A preliminary assessment of Appalachian basin natural gas reservoirs designated as 'tight sands' by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) suggests that greater than 90% of the 'tight sand' resource occurs within two groups of genetically-related units; (1) the Lower Silurian Medina interval, and (2) the Upper Devonian-Lower Mississippian Acadian clastic wedge. These intervals were targeted for detailed study with the goal of producing geologic reservoir characterization data sets compatible with the Tight Gas Analysis System (TGAS: ICF Resources, Inc.) reservoir simulator. The first phase of the study, completed in September, 1991, addressed the Medina reservoirs. The second phase, concerned with the Acadian clastic wedge, was completed in October, 1992. This report is a combined and updated version of the reports submitted in association with those efforts. The Medina interval consists of numerous interfingering fluvial/deltaic sandstones that produce oil and natural gas along an arcuate belt that stretches from eastern Kentucky to western New York. Geophysical well logs from 433 wells were examined in order to determine the geologic characteristics of six separate reservoir-bearing intervals. The Acadian clastic wedge is a thick, highly-lenticular package of interfingering fluvial-deltaic sandstones, siltstones, and shales. Geologic analyses of more than 800 wells resulted in …

The Refrigerant Database consolidates and facilitates access to information to assist industry in developing equipment using alternative refrigerants. The underlying purpose is to accelerate phase out of chemical compounds of environmental concern. The database provides bibliographic citations and abstracts for publications that may be useful in research and design of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The complete documents are not included. The database identifies sources of specific information on R-32, R-123, R-124, R-125, R-134, R-134a, R-141b, R-142b, R-143a, R-152a, R-245ca, R-290 (propane), R-717 (ammonia), ethers, and others as well as azeotropic and zeotropic blends of these fluids. It addresses lubricants including alkylbenzene, polyalkylene glycol, ester, and other synthetics as well as mineral oils. It also references documents addressing compatibility of refrigerants and lubricants with metals, plastics, elastomers, motor insulation, and other materials used in refrigerant circuits. Incomplete citations or abstracts are provided for some documents to accelerate availability of the information and will be completed or replaced in future updates.

The Refrigerant Database consolidates and facilitates access to information to assist industry in developing equipment using alternative refrigerants. The underlying purpose is to accelerate phase out of chemical compounds of environmental concern. The database provides bibliographic citations and abstracts for publications that may be useful in research and design of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The complete documents are not included. The database identifies sources of specific information on R-32, R-123, R-124, R-125, R-134, R-134a, R-141b, R-142b, R-143a, R-152a, R-245ca, R-290 (propane), R-717 (ammonia), ethers, and others as well as azeotropic and zeotropic blends of these fluids. It addresses lubricants including alkylbenzene, polyalkylene glycol, ester, and other synthetics as well as mineral oils. It also references documents addressing compatibility of refrigerants and lubricants with metals, plastics, elastomers, motor insulation, and other materials used in refrigerant circuits. Incomplete citations or abstracts are provided for some documents to accelerate availability of the information and will be completed or replaced in future updates.

The objective of this research is to assist the recovery of non contacted oil from known reservoirs on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of,Mexico. Mature off shore reservoirs, declining oil reserves, declining production, and other natural forces are accelerating the abandonment of offshore oil resources and production platforms. As these offshore wells are plugged and the platforms are abandoned, an enormous volume of remaining oil will be permanently abandoned. Significant quantities of this oil could be recovered using advanced technologies now available if the resource can be identified. During this reporting period, ICF Resources Incorporated (ICF), a subcontractor for the project, continued to collect data from Minerals Management Service (MMS) and LSU continued to collect data from several operators. LSU also continued to modify BOAST II for the integration of radial grid systems and the building of the experimental apparatus for studying the recovery of attic oil. BDM Federal, Inc. (name changed from BDM International, Inc.) (BDM), a subcontractor for the project, began modifying the MASTER reservoir simulation model for use in simulating miscible gas injection processes in steeply dipping reservoirs. LSU and BDM Federal. Inc. began analyzing data obtained from Taylor Energy in South Marsh 73 field.

Work this quarter focused on the development of the engineering design specifications for the ET Test Circuit. Process flowsheets and detailed equipment specifications were finalized. Based on this information, bid packages were assembled and purchase orders were issued for all of the necessary process equipment. The design and procurement information is summarized in the ET Circuit Design Report submitted to the DOE's COR this quarter. Final drafts of the ET Circuit - System Safety Analysis, Nuclear Density Gauge - System Safety Analysis and Operating Manual/SOP were also completed and submitted to the COR this quarter. Preliminary characterization studies were also initiated this quarter. Tests were conducted to determine the grinding conditions required to achieve the desired particle size distributions for the characterization work. Flotation release analysis tests were conducted on both the Pittsburgh [number sign]8 and Illinois [number sign]6 seam coals as a function of grind size. The primary objective of the proposed work is to design, install, and operate an advanced fine coal processing circuit combining the Microcel and Multi-Gravity-Separator (MGS) technologies. Both of these processes have specific advantages as stand-alone units. For example, the Microcel column effectively removes ash-bearing mineral matter, while the MGS efficiently removes coal-pyrite composites. …

Work this quarter focused on the development of the engineering design specifications for the ET Test Circuit. Process flowsheets and detailed equipment specifications were finalized. Based on this information, bid packages were assembled and purchase orders were issued for all of the necessary process equipment. The design and procurement information is summarized in the ET Circuit Design Report submitted to the DOE`s COR this quarter. Final drafts of the ET Circuit - System Safety Analysis, Nuclear Density Gauge - System Safety Analysis and Operating Manual/SOP were also completed and submitted to the COR this quarter. Preliminary characterization studies were also initiated this quarter. Tests were conducted to determine the grinding conditions required to achieve the desired particle size distributions for the characterization work. Flotation release analysis tests were conducted on both the Pittsburgh {number_sign}8 and Illinois {number_sign}6 seam coals as a function of grind size. The primary objective of the proposed work is to design, install, and operate an advanced fine coal processing circuit combining the Microcel and Multi-Gravity-Separator (MGS) technologies. Both of these processes have specific advantages as stand-alone units. For example, the Microcel column effectively removes ash-bearing mineral matter, while the MGS efficiently removes coal-pyrite composites. By combining …

The purpose of this report is to compare the cost of selected alternative processes for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. In turn, this information will be used by the ARS/USDA to guide the management of research and development programs in biomass conversion. The report will identify where the cost leverages are for the selected alternatives and what performance parameters need to be achieved to improve the economics. The process alternatives considered here are not exhaustive, but are selected on the basis of having a reasonable potential in improving the economics of producing ethanol from biomass. When other alternatives come under consideration, they should be evaluated by the same methodology used in this report to give fair comparisons of opportunities. A generic plant design is developed for an annual production of 25 million gallons of anhydrous ethanol using corn stover as the model substrate at $30/dry ton. Standard chemical engineering techniques are used to give first order estimates of the capital and operating costs. Following the format of the corn to ethanol plant, there are nine sections to the plant; feed preparation, pretreatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, distillation and dehydration, stillage evaporation, storage and denaturation, utilities, and enzyme production. There are …

Theoretical electronic structure techniques are used to analyze widely different systems from Si clusters to transition metal solids and surfaces. For the Si clusters, first principles density functional methods are used to investigate Si{sub N} for N=2-8. Goal is to understand the different types of bonding that can occur in such small clusters where the atomic coordination differs substantially from tetrahedral bonding; such uncoordinated structures can test approximate models of Si surfaces. For the transition metal systems, non-self-consistent electronic structure methods are used to understand the driving force for surface relaxations. In-depth analysis of results is presented and physical basis of surface relaxation within the theory is discussed. Limitations inherent in calculations of metal surface relaxation are addressed. Finally, in an effort to understand approximate methods, a novel non-self- consistent density functional electronic structure method is developed that is about 1000 times faster than more sophisticated methods; this method is tested for various systems including diatomics, mixed clusters, surfaces, and bulk lattices.

The research is divided among several topics: wetting of thin liquid polyethylene-propylene films, Fourier reconstruction of density profiles of thin films using anomalous x-ray reflectivity, and temperature and concentration effects on grafted polymers in the melt. 3 figs.

The research is divided among several topics: wetting of thin liquid polyethylene-propylene films, Fourier reconstruction of density profiles of thin films using anomalous x-ray reflectivity, and temperature and concentration effects on grafted polymers in the melt. 3 figs.

The ARM goal is to help improve both longwave and shortwave models by providing improved radiometric shortwave data. These data can be used directly to test shortwave model predictions. As will be described below they can also provide inferred values for aerosol and cloud properties that are useful for longwave modeling efforts as well. The current ARM research program includes three tasks all related to the study of shortwave radiation transfer through clouds and aerosol. Two of the tasks involve the assembly of archived and new radiation and meteorological data sets; the third and dominant task has been the development and use of new shortwave radiometric sensors. Archived data from Golden, Colorado, and Albany, New York, were combined with National Weather Service ground and upper air data for testing radiation models for the era when the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) was operational. These data do not include optimum surface radiation measurements; consequently we are acquiring downwelling shortwave, including direct and diffuse irradiance, plus downwelling longwave, upwelling shortwave, and aerosol optical depth, at our own institution, as an additional dataset for ARM modelers.

There is no market failure that warrants utility regulation of the construction of new generating plants, the supply of energy efficiency or the purchase of fuel under contract. The natural monopoly problem applies to the distribution of electricity and gas, not to generation, energy conservation, or gas purchases. Utility regulation magnifies a market failure, which is the principal agent problem. Regulatory allowance of utilities signing long term fixed price contracts and undertaking conservation measures result in costs and risks being shifted to ratepayers that would not occur under competitive market conditions. Economic efficiency would be enhanced if cost of service regulation of electric and gas utilities were replaced by a competitive market process for the construction of new power plants, utility conservation programs and contracts to purchase fuel. Conservation measures could be supplied by energy service companies. Gas merchants could provide gas and energy conservation directly to ultimate customers, if they had access to LDC pipelines. With a competitive market established to sell gas and energy services, contracts and conservation measures would not require cost-of- service regulation.

The transpiration technique is used to measure volatilities of U from U{sub 3}O{sub 8}(s), Pu from PuO{sub 2}(s) and Pu and Am from PuO{sub 2}/2%AmO{sub 2}(s) in the presence of steam and oxygen at temperatures ranging from 900 to 1300{degree}C.

This project was initiated in 1978 to serve three objectives: (1) develop genetically improved poplar cultivars offering increased productivity under short-rotation culture; (2) identify the major components of productivity in poplar and determine ways in which they can be manipulated, genetically and culturally; and (3) engage in technology transfer to regional industry and agencies so as to make poplar culture in the Pacific Northwest economically feasible. The project is aimed at capturing natural variation in the native black cottonwood. Populus trichocarpa T & G, and enhancing it through selective breeding. Major emphasis has been placed on hybridization of black cottonwood with P deltoides and P maximowiczii, more recently with p nigra. First-generation (F{sub 1}) hybrids have consistently outperformed black cottonwood by a factor of 1.5.-2. The high yields of woody biomass obtained from these clonally propagated hybrids, in rotations of 4-7 years, have fostered the establishment of large-scale plantations by the pulp and paper industry in the region. Physiological studies have helped to elucidate hybrid superiority and several of the underlying mechanisms.

This project is designed to investigate the nature of geochemical, geological, and production parameters that control the occurrence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in oil-and gas-field operations. Relations between reservoir setting and NORM content of brine and scale will be interpreted on the basis of formation brines and production-equipment scales collected at field sites for detailed chemical and mineralogical analyses. During the first quarter of 1993, we concentrated on gathering all available information concerning the distribution of NORM in Texas oil and gas fields, the geochemical behavior of uranium, thorium, and radium in formation water, the physical and chemical conditions that cause radium to be released from geologic formations to produced water, the geochemical conditions that cause scale to form, and the chemical factors that determine the NORM content of scale. Now that we have compiled all available published reports of production-water chemistry that include radium measurements and scale composition, we are ready to collect new scale and water samples and perform analyses. With assistance from the Railroad Commission of Texas we are beginning to identify specific oil and gas fields for sampling. These activities will be the focus of our efforts during the second quarter of 1993.

This executive summary of the report, describes the accomplishments of the joint Morgantown Energy Technology Center and Energy Research Corporation Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) No. 92-003. Intermediate-sized natural gas fueled carbonate fuel cell power plants with steam-bottoming cycles have been evaluated by DOE/METC and ERC. This was accomplished by mutual development of a design basis and subsequent development of computer simulation models, which characterize the performance of a 50 MW baseline plant configuration, as well as a more advanced plant configuration.

Studies on use of buckminister fullerines as a test subject to understand electron-related processes in radiobiology are described.

The development of probability of detection (POD) models for a variety of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods is motivated by a desire to quantify the variability introduced during the process of testing. Sources of variability involved in eddy current methods of NDE include those caused by variations in liftoff, material properties, probe canting angle, scan format, surface roughness and measurement noise. This thesis presents a comprehensive POD model for eddy current NDE. Eddy current methods of nondestructive testing are used widely in industry to inspect a variety of nonferromagnetic and ferromagnetic materials. The development of a comprehensive POD model is therefore of significant importance. The model incorporates several sources of variability characterized by a multivariate Gaussian distribution and employs finite element analysis to predict the signal distribution. The method of mixtures is then used for estimating optimal threshold values. The research demonstrates the use of a finite element model within a probabilistic framework to the spread in the measured signal for eddy current nondestructive methods. Using the signal distributions for various flaw sizes the POD curves for varying defect parameters have been computed. In contrast to experimental POD models, the cost of generating such curves is very low and complex defect …

Progress continued on production of co-product samples for four coals from three coal regions: Buckskin Mine coal (Wyoming, Powder River Basin, Coal), Knife River Mine Lignite (Beulah Zap, North Dakota Lignite), Sarpy Creek Mine Coal (Montana Rosebud, Powder River Basin Coal), Usibelli Mine Coal (Alaska Coal).

This investigation is concerned with the separation of gas mixtures using a novel concept of rapid pressure swing absorption (RAPSAB) of gas in a stationary absorbent liquid through gas-liquid interfaces immobilized in the pore mouths of hydrophobic microporous membranes. The process is implemented in a module well-packed with hydrophobic microporous hollow fiber membranes. The specific objectives are (1) to develop a theoretical model which will provide guidelines for selecting an efficient RAPSAB process cycle which includes desorption; (2) to demonstrate the concept experimentally with a simple gas mixture (e.g.,Co{sub 2}-N{sub 2}) and a simple absorbent liquid such as water, and (3) to extend the concept to reactive absorbent liquids for the separation of CO, Co{sub 2} from the post-shift reactor synthesis gas. We have initiated the development of a theoretical model for the absorption part of the RAPSAB cycle (mode 3) where the reactive absorbent diethanolamine (DEA) is used in an aqueous solution to remove CO{sub 2} from a CO{sub 2}-N{sub 2} mixture.

During the first quarter of the project, from February 22, 1993 to March 31, 1993, the major work is to conduct project work plan and to organize the research term in order to successfully conduct this fossil resin refining project. Under a previous DOE-funded program, University of Utah and APT conducted a serious pilot-plant tests of selective flotation of fossil resin from Wasatch plateau coal (both UPL coal and CO-OP coal mines) of south central Utah. About 200 lbs high grade fossil resin flotation concentrate (approximate 75% resin content) was generated from those pilot-plant flotation tests. The resin flotation concentrate were naturally dried, sampled and storied into one kilo plastic bag for future use. The ash and moisture content of the resin concentrate is found to be 1.23% and 1.03 by weight respectively. As concluded from our previous research project, it was found that macroscopic fossil resin is friable and can be easily liberated from other coal macerals. Consequently the fossil resin particles tend to concentrate into the fine sizes during size reduction and coal preparation. Because of this property, the fine resinous coal streams in a coal preparation plant contain more than 6% hexane-soluble fossil resin, even when the …

Weekly newsletter discussing natural resources, parks, hunting and fishing, and other information related to the outdoors in Texas.

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

The following studies are described that were either completed during this 3-year period or are well underway: XAFS study of pressure-induced transition in Rb-W bronze (Rb[sub 0.31]WO[sub 3]); XAFS study of bcc-hcp transition in Fe; XAFS search for valence change in thallium perhenate (TlReO[sub 4]) at high pressure; XANES analysis of alkali halides; pair potentials in alkali halides studied via EXAFS; EXAFS determination of bond angles in ReO[sub 3]; XAFS study of mixed-valence transition in SmSe; Moessbauer studies of Fe hydride at high pressure; and Moessbauer and x-ray studies of Fe silicate spinel at high pressure. (DLC)