Daily newspaper from Altus, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Daily newspaper from Baytown, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

The results from the tests of the first large area (4 [times] 4 cm[sup 2]) planar silicon drift detector prototype in a pion beam are reported. The measured position resolution in the drift direction is ([sigma]=40 [plus minus] 10)[mu]m.

The results from the tests of the first large area (4 {times} 4 cm{sup 2}) planar silicon drift detector prototype in a pion beam are reported. The measured position resolution in the drift direction is ({sigma}=40 {plus_minus} 10){mu}m.

Daily newspaper from Chickasha, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

In his closing remarks at last year's program review, Roland Kessler pointed out two critical questions that must be asked with regard to any program funding: (1) What specifically will be accomplished with the funds requested and why does it matter? (2) What important accomplishments have been made with the funds you have spent? These seem to be good questions, whether in times of tight budgets or not. I kept these questions in mind as I reviewed the papers summarizing this year's progress in the Energy Conversion Program. The Materials research effort appears to be accomplishing useful results, some of which are already being tested by industry. In many ways, the past and present achievements of the geothermal industry are a direct result of materials problems overcome. The future growth of this industry will be facilitated by new and improved materials. It often follows from such developments that an industry will leapfrog itself. I therefore support the continuation of this work. The Brine Chemistry research project is of great value. Plant designers and permitting agencies alike benefit from predictive modeling tools which are both accurate and easy to use. I am especially pleased with UCSDs efforts at information transfer. The …

For a number of years the Department of Energy has been funding research to reduce the cost of drilling geothermal wells. Generally that research has been effective and helped to make geothermal energy economically attractive to developers. With the increased competition for the electrical market, geothermal energy needs every advantage it can acquire to allow it to continue as a viable force in the marketplace. In drilling related research, there is essentially continuous dialogue between industry and the national laboratories. Therefore, the projects presented in the Program Review are focused on subjects that were previously recommended or approved by industry.

As our geothermal fields mature and the inevitable problems arise with their exploitation, it will be reservoir engineers that will evaluate our possible future courses of action in order to solve these problems. But first they must have the right tools and data. To date, the best reservoir engineering tool we have in geothermal is the reservoir simulators. The reason for this is our severe lack of definition of reservoir parameters. Within a simulation there are checks and balances on the interrelation of reservoir parameters that keep the result within certain realistic bounds. These uncertain parameters make most traditional reservoir engineering methods such as volumetrics of little use for anything beyond preliminary work. Parametric studies such as those by Mike Shook help in determining the range and sensitivity of unconstrained variables in simulator work and are valuable. However, as two non-unique simulations can yield similar results on an established field configuration, the same two can then give different results if used for investigating different future scenarios, injection cases or other what-if's. Therefore to use simulators as a development or management tool with greater confidence, a more unique solution is desired, requiring greater definition of the parameters input into the model. …

I think it is wonderful that our Country can support research projects. Innovations and the development of cost-effective technology is a strategic issue for our industry. We all know that this is important--in fact, required to keep the industry healthy. The objective must be to continuously develop technology which will do things better for less money. This is the ultimate goal of research. I've been asked to comment on production research issues. And so, I will limit my discussion to just that. I think what we've heard in the last few days concerning cements, waste processing, and scale prediction is encouraging. In particular, the work that is being conducted on polymer cements may be of significant importance. As you may know, many parts of The Geysers and other fields are incurring high corrosion rates. The question before us is, do we plug and abandon these wells? Install hangdown strings of small diameter liner using expensive metallurgy such as Inconnel, Hastelloy or Titanium? Or, drill new wells? With current economics, it behooves them to seek the least expensive option which can extend the economic life of these deteriorating facilities. Our current option may be to run inner-liners utilizing these new polymer …

Logging technologies developed for hydrocarbon resource evaluation have not migrated into geothermal applications even though data so obtained would strengthen reservoir characterization efforts. Two causative issues have impeded progress: (1) there is a general lack of vetted, high-temperature instrumentation, and (2) the interpretation of log data generated in a geothermal formation is in its infancy. Memory-logging tools provide a path around the first obstacle by providing quality data at a low cost. These tools feature onboard computers that process and store data, and newer systems may be programmed to make ''decisions''. Since memory tools are completely self-contained, they are readily deployed using the slick line found on most drilling locations. They have proven to be rugged, and a minimum training program is required for operator personnel. Present tools measure properties such as temperature and pressure, and the development of noise, deviation, and fluid conductivity logs based on existing hardware is relatively easy. A more complex geochemical tool aimed at a quantitative analysis of potassium, uranium and thorium will be available in about one year, and it is expandable into all nuclear measurements common in the hydrocarbon industry. A second tool designed to sample fluids at conditions exceeding 400 C (752 …

As a deep well in the center of a major Quaternary caldera, the Long Valley Exploratory Well (LVEW) provides a new perspective on the relationship between hydrothermal circulation and a large crustal magma chamber. It also provides an important test of models for the subsurface structure of active continental calderas. Results will impact geothermal exploration, assessment, and management of the Long Valley resource and should be applicable to other igneous-related geothermal systems. Our task is to use the cuttings and core from LVEW to interpret the evolution of the central caldera region, with emphasis on evidence of current hydrothermal conditions and circulation. LVEW has reached a depth of 2313 m, passing through post-caldera extrusives and the intracaldera Bishop Tuff to bottom in the Mt. Morrison roof pendant of the Sierran basement. The base of the section of Quaternary volcanic rocks related to Long Valley Caldera was encountered at 1800 m of which 1178 m is Bishop Tuff. The lithologies sampled generally support the classic view of large intercontinental calderas as piston-cylinder-like structures. In this model, the roof of the huge magma chamber, like an ill-fitting piston, broke and sank 2 km along a ring fracture system that simultaneously and explosively …

The UCSD brine chemistry program is providing highly accurate models of the behavior of high temperature brines to be used by the geothermal community to optimize production, interpret formation behavior and assist in performance assessment. Models are now available as user-oriented programs packaged for both main frame and personal computers (IBM and Macintosh). A manual describing the models and their application to various geothermal problems has been developed and made available to potential users. Tutorial sessions have been held and future sessions are planned. Present models can be used to predict the behavior of many important geothermal processes. For example, the tendency for production fluids to form carbonate, silica and sulfate scales can be predicted as a function of brine composition, temperature and CO{sub 2} partial pressure. The breakout pressure (onset of two phase flow) can be calculated as a function of temperature and brine composition. Preliminary models are available for characterizing H{sub 2}S gas/liquid distributions and the acid-base properties of the H{sub S}S-H{sub 2}O system as a function of brine composition, temperature and pressure. For the past year, a substantial part of this research has focused on the prediction of the properties of gases in the CO{sub 2}-CH{sub 4}-H{sub …

I'm pleased to be here as your keynote speaker from the utility industry. Today is fitting to discuss the role of an alternative/renewable energy resource such as geothermal. Three years ago today, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska. This ecological catastrophe was another of those periodic jolts that underscores the importance of lessening our nation's dependence on oil and increasing the use of cost-effective, environmentally benign alternative/renewable energy sources. Alternative/renewables have come a long way since the first oil crisis in 1973. Today, they provide 9 percent of electric power used in the United States. That's nearly double the figure of just two years ago. And since 1985, one-third of a new capacity has come from geothermal, solar, wind and biomass facilities. Nevertheless, geothermal supplies only about three-tenths of a percent of the country's electric power, or roughly 2,800 megawatts (MW). And most of that is in California. In fact, geothermal is California's second-largest source of renewable energy, supplying more than 5 percent of the power generated in the state. Today, I'd like to discuss the outlook for the geothermal industry, framing it within Southern California Edison's experience with geothermal …

The principal objective of electrical geophysical research at UURI has been to provide reliable exploration and reservoir assessment tools for the shallowest to the deepest levels of interest in geothermal fields. Three diverse methods are being considered currently: magnetotellurics (MT, and CSAMT), self-potential, and borehole resistivity. Primary shortcomings in the methods addressed have included a lack of proper interpretation tools to treat the effects of the inhomogeneous structures often encountered in geothermal systems, a lack of field data of sufficient accuracy and quantity to provide well-focused models of subsurface resistivity structure, and a poor understanding of the relation of resistivity to geothermal systems and physicochemical conditions in the earth generally. In MT, for example, interpretation research has focused successfully on the applicability of 2-D models in 3-D areas which show a preferred structural grain. Leading computer algorithms for 2-D and 3-D simulation have resulted and are combined with modern methods of regularized inversion. However, 3-D data coverage and interpretation is seen as a high priority. High data quality in our own research surveys has been assured by implementing a fully remote reference with digital FM telemetry and real-time processing with data coherence sorting. A detailed MT profile across Long Valley …

Development of biotechnology for treatment of geothermal residual waste is aimed at the application of low-cost biochemical processes for the surface treatment and disposal of residual geothermal sludges. These processes, in addition to the lowering of disposal cost, are designed to be environmentally acceptable. Recent studies at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) have shown that optimization of several process variables results in fast rates (<24h) of metal removal from residual sludges at acidic pH ({approx}1-2). Optimization of the process variables also enables the removal of radioactive isotopes. In addition, the aqueous phase produced during the bioprocessing which contains solubilized metals can be further treated in a manner which precipitates out the metals and renders the aqueous effluent toxic metal free. In this paper, the various process options will be discussed in terms of biotreatment variables. Chemical composition before and after biotreatment will also be discussed in terms of long-range effects, quality assurance and potential disposal costs.

America's increasing dependence on foreign energy sources, and the national environmental initiatives, based on the increasing awareness of the need for protection of the environment, have led to the development of the Department of Energy's (DOE) domestic US alternative energy programs. One of these programs is the current US Gulf Coast Geopressured-Geothermal Program, conducted at three sites in Louisiana and Texas. Excellent results have been obtained in reaching the objectives for this production operation and energy conversion project, which are: (1) to determine the size of geopressured-geothermal reservoirs and the drive mechanisms by long-term, high volume, flow testing; (2) prove long-term injectability of large volumes of spent brine; (3) develop modified scale inhibitor treatment procedures; (4) develop methods for reduction of erosion/corrosion; (5) develop technology for automated operation of geopressured-geothermal production system; and (6) develop technology to produce power economically from the geopressured-geothermal resources. The long-term flow test at the Gladys McCall site has shown the producing reservoir is many times it original, projected size. Flow tests are being conducted at the Pleasant Bayou site in Texas. Another reservoir, at the Hulin site in Louisiana, remains for initiation of testing, at a time to be determined. Gas sales and electrical …

The theme of this review, ''Geothermal Energy and the Utility Market--The Opportunities and Challenges for Expanding Geothermal Energy in a Competitive Supply Market'', ties in directly with the subject of this session. That is, it follows immediately that the establishment, utilization and maintenance of the borehole for extracting energy and data are the first and continuing concerns of the geothermal industry in expanding that resource's role in the utility market. There is probably no portion of the utilization of the geothermal energy resource that more determines the cost competitiveness of that resource than the cost of reaching and delivering the heat energy. Therefore, there is probably no other area where advances in the state-of-the-art can be more directly and profitably applied to the theme of this review. The four subjects in this session feature the activities under the program conducted at the Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque). Specifically, an overview is presented, a discussion of advances in acoustic telemetry, the status of lost circulation technology development, and a description of downhole memory-logging tools. One of the points of emphasis in the overview concerned slimhole drilling. The cost advantages of a smaller diameter borehole are intuitively obvious. The possibility of cutting drilling …

Weekly newspaper from Harper, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

The long term flow test (LTFT) of the worlds largest, deepest, and hottest hot dry rock (HDR) reservoir currently underway at Fenton Hill, NM, is expected to demonstrate that thermal energy can be mined from hot rock within the earth on a sustainable basis with minimal water consumption. This test will simulate the operations of a commercial facility in some ways, but it will not show that energy from HDR can be produced at a variety of locations with different geological settings. Since the Fenton Hill system was designed as a research facility rather than strictly for production purposes, it will also not demonstrate economic viability, although it may well give indications of system modifications needed for economic HDR operations. A second production site must be constructed, ideally under the direction of the private geothermal community, to begin the process of proving that the vast HDR resources can be accessed on a worldwide scale. This facility should be designed and engineered to produce and market energy at competitive prices. At the same time, a wide variety of techniques to advance the state-of-the-art of HDR technology must be pursued to develop this infant technology rapidly to its maximum potential. A number …

Photograph of a historic property located at 117 E Hopkins in San Marcos, Texas.

Hot Dry Rock adds a new flexibility to the utilization of geothermal energy. Almost always the approach has been to limit that utilization to places where there is a natural source of water associated with a source of heat. Actually, the result was that steam was mined. Clearly there are much larger heat resources available which lack natural water to transport that energy to the surface. Also, as is found in hydrothermal fields being mined for steam, the water supply finally gets used up. There is a strong motive in the existing capital investment to revitalize those resources. Techniques for introducing, recovering and utilizing the water necessary to recover the heat from below the surface of the earth is the subject of this session. Implicit in that utilization is the ability to forecast with reasonable accuracy the busbar cost of that energy to the utility industry. The added element of supplying the water introduces costs which must be recovered while still supplying energy which is competitive. Hot Dry Rock technology can supply energy. That has been proved long since. The basic barrier to its use by the utility industry has been and remains proof to the financial interests that the …

The goal of the Hydrothermal Program is to develop concepts which allow better utilization of geothermal energy to reduce the life-cycle cost of producing electricity from liquid-dominated, hydrothermal resources. Research in the program is currently ongoing in three areas: (1) Heat Cycle Research, which is looking at methods to increase binary plant efficiencies; (2) Materials Development, which is developing materials for use in geothermal associated environments; and (3) Advanced Brine Chemistry, with work taking place in both the brine chemistry modeling area and waste disposal area. The presentations during this session reviewed the accomplishments and activities taking place in the hydrothermal energy conversion program. Lawrence Kukacka, Brookhaven National Laboratory, discussed advancements being made to develop materials for use in geothermal applications. This research has identified a large number of potential materials for use in applications from pipe liners that inhibit scale buildup and reduce corrosion to elastomers for downhole use. Carl J. Bliem, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, discussed preparations currently underway to conduct field investigations of the condensation behavior of supersaturated turbine expansions. The research will evaluate whether the projected 8% to 10% improvement in brine utilization can be realized by allowing these expansions. Eugene T. Premuzic, Brookhaven National Laboratory, …

This research project proposes to develop novel new approaches of improving the radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy of malignancies by augmenting retention of radioimmunoconjugates by tumor cells. The approaches shown to be effective in these laboratory experiments will subsequently be incorporated into out ongoing clinical trials in patients. Specific project objectives include: to study the rates of endocytosis, intracellular routing, and metabolic degradation of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens on human leukemia and lymphoma cells; To examine the effects of lysosomotropic amines (e.g. chloroquine, amantadine), carboxylic ionophores (monensin, nigericin), and thioamides (propylthiouracil), on the retention of radiolabeled MoAbs by tumor cells; to examine the impact of newer radioiodination techniques (tyramine cellobiose, paraiodobenzoyl) on the metabolic degradation of radioiodinated antibodies; to compare the endocytosis, intracellular routing, and degradation of radioimmunoconjugates prepared with different radionuclides ({sup 131}Iodine, {sup 111}Indium, {sup 90}Yttrium, {sup 99m}Technetium, {sup 186}Rhenium); and to examine the utility of radioimmunoconjugates targeting oncogene products for the radioimmunotherapy and radioimmunoscintigraphy of cancer.

This research project proposes to develop novel new approaches of improving the radioimmunodetection and radioimmunotherapy of malignancies by augmenting retention of radioimmunoconjugates by tumor cells. The approaches shown to be effective in these laboratory experiments will subsequently be incorporated into out ongoing clinical trials in patients. Specific project objectives include: to study the rates of endocytosis, intracellular routing, and metabolic degradation of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies targeting tumor-associated antigens on human leukemia and lymphoma cells; To examine the effects of lysosomotropic amines (e.g. chloroquine, amantadine), carboxylic ionophores (monensin, nigericin), and thioamides (propylthiouracil), on the retention of radiolabeled MoAbs by tumor cells; to examine the impact of newer radioiodination techniques (tyramine cellobiose, paraiodobenzoyl) on the metabolic degradation of radioiodinated antibodies; to compare the endocytosis, intracellular routing, and degradation of radioimmunoconjugates prepared with different radionuclides ({sup 131}Iodine, {sup 111}Indium, {sup 90}Yttrium, {sup 99m}Technetium, {sup 186}Rhenium); and to examine the utility of radioimmunoconjugates targeting oncogene products for the radioimmunotherapy and radioimmunoscintigraphy of cancer.