these fuels near blowout. The differences in flame stabilization can be attributed to the rate at which these fuels are attacked and destroyed by radical species. The slow disintegration of the aromatic rings reduces the radical pool available for chain-initiating and chain-branching, which ultimately leads to an earlier blowout. The NOX study compares JP8, the aromatic additive, the synthetic fuels with and without an aromatic additive, and an aromatic surrogate (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene). A jet stirred reactor is used to try and isolate temperature and chemical effects. The reactor has a volume of 15.8 mL and a residence time of approximately 2.5 ms. The fuel flow rate (hence equivalence ratio) is adjusted to achieve nominally consistent temperatures of 1800, 1850, and 1900K. Small oscillations in fuel flow rate cause the data to appear in bands, which facilitated Arrhenius-type NOX-temperature correlations for direct comparison between fuels. The fuel comparisons are somewhat inconsistent, especially when the aromatic fuel is blended into the synthetic fuels. In general, the aromatic surrogate (1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) produces the most NOX, followed by JP8. The synthetic fuels (without aromatic additive) are always in the same ranking order for NOX production (HP Camelina > FT Coal > FT Natural Gas > HP Tallow). The aromatic additive ranks differently based on the temperature, which appears to indicate that some of the differences in NOX formation are due to the Zeldovich NOX formation pathway. The aromatic additive increases NOX for the HP Tallow and decreases NOX for the FT Coal. The aromatic additive causes increased NOX at low temperatures but decreases NOX at high temperatures for the HP Camelina and FT Natural Gas. A single perfectly stirred reactor model is used with several chemical kinetic mechanisms to study the effects of fuel (and fuel class) on NO X formation. The 27 unique NOX formation reactions from GRI 3.0 are added to published mechanisms for jet fuel surrogates. The investigation first looked at iso-octane and toluene and found that toluene produces more NOX because of a larger pool of O radical. The O radical concentration was lower for iso-octane because of an increased concentration of methyl (CH 3) radical that consumes O radical readily. Several surrogate fuels (iso-octane, toluene, propylcyclohexane, n-octane, and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) are modeled to look for differences in NOX production. The trend (increased CH3 → decreased O → decreased NOX) is consistently true for all surrogate fuels with multiple kinetic mechanisms. It appears that the manner in which the fuel disintegrates and creates methyl radical is an extremely important aspect of how much NOX a fuel will produce. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Three-Dimensional Ignition and Flame Propagation Above Liquid Fuel Pools: Computational Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cai, Jinsheng; Sirignano, William A.

2001-01-01

A three-dimensional unsteady reactive Navier-Stokes code is developed to study the ignition and flame spread above liquid fuels initially below the flashpoint temperature. Opposed air flow to the flame spread due to forced and/or natural convection is considered. Pools of finite width and length are studied in air channels of prescribed height and width. Three-dimensional effects of the flame front near the edge of the pool are captured in the computation. The formation of a recirculation zone in the gas phase similar to that found in two-dimensional calculations is also present in the three-dimensional calculations. Both uniform spread and pulsating spread modes are found in the calculated results.

Comparison of the safety-related physical and combustion properties of liquid hydrogen and liquid natural gas in the context of the SF-BREEZE high-speed fuel-cell ferry

DOE PAGES

Klebanoff, L. E.; Pratt, J. W.; LaFleur, C. B.

2016-11-25

Here, we review liquid hydrogen (LH 2) as a maritime vessel fuel, from descriptions of its fundamental properties to its practical application and safety aspects, in the context of the San Francisco Bay Renewable Energy Electric Vessel with Zero Emissions (SF-BREEZE) high-speed fuel-cell ferry. Since marine regulations have been formulated to cover liquid natural gas (LNG) as a primary propulsion fuel, we frame our examination of LH 2 as a comparison to LNG, for both maritime use in general, and the SF-BREEZE in particular. Due to weaker attractions between molecules, LH 2 is colder than LNG, and evaporates more easily.more » We describe the consequences of these physical differences for the size and duration of spills of the two cryogenic fuels. The classical flammability ranges are reviewed, with a focus on how fuel buoyancy modifies these combustion limits. We examine the conditions for direct fuel explosion (detonation) and contrast them with initiation of normal (laminar) combustion. Direct fuel detonation is not a credible accident scenario for the SF-BREEZE. For both fuels, we review experiments and theory elucidating the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT). LH 2 fires have a shorter duration than energy-equivalent LNG fires, and produce significantly less thermal radiation. The thermal (infrared) radiation from hydrogen fires is also strongly absorbed by humidity in the air. Hydrogen permeability is not a leak issue for practical hydrogen plumbing. We describe the chemistry of hydrogen and methane at iron surfaces, clarifying their impact on steel-based hydrogen storage and transport materials. These physical, chemical and combustion properties are pulled together in a comparison of how a LH 2 or LNG pool fire on the Top Deck of the SF-BREEZE might influence the structural integrity of the aluminum deck. Neither pool fire scenario leads to net heating of the aluminum decking. Overall, LH 2 and LNG are very similar in their physical and combustion properties, thereby posing similar safety risks. For ships utilizing LH 2 or LNG, precautions are needed to avoid fuel leaks, minimize ignition sources, minimize confined spaces, provide ample ventilation for required confined spaces, and to monitor the enclosed spaces to ensure any fuel accumulation is detected far below the fuel/air mix threshold for any type of combustion.« less

Comparison of the safety-related physical and combustion properties of liquid hydrogen and liquid natural gas in the context of the SF-BREEZE high-speed fuel-cell ferry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klebanoff, L. E.; Pratt, J. W.; LaFleur, C. B.

Here, we review liquid hydrogen (LH 2) as a maritime vessel fuel, from descriptions of its fundamental properties to its practical application and safety aspects, in the context of the San Francisco Bay Renewable Energy Electric Vessel with Zero Emissions (SF-BREEZE) high-speed fuel-cell ferry. Since marine regulations have been formulated to cover liquid natural gas (LNG) as a primary propulsion fuel, we frame our examination of LH 2 as a comparison to LNG, for both maritime use in general, and the SF-BREEZE in particular. Due to weaker attractions between molecules, LH 2 is colder than LNG, and evaporates more easily.more » We describe the consequences of these physical differences for the size and duration of spills of the two cryogenic fuels. The classical flammability ranges are reviewed, with a focus on how fuel buoyancy modifies these combustion limits. We examine the conditions for direct fuel explosion (detonation) and contrast them with initiation of normal (laminar) combustion. Direct fuel detonation is not a credible accident scenario for the SF-BREEZE. For both fuels, we review experiments and theory elucidating the deflagration to detonation transition (DDT). LH 2 fires have a shorter duration than energy-equivalent LNG fires, and produce significantly less thermal radiation. The thermal (infrared) radiation from hydrogen fires is also strongly absorbed by humidity in the air. Hydrogen permeability is not a leak issue for practical hydrogen plumbing. We describe the chemistry of hydrogen and methane at iron surfaces, clarifying their impact on steel-based hydrogen storage and transport materials. These physical, chemical and combustion properties are pulled together in a comparison of how a LH 2 or LNG pool fire on the Top Deck of the SF-BREEZE might influence the structural integrity of the aluminum deck. Neither pool fire scenario leads to net heating of the aluminum decking. Overall, LH 2 and LNG are very similar in their physical and combustion properties, thereby posing similar safety risks. For ships utilizing LH 2 or LNG, precautions are needed to avoid fuel leaks, minimize ignition sources, minimize confined spaces, provide ample ventilation for required confined spaces, and to monitor the enclosed spaces to ensure any fuel accumulation is detected far below the fuel/air mix threshold for any type of combustion.« less

Power-poor Philippines taps geothermal pool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1982-04-15

The current energy situation in the Philippines (75% imported oil) is reviewed and current and future activities in the area of geothermal energy use is discussed. It is estimated that by 1986, $830 million will be spent to develop the extensive geothermal sources to produce 13% of the nation's total energy. The high-quality geothermal sources are described as producing 162/sup 0/C water-steam mixture at a pressure of 6.68 kg/sec. Energy producing systems are described briefly as well as the environmental and equipment problems encountered already. The cost of geothermal energy is discussed (2.5 cents/kWh) and compared with energy costs ofmore » fossil-fuel and hydroelectricity. It is concluded that the geothermal energy sources should be a major contributor to the Philippines for at least 30 years. (MJJ)« less

Fluid Management of and Flame Spread Across Liquid Pools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, H. D.; Miller, F. J.

2001-01-01

The goal of our research on flame spread across pools of liquid fuel remains the quantitative identification of the mechanisms that control the rate and nature of flame spread when the initial temperature of the liquid pool is below the fuel's flash point temperature. As described in, four microgravity (mu-g) sounding rocket flights examined the effect of forced opposed airflow over a 2.5 cm deep x 2 cm wide x 30 cm long pool of 1-butanol. Among many unexpected findings, it was observed that the flame spread is much slower and steadier than in 1g where flame spread has a pulsating character. Our numerical model, restricted to two dimensions, had predicted faster, pulsating flame spread in mu-g. In a test designed to achieve a more 2-D experiment, our investigation of a shallow, wide pool (2 mm deep x 78 mm wide x 30 cm long) was unsuccessful in mu-g, due to an unexpectedly long time required to fill the tray. As such, the most recent Spread Across Liquids (SAL) sounding rocket experiment had two principal objectives: 1) determine if pulsating flame spread in deep fuel trays would occur under the conditions that a state-of-the-art computational combustion code and short-duration drop tower tests predict; and 2) determine if a long, rectangular, shallow fuel tray could achieve a visibly flat liquid surface across the whole tray without spillage in the mu-g time allotted. If the second objective was met, the shallow tray was to be ignited to determine the nature of flame spread in mu-g for this geometry. For the first time in the experiment series, two fuel trays - one deep (30 cm long x 2 cm wide x 25 mm deep) and one shallow (same length and width, but 2 mm deep)-- were flown. By doing two independent experiments in a single flight, a significant cost savings was realized. In parallel, the computational objective was to modify the code to improve agreement with earlier results. This last objective was achieved by modifying the fuel mass diffusivity and adding a parameter to correct for radiative and lateral heat loss.

Used fuel extended storage security and safeguards by design roadmap

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Durbin, Samuel G.; Lindgren, Eric Richard; Jones, Robert

2016-05-01

In the United States, spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is safely and securely stored in spent fuel pools and dry storage casks. The available capacity in spent fuel pools across the nuclear fleet has nearly reached a steady state value. The excess SNF continues to be loaded in dry storage casks. Fuel is expected to remain in dry storage for periods beyond the initial dry cask certification period of 20 years. Recent licensing renewals have approved an additional 40 years. This report identifies the current requirements and evaluation techniques associated with the safeguards and security of SNF dry cask storage. Amore » set of knowledge gaps is identified in the current approaches. Finally, this roadmap identifies known knowledge gaps and provides a research path to deliver the tools and models needed to close the gaps and allow the optimization of the security and safeguards approaches for an interim spent fuel facility over the lifetime of the storage site.« less

POOL WATER TREATMENT AND COOLING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

V. King

2000-06-19

The Pool Water Treatment and Cooling System is located in the Waste Handling Building (WHB), and is comprised of various process subsystems designed to support waste handling operations. This system maintains the pool water temperature within an acceptable range, maintains water quality standards that support remote underwater operations and prevent corrosion, detects leakage from the pool liner, provides the capability to remove debris from the pool, controls the pool water level, and helps limit radiological exposure to personnel. The pool structure and liner, pool lighting, and the fuel staging racks in the pool are not within the scope of themore » Pool Water Treatment and Cooling System. Pool water temperature control is accomplished by circulating the pool water through heat exchangers. Adequate circulation and mixing of the pool water is provided to prevent localized thermal hotspots in the pool. Treatment of the pool water is accomplished by a water treatment system that circulates the pool water through filters, and ion exchange units. These water treatment units remove radioactive and non-radioactive particulate and dissolved solids from the water, thereby providing the water clarity needed to conduct waste handling operations. The system also controls pool water chemistry to prevent advanced corrosion of the pool liner, pool components, and fuel assemblies. Removal of radioactivity from the pool water contributes to the project ALARA (as low as is reasonably achievable) goals. A leak detection system is provided to detect and alarm leaks through the pool liner. The pool level control system monitors the water level to ensure that the minimum water level required for adequate radiological shielding is maintained. Through interface with a demineralized water system, adequate makeup is provided to compensate for loss of water inventory through evaporation and waste handling operations. Interface with the Site Radiological Monitoring System provides continuous radiological monitoring of the pool water. The Pool Water Treatment and Cooling System interfaces with the Waste Handling Building System, Site-Generated Radiological Waste Handling System, Site Radiological Monitoring System, Waste Handling Building Electrical System, Site Water System, and the Monitored Geologic Repository Operations Monitoring and Control System.« less

78 FR 77736 - Sunshine Act Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-24

... a.m. Briefing on Spent Fuel Pool Safety and Consideration of Expedited Transfer of Spent Fuel to Dry... Disposition Fukushima Near-Term Task Force (NTTF) Recommendation 1 on Improving NRC's Regulatory Framework...

78 FR 76331 - Sunshine Act Meeting Notice

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-17

... a.m. Briefing on Spent Fuel Pool Safety and Consideration of Expedited Transfer of Spent Fuel to Dry... Recommendations to Disposition Fukushima Near-Term Task Force (NTTF) Recommendation 1 on Improving NRC's...

AP1000{sup R} nuclear power plant safety overview for spent fuel cooling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorgemans, J.; Mulhollem, L.; Glavin, J.

2012-07-01

The AP1000{sup R} plant is an 1100-MWe class pressurized water reactor with passive safety features and extensive plant simplifications that enhance construction, operation, maintenance, safety and costs. The AP1000 design uses passive features to mitigate design basis accidents. The passive safety systems are designed to function without safety-grade support systems such as AC power, component cooling water, service water or HVAC. Furthermore, these passive features 'fail safe' during a non-LOCA event such that DC power and instrumentation are not required. The AP1000 also has simple, active, defense-in-depth systems to support normal plant operations. These active systems provide the first levelmore » of defense against more probable events and they provide investment protection, reduce the demands on the passive features and support the probabilistic risk assessment. The AP1000 passive safety approach allows the plant to achieve and maintain safe shutdown in case of an accident for 72 hours without operator action, meeting the expectations provided in the U.S. Utility Requirement Document and the European Utility Requirements for passive plants. Limited operator actions are required to maintain safe conditions in the spent fuel pool via passive means. In line with the AP1000 approach to safety described above, the AP1000 plant design features multiple, diverse lines of defense to ensure spent fuel cooling can be maintained for design-basis events and beyond design-basis accidents. During normal and abnormal conditions, defense-in-depth and other systems provide highly reliable spent fuel pool cooling. They rely on off-site AC power or the on-site standby diesel generators. For unlikely design basis events with an extended loss of AC power (i.e., station blackout) or loss of heat sink or both, spent fuel cooling can still be provided indefinitely: - Passive systems, requiring minimal or no operator actions, are sufficient for at least 72 hours under all possible pool heat load conditions. - After 3 days, several different means are provided to continue spent fuel cooling using installed plant equipment as well as off-site equipment with built-in connections. Even for beyond design basis accidents with postulated pool damage and multiple failures in the passive safety-related systems and in the defense-in-depth active systems, the AP1000 multiple spent fuel pool spray and fill systems provide additional lines of defense to prevent spent fuel damage. (authors)« less

A User Guide to PARET/ANL

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olson, A. P.; Dionne, B.; Marin-Lafleche, A.

2015-01-01

PARET was originally created in 1969 at what is now Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to analyze reactivity insertion events in research and test reactor cores cooled by light or heavy water, with fuel composed of either plates or pins. The use of PARET is also appropriate for fuel assemblies with curved fuel plates when their radii of curvatures are large with respect to the fuel plate thickness. The PARET/ANL version of the code has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy/NNSA, and has been used by the Reactor Conversion Program tomore » determine the expected transient behavior of a large number of reactors. PARET/ANL models the various fueled regions of a reactor core as channels. Each of these channels consists of a single flat fuel plate/pin (including cladding and, optionally, a gap) with water coolant on each side. In slab geometry the coolant channels for a given fuel plate are of identical dimensions (mirror symmetry), but they can be of different thickness in each channel. There can be many channels, but each channel is independent and coupled only through reactivity feedback effects to the whole core. The time-dependent differential equations that represent the system are replaced by an equivalent set of finite-difference equations in space and time, which are integrated numerically. PARET/ANL uses fundamentally the same numerical scheme as RELAP5 for the time-integration of the point-kinetics equations. The one-dimensional thermal-hydraulic model includes temperature-dependent thermal properties of the solid materials, such as heat capacity and thermal conductivity, as well as the transient heat production and heat transfer from the fuel meat to the coolant. Temperature- and pressure-dependent thermal properties of the coolant such as enthalpy, density, thermal conductivity, and viscosity are also used in determining parameters such as friction factors and heat transfer coefficients. The code first determines the steady-state solution for the initial state. Then the solution of the transient is obtained by integration in time and space. Multiple heat transfer, DNB and flow instability correlations are available. The code was originally developed to model reactors cooled by an open loop, which was adequate for rapid transients in pool-type cores. An external loop model appropriate for Miniature Neutron Source Reactors (MNSR’s) was also added to PARET/ANL to model natural circulation within the vessel, heat transfer from the vessel to pool and heat loss by evaporation from the pool. PARET/ANL also contains models for decay heat after shutdown, control rod reactivity versus time or position, time-dependent pump flow, and loss-of-flow event with flow reversal as well as logic for trips on period, power, and flow. Feedback reactivity effects from coolant density changes and temperature changes are represented by tables. Feedback reactivity from fuel heat-up (Doppler Effect) is represented by a four-term polynomial in powers of fuel temperature. Photo-neutrons produced in beryllium or in heavy water may be included in the point-kinetics equations by using additional delayed neutron groups.« less

Numerical Simulations on the Laser Spot Welding of Zirconium Alloy Endplate for Nuclear Fuel Bundle Assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satyanarayana, G.; Narayana, K. L.; Boggarapu, Nageswara Rao

2018-03-01

In the nuclear industry, a critical welding process is joining of an end plate to a fuel rod to form a fuel bundle. Literature on zirconium welding in such a critical operation is limited. A CFD model is developed and performed for the three-dimensional non-linear thermo-fluid analysis incorporating buoyancy and Marnangoni stress and specifying temperature dependent properties to predict weld geometry and temperature field in and around the melt pool of laser spot during welding of a zirconium alloy E110 endplate with a fuel rod. Using this method, it is possible to estimate the weld pool dimensions for the specified laser power and laser-on-time. The temperature profiles will estimate the HAZ and microstructure. The adequacy of generic nature of the model is validated with existing experimental data.

Tunable molten oxide pool assisted plasma-melter vitrification systems

DOEpatents

Titus, Charles H.; Cohn, Daniel R.; Surma, Jeffrey E.

1998-01-01

The present invention provides tunable waste conversion systems and apparatus which have the advantage of highly robust operation and which provide complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The systems provide the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another. The preferred configuration of this embodiment of the invention utilizes two arc plasma electrodes with an elongated chamber for the molten pool such that the molten pool is capable of providing conducting paths between electrodes. The apparatus may additionally be employed with reduced use or without further use of the gases generated by the conversion process. The apparatus may be employed as a net energy or net electricity producing unit where use of an auxiliary fuel provides the required level of electricity production. Methods and apparatus for converting metals, non-glass forming waste streams and low-ash producing inorganics into a useful gas are also provided. The methods and apparatus for such conversion include the use of a molten oxide pool having predetermined electrical, thermal and physical characteristics capable of maintaining optimal joule heating and glass forming properties during the conversion process.

Elevated blood pressure and household solid fuel use in premenopausal women: Analysis of 12 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) from 10 countries.

PubMed

Arku, Raphael E; Ezzati, Majid; Baumgartner, Jill; Fink, Günther; Zhou, Bin; Hystad, Perry; Brauer, Michael

2018-01-01

Approximately three billion people are exposed to household air pollution (HAP) from solid fuel cookstoves. Studies from single settings have linked HAP with elevated blood pressure (BP), but no evidence exists from multi-country analyses. Using nationally representative and internationally comparable data, we examined the association between solid fuel use and BP in 77,605 largely premenopausal women (aged 15-49) from ten resource-poor countries. We obtained data on systolic and diastolic BP, self-reported primary cooking fuel, health and socio-demographic characteristics from 12 Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Benin, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Namibia, and Peru. We estimated associations between history of fuel use [solid fuel (coal or biomass) versus clean fuel (electricity or gas)] with systolic and diastolic BP and hypertension using a meta-analytical approach. Overall, the country-level mean systolic and diastolic BP were 117 (range: 111-127) and 74 (71-83) mmHg, respectively. The country-level mean age of the women was 30.8 years (range: 28.4-32.9). The prevalence of solid fuel use was 46.0% (range: 4.1-95.8). In adjusted, pooled analyses, primary use of solid fuel was associated with 0.58mmHg higher systolic BP (95% CI: 0.23, 0.93) as compared to primary use of clean fuel. The pooled estimates for diastolic BP and pulse pressure were also positive, but the confidence intervals contained zero. The pooled odds of hypertension was [OR = 1.07 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.16)], an effect that was driven by rural participants for whom solid fuel use was associated with a 16% greater odds of hypertension [OR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.35)]. Cooking with solid fuels was associated with small increases in BP and odds of hypertension. Use of cleaner fuels like gas or electricity may reduce cardiovascular risk in developing countries, particularly among rural residents. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Proliferation resistance assessment of various methods of spent nuclear fuel storage and disposal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kollar, Lenka

Many countries are planning to build or already are building new nuclear power plants to match their growing energy needs. Since all nuclear power plants handle nuclear materials that could potentially be converted and used for nuclear weapons, they each present a nuclear proliferation risk. Spent nuclear fuel presents the largest build-up of nuclear material at a power plant. This is a proliferation risk because spent fuel contains plutonium that can be chemically separated and used for a nuclear weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards spent fuel in all non-nuclear weapons states that are party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Various safeguards methods are in use at nuclear power plants and research is underway to develop safeguards methods for spent fuel in centralized storage or underground storage and disposal. Each method of spent fuel storage presents different proliferation risks due to the nature of the storage method and the safeguards techniques that are utilized. Previous proliferation resistance and proliferation risk assessments have mainly compared nuclear material through the whole fuel cycle and not specifically focused on spent fuel storage. This project evaluates the proliferation resistance of the three main types of spent fuel storage: spent fuel pool, dry cask storage, and geological repository. The proliferation resistance assessment methodology that is used in this project is adopted from previous work and altered to be applicable to spent fuel storage. The assessment methodology utilizes various intrinsic and extrinsic proliferation-resistant attributes for each spent fuel storage type. These attributes are used to calculate a total proliferation resistant (PR) value. The maximum PR value is 1.00 and a greater number means that the facility is more proliferation resistant. Current data for spent fuel storage in the United States and around the world was collected. The PR values obtained from this data are 0.49 for the spent fuel pool, 0.42 for dry cask storage, 0.36 for the operating geological repository, and 0.28 for the closed geological repository. Therefore, the spent fuel pool is currently the most proliferation resistant method for storing spent fuel. The extrinsic attributes, mainly involving safeguards measures, affect the total PR value the most. As a result, several recommendations are made to improve the proliferation resistance of spent fuel. These recommendations include employing more advanced safeguards measures, such as verification techniques and remote monitoring, for dry cask storage and the geological repository. Dry cask storage facilities should also be located at the plant and in a secure building to minimize the proliferation risk. Finally, the cost-benefit analysis of increased safeguards needs to be considered. Taking these recommendations into account, the PR values of dry cask storage and the closed geological would be significantly increased, to 0.57 and 0.51, respectively. As a result, with increased safeguards to the safeguards level of the spent fuel pool, dry cask storage would be the most proliferation resistant method to store spent fuel. Therefore, the IAEA should continue to develop remote monitoring and cask storage verification techniques in order to improve the proliferation resistance of spent fuel.

Flame spread across liquid pools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Howard; Miller, Fletcher; Schiller, David; Sirignano, William A.

1993-01-01

For flame spread over liquid fuel pools, the existing literature suggests three gravitational influences: (1) liquid phase buoyant convection, delaying ignition and assisting flame spread; (2) hydrostatic pressure variation, due to variation in the liquid pool height caused by thermocapillary-induced convection; and (3) gas-phase buoyant convection in the opposite direction to the liquid phase motion. No current model accounts for all three influences. In fact, prior to this work, there was no ability to determine whether ignition delay times and flame spread rates would be greater or lesser in low gravity. Flame spread over liquid fuel pools is most commonly characterized by the relationship of the initial pool temperature to the fuel's idealized flash point temperature, with four or five separate characteristic regimes having been identified. In the uniform spread regime, control has been attributed to: (1) gas-phase conduction and radiation; (2) gas-phase conduction only; (3) gas-phase convection and liquid conduction, and most recently (4) liquid convection ahead of the flame. Suggestions were made that the liquid convection was owed to both vuoyancy and thermocapillarity. Of special interest to this work is the determination of whether, and under what conditions, pulsating spread can and will occur in microgravity in the absence of buoyant flows in both phases. The approach we have taken to resolving the importance of buoyancy for these flames is: (1) normal gravity experiments and advanced diagnostics; (2) microgravity experiments; and (3) numerical modelling at arbitrary gravitational level.

Feasibility study of liquid pool burning in reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanury, A. M.

1979-01-01

The feasibility of conducting experiments in the Spacelab on ignition and flame spread with liquid fuel pools which are initially at a temperature lower than the fuel's flash point temperature was studied. Theories were developed for the ignition and flame spread processes, and experiments were conducted to understand the factors influencing the ignition process and the spread rate. The results were employed to devise a conceptual Spacelab experiment which is expected to be feasible for a safe conduct and to be suitable for obtaining crucial data on the concerned processes.

Fission matrix-based Monte Carlo criticality analysis of fuel storage pools

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Farlotti, M.; Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, F 91128; Larsen, E. W.

2013-07-01

Standard Monte Carlo transport procedures experience difficulties in solving criticality problems in fuel storage pools. Because of the strong neutron absorption between fuel assemblies, source convergence can be very slow, leading to incorrect estimates of the eigenvalue and the eigenfunction. This study examines an alternative fission matrix-based Monte Carlo transport method that takes advantage of the geometry of a storage pool to overcome this difficulty. The method uses Monte Carlo transport to build (essentially) a fission matrix, which is then used to calculate the criticality and the critical flux. This method was tested using a test code on a simplemore » problem containing 8 assemblies in a square pool. The standard Monte Carlo method gave the expected eigenfunction in 5 cases out of 10, while the fission matrix method gave the expected eigenfunction in all 10 cases. In addition, the fission matrix method provides an estimate of the error in the eigenvalue and the eigenfunction, and it allows the user to control this error by running an adequate number of cycles. Because of these advantages, the fission matrix method yields a higher confidence in the results than standard Monte Carlo. We also discuss potential improvements of the method, including the potential for variance reduction techniques. (authors)« less

An Assessment of Fission Product Scrubbing in Sodium Pools Following a Core Damage Event in a Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bucknor, M.; Farmer, M.; Grabaskas, D.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated that mechanistic source term (MST) calculations are expected to be required as part of the advanced reactor licensing process. A recent study by Argonne National Laboratory has concluded that fission product scrubbing in sodium pools is an important aspect of an MST calculation for a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). To model the phenomena associated with sodium pool scrubbing, a computational tool, developed as part of the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) program, was utilized in an MST trial calculation. This tool was developed by applying classical theories of aerosol scrubbing to the decontamination ofmore » gases produced as a result of postulated fuel pin failures during an SFR accident scenario. The model currently considers aerosol capture by Brownian diffusion, inertial deposition, and gravitational sedimentation. The effects of sodium vapour condensation on aerosol scrubbing are also treated. This paper provides details of the individual scrubbing mechanisms utilized in the IFR code as well as results from a trial mechanistic source term assessment led by Argonne National Laboratory in 2016.« less

Laser-induced incandescence measurements of soot in turbulent pool fires.

PubMed

Frederickson, Kraig; Kearney, Sean P; Grasser, Thomas W

2011-02-01

We present what we believe to be the first application of the laser-induced incandescence (LII) technique to large-scale fire testing. The construction of an LII instrument for fire measurements is presented in detail. Soot volume fraction imaging from 2 m diameter pool fires burning blended toluene/methanol liquid fuels is demonstrated along with a detailed report of measurement uncertainty in the challenging pool fire environment. Our LII instrument relies upon remotely located laser, optical, and detection systems and the insertion of water-cooled, fiber-bundle-coupled collection optics into the fire plume. Calibration of the instrument was performed using an ethylene/air laminar diffusion flame produced by a Santoro-type burner, which allowed for the extraction of absolute soot volume fractions from the LII images. Single-laser-shot two-dimensional images of the soot layer structure are presented with very high volumetric spatial resolution of the order of 10(-5) cm3. Probability density functions of the soot volume fraction fluctuations are constructed from the large LII image ensembles. The results illustrate a highly intermittent soot fluctuation field with potentially large macroscale soot structures and clipped soot probability densities.

77 FR 74559 - Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products: Test Procedures for Residential Water Heaters...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-17

... fossil fuel as applicable to a given water heater. Specifically, the standby loss testing in the existing... important to note that fossil-fueled direct heating equipment and pool heaters typically consume both fossil... procedures for direct heating equipment, fossil-fuel energy consumption is accounted for comprehensively over...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snepvangers, J.J.M.

Equipment and results are described connected with irradiation studies of UO/sub 2/ fuels, fuel element testing in pressurized water loops, graphite irradiation, and steel irradiations with and without temperature control. The apparatus described is associated with a 20-Mw pool-type research reactor. (T.F.H.)

Measurements of the response of transport aircraft ceiling panels to fuel pool fires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bankston, C. P.; Back, L. H.

1985-01-01

Tests were performed to characterize the responses of various aircraft ceiling panel configurations to a simulated post-crash fire. Attention was given to one currently used and four new ceiling configurations exposed to a fuel pool fire in a circulated air enclosure. The tests were controlled to accurately represent conditions in a real fire. The panels were constructed of fiberglass-epoxy, graphite-phenolic resin, fiberglass-phenolic resin, Kevlar-epoxy, and Kevlar-phenolic resin materials. The phenolic resin-backed sheets performed the best under the circumstances, except when combined with Kevlar, which became porous when charred.

Role of natural gas in electric generation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

VanScant, J.W.; Mespelli, K.L.

1995-08-01

The natural-gas industry must overcome significant operating, market, regulatory, and institutional barriers to meet projected demand growth between 1994 and 2005, according to Jeffrey W> VanSant, vice president the New England Power Company, and Kristine L. Mespelli, a fuel analyst with New England Power. An 85-percent increase in gas use for electric generation is expected to account for most of the overall growth in gas demand during the decade, as environmental policies increasingly favor the use of gas instead of other fossil fuels. Recent changes in the natural gas industry have posed challenges to power producers, however. For instance, restructuringmore » of pipeline services in 1992 caused more tightly controlled flow rates which are incompatible with the variable flow needs of electric generators. Another barrier to increased natural-gas use is its relatively undeveloped market, compared to coal and oil markets. In fact, say VanSant and Mespelli, the gas market in many consuming regions is characterized both by a lack of price transparency and limited access to buyers and sellers. Electric utilities can help make gas a viable fuel by maximizing dual-fuel capability, pooling gas purchases, building new business relationships, and improving electronic information networks to make transactions easier and faster.« less

Fuel cells for commercial energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huppmann, Gerhard; Weisse, Eckart; Bischoff, Manfred

1990-04-01

The development of various types of fuel cells is described. Advantges and drawbacks are considered for alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and molten carbonate fuel cells. It is shown that their modular construction is particularly adapted to power heat systems. A comparison which is largely in favor of fuel cells, is made between coal, oil, natural gas power stations, and fuel cells. Safety risks in operation are also compared with those of conventional power stations. Fuel cells are particularly suited for dwellings, shopping centers, swimming pools, other sporting installations, and research facilities, whose high current and heat requirements can be covered by power heat coupling.

Characterization of neutron sources from spent fuel casks. [Skyshine

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Parks, C.V.; Pace, J.V. III

1987-01-01

In the interim period prior to the acceptance of spent fuel for disposal by the USDOE, utilities are beginning to choose dry cask storage as an alternative to pool re-racking, transshipments, or new pool construction. In addition, the current MRS proposal calls for interim dry storage of consolidated spent fuel in concrete casks. As part of the licensing requirements for these cask storage facilities, calculations are typically necessary to determine the yearly radiation dose received at the site boundary. Unlike wet facilities, neutron skyshine can be an important contribution to the total boundary dose from a dry storage facility. Calculationmore » of the neutron skyshine is in turn heavily dependent on the source characteristics and source model selected for the analysis. This paper presents the basic source characteristics of the spent fuel stored in dry casks and discusses factors that must be considered in evaluating and modeling the radiation sources for the subsequent skyshine calculation. 4 refs., 1 tab.« less

Maintaining Continuity of Knowledge (CoK) of Spent Fuel Pools: Tool Survey - Scenarios, Technology Considerations, and Evaluation Criteria

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benz, Jacob M.; Tanner, Jennifer E.; Smart, Heidi A.

2016-01-18

The objective of this report is to identify the foundational elements which will drive the survey and evaluation of potential technologies to be considered to maintain CoK of spent fuel within a pool in the potential absence of light or in low light scenarios. These foundational elements include identifying use cases that highlight the type of environments in which the technologies may be asked to operate; the CoK elements required of the technologies, such as unique identification or presence/absence identification; the functional and operational requirements for the technologies; and the criteria against which the technologies will be evaluated.

Further studies of fuels from alternate sources - fire extinguishment experiments with JP-5 jet turbine fuel derived from shale. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hazlett, R.N.; Affens, W.A.; McLaren, G.W.

1978-05-01

Fire extinguishment experiments with JP-5 jet fuels derived from shale crude oil and also from petroleum (for comparison) were conducted at NRL's Chesapeake Bay facility. The experiments were conducted in a 40-foot diameter circular pool using Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) as the fire extinguishing agent. The results with both types of fuel were similar, and it was concluded that the techniques and agents for AFFF application, which have been developed for petroleum fuel fires, can also be used for shale derived jet fuel.

Characterization of Emissions from Liquid Fuel and Propane Open Burns

EPA Science Inventory

The comparative combustion emissions of using jet propellant (JP-5) liquid fuel pools or a propane manifold grid to simulate the effects of accidental fires was investigated. A helium-filled tethered aerostat was used to maneuver an instrument package into the open fire plumes ...

Maintaining Continuity of Knowledge of Spent Fuel Pools: Tool Survey

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benz, Jacob M.; Smartt, Heidi A.; Tanner, Jennifer E.

This report examines supplemental tools that can be used in addition to optical surveillance cameras to maintain CoK in low-to-no light conditions, and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of spent fuel CoK, including item counting and ID verification, in challenging conditions.

Application of the Monte Carlo method to estimate doses due to neutron activation of different materials in a nuclear reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ródenas, José

2017-11-01

All materials exposed to some neutron flux can be activated independently of the kind of the neutron source. In this study, a nuclear reactor has been considered as neutron source. In particular, the activation of control rods in a BWR is studied to obtain the doses produced around the storage pool for irradiated fuel of the plant when control rods are withdrawn from the reactor and installed into this pool. It is very important to calculate these doses because they can affect to plant workers in the area. The MCNP code based on the Monte Carlo method has been applied to simulate activation reactions produced in the control rods inserted into the reactor. Obtained activities are introduced as input into another MC model to estimate doses produced by them. The comparison of simulation results with experimental measurements allows the validation of developed models. The developed MC models have been also applied to simulate the activation of other materials, such as components of a stainless steel sample introduced into a training reactors. These models, once validated, can be applied to other situations and materials where a neutron flux can be found, not only nuclear reactors. For instance, activation analysis with an Am-Be source, neutrography techniques in both medical applications and non-destructive analysis of materials, civil engineering applications using a Troxler, analysis of materials in decommissioning of nuclear power plants, etc.

Refining economics of U.S. gasoline: octane ratings and ethanol content.

PubMed

Hirshfeld, David S; Kolb, Jeffrey A; Anderson, James E; Studzinski, William; Frusti, James

2014-10-07

Increasing the octane rating of the U.S. gasoline pool (currently ∼ 93 Research Octane Number (RON)) would enable higher engine efficiency for light-duty vehicles (e.g., through higher compression ratio), facilitating compliance with federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards. The federal Renewable Fuels Standard calls for increased renewable fuel use in U.S. gasoline, primarily ethanol, a high-octane gasoline component. Linear programming modeling of the U.S. refining sector was used to assess the effects on refining economics, CO2 emissions, and crude oil use of increasing average octane rating by increasing (i) the octane rating of refinery-produced hydrocarbon blendstocks for oxygenate blending (BOBs) and (ii) the volume fraction (Exx) of ethanol in finished gasoline. The analysis indicated the refining sector could produce BOBs yielding finished E20 and E30 gasolines with higher octane ratings at modest additional refining cost, for example, ∼ 1¢/gal for 95-RON E20 or 97-RON E30, and 3-5¢/gal for 95-RON E10, 98-RON E20, or 100-RON E30. Reduced BOB volume (from displacement by ethanol) and lower BOB octane could (i) lower refinery CO2 emissions (e.g., ∼ 3% for 98-RON E20, ∼ 10% for 100-RON E30) and (ii) reduce crude oil use (e.g., ∼ 3% for 98-RON E20, ∼ 8% for 100-RON E30).

Influence of the forming conditions on Black Carbon properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soucemarianadin, L. N.; MacKenzie, M. D.; Wasylishen, R. E.; Quideau, S. A.

2012-04-01

Black carbon (BC) is an important residue of wildfires in Quebec black spruce forests. Because of its recalcitrance, it is considered a valuable passive pool in the global carbon cycle. However, BC characteristics depend on its conditions of formation. The objective of this study was to characterize BC chemical and physical properties under varying fire severity. BC samples were produced, under controlled conditions, from fuels originating from mosses (Sphagnum spp. and Pleurozium shreberi), ericaceous shrubs (Ledum groenlandicum) and trees (Picea mariana), as they constitute the major types available in black spruce forests. In order to mimic a gradient of fire severity as it could occur in the field, we varied the maximum temperature (MT) from 75 to 800°C, and the duration of charring from 0.5 to 24 hours. Charcoalification was conducted either under partial (covered tins with holes) or complete pyrolysis (samples buried in sand bath). Samples were analyzed for aromaticity and porosity using elemental and proximate analyses, solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface area (SA) analysis. MT was the most significant factor affecting both chemical and physical changes. BC produced above 250°C started to show signs of condensation (H/C = 0.89; O/C = 0.36 average of all fuel types), which increased with MT (at 800°C, H/C = 0.20; O/C = 0.12 average for all fuels). Results from the 13C NMR spectroscopy highlighted that 350°C was the threshold temperature, at which point spectra were dominated by aromatic structures for all fuels. Specific SA first experienced a decrease (2.3 to 0.8 m2/g) with increasing temperature, then increased drastically for MT above 350°C (10.6 to 435 m2/g at 800°C). Porosity was also largely affected by the type of fuel. SEM micrographs showed a visible increase in porosity for all the BC produced above 250°C/350°C. All results demonstrate that increasing thermal treatment has major effects on BC properties, which in turn may determine its potential as a carbon sink and a catalyst of post-fire regeneration.

Advanced techniques for repair of irradiated PWR fuel assemblies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Knaab, H.; Westphal, M.

Kraftwerk union has recently designed and built a portable repair unit for use in nuclear power plants for repair of defective fuel assemblies where space limitations do not allow permanent installation of repair equipment. This new equipment is designed to be easily disassembled and decontaminated. The main component of the equipment is the fuel assembly reconstitution unit (FARU) which is placed on the floor of the spent fuel pool. The use of the FARU is described in the paper.

75 FR 70102 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER Series...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-11-17

... ground, uncontained fuel leakage could result in pooling, and pooling combined with an ignition source... Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207... Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor...

Transportation. Teacher's Guide and Student Guide. Net Energy Unit. Draft.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Treagust, David F.

This module is intended to increase the students' comprehension of costs, in terms of money and in energy, involved in various modes of transportation. Four main inquiries are covered in the module: (1) money saved by car pooling to school; (2) reductions in fuel consumption possible without car pooling; (3) comparisons of inter-city and urban…

Fuel-reduction management alters plant composition, carbon and nitrogen pools, and soil thaw in Alaskan boreal forest

USGS Publications Warehouse

Melvin, April M.; Celis, Gerardo; Johnstone, Jill F.; McGuire, A. David; Genet, Helene; Schuur, Edward A.G.; Rupp, T. Scott; Mack, Michelle C.

2018-01-01

Increasing wildfire activity in Alaska's boreal forests has led to greater fuel-reduction management. Management has been implemented to reduce wildfire spread, but the ecological impacts of these practices are poorly known. We quantified the effects of hand-thinning and shearblading on above- and belowground stand characteristics, plant species composition, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, and soil thaw across 19 black spruce (Picea mariana) dominated sites in interior Alaska treated 2-12 years prior to sampling. The density of deciduous tree seedlings was significantly higher in shearbladed areas compared to unmanaged forest (6.4 vs. 0.1 stems m−2), and unmanaged stands exhibited the highest mean density of conifer seedlings and layers (1.4 stems m−2). Understory plant community composition was most similar between unmanaged and thinned stands. Shearblading resulted in a near complete loss of aboveground tree biomass C pools while thinning approximately halved the C pool size (1.2 kg C m−2 compared to 3.1 kg C m−2 in unmanaged forest). Significantly smaller soil organic layer (SOL) C and N pools were observed in shearbladed stands (3.2 kg C m−2 and 116.8 g N m−2) relative to thinned (6.0 kg C m−2 and 192.2 g N m−2) and unmanaged (5.9 kg C m−2 and 178.7 g N m−2) stands. No difference in C and N pool sizes in the uppermost 10 cm of mineral soil was observed among stand types. Total C stocks for measured pools was 2.6 kg C m−2 smaller in thinned stands and 5.8 kg C m−2smaller in shearbladed stands when compared to unmanaged forest. Soil thaw depth averaged 13 cm deeper in thinned areas and 46 cm deeper in shearbladed areas relative to adjacent unmanaged stands, although variability was high across sites. Deeper soil thaw was linked to shallower SOL depth for unmanaged stands and both management types, however for any given SOL depth, thaw tended to be deeper in shearbladed areas compared to unmanaged forest. These findings indicate that fuel-reduction management alters plant community composition, C and N pools, and soil thaw depth, with consequences for ecosystem structure and function beyond those intended for fire management.

Litter and dead wood dynamics in ponderosa pine forests along a 160-year chronosequence.

PubMed

Hall, S A; Burke, I C; Hobbs, N T

2006-12-01

Disturbances such as fire play a key role in controlling ecosystem structure. In fire-prone forests, organic detritus comprises a large pool of carbon and can control the frequency and intensity of fire. The ponderosa pine forests of the Colorado Front Range, USA, where fire has been suppressed for a century, provide an ideal system for studying the long-term dynamics of detrital pools. Our objectives were (1) to quantify the long-term temporal dynamics of detrital pools; and (2) to determine to what extent present stand structure, topography, and soils constrain these dynamics. We collected data on downed dead wood, litter, duff (partially decomposed litter on the forest floor), stand structure, topographic position, and soils for 31 sites along a 160-year chronosequence. We developed a compartment model and parameterized it to describe the temporal trends in the detrital pools. We then developed four sets of statistical models, quantifying the hypothesized relationship between pool size and (1) stand structure, (2) topography, (3) soils variables, and (4) time since fire. We contrasted how much support each hypothesis had in the data using Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). Time since fire explained 39-80% of the variability in dead wood of different size classes. Pool size increased to a peak as material killed by the fire fell, then decomposed rapidly to a minimum (61-85 years after fire for the different pools). It then increased, presumably as new detritus was produced by the regenerating stand. Litter was most strongly related to canopy cover (r2 = 77%), suggesting that litter fall, rather than decomposition, controls its dynamics. The temporal dynamics of duff were the hardest to predict. Detrital pool sizes were more strongly related to time since fire than to environmental variables. Woody debris peak-to-minimum time was 46-67 years, overlapping the range of historical fire return intervals (1 to > 100 years). Fires may therefore have burned under a wide range of fuel conditions, supporting the hypothesis that this region's fire regime was mixed severity.

76 FR 27094 - Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving Proposed No...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-10

... the Region I fuel storage racks reflect credit for fuel assembly burnup and soluble boron. Based on... boron concentration of 850 parts per million (ppm) during normal operations, and 1350 ppm during...) racks when considering the presence of soluble boron in the pool water for criticality control and the...

Fire control method and analytical model for large liquid hydrocarbon pool fires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fenton, D. L.

1986-01-01

The dominate parameter governing the behavior of a liquid hydrocarbon (JP-5) pool fire is wind speed. The most effective method of controlling wind speed in the vicinity of a large circular (10 m dia.) pool fire is a set of concentric screens located outside the perimeter. Because detailed behavior of the pool fire structure within one pool fire diameter is unknown, an analytical model supported by careful experiments is under development. As a first step toward this development, a regional pool fire model was constructed for the no-wind condition consisting of three zones -- liquid fuel, combustion, and plume -- where the predicted variables are mass burning rate and characteristic temperatures of the combustion and plume zones. This zone pool fire model can be modified to incorporate plume bending by wind, radiation absorption by soot particles, and a different ambient air flow entrainment rate. Results from the zone model are given for a pool diameter of 1.3 m and are found to reproduce values in the literature.

Black Carbon in Estuarine (Coastal) High-molecular-weight Dissolved Organic Matter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mannino, Antonio; Harvey, H. Rodger

2003-01-01

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the ocean constitutes one of the largest pools of organic carbon in the biosphere, yet much of its composition is uncharacterized. Observations of black carbon (BC) particles (by-products of fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning) in the atmosphere, ice, rivers, soils and marine sediments suggest that this material is ubiquitous, yet the contribution of BC to the ocean s DOM pool remains unknown. Analysis of high-molecular-weight DOM isolated from surface waters of two estuaries in the northwest Atlantic Ocean finds that BC is a significant component of DOM, suggesting that river-estuary systems are important exporters of BC to the ocean through DOM. We show that BC comprises 4-7% of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) at coastal ocean sites, which supports the hypothesis that the DOC pool is the intermediate reservoir in which BC ages prior to sedimentary deposition. Flux calculations suggest that BC could be as important as vascular plant-derived lignin in terms of carbon inputs to the ocean. Production of BC sequesters fossil fuel- and biomass-derived carbon into a refractory carbon pool. Hence, BC may represent a significant sink for carbon to the ocean.

From antidunes to step-pools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recking, Alain; Leduc, Pauline

2014-05-01

Step-pools are bed morphologies that are typical in high-gradient streams , recognizable by a staircase-like longitudinal profile resulting from accumulation of cobbles and boulders that are transverse to the channel and alternating with pools containing finer sediments. Within the last two decades step-pools have been the subject of increased efforts to characterize their nature; however their origin is still in debate. Researchers have very soon suspected step-pools to be the residual form of antidunes produced during flooding, but this hypothesis was continuously contested. Other theories has been proposed, considering, that step-pool profile develops a maximum flow resistance, or that pools geometry is controlled by the energy of a falling jet, or that steps form by boulders accumulation in a channel-spanning manner. All these theories gave very satisfying results when compared with experimental data, but does it mean that the antidune theory should we abandoned? We performed new flume experiments on steep slopes to investigate the antidune origin for step-pools. Our experiments showed that step-pools can have several origins, depending on the flow conditions and sediment mixture used. In some circumstances antidunes were well observed but did not produce stable step-pools morphology. In many occasions, step-pools obtained in the flume were isolated step-pools, with no real apparent periodicity. Only a few flow and sediment conditions allowed us to reproduce trains of antidunes which stabilized at the flow recession to produce stable periodical step-pools. These conditions are presented and discussed.

An Experimental Investigation On The Antidune Origin of Step-pools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Recking, A.; Leduc, P.

2013-12-01

Step-pools are bed morphologies that are typical in high-gradient streams , recognizable by a staircase-like longitudinal profile resulting from accumulation of cobbles and boulders that are transverse to the channel and alternating with pools containing finer sediments. Within the last two decades step-pools have been the subject of increased efforts to characterize their nature; however their origin is still in debate. Researchers have very soon suspected step-pools to be the residual form of antidunes produced during flooding, but this hypothesis was continuously contested. Other theories has been proposed, considering, that step-pool profile develops a maximum flow resistance, or that pools geometry is controlled by the energy of a falling jet, or that steps form by boulders accumulation in a channel-spanning manner. All these theories gave very satisfying results when compared with experimental data, but does it mean that the antidune theory should we abandoned? We performed new flume experiments on steep slopes to investigate the antidune origin for step-pools. Our experiments showed that step-pools can have several origins, depending on the flow conditions and sediment mixture used. In some circumstances antidunes were well observed but did not produce stable step-pools morphology. In many occasions, step-pools obtained in the flume were isolated step-pools, with no real apparent periodicity. Only a few flow and sediment conditions allowed us to reproduce trains of antidunes which stabilized at the flow recession to produce stable periodical step-pools. These conditions are presented and discussed.

Radiocarbon-based assessment of fossil fuel-derived contaminant associations in sediments.

PubMed

White, Helen K; Reddy, Christopher M; Eglinton, Timothy I

2008-08-01

Hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) are associated with natural organic matter (OM) in the environment via mechanisms such as sorption or chemical binding. The latter interactions are difficult to quantitatively constrain, as HOCs can reside in different OM pools outside of conventional analytical windows. Here, we exploited natural abundance variations in radiocarbon (14C) to trace various fossil fuel-derived HOCs (14C-free) within chemically defined fractions of contemporary OM (modern 14C content) in 13 samples including marine and freshwater sediments and one dust and one soil sample. Samples were sequentially treated by solvent extraction followed by saponification. Radiocarbon analysis of the bulk sample and resulting residues was then performed. Fossil fuel-derived HOCs released by these treatments were quantified from an isotope mass balance approach as well as by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the majority of samples (n = 13), 98-100% of the total HOC pool was solvent extractable. Nonextracted HOCs are only significant (29% of total HOC pool)in one sample containing p,p-2,2-bis(chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane and its metabolites. The infrequency of significant incorporation of HOCs into nonextracted OM residues suggests that most HOCs are mobile and bioavailable in the environment and, as such, have a greater potential to exert adverse effects.

Modeling evaporation from spent nuclear fuel storage pools: A diffusion approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hugo, Bruce Robert

Accurate prediction of evaporative losses from light water reactor nuclear power plant (NPP) spent fuel storage pools (SFPs) is important for activities ranging from sizing of water makeup systems during NPP design to predicting the time available to supply emergency makeup water following severe accidents. Existing correlations for predicting evaporation from water surfaces are only optimized for conditions typical of swimming pools. This new approach modeling evaporation as a diffusion process has yielded an evaporation rate model that provided a better fit of published high temperature evaporation data and measurements from two SFPs than other published evaporation correlations. Insights from treating evaporation as a diffusion process include correcting for the effects of air flow and solutes on evaporation rate. An accurate modeling of the effects of air flow on evaporation rate is required to explain the observed temperature data from the Fukushima Daiichi Unit 4 SFP during the 2011 loss of cooling event; the diffusion model of evaporation provides a significantly better fit to this data than existing evaporation models.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with biomass fuel use in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Somda, Serge M A; Meda, Nicolas; Bouland, Catherine

2018-01-01

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global prevalence of COPD is growing faster in women than in men. Women are often exposed to indoor pollutants produced by biomass fuels burning during household activities. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to establish the association between COPD and exposure to biomass smoke in women. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched MEDLINE and Scopus databases in 31December 2016, with the terms: “wood”, “charcoal”, “biomass”, “solid fuels”, “organic fuel”, “biofuel”, “female”, “women”, “COPD”, “chronic bronchitis”, “emphysema”, “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”. Studies were eligible if they were case–control or cross-sectional studies involving exposure to indoor biomass smoke, conducted at any time and in any geographic location. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate pooled OR. Results 24 studies were included: 5 case–control studies and 19 cross-sectional studies. Biomass-exposed individuals were 1.38 times more likely to be diagnosed with COPD than non-exposed (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.28 to 1.57). Spirometry-diagnosed COPD studies failed to show a significant association (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.40). Nevertheless, the summary estimate of OR for chronic bronchitis (CB) was significant (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.70 to 2.52). The pooled OR for cross-sectional studies and case–control studies were respectively 1.82 (95% CI 1.54 to 2.10) and 1.05 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.30). Significant association was found between COPD and biomass smoke exposure for women living as well in rural as in urban areas. Conclusions This study showed that biomass smoke exposure is associated with COPD in rural and urban women. In many developing countries, modern fuels are more and more used alongside traditional ones, mainly in urban area. Data are needed to further explore the benefit of the use of mixed fuels for cooking on respiratory health, particularly on COPD reduction. PMID:29387422

Feasibility Study For Use Of Commercial Cask Vendor Dry Transfer Systems To Unload Used Fuel Assemblies In L-Area

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krementz, Dan; Rose, David; Dunsmuir, Mike

2014-02-06

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a commercial dry transfer system (DTS) could be used for loading or unloading used nuclear fuel (UNF) in L-Basin and to determine if a DTS pool adapter could be made for L-Basin Transfer Pit #2 that could accommodate a variety of DTS casks and fuel baskets or canisters up to 24” diameter.[1, 2] This study outlines the technical feasibility of accommodating different vendor dry transfer systems in the L-Basin Transfer Bay with a general work scope. It identifies equipment needing development, facility modifications, and describes the needed analyses and calculations. Aftermore » reviewing the L-Basin Transfer Bay area layout and information on the only DTS system currently in use for the Nuclear Assurance Corporation Legal Weight Truck cask (NAC LWT), the authors conclude that use of a dry transfer cask is feasible. AREVA was contacted and acknowledged that they currently do not have a design for a dry transfer cask for their new Transnuclear Long Cask (TN-LC) cask. Nonetheless, this study accounted for a potential future DTS from AREVA to handle fuel baskets up to 18” in diameter. Due to the layout of the Transfer Bay, it was determined that a DTS cask pool adapter designed specifically for spanning Pit #2 and placed just north of the 70 Ton Cask lid lifting superstructure would be needed. The proposed pool adapter could be used to transition a fuel basket up to 24” in diameter and ~11 feet long from a dry transfer cask to the basin. The 18” and 24” applications of the pool adapter are pending vendor development of dry transfer casks that accommodate these diameters. Once a fuel basket has been lowered into Pit #2 through a pool adapter, a basket cart could be used to move the basket out from under the pool adapter for access by the 5 Ton Crane. The cost to install a dry transfer cask handling system in L-Area capable of handling multiple vendor provided transport and dry transfer casks and baskets with different diameters and lengths would likely be on the same order of magnitude as the Basin Modifications project. The cost of a DTS capability is affected by the number of design variations of different vendor transport and dry transfer casks to be considered for design input. Some costs would be incurred for each vendor DTS to be handled. For example, separate analyses would be needed for each dry transfer cask type such as criticality, shielding, dropping a dry transfer cask and basket, handling and auxiliary equipment, procedures, operator training, readiness assessments, and operational readiness reviews. A DTS handling capability in L-Area could serve as a backup to the Shielded Transfer System (STS) for unloading long casks and could support potential future missions such as the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Exchange or transferring UNF from wet to dry storage.« less

MELCOR model for an experimental 17x17 spent fuel PWR assembly.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cardoni, Jeffrey

2010-11-01

A MELCOR model has been developed to simulate a pressurized water reactor (PWR) 17 x 17 assembly in a spent fuel pool rack cell undergoing severe accident conditions. To the extent possible, the MELCOR model reflects the actual geometry, materials, and masses present in the experimental arrangement for the Sandia Fuel Project (SFP). The report presents an overview of the SFP experimental arrangement, the MELCOR model specifications, demonstration calculation results, and the input model listing.

Evaluation of the AMEREX Model 775 Wheeled Extinguisher with Novec 1230

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-11-18

simulate different fire scenarios. The nacelle sits atop a concave concrete pad that can collect a pool of jet fuel as part of the fire scenario...Up Used for Rear Engine Testing and Access Panel Testing. In This Photo, Fuel is Flowing through the Nacelle in Preparation for a Rear Engine Test...Figure 8. Fuel Cups Positioned At 5-ft Intervals from the Amerex Extinguisher (Background) (left); Firefighter Discharges the Extinguisher into/over the

Regulatory fire test requirements for plutonium air transport packages : JP-4 or JP-5 vs. JP-8 aviation fuel.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Figueroa, Victor G.; Lopez, Carlos; Nicolette, Vernon F.

2010-10-01

For certification, packages used for the transportation of plutonium by air must survive the hypothetical thermal environment specified in 10CFR71.74(a)(5). This regulation specifies that 'the package must be exposed to luminous flames from a pool fire of JP-4 or JP-5 aviation fuel for a period of at least 60 minutes.' This regulation was developed when jet propellant (JP) 4 and 5 were the standard jet fuels. However, JP-4 and JP-5 currently are of limited availability in the United States of America. JP-4 is very hard to obtain as it is not used much anymore. JP-5 may be easier to getmore » than JP-4, but only through a military supplier. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that readily-available JP-8 fuel is a possible substitute for the aforementioned certification test. Comparisons between the properties of the three fuels are given. Results from computer simulations that compared large JP-4 to JP-8 pool fires using Sandia's VULCAN fire model are shown and discussed. Additionally, the Container Analysis Fire (CAFE) code was used to compare the thermal response of a large calorimeter exposed to engulfing fires fueled by these three jet propellants. The paper then recommends JP-8 as an alternate fuel that complies with the thermal environment implied in 10CFR71.74.« less

A Model of Freely Burning Pool Fires

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-01

NDUBIZU ef l. is the fuel surface radiosity and the view factor between the plume and surface is 0. 11 2_ (281 Furthermore, the radius of the top of the...pressure build-up are very im- portant. NOMENCLATURE A area (M 2 ) B radiosity C specific heat at constant pressure (W-secikg .K) d diameter of fuel

A mathematical model of a large open fire

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harsha, P. T.; Bragg, W. N.; Edelman, R. B.

1981-01-01

A mathematical model capable of predicting the detailed characteristics of large, liquid fuel, axisymmetric, pool fires is described. The predicted characteristics include spatial distributions of flame gas velocity, soot concentration and chemical specie concentrations including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, unreacted oxygen, unreacted fuel and nitrogen. Comparisons of the predictions with experimental values are also given.

Trench fast reactor design using the microcomputer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rohach, A.F.; Sankoorikal, J.T.; Schmidt, R.R.

1987-01-01

This project is a study of alternative liquid-metal-cooled fast power reactor system concepts. Specifically, an unconventional primary system is being conceptually designed and evaluated. The project design is based primarily on microcomputer analysis through the use of computational modules. The reactor system concept is a long, narrow pool with a long, narrow reactor called a trench-type pool reactor in it. The reactor consists of five core-blanket modules in a line. Specific power is to be modest, permitting long fuel residence time. Two fuel cycles are currently being considered. The reactor design philosophy is that of the inherently safe concept. Thismore » requires transient analysis dependent on reactivity coefficients: prompt fuel, including Doppler and expansion, fuel expansion, sodium temperature and void, and core expansion. Conceptual reactor design is done on a microcomputer. A part of the trench reactor project is to develop a microcomputer-based system that can be used by the user for scoping studies and design. Current development includes the neutronics and fuel management aspects of the design. Thermal-hydraulic analysis and economics are currently being incorporated into the microcomputer system. The system is menu-driven including preparation of program input data and of output data for displays in graphics form.« less

Measurement of the spatial dependence of temperature and gas and soot concentrations within large open hydrocarbon fuel fires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, H. T.; Linley, L. J.; Mansfield, J. A.

1982-01-01

A series of large-scale JP-4 fuel pool fire tests was conducted to refine existing mathematical models of large fires. Seven tests were conducted to make chemical concentration and temperature measurements in 7.5 and 15 meter-diameter pool fires. Measurements were made at heights of 0.7, 1.4, 2.9, 5.7, 11.4, and 21.3 meters above the fires. Temperatures were measured at up to 50 locations each second during the fires. Chemistry samples were taken at up to 23 locations within the fires and analyzed for combustion chemistry and soot concentration. Temperature and combustion chemistry profiles obtained during two 7.5 meter-diameter and two 15 meter-diameter fires are included.

Conditions inside Water Pooled in a Failed Nuclear Waste Container and its Effect on Radionuclide Release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamdan, L. K.; Walton, J. C.; Woocay, A.

2009-12-01

Nuclear power use is expected to expand in the future, as part of the global clean energy initiative, to meet the world’s surging energy demand, and attenuate greenhouse gas emissions, which are mainly caused by fossil fuels. As a result, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of metric tons of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) will accumulate. SNF disposal has major environmental (radiation exposure) and security (nuclear proliferation) concerns. Storage in unsaturated zone geological repositories is a reasonable solution for dealing with SNF. One of the key factors that determine the performance of the geological repository is the release of radionuclides from the engineered barrier system. Over time, the nuclear waste containers are expected to fail gradually due to general and localized corrosions and eventually infiltrating water will have access to the nuclear waste. Once radionuclides are released, they will be transported by water, and make their way to the accessible environment. Physical and chemical disturbances in the environment over the container will lead to different corrosion rates, causing different times and locations of penetration. One possible scenario for waste packages failure is the bathtub model, where penetrations occur on the top of the waste package and water pools inside it. In this paper the bathtub-type failed waste container is considered. We shed some light on chemical and physical processes that take place in the pooled water inside a partially failed waste container (bathtub category), and the effects of these processes on radionuclide release. Our study considers two possibilities: temperature stratification of the pooled water versus mixing process. Our calculations show that temperature stratification of the pooled water is expected when the waste package is half (or less) filled with water. On the other hand, when the waste package is fully filled (or above half) there will be mixing in the upper part of water. The effect of these cases on oxygen availability and consequently spent fuel alteration and radionuclide release will be considered.

The UNITAID Patent Pool Initiative: Bringing Patents Together for the Common Good.

PubMed

Bermudez, Jorge; 't Hoen, Ellen

2010-01-19

Developing and delivering appropriate, affordable, well-adapted medicines for HIV/AIDS remains an urgent challenge: as first-line therapies fail, increasing numbers of people require costly second-line therapy; one-third of ARVs are not available in pediatric formulations; and certain key first- and second-line triple fixed-dose combinations do not exist or sufficient suppliers are lacking. UNITAID aims to help solve these problems through an innovative initiative for the collective management of intellectual property (IP) rights - a patent pool for HIV medicines. The idea behind a patent pool is that patent holders - companies, governments, researchers or universities - voluntarily offer, under certain conditions, the IP related to their inventions to the patent pool. Any company that wants to use the IP to produce or develop medicines can seek a license from the pool against the payment of royalties, and may then produce the medicines for use in developing countries (conditional upon meeting agreed quality standards). The patent pool will be a voluntary mechanism, meaning its success will largely depend on the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to participate and commit their IP to the pool. Generic producers must also be willing to cooperate. The pool has the potential to provide benefits to all.

Intelligent uranium fission converter for neutron production on the periphery of the nuclear reactor core (MARIA reactor in Swierk - Poland)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gryzinski, M.A.; Wielgosz, M.

The multipurpose, high flux research reactor MARIA in Otwock - Swierk is an open-pool type, water and beryllium moderated and graphite reflected. There are two not occupied experimental H1 and H2 horizontal channels with complex of empty rooms beside them. Making use of these two channels is not in conflict with other research or commercial employing channels. They can work simultaneously, moreover commercial channels covers the cost of reactor working. Such conditions give beneficial possibility of creating epithermal neutron stand for researches in various field at the horizontal channel H2 of MARIA reactor (co-organization of research at H1 channel ismore » additionally planned). At the front of experimental channels the neutron flux is strongly thermalized - neutrons with energies above 0.625 eV constitute only ∼2% of the total flux. This thermalized neutron flux will be used to achieve high flux of epithermal neutrons at the level of 2x10{sup 9} n cm{sup -2}s{sup -1} by uranium neutron converter (fast neutron production - conversion of reactor core thermal neutrons to fast neutrons - and then filtering, moderating and finally cutting of unwanted gamma radiation). The intelligent converter will be placed in the reactor pool, near the front of the H2 channel. It will replace one graphite block at the periphery of MARIA graphite reflector. The converter will consist of 20 fuel elements - low enriched uranium plates. A fuel plate will be a part which will measure 110 mm wide by 380 mm long and will consist of a thin layer of uranium sealed between two aluminium plates. These plates, once assembled, form the fuel element used in converter. The plates will be positioned vertically. There are several important requirements which should be taken into account at the converter design stage: -maximum efficiency of the converter for neutrons conversion, -cooling of the converter need to be integrated with the cooling circuit of the reactor pool and if needed equipped with self-cooling system (enhanced comparing to the cooling properties inherent with regular rector pool water flows), -proper cooling conditions can be ensured by an appropriate water flow, so the resistance to flow has to be optimised, -the requirement of the minimum resistance to water flow leads to the openwork design of the fuel element separator, which, on the other hand, has to be strong enough to ensure the needed strength for mechanical load due to the fuel weight and forces associated with the water flow, -the possibility of changing beam and flux qualities by rotating the converter or repositioning the converter plates by moving or replacing with another materials. In order to minimize the neutron activation of the fuel in the converter, the possibility was predicted to remove the converter and to replace it with an aluminium dummy for the time when the beam at the channel H2 is not used. This means that both, the converter and the dummy, have to be easily removable from the converter socket. There has to be also the place in the water pool, near the research stand or in technological pool, where the converter can be safely stored (this place have to be proper for operation with plates i.e. changing amount of plates). Thermal and neutron load of the fuel plates in the converter will be inhomogeneous. In order to equalize these loads, the converter should be designed in such way that it would be possible to change the order of fuel plates. Moreover replacing the amount of the plates gives the opportunity to obtain different fluxes of neutrons (quantitatively and qualitatively i.e. energetically). The project of the converter is based on Monte Carlo calculation concerning neutron production and on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) i.e. modelling of converter for thermodynamical aspects. (authors)« less

40 CFR 80.1154 - What are the provisions for renewable fuel producers and importers who produce or import less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... fuel producers and importers who produce or import less than 10,000 gallons of renewable fuel per year... than 10,000 gallons of renewable fuel each year, and importers who import less than 10,000 gallons of... provisions for renewable fuel producers and importers who produce or import less than 10,000 gallons of...

40 CFR 80.1154 - What are the provisions for renewable fuel producers and importers who produce or import less...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... fuel producers and importers who produce or import less than 10,000 gallons of renewable fuel per year... than 10,000 gallons of renewable fuel each year, and importers who import less than 10,000 gallons of... provisions for renewable fuel producers and importers who produce or import less than 10,000 gallons of...

10 CFR Appendix P to Subpart B of... - Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Pool Heaters

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... with section 5 of IEC 62301 (Second Edition) (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3) and the fossil... power consumption during the off mode, PW,OFF = 0, and the fossil fuel energy consumed during the off... 62301 (Second Edition) (incorporated by reference; see § 430.3), and the fossil fuel energy consumption...

Synthesis of customized petroleum-replica fuel molecules by targeted modification of free fatty acid pools in Escherichia coli

PubMed Central

Howard, Thomas P.; Middelhaufe, Sabine; Moore, Karen; Edner, Christoph; Kolak, Dagmara M.; Taylor, George N.; Parker, David A.; Lee, Rob; Smirnoff, Nicholas; Aves, Stephen J.; Love, John

2013-01-01

Biofuels are the most immediate, practical solution for mitigating dependence on fossil hydrocarbons, but current biofuels (alcohols and biodiesels) require significant downstream processing and are not fully compatible with modern, mass-market internal combustion engines. Rather, the ideal biofuels are structurally and chemically identical to the fossil fuels they seek to replace (i.e., aliphatic n- and iso-alkanes and -alkenes of various chain lengths). Here we report on production of such petroleum-replica hydrocarbons in Escherichia coli. The activity of the fatty acid (FA) reductase complex from Photorhabdus luminescens was coupled with aldehyde decarbonylase from Nostoc punctiforme to use free FAs as substrates for alkane biosynthesis. This combination of genes enabled rational alterations to hydrocarbon chain length (Cn) and the production of branched alkanes through upstream genetic and exogenous manipulations of the FA pool. Genetic components for targeted manipulation of the FA pool included expression of a thioesterase from Cinnamomum camphora (camphor) to alter alkane Cn and expression of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex and β-keto acyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III from Bacillus subtilis to synthesize branched (iso-) alkanes. Rather than simply reconstituting existing metabolic routes to alkane production found in nature, these results demonstrate the ability to design and implement artificial molecular pathways for the production of renewable, industrially relevant fuel molecules. PMID:23610415

The UNITAID Patent Pool Initiative: Bringing Patents Together for the Common Good

PubMed Central

Bermudez, Jorge; 't Hoen, Ellen

2010-01-01

Developing and delivering appropriate, affordable, well-adapted medicines for HIV/AIDS remains an urgent challenge: as first-line therapies fail, increasing numbers of people require costly second-line therapy; one-third of ARVs are not available in pediatric formulations; and certain key first- and second-line triple fixed-dose combinations do not exist or sufficient suppliers are lacking. UNITAID aims to help solve these problems through an innovative initiative for the collective management of intellectual property (IP) rights – a patent pool for HIV medicines. The idea behind a patent pool is that patent holders - companies, governments, researchers or universities - voluntarily offer, under certain conditions, the IP related to their inventions to the patent pool. Any company that wants to use the IP to produce or develop medicines can seek a license from the pool against the payment of royalties, and may then produce the medicines for use in developing countries (conditional upon meeting agreed quality standards). The patent pool will be a voluntary mechanism, meaning its success will largely depend on the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to participate and commit their IP to the pool. Generic producers must also be willing to cooperate. The pool has the potential to provide benefits to all. PMID:20309404

Emergency core cooling system

DOEpatents

Schenewerk, William E.; Glasgow, Lyle E.

1983-01-01

A liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor provided with an emergency core cooling system includes a reactor vessel which contains a reactor core comprising an array of fuel assemblies and a plurality of blanket assemblies. The reactor core is immersed in a pool of liquid metal coolant. The reactor also includes a primary coolant system comprising a pump and conduits for circulating liquid metal coolant to the reactor core and through the fuel and blanket assemblies of the core. A converging-diverging venturi nozzle with an intermediate throat section is provided in between the assemblies and the pump. The intermediate throat section of the nozzle is provided with at least one opening which is in fluid communication with the pool of liquid sodium. In normal operation, coolant flows from the pump through the nozzle to the assemblies with very little fluid flowing through the opening in the throat. However, when the pump is not running, residual heat in the core causes fluid from the pool to flow through the opening in the throat of the nozzle and outwardly through the nozzle to the assemblies, thus providing a means of removing decay heat.

7 CFR 1033.12 - Producer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consumption as Grade A milk and whose milk is: (1) Received at a pool plant directly from the producer or...) A dairy farmer whose milk is received at an exempt plant, excluding producer milk diverted to the exempt plant pursuant to § 1033.13(d); (3) A dairy farmer whose milk is received by diversion at a pool...

7 CFR 1030.12 - Producer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consumption as Grade A milk and whose milk is: (1) Received at a pool plant directly from the producer or...) A dairy farmer whose milk is received at an exempt plant, excluding producer milk diverted to the exempt plant pursuant to § 1030.13(d); (3) A dairy farmer whose milk is received by diversion at a pool...

7 CFR 1030.12 - Producer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... consumption as Grade A milk and whose milk is: (1) Received at a pool plant directly from the producer or...) A dairy farmer whose milk is received at an exempt plant, excluding producer milk diverted to the exempt plant pursuant to § 1030.13(d); (3) A dairy farmer whose milk is received by diversion at a pool...

7 CFR 1033.12 - Producer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... consumption as Grade A milk and whose milk is: (1) Received at a pool plant directly from the producer or...) A dairy farmer whose milk is received at an exempt plant, excluding producer milk diverted to the exempt plant pursuant to § 1033.13(d); (3) A dairy farmer whose milk is received by diversion at a pool...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hecker, Siegfried S.

Actions of the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have precipitated two nuclear crises in the past 10 years. The 1994 crisis was resolved through the 'Agreed Framework.' North Korea agreed to 'freeze' and eventually dismantle its nuclear program (with U.S. help to store spent fuel safely and under IAEA inspection). In return, the United States agreed (with the KEDO international consortium) to build two light-water reactors and supply North Korea with heavy-fuel oil until the reactors come on line. In addition, both sides agreed to move towards full normalization of relations, work for peace and security onmore » a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and work on strengthening the international nonproliferation regime. The second nuclear crisis erupted when North Korean Government officials allegedly admitted to having a clandestine uranium enrichment program when confronted with this accusation by U.S. officials in October 2002. The United States (through KEDO) suspended heavy-fuel oil shipments and North Korea responded by expelling the IAEA inspectors, withdrawing from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, and restarting its nuclear program in January 2003. The North Korean Government has invited Professor John Lewis of Stanford University, a China and North Korea scholar, for Track I1 discussions of nuclear and other key issues since 1987. In August 2003, Professor Lewis visited North Korea just before the first six-party talks, which were designed by the United States to solve the current nuclear crisis. Professor Lewis was invited back for the January 2004 visit. He asked Jack Pritchard, former U.S. special envoy for DRPK negotiations, and me to accompany him. Two Asian affairs staff specialists from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee also joined us. I will report on the visit to the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center on January 8,2004. We toured the 5 MWe reactor, the 50 MWe reactor construction site, the spent fuel pool storage building, and the radiochemical laboratory. We concluded that North Korea has restarted its 5 MWe reactor (which produces roughly 6 kg of plutonium annually), it removed the 8000 spent fuel rods that were previously stored under IAEA safeguards from the spent fuel pool, and that it most likely extracted the 25 to 30 kg of plutonium contained in these fuel rods. Although North Korean officials showed us what they claimed was their plutonium metal product from this reprocessing campaign, we were not able to conclude definitively that it was in fact plutonium metal and that it came from the most recent reprocessing campaign. Nevertheless, our North Korean hosts demonstrated that they had the capability, the facility and requisite capacity, and the technical expertise to produce plutonium metal. We were not shown any facilities or had the opportunity to talk to technical or military experts who were able to address the issue of whether or not North Korea had a 'deterrent' as claimed - that is, we were not able to conclude that North Korea can build a nuclear device and that it can integrate nuclear devices into suitable delivery systems. On the matter of uranium enrichment programs, Vice Minister Kim Gye Gwan categorically denied that North Korea has a uranium enrichment program - he said, 'we have no program, no equipment, and no technical expertise for uranium enrichment.' Upon return to the United States, I shared my observations and analysis with U.S. Government officials in Washington, DC, including congressional testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and briefings to two House of Representative Committees.« less

EMISSIONS OF ORGANIC AIR TOXICS FROM OPEN ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A detailed literature search was performed to collect and collate available data reporting emissions of toxic organic substances into the air from open burning sources. Availability of data varied according to the source and the class of air toxics of interest. Volatile organic compound (VOC) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) data were available for many of the sources. Data on semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) that are not PAHs were available for several sources. Carbonyl and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) data were available for only a few sources. There were several sources for which no emissions data were available at all. Several observations were made including: 1) Biomass open burning sources typically emitted less VOCs than open burning sources with anthropogenic fuels on a mass emitted per mass burned basis, particularly those where polymers were concerned; 2) Biomass open burning sources typically emitted less SVOCs and PAHs than anthropogenic sources on a mass emitted per mass burned basis. Burning pools of crude oil and diesel fuel produced significant amounts of PAHs relative to other types of open burning. PAH emissions were highest when combustion of polymers was taking place; and 3) Based on very limited data, biomass open burning sources typically produced higher levels of carbonyls than anthropogenic sources on a mass emitted per mass burned basis, probably due to oxygenated structures r

De novo Biosynthesis of Biodiesel by Escherichia coli in Optimized Fed-Batch Cultivation

PubMed Central

Cai, Ke; Tan, Xiaoming; Lu, Xuefeng

2011-01-01

Biodiesel is a renewable alternative to petroleum diesel fuel that can contribute to carbon dioxide emission reduction and energy supply. Biodiesel is composed of fatty acid alkyl esters, including fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), and is currently produced through the transesterification reaction of methanol (or ethanol) and triacylglycerols (TAGs). TAGs are mainly obtained from oilseed plants and microalgae. A sustainable supply of TAGs is a major bottleneck for current biodiesel production. Here we report the de novo biosynthesis of FAEEs from glucose, which can be derived from lignocellulosic biomass, in genetically engineered Escherichia coli by introduction of the ethanol-producing pathway from Zymomonas mobilis, genetic manipulation to increase the pool of fatty acyl-CoA, and heterologous expression of acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase from Acinetobacter baylyi. An optimized fed-batch microbial fermentation of the modified E. coli strain yielded a titer of 922 mg L−1 FAEEs that consisted primarily of ethyl palmitate, -oleate, -myristate and -palmitoleate. PMID:21629774

16 CFR 1633.5 - Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Prototype pooling and confirmation testing... Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements. (a) Prototype pooling. One or more manufacturers may rely on a qualified prototype produced by another manufacturer or prototype developer provided...

40 CFR 80.1610 - Standards and requirements for producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other oxygenates designated for use in transportation... requirements for producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other oxygenates designated for use in transportation fuel. Beginning January 1, 2017, producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol (DFE) or other...

Methodology and Software for Gross Defect Detection of Spent Nuclear Fuel at the Atucha-I Reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sitaraman, Shivakumar; Ham, Young S.; Gharibyan, Narek

At the Atucha-I pressurized heavy water reactor in Argentina, fuel assemblies in the spent fuel pools are stored by suspending them in two vertically stacked layers. This introduces the unique problem of verifying the presence of fuel in either layer without physically moving the fuel assemblies. Since much of the fuel is very old, Cerenkov viewing devices are often not very useful even for the top layer. Given that the facility uses both natural uranium and slightly enriched uranium at 0.85 w% {sup 235}U, and has been in operation since 1974, a wide range of burnups and cooling times canmore » exist in any given pool. A spent fuel neutron counting tool consisting of a fission chamber, SFNC, has been used at the site to verify the presence of fuel up to burnups of 8000 MWd/t. At higher discharge burnups to levels up 11,000 MWd/t, the existing signal processing software of the tool was found to fail due to non-linearity of the source term with burnup. A new Graphical User Interface software package based on the LabVIEW platform was developed to predict expected neutron signals covering all ranges of burnups and cooling times and establish maps of expected signals at various pool locations. The algorithm employed in the software uses a set of transfer functions in a 47-energy group structure which are coupled with a 47-energy group neutron source spectrum based on various cooling times and burnups for each of the two enrichment levels. The database of the software consists of these transfer functions for the three different inter-assembly pitches that the fuel is stored in at the site. The transfer functions were developed for a 6 by 6 matrix of fuel assemblies with the detector placed at the center surrounded by four near neighbors, eight next nearest neighbors and so on for the 36 assemblies. These calculations were performed using Monte Carlo radiation transport methods. The basic methodology consisted of starting sources in each of the assemblies and tallying the contribution to the detector by a single neutron in each of the 47 energy groups used. Thus for the single existing symmetric pitch in the pools, where the vertical and horizontal separations are equal, only 6 sets of transfer functions are required. For the two asymmetrical pitches, nine sets of transfer functions are stored. In addition, source spectra at burnups ranging from 4000 to 20000 MWd/t and cooling times up to 40 years are stored. These source terms were established based on CANDU 37-rod fuel that is very similar to the Atucha fuel. Linear interpolation is used by the software for both burnup and cooling time to establish source terms at any intermediate condition. Using the burnup, cooling time and initial enrichment of the surrounding assemblies a set of source strengths in the 47-group structure for each of the 36 assemblies is established and multiplied group-wise with the appropriate transfer function set. The grand total over the 47 groups for all 36 assemblies is the predicted signal at the detector. The software was initially calibrated against a set of typically 5-6 measurements chosen from among the measured data at each level of the six pools and calibration factors were established. The set used for calibration is chosen such that it is fairly representative of the range of spent fuel assembly characteristics present in each level. Once established, these calibration factors can be repeatedly used for verification purposes. Recalibration will be required if the hardware or pool configurations has changed. It will also be required if a long enough time has elapsed since they were established thus making a cooling time correction necessary. The objective of the inspection is to detect missing fuel from one or more nearest neighbors of the detector. During the verification mode of the software, the predicted and measured signals are compared and the inspector is alerted if the difference between the two signals is beyond a set tolerance limit. Based on the uncertainties associated with both the calculations and measurements, a lower limit of the tolerance will be 15% with an upper limit of 20%. For the most part a 20% tolerance limit will be able to detect a missing assembly since in the vast majority of cases the drop in signal due to a single missing nearest neighbor assembly will be in the range 24-27%. The software was benchmarked against an extensive set of measured data taken at the site in 2004. Overall, 326 data points were examined and the prediction of the calibrated software was compared to the measurements within a set tolerance of ±20%. Of these, 283 of the predicted signals representing 87% of the total matched the measured data within ±10%. A further 27 or 8% were in the range of ±10-15% and 8 or 2.5% were in the range of ±15-20%. Thus, 97.5% of the data matched the measurements within the set tolerance limit of 20%, with 95% matching measured data with the lowest allowed tolerance limit of ±15%. The remaining 2.5% had measured signals that were very different from those at locations with very similar surrounding assemblies and the cause of these discrepancies could not be ascertained from the measurement logs. In summary, 97.5% of the predictions matched the measurements within the set 20% tolerance limit providing proof of the robustness of the software. This software package linked to SFNC will be deployed at the site and will enhance the capability of gross defect verification for the whole range of burnup, cooling time and initial enrichments of the spent fuel being discharged into the various pools at the Atucha-I reactor site.« less

Assessing the Role of Dissolved Organic Phosphate on Rates of Microbial Phosphorus Cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, A. C.; Popendorf, K. J.; Duhamel, S.

2016-02-01

Phosphorus (P) is an element crucial to life, and it is limiting in many parts of the ocean. In oligotrophic environments, the dissolved P pool is cycled rapidly through the activity of microbes, with turnover times of several hours or less. The overarching aim of this study was to assess the flux of P from picoplankton to the dissolved pool and the role this plays in fueling rapid P cycling. To determine if specific microbial groups are responsible for significant return of P to the dissolved pool during cell lifetime, we compared the rate of cellular P turnover (cell-Pτ, the rate of cellular P uptake divided by cellular P content) to the rate of cellular biomass turnover (cellτ). High rates of P return to the dissolved pool during cell lifetime (high cell-Pτ/cellτ) indicate significant P regeneration, fueling more rapid turnover of the dissolved P pool. We hypothesized that cell-Pτ/cellτ varies widely across picoplankton groups. One factor influencing this variation may be each microbial group's relative uptake of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) versus dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP). As extracellular hydrolysis is necessary for P incorporation from DOP, this process may return more P to the dissolved pool than DIP incorporation. This leads to the question: does a picoplankton's relative uptake of DOP (versus DIP) affect the rate at which it returns phosphorus to the dissolved pool? To address this question, we compared the rate of cellular P turnover based on uptake of DOP and uptake DIP using cultured representatives of three environmentally significant picoplankton groups: Prochlorococcus, Synechococcus, and heterotrophic bacteria. These different picoplankton groups are known to take up different ratios of DOP to DIP, and may in turn make significantly different contributions to the regeneration and cycling phosphorus. These findings have implications towards our understanding of the timeframes of biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus in the ocean.

A Study of Aircraft Post-Crash Fuel Fire Mitigation

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-06-01

AD-A282. 208 A STUDY OF AIRCRAFT POST-CRASH FUEL FIRE MITIGATION INTERIM REPORT BFLRF No. 292 By D.W. Naegeli B.R. Wright Belvoir Fuels and...DAAK7D-S7-C4.004; WD 36 6. AUTHOR(S) DA7-2C0.W Naegeli D"i N. and Wrigl* Bomnd L sed Zabne, David bi (Zalle. Assoiaes) 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME...Proceedings, December 3-5, 1991. 6. Weatherford, W.D., Jr. and Naegeli , D,W., "Study of Pool Burning Self-Extinguishment Mechanisms in Aqueous Diesel

Effects of oblique air flow on burning rates of square ethanol pool fires.

PubMed

Tao, Changfa; He, Yaping; Li, Yuan; Wang, Xishi

2013-09-15

The effects of downward airflow on the burning rate and/or burning intensity of square alcohol pool fires for different airflow speeds and directions have been studied experimentally in an inclined wind tunnel. An interesting flame-wrapping phenomenon, caused by impingement of air flow, was observed. The mass burning intensity was found to increase with the airflow speed and the impinging angle. The fuel pan rim temperatures were also measured to study the effect of wind direction and speed on heat transfer from the flame to the fuel source. A model based on heat transfer analysis was developed to correlate the burning intensity with the pan rim characteristic temperature. A good correlation was established between the model results and the experimental results. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a Surrogate STANAG 4240 Fire Exposure

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-01

26 Table 4. Gasoline fuel properties and calculated flame characteristics. .......................................26 Table...pool was enhanced using 3.8 L (1 gal) of gasoline , which was floated on the surface of the fuel. Applying the same calculations to the gasoline , an...additional 1 min of burn duration was added to the beginning of the test, with a slightly higher (9.5 MW vs. 9.0 MW) heat release rate. The gasoline

Initial Evaluation of Burn Characteristics of Phenolic Foam Runway Brake Arrestor Material

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-12-01

foam immersed in a jet fuel fire when extinguished using 3-percent Aqueous Film Forming Foam ( AFFF ). Three pool...extinguishment time of phenolic foam immersed in a jet fuel fire, using 3-percent Aqueous Film Forming Foam ( AFFF ) extinguishing agent. The wind was negligible...percent Aqueous Film Forming Foam ( AFFF ) agent. This project is an initial assessment of the fire safety of phenolic foam

Analyses of Field Test Data at the Atucha-1 Spent Fuel Pools

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sitaraman, S.

A field test was conducted at the Atucha-1 spent nuclear fuel pools to validate a software package for gross defect detection that is used in conjunction with the inspection tool, Spent Fuel Neutron Counter (SFNC). A set of measurements was taken with the SFNC and the software predictions were compared with these data and analyzed. The data spanned a wide range of cooling times and a set of burnup levels leading to count rates from the several hundreds to around twenty per second. The current calibration in the software using linear fitting required the use of multiple calibration factors tomore » cover the entire range of count rates recorded. The solution to this was to use power regression data fitting to normalize the predicted response and derive one calibration factor that can be applied to the entire set of data. The resulting comparisons between the predicted and measured responses were generally good and provided a quantitative method of detecting missing fuel in virtually all situations. Since the current version of the software uses the linear calibration method, it would need to be updated with the new power regression method to make it more user-friendly for real time verification and fieldable for the range of responses that will be encountered.« less

Wnt Signaling Specifies Anteroposterior Progenitor Zone Identity in the Drosophila Visual Center.

PubMed

Suzuki, Takumi; Trush, Olena; Yasugi, Tetsuo; Takayama, Rie; Sato, Makoto

2016-06-15

During brain development, various types of neuronal populations are produced from different progenitor pools to produce neuronal diversity that is sufficient to establish functional neuronal circuits. However, the molecular mechanisms that specify the identity of each progenitor pool remain obscure. Here, we show that Wnt signaling is essential for the specification of the identity of posterior progenitor pools in the Drosophila visual center. In the medulla, the largest component of the visual center, different types of neurons are produced from two progenitor pools: the outer proliferation center (OPC) and glial precursor cells (GPCs; also known as tips of the OPC). We found that OPC-type neurons are produced from the GPCs at the expense of GPC-type neurons when Wnt signaling is suppressed in the GPCs. In contrast, GPC-type neurons are ectopically induced when Wnt signaling is ectopically activated in the OPC. These results suggest that Wnt signaling is necessary and sufficient for the specification of the progenitor pool identity. We also found that Homothorax (Hth), which is temporally expressed in the OPC, is ectopically induced in the GPCs by suppression of Wnt signaling and that ectopic induction of Hth phenocopies the suppression of Wnt signaling in the GPCs. Thus, Wnt signaling is involved in regionalization of the fly visual center through the specification of the progenitor pool located posterior to the medulla by suppressing Hth expression. Brain consists of considerably diverse neurons of different origins. In mammalian brain, excitatory and inhibitory neurons derive from the dorsal and ventral telencephalon, respectively. Multiple progenitor pools also contribute to the neuronal diversity in fly brain. However, it has been unclear how differences between these progenitor pools are established. Here, we show that Wnt signaling, an evolutionarily conserved signaling, is involved in the process that establishes the differences between these progenitor pools. Because β-catenin signaling, which is under the control of Wnt ligands, specifies progenitor pool identity in the developing mammalian thalamus, Wnt signaling-mediated specification of progenitor pool identity may be conserved in insect and mammalian brains. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/366503-11$15.00/0.

Fuel cell-fuel cell hybrid system

DOEpatents

Geisbrecht, Rodney A.; Williams, Mark C.

2003-09-23

A device for converting chemical energy to electricity is provided, the device comprising a high temperature fuel cell with the ability for partially oxidizing and completely reforming fuel, and a low temperature fuel cell juxtaposed to said high temperature fuel cell so as to utilize remaining reformed fuel from the high temperature fuel cell. Also provided is a method for producing electricity comprising directing fuel to a first fuel cell, completely oxidizing a first portion of the fuel and partially oxidizing a second portion of the fuel, directing the second fuel portion to a second fuel cell, allowing the first fuel cell to utilize the first portion of the fuel to produce electricity; and allowing the second fuel cell to utilize the second portion of the fuel to produce electricity.

40 CFR 80.171 - Product transfer documents (PTDs).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... certification. (iii) If, pursuant to § 80.163(c)(3), the fuel-specific certification for the segregated pool of... information requirements, provided that they are clear, accurate, and not misleading. (4) If product codes are...

40 CFR 80.171 - Product transfer documents (PTDs).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... certification. (iii) If, pursuant to § 80.163(c)(3), the fuel-specific certification for the segregated pool of... information requirements, provided that they are clear, accurate, and not misleading. (4) If product codes are...

40 CFR 80.171 - Product transfer documents (PTDs).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... certification. (iii) If, pursuant to § 80.163(c)(3), the fuel-specific certification for the segregated pool of... information requirements, provided that they are clear, accurate, and not misleading. (4) If product codes are...

40 CFR 80.171 - Product transfer documents (PTDs).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... certification. (iii) If, pursuant to § 80.163(c)(3), the fuel-specific certification for the segregated pool of... information requirements, provided that they are clear, accurate, and not misleading. (4) If product codes are...

Computational And Experimental Studies Of Three-Dimensional Flame Spread Over Liquid Fuel Pools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Howard D. (Technical Monitor); Cai, Jinsheng; Liu, Feng; Sirignano, William A.; Miller, Fletcher J.

2003-01-01

Schiller, Ross, and Sirignano (1996) studied ignition and flame spread above liquid fuels initially below the flashpoint temperature by using a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code that solves the coupled equations of both the gas and the liquid phases. Pulsating flame spread was attributed to the establishment of a gas-phase recirculation cell that forms just ahead of the flame leading edge because of the opposing effect of buoyancy-driven flow in the gas phase and the thermocapillary-driven flow in the liquid phase. Schiller and Sirignano (1996) extended the same study to include flame spread with forced opposed flow in the gas phase. A transitional flow velocity was found above which an originally uniform spreading flame pulsates. The same type of gas-phase recirculation cell caused by the combination of forced opposed flow, buoyancy-driven flow, and thermocapillary-driven concurrent flow was responsible for the pulsating flame spread. Ross and Miller (1998) and Miller and Ross (1998) performed experimental work that corroborates the computational findings of Schiller, Ross, and Sirignano (1996) and Schiller and Sirignano (1996). Cai, Liu, and Sirignano (2002) developed a more comprehensive three-dimensional model and computer code for the flame spread problem. Many improvements in modeling and numerical algorithms were incorporated in the three-dimensional model. Pools of finite width and length were studied in air channels of prescribed height and width. Significant three-dimensional effects around and along the pool edge were observed. The same three-dimensional code is used to study the detailed effects of pool depth, pool width, opposed air flow velocity, and different levels of air oxygen concentration (Cai, Liu, and Sirignano, 2003). Significant three-dimensional effects showing an unsteady wavy flame front for cases of wide pool width are found for the first time in computation, after being noted previously by experimental observers (Ross and Miller, 1999). Regions of uniform and pulsating flame spread are mapped for the flow conditions of pool depth, opposed flow velocity, initial pool temperature, and air oxygen concentration under both normal and microgravity conditions. Details can be found in Cai et al. (2002, 2003). Experimental results recently performed at NASA Glenn of flame spread across a wide, shallow pool as a function of liquid temperature are also presented here.

40 CFR 80.1642 - Sampling and testing requirements for producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other oxygenates for use by oxygenate blenders. 80... requirements for producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol and other oxygenates for use by oxygenate blenders. Beginning January 1, 2017, producers and importers of denatured fuel ethanol (DFE) and other...

40 CFR 80.1449 - What are the Production Outlook Report requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) The type, or types, of renewable fuel expected to be produced or imported at each facility owned by the renewable fuel producer or importer. (2) The volume of each type of renewable fuel expected to be... fuel producer or importer for each type of renewable fuel. (4) Information about all the following: (i...

40 CFR 80.1449 - What are the Production Outlook Report requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) The type, or types, of renewable fuel expected to be produced or imported at each facility owned by the renewable fuel producer or importer. (2) The volume of each type of renewable fuel expected to be... fuel producer or importer for each type of renewable fuel. (4) Information about all the following: (i...

40 CFR 80.1449 - What are the Production Outlook Report requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) The type, or types, of renewable fuel expected to be produced or imported at each facility owned by the renewable fuel producer or importer. (2) The volume of each type of renewable fuel expected to be... fuel producer or importer for each type of renewable fuel. (4) Information about all the following: (i...

Penetration in GTA welding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heiple, C.R.; Burgardt, P.

1990-01-01

The size and shape of the weld bead produced in GTA welding depends on the magnitude and distribution of the energy incident on the workpiece surfaces as well as the dissipation of that energy in the workpiece. The input energy is largely controllable through the welding parameters selected, however the dissipation of that energy in the workpiece is less subject to control. Changes in energy dissipation can produce large changes in weld shape or penetration. Heat transport away from the weld pool is almost entirely by conduction, but heat transport in the weld pool is more complicated. Heat conduction throughmore » the liquid is an important component, but heat transport by convection (mass transport) is often the dominant mechanism. Convective heat transport is directional and changes the weld pool shape from that produced by conduction alone. Surface tension gradients are often the dominant forces driving fluid flow in GTA weld pools. These gradients are sensitive functions of weld pool chemistry and the energy input distribution to the weld. Experimental and theoretical work conducted primarily in the past decade has greatly enhanced our understanding of weld pool fluid flow, the forces which drive it, and its effects on weld pool shape. This work is reviewed here. While less common, changes in energy dissipation through the unmelted portion of the workpiece can also affect fusion zone shape or penetration. These effects are also described. 41 refs., 9 figs.« less

Energy and climate impacts of producing synthetic hydrocarbon fuels from CO(2).

PubMed

van der Giesen, Coen; Kleijn, René; Kramer, Gert Jan

2014-06-17

Within the context of carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization there is an increasing interest in using CO2 as a resource to produce sustainable liquid hydrocarbon fuels. When these fuels are produced by solely using solar energy they are labeled as solar fuels. In the recent discourse on solar fuels intuitive arguments are used to support the prospects of these fuels. This paper takes a quantitative approach to investigate some of the claims made in this discussion. We analyze the life cycle performance of various classes of solar fuel processes using different primary energy and CO2 sources. We compare their efficacy with respect to carbon mitigation with ubiquitous fossil-based fuels and conclude that producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels starting from CO2 by using existing technologies requires much more energy than existing fuels. An improvement in life cycle CO2 emissions is only found when solar energy and atmospheric CO2 are used. Producing fuels from CO2 is a very long-term niche at best, not the panacea suggested in the recent public discourse.

14 CFR 26.39 - Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Fuel Tank Flammability § 26.39 Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability. (a) Applicability: This...

14 CFR 26.39 - Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Fuel Tank Flammability § 26.39 Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability. (a) Applicability: This...

14 CFR 26.39 - Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Fuel Tank Flammability § 26.39 Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability. (a) Applicability: This...

14 CFR 26.39 - Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Fuel Tank Flammability § 26.39 Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability. (a) Applicability: This...

40 CFR 80.533 - How does a refiner or importer apply for a motor vehicle or non-highway baseline for the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... (kerosene), and fuel specifically produced to meet military specifications (such as JP-4, JP-8, and F-76...), fuel produced for export, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel specifically produced to meet military...

40 CFR 80.533 - How does a refiner or importer apply for a motor vehicle or non-highway baseline for the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (kerosene), and fuel specifically produced to meet military specifications (such as JP-4, JP-8, and F-76...), fuel produced for export, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel specifically produced to meet military...

40 CFR 80.533 - How does a refiner or importer apply for a motor vehicle or non-highway baseline for the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... (kerosene), and fuel specifically produced to meet military specifications (such as JP-4, JP-8, and F-76...), fuel produced for export, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel specifically produced to meet military...

40 CFR 80.533 - How does a refiner or importer apply for a motor vehicle or non-highway baseline for the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... (kerosene), and fuel specifically produced to meet military specifications (such as JP-4, JP-8, and F-76...), fuel produced for export, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel specifically produced to meet military...

40 CFR 80.533 - How does a refiner or importer apply for a motor vehicle or non-highway baseline for the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... (kerosene), and fuel specifically produced to meet military specifications (such as JP-4, JP-8, and F-76...), fuel produced for export, jet fuel, kerosene, and fuel specifically produced to meet military...

14 CFR 26.39 - Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank... TRANSPORTATION AIRCRAFT CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES Fuel Tank Flammability § 26.39 Newly produced airplanes: Fuel tank flammability. (a) Applicability: This...

Computational predictions of flame spread over alcohol pools

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, D. N.; Ross, H. D.; Sirignano, W. A.

1993-01-01

The effects of buoyancy and thermocapillarity on pulsating and uniform flame spread above n-propanol fuel pools have been studied using a numerical model. Data obtained indicate that the existence of pulsating flame spread is dependent upon the formation of a gas-phase recirculation cell which entrains evaporating fuel vapor in front of the leading edge of the flame. The size of the recirculation cell which is affected by the extent of liquid motion ahead of the flame, is shown to dictate whether flame spread is uniform or pulsating. The amplitude and period of the flame pulsations are found to be proportional to the maximum extent of the flow head. Under conditions considered, liquid motion was not affected appreciably by buoyancy. Horizontal convection in the liquid is the dominant mechanism for transporting heat ahead of the flame for both the pulsating and uniform regimes.

System and process for the production of syngas and fuel gasses

DOEpatents

Bingham, Dennis N.; Kllingler, Kerry M.; Turner, Terry D.; Wilding, Bruce M.; Benefiel, Bradley C.

2014-04-01

The production of gasses and, more particularly, to systems and methods for the production of syngas and fuel gasses including the production of hydrogen are set forth. In one embodiment system and method includes a reactor having a molten pool of a material comprising sodium carbonate. A supply of conditioned water is in communication with the reactor. A supply of carbon containing material is also in communication with the reactor. In one particular embodiment, the carbon containing material may include vacuum residuum (VR). The water and VR may be kept at desired temperatures and pressures compatible with the process that is to take place in the reactor. When introduced into the reactor, the water, the VR and the molten pool may be homogenously mixed in an environment in which chemical reactions take place including the production of hydrogen and other gasses.

System and process for the production of syngas and fuel gasses

DOEpatents

Bingham, Dennis N; Klingler, Kerry M; Turner, Terry D; Wilding, Bruce M; Benefiel, Bradley C

2015-04-21

The production of gasses and, more particularly, to systems and methods for the production of syngas and fuel gasses including the production of hydrogen are set forth. In one embodiment system and method includes a reactor having a molten pool of a material comprising sodium carbonate. A supply of conditioned water is in communication with the reactor. A supply of carbon containing material is also in communication with the reactor. In one particular embodiment, the carbon containing material may include vacuum residuum (VR). The water and VR may be kept at desired temperatures and pressures compatible with the process that is to take place in the reactor. When introduced into the reactor, the water, the VR and the molten pool may be homogenously mixed in an environment in which chemical reactions take place including the production of hydrogen and other gasses.

Spent fuel pool storage calculations using the ISOCRIT burnup credit tool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kucukboyaci, Vefa; Marshall, William BJ J

2012-01-01

In order to conservatively apply burnup credit in spent fuel pool criticality safety analyses, Westinghouse has developed a software tool, ISOCRIT, for generating depletion isotopics. This tool is used to create isotopics data based on specific reactor input parameters, such as design basis assembly type; bounding power/burnup profiles; reactor specific moderator temperature profiles; pellet percent theoretical density; burnable absorbers, axial blanket regions, and bounding ppm boron concentration. ISOCRIT generates burnup dependent isotopics using PARAGON; Westinghouse's state-of-the-art and licensed lattice physics code. Generation of isotopics and passing the data to the subsequent 3D KENO calculations are performed in an automated fashion,more » thus reducing the chance for human error. Furthermore, ISOCRIT provides the means for responding to any customer request regarding re-analysis due to changed parameters (e.g., power uprate, exit temperature changes, etc.) with a quick turnaround.« less

Pool Formation in Boulder-Bed Streams: Implications From 1-D and 2-D Numerical Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, L. R.; Keller, E. A.

2003-12-01

In mountain rivers of Southern California, boulder-large roughness elements strongly influence flow hydraulics and pool formation and maintenance. In these systems, boulders appear to control the stream morphology by converging flow and producing deep pools during channel forming discharges. Our research goal is to develop quantitative relationships between boulder roughness elements, temporal patterns of scour and fill, and geomorphic processes that are important in producing pool habitat. The longitudinal distribution of shear stress, unit stream power and velocity were estimated along a 48 m reach on Rattlesnake Creek, using the HEC-RAS v 3.0 and River 2-D numerical models. The reach has an average slope of 0.02 and consists of a pool-riffle sequence with a large boulder constriction directly above the pool. Model runs were performed for a range of stream discharges to test if scour and fill thresholds for pool and riffle environments could be identified. Results from the HEC-RAS simulations identified that thresholds in shear stress, unit stream power and mean velocity occur above a discharge of 5.0 cms. Results from the one-dimensional analysis suggest that the reversal in competency is likely due to changes in cross-sectional width at varying flows. River 2-D predictions indicated that strong transverse velocity gradients were present through the pool at higher modeled discharges. At a flow of 0.5 cms (roughly 1/10th bankfull discharge), velocities are estimated at 0.6 m/s and 1.3 m/s for the pool and riffle, respectively. During discharges of 5.15 cms (approximate bankfull discharge), the maximum velocity in the pool center increased to nearly 3.0 m/s, while the maximum velocity over the riffle is estimated at approximately 2.5 cms. These results are consistent with those predicted by HEC-RAS, though the reversal appears to be limited to a narrow jet that occurs through the pool head and pool center. Model predictions suggest that the velocity reversal is produced by a boulder-bedrock constriction that rapidly decreases the channel width above the pool by roughly 25 percent. The width constriction creates highly turbulent flow capable of scouring bed material through the pool. The high velocity core that is produced through the pool center appears to be enhanced by the formation of a large eddy directly below the boulder. Values of unit stream power and shear stress indicate that the pool exit is an area of deposition of bed material due to a decrease in tractive force. The presence of a strong transverse velocity gradient suggests that only a portion of the flow is responsible for scouring bed material. After we eliminate the dead water zone, the lowest five percent of the velocity range, patterns of effective width between pools and riffles begin to emerge. The ratio of flow width between adjacent pools and riffles is one measure of flow convergence. At a discharge of 0.5 cms, the ratio of effective width between pools and riffles is roughly 1:1, implying that there is uniform flow with little flow convergence. At a discharge of 5.15 cms the width ratio between the pool and riffle is about 1:3, demonstrating the strong convergent flow patterns at the pool head. The observed effective width relationship suggests that when considering restoration designs, boulders should be placed in areas that replicate natural convergence and divergence patterns in order to maximize pool area and depth.

On the corrosion behavior of zircaloy-4 in spent fuel pools under accidental conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavigne, O.; Shoji, T.; Sakaguchi, K.

2012-07-01

After zircaloy cladding tubes have been subjected to irradiation in the reactor core, they are stored temporarily in spent fuel pools. In case of an accident, the integrity of the pool may be affected and the composition of the coolant may change drastically. This was the case in Fukushima Daiichi in March 2011. Successive incidents have led to an increase in the pH of the coolant and to chloride contamination. Moreover, water radiolysis may occur owing to the remnant radioactivity of the spent fuel. In this study, we propose to evaluate the corrosion behavior of oxidized Zr-4 (in autoclave at 288 °C for 32 days) in function of the pH and the presence of chloride and radical forms. The generation of radicals is achieved by the sonolysis of the solution. It appears that the increase in pH and the presence of radicals lead to an increase in current densities. However, the current densities remain quite low (depending on the conditions, between 1 and 10 μA cm-2). The critical parameter is the presence of chloride ions. The chloride ions widely decrease the passive range of the oxidized samples (the pitting potential is measured around +0.6 V (vs. SCE)). Moreover, if the oxide layer is scratched or damaged (which is likely under accidental conditions), the pitting potential of the oxidized sample reaches the pitting potential of the non-oxidized sample (around +0.16 V (vs. SCE)), leaving a shorter stable passive range for the Zr-4 cladding tubes.

Tools for placing the radiological health hazard in perspective following a severe emergency at a light water reactor (LWR) or its spent fuel pool.

PubMed

McKenna, Thomas; Welter, Phillip Vilar; Callen, Jessica; Martincic, Rafael; Dodd, Brian; Kutkov, Vladimir

2015-01-01

Experience from past nuclear and radiological emergencies shows that placing the radiological health hazard in perspective and having a definition of "safe" are required in order to prevent members of the public, those responsible for protecting the public (i.e., decision makers), and others from taking inappropriate and damaging actions that are not justified based on the radiological health hazard. The principle concerns of the public during a severe nuclear power plant or spent fuel pool emergency are "Am I safe?" and "What should I do to be safe?" However, these questions have not been answered to the satisfaction of the public, despite various protective actions being implemented to ensure their safety. Instead, calculated doses or various measured quantities (e.g., ambient dose rate or radionuclide concentrations) are used to describe the situation to the public without placing them into perspective in terms of the possible radiological health hazard, or if they have, it has been done incorrectly. This has contributed to members of the public taking actions that do more harm than good in the belief that they are protecting themselves. Based on established international guidance, this paper provides a definition of "safe" for the radiological health hazard for use in nuclear or radiological emergencies and a system for putting the radiological health hazard in perspective for quantities most commonly measured after a release resulting from a severe emergency at a light water reactor or its spent fuel pool.

77 FR 62539 - Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.; Millstone Power Station, Unit 2, Revocation of Exemption

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-15

... determined to be safely subcritical under the most adverse moderation conditions feasible by unborated water... 10 CFR 50.68 is to maintain spent fuel pools subcritical in an unborated, maximum moderation...

77 FR 28372 - South Carolina Public Service Authority; Notice of Application for Amendment of License and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-14

... marina, fuel and sewage pump-out services, restrooms, parking, shops, restaurant, swimming pool, rental... and Service of Responsive Documents: Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title...

Current status of the development of high density LEU fuel for Russian research reactors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vatulin, A.; Dobrikova, I.; Suprun, V.

2008-07-15

One of the main directions of the Russian RERTR program is to develop U-Mo fuel and fuel elements/FA with this fuel. The development is carried out both for existing reactors, and for new advanced designs of reactors. Many organizations in Russia, i.e. 'TVEL', RDIPE, RIAR, IRM, NPCC participate in the work. Two fuels are under development: dispersion and monolithic U-Mo fuel, as well two types of FA to use the dispersion U-Mo fuel: with tubular type fuel elements and with pin type fuel elements. The first stage of works was successfully completed. This stage included out-pile, in-pile and post irradiationmore » examinations of U-Mo dispersion fuel in experimental tubular and pin fuel elements under parameters similar to operation conditions of Russian design pool-type research reactors. The results received both in Russia and abroad enabled to go on to the next stage of development which includes irradiation tests both of full-scale IRT pin-type and tube-type fuel assemblies with U-Mo dispersion fuel and of mini-fuel elements with modified U-Mo dispersion fuel and monolithic fuel. The paper gives a generalized review of the results of U-Mo fuel development accomplished by now. (author)« less

Application of underwater spectrometric system for survey of ponds of the MR reactor (NRC Kurchatov institute)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stepanov, Vyacheslav; Potapov, Victor; Safronov, Alexey

2013-07-01

The underwater spectrometric system for survey the bottom of material science multi-loop reactor MR ponds was elaborated. This system uses CdZnTe (CZT) detectors that allow for spectrometric measurements in high radiation fields. The underwater system was used in the spectrometric survey of the bottom of the MR reactor pool, as well as in the survey located in the MR storage pool of highly radioactive containers and parts of the reactor construction. As a result of these works irradiated nuclear fuel was detected on the bottom of pools, and obtained estimates of the effective surface activity detected radionuclides and created bymore » them the dose rate. (authors)« less

40 CFR 59.615 - How must I label and identify the portable fuel containers I produce?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... portable fuel containers I produce? 59.615 Section 59.615 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... FOR CONSUMER AND COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS Control of Evaporative Emissions From New and In-Use Portable... portable fuel containers I produce? This section describes how you must label your portable fuel containers...

Horizontal modular dry irradiated fuel storage system

DOEpatents

Fischer, Larry E.; McInnes, Ian D.; Massey, John V.

1988-01-01

A horizontal, modular, dry, irradiated fuel storage system (10) includes a thin-walled canister (12) for containing irradiated fuel assemblies (20), which canister (12) can be positioned in a transfer cask (14) and transported in a horizontal manner from a fuel storage pool (18), to an intermediate-term storage facility. The storage system (10) includes a plurality of dry storage modules (26) which accept the canister (12) from the transfer cask (14) and provide for appropriate shielding about the canister (12). Each module (26) also provides for air cooling of the canister (12) to remove the decay heat of the irradiated fuel assemblies (20). The modules (26) can be interlocked so that each module (26) gains additional shielding from the next adjacent module (26). Hydraulic rams (30) are provided for inserting and removing the canisters (12) from the modules (26).

DoD use of Domestically-Produced Alternative Fuels and Alternative Fuel Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-10

based fuels and biodiesel , in DoD vehicles; (2) current and projected actions by the DoD to increase the use of alternative fuels in vehicles; (3) a...fuels and vehicles. 15. SUBJECT TERMS alternative fuel infrastructure, electric vehicles, biofuels, ethanol, biodiesel , drop-in, synthetic fuel...of: (1) use and potential use of domestically-produced alternative fuels including but not limited to, natural gas based fuels and biodiesel , in DoD

Plasma reforming and partial oxidation of hydrocarbon fuel vapor to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen gas

DOEpatents

Kong, Peter C.; Detering, Brent A.

2003-08-19

Methods and systems for treating vapors from fuels such as gasoline or diesel fuel in an internal combustion engine, to form hydrogen gas or synthesis gas, which can then be burned in the engine to produce more power. Fuel vapor, or a mixture of fuel vapor and exhaust gas and/or air, is contacted with a plasma, to promote reforming reactions between the fuel vapor and exhaust gas to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, partial oxidation reactions between the fuel vapor and air to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, or direct hydrogen and carbon particle production from the fuel vapor. The plasma can be a thermal plasma or a non-thermal plasma. The plasma can be produced in a plasma generating device which can be preheated by contact with at least a portion of the hot exhaust gas stream, thereby decreasing the power requirements of the plasma generating device.

Plasma Reforming And Partial Oxidation Of Hydrocarbon Fuel Vapor To Produce Synthesis Gas And/Or Hydrogen Gas

DOEpatents

Kong, Peter C.; Detering, Brent A.

2004-10-19

Methods and systems are disclosed for treating vapors from fuels such as gasoline or diesel fuel in an internal combustion engine, to form hydrogen gas or synthesis gas, which can then be burned in the engine to produce more power. Fuel vapor, or a mixture of fuel vapor and exhaust gas and/or air, is contacted with a plasma, to promote reforming reactions between the fuel vapor and exhaust gas to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, partial oxidation reactions between the fuel vapor and air to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, or direct hydrogen and carbon particle production from the fuel vapor. The plasma can be a thermal plasma or a non-thermal plasma. The plasma can be produced in a plasma generating device which can be preheated by contact with at least a portion of the hot exhaust gas stream, thereby decreasing the power requirements of the plasma generating device.

The Underwater Spectrometric System Based on CZT Detector for Survey of the Bottom of MR Reactor Pool - 13461

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Potapov, Victor; Safronov, Alexey; Ivanov, Oleg

2013-07-01

The underwater spectrometer system for detection of irradiated nuclear fuel on the pool bottom of the reactor was elaborated. During the development process metrological studies of CdZnTe (CZT) detectors were conducted. These detectors are designed for spectrometric measurements in high radiation fields. A mathematical model based on the Monte Carlo method was created to evaluate the capability of such a system. A few experimental models were realized and the characteristics of the spectrometric system are represented. (authors)

40 CFR 80.1449 - What are the Production Outlook Report requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... (September 1 for the report due in 2010): (1) The type, or types, of renewable fuel expected to be produced... type of renewable fuel expected to be produced or imported at each facility. (3) The number of RINs expected to be generated by the renewable fuel producer or importer for each type of renewable fuel. (4...

Self-formed waterfall plunge pools in homogeneous rock

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheingross, Joel S.; Lo, Daniel Y.; Lamb, Michael P.

2017-01-01

Waterfalls are ubiquitous, and their upstream propagation can set the pace of landscape evolution, yet no experimental studies have examined waterfall plunge pool erosion in homogeneous rock. We performed laboratory experiments, using synthetic foam as a bedrock simulant, to produce self-formed waterfall plunge pools via particle impact abrasion. Plunge pool vertical incision exceeded lateral erosion by approximately tenfold until pools deepened to the point that the supplied sediment could not be evacuated and deposition armored the pool bedrock floor. Lateral erosion of plunge pool sidewalls continued after sediment deposition, but primarily at the downstream pool wall, which might lead to undermining of the plunge pool lip, sediment evacuation, and continued vertical pool floor incision in natural streams. Undercutting of the upstream pool wall was absent, and our results suggest that vertical drilling of successive plunge pools is a more efficient waterfall retreat mechanism than the classic model of headwall undercutting and collapse in homogeneous rock.

IEA-R1 Nuclear Research Reactor: 58 Years of Operating Experience and Utilization for Research, Teaching and Radioisotopes Production

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cardenas, Jose Patricio Nahuel; Filho, Tufic Madi; Saxena, Rajendra

IEA-R1 research reactor at the Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (Nuclear and Energy Research Institute) IPEN, Sao Paulo, Brazil is the largest power research reactor in Brazil, with a maximum power rating of 5 MWth. It is being used for basic and applied research in the nuclear and neutron related sciences, for the production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications, and for providing services of neutron activation analysis, real time neutron radiography, and neutron transmutation doping of silicon. IEA-R1 is a swimming pool reactor, with light water as the coolant and moderator, and graphite and beryllium as reflectors.more » The reactor was commissioned on September 16, 1957 and achieved its first criticality. It is currently operating at 4.5 MWth with a 60-hour cycle per week. In the early sixties, IPEN produced {sup 131}I, {sup 32}P, {sup 198}Au, {sup 24}Na, {sup 35}S, {sup 51}Cr and labeled compounds for medical use. During the past several years, a concerted effort has been made in order to upgrade the reactor power to 5 MWth through refurbishment and modernization programs. One of the reasons for this decision was to produce {sup 99}Mo at IPEN. The reactor cycle will be gradually increased to 120 hours per week continuous operation. It is anticipated that these programs will assure the safe and sustainable operation of the IEA-R1 reactor for several more years, to produce important primary radioisotopes {sup 99}Mo, {sup 125}I, {sup 131}I, {sup 153}Sm and {sup 192}Ir. Currently, all aspects of dealing with fuel element fabrication, fuel transportation, isotope processing, and spent fuel storage are handled by IPEN at the site. The reactor modernization program is slated for completion by 2015. This paper describes 58 years of operating experience and utilization of the IEA-R1 research reactor for research, teaching and radioisotopes production. (authors)« less

Pool Purification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Caribbean Clear, Inc. used NASA's silver ion technology as a basis for its automatic pool purifier. System offers alternative approach to conventional purification chemicals. Caribbean Clear's principal markets are swimming pool owners who want to eliminate chlorine and bromine. Purifiers in Caribbean Clear System are same silver ions used in Apollo System to kill bacteria, plus copper ions to kill algae. They produce spa or pool water that exceeds EPA Standards for drinking water.

77 FR 61281 - Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Modifications to Renewable Fuel Standard and Diesel...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-09

... fuel produced by transmix processors. These amendments will allow locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced by transmix processors to meet a maximum 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard provided that... processors while having a neutral or net positive environmental impact. EPA is also amending the fuel marker...

High regression rate hybrid rocket fuel grains with helical port structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, Sean D.

Hybrid rockets are popular in the aerospace industry due to their storage safety, simplicity, and controllability during rocket motor burn. However, they produce fuel regression rates typically 25% lower than solid fuel motors of the same thrust level. These lowered regression rates produce unacceptably high oxidizer-to-fuel (O/F) ratios that produce a potential for motor instability, nozzle erosion, and reduced motor duty cycles. To achieve O/F ratios that produce acceptable combustion characteristics, traditional cylindrical fuel ports are fabricated with very long length-to-diameter ratios to increase the total burning area. These high aspect ratios produce further reduced fuel regression rate and thrust levels, poor volumetric efficiency, and a potential for lateral structural loading issues during high thrust burns. In place of traditional cylindrical fuel ports, it is proposed that by researching the effects of centrifugal flow patterns introduced by embedded helical fuel port structures, a significant increase in fuel regression rates can be observed. The benefits of increasing volumetric efficiencies by lengthening the internal flow path will also be observed. The mechanisms of this increased fuel regression rate are driven by enhancing surface skin friction and reducing the effect of boundary layer "blowing" to enhance convective heat transfer to the fuel surface. Preliminary results using additive manufacturing to fabricate hybrid rocket fuel grains from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) with embedded helical fuel port structures have been obtained, with burn-rate amplifications up to 3.0x than that of cylindrical fuel ports.

Temperature Field During Flame Spread over Alcohol Pools: Measurements and Modelling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Fletcher J.; Ross, Howard D.; Schiller, David N.

1994-01-01

A principal difference between flame spread over solid fuels and over liquid fuels is, in the latter case, the presence of liquid-phase convection ahead of the leading edge of the flame. The details of the fluid dynamics and heat transfer mechanisms in both the pulsating and uniform flame spread regimes were heavily debated, without resolution, in the 1960s and 1970s; recently, research on flame spread over pools was reinvigorated by the advent of enhanced diagnostic techniques and computational power. Temperature fields in the liquid, which enable determination of the extent of preheating ahead of the flame, were determined previously by the use of thermocouples and repetitive tests, and suggested that the surface temperature does not decrease monotonically ahead of the pulsating flame front, but that there exists a surface temperature valley. Recent predictions support this suggestion. However, others' thermocouple measurements and the recent field measurements using Holographic Interferometry (HI) did not find a similar valley. In this work we examine the temperature field using Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry (RSD), with a measurement threshold exceeding that of conventional interferometry by a factor of 20:1, for uniform and pulsating flame spread using propanol and butanol as fuels. This technique was not applied before to flame spread over liquid pools, except in some preliminary measurements reported earlier. Noting that HI is sensitive to the refractive index while RSD responds to refractive index gradients, and that these two techniques might therefore be difficult to compare, we utilized a numerical simulation, described below, to predict and compare both types of field for the uniform and pulsating spread regimes. The experimental data also allows a validation of the model at a level of detail greater than has been attempted before.

Catalytic combustor for integrated gasification combined cycle power plant

DOEpatents

Bachovchin, Dennis M [Mauldin, SC; Lippert, Thomas E [Murrysville, PA

2008-12-16

A gasification power plant 10 includes a compressor 32 producing a compressed air flow 36, an air separation unit 22 producing a nitrogen flow 44, a gasifier 14 producing a primary fuel flow 28 and a secondary fuel source 60 providing a secondary fuel flow 62 The plant also includes a catalytic combustor 12 combining the nitrogen flow and a combustor portion 38 of the compressed air flow to form a diluted air flow 39 and combining at least one of the primary fuel flow and secondary fuel flow and a mixer portion 78 of the diluted air flow to produce a combustible mixture 80. A catalytic element 64 of the combustor 12 separately receives the combustible mixture and a backside cooling portion 84 of the diluted air flow and allows the mixture and the heated flow to produce a hot combustion gas 46 provided to a turbine 48. When fueled with the secondary fuel flow, nitrogen is not combined with the combustor portion.

Engineering cyanobacteria for photosynthetic production of 3-hydroxybutyrate directly from CO2.

PubMed

Wang, Bo; Pugh, Shawn; Nielsen, David R; Zhang, Weiwen; Meldrum, Deirdre R

2013-03-01

(S)- and (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) are precursors to synthesize the biodegradable plastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and many fine chemicals. To date, however, their production has been restricted to petroleum-based chemical industry and sugar-based microbial fermentation, limiting its sustainability and economical feasibility. With the ability to fix CO2 photosynthetically, cyanobacteria have attracted increasing interest as a biosynthesis platform to produce fuels and chemicals from alternative renewable resources. To this end, synthesis metabolic pathways have been constructed and optimized in cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 to photosynthetically produce (S)- and (R)-3HB directly from CO2. Both types of 3HB molecules were produced and readily secreted from Synechocystis cells without over-expression of transporters. Additional inactivation of the competing pathway by deleting slr1829 and slr1830 (encoding PHB polymerase) from the Synechocystis genome further promoted the 3HB production. Up to 533.4mg/L 3HB has been produced after photosynthetic cultivation of the engineered cyanobacterium Synechocystis TABd for 21 days. Further analysis indicated that the phosphate consumption during the photoautrophic growth and the concomitant elevated acetyl-CoA pool acted as a key driving force for 3HB biosynthesis in Synechocystis. For the first time, the study has demonstrated the feasibility of photosynthetic production of (S)- and (R)-3HB directly from sunlight and CO2. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

77 FR 75065 - Rescinding Spent Fuel Pool Exclusion Regulations

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-19

... subpart A, appendix B], because * * * many of the implications of the Fukushima accident for the Pilgrim... plant (NPP), in light of significant new information revealed by the Fukushima accident.'' The petitioner states that ``significant new information yielded by the Fukushima accident shows fundamental...

Radiological Impact of Tritium from Gaseous Effluent Releases at Cook Nuclear Power Plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Joshua Allan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the washout of tritiated water by snow and rain from gaseous effluent releases at Donald C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant. Primary concepts studied were determination of washout coefficients for rainfall and snowfall; correlations between rainfall and snow fall tritium concentrations with tritium concentrations in the spent fuel pool, reactor cooling systems, and tritium release rates; and calculations of received doses from the process of recapture. The dose calculations are under the assumption of a maximally exposed individual to get the most conservative estimate of the effect that washout of tritiated water has on individuals around the plant site. This study is in addition to previous work that has been conducted at Cook Nuclear Power Plant for several years. The calculated washout coefficients were typically within the range of 1x10-7s -1 to 1x10-5s-1. A strong correlation between tritium concentration within the spent fuel pool and the tritium release rates was determined.

Measuring the Effect of Fuel Structures and Blend Distribution on Diesel Emissions Using Isotope Tracing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheng, A S; Mueller, C J; Buchholz, B A

2004-02-10

Carbon atoms occupying specific positions within fuel molecules can be labeled and followed in emissions. Renewable bio-derived fuels possess a natural uniform carbon-14 ({sup 14}C) tracer several orders of magnitude above petroleum-derived fuels. These fuels can be used to specify sources of carbon in particulate matter (PM) or other emissions. Differences in emissions from variations in the distribution of a fuel component within a blend can also be measured. Using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), we traced fuel components with biological {sup 14}C/C levels of 1 part in 10{sup 12} against a {sup 14}C-free petroleum background in PM and CO{sub 2}.more » Different carbon atoms in the ester structure of the diesel oxygenate dibutyl maleate displayed far different propensities to produce PM. Homogeneous cosolvent and heterogeneous emulsified ethanol-in-diesel blends produced significantly different PM despite having the same oxygen content in the fuel. Emulsified blends produced PM with significantly more volatile species. Although ethanol-derived carbon was less likely to produce PM than diesel fuel, it formed non-volatile structures when it resided in PM. The contribution of lubrication oil to PM was determined by measuring an isotopic difference between 100% bio-diesel and the PM it produced. Data produced by the experiments provides validation for combustion models.« less

FRAPCON analysis of cladding performance during dry storage operations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Richmond, David J.; Geelhood, Kenneth J.

There is an increasing need in the U.S. and around the world to move used nuclear fuel from wet storage in fuel pools to dry storage in casks stored at independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSI) or interim storage sites. The NRC limits cladding temperature to 400°C while maintaining cladding hoop stress below 90 MPa in an effort to avoid radial hydride reorientation. An analysis was conducted with FRAPCON-4.0 on three modern fuel designs with three representative used nuclear fuel storage temperature profiles that peaked at 400 °C. Results were representative of the majority of U.S. LWR fuel. They conservativelymore » showed that hoop stress remains below 90 MPa at the licensing temperature limit. Results also show that the limiting case for hoop stress may not be at the highest rod internal pressure in all cases but will be related to the axial temperature and oxidation profiles of the rods at the end of life and in storage.« less

Aerosol spectral optical depths - Jet fuel and forest fire smokes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pueschel, R. F.; Livingston, J. M.

1990-01-01

The Ames autotracking airborne sun photometer was used to investigate the spectral depth between 380 and 1020 nm of smokes from a jet fuel pool fire and a forest fire in May and August 1988, respectively. Results show that the forest fire smoke exhibited a stronger wavelength dependence of optical depths than did the jet fuel fire smoke at optical depths less than unity. At optical depths greater than or equal to 1, both smokes showed neutral wavelength dependence, similar to that of an optically thin stratus deck. These results verify findings of earlier investigations and have implications both on the climatic impact of large-scale smokes and on the wavelength-dependent transmission of electromagnetic signals.

Liquid Fuels: Pyrolytic Degradation and Fire Spread Behavior as Influenced by Buoyancy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeboah, Yaw D.; Malbrue, Courtney; Savage, Melane; Liao, Bo; Ross, Howard D. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

This work is being conducted by the Combustion and Emission Control Lab in the Engineering Department at Clark Atlanta University under NASA Grant No. NCC3-707. The work aims at providing data to supplement the ongoing NASA research activities on fire spread across liquid pools by providing flow visualization and velocity measurements especially in the gas phase and gas-liquid interface. The fabrication, installation, and testing were completed during this reporting period. The system shakedown and detailed quantitative measurements with High Speed Video and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems using butanol as fuel were performed. New and interesting results, not previously reported in the literature, were obtained from the experiments using a modified NASA tray and butanol as fuel. Three distinct flame spread regimes, as previously reported, were observed. These were the pseudo-uniform regime below 20 C, the pulsating regime between 22 and 30 C and the uniform regime above about 31 C. In the pulsating regime the jump velocity appeared to be independent of the pool temperature. However, the retreat velocity between jumps appeared to depend on the initial pool temperature. The flame retreated before surging forwards with increasing brightness. Previous literature reported this phenomenon only under microgravity conditions. However, we observed such behavior in our normal gravity experiments. Mini-pulsations behind the flame front were also observed. Two or three of these pulsations were observed within a single flame front pulsating time period. The velocity vector maps of the gas and liquid phases ahead, during, and behind the flame front were characterized. At least one recirculation cell was observed right below the flame front.The size of the liquid phase vortex (recirculation cell) below the flame front appeared to decrease with increasing initial pool temperature. The experiments also showed how multiple vortices developed in the liquid phase. A large recirculation cell, which generally spins counterclockwise as the flame spread from right to left, was observed ahead of and near the flame front in the gas phase. Detailed quantitative measurements will be undertaken with the LDV and PIV systems using the modified NASA tray and propanol.

Disease burden due to biomass cooking-fuel-related household air pollution among women in India.

PubMed

Sehgal, Meena; Rizwan, Suliankatchi Abdulkader; Krishnan, Anand

2014-01-01

Household air pollution (HAP) due to biomass cooking fuel use is an important risk factor for a range of diseases, especially among adult women who are primary cooks, in India. About 80% of rural households in India use biomass fuel for cooking. The aim of this study is to estimate the attributable cases (AC) for four major diseases/conditions associated with biomass cooking fuel use among adult Indian women. We used the population attributable fraction (PAF) method to calculate the AC of chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis (TB), cataract, and stillbirths due to exposure to biomass cooking fuel. A number of data sources were accessed to obtain population totals and disease prevalence rates. A meta-analysis was conducted to obtain adjusted pooled odds ratios (ORs) for strength of association. Using this, PAF and AC were calculated using a standard formula. Results were presented as number of AC and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The fixed effects pooled OR obtained from the meta-analysis were 2.37 (95% CI: 1.59, 3.54) for chronic bronchitis, 2.33 (1.65, 3.28) for TB, 2.16 (1.42, 3.26) for cataract, and 1.26 (1.12, 1.43) for stillbirths. PAF varied across conditions being maximum (53%) for chronic bronchitis in rural areas and least (1%) for cataract in older age and urban areas. About 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4, 3.1) of 5.6 m cases of chronic bronchitis, 0.3 (0.2, 0.4) of 0.76 m cases of TB, 5.0 (2.8, 6.7) of 51.4 m cases of cataract among adult Indian women and 0.02 (0.01, 0.03) of 0.15 m stillbirths across India are attributable to HAP due to biomass cooking fuel. These estimates should be cautiously interpreted in the light of limitations discussed which relate to exposure assessment, exposure characterization, and age-specific prevalence of disease. HAP due to biomass fuel has diverse and major impacts on women's health in India. Although challenging, incorporating the agenda of universal clean fuel access or cleaner technology within the broader framework of rural development will go a long way in reducing disease burden.

Tunable, self-powered integrated arc plasma-melter vitrification system for waste treatment and resource recovery

DOEpatents

Titus, Charles H.; Cohn, Daniel R.; Surma, Jeffrey E.

1998-01-01

The present invention provides a relatively compact self-powered, tunable waste conversion system and apparatus which has the advantage of highly robust operation which provides complete or substantially complete conversion of a wide range of waste streams into useful gas and a stable, nonleachable solid product at a single location with greatly reduced air pollution to meet air quality standards. The system provides the capability for highly efficient conversion of waste into high quality combustible gas and for high efficiency conversion of the gas into electricity by utilizing a high efficiency gas turbine or by an internal combustion engine. The solid product can be suitable for various commercial applications. Alternatively, the solid product stream, which is a safe, stable material, may be disposed of without special considerations as hazardous material. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the arc plasma furnace and joule heated melter are formed as a fully integrated unit with a common melt pool having circuit arrangements for the simultaneous independently controllable operation of both the arc plasma and the joule heated portions of the unit without interference with one another. The preferred configuration of this embodiment of the invention utilizes two arc plasma electrodes with an elongated chamber for the molten pool such that the molten pool is capable of providing conducting paths between electrodes. The apparatus may additionally be employed with reduced or without further use of the gases generated by the conversion process. The apparatus may be employed as a self-powered or net electricity producing unit where use of an auxiliary fuel provides the required level of electricity production.

Fuel cell system for transportation applications

DOEpatents

Kumar, Romesh; Ahmed, Shabbir; Krumpelt, Michael; Myles, Kevin M.

1993-01-01

A propulsion system for a vehicle having pairs of front and rear wheels and a fuel tank. An electrically driven motor having an output shaft operatively connected to at least one of said pair of wheels is connected to a fuel cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated by an electrolyte for producing dc power to operate the motor. A partial oxidation reformer is connected both to the fuel tank and to the fuel cell receives hydrogen-containing fuel from the fuel tank and water and air and for partially oxidizing and reforming the fuel with water and air in the presence of an oxidizing catalyst and a reforming catalyst to produce a hydrogen-containing gas. The hydrogen-containing gas is sent from the partial oxidation reformer to the fuel cell negative electrode while air is transported to the fuel cell positive electrode to produce dc power for operating the electric motor.

Fuel cell system for transportation applications

DOEpatents

Kumar, R.; Ahmed, S.; Krumpelt, M.; Myles, K.M.

1993-09-28

A propulsion system is described for a vehicle having pairs of front and rear wheels and a fuel tank. An electrically driven motor having an output shaft operatively connected to at least one of said pair of wheels is connected to a fuel cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated by an electrolyte for producing dc power to operate the motor. A partial oxidation reformer is connected both to the fuel tank and to the fuel cell and receives hydrogen-containing fuel from the fuel tank and uses water and air for partially oxidizing and reforming the fuel in the presence of an oxidizing catalyst and a reforming catalyst to produce a hydrogen-containing gas. The hydrogen-containing gas is sent from the partial oxidation reformer to the fuel cell negative electrode while air is transported to the fuel cell positive electrode to produce dc power for operating the electric motor. 3 figures.

Method And Apparatus For Converting Hydrocarbon Fuel Into Hydrogen Gas And Carbon Dioxide

DOEpatents

Clawson, Lawrence G.; Mitchell, William L.; Bentley, Jeffrey M.; Thijssen, Johannes H. J.

2001-03-27

A hydrocarbon fuel reforming method is disclosed suitable for producing synthesis hydrogen gas from reactions with hydrocarbons fuels, oxygen, and steam. A first mixture of an oxygen-containing gas and a first fuel is directed into a first tube 108 to produce a first reaction reformate. A second mixture of steam and a second fuel is directed into a second tube 116 annularly disposed about the first tube 108 to produce a second reaction reformate. The first and second reaction reformates are then directed into a reforming zone 144 and subject to a catalytic reforming reaction. In another aspect of the method, a first fuel is combusted with an oxygen-containing gas in a first zone 108 to produce a reformate stream, while a second fuel under steam reforming in a second zone 116. Heat energy from the first zone 108 is transferred to the second zone 116.

Hydrogen generation having CO₂ removal with steam reforming

DOEpatents

Kandaswamy, Duraiswamy; Chellappa, Anand S.; Knobbe, Mack

2015-07-28

A method for producing hydrogen using fuel cell off gases, the method feeding hydrocarbon fuel to a sulfur adsorbent to produce a desulfurized fuel and a spent sulfur adsorbent; feeding said desulfurized fuel and water to an adsorption enhanced reformer that comprises of a plurality of reforming chambers or compartments; reforming said desulfurized fuel in the presence of a one or more of a reforming catalyst and one or more of a CO₂ adsorbent to produce hydrogen and a spent CO₂ adsorbent; feeding said hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell; regenerating said spent CO₂ adsorbents using the fuel cell cathode off-gases, producing a flow of hydrogen by cycling between said plurality of reforming chambers or compartments in a predetermined timing sequence; and, replacing the spent sulfur adsorbent with a fresh sulfur adsorbent at a predetermined time.

A Brief Literature Overview of Various Routes to Biorenewable Fuels from Lipids for the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bio-products (NAABB) Consortium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Albrecht, Karl O.; Hallen, Richard T.

2011-03-29

Renewable methods of producing transportation fuels are currently the focus of numerous large research efforts across the globe. Renewable fuel produced from algal lipids is one aspect of this research that could have profound implications on future transportation fuel requirements. However, technical challenges remain in several areas of algal-lipid-based fuels. These challenges include the identification and development of robust and productive algal species as well as extraction methods to recover the produced lipids. Not the least of these technical challenges is the conversion of the algae lipids to fungible fuels. This brief literature review focuses primarily on state-of-the-art “downstream” applicationsmore » of producing fuel from fats and lipids, which can be applied to ongoing research with algae-derived lipids.« less

Validation of Pooled Whole-Genome Re-Sequencing in Arabidopsis lyrata.

PubMed

Fracassetti, Marco; Griffin, Philippa C; Willi, Yvonne

2015-01-01

Sequencing pooled DNA of multiple individuals from a population instead of sequencing individuals separately has become popular due to its cost-effectiveness and simple wet-lab protocol, although some criticism of this approach remains. Here we validated a protocol for pooled whole-genome re-sequencing (Pool-seq) of Arabidopsis lyrata libraries prepared with low amounts of DNA (1.6 ng per individual). The validation was based on comparing single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) frequencies obtained by pooling with those obtained by individual-based Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS). Furthermore, we investigated the effect of sample number, sequencing depth per individual and variant caller on population SNP frequency estimates. For Pool-seq data, we compared frequency estimates from two SNP callers, VarScan and Snape; the former employs a frequentist SNP calling approach while the latter uses a Bayesian approach. Results revealed concordance correlation coefficients well above 0.8, confirming that Pool-seq is a valid method for acquiring population-level SNP frequency data. Higher accuracy was achieved by pooling more samples (25 compared to 14) and working with higher sequencing depth (4.1× per individual compared to 1.4× per individual), which increased the concordance correlation coefficient to 0.955. The Bayesian-based SNP caller produced somewhat higher concordance correlation coefficients, particularly at low sequencing depth. We recommend pooling at least 25 individuals combined with sequencing at a depth of 100× to produce satisfactory frequency estimates for common SNPs (minor allele frequency above 0.05).

High energy neutron transmission analysis of dry cask storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greulich, Christopher; Hughes, Christopher; Gao, Yuan; Enqvist, Andreas; Baciak, James

2017-12-01

Since the U.S. currently only approves of storing used nuclear fuel in pools or dry casks, the demand for dry cask storage is on the rise due to the continuous operation of currently existing nuclear plants which are reaching or have reached the capacity of their used fuel pools. With the rising demand comes additional pressure to ensure the integrity of dry cask systems. Visual inspection is costly and man-power intensive, so alternative nondestructive testing techniques are desired to insure the continued safe and effective storage of fuel. One such approach being investigated by the University of Florida is neutron based computed tomography. Simulations in MCNP are preformed where D-T energy neutrons are transmitted through the dry cask and measured on the opposite side. If the transmitted signal is clear enough, the interior of the cask can be reconstructed from the measurement of the alterations of neutron signal intensity using standard mathematical techniques developed for medical imaging. Preliminary efforts show a correlation between energy and number of scatters (which is an indication of retention of position information). Work is ongoing to quantify if the correlation is strong enough that an energy discriminator may be used as a filter in future image reconstruction. The calculated transmission probability suggests that an image could be reconstructed with a week of scanning.

Electrolytic cell with reference electrode

DOEpatents

Kessie, Robert W.

1989-01-01

A reference electrode device is provided for a high temperature electrolytic cell used to electrolytically recover uranium from spent reactor fuel dissolved in an anode pool, the device having a glass tube to enclose the electrode and electrolyte and serve as a conductive membrane with the cell electrolyte, and an outer metal tube about the glass tube to serve as a shield and basket for any glass sections broken by handling of the tube to prevent their contact with the anode pool, the metal tube having perforations to provide access between the bulk of the cell electrolyte and glass membrane.

Reference electrode for electrolytic cell

DOEpatents

Kessie, R.W.

1988-07-28

A reference electrode device is provided for a high temperature electrolytic cell used to electrolytically recover uranium from spent reactor fuel dissolved in an anode pool, the device having a glass tube to enclose the electrode and electrolyte and serve as a conductive membrane with the cell electrolyte, and an outer metal tube about the glass tube to serve as a shield and basket for any glass sections broken by handling of the tube to prevent their contact with the anode pool, the metal tube having perforations to provide access between the bulk of the cell electrolyte and glass membrane. 4 figs.

Methods of producing transportation fuel

DOEpatents

Nair, Vijay [Katy, TX; Roes, Augustinus Wilhelmus Maria [Houston, TX; Cherrillo, Ralph Anthony [Houston, TX; Bauldreay, Joanna M [Chester, GB

2011-12-27

Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one method for producing transportation fuel is described herein. The method for producing transportation fuel may include providing formation fluid having a boiling range distribution between -5.degree. C. and 350.degree. C. from a subsurface in situ heat treatment process to a subsurface treatment facility. A liquid stream may be separated from the formation fluid. The separated liquid stream may be hydrotreated and then distilled to produce a distilled stream having a boiling range distribution between 150.degree. C. and 350.degree. C. The distilled liquid stream may be combined with one or more additives to produce transportation fuel.

Crop residues as soil amendments and feedstock for bioethanol production.

PubMed

Lal, R

2008-01-01

Traditional solid fuels account for more than 90% of the energy supply for 3 billion people in developing countries. However, liquid biofuels (e.g., ethanol) are perceived as an important alternative to fossil fuel. Global crop residue production is estimated at about 4 billion Mg for all crops and 3 billion Mg per annum for lignocellulosic residues of cereals. One Mg of corn stover can produce 280L of ethanol, compared with 400L from 1Mg of corn grains; 1Mg of biomass is also equivalent to 18.5GJ of energy. Thus, 3 billion Mg of residues are equivalent to 840 billion L of ethanol or 56x10(9)GJ of energy. However, removal of crop residues exacerbates soil degradation, increases net emission of CO2, and aggravates food insecurity. Increasing the SOC pool by 1 Mg C ha(-1)yr(-1) through residue retention on soil can increase world food grain production by 24-40 million Mg yr(-1), and root/tuber production by 6-11 million Mg yr(-1). Thus, identifying alternate sources of biofuel feedstock (e.g., biofuel plantations, animal waste, municipal sold waste) is a high priority. Establishing biofuel plantations on agriculturally marginal or degraded lands can off-set 3.5-4 Pg Cyr(-1).

Pinus sylvestris switches respiration substrates under shading but not during drought

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Henrik; Fischer, Sarah; Hanf, Stefan; Frosch, Torsten; Poppp, Jürgen; Trumbore, Susan

2015-04-01

Reduced carbon assimilation during prolonged drought forces trees to rely on stored carbon to maintain vital processes like respiration. It has been shown, however, that the use of carbohydrates, a major carbon storage pool and main respiratory substrate in plants, strongly declines with deceasing plant hydration. Yet, no empirical evidence has been produced to what degree other carbon storage compounds like lipids and proteins may fuel respiration during drought. We exposed young scots pine trees to carbon limitation using either drought or shading and assessed respiratory substrate use by monitoring the respiratory quotient, δ13C of respired CO2and concentrations of the major storage compounds, i.e. carbohydrates (COH), lipids and amino acids. Generally, respiration was dominated by the most abundant substrate. Only shaded trees shifted from carbohydrate-dominated to lipid-dominated respiration and showed progressive carbohydrate depletion. In drought trees respiration was strongly reduced and fueled with carbohydrates from also strongly reduced carbon assimilation. Initial COH content was maintained during drought probably due to reduced COH mobilization and use and the maintained COH content may have prevented lipid catabolism via sugar signaling. Our results suggest that respiratory substrates other than carbohydrates are used under carbohydrate limitation but not during drought. Thus, respiratory substrate change cannot provide an efficient means to counterbalance carbon limitation under natural drought.

40 CFR 80.1126 - How are RINs generated and assigned to batches of renewable fuel by renewable fuel producers or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... crude-based renewable fuels produced in a facility or unit that coprocesses renewable crudes and fossil... renewable crudes and fossil fuels may submit a petition to the Agency requesting the use of volumes of...

40 CFR 80.1126 - How are RINs generated and assigned to batches of renewable fuel by renewable fuel producers or...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... crude-based renewable fuels produced in a facility or unit that coprocesses renewable crudes and fossil... renewable crudes and fossil fuels may submit a petition to the Agency requesting the use of volumes of...

Tower Power: Producing Fuels from Solar Energy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Antal, M. J., Jr.

1976-01-01

This article examines the use of power tower technologies for the production of synthetic fuels. This process overcomes the limitations of other processes by using a solar furnace to drive endothermic fuel producing reactions and the resulting fuels serve as a medium for storing solar energy. (BT)

Alternative Fuels in Epilepsy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

PubMed

Tefera, Tesfaye W; Tan, Kah Ni; McDonald, Tanya S; Borges, Karin

2017-06-01

This review summarises the recent findings on metabolic treatments for epilepsy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in honour of Professor Ursula Sonnewald. The metabolic impairments in rodent models of these disorders as well as affected patients are being discussed. In both epilepsy and ALS, there are defects in glucose uptake and reduced tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycling, at least in part due to reduced amounts of C4 TCA cycle intermediates. In addition there are impairments in glycolysis in ALS. A reduction in glucose uptake can be addressed by providing the brain with alternative fuels, such as ketones or medium-chain triglycerides. As anaplerotic fuels, such as the triglyceride of heptanoate, triheptanoin, refill the TCA cycle C4/C5 intermediate pool that is deficient, they are ideal to boost TCA cycling and thus the oxidative metabolism of all fuels.

Controlled Speed Accessory Drive demonstration program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoehn, F. W.

1981-01-01

A Controlled Speed Accessory Drive System was examined in an effort to improve the fuel economy of passenger cars. Concept feasibility and the performance of a typical system during actual road driving conditions were demonstrated. The CSAD system is described as a mechanical device which limits engine accessory speeds, thereby reducing parasitic horsepower losses and improving overall vehicle fuel economy. Fuel consumption data were compiled for fleets of GSA vehicles. Various motor pool locations were selected, each representing different climatic conditions. On the basis of a total accumulated fleet usage of nearly three million miles, an overall fuel economy improvement of 6 percent to 7 percent was demonstrated. Coincident chassis dynamometer tests were accomplished on selected vehicles to establish the effect of different accessory drive systems on exhaust emissions, and to evaluate the magnitude of the mileage benefits which could be derived.

Electricity generation in microbial fuel cells using neutral red as an electronophore

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Park, D.H.; Zeikus, J.G.

2000-04-01

Neutral red (NR) was utilized as an electron mediator in microbial fuel cells consuming glucose to study both its efficiency during electricity generation and its role in altering anaerobic growth and metabolism of Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus succinogenes. A study of chemical fuel cells in which NADH, NR, and ferricyanide were the electron donor, the electronophore, and the electron acceptor, respectively, showed that electrical current produced from NADH was proportional to the concentration of NADH. Fourfold more current was produced from NADH in chemical fuel cells when NR was the electron mediator than when thionin was the electron mediator. Inmore » microbial fuel cells in which E. coli resting cells were used the amount of current produced from glucose when NR was the electron mediator was 10-fold more than the amount produced when thionin was the electron mediator. The amount of electrical energy generated and the amount of current produced from glucose in NR-mediated microbial fuel cells containing either E. coli or A. succinogenes were about 10- and 2-fold greater, respectively, when resting cells were used than when growing cells were used. Cell growth was inhibited substantially when these microbial fuel cells were making current, and more oxidized end products were formed under these conditions. When sewage sludge was used in the fuel cell, stable and equivalent levels of current were obtained with glucose, as observed in the pure-culture experiments. These results suggest that NR is better than other electron mediators used in microbial fuel cells and that sludge production can be decreased while electricity is produced in fuel cells. Their results are discussed in relation to factors that may improve the relatively low electrical efficiencies obtained with microbial fuel cells.« less

Fuels from Recycling Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tillman, David A.

1975-01-01

Three systems, operating at sufficient scale, produce fuels that may be alternatives to oil and gas. These three recycling systems are: Black Clawson Fiberclaim, Franklin, Ohio; Union Carbide, South Charleston, West Virginia; and Union Electric, St. Louis, Missouri. These produce a wet fuel, a pyrolytic gas, and a dry fuel, respectively. (BT)

40 CFR 80.1452 - What are the requirements related to the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS)?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... importer. (2) The EPA company registration number of the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... facility registration number of the facility at which the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES...

40 CFR 80.1452 - What are the requirements related to the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS)?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... importer. (2) The EPA company registration number of the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... facility registration number of the facility at which the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES...

40 CFR 80.1452 - What are the requirements related to the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS)?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... importer. (2) The EPA company registration number of the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... facility registration number of the facility at which the renewable fuel producer or foreign ethanol... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES...

Effect of fuel/air nonuniformity on nitric oxide emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lyons, V. J.

1979-01-01

A flame tube combustor holding jet A fuel was used in experiments performed at a pressure of .3 Mpa and a reference velocity of 25 meters/second for three inlet air temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 K. The gas sample measurements were taken at locations 18 cm and 48 cm downstream of the perforated plate flameholder. Nonuniform fuel/air profiles were produced using a fuel injector by separately fueling the inner five fuel tubes and the outer ring of twelve fuel tubes. Six fuel/air profiles were produced for nominal overall equivalence ratios of .5 and .6. An example of three of three of these profiles and their resultant nitric oxide NOx emissions are presented. The uniform fuel/air profile cases produced uniform and relatively low profile levels. When the profiles were either center-peaked or edge-peaked, the overall mass-weighted nitric oxide levels increased.

49 CFR 1242.60 - Locomotive fuel, electric power purchased/produced for motive power and servicing locomotives...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 9 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Locomotive fuel, electric power purchased/produced... OPERATING EXPENSES BETWEEN FREIGHT SERVICE AND PASSENGER SERVICE FOR RAILROADS 1 Operating Expenses-Transportation § 1242.60 Locomotive fuel, electric power purchased/produced for motive power and servicing...

Carbon, fire, and fuels: The importance of fuels and fuel characterization and the status of wildland fire fuels data for the United States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, N. H. F.; Prichard, S.; McKenzie, D.; Kennedy, M. C.; Billmire, M.; Ottmar, R. D.; Kasischke, E. S.

2016-12-01

Quantification of emissions of carbon during combustion relies on knowing three general variables: how much landscape is impacted by fire (burn area), how much carbon is in that landscape (fuel loading), and fuel properties that determine the fraction that is consumed (fuel condition). These variables also determine how much carbon remains at the site in the form of unburned organic material or char, and therefore drive post-fire carbon dynamics and pools. In this presentation we review the importance of understanding fuel type, fuel loading, and fuel condition for quantifying carbon dynamics properly during burning and for measuring and mapping fuels across landscapes, regions, and continents. Variability in fuels has been shown to be a major driver of uncertainty in fire emissions, but has had little attention until recently. We review the current state of fuel characterization for fire management and carbon accounting, and present a new approach to quantifying fuel loading for use in fire-emissions mapping and for improving fire-effects assessment. The latest results of a study funded by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) are presented, where a fuel loading database is being built to quantify variation in fuel loadings, as represented in the Fuel Characteristic Classification System (FCCS), across the conterminous US and Alaska. Statistical assessments of these data at multiple spatial scales will improve tools used by fire managers and scientists to quantify fire's impact on the land, atmosphere, and carbon cycle.

Fuel cells for vehicle applications in cars - bringing the future closer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panik, Ferdinand

Among all alternative drive systems, the fuel cell electric propulsion system has the highest potential to compete with the internal combustion engine. For this reason, Daimler-Benz AG has entered into a co-operative alliance with Ballard Power Systems, with the objectives of bringing fuel cell vehicles to the market. Apart from the fuel cell itself, fuel cell vehicles require comprehensive system technology to provide fuel and air supply, cooling, energy management, electric and electronic functions. The system technology determines to a large extent the cost, weight, efficiency, performance and overall customer benefit of fuel cell vehicles. Hence, Daimler-Benz and Ballard are pooling their expertise in fuel cell system technology in a joint company, with the aim of bringing their fuel cell vehicular systems to the stage of maturity required for market entry as early as possible. Hydrogen-fuelled zero-emission fuel cell transit `buses' will be the first market segment addressed, with an emphasis on the North American and European markets. The first buses are already scheduled for delivery to customers in late 1997. Since a liquid fuel like methanol is easier to handle in passenger cars, fuel reforming technologies are developed and will shortly be demonstrated in a prototype, as well. The presentation will cover concepts of fuel cell vehicles with an emphasis on system technology, the related testing procedures and results as well as an outline of market entry strategies.

Diversity among Scientists-Inclusive Curriculum-Improved Science: An Upward Spiral.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosser, Sue V.

1992-01-01

Explores how changing curriculum and teaching techniques may lead to different composition of pool of scientists who hold slightly modified theoretical perspective. Presents seven-stage spiral model for transforming mathematics and science teaching, in which each stage fuels change in next stage, moving toward more accessible, varied, and humane…

NUCLEAR REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEM

DOEpatents

Epler, E.P.; Hanauer, S.H.; Oakes, L.C.

1959-11-01

A control system is described for a nuclear reactor using enriched uranium fuel of the type of the swimming pool and other heterogeneous nuclear reactors. Circuits are included for automatically removing and inserting the control rods during the course of normal operation. Appropriate safety circuits close down the nuclear reactor in the event of emergency.

Interactions between pool geometry and hydraulics

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thompson, Douglas M.; Nelson, Jonathan M.; Wohl, Ellen E.

1998-01-01

An experimental and computational research approach was used to determine interactions between pool geometry and hydraulics. A 20-m-long, 1.8-m-wide flume was used to investigate the effect of four different geometric aspects of pool shape on flow velocity. Plywood sections were used to systematically alter constriction width, pool depth, pool length, and pool exit-slope gradient, each at two separate levels. Using the resulting 16 unique geometries with measured pool velocities in four-way factorial analyses produced an empirical assessment of the role of the four geometric aspects on the pool flow patterns and hence the stability of the pool. To complement the conclusions of these analyses, a two-dimensional computational flow model was used to investigate the relationships between pool geometry and flow patterns over a wider range of conditions. Both experimental and computational results show that constriction and depth effects dominate in the jet section of the pool and that pool length exhibits an increasing effect within the recirculating-eddy system. The pool exit slope appears to force flow reattachment. Pool length controls recirculating-eddy length and vena contracta strength. In turn, the vena contracta and recirculating eddy control velocities throughout the pool.

Autoignition Studies of Diesel Alternative Biofuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weijing

The autoignition of biofuel compounds that offer potential as diesel fuel alternatives was studied under high-pressure engine-like conditions using the shock tube technique. Ignition delay times were determined in reflected shock experiments using measured pressure and electronically-excited OH emission. Measurements were made at conditions ranging from 650 to 1350 K, pressures from 6 to 50 atm, and for fuel/air/diluent mixtures at equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 2. The wide range of temperatures examined provides observation of autoignition in three reactivity regimes, including the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) regime which is characteristic of fuels containing alkyl functionalities. Compounds studied include biodiesel-related compounds and real biodiesel fuels, dimethyl ether, and 3-methylheptane which is representative of compounds found in synthetic diesel fuels produced using the Fischer-Tropsch and hydrotreatment processes. Biodiesel compounds studied include biodiesel surrogates, methyl decanoate, methyl-5-decenoate, and methyl-9-decenoate; compounds found in large quantities in biodiesels, methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate; and soy-based and animal fat based methyl ester biodiesels. Comparison of biodiesel compounds illustrates the influence of molecular structure (e.g., chain length, double bonds, and ester functionality) on reactivity. For methyl decanoate, the effect of high pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) conditions relevant to internal combustion engines was also determined. Results showed that the first-order influence of EGR by displacing fuel and O2 to decrease radical branching. Measurements were compared to kinetic modeling results from models available in the literature providing varying degrees of model validation. Reaction flux analyses were also carried out to further examine the kinetic differences in different temperature regimes for fuel compounds. For example, reaction flux analyses illustrates the importance of the long alkyl chain in controlling the overall reactivity of methyl ester biodiesel compounds and the subtle role the ester group has on inhibiting low-temperature reactivity as well as the influence of branching on reactivity for lightly branched alkanes. This thesis work provides a rich database of kinetic information for biofuel-related compounds at conditions relevant to real engine operations, offering quantitative kinetic targets for the development and evaluation of future kinetic models for important alternative fuel compounds. The results quantify the reactivity variability of biodiesel alternatives and illustrate that at temperature greater than 900 to 1000 K fuel structure has little influence on reactivity, as fuel fragmentation results in an intermediate pool that is largely the same for the fuels studied. On the other hand at temperature lower than 900 K, where fuel-specific low-temperature chemistry plays a role, different fuel structures can result in vast differences in reactivity, up to factors of three or more in ignition delay.

Miniature ceramic fuel cell

DOEpatents

Lessing, Paul A.; Zuppero, Anthony C.

1997-06-24

A miniature power source assembly capable of providing portable electricity is provided. A preferred embodiment of the power source assembly employing a fuel tank, fuel pump and control, air pump, heat management system, power chamber, power conditioning and power storage. The power chamber utilizes a ceramic fuel cell to produce the electricity. Incoming hydro carbon fuel is automatically reformed within the power chamber. Electrochemical combustion of hydrogen then produces electricity.

Hydrogen Peroxide as a Sustainable Energy Carrier: Electrocatalytic Production of Hydrogen Peroxide and the Fuel Cell.

PubMed

Fukuzumi, Shunichi; Yamada, Yusuke; Karlin, Kenneth D

2012-11-01

This review describes homogeneous and heterogeneous catalytic reduction of dioxygen with metal complexes focusing on the catalytic two-electron reduction of dioxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide. Whether two-electron reduction of dioxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide or four-electron O 2 -reduction to produce water occurs depends on the types of metals and ligands that are utilized. Those factors controlling the two processes are discussed in terms of metal-oxygen intermediates involved in the catalysis. Metal complexes acting as catalysts for selective two-electron reduction of oxygen can be utilized as metal complex-modified electrodes in the electrocatalytic reduction to produce hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide thus produced can be used as a fuel in a hydrogen peroxide fuel cell. A hydrogen peroxide fuel cell can be operated with a one-compartment structure without a membrane, which is certainly more promising for the development of low-cost fuel cells as compared with two compartment hydrogen fuel cells that require membranes. Hydrogen peroxide is regarded as an environmentally benign energy carrier because it can be produced by the electrocatalytic two-electron reduction of O 2 , which is abundant in air, using solar cells; the hydrogen peroxide thus produced could then be readily stored and then used as needed to generate electricity through the use of hydrogen peroxide fuel cells.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Science.gov Websites

format to determine RINs for each physical gallon of renewable fuel produced in or imported into the -character number assigned to each physical gallon of renewable fuel produced or imported. Obligated parties Transaction System (EMTS). The RIN is attached to the physical gallon of renewable fuel as it is transferred

75 FR 59622 - Supplemental Determination for Renewable Fuels Produced Under the Final RFS2 Program From Canola Oil

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-28

... also finalizes our regulatory determination that canola oil biodiesel meets the biomass-based diesel... biodiesel fuel to generate biomass-based diesel Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), providing that the fuel meets other definitional criteria for renewable fuel (e.g., produced from renewable biomass as...

Intermediate Temperature Hybrid Fuel Cell System for the Conversion of Natural to Electricity and Liquid Fuels

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Krause, Theodore

This goal of this project was to develop a new hybrid fuel cell technology that operates directly on natural gas or biogas to generate electrical energy and to produce ethane or ethylene from methane, the main component of natural gas or biogas, which can be converted to a liquid fuel or high-value chemical using existing process technologies. By taking advantage of the modularity and scalability of fuel cell technology, this combined fuel cell/chemical process technology targets the recovery of stranded natural gas available at the well pad or biogas produced at waste water treatment plants and municipal landfills by convertingmore » it to a liquid fuel or chemical. By converting the stranded gas to a liquid fuel or chemical, it can be cost-effectively transported to market thus allowing the stranded natural gas or biogas to be monetized instead of flared, producing CO2, a greenhouse gas, because the volumes produced at these locations are too small to be economically recovered using current gas-to-liquids process technologies.« less

40 CFR 59.622 - What are the general requirements for obtaining a certificate of conformity and producing...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... obtaining a certificate of conformity and producing portable fuel containers under it? 59.622 Section 59.622... Emissions From New and In-Use Portable Fuel Containers Certifying Emission Families § 59.622 What are the general requirements for obtaining a certificate of conformity and producing portable fuel containers...

77 FR 19663 - Notice of Data Availability Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced from Palm Oil Under the RFS...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-02

... Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced from Palm Oil Under the RFS Program; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY... of Data Availability Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced from Palm Oil under the RFS Program'' (the notice is herein referred to as the ``palm oil NODA''). EPA published a NODA, which included a request...

77 FR 8254 - Notice of Data Availability Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced From Palm Oil Under the RFS...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-14

... Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced From Palm Oil Under the RFS Program; Extension of Comment Period AGENCY... of Data Availability Concerning Renewable Fuels Produced From Palm Oil Under the RFS Program'' (the notice is herein referred to as the ``palm oil NODA''). EPA published a NODA, which included a request...

75 FR 76789 - Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2011 Renewable Fuel Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-09

... have the potential to produce qualifying cellulosic biofuel volumes for consumption as transportation... oxygen content. KiOR currently has a small pilot facility capable of producing 10-15 barrels of bio-crude...

Limited energy study, Buildings 750 and 798, Fort Richardson, Alaska. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-02-01

The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECOs) for two motor pool facilities, Buildings 750 and 798, to determine their energy savings potential, economic feasibility, and to document results for possible future funding. Buildings 750 and 798 are heated by steam supplied from a central plant. The central plant uses natural gas as a primary fuel source to produce steam for both heating and electrical energy generation. Since power is produced on the base there is not a demand charge for electrical energy. Two ECOs examined the use of natural gas in conjunction withmore » steam as a method of heating the buildings. Annual baseline energy consumption and cost data for each building is presented. The heating system in Building 750 was found to be severely under capacity. This is the result of the disabling of the under-floor heating system and the roof top MAUs. Building 798 also has had the under-floor heating system disabled. However, baseline simulations show that the remaining system is capable of maintaining thermostat setpoints during all but the coldest days of a typical year.« less

Characterizing convective cold pools: Characterizing Convective Cold Pools

DOE PAGES

Drager, Aryeh J.; van den Heever, Susan C.

2017-05-09

Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropical continental convection that uses a cloud-resolving model with a coupled land-surface model. Multiple variables are assessed for their potential in identifying convective cold pool boundaries, and a novel technique is developed and tested for identifying and tracking cold pools in numerical model simulations. This algorithm is based on surface rainfall rates and radial gradients in the densitymore » potential temperature field. The algorithm successfully identifies near-surface cold pool boundaries and is able to distinguish between connected cold pools. Once cold pools have been identified and tracked, composites of cold pool evolution are then constructed, and average cold pool properties are investigated. Wet patches are found to develop within the centers of cold pools where the ground has been soaked with rainwater. These wet patches help to maintain cool surface temperatures and reduce cold pool dissipation, which has implications for the development of subsequent convection.« less

Characterizing convective cold pools: Characterizing Convective Cold Pools

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Drager, Aryeh J.; van den Heever, Susan C.

Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropical continental convection that uses a cloud-resolving model with a coupled land-surface model. Multiple variables are assessed for their potential in identifying convective cold pool boundaries, and a novel technique is developed and tested for identifying and tracking cold pools in numerical model simulations. This algorithm is based on surface rainfall rates and radial gradients in the densitymore » potential temperature field. The algorithm successfully identifies near-surface cold pool boundaries and is able to distinguish between connected cold pools. Once cold pools have been identified and tracked, composites of cold pool evolution are then constructed, and average cold pool properties are investigated. Wet patches are found to develop within the centers of cold pools where the ground has been soaked with rainwater. These wet patches help to maintain cool surface temperatures and reduce cold pool dissipation, which has implications for the development of subsequent convection.« less

Supplemental Thermal-Hydraulic Transient Analyses of BR2 in Support of Conversion to LEU Fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Licht, J.; Dionne, B.; Sikik, E.

2016-01-01

Belgian Reactor 2 (BR2) is a research and test reactor located in Mol, Belgium and is primarily used for radioisotope production and materials testing. The Materials Management and Minimization (M3) Reactor Conversion Program of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is supporting the conversion of the BR2 reactor from Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) fuel to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel. The RELAP5/Mod 3.3 code has been used to perform transient thermal-hydraulic safety analyses of the BR2 reactor to support reactor conversion. A RELAP5 model of BR2 has been validated against select transient BR2 reactor experiments performed in 1963 by showingmore » agreement with measured cladding temperatures. Following the validation, the RELAP5 model was then updated to represent the current use of the reactor; taking into account core configuration, neutronic parameters, trip settings, component changes, etc. Simulations of the 1963 experiments were repeated with this updated model to re-evaluate the boiling risks associated with the currently allowed maximum heat flux limit of 470 W/cm 2 and temporary heat flux limit of 600 W/cm 2. This document provides analysis of additional transient simulations that are required as part of a modern BR2 safety analysis report (SAR). The additional simulations included in this report are effect of pool temperature, reduced steady-state flow rate, in-pool loss of coolant accidents, and loss of external cooling. The simulations described in this document have been performed for both an HEU- and LEU-fueled core.« less

Refining and blending of aviation turbine fuels.

PubMed

White, R D

1999-02-01

Aviation turbine fuels (jet fuels) are similar to other petroleum products that have a boiling range of approximately 300F to 550F. Kerosene and No.1 grades of fuel oil, diesel fuel, and gas turbine oil share many similar physical and chemical properties with jet fuel. The similarity among these products should allow toxicology data on one material to be extrapolated to the others. Refineries in the USA manufacture jet fuel to meet industry standard specifications. Civilian aircraft primarily use Jet A or Jet A-1 fuel as defined by ASTM D 1655. Military aircraft use JP-5 or JP-8 fuel as defined by MIL-T-5624R or MIL-T-83133D respectively. The freezing point and flash point are the principle differences between the finished fuels. Common refinery processes that produce jet fuel include distillation, caustic treatment, hydrotreating, and hydrocracking. Each of these refining processes may be the final step to produce jet fuel. Sometimes blending of two or more of these refinery process streams are needed to produce jet fuel that meets the desired specifications. Chemical additives allowed for use in jet fuel are also defined in the product specifications. In many cases, the customer rather than the refinery will put additives into the fuel to meet their specific storage or flight condition requirements.

Nanoplasmonic Catalysis for Synthetic Fuel Production

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-22

understanding of the basic mechanism underlying this enhancement with the ultimate goal of producing synthetic fuels, such as hydrogen , methane and...of producing synthetic fuels, such as hydrogen , methane and methanol using visible illumination. Objectives: - Fabricate arrays of metal...in our energy infrastructure. For photocatalysis , this area is especially exciting because it presents a possible route to direct solar-to-fuel

Carbon dioxide emitted from live stems of tropical trees is several years old.

PubMed

Muhr, Jan; Angert, Alon; Negrón-Juárez, Robinson I; Muñoz, Waldemar Alegria; Kraemer, Guido; Chambers, Jeffrey Q; Trumbore, Susan E

2013-07-01

Storage carbon (C) pools are often assumed to contribute to respiration and growth when assimilation is insufficient to meet the current C demand. However, little is known of the age of stored C and the degree to which it supports respiration in general. We used bomb radiocarbon ((14)C) measurements to determine the mean age of carbon in CO2 emitted from and within stems of three tropical tree species in Peru. Carbon pools fixed >1 year previously contributed to stem CO2 efflux in all trees investigated, in both dry and wet seasons. The average age, i.e., the time elapsed since original fixation of CO2 from the atmosphere by the plant to its loss from the stem, ranged from 0 to 6 years. The average age of CO2 sampled 5-cm deep within the stems ranged from 2 to 6 years for two of the three species, while CO2 in the stem of the third tree species was fixed from 14 to >20 years previously. Given the consistency of (14)C values observed for individuals within each species, it is unlikely that decomposition is the source of the older CO2. Our results are in accordance with other studies that have demonstrated the contribution of storage reserves to the construction of stem wood and root respiration in temperate and boreal forests. We postulate the high (14)C values observed in stem CO2 efflux and stem-internal CO2 result from respiration of storage C pools within the tree. The observed age differences between emitted and stem-internal CO2 indicate an age gradient for sources of CO2 within the tree: CO2 produced in the outer region of the stem is younger, originating from more recent assimilates, whereas the CO2 found deeper within the stem is older, fueled by several-year-old C pools. The CO2 emitted at the stem-atmosphere interface represents a mixture of young and old CO2. These observations were independent of season, even during a time of severe regional drought. Therefore, we postulate that the use of storage C for respiration occurs on a regular basis challenging the assumption that storage pools serve as substrates for respiration only during times of limited assimilation.

Partial oxidation power plant with reheating and method thereof

DOEpatents

Newby, Richard A.; Yang, Wen-Ching; Bannister, Ronald L.

1999-01-01

A system and method for generating power having an air compression/partial oxidation system, a turbine, and a primary combustion system. The air compression/partial oxidation system receives a first air stream and a fuel stream and produces a first partially oxidized fuel stream and a first compressed air stream therefrom. The turbine expands the first partially oxidized fuel stream while being cooled by the first compressed air stream to produce a heated air stream. The heated air stream is injected into the expanding first partially oxidized fuel stream, thereby reheating it in the turbine. A second partially oxidized fuel stream is emitted from the turbine. The primary combustion system receives said second partially oxidized fuel stream and a second air stream, combusts said second partially oxidized fuel stream, and produces rotating shaft power and an emission stream therefrom.

Timely topics on spent fuel storage

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Selin, I.

1994-12-31

The history of spent fuel management in this country has taken several turns, with a final resolution still out of reach. Several repository programs started, stalled ans stopped. The latest effort at Yucca Mountain is progressing but, at best, is years from the early phases of licensing, much less the actual underground disposal of spent fuel. A monitored retrieval storage [MRS] facility was expected to start accepting commercial spent fuel beginning in 1998, but no such facility is clearly on the horizon. All of these recent developments changed the circumstances that we face in spent fuel management. The obvious conclusionmore » is that an increasing number of plants, both operating and permanently shut-down reactors, will have to provide for additional spent fuel storage on-site for a longer period than originally planned, and even after plant decommissioning, prudence requires that provision be made for continual, stand-alone, on-site storage. After pool capacity is reached, most utilities opt for some sort of dry storage. But the dry storage option has triggered an unprecedented amount of local opposition at many sites, further taxing NRC and industry resources.« less

Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Neutral Red as an Electronophore

PubMed Central

Park, Doo Hyun; Zeikus, J. Gregory

2000-01-01

Neutral red (NR) was utilized as an electron mediator in microbial fuel cells consuming glucose to study both its efficiency during electricity generation and its role in altering anaerobic growth and metabolism of Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus succinogenes. A study of chemical fuel cells in which NADH, NR, and ferricyanide were the electron donor, the electronophore, and the electron acceptor, respectively, showed that electrical current produced from NADH was proportional to the concentration of NADH. Fourfold more current was produced from NADH in chemical fuel cells when NR was the electron mediator than when thionin was the electron mediator. In microbial fuel cells in which E. coli resting cells were used the amount of current produced from glucose when NR was the electron mediator (3.5 mA) was 10-fold more than the amount produced when thionin was the electron mediator (0.4 mA). The amount of electrical energy generated (expressed in joules per mole of substrate) and the amount of current produced from glucose (expressed in milliamperes) in NR-mediated microbial fuel cells containing either E. coli or A. succinogenes were about 10- and 2-fold greater, respectively, when resting cells were used than when growing cells were used. Cell growth was inhibited substantially when these microbial fuel cells were making current, and more oxidized end products were formed under these conditions. When sewage sludge (i.e., a mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria) was used in the fuel cell, stable (for 120 h) and equivalent levels of current were obtained with glucose, as observed in the pure-culture experiments. These results suggest that NR is better than other electron mediators used in microbial fuel cells and that sludge production can be decreased while electricity is produced in fuel cells. Our results are discussed in relation to factors that may improve the relatively low electrical efficiencies (1.2 kJ/mol) obtained with microbial fuel cells. PMID:10742202

78 FR 44034 - Petition for Rulemaking Submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-23

... the Fukushima Dai-ichi Accident,'' (Fukushima Task Force Report, ADAMS Accession No. ML111861807..., pages 43-46, of the Fukushima Task Force Report, which discusses the enhancement of spent fuel pool... Commission was still in the process of reviewing the Fukushima Task Force Report, and the NRC did not...

77 FR 7610 - Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-13

... and reinforced concrete floors acting as diaphragms in distributing loads to vertically resisting... reinforced concrete foundation. The reactor is fueled with standard low-enriched TRIGA (Training, Research... cooled by a light water primary system consisting of the reactor pool and a heat removal system to remove...

Pinon-juniper reduction increases soil water availability of the resouce growth pool

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Managers reduce piñon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) trees that are encroaching into (Artemisia spp.) communities to lower fuel loads and to increase cover and density of desirable understory species. A major concern for using prescribed fire or mechanical treatments to reduce trees is th...

7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

7 CFR 993.159 - Payments for services performed with respect to reserve tonnage prunes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... overhead costs, which include those for supervision, indirect labor, fuel, power and water, taxes and... tonnage prunes. The Committee will compute the average industry cost for holding reserve pool prunes by... choose to exclude the high and low data in computing an industry average. The industry average costs may...

Wildland fire ash: Production, composition and eco-hydro-geomorphic effects

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bodi, Merche B.; Martin, Deborah; Balfour, Victoria N.; Santin, Cristina; Doerr, Stefan H.; Pereira, Paulo; Cerda, Artemi; Mataix-Solera, Jorge

2014-01-01

Fire transforms fuels (i.e. biomass, necromass, soil organic matter) into materials with different chemical and physical properties. One of these materials is ash, which is the particulate residue remaining or deposited on the ground that consists of mineral materials and charred organic components. The quantity and characteristics of ash produced during a wildland fire depend mainly on (1) the total burned fuel (i.e. fuel load), (2) fuel type and (3) its combustion completeness. For a given fuel load and type, a higher combustion completeness will reduce the ash organic carbon content, increasing the relative mineral content, and hence reducing total mass of ash produced. The homogeneity and thickness of the ash layer can vary substantially in space and time and reported average thicknesses range from close to 0 to 50 mm. Ash is a highly mobile material that, after its deposition, may be incorporated into the soil profile, redistributed or removed from a burned site within days or weeks by wind and water erosion to surface depressions, footslopes, streams, lakes, reservoirs and, potentially, into marine deposits.Research on the composition, properties and effects of ash on the burned ecosystem has been conducted on material collected in the field after wildland and prescribed fires as well as on material produced in the laboratory. At low combustion completeness (typically T < 450 °C), ash is organic-rich, with organic carbon as the main component. At high combustion completeness (T > 450 °C), most organic carbon is volatized and the remaining mineral ash has elevated pH when in solution. It is composed mainly of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, silicon and phosphorous in the form of inorganic carbonates, whereas at T > 580 °C the most common forms are oxides. Ash produced under lower combustion completeness is usually darker, coarser, and less dense and has a higher saturated hydraulic conductivity than ash with higher combustion completeness, although physical reactions with CO2 and when moistened produce further changes in ash characteristics.As a new material present after a wildland fire, ash can have profound effects on ecosystems. It affects biogeochemical cycles, including the C cycle, not only within the burned area, but also globally. Ash incorporated into the soil increases temporarily soil pH and nutrient pools and changes physical properties such as albedo, soil texture and hydraulic properties including water repellency. Ash modifies soil hydrologic behavior by creating a two-layer system: the soil and the ash layer, which can function in different ways depending on (1) ash depth and type, (2) soil type and (3) rainfall characteristics. Key parameters are the ash's water holding capacity, hydraulic conductivity and its potential to clog soil pores. Runoff from burned areas carries soluble nutrients contained in ash, which can lead to problems for potable water supplies. Ash deposition also stimulates soil microbial activity and vegetation growth.Further work is needed to (1) standardize methods for investigating ash and its effects on the ecosystem, (2) characterize ash properties for specific ecosystems and wildland fire types, (3) determine the effects of ash on human and ecosystem health, especially when transported by wind or water, (4) investigate ash's controls on water and soil losses at slope and catchment scales, (5) examine its role in the C cycle, and (6) study its redistribution and fate in the environment.

Clay-based matrices incorporating radioactive silts: A case study of sediments from spent fuel pool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonenko, Mikhail; Myshkin, Vyacheslav; Grigoriev, Alexander; Chubreev, Dmitry

2018-03-01

Radioactive silt sediments from uranium reactors may be effectively and safely included by ceramic compounds. The purpose of the paper is to determine the influence of composition and preparation conditions on physicochemical and mechanical properties of clay-based matrices containing radioactive silt. Clay matrices were prepared from four minerals, took from Siberian regions, as kaolin, loan, bentonite and red clay, and they included radioactive silt sediments collected from Spent Fuel Pool of a Uranium-graphite Reactor. The rate of 137Cs leaching from the matrices of different compositions was studied. The results of the studies allowed determining the optimal compositions and the preparation conditions of the matrices. It has been shown that red clay from "Zykovskaya" career (Krasnoyarsk region, Russia) is preferable for use as a matrix for incorporating the silt sediments compared to kaolin, loam and bentonite due to the maximum values tensile strength and minimal change in ultimate strength for compression after irradiation, freezing and water exposure. Nevertheless, 137Cs leaching rate of all studied composites did not exceed 10-3 g/cm2.day.

Senate examines measures to improve nuclear safety following Japan disaster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2012-03-01

One year after Japan suffered a devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has taken a number of measures to try to ensure that nuclear plants in the United States are safe from natural hazards. At a U.S. Senate hearing on 15 March, NRC chair Gregory Jaczko announced that the commission had issued three key orders and several requests for information on 12 March that plant licensees must follow, and that NRC also plans to take additional actions. However, the commission is not moving quickly enough in some areas, such as ensuring that all plants are safe from seismic hazards, including those in areas with low seismic activity, according to Jaczko's testimony before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) and the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. The 12 March orders require licensees to have strategies to maintain or restore core cooling, containment, and spent-fuel pool cooling capabilities "following a beyond-design-basis extreme natural event" and have a reliable indication of the water level in spent-fuel storage pools.

An investigation of flame spread over shallow liquid pools in microgravity and nonair environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Howard D.; Sotos, Raymond G.

1991-01-01

Experiments of interest to combustion fundamentals and spacecraft fire safety investigated flame spread of alcohol fuels over shallow, 15 cm diameter pools in a 5.2 sec free-fall, microgravity facility. Results showed that, independent O2 concentrations, alcohol fuel, and diluent types, microgravity flame spread rates were nearly identical to those corresponding normal-gravity flames for conditions where the normal gravity flames spread uniformly. This similarity indicated buoyancy-related convection in either phase does not affect flame spread, at least for the physical scale of the experiments. However, microgravity extinction coincided with the onset conditions for pulsating spread in normal gravity, implicating gas phase, buoyant flow as a requirement for pulsating spread. When the atmospheric nitrogen was replaced with argon, the conditions for the onset of normal-gravity pulsating flame spread and microgravity flame extinction were changed, in agreement with the expected lowering of the flash point through the thermal properties of the diluent. Helium-diluted flames, however, showed unexpected results with a shift to apparently higher flash-point temperatures and high normal gravity pulsation amplitudes.

An Investigation of Flame Spread over Shallow Liquid Pools in Microgravity and Nonair Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Howard D.; Sotos, Raymond G.

1989-01-01

Experiments of interest to combustion fundamentals and spacecraft fire safety investigated flame spread of alcohol fuels over shallow, 15 cm diameter pools in a 5.2 sec free-fall, microgravity facility. Results showed that, independent O2 concentration, alcohol fuel, and diluent types, microgravity flame spread rates were nearly identical to those corresponding normal-gravity flames for conditions where the normal gravity flames spread uniformly. This similarity indicated buoyancy-related convection in either phase does not affect flame spread, at least for the physical scale of the experiments. However, microgravity extinction coincided with the onset conditions for pulsating spread in normal gravity, implicating gas phase, buoyant flow as a requirement for pulsating spread. When the atmospheric nitrogen was replaced with argon, the conditions for the onset of normal-gravity pulsating flame spread and microgravity flame extinction were changed, in agreement with the expected lowering of the flash point through the thermal properties of the diluent. Helium-diluted flames, however, showed unexpected results with a shift to apparently higher flash-point temperatures and high normal gravity pulsation amplitudes.

Hydrogen peroxide as sustainable fuel: electrocatalysts for production with a solar cell and decomposition with a fuel cell.

PubMed

Yamada, Yusuke; Fukunishi, Yurie; Yamazaki, Shin-ichi; Fukuzumi, Shunichi

2010-10-21

Hydrogen peroxide was electrochemically produced by reducing oxygen in an aqueous solution with [Co(TCPP)] as a catalyst and photovoltaic solar cell operating at 0.5 V. Hydrogen peroxide thus produced is utilized as a fuel for a one-compartment fuel cell with Ag-Pb alloy nanoparticles as the cathode.

Benchmarking criticality analysis of TRIGA fuel storage racks.

PubMed

Robinson, Matthew Loren; DeBey, Timothy M; Higginbotham, Jack F

2017-01-01

A criticality analysis was benchmarked to sub-criticality measurements of the hexagonal fuel storage racks at the United States Geological Survey TRIGA MARK I reactor in Denver. These racks, which hold up to 19 fuel elements each, are arranged at 0.61m (2 feet) spacings around the outer edge of the reactor. A 3-dimensional model was created of the racks using MCNP5, and the model was verified experimentally by comparison to measured subcritical multiplication data collected in an approach to critical loading of two of the racks. The validated model was then used to show that in the extreme condition where the entire circumference of the pool was lined with racks loaded with used fuel the storage array is subcritical with a k value of about 0.71; well below the regulatory limit of 0.8. A model was also constructed of the rectangular 2×10 fuel storage array used in many other TRIGA reactors to validate the technique against the original TRIGA licensing sub-critical analysis performed in 1966. The fuel used in this study was standard 20% enriched (LEU) aluminum or stainless steel clad TRIGA fuel. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Thermal Properties of Green Fuel Briquettes from Residue Corncobs Materials Mixed Macadamia Shell Charcoal Powder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teeta, Suminya; Nachaisin, Mali; Wanish, Suchana

2017-09-01

The objective of this research was to produce green fuel briquettes from corncobs by adding macadamia shell charcoal powder. The study was sectioned into 3 parts: 1) Quality improvement of green fuel briquettes by adding macadamia; 2) Fuel property analysis based on ASTM standards and thermal fuel efficiency; and 3) Economics appropriateness in producing green fuel briquettes. This research produced green fuel briquettes using the ratio of corncobs weight and macadamia shell charcoal powder in 100:0 90:10 80:20 70:30 60:40 and 50:50 and pressing in the cold briquette machine. Fuel property analysis showed that green fuel briquettes at the ratio 50:50 produced maximum heating values at 21.06 Megajoule per kilogram and briquette density of 725.18 kilograms per cubic meter, but the percent of moisture content, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon were 10.09, 83.02, 2.17 and 4.72 respectively. The thermal efficiency of green fuel briquettes averaged 20.22%. Economics appropriateness was most effective where the ratio of corncobs weight to macadamia shell charcoal powder was at 50:50 which accounted for the cost per kilogram at 5.75 Baht. The net present value was at 1,791.25 Baht. Internal rate of return was at 8.62 and durations for a payback period of investment was at 1.9 years which was suitable for investment.

Disease burden due to biomass cooking-fuel-related household air pollution among women in India

PubMed Central

Sehgal, Meena; Rizwan, Suliankatchi Abdulkader; Krishnan, Anand

2014-01-01

Background Household air pollution (HAP) due to biomass cooking fuel use is an important risk factor for a range of diseases, especially among adult women who are primary cooks, in India. About 80% of rural households in India use biomass fuel for cooking. The aim of this study is to estimate the attributable cases (AC) for four major diseases/conditions associated with biomass cooking fuel use among adult Indian women. Methods We used the population attributable fraction (PAF) method to calculate the AC of chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis (TB), cataract, and stillbirths due to exposure to biomass cooking fuel. A number of data sources were accessed to obtain population totals and disease prevalence rates. A meta-analysis was conducted to obtain adjusted pooled odds ratios (ORs) for strength of association. Using this, PAF and AC were calculated using a standard formula. Results were presented as number of AC and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The fixed effects pooled OR obtained from the meta-analysis were 2.37 (95% CI: 1.59, 3.54) for chronic bronchitis, 2.33 (1.65, 3.28) for TB, 2.16 (1.42, 3.26) for cataract, and 1.26 (1.12, 1.43) for stillbirths. PAF varied across conditions being maximum (53%) for chronic bronchitis in rural areas and least (1%) for cataract in older age and urban areas. About 2.4 (95% CI: 1.4, 3.1) of 5.6 m cases of chronic bronchitis, 0.3 (0.2, 0.4) of 0.76 m cases of TB, 5.0 (2.8, 6.7) of 51.4 m cases of cataract among adult Indian women and 0.02 (0.01, 0.03) of 0.15 m stillbirths across India are attributable to HAP due to biomass cooking fuel. These estimates should be cautiously interpreted in the light of limitations discussed which relate to exposure assessment, exposure characterization, and age-specific prevalence of disease. Conclusions HAP due to biomass fuel has diverse and major impacts on women’s health in India. Although challenging, incorporating the agenda of universal clean fuel access or cleaner technology within the broader framework of rural development will go a long way in reducing disease burden. PMID:25373414

Filamentous carbon particles for cleaning oil spills and method of production

DOEpatents

Muradov, Nazim

2010-04-06

A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power.

Partial oxidation power plant with reheating and method thereof

DOEpatents

Newby, R.A.; Yang, W.C.; Bannister, R.L.

1999-08-10

A system and method are disclosed for generating power having an air compression/partial oxidation system, a turbine, and a primary combustion system. The air compression/partial oxidation system receives a first air stream and a fuel stream and produces a first partially oxidized fuel stream and a first compressed air stream therefrom. The turbine expands the first partially oxidized fuel stream while being cooled by the first compressed air stream to produce a heated air stream. The heated air stream is injected into the expanding first partially oxidized fuel stream, thereby reheating it in the turbine. A second partially oxidized fuel stream is emitted from the turbine. The primary combustion system receives said second partially oxidized fuel stream and a second air stream, combusts said second partially oxidized fuel stream, and produces rotating shaft power and an emission stream therefrom. 2 figs.

Assessing Exposure to Household Air Pollution: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Carbon Monoxide as a Surrogate Measure of Particulate Matter.

PubMed

Carter, Ellison; Norris, Christina; Dionisio, Kathie L; Balakrishnan, Kalpana; Checkley, William; Clark, Maggie L; Ghosh, Santu; Jack, Darby W; Kinney, Patrick L; Marshall, Julian D; Naeher, Luke P; Peel, Jennifer L; Sambandam, Sankar; Schauer, James J; Smith, Kirk R; Wylie, Blair J; Baumgartner, Jill

2017-07-28

Household air pollution from solid fuel burning is a leading contributor to disease burden globally. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is thought to be responsible for many of these health impacts. A co-pollutant, carbon monoxide (CO) has been widely used as a surrogate measure of PM 2.5 in studies of household air pollution. The goal was to evaluate the validity of exposure to CO as a surrogate of exposure to PM 2.5 in studies of household air pollution and the consistency of the PM 2.5 -CO relationship across different study settings and conditions. We conducted a systematic review of studies with exposure and/or cooking area PM 2.5 and CO measurements and assembled 2,048 PM 2.5 and CO measurements from a subset of studies (18 cooking area studies and 9 personal exposure studies) retained in the systematic review. We conducted pooled multivariate analyses of PM 2.5 -CO associations, evaluating fuels, urbanicity, season, study, and CO methods as covariates and effect modifiers. We retained 61 of 70 studies for review, representing 27 countries. Reported PM 2.5 -CO correlations ( r ) were lower for personal exposure (range: 0.22-0.97; median=0.57) than for cooking areas (range: 0.10-0.96; median=0.71). In the pooled analyses of personal exposure and cooking area concentrations, the variation in ln(CO) explained 13% and 48% of the variation in ln(PM 2.5 ), respectively. Our results suggest that exposure to CO is not a consistently valid surrogate measure of exposure to PM 2.5 . Studies measuring CO exposure as a surrogate measure of PM exposure should conduct local validation studies for different stove/fuel types and seasons. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP767.

Assessing Exposure to Household Air Pollution: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Carbon Monoxide as a Surrogate Measure of Particulate Matter

PubMed Central

Carter, Ellison; Norris, Christina; Dionisio, Kathie L.; Balakrishnan, Kalpana; Checkley, William; Clark, Maggie L.; Ghosh, Santu; Jack, Darby W.; Kinney, Patrick L.; Marshall, Julian D.; Naeher, Luke P.; Peel, Jennifer L.; Sambandam, Sankar; Schauer, James J.; Smith, Kirk R.; Wylie, Blair J.

2017-01-01

Background: Household air pollution from solid fuel burning is a leading contributor to disease burden globally. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is thought to be responsible for many of these health impacts. A co-pollutant, carbon monoxide (CO) has been widely used as a surrogate measure of PM2.5 in studies of household air pollution. Objective: The goal was to evaluate the validity of exposure to CO as a surrogate of exposure to PM2.5 in studies of household air pollution and the consistency of the PM2.5–CO relationship across different study settings and conditions. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies with exposure and/or cooking area PM2.5 and CO measurements and assembled 2,048 PM2.5 and CO measurements from a subset of studies (18 cooking area studies and 9 personal exposure studies) retained in the systematic review. We conducted pooled multivariate analyses of PM2.5–CO associations, evaluating fuels, urbanicity, season, study, and CO methods as covariates and effect modifiers. Results: We retained 61 of 70 studies for review, representing 27 countries. Reported PM2.5–CO correlations (r) were lower for personal exposure (range: 0.22–0.97; median=0.57) than for cooking areas (range: 0.10–0.96; median=0.71). In the pooled analyses of personal exposure and cooking area concentrations, the variation in ln(CO) explained 13% and 48% of the variation in ln(PM2.5), respectively. Conclusions: Our results suggest that exposure to CO is not a consistently valid surrogate measure of exposure to PM2.5. Studies measuring CO exposure as a surrogate measure of PM exposure should conduct local validation studies for different stove/fuel types and seasons. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP767 PMID:28886596

The Role of Hydrogen Bonds Of The Azeotropic Hydrous Ethanol Fuel Composition To The Exhaust Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Made Suarta, I.; Nyoman Gede Baliarta, I.; Sopan Rahtika, I. P. G.; Wijaya Sunu, Putu

2018-01-01

In this study observed the role of hydrogen bonding to the composition of exhaust emissions which is produced hydrous ethanol fuel (95.5% v). Testing is done by using single cylinder four stroke motor engine. The composition of exhaust gas emissions is tested using exhaust gas analyzer on lean and stoichiometry mixer. The exhaust emissions produced by anhydrous ethanol were also tested. The composition of emissions produced by that two fuels is compared. The results showed CO emissions levels produced by hydrous ethanol are slightly higher than anhydrous ethanol in stoichiometric mixtures. But the composition of CO hydrous ethanol emissions is lower in the lean mix. If lean the mixer the different in the composition of emissions is increasing. On hydrous ethanol emission CO2 content little bit lower on the stoichiometric mixer and higher on the lean mixture. Exhaust emissions of ethanol fuel also produce O2. O2 hydrous ethanol emissions is higher than anhydrous ethanol fuel.

Voluntary Truck and Bus Fuel-Economy-Program marketing plan. Final technical report, September 29, 1980-January 29, 1982

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

The aim of the program is to improve the utilization of fuel by commercial trucks and buses by updating and implementing specific approaches for educating and monitoring the trucking industry on methods and means of conserving fuels. The following outlines the marketing plan projects: increase use of program logo by voluntary program members and others; solicit trade publication membership and support; brief Congressional delegations on fuel conservation efforts; increase voluntary program presence before trade groups; increase voluntary program presence at truck and trade shows; create a voluntary program display for use at trade shows and in other areas; review voluntarymore » program graphics; increase voluntary program membership; and produce placemats carrying fuel conservation messages; produce a special edition of Fuel Economy News, emphasizing the driver's involvement in fuel conservation; produce posters carrying voluntary program fuel conservation message. Project objectives, activities, and results for each project are summarized.« less

Predicting the emissive power of hydrocarbon pool fires.

PubMed

Muñoz, Miguel; Planas, Eulàlia; Ferrero, Fabio; Casal, Joaquim

2007-06-18

The emissive power (E) of a flame depends on the size of the fire and the type of fuel. In fact, it changes significantly over the flame surface: the zones of luminous flame have high emittance, while those covered by smoke have low E values. The emissive power of each zone (that is, the luminous or clear flame and the non-luminous or smoky flame) and the portion of total flame area they occupy must be assessed when a two-zone model is used. In this study, data obtained from an experimental set-up were used to estimate the emissive power of fires and its behaviour as a function of pool size. The experiments were performed using gasoline and diesel oil as fuel. Five concentric circular pools (1.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6m in diameter) were used. Appropriate instruments were employed to determine the main features of the fires. By superimposing IR and VHS images it was possible to accurately identify the luminous and non-luminous zones of the fire. Mathematical expressions were obtained that give a more accurate prediction of E(lum), E(soot) and the average emissive power of a fire as a function of its luminous and smoky zones. These expressions can be used in a two-zone model to obtain a better prediction of the thermal radiation. The value of the radiative fraction was determined from the thermal flux measured with radiometers. An expression is also proposed for estimating the radiative fraction.

The formation of a large summertime Saharan dust plume: Convective and synoptic-scale analysis

PubMed Central

Roberts, A J; Knippertz, P

2014-01-01

Haboobs are dust storms produced by the spreading of evaporatively cooled air from thunderstorms over dusty surfaces and are a major dust uplift process in the Sahara. In this study observations, reanalysis, and a high-resolution simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting model are used to analyze the multiscale dynamics which produced a long-lived (over 2 days) Saharan mesoscale convective system (MCS) and an unusually large haboob in June 2010. An upper level trough and wave on the subtropical jet 5 days prior to MCS initiation produce a precipitating tropical cloud plume associated with a disruption of the Saharan heat low and moistening of the central Sahara. The restrengthening Saharan heat low and a Mediterranean cold surge produce a convergent region over the Hoggar and Aïr Mountains, where small convective systems help further increase boundary layer moisture. Emerging from this region the MCS has intermittent triggering of new cells, but later favorable deep layer shear produces a mesoscale convective complex. The unusually large size of the resulting dust plume (over 1000 km long) is linked to the longevity and vigor of the MCS, an enhanced pressure gradient due to lee cyclogenesis near the Atlas Mountains, and shallow precipitating clouds along the northern edge of the cold pool. Dust uplift processes identified are (1) strong winds near the cold pool front, (2) enhanced nocturnal low-level jet within the aged cold pool, and (3) a bore formed by the cold pool front on the nocturnal boundary layer. PMID:25844277

Factors that affect fuel consumption in logging systems

Treesearch

Jonathan Kenney; Thomas Gallagher; Matthew Smidt; Dana Mitchell; Timothy and McDonald

2014-01-01

Fuel consumption is an important aspect of the efficiency of timber harvesting. Since loggers are paid based on the weight of wood they produce, it is important to note how many gallons of fuel it takes to produce one ton of wood. An extensive literature review was conducted to evaluate different harvesting systems and the amount of fuel they consumed per unit of wood...

Fuel Mix Impacts from Transportation Fuel Carbon Intensity Standards in Multiple Jurisdictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witcover, J.

2017-12-01

Fuel carbon intensity standards have emerged as an important policy in jurisdictions looking to target transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for reduction. A carbon intensity standard rates transportation fuels based on analysis of lifecycle GHG emissions, and uses a system of deficits and tradable, bankable credits to reward increased use of fuels with lower carbon intensity ratings while disincentivizing use of fuels with higher carbon intensity ratings such as conventional fossil fuels. Jurisdictions with carbon intensity standards now in effect include California, Oregon, and British Columbia, all requiring 10% reductions in carbon intensity of the transport fuel pool over a 10-year period. The states and province have committed to grow demand for low carbon fuels in the region as part of collaboration on climate change policies. Canada is developing a carbon intensity standard with broader coverage, for fuels used in transport, industry, and buildings. This study shows a changing fuel mix in affected jurisdictions under the policy in terms of shifting contribution of transportation energy from alternative fuels and trends in shares of particular fuel pathways. It contrasts program designs across the jurisdictions with the policy, highlights the opportunities and challenges these pose for the alternative fuel market, and discusses the impact of having multiple policies alongside federal renewable fuel standards and sometimes local carbon pricing regimes. The results show how the market has responded thus far to a policy that incentivizes carbon saving anywhere along the supply chain at lowest cost, in ways that diverged from a priori policy expectations. Lessons for the policies moving forward are discussed.

Effect of Control Blade History, and Axial Coolant Density and Burnup Profiles on BWR Burnup Credit

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ade, Brian J; Marshall, William BJ J; Martinez-Gonzalez, Jesus S

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have initiated a multiyear project to investigate the application of burnup credit (BUC) for boiling water reactor (BWR) fuel in storage and transportation systems (often referred to as casks) and spent fuel pools (SFPs). This work is divided into two main phases. The first phase investigated the applicability of peak reactivity methods currently used in SFPs to transportation and storage casks and the validation of reactivity calculations and spent fuel compositions within these methods. The second phase focuses on extending BUC beyond peak reactivity. This paper documents themore » analysis of the effects of control blade insertion history, and moderator density and burnup axial profiles for extended BWR BUC.« less

Effect of the pool depth on drop impact splashing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chizari, Hossain; Thoraval, Marie-Jean

2017-11-01

We investigate the effect of the pool depth on the splashing dynamics of drop impact. The splashing of a single drop impacting into a deep pool or on wet surface has been investigated for many years both numerically and experimentally. However, recent results have demonstrated the importance of the vorticity produced during the impact on the splashing behavior. More specifically, the shedding of a vortex ring inside the liquid during the impact can separate the splash jet into several parts. The shedding of the vorticity can be influenced by the proximity of the bottom of the pool, if the pool depth is small enough. We study here how the pool depth can affect the vorticity shedding and the resulting splashing jets. We perform axisymmetric numerical simulations of the impacts with the open sources codes Gerris and Basilisk, and systematically vary the impact conditions, focusing on the effect of pool depth in the splashing regimes.

Method for producing electricity using a platinum-ruthenium-palladium catalyst in a fuel cell

DOEpatents

Gorer, Alexander

2004-01-27

A method for producing electricity using a fuel cell that utilizes a ternary alloy composition as a fuel cell catalyst, the ternary alloy composition containing platinum, ruthenium and palladium. The alloy shows increased activity as compared to well-known catalysts.

Assess How Changes in Fuel Cycle Operation Impact Safeguards

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tobin, Stephen Joseph; Adigun, Babatunde John; Fugate, Michael Lynn

Since the beginning of commercial nuclear power generation in the 1960s, the ability of researchers to understand and control the isotopic content of spent fuel has improved. It is therefore not surprising that both fuel assembly design and fuel assembly irradiation optimization have improved over the past 50+ years. It is anticipated that the burnup and isotopics of the spent fuel should exhibit less variation over the decades as reactor operators irradiate each assembly to the optimum amount. In contrast, older spent fuel is anticipated to vary more in burnup and resulting isotopics for a given initial enrichment. Modern fuelmore » therefore should be more uniform in composition, and thus, measured safeguards results should be easier to interpret than results from older spent fuel. With spent fuel ponds filling up, interim and long-­term storage of spent fuel will need to be addressed. Additionally after long periods of storage, spent fuel is no longer self-­protecting and, as such, the IAEA will categorize it as more attractive; in approximately 20 years many of the assemblies from early commercial cores will no longer be considered self-­protecting. This study will assess how more recent changes in the reactor operation could impact the interpretation of safeguards measurements. The status quo for spent fuel assay in the safeguards context is that the overwhelming majority of spent fuel assemblies are not measured in a quantitative way except for those assemblies about to be loaded into a difficult or impossible to access location (dry storage or, in the future, a repository). In other words, when the assembly is still accessible to a state actor, or an insider, when it is cooling in a pool, the inspectorate does not have a measurement database that could assist them in re-­verifying the integrity of that assembly. The spent fuel safeguards regime would be strengthened if spent fuel assemblies were measured from discharge to loading into a difficult or impossible to access location. The primary driver for suggesting this shift in approach is the change in robotic technology and information technology in general. It should be possible, with minimal impact to the facility, to measure each assembly every time that it is moved in the pool, with the first measurements being made at discharge. The following conclusions were reached: The total neutron count rate can be accurately predicted at any future moment in time based upon the measured count rate at discharge, provided the initial enrichment and burnup of the assembly is known at discharge. It is expected that the total neutron count rate measured at discharge will be indicative of the initial enrichment and burnup of that assembly. If the automated robot were to focus on measuring the assemblies in the rack without moving them, the time available would increase immensely.« less

Synfuel production in nuclear reactors

DOEpatents

Henning, C.D.

Apparatus and method for producing synthetic fuels and synthetic fuel components by using a neutron source as the energy source, such as a fusion reactor. Neutron absorbers are disposed inside a reaction pipe and are heated by capturing neutrons from the neutron source. Synthetic fuel feedstock is then placed into contact with the heated neutron absorbers. The feedstock is heated and dissociates into its constituent synfuel components, or alternatively is at least preheated sufficiently to use in a subsequent electrolysis process to produce synthetic fuels and synthetic fuel components.

Combustor oscillation attenuation via the control of fuel-supply line dynamics

DOEpatents

Richards, George A.; Gemmen, Randall S.

1998-01-01

Combustion oscillation control in combustion systems using hydrocarbon fuels is provided by acoustically tuning a fuel-delivery line to a desired phase of the combustion oscillations for providing a pulse of a fuel-rich region at the oscillating flame front at each time when the oscillation produced pressure in the combustion chamber is in a low pressure phase. The additional heat release produced by burning such fuel-rich regions during low combustion chamber pressure effectively attenuates the combustion oscillations to a selected value.

Coal conversion products industrial applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunkin, J. H.; Warren, D.

1980-01-01

Coal-based synthetic fuels complexes under development consideration by NASA/MSFC will produce large quantities of synthetic fuels, primarily medium BTU gas, which could be sold commercially to industries located in South Central Tennessee and Northern Alabama. The complexes would be modular in construction, and subsequent modules may produce liquid fuels or fuels for electric power production. Current and projected industries in the two states which have a propensity for utilizing coal-based synthetic fuels were identified, and a data base was compiled to support MFSC activities.

Bio-electricity Generation using Jatropha Oil Seed Cake.

PubMed

Raheman, Hifjur; Padhee, Debasish

2016-01-01

The review of patents reveals that Handling of Jatropha seed cake after extraction of oil is essential as it contains toxic materials which create environmental pollution. The goal of this work is complete utilisation of Jatropha seeds. For this purpose, Jatropha oil was used for producing biodiesel and the byproduct Jatropha seed cake was gasified to obtain producer gas. Both biodiesel and producer gas were used to generate electricity. To achieve this, a system comprising gasifier, briquetting machine, diesel engine and generator was developed. Biodiesel was produced successfully using the method patented for biodiesel production and briquettes of Jatropha seed cake were made using a vertical extruding machine. Producer gas was obtained by gasifying these briquettes in a downdraft gasifier. A diesel engine was then run in dual fuel mode with biodiesel and producer gas instead of only diesel. Electricity was generated by coupling it to a generator. The cost of producing kilowatthour of electricity with biodiesel and diesel in dual fuel mode with producer gas was found to be 0.84 $ and 0.75 $, respectively as compared to 0.69 $ and 0.5 $ for the same fuels in single fuel mode resulting in up to 48 % saving of pilot fuel. Compared to singlefuel mode, there was 25-32 % reduction in system and brake thermal efficiency along with significantly lower NOx, higher CO and CO2 emissions when the bio-electricity generating system was operated in dual fuel mode. Overall, the developed system could produce electricity successfully by completely uti- lising Jatropha seeds without leaving any seed cake to cause environmental pollution.

A comparison of gray and non-gray modeling approaches to radiative transfer in pool fire simulations.

PubMed

Krishnamoorthy, Gautham

2010-10-15

Decoupled radiative heat transfer calculations of 30 cm-diameter toluene and heptane pool fires are performed employing the discrete ordinates method. The composition and temperature fields within the fires are created from detailed experimental measurements of soot volume fractions based on absorption and emission, temperature statistics and correlations found in the literature. The measured temperature variance data is utilized to compute the temperature self-correlation term for modeling turbulence-radiation interactions. In the toluene pool fire, the presence of cold soot near the fuel surface is found to suppress the average radiation feedback to the pool surface by 27%. The performances of four gray and three non-gray radiative property models for the gases are also compared. The average variations in radiative transfer predictions due to differences in the spectroscopic and experimental databases employed in the property model formulations are found to be between 10% and 20%. Clear differences between the gray and non-gray modeling strategies are seen when the mean beam length is computed based on traditionally employed geometric relations. Therefore, a correction to the mean beam length is proposed to improve the agreement between gray and non-gray modeling in simulations of open pool fires. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Production of 1,2-propanediol in photoautotrophic Synechocystis is linked to glycogen turn-over.

PubMed

David, Christian; Schmid, Andreas; Adrian, Lorenz; Wilde, Annegret; Bühler, Katja

2018-02-01

We utilized a photoautotrophic organism to synthesize 1,2-propanediol from carbon dioxide and water fueled by light. A synthetic pathway comprising mgsA (methylglyoxal synthase), yqhD (aldehyde reductase), and adh (alcohol dehydrogenase) was inserted into Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 to convert dihydroxyacetone phosphate to methylglyoxal, which is subsequently reduced to acetol and then to 1,2-propanediol. 1,2-propanediol could be successfully produced by Synechocystis, at an approximate rate of 55 μmol h -1  g CDW -1 . Surprisingly, maximal productivity was observed in the stationary phase. The production of 1,2-propanediol was clearly coupled to the turn-over of intracellular glycogen. Upon depletion of the glycogen pool, product formation stopped. Reducing the carbon flux to glycogen significantly decreased final product titers. Optimization of cultivation conditions allowed final product titers of almost 1 g L -1 (12 mM), which belongs to the highest values published so far for photoautotrophic production of this compound. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Analysis of dose rates received around the storage pool for irradiated control rods in a BWR nuclear power plant.

PubMed

Ródenas, J; Abarca, A; Gallardo, S

2011-08-01

BWR control rods are activated by neutron reactions in the reactor. The dose produced by this activity can affect workers in the area surrounding the storage pool, where activated rods are stored. Monte Carlo (MC) models for neutron activation and dose assessment around the storage pool have been developed and validated. In this work, the MC models are applied to verify the expected reduction of dose when the irradiated control rod is hanged in an inverted position into the pool. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Integrated coke, asphalt and jet fuel production process and apparatus

DOEpatents

Shang, Jer Y.

1991-01-01

A process and apparatus for the production of coke, asphalt and jet fuel m a feed of fossil fuels containing volatile carbon compounds therein is disclosed. The process includes the steps of pyrolyzing the feed in an entrained bed pyrolyzing means, separating the volatile pyrolysis products from the solid pyrolysis products removing at least one coke from the solid pyrolysis products, fractionating the volatile pyrolysis products to produce an overhead stream and a bottom stream which is useful as asphalt for road pavement, condensing the overhead stream to produce a condensed liquid fraction and a noncondensable, gaseous fraction, and removing water from the condensed liquid fraction to produce a jet fuel-containing product. The disclosed apparatus is useful for practicing the foregoing process. the process provides a useful method of mass producing and jet fuels from materials such as coal, oil shale and tar sands.

Composition and methods for improved fuel production

DOEpatents

Steele, Philip H.; Tanneru, Sathishkumar; Gajjela, Sanjeev K.

2015-12-29

Certain embodiments of the present invention are configured to produce boiler and transportation fuels. A first phase of the method may include oxidation and/or hyper-acidification of bio-oil to produce an intermediate product. A second phase of the method may include catalytic deoxygenation, esterification, or olefination/esterification of the intermediate product under pressurized syngas. The composition of the resulting product--e.g., a boiler fuel--produced by these methods may be used directly or further upgraded to a transportation fuel. Certain embodiments of the present invention also include catalytic compositions configured for use in the method embodiments.

2009 Fuel Cell Market Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vincent, Bill; Gangi, Jennifer; Curtin, Sandra

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. Unlike batteries, fuel cells continuously generate electricity, as long as a source of fuel is supplied. Moreover, fuel cells do not burn fuel, making the process quiet, pollution-free and two to three times more efficient than combustion. Fuel cell systems can be a truly zero-emission source of electricity, if the hydrogen is produced from non-polluting sources. Global concerns about climate change, energy security, and air pollution are driving demand for fuel cell technology. More than 630 companies and laboratories in the United States aremore » investing $1 billion a year in fuel cells or fuel cell component technologies. This report provides an overview of trends in the fuel cell industry and markets, including product shipments, market development, and corporate performance. It also provides snapshots of select fuel cell companies, including general.« less

2009 Fuel Cell Market Report, November 2010

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. Unlike batteries, fuel cells continuously generate electricity, as long as a source of fuel is supplied. Moreover, fuel cells do not burn fuel, making the process quiet, pollution-free and two to three times more efficient than combustion. Fuel cell systems can be a truly zero-emission source of electricity, if the hydrogen is produced from non-polluting sources. Global concerns about climate change, energy security, and air pollution are driving demand for fuel cell technology. More than 630 companies and laboratories in the United States aremore » investing $1 billion a year in fuel cells or fuel cell component technologies. This report provides an overview of trends in the fuel cell industry and markets, including product shipments, market development, and corporate performance. It also provides snapshots of select fuel cell companies, including general.« less

A molten salt process for producing neodymium and neodymium-iron alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Ram A.; Seefurth, Randall N.

1989-12-01

The production of low-cost neodymium metal in a stirred tank reactor by the reduction of Nd2O3 with sodium in the presence of CaCl2-KCl-NaCl melts by the overall reaction Nd2O3+3CaCl2+6Na→2Nd+3CaO+6NaCl at ˜750 °C is described. The metal produced is recovered from the salt medium by dissolving it in a Nd-Zn or Nd-Fe alloy pool. In the case of Nd-Zn alloy pools, product yields (percentages of theoretical neodymium produced) in excess of 94 pct are obtained when using salt ratios, i.e., the amounts of salt per gram of neodymium produced, ≥3.5 and excess reductant ≥10 pct. The alloy produced is of high quality, and following vacuum distillation of the zinc, can be used in producing General Motors’ MAGNEQUENCH alloy for permanent magnets. In the case of Nd-Fe pools, the yield is also ˜95 pct with a salt ratio as low as 3.5. The yield is found to depend on the salt composition and salt ratio, and to decrease at salt ratios below 3.25. Stirrer position has little effect on yield, while increasing the temperature and placing fins in the reactor increase the yield. The Nd-Fe alloy produced is of as good quality as that produced using Ca reductant and is suitable for direct use in preparing the MAGNEQUENCH alloy.

27 CFR 19.910 - Application for permit required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Permits § 19.910 Application for permit required. Any person wishing to establish an alcohol fuel plant shall first make application for and obtain an alcohol fuel producer's permit. The application for a... required by 27 CFR 196.45. Alcohol fuel producers' permits are continuing unless automatically terminated...

Techno-Economic Analysis of Scalable Coal-Based Fuel Cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chuang, Steven S. C.

Researchers at The University of Akron (UA) have demonstrated the technical feasibility of a laboratory coal fuel cell that can economically convert high sulfur coal into electricity with near zero negative environmental impact. Scaling up this coal fuel cell technology to the megawatt scale for the nation’s electric power supply requires two key elements: (i) developing the manufacturing technology for the components of the coal-based fuel cell, and (ii) long term testing of a kW scale fuel cell pilot plant. This project was expected to develop a scalable coal fuel cell manufacturing process through testing, demonstrating the feasibility of buildingmore » a large-scale coal fuel cell power plant. We have developed a reproducible tape casting technique for the mass production of the planner fuel cells. Low cost interconnect and cathode current collector material was identified and current collection was improved. In addition, this study has demonstrated that electrochemical oxidation of carbon can take place on the Ni anode surface and the CO and CO 2 product produced can further react with carbon to initiate the secondary reactions. One important secondary reaction is the reaction of carbon with CO 2 to produce CO. We found CO and carbon can be electrochemically oxidized simultaneously inside of the anode porous structure and on the surface of anode for producing electricity. Since CH 4 produced from coal during high temperature injection of coal into the anode chamber can cause severe deactivation of Ni-anode, we have studied how CH 4 can interact with CO 2 to produce in the anode chamber. CO produced was found able to inhibit coking and allow the rate of anode deactivation to be decreased. An injection system was developed to inject the solid carbon and coal fuels without bringing air into the anode chamber. Five planner fuel cells connected in a series configuration and tested. Extensive studies on the planner fuels and stack revealed that the planner fuel cell stack is not suitable for operation with carbon and coal fuels due to lack of mechanical strength and difficulty in sealing. We have developed scalable processes for manufacturing of process for planner and tubular cells. Our studies suggested that tubular cell stack could be the only option for scaling up the coal-based fuel cell. Although the direct feeding of coal into fuel cell can significantly simplify the fuel cell system, the durability of the fuel cell needs to be further improved before scaling up. We are developing a tubular fuel cell stack with a coal injection and a CO 2 recycling unit.« less

Investigation of the Biogenic Origin of Cave Pool Precipitates in the Guadalupe Mountains, NM Using Extracted Phospholipids and Other Biomarkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kooser, A. S.; Crossey, L.; Northup, D.; Spilde, M.; Melim, L.

2008-12-01

Biomarker analysis is an important tool for understanding biogenic carbonates. Past and present bacterial communities utilize chemical species present in the cave environments for metabolic processes and may directly or indirectly contribute to carbonate production. Paleo-communities of bacteria are preserved in speleothems (cave formations) called pool fingers. These speleothems range from 1-4 cm in diameter, 5- 50cm in length and contain alternating layers of micritic calcite and dog tooth spar. The outer portion of the finger can have a moonmilk coating. Pool fingers contain fossilized microbes that can be seen using scanning electron microscopy on etch samples. The lithified communities also leave behind fingerprints in the form of biomarkers. The biomarkers are extracted from pool fingers using a series of solvent washes; the products of each wash are analyzed using gas chromatography followed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Six samples including pool spar (abiotic speleothem) were examined using this technique. The moonmilk portion of the large pool finger from Cottonwood Cave contained several short-chained fatty acids (C16-C22), which are of microbial origin. In the polar fraction unknown hopanes were detected. The presence of a hopanes with short-chained fatty acids confirms the presence of bacterial biomarkers in the moonmilk portion of the pool finger. The pool spar sample (assumed to be abiotic) produced a different mass spectral pattern for the acid fraction and polar fraction. The acid fraction contains short-chain fatty acids (C16-22), but there are no hopanes present in the other fractions. The polar fraction for the polar spar is dominated by plant biomarkers producing the 'rainbow' spectra of C22 and higher chains. The pool finger, which is thought to be partially biogenic, contains both fossilized bacteria and bacteria biomarkers while the pool spar contains general biomarkers and plant biomarkers. The plant biomarkers found in the pool spar may have originated in the roots of the desert plants over the cave system. The presence of microbial biomarkers in the micritic layer of the pool finger and their absence in the pool spar provide support for the biogenicity of the micritic layers of cave pool fingers.

Acetylene fuel from atmospheric CO2 on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Landis, Geoffrey A.; Linne, Diane L.

1992-01-01

The Mars mission scenario proposed by Baker and Zubrin (1990) intended for an unmanned preliminary mission is extended to maximize the total impulse of fuel produced with a minimum mass of hydrogen from Earth. The hydrogen along with atmospheric carbon dioxide is processed into methane and oxygen by the exothermic reaction in an atmospheric processing module. Use of simple chemical reactions to produce acetylene/oxygen rocket fuel on Mars from hydrogen makes it possible to produce an amount of fuel that is nearly 100 times the mass of hydrogen brought from earth. If such a process produces the return propellant for a manned Mars mission, the required mission mass in LEO is significantly reduced over a system using all earth-derived propellants.

PWR upper/lower internals shield

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Homyk, W.A.

1995-03-01

During refueling of a nuclear power plant, the reactor upper internals must be removed from the reactor vessel to permit transfer of the fuel. The upper internals are stored in the flooded reactor cavity. Refueling personnel working in containment at a number of nuclear stations typically receive radiation exposure from a portion of the highly contaminated upper intervals package which extends above the normal water level of the refueling pool. This same issue exists with reactor lower internals withdrawn for inservice inspection activities. One solution to this problem is to provide adequate shielding of the unimmersed portion. The use ofmore » lead sheets or blankets for shielding of the protruding components would be time consuming and require more effort for installation since the shielding mass would need to be transported to a support structure over the refueling pool. A preferable approach is to use the existing shielding mass of the refueling pool water. A method of shielding was devised which would use a vacuum pump to draw refueling pool water into an inverted canister suspended over the upper internals to provide shielding from the normally exposed components. During the Spring 1993 refueling of Indian Point 2 (IP2), a prototype shield device was demonstrated. This shield consists of a cylindrical tank open at the bottom that is suspended over the refueling pool with I-beams. The lower lip of the tank is two feet below normal pool level. After installation, the air width of the natural shielding provided by the existing pool water. This paper describes the design, development, testing and demonstration of the prototype device.« less

Beam heated linear theta-pinch device for producing hot plasmas

DOEpatents

Bohachevsky, Ihor O.

1981-01-01

A device for producing hot plasmas comprising a single turn theta-pinch coil, a fast discharge capacitor bank connected to the coil, a fuel element disposed along the center axis of the coil, a predetermined gas disposed within the theta-pinch coil, and a high power photon, electron or ion beam generator concentrically aligned to the theta-pinch coil. Discharge of the capacitor bank generates a cylindrical plasma sheath within the theta-pinch coil which heats the outer layer of the fuel element to form a fuel element plasma layer. The beam deposits energy in either the cylindrical plasma sheath or the fuel element plasma layer to assist the implosion of the fuel element to produce a hot plasma.

77 FR 74788 - Long-Term Cooling and Unattended Water Makeup of Spent Fuel Pools

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-18

... frequency estimate of 1 in 100 years (1E-2/yr) for extreme space weather/ geomagnetic disturbance to perform... Accidents B. Geomagnetic Storms and Effects on the Earth C. Frequency of Geomagnetic Storms With Potential... commercial electric power grids are vulnerable to prolonged outage caused by extreme space weather, such as...

75 FR 9445 - Notice; Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving Proposed No...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-03-02

... evaluated the effects of these ITAs on post- irradiation conditions. The additional heat from the Co-60 decay is insignificant when compared to the total heat from a normal refueling discharge. The small amount of extra heat added by the cobalt isotope rods poses no additional risk of spent fuel pool (SFP...

Burning of liquid pools in reduced gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanury, A. M.

1977-01-01

The existing literature on the combustion of liquid fuel pools is reviewed to identify the physical and chemical aspects which require an improved understanding. Among the pre-, trans- and post-ignition processes, a delineation was made of those which seem to uniquely benefit from studies in the essential environment offered by spacelab. The role played by the gravitational constant in analytical and experimental justifications was developed. The analytical justifications were based on hypotheses, models and dimensional analyses whereas the experimental justifications were based on an examination of the range of gravity and gravity-dependent variables possible in the earth-based laboratories. Some preliminary expositions into the questions of feasibility of the proposed spacelab experiment are also reported.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwantes, Jon M.

Kelly Fitzgerald Kelly Fitzgerald assisted with laboratory testing for an ongoing R&D project known as Electrochemically Modulated Separation (EMS) for on-line rapid preseparations of actinides prior to mass spectrometry analysis. Ryne Burgess Ryne Burgess used SCALE 5.1 ORIGEN-ARP to predict isotope libraries for the Units 1, 2 and 3 reactors and Unit 4 spent fuel pool for comparing against measurements of environmental sampled collected at the site in order to identify the source terms of the accident. Comparison of the cesium 134/137 and cesium 136/137 ratios observed in environmental samples and ORIGEN-ARP predictions indicated that the Unit 4 Spent Fuelmore » Pool did not significantly contribute to radionuclide release during the Fukushima Daiichi accident.« less

Investigation on Main Radiation Source at Operation Floor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirayama, Hideo; Kondo, Kenjiro; Suzuki, Seishiro; Hamamoto, Shimpei; Iwanaga, Kohei

2017-09-01

Pulse height distributions were measured using a LaBr3 detector set in a 1 cm lead collimator to investigate main radiation source at the operation floor of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Unit 4. It was confirmed that main radiation source above the reactor well was Co-60 from the activated steam dryer in the DS pool (Dryer-Separator pool) and that at the standby area was Cs-134 and Cs-137 from contaminated buildings and debris at the lower floor. Full energy peak count rate of Co-60 was reduced about 1/3 by 12mm lead sheet placed on the floor of the fuel handling machine.

Method and system for low-NO.sub.x dual-fuel combustion of liquid and/or gaseous fuels

DOEpatents

Gard, Vincent; Chojnacki, Dennis A; Rabovitser, Ioseph K

2014-12-02

A method and apparatus for combustion in which a pressurized preheated liquid fuel is atomized and a portion thereof flash vaporized, creating a mixture of fuel vapor and liquid droplets. The mixture is mixed with primary combustion oxidant, producing a fuel/primary oxidant mixture which is then injected into a primary combustion chamber in which the fuel/primary oxidant mixture is partially combusted, producing a secondary gaseous fuel containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. The secondary gaseous fuel is mixed with a secondary combustion oxidant and injected into the second combustion chamber wherein complete combustion of the secondary gaseous fuel is carried out. The resulting second stage flue gas containing very low amounts of NO.sub.x is then vented from the second combustion chamber.

Pulverized fuel-oxygen burner

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taylor, Curtis; Patterson, Brad; Perdue, Jayson

A burner assembly combines oxygen and fuel to produce a flame. The burner assembly includes an oxygen supply tube adapted to receive a stream of oxygen and a solid fuel conduit arranged to extend through the oxygen tube to convey a stream of fluidized, pulverized, solid fuel into a flame chamber. Oxygen flowing through the oxygen supply tube passes generally tangentially through a first set of oxygen-injection holes formed in the solid fuel conduit and off-tangentially from a second set of oxygen-injection holes formed in the solid fuel conduit and then mixes with fluidized, pulverized, solid fuel passing through themore » solid fuel conduit to create an oxygen-fuel mixture in a downstream portion of the solid fuel conduit. This mixture is discharged into a flame chamber and ignited in the flame chamber to produce a flame.« less

Proposed Design and Operation of a Heat Pipe Reactor using the Sandia National Laboratories Annular Core Test Facility and Existing UZrH Fuel Pins

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wright, Steven A.; Lipinski, Ronald J.; Pandya, Tara

2005-02-06

Heat Pipe Reactors (HPR) for space power conversion systems offer a number of advantages not easily provided by other systems. They require no pumping, their design easily deals with freezing and thawing of the liquid metal, and they can provide substantial levels of redundancy. Nevertheless, no reactor has ever been operated and cooled with heat pipes, and the startup and other operational characteristics of these systems remain largely unknown. Signification deviations from normal reactor heat removal mechanisms exist, because the heat pipes have fundamental heat removal limits due to sonic flow issues at low temperatures. This paper proposes an earlymore » prototypic test of a Heat Pipe Reactor (using existing 20% enriched nuclear fuel pins) to determine the operational characteristics of the HPR. The proposed design is similar in design to the HOMER and SAFE-300 HPR designs (Elliot, Lipinski, and Poston, 2003; Houts, et. al, 2003). However, this reactor uses existing UZrH fuel pins that are coupled to potassium heat pipes modules. The prototype reactor would be located in the Sandia Annular Core Research Reactor Facility where the fuel pins currently reside. The proposed reactor would use the heat pipes to transport the heat from the UZrH fuel pins to a water pool above the core, and the heat transport to the water pool would be controlled by adjusting the pressure and gas type within a small annulus around each heat pipe. The reactor would operate as a self-critical assembly at power levels up to 200 kWth. Because the nuclear heated HPR test uses existing fuel and because it would be performed in an existing facility with the appropriate safety authorization basis, the test could be performed rapidly and inexpensively. This approach makes it possible to validate the operation of a HPR and also measure the feedback mechanisms for a typical HPR design. A test of this nature would be the world's first operating Heat Pipe Reactor. This reactor is therefore called 'HPR-1'.« less

Experimental characterization of the weld pool flow in a TIG configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stadler, M.; Masquère, M.; Freton, P.; Franceries, X.; Gonzalez, J. J.

2014-11-01

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding process relies on heat transfer between plasma and work piece leading to a metallic weld pool. Combination of different forces produces movements on the molten pool surface. One of our aims is to determine the velocity on the weld pool surface. This provides a set of data that leads to a deeper comprehension of the flow behavior and allows us to validate numerical models used to study TIG parameters. In this paper, two diagnostic methods developed with high speed imaging for the determination of velocity of an AISI 304L stainless steel molten pool are presented. Application of the two methods to a metallic weld pool under helium with a current intensity of 100 A provides velocity values around 0.70 m/s which are in good agreement with literature works.

Classification of upper Mississippi River pools based on contiguous aquatic/geomorphic habitats

USGS Publications Warehouse

Koel, Todd M.

2001-01-01

Navigation pools of the upper Mississippi River (UMR) vary greatly in terms of available contiguous aquatic/geomorphic habitats. These habitats are critical for the biotic diversity and overall productivity of the floodplain corridor of each pool. In this study, similarities among pools 4-26 and an open river reach (river kilometer 47-129) of the UMR were determined from multivariate analysis of eleven habitat types that were hydrologically-contiguous (non-leveed). Isolated floodplain habitats were not included in final analyses because this isolation limits their contribution to overall riverine productivity, in part due to a lack of hydrological connectivity to the main channel during the flood pulse. Cluster analysis based on simple Euclidean distance was used to produce two major pool groups and five pool subgroups. Important habitat variables in defining pool groups, as interpreted from principal components analysis (PCA) axis 1, were contiguous floodplain shallow aquatic area and contiguous impounded area. The habitat variable most important in defining pool subgroups, as interpreted from PCA axis 2, was tertiary channel. Most notably, pool 6 was more similar to pools 14-24 than other upper pools, and pools 19 and 25 were more similar to pools 4-13 than other lower pools. These results were quite different from those of two previous investigators, primarily because only areas of non-isolated aquatic habitat were considered.

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF FeCrAl CLADDING AND U-Si FUEL FOR ACCIDENT TOLERANT FUEL CONCEPTS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hales, J. D.; Gamble, K. A.

2015-09-01

Since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, enhancing the accident tolerance of light water reactors (LWRs) has become an important research topic. In particular, the community is actively developing enhanced fuels and cladding for LWRs to improve safety in the event of accidents in the reactor or spent fuel pools. Fuels with enhanced accident tolerance are those that, in comparison with the standard UO2-zirconium alloy system, can tolerate loss of active cooling in the reactor core for a considerably longer time period during design-basis and beyond design-basis events while maintaining or improving the fuel performance during normalmore » operations and operational transients. This paper presents early work in developing thermal and mechanical models for two materials that may have promise: U-Si for fuel, and FeCrAl for cladding. These materials would not necessarily be used together in the same fuel system, but individually have promising characteristics. BISON, the finite element-based fuel performance code in development at Idaho National Laboratory, was used to compare results from normal operation conditions with Zr-4/UO2 behavior. In addition, sensitivity studies are presented for evaluating the relative importance of material parameters such as ductility and thermal conductivity in FeCrAl and U-Si in order to provide guidance on future experiments for these materials.« less

Economic feasibility of diesel fuel substitutes from oilseeds in New York State

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lazarus, W.F.; Pitt, R.E.

1984-11-01

The feasibility of producing oilseeds for feed and for a diesel fuel substitute has primarily been discussed in terms of the major oilseed producing areas. The Northeast region of the United States is a major agricultural producing area which imports large quantities of soybean meal for cattle feed. This paper considers the technical and economic feasibility of producing oilseeds for feed and fuel in New York State, which is selected as a case study for the region. The possible crops considered for expanded production are sunflowers, soybeans, and flax. It is found that if enough oilseeds are grown to replacemore » 25% of the diesel fuel used on farms, then at most 5% of the cropland would have to be converted to oilseeds, and meal would not be produced in excess of the amount currently used. The cost of producing oil is calculated as the cost of producing the seed plus the cost of processing minus the value of the meal. Enterprise budgets are developed for estimating oilseed production costs in New York State. The cost of processing is estimated for both an industrial-size plant, which does not now exist in New York, and a small on-farm plant. It is found that the diesel fuel and vegetable oil prices would have to rise substantially before oilseeds were produced in the Northeast region for feed and fuel. Moreover, the construction of an oilseed processing facility would not necessarily stimulate production of oilseeds in the region. 22 references.« less

Microbial fuel cell treatment of fuel process wastewater

DOEpatents

Borole, Abhijeet P; Tsouris, Constantino

2013-12-03

The present invention is directed to a method for cleansing fuel processing effluent containing carbonaceous compounds and inorganic salts, the method comprising contacting the fuel processing effluent with an anode of a microbial fuel ell, the anode containing microbes thereon which oxidatively degrade one or more of the carbonaceous compounds while producing electrical energy from the oxidative degradation, and directing the produced electrical energy to drive an electrosorption mechanism that operates to reduce the concentration of one or more inorganic salts in the fuel processing effluent, wherein the anode is in electrical communication with a cathode of the microbial fuel cell. The invention is also directed to an apparatus for practicing the method.

Current Challenges in Commercially Producing Biofuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass

PubMed Central

Balan, Venkatesh

2014-01-01

Biofuels that are produced from biobased materials are a good alternative to petroleum based fuels. They offer several benefits to society and the environment. Producing second generation biofuels is even more challenging than producing first generation biofuels due the complexity of the biomass and issues related to producing, harvesting, and transporting less dense biomass to centralized biorefineries. In addition to this logistic challenge, other challenges with respect to processing steps in converting biomass to liquid transportation fuel like pretreatment, hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and fuel separation still exist and are discussed in this review. The possible coproducts that could be produced in the biorefinery and their importance to reduce the processing cost of biofuel are discussed. About $1 billion was spent in the year 2012 by the government agencies in US to meet the mandate to replace 30% existing liquid transportation fuels by 2022 which is 36 billion gallons/year. Other countries in the world have set their own targets to replace petroleum fuel by biofuels. Because of the challenges listed in this review and lack of government policies to create the demand for biofuels, it may take more time for the lignocellulosic biofuels to hit the market place than previously projected. PMID:25937989

27 CFR 19.726 - Prohibited uses, transfers, and withdrawals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... alcohol, produced under this subpart for any purpose other than for fuel use. The law imposes criminal... fuel alcohol, produced under this subpart for other than fuel use. (26 U.S.C. 5181, 5601) ... 27 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Prohibited uses, transfers...

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Ethanol Fuel Basics

Science.gov Websites

ethanol. Ethanol Energy Balance In the United States, 95% of ethanol is produced from the starch in corn demonstrates a positive energy balance, meaning that the process of producing ethanol fuel does not require energy balance of ethanol because the feedstocks are either waste, co-products of another industry (wood

18 CFR 131.31 - FERC Form No. 561, Annual report of interlocking positions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... supplies electric equipment (ELEQ) named in Column (3) enter the aggregate amount of revenues from... utility ELEQ Entity which produces/supplies electric equipment for the use of any public utility FUEL Entity which produces/supplies coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, or other fuel for the use of any public...

Pyrolysis of forest residues: an approach to techno-economics for bio-fuel production

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The techno-economics for producing liquid fuels from Maine forest residues were determined from a combination of: (1) laboratory experiments at USDA-ARS’s Eastern Regional Research Center using hog fuel (a secondary woody residue produced from mill byproducts such as sawdust, bark and shavings) as a...

40 CFR 80.1451 - What are the reporting requirements under the RFS program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, renewable fuel, and cellulosic diesel), retired for... renewable fuel produced or imported and assigned a unique batch-RIN per § 80.1426(d): (A) The RIN generator's name. (B) The RIN generator's EPA company registration number. (C) The renewable fuel producer EPA...

Method of generating hydrocarbon reagents from diesel, natural gas and other logistical fuels

DOEpatents

Herling, Darrell R [Richland, WA; Aardahl, Chris L [Richland, WA; Rozmiarek, Robert T [Middleton, WI; Rappe, Kenneth G [Richland, WA; Wang, Yong [Richland, WA; Holladay, Jamelyn D [Kennewick, WA

2010-06-29

The present invention provides a process for producing reagents for a chemical reaction by introducing a fuel containing hydrocarbons into a flash distillation process wherein the fuel is separated into a first component having a lower average molecular weight and a second component having a higher average molecular weight. The first component is then reformed to produce synthesis gas wherein the synthesis gas is reacted catalytically to produce the desire reagent.

Method of Generating Hydrocarbon Reagents from Diesel, Natural Gas and Other Logistical Fuels

DOEpatents

Herling, Darrell R [Richland, WA; Aardahl, Chris L [Richland, WA; Rozmiarek, Robert T [Middleton, WI; Rappe, Kenneth G [Richland, WA; Wang, Yong [Richland, WA; Holladay, Jamelyn D [Kennewick, WA

2008-10-14

The present invention provides a process for producing reagents for a chemical reaction by introducing a fuel containing hydrocarbons into a flash distillation process wherein the fuel is separated into a first component having a lower average molecular weight and a second component having a higher average molecular weight. The first component is then reformed to produce synthesis gas wherein the synthesis gas is reacted catalytically to produce the desire reagent.

Combustor oscillation attenuation via the control of fuel-supply line dynamics

DOEpatents

Richards, G.A.; Gemmen, R.S.

1998-09-22

Combustion oscillation control in combustion systems using hydrocarbon fuels is provided by acoustically tuning a fuel-delivery line to a desired phase of the combustion oscillations for providing a pulse of a fuel-rich region at the oscillating flame front at each time when the oscillation produced pressure in the combustion chamber is in a low pressure phase. The additional heat release produced by burning such fuel-rich regions during low combustion chamber pressure effectively attenuates the combustion oscillations to a selected value. 9 figs.

Producing liquid fuels from biomass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solantausta, Yrjo; Gust, Steven

The aim of this survey was to compare, on techno-economic criteria, alternatives of producing liquid fuels from indigenous raw materials in Finland. Another aim was to compare methods under development and prepare a proposal for steering research related to this field. Process concepts were prepared for a number of alternatives, as well as analogous balances and production and investment cost assessments for these balances. Carbon dioxide emissions of the alternatives and the price of CO2 reduction were also studied. All the alternatives for producing liquid fuels from indigenous raw materials are utmost unprofitable. There are great differences between the alternatives. While the production cost of ethanol is 6 to 9 times higher than the market value of the product, the equivalent ratio for substitute fuel oil produced from peat by pyrolysis is 3 to 4. However, it should be borne in mind that the technical uncertainties related to the alternatives are of different magnitude. Production of ethanol from barley is of commercial technology, while biomass pyrolysis is still under development. If the aim is to reach smaller carbon dioxide emissions by using liquid biofuels, the most favorable alternative is pyrolysis oil produced from wood. Fuels produced from cultivated biomass are more expensive ways of reducing CO2 emissions. Their potential of reducing CO2 emissions in Finland is insignificant. Integration of liquid fuel production to some other production line is more profitable.

Neutron source, linear-accelerator fuel enricher and regenerator and associated methods

DOEpatents

Steinberg, Meyer; Powell, James R.; Takahashi, Hiroshi; Grand, Pierre; Kouts, Herbert

1982-01-01

A device for producing fissile material inside of fabricated nuclear elements so that they can be used to produce power in nuclear power reactors. Fuel elements, for example, of a LWR are placed in pressure tubes in a vessel surrounding a liquid lead-bismuth flowing columnar target. A linear-accelerator proton beam enters the side of the vessel and impinges on the dispersed liquid lead-bismuth columns and produces neutrons which radiate through the surrounding pressure tube assembly or blanket containing the nuclear fuel elements. These neutrons are absorbed by the natural fertile uranium-238 elements and are transformed to fissile plutonium-239. The fertile fuel is thus enriched in fissile material to a concentration whereby they can be used in power reactors. After use in the power reactors, dispensed depleted fuel elements can be reinserted into the pressure tubes surrounding the target and the nuclear fuel regenerated for further burning in the power reactor.

Phytoremediation of a petroleum-hydrocarbon contaminated shallow aquifer in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nichols, Elizabeth Guthrie; Cook, Rachel L.; Landmeyer, James E.; Atkinson, Brad; Malone, Donald R.; Shaw, George; Woods, Leilani

2014-01-01

A former bulk fuel terminal in North Carolina is a groundwater phytoremediation demonstration site where 3,250 hybrid poplars, willows, and pine trees were planted from 2006 to 2008 over approximately 579,000 L of residual gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Since 2011, the groundwater altitude is lower in the area with trees than outside the planted area. Soil-gas analyses showed a 95 percent mass loss for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and a 99 percent mass loss for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). BTEX and methyl tert-butyl ether concentrations have decreased in groundwater. Interpolations of free-phase, fuel product gauging data show reduced thicknesses across the site and pooling of fuel product where poplar biomass is greatest. Isolated clusters of tree mortalities have persisted in areas with high TPH and BTEX mass. Toxicity assays showed impaired water use for willows and poplars exposed to the site's fuel product, but Populus survival was higher than the willows or pines on-site, even in a noncontaminated control area. All four Populus clones survived well at the site.

7 CFR 985.57 - Reserve pool requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... shall be paid by the equity holders. The proceeds from the disposition of reserve oil shall be... HANDLING OF SPEARMINT OIL PRODUCED IN THE FAR WEST Order Regulating Handling Volume Limitations § 985.57... the Secretary may establish, the Committee shall pool identified excess oil as reserve oil in such...

The formation and dust lifting processes associated with a large Saharan meso-scale convective system (MCS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberts, Alex; Knippertz, Peter

2013-04-01

This work focusses on the meteorology that produced a large Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) and the dynamics of its associated cold pool. The case occurred between 8th-10th June 2010 and was initiated over the Hoggar and Aïr Mountains in southern Algeria and northern Niger respectively. The dust plume created covered parts of Algeria, Mali and Mauritania and was later deformed the by background flow and transported over the Atlantic and Mediterranean. This study is based on: standard surface observations (where available), ERA-Interim reanalysis, Meteosat imagery, MODIS imagery, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rainfall estimates, Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO), CloudSat and a high resolution (3.3km) limited area simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. A variety of different processes appear to be important for the generation of this MCS and the spreading of the associated dusty cold pool. These include: the presence of a trough on the subtropical jet, the production of a tropical cloud plume, disruption to the structure of the Saharan heat low and the production of a Libyan high. These features produced moistening of the boundary layer and a convergence zone over the region of MCS initiation. Another important factor appears to have been the production of a smaller MCS and cold pool on the evening of the 7th June. This elevated low-level moisture and encouraged convective initiation the following day. Once triggered on the 8th June some cells grew and merged into a single large system that propagated south westward and produced a large cold pool that emanated from its northern edge. The cells on the northern edge of the system over the Hoggar grew and collapsed producing a haboob that spread over a large area. Cells further south continued to develop into the MCS and actively produce a cold pool over the system's lifetime. This undercut the dusty air from the earlier cold pool and forced dust high into the atmosphere. As well as the expected behaviour of a gravity current there also seems to be a complex relationship between the cold pool and diurnal variation in boundary layer structure. These include: (1) the production of nocturnal low-level jet in the area previously covered by the cold pool allowing for further dust uplift the following morning, (2) the development of a bore on the nocturnal boundary layer travelling ahead of the cold pool and capable of deflating dust further into the desert and (3) the production of bores on the nocturnal boundary layer by the collision of fronts formed through the collapse of the well mixed daytime boundary layer and nocturnal frontogenesis. It is hoped that this work will add to the understanding of the production of large Saharan MCSs and the processes that can influence their formation. Also it shows the complex dynamical interactions that occur within the Saharan boundary layer and how these might impact our understanding of dust uplift processes associated with the passage of MCSs.

Protection of porous carbon fuel particles from boudouard corrosion

DOEpatents

Cooper, John F.

2015-05-26

A system for producing energy that includes infusing porous carbon particles produced by pyrolysis of carbon-containing materials with an off-eutectic salt composition thus producing pore-free carbon particles, and reacting the carbon particles with oxygen in a fuel cell according to the reaction C+O.sub.2=CO.sub.2 to produce electrical energy.

Calculations of the skyshine gamma-ray dose rates from independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSI) under worst case accident conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pace, J.V. III; Cramer, S.N.; Knight, J.R.

1980-09-01

Calculations of the skyshine gamma-ray dose rates from three spent fuel storage pools under worst case accident conditions have been made using the discrete ordinates code DOT-IV and the Monte Carlo code MORSE and have been compared to those of two previous methods. The DNA 37N-21G group cross-section library was utilized in the calculations, together with the Claiborne-Trubey gamma-ray dose factors taken from the same library. Plots of all results are presented. It was found that the dose was a strong function of the iron thickness over the fuel assemblies, the initial angular distribution of the emitted radiation, and themore » photon source near the top of the assemblies. 16 refs., 11 figs., 7 tabs.« less

Analysis of sludge from Hanford K East Basin canisters

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makenas, B.J.; Welsh, T.L.; Baker, R.B.

1997-09-12

Sludge samples from the canisters in the Hanford K East Basin fuel storage pool have been retrieved and analyzed. Both chemical and physical properties have been determined. The results are to be used to determine the disposition of the bulk of the sludge and to assess the impact of residual sludge on dry storage of the associated intact metallic uranium fuel elements. This report is a summary and review of the data provided by various laboratories. Although raw chemistry data were originally reported on various bases (compositions for as-settled, centrifuged, or dry sludge) this report places all of the datamore » on a common comparable basis. Data were evaluated for internal consistency and consistency with respect to the governing sample analysis plan. Conclusions applicable to sludge disposition and spent fuel storage are drawn where possible.« less

Dataset for analysing the relationships among economic growth, fossil fuel and non-fossil fuel consumption.

PubMed

Asafu-Adjaye, John; Byrne, Dominic; Alvarez, Maximiliano

2017-02-01

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled 'Economic Growth, Fossil Fuel and Non-Fossil Consumption: A Pooled Mean Group Analysis using Proxies for Capital' (J. Asafu-Adjaye, D. Byrne, M. Alvarez, 2016) [1]. This article describes data modified from three publicly available data sources: the World Bank׳s World Development Indicators (http://databank.worldbank.org/data/reports.aspx?source=world-development-indicators), the U.S. Energy Information Administration׳s International Energy Statistics (http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=44&pid=44&aid=2) and the Barro-Lee Educational Attainment Dataset (http://www.barrolee.com). These data can be used to examine the relationships between economic growth and different forms of energy consumption. The dataset is made publicly available to promote further analyses.

Converting oil shale to liquid fuels: energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions of the Shell in situ conversion process.

PubMed

Brandt, Adam R

2008-10-01

Oil shale is a sedimentary rock that contains kerogen, a fossil organic material. Kerogen can be heated to produce oil and gas (retorted). This has traditionally been a CO2-intensive process. In this paper, the Shell in situ conversion process (ICP), which is a novel method of retorting oil shale in place, is analyzed. The ICP utilizes electricity to heat the underground shale over a period of 2 years. Hydrocarbons are produced using conventional oil production techniques, leaving shale oil coke within the formation. The energy inputs and outputs from the ICP, as applied to oil shales of the Green River formation, are modeled. Using these energy inputs, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the ICP are calculated and are compared to emissions from conventional petroleum. Energy outputs (as refined liquid fuel) are 1.2-1.6 times greater than the total primary energy inputs to the process. In the absence of capturing CO2 generated from electricity produced to fuel the process, well-to-pump GHG emissions are in the range of 30.6-37.1 grams of carbon equivalent per megajoule of liquid fuel produced. These full-fuel-cycle emissions are 21%-47% larger than those from conventionally produced petroleum-based fuels.

Fuel combustion exhibiting low NO{sub x} and CO levels

DOEpatents

Keller, J.O.; Bramlette, T.T.; Barr, P.K.

1996-07-30

Method and apparatus are disclosed for safely combusting a fuel in such a manner that very low levels of NO{sub x} and CO are produced. The apparatus comprises an inlet line containing a fuel and an inlet line containing an oxidant. Coupled to the fuel line and to the oxidant line is a mixing means for thoroughly mixing the fuel and the oxidant without combusting them. Coupled to the mixing means is a means for injecting the mixed fuel and oxidant, in the form of a large-scale fluid dynamic structure, into a combustion region. Coupled to the combustion region is a means for producing a periodic flow field within the combustion region to mix the fuel and the oxidant with ambient gases in order to lower the temperature of combustion. The means for producing a periodic flow field can be a pulse combustor, a rotating band, or a rotating cylinder within an acoustic chamber positioned upstream or downstream of the region of combustion. The mixing means can be a one-way flapper valve; a rotating cylinder; a rotating band having slots that expose open ends of said fuel inlet line and said oxidant inlet line simultaneously; or a set of coaxial fuel annuli and oxidizer annuli. The means for producing a periodic flow field may or may not be in communication with an acoustic resonance. When employed, the acoustic resonance may be upstream or downstream of the region of combustion. 14 figs.

16 CFR 309.10 - Alternative vehicle fuel rating.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Alternative vehicle fuel rating. 309.10... LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS AND ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLES Requirements for Alternative Fuels Duties of Importers, Producers, and Refiners of Non-Liquid Alternative Vehicle Fuels (other Than...

2008 Fuel Cell Technologies Market Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DOE

Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat. Unlike batteries, fuel cells continuously generate electricity, as long as a source of fuel is supplied. Moreover, fuel cells do not burn fuel, making the process quiet, pollution-free and two to three times more efficient than combustion. Fuel cell systems can be a truly zero-emission source of electricity, if the hydrogen is produced from non-polluting sources. Global concerns about climate change, energy security, and air pollution are driving demand for fuel cell technology. More than 630 companies and laboratories in the United States aremore » investing $1 billion a year in fuel cells or fuel cell component technologies. This report provides an overview of trends in the fuel cell industry and markets, including product shipments, market development, and corporate performance. It also provides snapshots of select fuel cell companies, including general business strategy and market focus, as well as, financial information for select publicly-traded companies.« less

Measurement of soot morphology, chemistry, and optical properties in the visible and near-infrared spectrum in the flame zone and overfire region of large JP-8 pool fires.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Suo-Anttila, Jill Marie; Jensen, Kirk A.; Blevins, Linda Gail

2005-03-01

The dimensionless extinction coefficient, K{sub e}, was measured for soot produced in 2 m JP-8 pool fires. Light extinction and gravimetric sampling measurements were performed simultaneously at 635 and 1310 nm wavelengths at three heights in the flame zone and in the overfire region. Measured average K{sub e} values of 8.4 {+-} 1.2 at 635 nm and 8.7 {+-} 1.1 at 1310 nm in the overfire region agree well with values from 8-10 recently reported for different fuels and flame conditions. The overfire K{sub e} values are also relatively independent of wavelength, in agreement with recent findings for JP-8 sootmore » in smaller flames. K{sub e} was nearly constant at 635 nm for all sampling locations in the large fires. However, at 1310 nm, the overfire K{sub e} was higher than in the flame zone. Chemical analysis of physically sampled soot shows variations in carbon-to-hydrogen (C/H) ratio and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration that may account for the smaller K{sub e} values measured in the flame zone. Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory of scattering for polydisperse fractal aggregate (RDG-PFA) was applied to measured aggregate fractal dimensions and found to under-predict the extinction coefficient by 17-30% at 635 nm using commonly accepted refractive indices of soot, and agreed well with the experiments using the more recently published refractive index of 1.99-0.89i. This study represents the first measurements of soot chemistry, morphology, and optical properties in the flame zone of large, fully-turbulent pool fires, and emphasizes the importance of accurate measurements of optical properties both in the flame zone and overfire regions for models of radiative transport and interpretation of laser-based diagnostics of soot volume fraction and temperature.« less

Fuel Production from Seawater and Fuel Cells Using Seawater.

PubMed

Fukuzumi, Shunichi; Lee, Yong-Min; Nam, Wonwoo

2017-11-23

Seawater is the most abundant resource on our planet and fuel production from seawater has the notable advantage that it would not compete with growing demands for pure water. This Review focuses on the production of fuels from seawater and their direct use in fuel cells. Electrolysis of seawater under appropriate conditions affords hydrogen and dioxygen with 100 % faradaic efficiency without oxidation of chloride. Photoelectrocatalytic production of hydrogen from seawater provides a promising way to produce hydrogen with low cost and high efficiency. Microbial solar cells (MSCs) that use biofilms produced in seawater can generate electricity from sunlight without additional fuel because the products of photosynthesis can be utilized as electrode reactants, whereas the electrode products can be utilized as photosynthetic reactants. Another important source for hydrogen is hydrogen sulfide, which is abundantly found in Black Sea deep water. Hydrogen produced by electrolysis of Black Sea deep water can also be used in hydrogen fuel cells. Production of a fuel and its direct use in a fuel cell has been made possible for the first time by a combination of photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide from seawater and dioxygen in the air and its direct use in one-compartment hydrogen peroxide fuel cells to obtain electric power. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Muscle glycogen and cell function--Location, location, location.

PubMed

Ørtenblad, N; Nielsen, J

2015-12-01

The importance of glycogen, as a fuel during exercise, is a fundamental concept in exercise physiology. The use of electron microscopy has revealed that glycogen is not evenly distributed in skeletal muscle fibers, but rather localized in distinct pools. In this review, we present the available evidence regarding the subcellular localization of glycogen in skeletal muscle and discuss this from the perspective of skeletal muscle fiber function. The distribution of glycogen in the defined pools within the skeletal muscle varies depending on exercise intensity, fiber phenotype, training status, and immobilization. Furthermore, these defined pools may serve specific functions in the cell. Specifically, reduced levels of these pools of glycogen are associated with reduced SR Ca(2+) release, muscle relaxation rate, and membrane excitability. Collectively, the available literature strongly demonstrates that the subcellular localization of glycogen has to be considered to fully understand the role of glycogen metabolism and signaling in skeletal muscle function. Here, we propose that the effect of low muscle glycogen on excitation-contraction coupling may serve as a built-in mechanism, which links the energetic state of the muscle fiber to energy utilization. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Method for treatment of tar-bearing fuel gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frauen, L.L.; Kasper, S.

1986-01-07

A process is described of producing a fuel gas which contains condensable tar vapor when it leaves a gasifier, the improvement wherein the tar-bearing gases are treated to remove tar therefrom. The process consists of: (a) continuously conducting hot fuel gas from a gasifier to and discharging it into a spray chamber where the hot tar-bearing gas is contacted with a fine spray of water thereby cooling the tar vapor and evaporating the water to produce a fog-like dispersion of tar in an atmosphere of fuel gas with the temperature in the spray chamber maintained above the dew point ofmore » water; (b) continuously transferring the fuel gas and the dispersion of tar and water to an electrostatic precipitator and precipitating therein at least most of the condensed tar as a liquid; (c) removing the liquid tar so precipitated and conducting at least most of it to a tar burner; (d) burning the tar with no more than the stoichiometric supply of oxygen provided by air to produce oxygen-free and tar-free hot combustion gases; (e) conducting the hot combustion gases directly into a mixer into which the fuel gas and water vapor flows from the precipitator, thereby adding to the fuel gas the sensible heat of the combustion gases; and (f) conducting the mixture so produced to a place of use as a hot fuel gas mixture.« less

7 CFR 1032.13 - Producer milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... and Orders; Milk), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MILK IN THE CENTRAL MARKETING AREA Order Regulating... continuously retained producer status since that time. If a dairy farmer loses producer status under the order... designate, by producer pick-up, which milk is to be removed from the pool. If the handler fails to provide...

7 CFR 1032.13 - Producer milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... and Orders; Milk), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MILK IN THE CENTRAL MARKETING AREA Order Regulating... continuously retained producer status since that time. If a dairy farmer loses producer status under the order... designate, by producer pick-up, which milk is to be removed from the pool. If the handler fails to provide...

77 FR 43206 - Limited Approval and Disapproval of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Nevada; Clark County...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-24

... generate electricity by using steam produced by the burning of fossil fuel within the State of Nevada. The... plants which generate electricity by using steam produced by the burning of fossil fuel, which are... burning of fossil fuel, see NRS 445B.500) within the nonattainment portions of Clark County. Table 2...

Fuel Cost Estimation for Sumatra Grid System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liun, Edwaren

2010-06-01

Sumatra has a high growth rate electricity energy demand from the first decade in this century. At the medium of this decade the growth is 11% per annum. On the other side capability of Government of Indonesia cq. PLN authority is limited, while many and most old existing power plants will be retired. The electricity demand growth of Sumatra is increasing the fuel consumption for several next decades. Based on several cases by vary growth scenarios and economic parameters, it shown that some kinds of fossil fuel keep to be required until next several decades. Although Sumatra has abundant coal resource, however, the other fuel types such as fuel oil, diesel, gas and nuclear are needed. On the Base Scenario and discount rate of 10%, the Sumatra System will require 11.6 million tones of coal until 2030 producing 866 TWh with cost of US10558 million. Nuclear plants produce about 501 TWh or 32% by cost of US3.1 billion. On the High Scenario and discount rate 10%, the coal consumption becomes 486.6 million tones by fuel cost of US12.7 billion producing 1033 TWh electricity energy. Nuclear fuel cost required in this scenario is US7.06 billion. The other fuel in large amount consumed is natural gas for combined cycle plants by cost of US1.38 billion producing 11.7 TWh of electricity energy on the Base Scenario and discount rate of 10%. In the High Scenario and discount rate 10% coal plants take role in power generation in Sumatra producing about 866 TWh or 54% of electricity energy. Coal consumption will be the highest on the Base Scenario with discount rate of 12% producing 756 TWh and required cost of US17.1 billion. Nuclear plants will not applicable in this scenario due to its un-competitiveness. The fuel cost will depend on nuclear power role in Sumatra system. Fuel cost will increase correspond to the increasing of coal consumption on the case where nuclear power plants not appear.

Assessing Exposure to Household Air Pollution: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Carbon Monoxide as a Surrogate Measure of Particulate Matter

EPA Science Inventory

ACKGROUND: Household air pollution from solid fuel burning is a leading contributor to disease burden globally. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is thought to be responsible for many of these health impacts. A co-pollutant, carbon monoxide (CO) has been widely used as a surrogate ...

Fifteen-year patterns of soil carbon and nitrogen following biomass harvesting

Treesearch

Valerie J. Kurth; Anthony W. D' Amato; Brian J. Palik; John B. Bradford

2014-01-01

The substitution of forest-derived woody biofuels for fossil fuel energy has garnered increasing attention in recent years, but information regarding the mid- and long-term effects on soil productivity is limited. We investigated 15-yr temporal trends in forest floor and mineral soil (0-30 cm) C and N pools in response to organic matter removal treatments (OMR; stem-...

Assessing Exposure to Household Air Pollution: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Carbon Monoxide as a Surrogate Measure of Particulate Matter

EPA Science Inventory

ACKGROUND: Household air pollution from solid fuel burning is a leading contributor to disease burden globally. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is thought to be responsible for many of these health impacts. A co-pollutant, carbon monoxide (CO) has been widely used as a surrogate...

Woody debris dynamics in Interior West forests and woodlands

Treesearch

John D. Shaw; James Long; Raffaella Marzano; Matteo Garbarino

2012-01-01

Managers are interested in the dynamics of down woody material because of its role as a fuel component, a feature of wildlife habitat, a carbon pool, and other characteristics. We analyzed nearly 9,000 plots from the Interior West, spanning the range from sparse juniper and mesquite woodland to dense spruce-fir forests, in order to characterize down woody material as...

From fire whirls to blue whirls and combustion with reduced pollution.

PubMed

Xiao, Huahua; Gollner, Michael J; Oran, Elaine S

2016-08-23

Fire whirls are powerful, spinning disasters for people and surroundings when they occur in large urban and wildland fires. Whereas fire whirls have been studied for fire-safety applications, previous research has yet to harness their potential burning efficiency for enhanced combustion. This article presents laboratory studies of fire whirls initiated as pool fires, but where the fuel sits on a water surface, suggesting the idea of exploiting the high efficiency of fire whirls for oil-spill remediation. We show the transition from a pool fire, to a fire whirl, and then to a previously unobserved state, a "blue whirl." A blue whirl is smaller, very stable, and burns completely blue as a hydrocarbon flame, indicating soot-free burning. The combination of fast mixing, intense swirl, and the water-surface boundary creates the conditions leading to nearly soot-free combustion. With the worldwide need to reduce emissions from both wanted and unwanted combustion, discovery of this state points to possible new pathways for reduced-emission combustion and fuel-spill cleanup. Because current methods to generate a stable vortex are difficult, we also propose that the blue whirl may serve as a research platform for fundamental studies of vortices and vortex breakdown in fluid mechanics.

40 CFR 63.1561 - Am I subject to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... American Industry Classification (NAIC) code 32411, and used mainly for: (i) Producing transportation fuels (such as gasoline, diesel fuels, and jet fuels), heating fuels (such as kerosene, fuel gas distillate, and fuel oils), or lubricants; (ii) Separating petroleum; or (iii) Separating, cracking, reacting, or...

40 CFR 63.1561 - Am I subject to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... American Industry Classification (NAIC) code 32411, and used mainly for: (i) Producing transportation fuels (such as gasoline, diesel fuels, and jet fuels), heating fuels (such as kerosene, fuel gas distillate, and fuel oils), or lubricants; (ii) Separating petroleum; or (iii) Separating, cracking, reacting, or...

40 CFR 63.1561 - Am I subject to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... American Industry Classification (NAIC) code 32411, and used mainly for: (i) Producing transportation fuels (such as gasoline, diesel fuels, and jet fuels), heating fuels (such as kerosene, fuel gas distillate, and fuel oils), or lubricants; (ii) Separating petroleum; or (iii) Separating, cracking, reacting, or...

Renewable Fuel Standard Program

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Information about regulations, developed by EPA, in collaboration with refiners, renewable fuel producers, and many other stakeholders, that ensure that transportation fuel sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel.

Cellular choline and glycine betaine pools impact osmoprotection and phospholipase C production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

PubMed

Fitzsimmons, Liam F; Hampel, Ken J; Wargo, Matthew J

2012-09-01

Choline is abundantly produced by eukaryotes and plays an important role as a precursor of the osmoprotectant glycine betaine. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, glycine betaine has additional roles as a nutrient source and an inducer of the hemolytic phospholipase C, PlcH. The multiple functions for glycine betaine suggested that the cytoplasmic pool of glycine betaine is regulated in P. aeruginosa. We used (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C-NMR) to demonstrate that P. aeruginosa maintains both choline and glycine betaine pools under a variety of conditions, in contrast to the transient glycine betaine pool reported for most bacteria. We were able to experimentally manipulate the choline and glycine betaine pools by overexpression of the cognate catabolic genes. Depletion of either the choline or glycine betaine pool reduced phospholipase production, a result unexpected for choline depletion. Depletion of the glycine betaine pool, but not the choline pool, inhibited growth under conditions of high salt with glucose as the primary carbon source. Depletion of the choline pool inhibited growth under high-salt conditions with choline as the sole carbon source, suggesting a role for the choline pool under these conditions. Here we have described the presence of a choline pool in P. aeruginosa and other pseudomonads that, with the glycine betaine pool, regulates osmoprotection and phospholipase production and impacts growth under high-salt conditions. These findings suggest that the levels of both pools are actively maintained and that perturbation of either pool impacts P. aeruginosa physiology.

Cellular Choline and Glycine Betaine Pools Impact Osmoprotection and Phospholipase C Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

PubMed Central

Fitzsimmons, Liam F.; Hampel, Ken J.

2012-01-01

Choline is abundantly produced by eukaryotes and plays an important role as a precursor of the osmoprotectant glycine betaine. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, glycine betaine has additional roles as a nutrient source and an inducer of the hemolytic phospholipase C, PlcH. The multiple functions for glycine betaine suggested that the cytoplasmic pool of glycine betaine is regulated in P. aeruginosa. We used 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) to demonstrate that P. aeruginosa maintains both choline and glycine betaine pools under a variety of conditions, in contrast to the transient glycine betaine pool reported for most bacteria. We were able to experimentally manipulate the choline and glycine betaine pools by overexpression of the cognate catabolic genes. Depletion of either the choline or glycine betaine pool reduced phospholipase production, a result unexpected for choline depletion. Depletion of the glycine betaine pool, but not the choline pool, inhibited growth under conditions of high salt with glucose as the primary carbon source. Depletion of the choline pool inhibited growth under high-salt conditions with choline as the sole carbon source, suggesting a role for the choline pool under these conditions. Here we have described the presence of a choline pool in P. aeruginosa and other pseudomonads that, with the glycine betaine pool, regulates osmoprotection and phospholipase production and impacts growth under high-salt conditions. These findings suggest that the levels of both pools are actively maintained and that perturbation of either pool impacts P. aeruginosa physiology. PMID:22753069

Pools and fluxes of organic matter in a boreal landscape: implications for a safety assessment of a repository for nuclear waste.

PubMed

Kumblad, Linda; Söderbäck, Björn; Löfgren, Anders; Lindborg, Tobias; Wijnbladh, Erik; Kautsky, Ulrik

2006-12-01

To provide information necessary for a license application for a deep repository for spent nuclear fuel, the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co is carrying out site investigations, including extensive studies of different parts of the surface ecosystems, at two sites in Sweden. Here we use the output from detailed modeling of the carbon dynamics in the terrestrial, limnic and marine ecosystems to describe and compare major pools and fluxes of organic matter in the Simpevarp area, situated on the southeast coast of Sweden. In this study, organic carbon is used as a proxy for radionuclides incorporated into organic matter. The results show that the largest incorporation of carbon into living tissue occurs in terrestrial catchments. Carbon is accumulated in soil or sediments in all ecosystems, but the carbon pool reaches the highest values in shallow near-land marine basins. The marine basins, especially the outer basins, are dominated by large horizontal water fluxes that transport carbon and any associated contaminants into the Baltic Sea. The results suggest that the near-land shallow marine basins have to be regarded as focal points for accumulation of radionuclides in the Simpevarp area, as they receive a comparatively large amount of carbon as discharge from terrestrial catchments, having a high NPP and a high detrital accumulation in sediments. These focal points may constitute a potential risk for exposure to humans in a future landscape as, due to post-glacial land uplift, previous accumulation bottoms are likely to be used for future agricultural purposes.

Evaluation of Ultra Clean Fuels from Natural Gas

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Robert Abbott; Edward Casey; Etop Esen

2006-02-28

ConocoPhillips, in conjunction with Nexant Inc., Penn State University, and Cummins Engine Co., joined with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in a cooperative agreement to perform a comprehensive study of new ultra clean fuels (UCFs) produced from remote sources of natural gas. The project study consists of three primary tasks: an environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a Market Study, and a series of Engine Tests to evaluate the potential markets for Ultra Clean Fuels. The overall objective of DOE's Ultra Clean Transportation Fuels Initiative is to develop and deploy technologies that will produce ultra-cleanmore » burning transportation fuels for the 21st century from both petroleum and non-petroleum resources. These fuels will: (1) Enable vehicles to comply with future emission requirements; (2) Be compatible with the existing liquid fuels infrastructure; (3) Enable vehicle efficiencies to be significantly increased, with concomitantly reduced CO{sub 2} emissions; (4) Be obtainable from a fossil resource, alone or in combination with other hydrocarbon materials such as refinery wastes, municipal wastes, biomass, and coal; and (5) Be competitive with current petroleum fuels. The objectives of the ConocoPhillips Ultra Clean Fuels Project are to perform a comprehensive life cycle analysis and to conduct a market study on ultra clean fuels of commercial interest produced from natural gas, and, in addition, perform engine tests for Fisher-Tropsch diesel and methanol in neat, blended or special formulations to obtain data on emissions. This resulting data will be used to optimize fuel compositions and engine operation in order to minimize the release of atmospheric pollutants resulting from the fuel combustion. Development and testing of both direct and indirect methanol fuel cells was to be conducted and the optimum properties of a suitable fuel-grade methanol was to be defined. The results of the study are also applicable to coal-derived FT liquid fuels. After different gas clean up processes steps, the coal-derived syngas will produce FT liquid fuels that have similar properties to natural gas derived FT liquids.« less

Can a fermentation gas mainly produced by rumen Isotrichidae ciliates be a potential source of biohydrogen and a fuel for a chemical fuel cell?

PubMed

Piela, Piotr; Michałowski, Tadeusz; Miltko, Renata; Szewczyk, Krzysztof; Sikora, Radosław; Grzesiuk, Elzbieta; Sikora, Anna

2010-07-01

Bacteria, fungi and protozoa inhabiting the rumen, the largest chamber of the ruminants' stomach, release large quantities of hydrogen during the fermentation of carbohydrates. The hydrogen is used by coexisting methanogens to produce methane in energy-yielding processes. This work shows, for the first time, a fundamental possibility of using a hydrogen-rich fermentation gas produced by selected rumen ciliates to feed a low-temperature hydrogen fuel cell. A biohydrogen fuel cell (BHFC) was constructed consisting of (i) a bioreactor, in which a hydrogen-rich gas was produced from glucose by rumen ciliates, mainly of the Isotrichidae family, deprived of intra- and extracellular bacteria, methanogens, and fungi, and (ii) a chemical fuel cell of the polymer-electrolyte type (PEFC). The fuel cell was used as a tester of the technical applicability of the fermentation gas produced by the rumen ciliates for power generation. The average estimated hydrogen yield was ca. 1.15 mol H2 per mol of fermented glucose. The BHFC performance was equal to the performance of the PEFC running on pure hydrogen. No fuel cell poisoning effects were detected. A maximum power density of 1.66 kW/m2 (PEFC geometric area) was obtained at room temperature. The maximum volumetric power density was 128 W/m3 but the coulombic efficiency was only ca. 3.8%. The configuration of the bioreactor limited the continuous operation time of this BHFC to ca. 14 hours.

40 CFR 80.340 - What standards and requirements apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Sampling, Testing and Retention... gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? (a) Any refiner who produces...

40 CFR 80.340 - What standards and requirements apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Sampling, Testing and Retention... gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? (a) Any refiner who produces...

40 CFR 80.340 - What standards and requirements apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Sampling, Testing and Retention... gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? (a) Any refiner who produces...

40 CFR 80.340 - What standards and requirements apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Sampling, Testing and Retention... gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? (a) Any refiner who produces...

40 CFR 80.340 - What standards and requirements apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Sampling, Testing and Retention... gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG)? (a) Any refiner who produces...

40 CFR 80.1640 - Standards and requirements that apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG). 80... (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur § 80.1640 Standards and requirements that apply to refiners producing gasoline by blending blendstocks into previously certified gasoline (PCG...

A strategy for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome libraries.

PubMed

Strauss, W M; Jaenisch, E; Jaenisch, R

1992-01-01

We describe methods for rapid production and screening of yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) libraries. Utilizing complete restriction digests of mouse genomic DNA for ligations in agarose, a 32,000-clone library was produced and screened in seven weeks. Screening was accomplished by subdividing primary transformation plates into pools of approximately 100 clones which were transferred into a master glycerol stock. These master stocks were used to inoculate liquid cultures to produce culture "pools," and ten pools of 100 clones were then combined to yield superpools of 1,000 clones. Both pool and superpool DNA was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and positive pools representing 100 clones were then plated on selective medium and screened by in situ hybridization. Screening by the two tiered PCR assay and by in situ hybridization was completed in 4-5 days. Utilizing this methodology we have isolated a 150 kb clone spanning the alpha 1(I) collagen (Col1a1) gene as well as 40 kb clones from the Hox-2 locus. To characterize the representation of the YAC library, the size distribution of genomic Sal I fragments was compared to that of clones picked at random from the library. The results demonstrate significant biasing of the cloned fragment distribution, resulting in a loss of representation for larger fragments.

76 FR 18003 - Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Increased Assessment Rate

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-01

... $7.50 to $14.00 per ton of free tonnage raisins acquired by handlers and reserve tonnage raisins... for the 2010-11 crop year, and no reserve pool will be established for this crop. Some committee expenses usually covered by reserve pool revenues must therefore be covered by handler assessments...

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Biobutanol

Science.gov Websites

retrofits of existing corn ethanol plants. The fuel is produced through fermentation of corn feedstock and Process for Producing Butanol from Corn Fermentation Life-cycle Assessment of Corn-Based Butanol as a

Thermal chemical recuperation method and system for use with gas turbine systems

DOEpatents

Yang, W.C.; Newby, R.A.; Bannister, R.L.

1999-04-27

A system and method are disclosed for efficiently generating power using a gas turbine, a steam generating system and a reformer. The gas turbine receives a reformed fuel stream and an air stream and produces shaft power and exhaust. Some of the thermal energy from the turbine exhaust is received by the reformer. The turbine exhaust is then directed to the steam generator system that recovers thermal energy from it and also produces a steam flow from a water stream. The steam flow and a fuel stream are directed to the reformer that reforms the fuel stream and produces the reformed fuel stream used in the gas turbine. 2 figs.

Thermal chemical recuperation method and system for use with gas turbine systems

DOEpatents

Yang, Wen-Ching; Newby, Richard A.; Bannister, Ronald L.

1999-01-01

A system and method for efficiently generating power using a gas turbine, a steam generating system (20, 22, 78) and a reformer. The gas turbine receives a reformed fuel stream (74) and an air stream and produces shaft power and exhaust. Some of the thermal energy from the turbine exhaust is received by the reformer (18). The turbine exhaust is then directed to the steam generator system that recovers thermal energy from it and also produces a steam flow from a water stream. The steam flow and a fuel stream are directed to the reformer that reforms the fuel stream and produces the reformed fuel stream used in the gas turbine.

Flex-flame burner and combustion method

DOEpatents

Soupos, Vasilios; Zelepouga, Serguei; Rue, David M.; Abbasi, Hamid A.

2010-08-24

A combustion method and apparatus which produce a hybrid flame for heating metals and metal alloys, which hybrid flame has the characteristic of having an oxidant-lean portion proximate the metal or metal alloy and having an oxidant-rich portion disposed above the oxidant lean portion. This hybrid flame is produced by introducing fuel and primary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber containing the metal or metal alloy in a substoichiometric ratio to produce a fuel-rich flame and by introducing a secondary combustion oxidant into the furnace chamber above the fuel-rich flame in a manner whereby mixing of the secondary combustion oxidant with the fuel-rich flame is delayed for a portion of the length of the flame.

Process of producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels from biomass

DOEpatents

Kuester, James L.

1987-07-07

A continuous thermochemical indirect liquefaction process to convert various biomass materials into diesel-type transportation fuels which fuels are compatible with current engine designs and distribution systems comprising feeding said biomass into a circulating solid fluidized bed gasification system to produce a synthesis gas containing olefins, hydrogen and carbon monoxide and thereafter introducing the synthesis gas into a catalytic liquefaction system to convert the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbon fuel consisting essentially of C.sub.7 -C.sub.17 paraffinic hydrocarbons having cetane indices of 50+.

Fuel flexible fuel injector

DOEpatents

Tuthill, Richard S; Davis, Dustin W; Dai, Zhongtao

2015-02-03

A disclosed fuel injector provides mixing of fuel with airflow by surrounding a swirled fuel flow with first and second swirled airflows that ensures mixing prior to or upon entering the combustion chamber. Fuel tubes produce a central fuel flow along with a central airflow through a plurality of openings to generate the high velocity fuel/air mixture along the axis of the fuel injector in addition to the swirled fuel/air mixture.

Life-cycle analysis of camelina biodiesel and jet-fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dangol, Namrata

Camelina sativa (Camelina) could be a potential feedstock to help meet the goal of 36 billion gallons of biofuel production in the United States by 2022, as set forth by EISA of 2007. This research is focused on assessing the energy balance and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from camelina biodiesel grown and produced in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region of the USA. Data were collected from a camelina farm in the region and compared to literature values. Energy used in camelina crushing and transesterification were measured at the University of Idaho. Life cycle analysis showed that use of camelina biodiesel reduces GHG emissions by 72% compared to 2005 baseline diesel fuel. Camelina biodiesel at B100 level, however, did not meet the ASTM D6751 specification for oxidative stability without any additives but could be corrected with proper additive. Camelina had a smaller seed size compared to canola and consequently required 23% more energy for crushing. Despite higher energy use for crushing, the net energy ratio for camelina biodiesel was found to be 3.68. From the agronomic standpoint, camelina can be incorporated as a rotational crop into low rainfall areas of the PNW. Wheat areas of PNW with annual rainfall from 19 to 38 cm (7.5--15") and currently incorporating fallow into their rotations were considered as potential areas for camelina. There were 846,500 hectares (2.1 million acres) of land available in the region that could potentially produce 443.0 million L of biodiesel (117.1 million gal) and 1.2 billion kg of meal per year. This meal quantity is about 12.1% of the potential camelina meal that could be used as livestock feed in the PNW. Therefore, it was concluded that the meal has adequate market to be consumed locally as livestock feed. This research also conducted the life cycle analysis of camelina jet fuel produced in the laboratory scale facility. The jet fuel was produced via deoxygenation of the camelina oil in an inert environment, in the presence of Pd/Al2O3 catalyst. The jet fuel fraction was separated with fractional distillation. The produced jet fuel was tested for ASTM D-7566-13 specifications for aviation fuel. The produced jet fuel did not meet the specifications for freezing point by 2°C at its neat form with no additives. The energy balance and GHG emission analysis of the produced fuel was performed. The NER of the fuel was found to be 1.36, and the GHG emission reduction was 57% compared to the conventional jet fuel.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Science.gov Websites

with gasoline; natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas; propane; coal -derived liquid fuels; hydrogen; electricity; pure biodiesel (B100); fuels, other than alcohol, derived

Fuel supply device for supplying fuel to an engine combustor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lindsay, M.H.; Kerr, W.B.

1990-05-29

This patent describes a variable flow rate fuel supply device for supplying fuel to an engine combustor. It comprises: fuel metering means having a fuel valve means for controlling the flow rate of fuel to the combustor; piston means for dividing a first cooling fluid chamber from a second cooling fluid chamber; coupling means for coupling the piston means to the fuel valve means; and cooling fluid supply means in communication with the first and second cooling fluid chamber for producing a first pressure differential across the piston means for actuating the fuel valve means in a first direction, andmore » for producing a second pressure differential across the piston means for actuating the valve means in a second direction opposite the first direction, to control the flow rate of the fuel through the fuel metering means and into the engine combustor; and means for positioning the fuel metering means within the second cooling air chamber enabling the cooling air supply means to both cool the fuel metering means and control the fuel supply rate of fuel supplied by the fuel metering means to the combustor.« less

Method for nonlinear optimization for gas tagging and other systems

DOEpatents

Chen, Ting; Gross, Kenny C.; Wegerich, Stephan

1998-01-01

A method and system for providing nuclear fuel rods with a configuration of isotopic gas tags. The method includes selecting a true location of a first gas tag node, selecting initial locations for the remaining n-1 nodes using target gas tag compositions, generating a set of random gene pools with L nodes, applying a Hopfield network for computing on energy, or cost, for each of the L gene pools and using selected constraints to establish minimum energy states to identify optimal gas tag nodes with each energy compared to a convergence threshold and then upon identifying the gas tag node continuing this procedure until establishing the next gas tag node until all remaining n nodes have been established.

Method for nonlinear optimization for gas tagging and other systems

DOEpatents

Chen, T.; Gross, K.C.; Wegerich, S.

1998-01-06

A method and system are disclosed for providing nuclear fuel rods with a configuration of isotopic gas tags. The method includes selecting a true location of a first gas tag node, selecting initial locations for the remaining n-1 nodes using target gas tag compositions, generating a set of random gene pools with L nodes, applying a Hopfield network for computing on energy, or cost, for each of the L gene pools and using selected constraints to establish minimum energy states to identify optimal gas tag nodes with each energy compared to a convergence threshold and then upon identifying the gas tag node continuing this procedure until establishing the next gas tag node until all remaining n nodes have been established. 6 figs.

A review of inherent safety characteristics of metal alloy sodium-cooled fast reactor fuel against postulated accidents

DOE PAGES

Sofu, Tanju

2015-04-01

The thermal, mechanical, and neutronic performance of the metal alloy fast reactor fuel design complements the safety advantages of the liquid metal cooling and the pool-type primary system. Together, these features provide large safety margins in both normal operating modes and for a wide range of postulated accidents. In particular, they maximize the measures of safety associated with inherent reactor response to unprotected, double-fault accidents, and to minimize risk to the public and plant investment. High thermal conductivity and high gap conductance play the most significant role in safety advantages of the metallic fuel, resulting in a flatter radial temperaturemore » profile within the pin and much lower normal operation and transient temperatures in comparison to oxide fuel. Despite the big difference in melting point, both oxide and metal fuels have a relatively similar margin to melting during postulated accidents. When the metal fuel cladding fails, it typically occurs below the coolant boiling point and the damaged fuel pins remain coolable. Metal fuel is compatible with sodium coolant, eliminating the potential of energetic fuel--coolant reactions and flow blockages. All these, and the low retained heat leading to a longer grace period for operator action, are significant contributing factors to the inherently benign response of metallic fuel to postulated accidents. This paper summarizes the past analytical and experimental results obtained in past sodium-cooled fast reactor safety programs in the United States, and presents an overview of fuel safety performance as observed in laboratory and in-pile tests.« less

A review of inherent safety characteristics of metal alloy sodium-cooled fast reactor fuel against postulated accidents

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sofu, Tanju

2015-04-01

The thermal, mechanical, and neutronic performance of the metal alloy fast reactor fuel design complements the safety advantages of the liquid metal cooling and the pool-type primary system. Together, these features provide large safety margins in both normal operating modes and for a wide range of postulated accidents. In particular, they maximize the measures of safety associated with inherent reactor response to unprotected, double-fault accidents, and to minimize risk to the public and plant investment. High thermal conductivity and high gap conductance play the most significant role in safety advantages of the metallic fuel, resulting in a flatter radial temperaturemore » profile within the pin and much lower normal operation and transient temperatures in comparison to oxide fuel. Despite the big difference in melting point, both oxide and metal fuels have a relatively similar margin to melting during postulated accidents. When the metal fuel cladding fails, it typically occurs below the coolant boiling point and the damaged fuel pins remain cool-able. Metal fuel is compatible with sodium coolant, eliminating the potential of energetic fuel coolant reactions and flow blockages. All these, and the low retained heat leading to a longer grace period for operator action, are significant contributing factors to the inherently benign response of metallic fuel to postulated accidents. This paper summarizes the past analytical and experimental results obtained in past sodium-cooled fast reactor safety programs in the United States, and presents an overview of fuel safety performance as observed in laboratory and in-pile tests.« less

ASSEMBLY TRANSFER SYSTEM DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

B. Gorpani

2000-06-26

The Assembly Transfer System (ATS) receives, cools, and opens rail and truck transportation casks from the Carrier/Cask Handling System (CCHS). The system unloads transportation casks consisting of bare Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) assemblies, single element canisters, and Dual Purpose Canisters (DPCs). For casks containing DPCs, the system opens the DPCs and unloads the SNF. The system stages the assemblies, transfer assemblies to and from fuel-blending inventory pools, loads them into Disposal Containers (DCs), temporarily seals and inerts the DC, decontaminates the DC and transfers it to the Disposal Container Handling System. The system also prepares empty casks and DPCs formore » off-site shipment. Two identical Assembly Transfer System lines are provided in the Waste Handling Building (WHB). Each line operates independently to handle the waste transfer throughput and to support maintenance operations. Each system line primarily consists of wet and dry handling areas. The wet handling area includes a cask transport system, cask and DPC preparation system, and a wet assembly handling system. The basket transport system forms the transition between the wet and dry handling areas. The dry handling area includes the dry assembly handling system, assembly drying system, DC preparation system, and DC transport system. Both the wet and dry handling areas are controlled by the control and tracking system. The system operating sequence begins with moving transportation casks to the cask preparation area. The cask preparation operations consist of cask cavity gas sampling, cask venting, cask cool-down, outer lid removal, and inner shield plug lifting fixture attachment. Casks containing bare SNF (no DPC) are filled with water and placed in the cask unloading pool. The inner shield plugs are removed underwater. For casks containing a DPC, the cask lid(s) is removed, and the DPC is penetrated, sampled, vented, and cooled. A DPC lifting fixture is attached and the cask is placed into the cask unloading pool. In the cask unloading pool the DPC is removed from the cask and placed in an overpack and the DPC lid is severed and removed. Assemblies are removed from either an open cask or DPC and loaded into assembly baskets positioned in the basket staging rack in the assembly unloading pool. A method called ''blending'' is utilized to load DCs with a heat output of less than 11.8 kW. This involves combining hotter and cooler assemblies from different baskets. Blending requires storing some of the hotter fuel assemblies in fuel-blending inventory pools until cooler assemblies are available. The assembly baskets are then transferred from the basket staging rack to the assembly handling cell and loaded into the assembly drying vessels. After drying, the assemblies are removed from the assembly drying vessels and loaded into a DC positioned below the DC load port. After installation of a DC inner lid and temporary sealing device, the DC is transferred to the DC decontamination cell where the top area of the DC, the DC lifting collar, and the DC inner lid and temporary sealing device are decontaminated, and the DC is evacuated and backfilled with inert gas to prevent prolonged clad exposure to air. The DC is then transferred to the Disposal Container Handling System for lid welding. In another cask preparation and decontamination area, lids are replaced on the empty transportation casks and DPC overpacks, the casks and DPC overpacks are decontaminated, inspected, and transferred to the Carrier/Cask Handling System for shipment off-site. All system equipment is designed to facilitate manual or remote operation, decontamination, and maintenance. The system interfaces with the Carrier/Cask Handling System for incoming and outgoing transportation casks and DPCs. The system also interfaces with the Disposal Container Handling System, which prepares the DC for loading and subsequently seals the loaded DC. The system support interfaces are the Waste Handling Building System and other internal WHB support systems.« less

Regulatory Technology Development Plan - Sodium Fast Reactor. Mechanistic Source Term - Metal Fuel Radionuclide Release

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grabaskas, David; Bucknor, Matthew; Jerden, James

2016-02-01

The development of an accurate and defensible mechanistic source term will be vital for the future licensing efforts of metal fuel, pool-type sodium fast reactors. To assist in the creation of a comprehensive mechanistic source term, the current effort sought to estimate the release fraction of radionuclides from metal fuel pins to the primary sodium coolant during fuel pin failures at a variety of temperature conditions. These release estimates were based on the findings of an extensive literature search, which reviewed past experimentation and reactor fuel damage accidents. Data sources for each radionuclide of interest were reviewed to establish releasemore » fractions, along with possible release dependencies, and the corresponding uncertainty levels. Although the current knowledge base is substantial, and radionuclide release fractions were established for the elements deemed important for the determination of offsite consequences following a reactor accident, gaps were found pertaining to several radionuclides. First, there is uncertainty regarding the transport behavior of several radionuclides (iodine, barium, strontium, tellurium, and europium) during metal fuel irradiation to high burnup levels. The migration of these radionuclides within the fuel matrix and bond sodium region can greatly affect their release during pin failure incidents. Post-irradiation examination of existing high burnup metal fuel can likely resolve this knowledge gap. Second, data regarding the radionuclide release from molten high burnup metal fuel in sodium is sparse, which makes the assessment of radionuclide release from fuel melting accidents at high fuel burnup levels difficult. This gap could be addressed through fuel melting experimentation with samples from the existing high burnup metal fuel inventory.« less

Distributed renewable power from biomass and other waste fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lyons, Chris

2012-03-01

The world population is continually growing and putting a burden on our fossil fuels. These fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are used for a variety of critical needs such as power production and transportation. While significant environmental improvements have been made, the uses of these fuels are still causing significant ecological impacts. Coal power production efficiency has not improved over the past thirty years and with relatively cheap petroleum cost, transportation mileage has not improved significantly either. With the demand for these fossil fuels increasing, ultimately price will also have to increase. This presentation will evaluate alternative power production methods using localized distributed generation from biomass, municipal solid waste and other waste sources of organic materials. The presentation will review various gasification processes that produce a synthetic gas that can be utilized as a fuel source in combustion turbines for clean and efficient combined heat and power. This fuel source can produce base load renewable power. In addition tail gases from the production of bio-diesel and methanol fuels can be used to produce renewable power. Being localized can reduce the need for long and costly transmission lines making the production of fuels and power from waste a viable alternative energy source for the future.

A life cycle assessment of options for producing synthetic fuel via pyrolysis.

PubMed

Vienescu, D N; Wang, J; Le Gresley, A; Nixon, J D

2018-02-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the sustainability of producing synthetic fuels from biomass using thermochemical processing and different upgrading pathways. Life cycle assessment (LCA) models consisting of biomass collection, transportation, pre-treatment, pyrolysis and upgrading stages were developed. To reveal the environmental impacts associated with greater post-processing to achieve higher quality fuels, six different bio-oil upgrading scenarios were analysed and included esterification, ketonisation, hydrotreating and hydrocracking. Furthermore, to take into account the possible ranges in LCA inventory data, expected, optimistic and pessimistic values for producing and upgrading pyrolysis oils were evaluated. We found that the expected carbon dioxide equivalent emissions could be as high as 6000 gCO 2e /kg of upgraded fuel, which is greater than the emissions arising from the use of diesel fuel. Other environmental impacts occurring from the fuel production process are outlined, such as resource depletion, acidification and eutrophication. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oxy-fuel combustion with integrated pollution control

DOEpatents

Patrick, Brian R [Chicago, IL; Ochs, Thomas Lilburn [Albany, OR; Summers, Cathy Ann [Albany, OR; Oryshchyn, Danylo B [Philomath, OR; Turner, Paul Chandler [Independence, OR

2012-01-03

An oxygen fueled integrated pollutant removal and combustion system includes a combustion system and an integrated pollutant removal system. The combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner that is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air. An oxygen supply supplies oxygen at a predetermine purity greater than 21 percent and a carbon based fuel supply supplies a carbon based fuel. Oxygen and fuel are fed into the furnace in controlled proportion to each other and combustion is controlled to produce a flame temperature in excess of 3000 degrees F. and a flue gas stream containing CO2 and other gases. The flue gas stream is substantially void of non-fuel borne nitrogen containing combustion produced gaseous compounds. The integrated pollutant removal system includes at least one direct contact heat exchanger for bringing the flue gas into intimated contact with a cooling liquid to produce a pollutant-laden liquid stream and a stripped flue gas stream and at least one compressor for receiving and compressing the stripped flue gas stream.

40 CFR 80.513 - What provisions apply to transmix processing facilities?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... processing. This section applies to refineries that produce diesel fuel from transmix by distillation or other refining processes but do not produce diesel fuel by processing crude oil. This section only...

Renewable Fuel Solutions for Petroleum Refineries

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-03-01

This National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) factsheet, one in a series, : BioFacts: Fueling a Stronger Economy, explains how biomass research is helping : to produce new ways to condition synthesis gas (syngas) produced from refinery : byproduct...

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Udengaard, Niels; Knight, Richard; Wendt, Jesper

This final report presents the results of a four-year technology demonstration project carried out by a consortium of companies sponsored in part by a $25 million funding by the Department of Energy (DOE) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The purpose of the project was to demonstrate a new, economical technology for the thermochemical conversion of woody biomass into gasoline and to demonstrate that the gasoline produced in this way is suitable for direct inclusion in the already existing gasoline pool. The process that was demonstrated uses the Andritz-Carbona fluidized-bed steam-oxygen gasification technology and advanced tar reforming catalyticmore » systems to produce a clean syngas from waste wood, integrated conventional gas cleanup steps, and finally utilizes Haldor Topsoe’s (Topsoe) innovative Topsoe Improved Gasoline Synthesis (TIGASTM) syngas-to-gasoline process. Gas Technology Institute (GTI) carried out the bulk of the testing work at their Flex Fuel development facility in Des Plaines, Illinois; UPM in Minnesota supplied and prepared the feedstocks, and characterization of liquid products was conducted in Phillips 66 labs in Oklahoma. The produced gasoline was used for a single-engine emission test at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI®) in San Antonio, TX, as well as in a fleet test at Transportation Research Center, Inc. (TRC Inc.) in East Liberty, Ohio. The project benefited from the use of existing pilot plant equipment at GTI, including a 21.6 bone dry short ton/day gasifier, tar reformer, Morphysorb® acid gas removal, associated syngas cleanup and gasifier feeding and oxygen systems.« less

Improving Catalyst Efficiency in Bio-Based Hydrocarbon Fuels; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

This article investigates upgrading biomass pyrolysis vapors to form hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals using catalysts with different concentrations of acid sites. It shows that greater separation of acid sites makes catalysts more efficient at producing hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. The conversion of biomass into liquid transportation fuels has attracted significant attention because of depleting fossil fuel reserves and environmental concerns resulting from the use of fossil fuels. Biomass is a renewable resource, which is abundant worldwide and can potentially be exploited to produce transportation fuels that are less damaging to the environment. This renewable resource consists of cellulose (40–50%), hemicellulosemore » (25–35%), and lignin (16–33%) biopolymers in addition to smaller quantities of inorganic materials such as silica and alkali and alkaline earth metals (calcium and potassium). Fast pyrolysis is an attractive thermochemical technology for converting biomass into precursors for hydrocarbon fuels because it produces up to 75 wt% bio-oil,1 which can be upgraded to feedstocks and/or blendstocks for further refining to finished fuels. Bio-oil that has not been upgraded has limited applications because of the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups, derived from cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which gives rise to high acidity, high viscosity, low heating value, immiscibility with hydrocarbons and aging during storage. Ex situ catalytic vapor phase upgrading is a promising approach for improving the properties of bio-oil. The goal of this process is to reject oxygen and produce a bio-oil with improved properties for subsequent downstream conversion to hydrocarbons.« less

40 CFR 80.1645 - Sample retention requirements for producers and importers of denaturant designated as suitable...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... producers and importers of denaturant designated as suitable for the manufacture of denatured fuel ethanol... suitable for the manufacture of denatured fuel ethanol meeting federal quality requirements. Beginning January 1, 2017, or on the first day that any producer or importer of ethanol denaturant designates a...

40 CFR 80.1630 - Sampling and testing requirements for refiners, gasoline importers and producers and importers of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... refiners, gasoline importers and producers and importers of certified ethanol denaturant. 80.1630 Section...) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur § 80.1630 Sampling and testing requirements for refiners, gasoline importers and producers and importers of certified ethanol denaturant. (a) Sample and...

76 FR 63542 - Small Business Jobs Act: Implementation of Conforming and Technical Amendments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-13

...,500,000 for each project that generates renewable energy or renewable fuels, such as biodiesel or... micropower, or renewable fuels producers including biodiesel and ethanol producers.'' It is SBA's view that... biodiesel and ethanol producers. 0 27. Amend Sec. 120.1701 by revising the third sentence to read as follows...

40 CFR 80.1101 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... otherwise used onsite to displace 90 percent or more of the fossil fuel that is combusted to produce thermal...) Renewable fuel is any motor vehicle fuel that is used to replace or reduce the quantity of fossil fuel...

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Performance Composite Data Products: Spring 2018

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kurtz, Jennifer M; Sprik, Samuel; Ainscough, Christopher D

This publication includes 22 composite data products (CDPs) produced in Spring 2018 for fuel cell electric vehicle performance in the categories of deployment, driving behavior, fuel economy, fueling behavior, and hydrogen performance.

Emissions from Ships with respect to Their Effects on Clouds.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hobbs, Peter V.; Garrett, Timothy J.; Ferek, Ronald J.; Strader, Scott R.; Hegg, Dean A.; Frick, Glendon M.; Hoppel, William A.; Gasparovic, Richard F.; Russell, Lynn M.; Johnson, Douglas W.; O'Dowd, Colin; Durkee, Philip A.; Nielsen, Kurt E.; Innis, George

2000-08-01

Emissions of particles, gases, heat, and water vapor from ships are discussed with respect to their potential for changing the microstructure of marine stratiform clouds and producing the phenomenon known as `ship tracks.' Airborne measurements are used to derive emission factors of SO2 and NO from diesel-powered and steam turbine-powered ships, burning low-grade marine fuel oil (MFO); they were 15-89 and 2-25 g kg1 of fuel burned, respectively. By contrast a steam turbine-powered ship burning high-grade navy distillate fuel had an SO2 emission factor of 6 g kg1.Various types of ships, burning both MFO and navy distillate fuel, emitted from 4 × 1015 to 2 × 1016 total particles per kilogram of fuel burned (4 × 1015-1.5 × 1016 particles per second). However, diesel-powered ships burning MFO emitted particles with a larger mode radius (0.03-0.05 m) and larger maximum sizes than those powered by steam turbines burning navy distillate fuel (mode radius 0.02 m). Consequently, if the particles have similar chemical compositions, those emitted by diesel ships burning MFO will serve as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) at lower supersaturations (and will therefore be more likely to produce ship tracks) than the particles emitted by steam turbine ships burning distillate fuel. Since steam turbine-powered ships fueled by MFO emit particles with a mode radius similar to that of diesel-powered ships fueled by MFO, it appears that, for given ambient conditions, the type of fuel burned by a ship is more important than the type of ship engine in determining whether or not a ship will produce a ship track. However, more measurements are needed to test this hypothesis.The particles emitted from ships appear to be primarily organics, possibly combined with sulfuric acid produced by gas-to-particle conversion of SO2. Comparison of model results with measurements in ship tracks suggests that the particles from ships contain only about 10% water-soluble materials. Measurements of the total particles entering marine stratiform clouds from diesel-powered ships fueled by MFO, and increases in droplet concentrations produced by these particles, show that only about 12% of the particles serve as CCN.The fluxes of heat and water vapor from ships are estimated to be 2-22 MW and 0.5-1.5 kg s1, respectively. These emissions rarely produced measurable temperature perturbations, and never produced detectable perturbations in water vapor, in the plumes from ships. Nuclear-powered ships, which emit heat but negligible particles, do not produce ship tracks. Therefore, it is concluded that heat and water vapor emissions do not play a significant role in ship track formation and that particle emissions, particularly from those burning low-grade fuel oil, are responsible for ship track formation. Subsequent papers in this special issue discuss and test these hypotheses.

Mass, energy and material balances of SRF production process. Part 3: solid recovered fuel produced from municipal solid waste.

PubMed

Nasrullah, Muhammad; Vainikka, Pasi; Hannula, Janne; Hurme, Markku; Kärki, Janne

2015-02-01

This is the third and final part of the three-part article written to describe the mass, energy and material balances of the solid recovered fuel production process produced from various types of waste streams through mechanical treatment. This article focused the production of solid recovered fuel from municipal solid waste. The stream of municipal solid waste used here as an input waste material to produce solid recovered fuel is energy waste collected from households of municipality. This article presents the mass, energy and material balances of the solid recovered fuel production process. These balances are based on the proximate as well as the ultimate analysis and the composition determination of various streams of material produced in a solid recovered fuel production plant. All the process streams are sampled and treated according to CEN standard methods for solid recovered fuel. The results of the mass balance of the solid recovered fuel production process showed that 72% of the input waste material was recovered in the form of solid recovered fuel; 2.6% as ferrous metal, 0.4% as non-ferrous metal, 11% was sorted as rejects material, 12% as fine faction and 2% as heavy fraction. The energy balance of the solid recovered fuel production process showed that 86% of the total input energy content of input waste material was recovered in the form of solid recovered fuel. The remaining percentage (14%) of the input energy was split into the streams of reject material, fine fraction and heavy fraction. The material balances of this process showed that mass fraction of paper and cardboard, plastic (soft) and wood recovered in the solid recovered fuel stream was 88%, 85% and 90%, respectively, of their input mass. A high mass fraction of rubber material, plastic (PVC-plastic) and inert (stone/rock and glass particles) was found in the reject material stream. © The Author(s) 2014.

A THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF MITOTIC SPINDLE EQUILIBRIUM AT ACTIVE METAPHASE

PubMed Central

Stephens, R. E.

1973-01-01

The mitotic apparatus of first-division metaphase eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis was observed by means of polarization microscopy under controlled temperature conditions. Eggs were fertilized and grown at two temperature extremes in order to produce two different sizes of available spindle pool. Slow division time allowed successive samples of such cells to be observed at the same point in metaphase but at different equilibrium temperatures, yielding curves of metaphase equilibrium birefringence vs. observational temperature. Using the plateau value of birefringence at higher temperatures as a measure of total available spindle pool and the observed birefringence at lower temperatures as a measure of polymerized material at equilibrium, the spindle protein association was evaluated according to the method of Inoué. Both pool conditions produced linear van't Hoff functions. Analysis of these functions yielded enthalpy and entropy changes of +55–65 kcal/mol and +197–233 entropy units (eu), respectively. These values for active mitotic metaphase are quite comparable to those obtained by Inoué and co-workers for arrested meiotic metaphase cells. When other equilibrium treatments were considered, the best fit to the experimental data was still that of Inoué, a treatment which theoretically involves first-order polymerization and dissociation kinetics. Treatment of metaphase cells with D2O by direct immersion drove the equilibrium to completion regardless of temperature, attaining or exceeding a birefringence value equal to the cell's characteristic pool size; perfusion with D2O appeared to erase the original temperature-determined pool size differences for the two growth conditions, attaining a maximum value characteristic of the larger pool condition. These data confirm Inoué's earlier contention that D2O treatment can modify the available spindle pool. PMID:4734864

77 FR 75868 - Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Modifications to the Transmix Provisions Under the Diesel...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-26

...EPA is amending the requirements under EPA's diesel sulfur program related to the sulfur content of locomotive and marine (LM) diesel fuel produced by transmix processors and pipeline facilities. These amendments will reinstate the ability of locomotive and marine diesel fuel produced from transmix by transmix processors and pipeline operators to meet a maximum 500 parts per million (ppm) sulfur standard outside of the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area and Alaska and expand this ability to within the Northeast Mid-Atlantic Area provided that: the fuel is used in older technology locomotive and marine engines that do not require 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel, and the fuel is kept segregated from other fuel. These amendments will provide significant regulatory relief for transmix processors and pipeline operators to allow the petroleum distribution system to function efficiently while continuing to transition the market to virtually all ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD, i.e. 15 ppm sulfur diesel fuel) and the environmental benefits it provides.

A Nonlinear Model for Fuel Atomization in Spray Combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Nan-Suey (Technical Monitor); Ibrahim, Essam A.; Sree, Dave

2003-01-01

Most gas turbine combustion codes rely on ad-hoc statistical assumptions regarding the outcome of fuel atomization processes. The modeling effort proposed in this project is aimed at developing a realistic model to produce accurate predictions of fuel atomization parameters. The model involves application of the nonlinear stability theory to analyze the instability and subsequent disintegration of the liquid fuel sheet that is produced by fuel injection nozzles in gas turbine combustors. The fuel sheet is atomized into a multiplicity of small drops of large surface area to volume ratio to enhance the evaporation rate and combustion performance. The proposed model will effect predictions of fuel sheet atomization parameters such as drop size, velocity, and orientation as well as sheet penetration depth, breakup time and thickness. These parameters are essential for combustion simulation codes to perform a controlled and optimized design of gas turbine fuel injectors. Optimizing fuel injection processes is crucial to improving combustion efficiency and hence reducing fuel consumption and pollutants emissions.

The causes and effects of the Alternative Motor Fuels Act

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yimin

The corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard is the major policy tool to improve the fleet average miles per gallon of automobile manufacturers in the U.S. The Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) provides special treatment in calculating the fuel economy of alternative fuel vehicles to give manufacturers CAFE incentives to produce more alternative fuel vehicles. AMFA has as its goals an increase in the production of alternative fuel vehicles and a decrease in gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This dissertation examines theoretically the effects of the program set up under AMFA. It finds that, under some conditions, this program may actually increase gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The dissertation also uses hedonic techniques to examine whether the Alternative Motor Fuels Act (AMFA) has a significant effect on the implicit price of fuel economy and whether the marginal value of vehicle fuel efficiency changes over time. It estimates the change of implicit price in miles per gallon after the production of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). Results indicate that every year consumers may evaluate vehicle fuel economy differently, and that since AFVs came to the market, the marginal value of fuel economy from specific companies producing AFVs has decreased. This finding suggests that since the AMFA provides extra Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) credit for those automakers producing AFVs, the automakers can take advantage of the incentive to produce more profitable conventional vehicles and meet CAFE standards without improving the fleet fuel economy. In this way, manufacturers who produce AFVs are willing to offer a lower price for the fuel economy under the AMFA. Additionally, this paper suggests that the flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) on the market are not significantly more expensive than comparable conventional vehicles, even if FFVs are also able to run on an alternative fuel and may cost more than conventional vehicles. In other words, consumers may not notice the difference between flexible fuel vehicles and conventional vehicles, or are not willing to pay higher prices for FFVs of the same make and model. When the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Alternative Fuels Motor Act (AMFA) in 1987, the representatives who did not vote outnumbered those who opposed the law. This dissertation uses a bivariate probit model with sample selection to study congressmen's two-step decisions --- whether to vote and then how to vote --- on the bill. Theories of political decision-making are examined and tested by the two-stage congressmen voting procedure, which confirms constituent economic interests, congressmen ideology and interest groups' contributions play important roles in congressmen's decision-making on economic policies. Furthermore, it suggests that ignoring congressmen not voting may lead to biased conclusions or inaccurate estimation of the influences of some factors. This study also compares the results from the two-step process with the results from the sample of congressmen who voted, and calculates the marginal effects bound of every factor on the probability of passing the AMFA.

Ethanol from Biomass

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-01-01

This is one in a fact sheet series, "BioFacts: Fueling a Stronger Economy," : produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on biofuels. This fact : sheet briefly discusses ethanol, a clean burning liquid fuel that can be : produced from a var...

Fuel gas conditioning process

DOEpatents

Lokhandwala, Kaaeid A.

2000-01-01

A process for conditioning natural gas containing C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and/or acid gas, so that it can be used as combustion fuel to run gas-powered equipment, including compressors, in the gas field or the gas processing plant. Compared with prior art processes, the invention creates lesser quantities of low-pressure gas per unit volume of fuel gas produced. Optionally, the process can also produce an NGL product.

New, efficient and viable system for ethanol fuel utilization on combined electric/internal combustion engine vehicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, André G.; Silva, Gabriel C. D.; Paganin, Valdecir A.; Biancolli, Ana L. G.; Ticianelli, Edson A.

2015-10-01

Although ethanol can be directly employed as fuel on polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFC), its low oxidation kinetics in the anode and the crossover to the cathode lead to a substantial reduction of energy conversion efficiency. However, when fuel cell driven vehicles are considered, the system may include an on board steam reformer for converting ethanol into hydrogen, but the hydrogen produced contains carbon monoxide, which limits applications in PEMFCs. Here, we present a system consisting of an ethanol dehydrogenation catalytic reactor for producing hydrogen, which is supplied to a PEMFC to generate electricity for electric motors. A liquid by-product effluent from the reactor can be used as fuel for an integrated internal combustion engine, or catalytically recycled to extract more hydrogen molecules. Power densities comparable to those of a PEMFC operating with pure hydrogen are attained by using the hydrogen rich stream produced by the ethanol dehydrogenation reactor.

Plant for producing an oxygen-containing additive as an ecologically beneficial component for liquid motor fuels

DOEpatents

Siryk, Yury Paul; Balytski, Ivan Peter; Korolyov, Volodymyr George; Klishyn, Olexiy Nick; Lnianiy, Vitaly Nick; Lyakh, Yury Alex; Rogulin, Victor Valery

2013-04-30

A plant for producing an oxygen-containing additive for liquid motor fuels comprises an anaerobic fermentation vessel, a gasholder, a system for removal of sulphuretted hydrogen, and a hotwell. The plant further comprises an aerobic fermentation vessel, a device for liquid substance pumping, a device for liquid aeration with an oxygen-containing gas, a removal system of solid mass residue after fermentation, a gas distribution device; a device for heavy gases utilization; a device for ammonia adsorption by water; a liquid-gas mixer; a cavity mixer, a system that serves superficial active and dispersant matters and a cooler; all of these being connected to each other by pipelines. The technical result being the implementation of a process for producing an oxygen containing additive, which after being added to liquid motor fuels, provides an ecologically beneficial component for motor fuels by ensuring the stability of composition fuel properties during long-term storage.

Nuclear Rocket Ceramic Metal Fuel Fabrication Using Tungsten Powder Coating and Spark Plasma Sintering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnes, M. W.; Tucker, D. S.; Hone, L.; Cook, S.

2017-01-01

Nuclear thermal propulsion is an enabling technology for crewed Mars missions. An investigation was conducted to evaluate spark plasma sintering (SPS) as a method to produce tungsten-depleted uranium dioxide (W-dUO2) fuel material when employing fuel particles that were tungsten powder coated. Ceramic metal fuel wafers were produced from a blend of W-60vol% dUO2 powder that was sintered via SPS. The maximum sintering temperatures were varied from 1,600 to 1,850 C while applying a 50-MPa axial load. Wafers exhibited high density (>95% of theoretical) and a uniform microstructure (fuel particles uniformly dispersed throughout tungsten matrix).

Comparison of gaseous exhaust indices of the F109 turbofan using three different blends of petroleum-based Jet-A and camelina-based Jet-A

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozak, Brian John

This research project focused on the collection and comparison of gaseous exhaust emissions of the F109 turbofan engine using petroleum-based Jet-A and two different blends of camelina-based Jet-A. Simulated landing and takeoff cycles were used to collect gaseous exhaust emissions. Unburned hydrocarbon (HC), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and carbon moNOxide (CO) exhaust indices (EIm) were calculated using ICAO Annex 16 Volume II formulae. Statistical analyses were performed on the Elm data. There was no significant difference in HC EIm and CO EI m among the three fuels at takeoff thrust. There were significant differences among the fuels for NOx EIm. 50% Jet-A 50% camelina produced the highest NOx EIm, then 75% Jet-A 25% camelina and finally Jet-A. At climb thrust, both blends of camelina fuel produced higher NOx EIm but no difference in CO EIm and HC EIm as Jet-A. At approach thrust, both blends of camelina fuel produced higher NOx EIm, lower CO EIm, and no difference in HC EIm as Jet-A. At idle thrust, there was no significant difference among the fuels for NOx EIm. There were significant differences among the fuels for HC EIm. Jet-A and 50% Jet-A 50% both produced higher HC EIm as 75% Jet-A 25% camelina. There were significant differences among the fuels for CO EI m. Jet-A produced the highest CO EIm, then 75% Jet-A 25% camelina and finally 50% Jet-A 50% camelina.

26 CFR 1.199-4 - Costs allocable to domestic production gross receipts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

..., natural gas, and potable water (as defined in § 1.199-3(l)) (collectively, utilities) that will generate... dollar-value pool contains QPP, qualified films, or utilities that produces DPGR and goods that do not, the taxpayer must allocate CGS attributable to that grouping or pool between DPGR and non-DPGR using a...

Alternative Fuels Data Center: Hydrogen Basics

Science.gov Websites

; Incentives Hydrogen Basics Hydrogen (H2) is an alternative fuel that can be produced from diverse domestic for domestic production, its fast filling time, and the fuel cell's high efficiency. In fact, a fuel

The effect of initial flow nonuniformity on second-stage fuel injection and combustion in a supersonic duct. [supersonic combustion ramjet engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russin, W. R.

1975-01-01

The effects of flow nonuniformity on second-stage hydrogen fuel injection and combustion in supersonic flow were evaluated. The first case, second-stage fuel injection into a uniform duct flow, produced data indicating that fuel mixing is considerably slower than estimates based on an empirical mixing correlation. The second-case, two-stage fuel injection (or second-stage fuel injection into a nonuniform duct flow), produced a large interaction between stages with extensive flow separation. For this case the measured wall pressure, heat transfer, and amount of reaction at the duct exit were significantly greater than estimates based on the mixing correlation. Substantially more second-stage fuel burned in the second case than in the first case. Overall effects of unmixedness/chemical kinetics were found not to be significant at the exit for stoichiometric fuel injection.

Simulation on reactor TRIGA Puspati core kinetics fueled with thorium (Th) based fuel element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammed, Abdul Aziz; Pauzi, Anas Muhamad; Rahman, Shaik Mohmmed Haikhal Abdul; Zin, Muhamad Rawi Muhammad; Jamro, Rafhayudi; Idris, Faridah Mohamad

2016-01-01

In confronting global energy requirement and the search for better technologies, there is a real case for widening the range of potential variations in the design of nuclear power plants. Smaller and simpler reactors are attractive, provided they can meet safety and security standards and non-proliferation issues. On fuel cycle aspect, thorium fuel cycles produce much less plutonium and other radioactive transuranic elements than uranium fuel cycles. Although not fissile itself, Th-232 will absorb slow neutrons to produce uranium-233 (233U), which is fissile. By introducing Thorium, the numbers of highly enriched uranium fuel element can be reduced while maintaining the core neutronic performance. This paper describes the core kinetic of a small research reactor core like TRIGA fueled with a Th filled fuel element matrix using a general purpose Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code.

Simulation on reactor TRIGA Puspati core kinetics fueled with thorium (Th) based fuel element

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohammed, Abdul Aziz, E-mail: azizM@uniten.edu.my; Rahman, Shaik Mohmmed Haikhal Abdul; Pauzi, Anas Muhamad, E-mail: anas@uniten.edu.my

2016-01-22

In confronting global energy requirement and the search for better technologies, there is a real case for widening the range of potential variations in the design of nuclear power plants. Smaller and simpler reactors are attractive, provided they can meet safety and security standards and non-proliferation issues. On fuel cycle aspect, thorium fuel cycles produce much less plutonium and other radioactive transuranic elements than uranium fuel cycles. Although not fissile itself, Th-232 will absorb slow neutrons to produce uranium-233 ({sup 233}U), which is fissile. By introducing Thorium, the numbers of highly enriched uranium fuel element can be reduced while maintainingmore » the core neutronic performance. This paper describes the core kinetic of a small research reactor core like TRIGA fueled with a Th filled fuel element matrix using a general purpose Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code.« less

Fuel saver based on electromagnetic induction for automotive engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siregar, Houtman P.; Sibarani, Maradu

2007-12-01

In the considered research is designed and analyzed the performance of the fuel saver which is based on electromagnetic induction for automotive diesel engine. The fuel saver which is based on permanent magnet has sold in market and its performance has tested. In comparison to the former fuel saver, in the proposed work is produced fuel saver which is based on electromagnetic induction. The considered research is the continuation of my former work. Performance of the produced fuel saver which is installed in the fuel line of internal combustion engine rig is compared to the performance of the standard internal combustion engine rig Speed of the engine, wire diameter of coil, and number of coil which is coiled in the winding of the the fuel saver are chosen as the testing variables. The considered research has succeeded to design the fuel saver which is based on electromagnetic induction for saving the automotive fuel consumption. Results of the research show that the addition of the fuel saver which is based on electromagnetic induction to the flow of the diesel fuel can significantly save the automative fuel consumption. In addition the designed fuel saver can reduce the opacity of the emission gas.

Working Together to Achieve Greater Impact: The Donors' Education Collaborative of New York City. Principles for Effective Education Grantmaking. Case in Brief Number 3

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grantmakers for Education, 2012

2012-01-01

Since the mid-1990s, constituency building and advocacy for better public education have grown steadily in New York City. "Working Together to Achieve Greater Impact" explores how that growth was fueled by the Donors' Education Collaborative of New York, which pools its members' financial resources and expertise to advance shared…

Pinon-juniper reduction increases soil water availability of the resource growth pool

Treesearch

Bruce A. Roundy; Kert Young; Nathan Cline; April Hulet; Richard F. Miller; Robin J. Tausch; Jeanne C. Chambers; Ben Rau

2014-01-01

Managers reduce piñon (Pinus spp.) and juniper (Juniperus spp.) trees that are encroaching on sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities to lower fuel loads and increase cover of desirable understory species. All plant species in these communities depend on soil water held at > −1.5 MPa matric potential in the upper 0.3 m of soil for nutrient...

Sub-Scale Analysis of New Large Aircraft Pool Fire-Suppression

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-01-01

discrete ordinates radiation and single step Khan and Greeves soot model provided radiation and soot interaction. Agent spray dynamics were...Notable differences observed showed a modeled increase in the mockup surface heat-up rate as well as a modeled decreased rate of soot production...488 K SUPPRESSION STARTED  Large deviation between sensors due to sensor alignment challenges and asymmetric fuel surface ignition  Unremarkable

16 CFR 309.12 - Recordkeeping.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... Importers, Producers, and Refiners of Non-Liquid Alternative Vehicle Fuels (other Than Electricity) and of... Vehicle Fuels (Other Than Electricity) and of Electric Vehicle Fuel Dispensing Systems ...

40 CFR 97.202 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived... trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and... any other fuel. Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil...

40 CFR 97.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material. Fossil-fuel-fired... enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to... means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine: (1...

40 CFR 97.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material. Fossil-fuel-fired... enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to... means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine: (1...

40 CFR 97.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material. Fossil-fuel-fired... enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to... means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine: (1...

40 CFR 97.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material. Fossil-fuel-fired... enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to... means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine: (1...

40 CFR 97.102 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived from such material. Fossil-fuel-fired... enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and to transfer heat to... means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil-fuel-fired combustion turbine: (1...

40 CFR 97.202 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived... trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and... any other fuel. Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil...

40 CFR 97.202 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived... trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and... any other fuel. Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil...

40 CFR 97.202 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived... trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and... any other fuel. Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil...

40 CFR 97.202 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... Fossil fuel means natural gas, petroleum, coal, or any form of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel derived... trimmings. Boiler means an enclosed fossil- or other-fuel-fired combustion device used to produce heat and... any other fuel. Cogeneration unit means a stationary, fossil-fuel-fired boiler or stationary, fossil...

Biophysical Interactions within Step-Pool Mountain Streams Following Wildfire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parker, A.; Chin, A.; O'Dowd, A. P.

2014-12-01

Recovery of riverine ecosystems following disturbance is driven by a variety of interacting processes. Wildfires pose increasing disturbances to riverine landscapes, with rising frequencies and magnitudes owing to warming climates and increased fuel loads. The effects of wildfire include loss of vegetation, elevated runoff and flash floods, erosion and deposition, and changing biological habitats and communities. Understanding process interactions in post-fire landscapes is increasingly urgent for successful management and restoration of affected ecosystems. In steep channels, steps and pools provide prominent habitats for organisms and structural integrity in high energy environments. Step-pools are typically stable, responding to extreme events with recurrence intervals often exceeding 50 years. Once wildfire occurs, however, intensification of post-fire flood events can potentially overpower the inherent stability of these systems, with significant consequences for aquatic life and human well-being downstream. This study examined the short-term response of step-pool streams following the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado. We explored interacting feedbacks among geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology in the post-fire environment. At selected sites with varying burn severity, we established baseline conditions immediately after the fire with channel surveys, biological assessment using benthic macroinvertebrates, sediment analysis including pebble counts, and precipitation gauging. Repeat measurements after major storm events over several years enabled analysis of the interacting feedbacks among post-fire processes. We found that channels able to retain the step-pool structure changed less and facilitated recovery more readily. Step habitats maintained higher percentages of sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa compared to pools through post-fire floods. Sites burned with high severity experienced greater reduction in the percentage of sensitive taxa. The decimation of macroinvertebrates closely coincides with the physical destruction of the step-pool morphology. The role that step-pools play in enhancing the ecological quality of fluvial systems, therefore, provides a key focus for effective management and restoration of aquatic resources following wildfires.

Process and apparatus for igniting a burner in an inert atmosphere

DOEpatents

Coolidge, Dennis W.; Rinker, Franklin G.

1994-01-01

According to this invention there is provided a process and apparatus for the ignition of a pilot burner in an inert atmosphere without substantially contaminating the inert atmosphere. The process includes the steps of providing a controlled amount of combustion air for a predetermined interval of time to the combustor then substantially simultaneously providing a controlled mixture of fuel and air to the pilot burner and to a flame generator. The controlled mixture of fuel and air to the flame generator is then periodically energized to produce a secondary flame. With the secondary flame the controlled mixture of fuel and air to the pilot burner and the combustion air is ignited to produce a pilot burner flame. The pilot burner flame is then used to ignited a mixture of main fuel and combustion air to produce a main burner flame. The main burner flame then is used to ignite a mixture of process derived fuel and combustion air to produce products of combustion for use as an inert gas in a heat treatment process.

Spent fuel treatment and mineral waste form development at Argonne National Laboratory-West

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goff, K.M.; Benedict, R.W.; Bateman, K.

1996-07-01

At Argonne National Laboratory-West (ANL-West) there are several thousand kilograms of metallic spent nuclear fuel containing bond sodium. This fuel will be treated in the Fuel Conditioning Facility (FCF) at ANL-West to produce stable waste forms for storage and disposal. Both mineral and metal high-level waste forms will be produced. The mineral waste form will contain the active metal fission products and the transuranics. Cold small-scale waste form testing has been on-going at Argonne in Illinois. Large-scale testing is commencing at ANL-West.

Process of producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels from biomass

DOEpatents

Kuester, J.L.

1987-07-07

A continuous thermochemical indirect liquefaction process is described to convert various biomass materials into diesel-type transportation fuels which fuels are compatible with current engine designs and distribution systems comprising feeding said biomass into a circulating solid fluidized bed gasification system to produce a synthesis gas containing olefins, hydrogen and carbon monoxide and thereafter introducing the synthesis gas into a catalytic liquefaction system to convert the synthesis gas into liquid hydrocarbon fuel consisting essentially of C[sub 7]-C[sub 17] paraffinic hydrocarbons having cetane indices of 50+. 1 fig.

Composition and metabolism of fecal microbiota from normal and overweight children are differentially affected by melibiose, raffinose and raffinose-derived fructans.

PubMed

Adamberg, Kaarel; Adamberg, Signe; Ernits, Karin; Larionova, Anneli; Voor, Tiia; Jaagura, Madis; Visnapuu, Triinu; Alamäe, Tiina

2018-06-20

The aim of the study was to investigate the metabolism of non-digestible oligo- and polysaccharides by fecal microbiota, using isothermal microcalorimetry. The five tested substrates were raffinose, melibiose, a mixture of oligo- and polysaccharides produced from raffinose by levansucrase, levan synthesized from raffinose, and levan from timothy grass. Two inocula were comprised of pooled fecal samples from overweight or normal-weight children, from healthy adult volunteers and a pure culture of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron as a reference bacterium for colon microbiota. The growth was analyzed based on the heat evolution curves, and the production of organic acids and gases. Taxonomic profiles of the microbiota were assessed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Raffinose and melibiose promoted the growth of bifidobacteria in all fecal pools. Several pool-specific substrate-related responses to raffinose and melibiose were revealed. Lactate-producing bacteria (Streptococcus and Enterococcus) became enriched in the pool of overweight children resulting in lactic acid as the major fermentation product on short saccharides. Acetic and butyric acids were prevalent at fermentation in the normal-weight pool coinciding with the enrichment of Catenibacterium. In the adult pool, the specific promotion of Bacteroides and Lachnospiraceae by levans was disclosed. In the fecal pool of normal-weight children, levans stimulated the growth of Senegalimassilia and Lachnoclostridium and this particular pool also showed the highest maximum heat production rate at levan fermentation. Levans and raffinose-derived oligosaccharides, but not raffinose and melibiose were completely fermented by a pure culture of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron. The main conclusion from the study is that fecal microbiota of normal and overweight children have different compositions and they respond in specific manners to non-digestible oligo- and polysaccharides: raffinose, melibiose, raffinose-derived oligosaccharides and levans. The potential of the tested saccharides to support a healthy balance of colon microbiota requires further studies. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Variability in the combustion-derived fraction of urban humidity in Salt Lake City winter estimated from stable water vapor isotopes and its relationship to atmospheric stability and inversion structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiorella, R.; Bares, R.; Lin, J. C.; Strong, C.; Bowen, G. J.

2017-12-01

Water released from the combustion of fossil fuels, while a negligible part of the global hydrological cycle, may be a significant contributor to urban humidity as fossil fuel emissions are strongly concentrated in space and time. The fraction of urban humidity comprised of combustion-derived vapor (CDV) cannot be observed through humidity measurements alone. However, the distinct stable isotopic composition of CDV, which arises from the reaction of 18O-enriched atmospheric O2 with 2H-depleted organic molecules, represents a promising method to apportion observed humidity between CDV and advected vapor. We apply stable water vapor isotopes to investigate variability in CDV amount and its relationship to atmospheric conditions in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Salt Lake Valley experiences several periods of atmospheric stratification during winter known as cold air pools, during which concentrations of CDV and pollutants can be markedly elevated due to reduced atmospheric mixing. Therefore, the SLV during winter is an ideal place to investigate variability in CDV fraction across a spectrum of boundary layer conditions, ranging from well-mixed to very stable. We present water vapor isotope data from four winters (2013-2017) from the top of a 30 m building on the University of Utah (U of U) Campus. Additionally, we present water vapor isotope data from the summit of Hidden Peak from the 2016-2017 winter, 25 km SE and 2000 m above the U of U site. The Hidden Peak site is consistently above the cold air pool emplaced in the SLV during stable events. We find the expression of the CDV signal in the valley is related to the atmospheric structure of the cold air pools in the SLV, and that the fraction of CDV inferred in the valley is likely related to the mixing height within the cold air pool. Furthermore, we find that patterns between the Hidden Peak and U of U sites during inversion events may record the large-scale atmospheric dynamics promoting emplacement of the cold air pool in the SLV. Further refinements of CDV estimation through stable isotope methods will bring improved mechanistic understanding of the role of CDV in the urban hydrological cycle and improve model simulations of urban environments.

NREL Produces Ethylene via Photosynthesis | News | NREL

Science.gov Websites

process, by contrast, produces ethylene by using carbon dioxide, which is food for the bacteria. That three tons that would be emitted by tapping fossil fuels and another three tons absorbed by the bacteria currently hitting plants, algae and bacteria capable of producing fuels directly. Ten years ago, a group of

Detectability prediction for a thermoacoustic sensor in the breazeale nuclear reactor pool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, James; Hrisko, Joshua; Garrett, Steven

2016-03-01

Laboratory experiments have suggested that thermoacoustic engines can be in- corporated within nuclear fuel rods. Such engines would radiate sounds that could be used to measure and acoustically-telemeter information about the op- eration of the nuclear reactor (e.g., coolant temperature or uxes of neutrons or other energetic particles) or the physical condition of the nuclear fuel itself (e.g., changes in temperature, evolved gases) that are encoded as the frequency and/or amplitude of the radiated sound [IEEE Measurement and Instrumen- tation 16(3), 18-25 (2013)]. For such acoustic information to be detectable, it is important to characterize the vibroacoustical environments within reactors.more » Measurements will be presented of the background noise spectra (with and with- out coolant pumps) and reverberation times within the 70,000 gallon pool that cools and shields the fuel in the 1 MW research reactor on Penn State's campus using two hydrophones, a piezoelectric projector, and an accelerometer. Sev- eral signal-processing techniques will be demonstrated to enhance the measured results. Background vibrational measurement were also taken at the 250 MW Advanced Test Reactor, located at the Idaho National Laboratory, using ac- celerometers mounted outside the reactor's pressure vessel and on plumbing will also be presented. The detectability predictions made in the thesis were validated in September 2015 using a nuclear ssion-heated thermoacoustic sensor that was placed in the core of the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor on Penn State's campus. Some features of the thermoacoustic device used in that experiment will also be revealed. [Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.]« less

Effect of hydroprocessing severity on characteristics of jet fuel from OSCO 2 and Paraho distillates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prok, G. M.; Flores, F. J.; Seng, G. T.

1981-01-01

Jet A boiling range fuels and broad-property research fuels were produced by hydroprocessing shale oil distillates, and their properties were measured to characterize the fuels. The distillates were the fraction of whole shale oil boiling below 343 C from TOSCO 2 and Paraho syncrudes. The TOSCO 2 was hydroprocessed at medium severity, and the Paraho was hydroprocessed at high, medium, and low severities. Fuels meeting Jet A requirements except for the freezing point were produced from the medium severity TOSCO 2 and the high severity Paraho. Target properties of a broad property research fuel were met by the medium severity TOSCO 2 and the high severity Paraho except for the freezing point and a high hydrogen content. Medium and low severity Paraho jet fuels did not meet thermal stability and freezing point requirements.

40 CFR 80.1429 - Requirements for separating RINs from volumes of renewable fuel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... or fossil-based diesel to produce a transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel. A party may... (ii) The neat renewable fuel or blend is used without further blending, in the designated form, as...

40 CFR 80.1429 - Requirements for separating RINs from volumes of renewable fuel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... or fossil-based diesel to produce a transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel. A party may... (ii) The neat renewable fuel or blend is used without further blending, in the designated form, as...

78 FR 49793 - Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-15

... produced in plants using waste materials to displace 90% or more of fossil fuel use under the then... made to our approach in evaluating the information that forms the basis for our projection of...

40 CFR 80.1429 - Requirements for separating RINs from volumes of renewable fuel.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... or fossil-based diesel to produce a transportation fuel, heating oil, or jet fuel. A party may... (ii) The neat renewable fuel or blend is used without further blending, in the designated form, as...

40 CFR 80.530 - Under what conditions can 500 ppm motor vehicle diesel fuel be produced or imported after May 31...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Motor Vehicle Diesel Fuel; Nonroad, Locomotive, and Marine Diesel Fuel; and ECA Marine Fuel Temporary Compliance Option § 80.530 Under what conditions can 500 ppm motor vehicle diesel...

40 CFR 80.165 - Certification test procedures and standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Detergent Gasoline § 80.165 Certification test... detergent additive is mixed in a test fuel meeting all relevant requirements of § 80.164, including the... for such records. (a) Fuel injector deposit control testing. (1) The required test fuel must produce...

40 CFR 80.165 - Certification test procedures and standards.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) REGULATION OF FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Detergent Gasoline § 80.165 Certification test... detergent additive is mixed in a test fuel meeting all relevant requirements of § 80.164, including the... for such records. (a) Fuel injector deposit control testing. (1) The required test fuel must produce...

Impacts | Hydrogen and Fuel Cells | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Impacts Impacts Read about NREL's impacts on innovations in hydrogen and fuel cell research and -Splitting Electrodes NREL Shows How Cyanobacteria Build Hydrogen-Producing Enzyme Fuel Cell Systems R&D -Speed Scanner to Monitor Fuel Cell Material Defects Making Fuel Cells Cleaner, Better, and Cheaper GM

7 CFR 1030.13 - Producer milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... and Orders; Milk), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MILK IN THE UPPER MIDWEST MARKETING AREA Order Regulating... month the dairy farmer is a producer. If a dairy farmer loses producer status under the order in this... dairy farmer's milk failing to pool the milk under any order), the dairy farmer's milk shall not be...

7 CFR 1030.13 - Producer milk.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... and Orders; Milk), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MILK IN THE UPPER MIDWEST MARKETING AREA Order Regulating... month the dairy farmer is a producer. If a dairy farmer loses producer status under the order in this... dairy farmer's milk failing to pool the milk under any order), the dairy farmer's milk shall not be...

Method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and pre-determined increase in cetane number

DOEpatents

Waller, Francis Joseph; Quinn, Robert

2004-07-06

The present invention relates to a method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and a pre-determined increase in cetane number over the stock diesel fuel. Upon establishing the desired flash-point and increase in cetane number, an amount of a first oxygenate with a flash-point less than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number equal to or greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number. Thereafter, an amount of a second oxygenate with a flash-point equal to or greater than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number.

Improved hybrid rocket fuel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, David L.

1995-01-01

McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, as part of its Independent R&D, has initiated development of a clean burning, high performance hybrid fuel for consideration as an alternative to the solid rocket thrust augmentation currently utilized by American space launch systems including Atlas, Delta, Pegasus, Space Shuttle, and Titan. It could also be used in single stage to orbit or as the only propulsion system in a new launch vehicle. Compared to solid propellants based on aluminum and ammonium perchlorate, this fuel is more environmentally benign in that it totally eliminates hydrogen chloride and aluminum oxide by products, producing only water, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon oxides, and trace amounts of nitrogen oxides. Compared to other hybrid fuel formulations under development, this fuel is cheaper, denser, and faster burning. The specific impulse of this fuel is comparable to other hybrid fuels and is between that of solids and liquids. The fuel also requires less oxygen than similar hybrid fuels to produce maximum specific impulse, thus reducing oxygen delivery system requirements.

Fuel combustion exhibiting low NO.sub.x and CO levels

DOEpatents

Keller, Jay O.; Bramlette, T. Tazwell; Barr, Pamela K.

1996-01-01

Method and apparatus for safely combusting a fuel in such manner that very low levels of NO.sub.x and CO are produced. The apparatus comprises an inlet line (12) containing a fuel and an inlet line (18) containing an oxidant. Coupled to the fuel line (12) and to the oxidant line (18) is a mixing means (11,29,33,40) for thoroughly mixing the fuel and the oxidant without combusting them. Coupled to the mixing means (11,29,33,40) is a means for injecting the mixed fuel and oxidant, in the form of a large-scale fluid dynamic structure (8), into a combustion region (2). Coupled to the combustion region (2) is a means (1,29,33) for producing a periodic flow field within the combustion region (2) to mix the fuel and the oxidant with ambient gases in order to lower the temperature of combustion. The means for producing a periodic flow field can be a pulse combustor (1), a rotating band (29), or a rotating cylinder (33) within an acoustic chamber (32) positioned upstream or downstream of the region (2) of combustion. The mixing means can be a one-way flapper valve (11); a rotating cylinder (33); a rotating band (29) having slots (31) that expose open ends (20,21) of said fuel inlet line (12) and said oxidant inlet line (18) simultaneously; or a set of coaxial fuel annuli (43) and oxidizer annuli (42,44). The means for producing a periodic flow field (1, 29, 33) may or may not be in communication with an acoustic resonance. When employed, the acoustic resonance may be upstream or downstream of the region of combustion (2).

Fabrication and Characterization of Surrogate Fuel Particles Using the Spark Erosion Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metzger, Kathryn E.

In light of the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, the Department of Energy's Advanced Fuels Program has shifted its interest from enhanced performance fuels to enhanced accident tolerance fuels. Dispersion fuels possess higher thermal conductivities than traditional light water reactor fuel and as a result, offer improved safety margins. The benefits of a dispersion fuel are due to the presence of the secondary non-fissile phase (matrix), which serves as a barrier to fission products and improves the overall thermal performance of the fuel. However, the presence of a matrix material reduces the fuel volume, which lowers the fissile content of dispersion. This issue can be remedied through the development of higher density fuel phases or through an optimization of fuel particle size and volume loading. The latter requirement necessitates the development of fabrication methods to produce small, micron-order fuel particles. This research examines the capabilities of the spark erosion process to fabricate particles on the order of 10 μm. A custom-built spark erosion device by CT Electromechanica was used to produce stainless steel surrogate fuel particles in a deionized water dielectric. Three arc intensities were evaluated to determine the effect on particle size. Particles were filtered from the dielectric using a polycarbonate membrane filter and vacuum filtration system. Fabricated particles were characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), laser light particle size analysis, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and gas pycnometry. FESEM images reveal that the spark erosion process produces highly spherical particles on the order of 10 microns. These findings are substantiated by the results of particle size analysis. Additionally, EDS and XRD results indicate the presence of oxide phases, which suggests the dielectric reacted with the molten debris during particle formation.

Regulation of Pituitary Stem Cells by Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Events and Signaling Pathways

PubMed Central

Cheung, Leonard Y. M.; Davis, Shannon W.; Brinkmeier, Michelle L.; Camper, Sally A.; Pérez-Millán, María Inés

2017-01-01

The anterior pituitary gland is comprised of specialized cell-types that produce and secrete polypeptide hormones in response to hypothalamic input and feedback from target organs. These specialized cells arise from stem cells that express SOX2 and the pituitary transcription factor PROP1, which is necessary to establish the stem cell pool and promote an epithelial to mesenchymal-like transition, releasing progenitors from the niche. The adult anterior pituitary responds to physiological challenge by mobilizing the SOX2-expressing progenitor pool and producing additional hormone-producing cells. Knowledge of the role of signaling pathways and extracellular matrix components in these processes may lead to improvements in the efficiency of differentiation of embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells into hormone producing cells in vitro. Advances in our basic understanding of pituitary stem cell regulation and differentiation may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with hypopituitarism. PMID:27650955

Study of combustion and emission characteristics of fuel derived from waste plastics by various waste to energy (W-t-E) conversion processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hazrat, M. A.; Rasul, M. G.; Khan, M. M. K.

2016-07-01

Reduction of plastic wastes by means of producing energy can be treated as a good investment in the waste management and recycling sectors. In this article, conversion of plastics into liquid fuel by two thermo-chemical processes, pyrolysis and gasification, are reviewed. The study showed that the catalytic pyrolysis of homogenous waste plastics produces better quality and higher quantity of liquefied fuel than that of non-catalytic pyrolysis process at a lower operating temperature. The syngas produced from gasification process, which occurs at higher temperature than the pyrolysis process, can be converted into diesel by the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction process. Conducive bed material like Olivine in the gasification conversion process can remarkably reduce the production of tar. The waste plastics pyrolysis oil showed brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of about 27.75%, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of 0.292 kg/kWh, unburned hydrocarbon emission (uHC) of 91 ppm and NOx emission of 904 ppm in comparison with the diesel for BTE of 28%, BSFC of 0.276 kg/kWh, uHC of 57 ppm and NOx of 855 ppm. Dissolution of Polystyrene (PS) into biodiesel also showed the potential of producing alternative transport fuel. It has been found from the literature that at higher engine speed, increased EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) quantity based biodiesel blends reduces CO, CO2, NOx and smoke emission. EPS-biodiesel fuel blend increases the brake thermal efficiency by 7.8%, specific fuel consumption (SFC) by 7.2% and reduces brake power (Pb) by 3.2%. More study using PS and EPS with other thermoplastics is needed to produce liquid fuel by dissolving them into biodiesel and to assess their suitability as a transport fuel. Furthermore, investigation to find out most suitable W-t-E process for effective recycling of the waste plastics as fuel for internal combustion engines is necessary to reduce environmental pollution and generate revenue which will be addressed in this article.

40 CFR 80.1452 - What are the requirements related to the EPA Moderated Transaction System (EMTS)?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... importer. (2) The EPA company registration number of the renewable fuel or foreign ethanol producer, as... registration number of the renewable fuel or foreign ethanol producer, as applicable. (5) The importer's EPA...

Characterization of an Experimental Referee Broadened Specification (ERBS) aviation turbine fuel and ERBS fuel blends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seng, G. T.

1982-01-01

Characterization data and comparisons of these data are presented for three individual lots of a research test fuel designated as an Experimental Referee Broadened Specification (ERBS) aviation turbine fuel. This research fuel, which is a blend of kerosene and hydrotreated catalytic gas oil, is a representation of a kerojet fuel with broadened properties. To lower the hydrogen content of the ERBS fuel, a blending stock, composed of xylene bottoms and hydrotreated catalytic gas oil, was developed and employed to produce two different ERBS fuel blends. The ERBS fuel blends and the blending stock were also characterized and the results for the blends are compared to those of the original ERBS fuel. The characterization results indicate that with the exception of the freezing point for ERBS lot 2, which was slightly high, the three lots, produced over a 2 year period, met all general fuel requirements. However, although the properties of the fuels were found to be fairly consistent, there were differences in composition. Similarly, all major requirements for the ERBS fuel blends were met or closely approached, and the properties of the blended fuels were found to generally reflect those expected for the proportions of ERBS fuel and blending stock used in their production.

Current Challenges in Commercially Producing Biofuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass

DOE PAGES

Balan, Venkatesh

2014-01-01

Biofuels that are produced from biobased materials are a good alternative to petroleum based fuels. They offer several benefits to society and the environment. Producing second generation biofuels is even more challenging than producing first generation biofuels due the complexity of the biomass and issues related to producing, harvesting, and transporting less dense biomass to centralized biorefineries. In addition to this logistic challenge, other challenges with respect to processing steps in converting biomass to liquid transportation fuel like pretreatment, hydrolysis, microbial fermentation, and fuel separation still exist and are discussed in this review. The possible coproducts that could be producedmore » in the biorefinery and their importance to reduce the processing cost of biofuel are discussed. About $1 billion was spent in the year 2012 by the government agencies in US to meet the mandate to replace 30% existing liquid transportation fuels by 2022 which is 36 billion gallons/year. Other countries in the world have set their own targets to replace petroleum fuel by biofuels. Because of the challenges listed in this review and lack of government policies to create the demand for biofuels, it may take more time for the lignocellulosic biofuels to hit the market place than previously projected.« less

Biological inventory of anchialine pools in the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historical Site, Hawaii Island

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tango, Lori K.; Foote, David; Magnacca, Karl N.; Foltz, Sarah J.; Cutler, Kerry

2012-01-01

Inventories for major groups of invertebrates were completed at anchialine pool complexes in Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (PUHO) and Pu‘ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (PUHE) on the island of Hawai‘i. Nine pools within two pool complexes were surveyed at PUHO, along with one extensive pool at the terminus of Makeāhua Gulch at PUHE. At both parks, inventories documented previously unreported diversity, with pool complexes at PUHO exhibiting greater species richness for most taxa than the pool at PUHE. Inventories at PUHO recorded five species of molluscs, four species of crustaceans (including the candidate endangered shrimp Metabetaeus lohena), two species of Orthoptera, four species of Odonata (including the candidate endangered damselfly Megalagrion xanthomelas), fourteen species of Diptera, nine taxa of plankton, and thirteen species of ants; inventories at the PUHE pool produced only one species of mollusc, two species of crustacean, at least one species of Orthoptera, four species of Odonata, thirty species of Diptera, five taxa of plankton, and four species of ants. Further survey work may be necessary to document the full diversity of pool fauna, especially in species-rich groups like the Diptera. Inventory data will be used to generate a network wide database of species presence and distribution, and will aid in developing management plans for anchialine pool resources.

Independent and combined effects of maternal smoking and solid fuel on infant and child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.

PubMed

Akinyemi, Joshua O; Adedini, Sunday A; Wandera, Stephen O; Odimegwu, Clifford O

2016-12-01

To estimate the independent and combined risks of infant and child mortality associated with maternal smoking and use of solid fuel in sub-Saharan Africa. Pooled weighted data on 143 602 under-five children in the most recent demographic and health surveys for 15 sub-Saharan African countries were analysed. The synthetic cohort life table technique and Cox proportional hazard models were employed to investigate the effect of maternal smoking and solid cooking fuel on infant (age 0-11 months) and child (age 12-59 months) mortality. Socio-economic and other confounding variables were included as controls. The distribution of the main explanatory variable in households was as follows: smoking + solid fuel - 4.6%; smoking + non-solid fuel - 0.22%; no smoking + solid fuel - 86.9%; and no smoking + non-solid fuel - 8.2%. The highest infant mortality rate was recorded among children exposed to maternal smoking + solid fuel (72 per 1000 live births); the child mortality rate was estimated to be 54 per 1000 for this group. In full multivariate models, the risk of infant death was 71% higher among those exposed to maternal smoking + solid fuel (HR = 1.71, CI: 1.29-2.28). For ages 12 to 59 months, the risk of death was 99% higher (HR = 1.99, CI: 1.28-3.08). Combined exposures to cigarette smoke and solid fuel increase the risks of infant and child mortality. Mothers of under-five children need to be educated about the danger of smoking while innovative approaches are needed to reduce the mortality risks associated with solid cooking fuel. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Producer gas production of Indonesian biomass in fixed-bed downdraft gasifier as an alternative fuels for internal combustion engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simanjuntak, J. P.; Lisyanto; Daryanto, E.; Tambunan, B. H.

2018-03-01

downdraft biomass gasification reactors, coupled with reciprocating internal combustion engines (ICE) are a viable technology for small scale heat and power generation. The direct use of producer gas as fuel subtitution in an ICE could be of great interest since Indonesia has significant land area in different forest types that could be used to produce bioenergy and convert forest materials to bioenergy for use in energy production and the versatility of this engine. This paper will look into the aspect of biomass energie as a contributor to energy mix in Indonesia. This work also contains information gathered from numerous previews study on the downdraft gasifier based on experimental or simulation study on the ability of producer gas as fuels for internal combustion engines aplication. All data will be used to complement the preliminary work on biomass gasification using downdraft to produce producer gas and its application to engines.

Analysis on using biomass lean syngas in micro gas turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mărculescu, C.; Cenuşă, V. E.; Alexe, F. N.

2016-08-01

The paper presents an analysis on small systems for converting biomass/wastes into power using Micro Gas Turbines (MGT) fed with gaseous bio-fuels produced by air- gasification. The MGT is designed for burning various fossil liquid and gas fuels, having catalogue data related to natural gas use. Fuel switch changes their performances. The present work is focused on adapting the MGT for burning alternative low quality gas fuel produced by biomass air gasification. The heating values of these gas fuels are 3 to 5 times lower than the methane ones, leading to different air demand for the stoichiometric burning. Validated numerical computation procedures were used to model the MGT thermodynamic process. Our purpose was to analyze the influence of fuel change on thermodynamic cycle performances.

Parasitic load control system for exhaust temperature control

DOEpatents

Strauser, Aaron D.; Coleman, Gerald N.; Coldren, Dana R.

2009-04-28

A parasitic load control system is provided. The system may include an exhaust producing engine and a fuel pumping mechanism configured to pressurize fuel in a pressure chamber. The system may also include an injection valve configured to cause fuel pressure to build within the pressure chamber when in a first position and allow injection of fuel from the pressure chamber into one or more combustion chambers of the engine when in a second position. The system may further include a controller configured to independently regulate the pressure in the pressure chamber and the injection of fuel into the one or more combustion chambers, to increase a load on the fuel pumping mechanism, increasing parasitic load on the engine, thereby increasing a temperature of the exhaust produced by the engine.

Waste cooking oil as source for renewable fuel in Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allah, F. Um Min; Alexandru, G.

2016-08-01

Biodiesel is non-toxic renewable fuel which has the potential to replace diesel fuel with little or no modifications in diesel engine. Waste cooking oil can be used as source to produce biodiesel. It has environmental and economic advantages over other alternative fuels. Biodiesel production from transesterification is affected by water content, type f alcohol, catalyst type and concentration, alcohol to oil ratio, temperature, reaction rate, pH, free fatty acid (FFA) and stirrer speed. These parameters and their effect on transesterification are discussed in this paper. Properties of biodiesel obtained from waste cooking oil are measured according to local standards by distributor and their comparison with European biodiesel standard is also given in this paper. Comparison has shown that these properties lie within the limits of the EN 14214 standard. Furthermore emission performance of diesel engine for biodiesel-diesel blends has resulted in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Romanian fuel market can ensure energy security by mixing fuel share with biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil. Life cycle assessment of biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil has shown its viability economically and environmentally.

Fuel processor and method for generating hydrogen for fuel cells

DOEpatents

Ahmed, Shabbir [Naperville, IL; Lee, Sheldon H. D. [Willowbrook, IL; Carter, John David [Bolingbrook, IL; Krumpelt, Michael [Naperville, IL; Myers, Deborah J [Lisle, IL

2009-07-21

A method of producing a H.sub.2 rich gas stream includes supplying an O.sub.2 rich gas, steam, and fuel to an inner reforming zone of a fuel processor that includes a partial oxidation catalyst and a steam reforming catalyst or a combined partial oxidation and stream reforming catalyst. The method also includes contacting the O.sub.2 rich gas, steam, and fuel with the partial oxidation catalyst and the steam reforming catalyst or the combined partial oxidation and stream reforming catalyst in the inner reforming zone to generate a hot reformate stream. The method still further includes cooling the hot reformate stream in a cooling zone to produce a cooled reformate stream. Additionally, the method includes removing sulfur-containing compounds from the cooled reformate stream by contacting the cooled reformate stream with a sulfur removal agent. The method still further includes contacting the cooled reformate stream with a catalyst that converts water and carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and H.sub.2 in a water-gas-shift zone to produce a final reformate stream in the fuel processor.

Experiment plans to study preignition processes of a pool fire in low gravity. M.S. Thesis - 1988 Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schiller, David N.

1989-01-01

Science requirements are specified to guide experimental studies of transient heat transfer and fluid flow in an enclosure containing a two-layer gas-and-liquid system heated unevenly from above. Specifications are provided for experiments in three separate settings: (1) a normal gravity laboratory, (2) the NASA-LeRC Drop towers, and (3) a space-based laboratory (e.g., Shuttle, Space Station). A rationale is developed for both minimum and desired requirement levels. The principal objective of the experimental effort is to validate a computational model of the enclosed liquid fuel pool during the preignition phase and to determine via measurement the role of gravity on the behavior of the system. Preliminary results of single-phase normal gravity experiments and simulations are also presented.

Used Nuclear Fuel: From Liability to Benefit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orbach, Raymond L.

2011-03-01

Nuclear power has proven safe and reliable, with operating efficiencies in the U.S. exceeding 90%. It provides a carbon-free source of electricity (with about a 10% penalty arising from CO2 released from construction and the fuel cycle). However, used fuel from nuclear reactors is highly toxic and presents a challenge for permanent disposal -- both from technical and policy perspectives. The half-life of the ``bad actors'' is relatively short (of the order of decades) while the very long lived isotopes are relatively benign. At present, spent fuel is stored on-site in cooling ponds. Once the used fuel pools are full, the fuel is moved to dry cask storage on-site. Though the local storage is capable of handling used fuel safely and securely for many decades, the law requires DOE to assume responsibility for the used fuel and remove it from reactor sites. The nuclear industry pays a tithe to support sequestration of used fuel (but not research). However, there is currently no national policy in place to deal with the permanent disposal of nuclear fuel. This administration is opposed to underground storage at Yucca Mountain. There is no national policy for interim storage---removal of spent fuel from reactor sites and storage at a central location. And there is no national policy for liberating the energy contained in used fuel through recycling (separating out the fissionable components for subsequent use as nuclear fuel). A ``Blue Ribbon Commission'' has been formed to consider alternatives, but will not report until 2012. This paper will examine alternatives for used fuel disposition, their drawbacks (e.g. proliferation issues arising from recycling), and their benefits. For recycle options to emerge as a viable technology, research is required to develop cost effective methods for treating used nuclear fuel, with attention to policy as well as technical issues.

40 CFR 80.374 - What if a refiner or importer is unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of this subpart? 80.374 Section 80.374... FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Exemptions § 80.374 What if a refiner or importer is unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of this subpart? In appropriate extreme and unusual...

40 CFR 80.374 - What if a refiner or importer is unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of this subpart? 80.374 Section 80.374... FUELS AND FUEL ADDITIVES Gasoline Sulfur Exemptions § 80.374 What if a refiner or importer is unable to produce gasoline conforming to the requirements of this subpart? In appropriate extreme and unusual...

Passive containment cooling system

DOEpatents

Billig, P.F.; Cooke, F.E.; Fitch, J.R.

1994-01-25

A passive containment cooling system includes a containment vessel surrounding a reactor pressure vessel and defining a drywell therein containing a non-condensable gas. An enclosed wetwell pool is disposed inside the containment vessel, and a gravity driven cooling system (GDCS) pool is disposed above the wetwell pool in the containment vessel and is vented to the drywell. An isolation pool is disposed above the GDCS pool and includes an isolation condenser therein. The condenser has an inlet line disposed in flow communication with the drywell for receiving the non-condensable gas along with any steam released therein following a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The condenser also has an outlet line disposed in flow communication with the drywell for returning to the drywell both liquid condensate produced upon cooling of the steam and the non-condensable gas for reducing pressure within the containment vessel following the LOCA. 1 figure.

Passive containment cooling system

DOEpatents

Billig, Paul F.; Cooke, Franklin E.; Fitch, James R.

1994-01-01

A passive containment cooling system includes a containment vessel surrounding a reactor pressure vessel and defining a drywell therein containing a non-condensable gas. An enclosed wetwell pool is disposed inside the containment vessel, and a gravity driven cooling system (GDCS) pool is disposed above the wetwell pool in the containment vessel and is vented to the drywell. An isolation pool is disposed above the GDCS pool and includes an isolation condenser therein. The condenser has an inlet line disposed in flow communication with the drywell for receiving the non-condensable gas along with any steam released therein following a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA). The condenser also has an outlet line disposed in flow communication with the drywell for returning to the drywell both liquid condensate produced upon cooling of the steam and the non-condensable gas for reducing pressure within the containment vessel following the LOCA.

Methods for continuous direct carbon fuel cell operation with a circulating electrolyte slurry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harjes, Daniel I.; Dineen, Jr., D. Andrew; Guo, Liang

The present invention relates to methods and systems related to fuel cells, and in particular, to direct carbon fuel cells. The methods and systems relate to cleaning and removal of components utilized and produced during operation of the fuel cell, regeneration of components utilized during operation of the fuel cell, and generating power using the fuel cell.

Uranium silicide pellet fabrication by powder metallurgy for accident tolerant fuel evaluation and irradiation

DOE PAGES

Harp, Jason Michael; Lessing, Paul Alan; Hoggan, Rita Elaine

2015-06-21

In collaboration with industry, Idaho National Laboratory is investigating uranium silicide for use in future light water reactor fuels as a more accident resistant alternative to uranium oxide base fuels. Specifically this project was focused on producing uranium silicide (U 3Si 2) pellets by conventional powder metallurgy with a density greater than 94% of the theoretical density. This work has produced a process to consistently produce pellets with the desired density through careful optimization of the process. Milling of the U 3Si 2 has been optimized and high phase purity U 3Si 2 has been successfully produced. Results are presentedmore » from sintering studies and microstructural examinations that illustrate the need for a finely ground reproducible particle size distribution in the source powder. The optimized process was used to produce pellets for the Accident Tolerant Fuel-1 irradiation experiment. The average density of these pellets was 11.54 ±0.06 g/cm 3. Additional characterization of the pellets by scaning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction has also been performed. As a result, pellets produced in this work have been encapsulated for irradiation, and irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor is expected soon.« less

Uranium silicide pellet fabrication by powder metallurgy for accident tolerant fuel evaluation and irradiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harp, Jason Michael; Lessing, Paul Alan; Hoggan, Rita Elaine

In collaboration with industry, Idaho National Laboratory is investigating uranium silicide for use in future light water reactor fuels as a more accident resistant alternative to uranium oxide base fuels. Specifically this project was focused on producing uranium silicide (U 3Si 2) pellets by conventional powder metallurgy with a density greater than 94% of the theoretical density. This work has produced a process to consistently produce pellets with the desired density through careful optimization of the process. Milling of the U 3Si 2 has been optimized and high phase purity U 3Si 2 has been successfully produced. Results are presentedmore » from sintering studies and microstructural examinations that illustrate the need for a finely ground reproducible particle size distribution in the source powder. The optimized process was used to produce pellets for the Accident Tolerant Fuel-1 irradiation experiment. The average density of these pellets was 11.54 ±0.06 g/cm 3. Additional characterization of the pellets by scaning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction has also been performed. As a result, pellets produced in this work have been encapsulated for irradiation, and irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor is expected soon.« less

Characterization of thermal-hydraulic and ignition phenomena in prototypic, full-length boiling water reactor spent fuel pool assemblies after a complete loss-of-coolant accident.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lindgren, Eric Richard; Durbin, Samuel G

2007-04-01

The objective of this project was to provide basic thermal-hydraulic data associated with a SFP complete loss-of-coolant accident. The accident conditions of interest for the SFP were simulated in a full-scale prototypic fashion (electrically-heated, prototypic assemblies in a prototypic SFP rack) so that the experimental results closely represent actual fuel assembly responses. A major impetus for this work was to facilitate code validation (primarily MELCOR) and reduce questions associated with interpretation of the experimental results. It was necessary to simulate a cluster of assemblies to represent a higher decay (younger) assembly surrounded by older, lower-power assemblies. Specifically, this program providedmore » data and analysis confirming: (1) MELCOR modeling of inter-assembly radiant heat transfer, (2) flow resistance modeling and the natural convective flow induced in a fuel assembly as it heats up in air, (3) the potential for and nature of thermal transient (i.e., Zircaloy fire) propagation, and (4) mitigation strategies concerning fuel assembly management.« less

Preliminary study on new configuration with LEU fuel assemblies for the Dalat nuclear research reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Van Lam Pham; Vinh Vinh Le; Ton Nghiem Huynh

2008-07-15

The fuel conversion of the Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor (DNRR) is being realized. The DNRR is a pool type research reactor which was reconstructed from the 250 kW TRIGA- MARK II reactor. The reconstructed reactor attained its nominal power of 500 kW in February 1984. According to the results of design and safety analyses performed by the joint study between RERTR Program at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) and Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC) the mixed core of irradiated HEU and new LEU WWR-M2 fuel assemblies will be created soon. This paper presents the results of preliminary study on new configurationmore » with only LEU fuel assemblies for the DNRR. The codes MCNP, REBUS and VARI3D are used to calculate neutron flux performance in irradiation positions and kinetics parameters. The idea of change of Beryllium rod reloading enables to get working configuration assured shutdown margin, thermal-hydraulic safety and increase in thermal neutron flux in neutron trap at the center of DNRR active core. (author)« less

Toward a Mechanistic Source Term in Advanced Reactors: A Review of Past U.S. SFR Incidents, Experiments, and Analyses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bucknor, Matthew; Brunett, Acacia J.; Grabaskas, David

In 2015, as part of a Regulatory Technology Development Plan (RTDP) effort for sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs), Argonne National Laboratory investigated the current state of knowledge of source term development for a metal-fueled, pool-type SFR. This paper provides a summary of past domestic metal-fueled SFR incidents and experiments and highlights information relevant to source term estimations that were gathered as part of the RTDP effort. The incidents described in this paper include fuel pin failures at the Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE) facility in July of 1959, the Fermi I meltdown that occurred in October of 1966, and the repeated meltingmore » of a fuel element within an experimental capsule at the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) from November 1967 to May 1968. The experiments described in this paper include the Run-Beyond-Cladding-Breach tests that were performed at EBR-II in 1985 and a series of severe transient overpower tests conducted at the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) in the mid-1980s.« less

Metabolic engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum for the enhanced production of isopropanol-butanol-ethanol fuel mixture.

PubMed

Jang, Yu-Sin; Malaviya, Alok; Lee, Joungmin; Im, Jung Ae; Lee, Sang Yup; Lee, Julia; Eom, Moon-Ho; Cho, Jung-Hee; Seung, Do Young

2013-01-01

Butanol is considered as a superior biofuel, which is conventionally produced by clostridial acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. Among ABE, only butanol and ethanol can be used as fuel alternatives. Coproduction of acetone thus causes lower yield of fuel alcohols. Thus, this study aimed at developing an improved Clostridium acetobutylicum strain possessing enhanced fuel alcohol production capability. For this, we previously developed a hyper ABE producing BKM19 strain was further engineered to convert acetone into isopropanol. The BKM19 strain was transformed with the plasmid pIPA100 containing the sadh (primary/secondary alcohol dehydrogenase) and hydG (putative electron transfer protein) genes from the Clostridium beijerinckii NRRL B593 cloned under the control of the thiolase promoter. The resulting BKM19 (pIPA100) strain produced 27.9 g/l isopropanol-butanol-ethanol (IBE) as a fuel alcohols with negligible amount of acetone (0.4 g/l) from 97.8 g/l glucose in lab-scale (2 l) batch fermentation. Thus, this metabolically engineered strain was able to produce 99% of total solvent produced as fuel alcohols. The scalability and stability of BKM19 (pIPA100) were evaluated at 200 l pilot-scale fermentation, which showed that the fuel alcohol yield could be improved to 0.37 g/g as compared to 0.29 g/g obtained at lab-scale fermentation, while attaining a similar titer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest titer of IBE achieved and the first report on the large scale fermentation of C. acetobutylicum for IBE production. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Laboratory investigation and simulation of breakthrough curves in karst conduits with pools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xiaoer; Chang, Yong; Wu, Jichun; Peng, Fu

2017-12-01

A series of laboratory experiments are performed under various hydrological conditions to analyze the effect of pools in pipes on breakthrough curves (BTCs). The BTCs are generated after instantaneous injections of NaCl tracer solution. In order to test the feasibility of reproducing the BTCs and obtain transport parameters, three modeling approaches have been applied: the equilibrium model, the linear graphical method and the two-region nonequilibrium model. The investigation results show that pools induce tailing of the BTCs, and the shapes of BTCs depend on pool geometries and hydrological conditions. The simulations reveal that the two-region nonequilibrium model yields the best fits to experimental BTCs because the model can describe the transient storage in pools by the partition coefficient and the mass transfer coefficient. The model parameters indicate that pools produce high dispersion. The increased tailing occurs mainly because the partition coefficient decreases, as the number of pools increases. When comparing the tracer BTCs obtained using the two types of pools with the same size, the more appreciable BTC tails that occur for symmetrical pools likely result mainly from the less intense exchange between the water in the pools and the water in the pipe, because the partition coefficients for the two types of pools are virtually identical. Dispersivity values decrease as flow rates increase; however, the trend in dispersion is not clear. The reduced tailing is attributed to a decrease in immobile water with increasing flow rate. It provides evidence for hydrodynamically controlled tailing effects.

76 FR 45655 - Airworthiness Directives; Superior Air Parts and Lycoming Engines (Formerly Textron Lycoming...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-01

... holidays. For service information identified in this AD, contact AVStar Fuel Systems, Inc., 1365 Park Lane... a faulty fuel servo, Bendix model RSA-10ED1. AVStar Fuel Systems (AFS) had overhauled the fuel servo...) since new due to suspected manufacturing defects. AVStar Fuel Systems produces diaphragms, P/Ns...

Fuel quality/processing study. Volume 2: Appendix. Task 1 literature survey

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohara, J. B.; Bela, A.; Jentz, N. E.; Klumpe, H. W.; Kessler, H. E.; Kotzot, H. T.; Loran, B. L.

1981-01-01

The results of a literature survey of fuel processing and fuel quality are given. Liquid synfuels produced from coal and oil shale are discussed. Gas turbine fuel property specifications are discussed. On-site fuel pretreatment and emissions from stationary gas turbines are discussed. Numerous data tables and abstracts are given.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Science.gov Websites

biomass or other renewable resources that can be used as transportation fuel, combustion fuel, or refinery from biomass. Ethanol is ethyl alcohol derived from biomass that meets ASTM D4806-04a and federal quality requirements. Synthetic transportation fuel is a liquid fuel produced from biomass by a

Uranium to Electricity: The Chemistry of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Settle, Frank A.

2009-01-01

The nuclear fuel cycle consists of a series of industrial processes that produce fuel for the production of electricity in nuclear reactors, use the fuel to generate electricity, and subsequently manage the spent reactor fuel. While the physics and engineering of controlled fission are central to the generation of nuclear power, chemistry…

Mission analysis for the federal fuels from biomass program. Volume IV. Termochemical conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kohan, S.M.; Barkhordar, P.M.

1979-01-01

The thermochemical conversion of biomass feedstocks generally denotes technologies that use elevated temperatures to convert the fixed carbon content of biomass materials to produce other, more useful energy forms. Examples are combustion to produce heat, steam, electricity, or combinations of these; pyrolysis to produce gas (low- or intermediate-Btu), pyrolytic liquids and chemicals, and char; gasification to produce low or intermediate Btu gas (and, from IBG, additional products such as SNG, ammonia, methanol, or Fischer-Tropsch liquids); and liquefaction to produce heavy fuel oil or, with upgrading, lighter-boiling liquid products such as distillates, light fuel oils, or gasoline. This section discusses themore » selection of the feedstock used in the analysis of thermochemical conversion technologies. The following sections present detailed technical and economic evaluations of biomass conversion to electricity and steam by combustion, SNG by gasification and methanation, methanol by gasification and synthesis, oil by catalytic liquefaction, oil and char by pyrolysis, and ammonia by gasification and synthesis. The conversion options were reviewed with DOE for approval at the start of the project.« less

Guidance on Biogas used to Produce CNG or LNG under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Provides EPA’s interpretation of biogas quality and RIN generation requirements that apply to renewable fuel production pathways involving the injection into a commercial pipeline of biogas for use in producing renewable CNG or renewable LNG.

Energy Solution in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smil, Vaclaw

1977-01-01

For more than a decade, the Chinese have been using biogas digesters to produce fuel for homes in rural areas. This article discusses the design, operation, and benefits of these digesters. This means of waste treatment helps improve sanitation, produce fertilizer, and save fossil fuels. (MA)

Organic fuel cells and fuel cell conducting sheets

DOEpatents

Masel, Richard I.; Ha, Su; Adams, Brian

2007-10-16

A passive direct organic fuel cell includes an organic fuel solution and is operative to produce at least 15 mW/cm.sup.2 when operating at room temperature. In additional aspects of the invention, fuel cells can include a gas remover configured to promote circulation of an organic fuel solution when gas passes through the solution, a modified carbon cloth, one or more sealants, and a replaceable fuel cartridge.

MOX fuel arrangement for nuclear core

DOEpatents

Kantrowitz, M.L.; Rosenstein, R.G.

1998-10-13

In order to use up a stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium, the plutonium is converted into a mixed oxide (MOX) fuel form wherein it can be disposed in a plurality of different fuel assembly types. Depending on the equilibrium cycle that is required, a predetermined number of one or more of the fuel assembly types are selected and arranged in the core of the reactor in accordance with a selected loading schedule. Each of the fuel assemblies is designed to produce different combustion characteristics whereby the appropriate selection and disposition in the core enables the resulting equilibrium cycle to closely resemble that which is produced using urania fuel. The arrangement of the MOX rods and burnable absorber rods within each of the fuel assemblies, in combination with a selective control of the amount of plutonium which is contained in each of the MOX rods, is used to tailor the combustion characteristics of the assembly. 38 figs.

Energy Security: From Deal Killers to Game Changers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orbach, Raymond L.

2010-03-01

Five ``deal killers'' for achieving energy security will be addressed: 1) Global warming and CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, 2) Intermittent energy sources (wind, solar) and the presence and stability of the grid, 3) Penetration of plant defenses to produce transportation fuels from biomass, 4) Mimicking nature: artificial photosynthesis for solar energy-to-fuels, and 5) Spent fuel from nuclear power reactors. Basic research can lead to ``game changers'' for these five fields: 1) Carbon capture and storage through enhanced oil and gas recovery, 2) Electrical energy storage for base-load electricity through batteries and supercapacitors, 3) Genetic modification of the plant cell wall, and catalytic methods for conversion of plant sugars to fuels, 4) Separation of solar-induced electrons from holes, and catalysis to produce fuels, and 5) Closing the nuclear fuel cycle. The present state for each of these game changers will be summarized, and future research opportunities discussed.

Mox fuel arrangement for nuclear core

DOEpatents

Kantrowitz, Mark L.; Rosenstein, Richard G.

2001-05-15

In order to use up a stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium, the plutonium is converted into a mixed oxide (MOX) fuel form wherein it can be disposed in a plurality of different fuel assembly types. Depending on the equilibrium cycle that is required, a predetermined number of one or more of the fuel assembly types are selected and arranged in the core of the reactor in accordance with a selected loading schedule. Each of the fuel assemblies is designed to produce different combustion characteristics whereby the appropriate selection and disposition in the core enables the resulting equilibrium cycle to closely resemble that which is produced using urania fuel. The arrangement of the MOX rods and burnable absorber rods within each of the fuel assemblies, in combination with a selective control of the amount of plutonium which is contained in each of the MOX rods, is used to tailor the combustion. characteristics of the assembly.

MOX fuel arrangement for nuclear core

DOEpatents

Kantrowitz, Mark L.; Rosenstein, Richard G.

2001-07-17

In order to use up a stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium, the plutonium is converted into a mixed oxide (MOX) fuel form wherein it can be disposed in a plurality of different fuel assembly types. Depending on the equilibrium cycle that is required, a predetermined number of one or more of the fuel assembly types are selected and arranged in the core of the reactor in accordance with a selected loading schedule. Each of the fuel assemblies is designed to produce different combustion characteristics whereby the appropriate selection and disposition in the core enables the resulting equilibrium cycle to closely resemble that which is produced using urania fuel. The arrangement of the MOX rods and burnable absorber rods within each of the fuel assemblies, in combination with a selective control of the amount of plutonium which is contained in each of the MOX rods, is used to tailor the combustion characteristics of the assembly.

MOX fuel arrangement for nuclear core

DOEpatents

Kantrowitz, Mark L.; Rosenstein, Richard G.

1998-01-01

In order to use up a stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium, the plutonium is converted into a mixed oxide (MOX) fuel form wherein it can be disposed in a plurality of different fuel assembly types. Depending on the equilibrium cycle that is required, a predetermined number of one or more of the fuel assembly types are selected and arranged in the core of the reactor in accordance with a selected loading schedule. Each of the fuel assemblies is designed to produce different combustion characteristics whereby the appropriate selection and disposition in the core enables the resulting equilibrium cycle to closely resemble that which is produced using urania fuel. The arrangement of the MOX rods and burnable absorber rods within each of the fuel assemblies, in combination with a selective control of the amount of plutonium which is contained in each of the MOX rods, is used to tailor the combustion characteristics of the assembly.

Low NOx Heavy Fuel Combustor Concept Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Novick, A. S.; Troth, D. L.

1981-01-01

The development of the technology required to operate an industrial gas turbine combustion system on minimally processed, heavy petroleum or residual fuels having high levels of fuel-bound nitrogen (FBN) while producing acceptable levels of exhaust emissions is discussed. Three combustor concepts were designed and fabricated. Three fuels were supplied for the combustor test demonstrations: a typical middle distillate fuel, a heavy residual fuel, and a synthetic coal-derived fuel. The primary concept was an air staged, variable-geometry combustor designed to produce low emissions from fuels having high levels of FBN. This combustor used a long residence time, fuel-rich primary combustion zone followed by a quick-quench air mixer to rapidly dilute the fuel rich products for the fuel-lean final burnout of the fuel. This combustor, called the rich quench lean (RQL) combustor, was extensively tested using each fuel over the entire power range of the model 570 K engine. Also, a series of parameteric tests was conducted to determine the combustor's sensitivity to rich-zone equivalence ratio, lean-zone equivalence ratio, rich-zone residence time, and overall system pressure drop. Minimum nitrogen oxide emissions were measured at 50 to 55 ppmv at maximum continuous power for all three fuels. Smoke was less than a 10 SAE smoke number.

Influences of the molecular fuel structure on combustion reactions towards soot precursors in selected alkane and alkene flames.

PubMed

Ruwe, Lena; Moshammer, Kai; Hansen, Nils; Kohse-Höinghaus, Katharina

2018-04-25

In this study, we experimentally investigate the high-temperature oxidation kinetics of n-pentane, 1-pentene and 2-methyl-2-butene (2M2B) in a combustion environment using flame-sampling molecular beam mass spectrometry. The selected C5 fuels are prototypes for linear and branched, saturated and unsaturated fuel components, featuring different C-C and C-H bond structures. It is shown that the formation tendency of species, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), yielded through mass growth reactions increases drastically in the sequence n-pentane < 1-pentene < 2M2B. This comparative study enables valuable insights into fuel-dependent reaction sequences of the gas-phase combustion mechanism that provide explanations for the observed difference in the PAH formation tendency. First, we investigate the fuel-structure-dependent formation of small hydrocarbon species that are yielded as intermediate species during the fuel decomposition, because these species are at the origin of the subsequent mass growth reaction pathways. Second, we review typical PAH formation reactions inspecting repetitive growth sequences in dependence of the molecular fuel structure. Third, we discuss how differences in the intermediate species pool influence the formation reactions of key aromatic ring species that are important for the PAH growth process underlying soot formation. As a main result it was found that for the fuels featuring a C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond, the chemistry of their allylic fuel radicals and their decomposition products strongly influences the combination reactions to the initially formed aromatic ring species and as a consequence, the PAH formation tendency.

Processes for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to chemicals and liquid fuels

DOEpatents

Held, Andrew; Woods, Elizabeth; Cortright, Randy; Gray, Matthew

2017-05-23

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

Processes for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to chemicals and liquid fuels

DOEpatents

Held, Andrew; Woods, Elizabeth; Cortright, Randy; Gray, Matthew

2016-07-05

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

Processes for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to chemicals and liquid fuels

DOEpatents

Held, Andrew; Woods, Elizabeth; Cortright, Randy; Gray, Matthew

2018-04-17

The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C.sub.4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

Particulate and trace gas emissions from prescribed burns in southeastern U.S. fuel types: Summary of a 5-year project

Treesearch

David R. Weise; Timothy J. Johnson; James Reardon

2015-01-01

Management of smoke from prescribed fires requires knowledge of fuel quantity and the amount and composition of the smoke produced by the fire to minimize adverse impacts on human health. A five-year study produced new emissions information for more than 100 trace gases and particulate matter in smoke for fuel types found in the southern United States of America using...

A synthesis of the science on forests and carbon for U.S. Forests

Treesearch

Michael G. Ryan; Mark E. Harmon; Richard A. Birdsey; Christian P. Giardina; Linda S. Heath; Richard A. Houghton; Robert B. Jackson; Duncan C. McKinley; James F. Morrison; Brian C. Murray; Diane E. Pataki; Kenneth E. Skog

2010-01-01

Forests play an important role in the U.S. and global carbon cycle, and carbon sequestered by U.S. forest growth and harvested wood products currently offsets 12-19% of U.S. fossil fuel emissions. The cycle of forest growth, death, and regeneration and the use of wood removed from the forest complicate efforts to understand and measure forest carbon pools and flows....

Phase evolution, characterisation, and performance of cement prepared in an oxy-fuel atmosphere.

PubMed

Zheng, Liya; Hills, Thomas P; Fennell, Paul

2016-10-20

Cement manufacture is one of the major contributors (7-10%) to global anthropogenic CO 2 emissions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been identified as a vital technology for decarbonising the sector. Oxy-fuel combustion, involving burning fuel in a mixture of recycled CO 2 and pure O 2 instead of air, makes CO 2 capture much easier. Since it combines a theoretically lower energy penalty with an increase in production, it is attractive as a CCS technology in cement plants. However, it is necessary to demonstrate that changes in the clinkering atmosphere do not reduce the quality of the clinker produced. Clinkers were successfully produced in an oxy-fuel atmosphere using only pure oxides as raw materials as well as a mixture of oxides and clay. Then, CEM I cements were prepared by the addition of 5 wt% gypsum to the clinkers. Quantitative XRD and XRF were used to obtain the phase and elemental compositions of the clinkers. The particle size distribution and compressive strength of the cements at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days' ages were tested, and the effect of the particle size distribution on the compressive strength was investigated. Additionally, the compressive strength of the cements produced in oxy-fuel atmospheres was compared with those of the cement produced in air and commercially available CEMEX CEM I. The results show that good-quality cement can be successfully produced in an oxy-fuel atmosphere and it has similar phase and chemical compositions to CEM I. Additionally, it has a comparable compressive strength to the cement produced in air and to commercially available CEMEX CEM I.

Preliminary study on detection technology of the cladding weld of spent fuel storage pool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Pan; Cui, Hongyan; Feng, Meiming; Shao, Wenbin; Liao, Shusheng; Li, Wei

2018-04-01

As the first barrier of the Spent fuel storage pool, the steel cladding using different sizes (length×width) of 304L stainless steel with 3˜6mm thickness plate argon arc welded together which is direct contacted with boric acid water. Environmental humidity between the back of steel cladding and concrete, makes phosphate, chloride ion overflowed from the concrete that corroded on the weld zone with different mechanism. Part of the corrosion defects can penetrate leaded to leakage of boric acid water in penetration position accelerated crack propagation. In view of the above situation and combined with the actual needs of the power plant, the development of effective underwater nondestructive testing means of the weld area for periodic inspection and monitoring is necessary. A single method may lead to the missing of defects detection due to weld reinforcement unpolished. In this paper, eddy current array (ARRAY) and Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM) are adapted to test the limit sensitivity and resolution through by the specimens with artificial defects which make their detection abilities close to satisfy engineering requirements. The preliminary study found that Φ0.5mm through-wall hole and with 2mm length and 0.3mm width through-wall crack in the weld can be good inspected.

Release of plutonium isotopes into the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: what is known and what needs to be known.

PubMed

Zheng, Jian; Tagami, Keiko; Uchida, Shigeo

2013-09-03

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident has caused serious contamination in the environment. The release of Pu isotopes renewed considerable public concern because they present a large risk for internal radiation exposure. In this Critical Review, we summarize and analyze published studies related to the release of Pu from the FDNPP accident based on environmental sample analyses and the ORIGEN model simulations. Our analysis emphasizes the environmental distribution of released Pu isotopes, information on Pu isotopic composition for source identification of Pu releases in the FDNPP-damaged reactors or spent fuel pools, and estimation of the amounts of Pu isotopes released from the FDNPP accident. Our analysis indicates that a trace amount of Pu isotopes (∼2 × 10(-5)% of core inventory) was released into the environment from the damaged reactors but not from the spent fuel pools located in the reactor buildings. Regarding the possible Pu contamination in the marine environment, limited studies suggest that no extra Pu input from the FDNPP accident could be detected in the western North Pacific 30 km off the Fukushima coast. Finally, we identified knowledge gaps remained on the release of Pu into the environment and recommended issues for future studies.

From fire whirls to blue whirls and combustion with reduced pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Huahua; Gollner, Michael J.; Oran, Elaine S.

2016-08-01

Fire whirls are powerful, spinning disasters for people and surroundings when they occur in large urban and wildland fires. Whereas fire whirls have been studied for fire-safety applications, previous research has yet to harness their potential burning efficiency for enhanced combustion. This article presents laboratory studies of fire whirls initiated as pool fires, but where the fuel sits on a water surface, suggesting the idea of exploiting the high efficiency of fire whirls for oil-spill remediation. We show the transition from a pool fire, to a fire whirl, and then to a previously unobserved state, a “blue whirl.” A blue whirl is smaller, very stable, and burns completely blue as a hydrocarbon flame, indicating soot-free burning. The combination of fast mixing, intense swirl, and the water-surface boundary creates the conditions leading to nearly soot-free combustion. With the worldwide need to reduce emissions from both wanted and unwanted combustion, discovery of this state points to possible new pathways for reduced-emission combustion and fuel-spill cleanup. Because current methods to generate a stable vortex are difficult, we also propose that the blue whirl may serve as a research platform for fundamental studies of vortices and vortex breakdown in fluid mechanics.

From fire whirls to blue whirls and combustion with reduced pollution

PubMed Central

Xiao, Huahua; Oran, Elaine S.

2016-01-01

Fire whirls are powerful, spinning disasters for people and surroundings when they occur in large urban and wildland fires. Whereas fire whirls have been studied for fire-safety applications, previous research has yet to harness their potential burning efficiency for enhanced combustion. This article presents laboratory studies of fire whirls initiated as pool fires, but where the fuel sits on a water surface, suggesting the idea of exploiting the high efficiency of fire whirls for oil-spill remediation. We show the transition from a pool fire, to a fire whirl, and then to a previously unobserved state, a “blue whirl.” A blue whirl is smaller, very stable, and burns completely blue as a hydrocarbon flame, indicating soot-free burning. The combination of fast mixing, intense swirl, and the water–surface boundary creates the conditions leading to nearly soot-free combustion. With the worldwide need to reduce emissions from both wanted and unwanted combustion, discovery of this state points to possible new pathways for reduced-emission combustion and fuel-spill cleanup. Because current methods to generate a stable vortex are difficult, we also propose that the blue whirl may serve as a research platform for fundamental studies of vortices and vortex breakdown in fluid mechanics. PMID:27493219