Experimental Determination of ETS Particle Deposition in a Low Ventilation Room (open access)

Experimental Determination of ETS Particle Deposition in a Low Ventilation Room

Deposition on indoor surfaces is an important removal mechanism for tobacco smoke particles. We report measurements of deposition rates of environmental tobacco smoke particles in a room-size chamber. The deposition rates were determined from the changes in measured concentrations by correcting for the effects of coagulation and ventilation. The air flow turbulent intensity parameter was determined independently by measuring the air velocities in the chamber. Particles with diameters smaller than 0.25 {micro}m coagulate to form larger particles of sizes between 0.25-0.5 {micro}m. The effect of coagulation on the particles larger than 0.5 {micro}m was found to be negligible. Comparison between our measurements and calculations using Crump and Seinfeld's theory showed smaller measured deposition rates for particles from 0.1 to 0.3 {micro}m in diameter and greater measured deposition rates for particles larger than 0.6 {micro}m at three mixing intensities. Comparison of Nazaroff and Cass model for natural convection flow showed good agreement with the measurements for particles larger than 0.1 {micro}m in diameter, however, measured deposition rates exceeded model prediction by a factor of approximately four for particles in size range 0.05-0.1 {micro}m diameter. These results were used to predict deposition of sidestream smoke particles on interior surfaces. Calculations predict that …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Xu, M.; Nematollahi, M.; Sextro, R. G.; Gadgil, A. J. & Nazaroff, W. W.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Space reactor fuel element testing in upgraded TREAT (open access)

Space reactor fuel element testing in upgraded TREAT

The testing of candidate fuel elements at prototypic operating conditions with respect to temperature, power density, hydrogen coolant flow rate, etc., a crucial component in the development and qualification of nuclear rocket engines based on the Particle Bed Reactor (PBR), NERVA-derivative, and other concepts. Such testing may be performed at existing reactors, or at new facilities. A scoping study has been performed to assess the feasibility of testing PBR based fuel elements at the TREAT reactor. initial results suggest that full-scale PBR, elements could be tested at an average energy deposition of {approximately}60--80 MW-s/L in the current TREAT reactor. If the TREAT reactor was upgraded to include fuel elements with a higher temperature limit, average energy deposition of {approximately}100 MW/L may be achievable.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Todosow, M.; Bezler, P.; Ludewig, H. & Kato, W.Y.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Employment Impacts of Geothermal Electric Projects (open access)

Employment Impacts of Geothermal Electric Projects

Table 1 summarizes the number of jobs associated with the development and operation of a 50 MW geothermal dual flash power system. The values shown are person years (PY) of employment for the 50 MW system. About 1500 person years (PY) of labor are incorporated in the manufacture and installation of capital components of the system. Of these, about 300 PY are local to the area of the geothermal system, and about 1200 are dispersed elsewhere in the U.S. or other countries. About 71 PY of labor per year are required for the operation of the system. Of those, about 39 PY are local to the plant, and about 32 are dispersed. The total person years of labor over the entire life cycle of such a system, assuming a 30-year operational life, is on the order of 3630 person years. These include jobs during the 5 to 10 years of exploration and construction activities prior to plant start up. Of these jobs, about 1470 PY are local to the system, and about 21 60 are dispersed elsewhere.
Date: May 23, 1993
Creator: Entingh, Daniel J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The development of in vitro mutagenicity testing systems using T-lymphocytes (open access)

The development of in vitro mutagenicity testing systems using T-lymphocytes

This annual report describes progress in studies on hprt mutations induced by radon or Indium 111 along with the corresponding mutation frequency, cloning and molecular spectra in human T-lymphocytes. Parallel studies on the mutation susceptibility between individuals is being investigated by hprt mutation studies on ataxia telangiectasia and xeroderma pigmentosum.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Albertini, R.J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The role of electric field shear stabilization of turbulence in the H-mode to VH-mode transition in DIII-D (open access)

The role of electric field shear stabilization of turbulence in the H-mode to VH-mode transition in DIII-D

None
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Burrell, K.H.; Osborne, T.H.; Groebner, R.J. (General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)) & Rettig, C.L. (California Univ., Los Angeles, CA (United States))
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Theoretical Crystallography With the Advanced Visualization System (open access)

Theoretical Crystallography With the Advanced Visualization System

Space is an Application Visualization System (AVS) graphics module designed for crystallographic and molecular research. The program can handle molecules, two-dimensional periodic systems, and three-dimensional periodic systems, all referred to in the paper as models. Using several methods, the user can select atoms, groups of atoms, or entire molecules. Selections can be moved, copied, deleted, and merged. An important feature of Space is the crystallography component. The program allows the user to generate the unit cell from the asymmetric unit, manipulate the unit cell, and replicate it in three dimensions. Space includes the Buerger reduction algorithm which determines the asymmetric unit and the space group of highest symmetry of an input unit cell. Space also allows the user to display planes in the lattice based on Miller indices, and to cleave the crystal to expose the surface. The user can display important precalculated volumetric data in Space, such as electron densities and electrostatic surfaces. With a variety of methods, Space can compute the electrostatic potential of any chemical system based on input point charges.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Younkin, C. R.; Thornton, E. N.; Nicholas, J. B.; Jones, D. R. & Hess, A. C.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Structure and damping of toroidal drift waves (and their implications for anomalous transport) (open access)

Structure and damping of toroidal drift waves (and their implications for anomalous transport)

The conventional theory of high-n toroidal drift waves, based on the ballooning representation, indicates that shear-damping is generally reduced in a torus compared to its plane-slab value. It therefore describes the most unstable class of toroidal drift waves. However, modes of this type occur only i f the diamagnetic frequency [omega]*(r) has a maximum in r, and they affect only a small fraction, [Omicron](1/n[sup l/2]), of the plasma radius around this maximum. Consequently they may produce little anomalous transport. In the present work we show that, within the ballooning description, there is another class of toroidal drift waves with very different properties to the conventional ones. The new modes have greater shear-damping (closer to that in a plane-slab) than the conventional ones and so have a higher instability threshold. However, they occur for any plasma profile and at all radii, and they have larger radial extent. Consequently they may produce much greater anomalous transport than the possibly benign conventional modes. This suggests a picture of anomalous transport in which the plasma profile is determined by marginal stability, but marginal to the new class of modes not to the conventional ones. This might explain why marginally stable profiles calculated for drift …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Taylor, J.B. (Texas Univ., Austin, TX (United States). Inst. for Fusion Studies); Connor, J. & Wilson, H.R. (Euratom/UKAEA Fusion Association, Abingdon (United Kingdom). Culham Lab.)
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Hydronic Radiant Cooling: Overview and Preliminary Performance Assessment (open access)

Hydronic Radiant Cooling: Overview and Preliminary Performance Assessment

A significant amount of electrical energy used to cool non-residential buildings is drawn by the fans used to transport the cool air through the thermal distribution system. Hydronic systems reduce the amount of air transported through the building by separating ventilation and thermal conditioning. Due to the physical properties of water, hydronic distribution systems can transport a given amount of thermal energy using less than 5% of the otherwise necessary fan energy. This savings alone significantly reduces the energy consumption and especially the peak power requirement This survey clearly shows advantages for radiant cooling in combination with hydronic thermal distribution systems in comparison with the All-Air Systems commonly used in California. The report describes a literature survey on the system's development, thermal comfort issues, and cooling performance. The cooling power potential and the cooling power requirement are investigated for several California climates. Peak-power requirement is compared for hydronic radiant cooling and conventional All-Air-Systems.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Feustel, H. E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Infrared detection with high-[Tc] bolometers and response of Nb tunnel junctions to picosecond voltage pulses (open access)

Infrared detection with high-[Tc] bolometers and response of Nb tunnel junctions to picosecond voltage pulses

Oxide superconductors with high critical temperature [Tc] make sensitive thermometers for several types of infrared bolometers. The authors built composite bolometers with YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7[minus][delta]] thermometers on sapphire substrates which have higher sensitivity than competing thermal detectors which operate at temperatures above 77 K. A 1 x 1 mm bolometer with gold black serving as the radiation absorber has useful sensitivity for wavelengths 20--100 [mu]m. A 3 x 3 mm bolometer with a bismuth film as the absorber operates from 20--100 [mu]m. High-[Tc] bolometers which are fabricated with micromachining techniques on membranes of Si or Si[sub 3]N[sub 4] have potential application to large-format arrays which are used for infrared imaging. A nonisothermal high-[Tc] bolometer can be fabricated on a membrane of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) which is in thermal contact with the heat sink along the perimeter of the membrane. A thermal analysis indicates that the YSZ membrane bolometer can have improved sensitivity compared to the sapphire bolometer for spectrometer applications. The quasiparticle tunneling current in a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) junction is highly nonlinear in the applied voltage. The authors have made the first measurement of the linear response of the quasiparticle current in a Nb/AlO[sub x]/Nb junction over a broad …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Verghese, S.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Field Review of Fish Habitat Improvement Projects in Central Idaho. (open access)

Field Review of Fish Habitat Improvement Projects in Central Idaho.

The goal of this field review was to provide information to the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) regarding previous and ongoing fish habitat improvement projects in central Idaho. On July 14, 1992, the review team met at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area office near Ketchum, Idaho, for a slide presentation illustrating several habitat projects during their construction phases. Following the slide presentation, the review team inspected fish habitat projects that have been implemented in the last several years in the Stanley Basin and adjacent valleys. At each site the habitat project was described to the field team and a brief period for project inspection followed. The review team visited approximately a dozen sites on the Challis, Sawtooth, and Boise National Forests over a period of approximately two and a half days. There are two objectives of this review namely to summarize observations for specific field sites and to provide overview commentary regarding the BPA habitat improvement program in central Idaho.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Beschta, Robert L.; Griffith, Jack & Wesche, Thomas A.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Long-term Industrial Energy Forecasting (LIEF) model (18-sector version) (open access)

Long-term Industrial Energy Forecasting (LIEF) model (18-sector version)

The new 18-sector Long-term Industrial Energy Forecasting (LIEF) model is designed for convenient study of future industrial energy consumption, taking into account the composition of production, energy prices, and certain kinds of policy initiatives. Electricity and aggregate fossil fuels are modeled. Changes in energy intensity in each sector are driven by autonomous technological improvement (price-independent trend), the opportunity for energy-price-sensitive improvements, energy price expectations, and investment behavior. Although this decision-making framework involves more variables than the simplest econometric models, it enables direct comparison of an econometric approach with conservation supply curves from detailed engineering analysis. It also permits explicit consideration of a variety of policy approaches other than price manipulation. The model is tested in terms of historical data for nine manufacturing sectors, and parameters are determined for forecasting purposes. Relatively uniform and satisfactory parameters are obtained from this analysis. In this report, LIEF is also applied to create base-case and demand-side management scenarios to briefly illustrate modeling procedures and outputs.
Date: May 1993
Creator: Ross, M. H.; Thimmapuram, P.; Fisher, R. E. & Maciorowski, W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Surveillance of Site A and Plot M (open access)

Surveillance of Site A and Plot M

The results of the environmental surveillance program conducted at Site A/Plot M in the Palos Forest Preserve area for CY 1992 are presented. The surveillance program is the ongoing remedial action that resulted from the 1976--1978 radiological characterization of the site. That study determined that very low levels of hydrogen-3 (as tritiated water) had migrated from the burial ground and were present in two nearby hand-pumped picnic wells. The current program consists of sample collection and analysis of air, surface and subsurface water, and bottom sediment. The results of the analyses are used to (1) determine the migration pathway of water from the burial ground (Plot M) to the hand-pumped picnic wells, (2) establish if buried radionuclides other than hydrogen-3 have migrated, and (3) generally characterize the radiological environment of the area. Hydrogen-3 in the Red Gate Woods picnic wells was still detected this year, but the average and maximum concentrations were significantly less than found earlier. Tritiated water continues to be detected in a number of wells, boreholes, dolomite holes, and a surface stream. For many years it was the only radionuclide found to have migrated in measurable quantities. Analyses since 1984 have indicated the presence of low levels …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Golchert, N.W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Appendix SET-TMP-PT of the Experiment Operating Specification for the Savannah River One-Fourth Linear Scale, One-Sixth Sector, Tank/Muff/Pump (TMP) Separate Effects Tests (SET) experiment series (open access)

Appendix SET-TMP-PT of the Experiment Operating Specification for the Savannah River One-Fourth Linear Scale, One-Sixth Sector, Tank/Muff/Pump (TMP) Separate Effects Tests (SET) experiment series

The Savannah River One-Fourth Linear Scale, One-Sixth Sector, Tank-Muff-Pump (TMP) Separate Effects Tests (SET) are being conducted by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory to investigate Savannah River Site (SRS) production reactor tank, muff, pump suction, and pump hydraulic response phenomena for large break loss-of-coolant accident (LBLOCA) scenarios. The test series consists of experiments representing a range of hydraulic conditions and geometries which bound those anticipated for LBLOCAs in SRS reactors. Data from these experiments will be examined to identify important hydraulic phenomena with the objective of providing data for benchmarking code calculations. Information obtained from the SET series will also expand the SRS data base on reactor LBLOCA events. Due to inherent scaling distortions and facility limitations, the results of experiments in the SET series will not be precise replications of full-scale Savannah River Site production reactor (SRSPR) response, but will provide hydraulic behavior sufficiently representative of full-scale SRSPR behavior to preserve important hydraulic phenomena and satisfy test objectives. This document is Appendix SET-TMP-PT of the Experiment Operating Specification for the third set of experiments in the SET series. It contains information on experiment operation and facility configuration necessary to meet the key objectives stated in the bingham pump formal …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Bollinger, J. S.; Anderson, J. L.; Boucher, T. J. & Sterrett, J. D.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of a Coal Quality Expert (open access)

Development of a Coal Quality Expert

Task 3 provides detailed characterization of fuel properties of the test coals and in-depth evaluation of their performance characteristics under controlled pilot-scale combustion testing. Results from this task provide fundamental information required to develop some of the improved algorithms for the CQE. Both bench-scale fuel characterization and test furnace performance evaluations are being performed under this task. All pilot-scale combustion tests under this task have been completed. Topical reports for the coals evaluated under the Public Service Oklahoma's Northeastern Unit 4 and Northern States Power's King Unit 1 test series have been issued. Work continued during the past quarter on preparation of the final report for the Mississippi Power Company's Watson Unit 4 tests (to be completed first quarter 1993) and analyzing pilot-scale combustion data from the Alabama Power Company's Gaston tests; a topical report for the Gaston study will also be issued in 1993. Bench-scale testing and data analyses continued in support of the development of the slagging and fouling models. Data obtained from the analysis of samples of deposits, inflame solids, fly ash, and coal from CQE pilot-scale and drop tube combustion tests were evaluated for use in devising and verifying the slagging and fouling algorithms.
Date: May 20, 1993
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
DIII-D research operations (open access)

DIII-D research operations

This report discusses the research on the following topics: DIII-D program overview; divertor and boundary research program; advanced tokamak studies; tokamak physics; operations; program development; support services; contribution to ITER physics R D; and collaborative efforts.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Baker, D. (ed.)
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
The [delta]f algorithm for beam dynamics (open access)

The [delta]f algorithm for beam dynamics

An algorithm is developed to study particle dynamics of beams including collective interaction with high accuracy and low noise. Particle dynamics with collective interactions is treated through particle simulation, where the main or average distribution f[sub 0] and the deviation away from it [delta]f are separately followed. The main distribution f[sub 0] is handled by an analytic equilibrium solution and the perturbation away from it [delta]f is followed by the method of characteristics. We call this the [delta]f algorithm. We specifically model a synchrotron collider which includes the collision section where collective effects of collisions are simulated by this [delta]f algorithm and the rest of the collider where single particle dynamics are treated by simple harmonic transport. The most important target of this simulation is to understand and predict the long-time behavior of the beam luminosity and lifetime. The [delta]f method allows the study the effect of small perturbations over long timescales on beam lifetime by eliminating the numerical noise problem inherent in Particle-in-Cell techniques. In the [delta]f code using the reference parameters of the SSC (Superconducting Super Collider), beam blow-up near resonances and oscillations in the tune shift, [Delta][nu], far from resonances are observed. In studying long timescale particle …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Koga, J. & Tajima, T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Performance and evaluation of gas engine driven rooftop air conditioning equipment at the Willow Grove (PA) Naval Air Station (open access)

Performance and evaluation of gas engine driven rooftop air conditioning equipment at the Willow Grove (PA) Naval Air Station

In a field evaluation conducted for the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) examined the performance of a new US energy-related technology under the FEMP Test Bed Demonstration Program. The technology was a 15-ton natural gas engine driven roof top air conditioning unit. Two such units were installed on a naval retail building to provide space conditioning to the building. Under the Test Bed Demonstration Program, private and public sector interests are focused to support the installation and evaluation of new US technologies in the federal sector. Participating in this effort under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with DOE were the American Gas Cooling Center, Philadelphia Electric Company, Thermo King Corporation, and the US Naval Air Station at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Equipment operating and service data as well as building interior and exterior conditions were secured for the 1992 cooling season. Based on a computer assessment of the building using standard weather data, a comparison was made with the energy and operating costs associated with the previous space conditioning system. Based on performance during the 1992 cooling season and adjusted to a normal weather year, the technology …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Armstrong, P. R. & Conover, D. R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dependence of [beta][center dot][tau] on plasma shape in DIII-D (open access)

Dependence of [beta][center dot][tau] on plasma shape in DIII-D

In this paper we discuss the observed variation in plasma performance with plasma shape, in particular, we shall compare single and double null diverted plasmas. The product [beta][center dot][tau] has been used as a figure-of-merit for comparing different toroidal magnetic configurations. Here we shall use it as the figure-of-merit for comparing differing configurations within the DIII-D tokamak.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Lazarus, E.A. (Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States))
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Confinement and stability of a Crystalline Beam (open access)

Confinement and stability of a Crystalline Beam

This technical report defines and describes a Crystalline Beam. This is an ordered state of matter made of electrically charged ions which are moving together in a storage ring with very high density and small velocity spread. In particular, the paper analyses the requirements for the confinement and the stability of the Beam. It is demonstrated that a storage ring made of one circular weak-focusing magnet, similar to a Betatron, is the most suitable for the confinement and stability of the Crystalline Beam. The disruptive effects of drift insertions have also been investigated. Requirements on final densities and velocity spreads are also calculated and reported. A matrix formalism is developed for the design of the storage ring. The important issue of the disruption caused by the curvature of the closed trajectory is not here discussed; it is the subject of a subsequent paper.
Date: May 10, 1993
Creator: Ruggiero, Alessandro G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
DOE/NREL Advanced Wind Turbine Development Program (open access)

DOE/NREL Advanced Wind Turbine Development Program

The development of technologically advanced, high-efficiency wind turbines continues to be a high-priority activity of the US wind industry. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (formerly the Solar Energy Research Institute), sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE), has initiated the Advanced Wind Turbine Program to assist the wind industry in the development of a new class of advanced wind turbines. The initial phase of the program focused on developing conceptual designs for near-term and advanced turbines. The goal of the second phase of this program is to use the experience gained over the last decade of turbine design and operation combined with the latest existing design tools to develop a turbine that will produce energy at $0.05 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in a 5.8-m/s (13-mph) wind site. Three contracts have been awarded, and two more are under negotiation in the second phase. The third phase of the program will use new innovations and state-of-the-art wind turbine design technology to produce a turbine that will generate energy at $0.04/kWh in a 5.8-m/s wind site. Details of the third phase will be announced in early 1993.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Butterfield, C.P.; Smith, B.; Laxson, A.; Thresher, B. (National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)) & Goldman, P. (USDOE Assistant Secretary for Conservation and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States). Wind/Hydro/Ocean Technologies Div.)
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Engineering development of advanced coal-fired low-emission boiler system (open access)

Engineering development of advanced coal-fired low-emission boiler system

The Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center of the US Department of Energy (DOE) has contracted with Combustion Engineering, Inc. (ABB CE) to perform work on the Engineering Development of Advanced Coal-Fired Low-Emission Boiler Systems'' Project and has authorized ABB CE to complete Phase I on a cost-reimbursable basis. The overall objective of the Project is the expedited commercialization of advanced coal-fired low-emission boiler systems. The specified primary objectives are: (1) NOx emissions not greater than one-third NSPS. (2) SOx emissions not greater than one-third NSPS. (3) Particulate emissions not greater than one-half NSPS. The specific secondary objectives are: (1) Improved ash disposability and reduced waste generation. (2) Reduced air toxics emissions. (3) Increased generating efficiency. The final deliverables are a design data base that will allow future coal-fired power plants to meet the stated objectives and a preliminary design of a commercial generation unit.
Date: May 28, 1993
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A camera for imaging hard x-rays from suprathermal electrons during lower hybrid current drive on PBX-M (open access)

A camera for imaging hard x-rays from suprathermal electrons during lower hybrid current drive on PBX-M

During lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), suprathermal electrons are generated that emit hard X-ray bremsstrahlung. A pinhole camera has been installed on the PBX-M tokamak that records 128 [times] 128 pixel images of the bremsstrahlung with a 3 ms time resolution. This camera has identified hollow radiation profiles on PBX-M, indicating off-axis current drive. The detector is a 9in. dia. intensifier. A detailed account of the construction of the Hard X-ray Camera, its operation, and its performance is given.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Von Goeler, S.; Kaita, R.; Bernabei, S.; Davis, W.; Fishman, H.; Gettelfinger, G. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
An assessment of nondestructive testing technologies for chemical weapons monitoring (open access)

An assessment of nondestructive testing technologies for chemical weapons monitoring

The US Department of Energy (DOE), with the US Army Chemical Research, Development and Engineering Center (CRDEC) under the sponsorship of the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA), completed testing of Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) technology on live agent systems. The tests were conducted at Tooele Army Depot during August 1992. The Nondestructive Evaluation systems were tested for potential use in verifying chemical treaty requirements. Five technologies, two neutron and three acoustic, were developed at DOE laboratories. Two systems from the United Kingdom (one neutron and one acoustic) were also included in the field trials. All systems tested showed the ability to distinguish among the VX, GB, and Mustard. Three of the systems (two acoustic and one neutron) were used by On-Site Inspection Agency (OSIA) personnel.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Taylor, T. T.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Potential effect of natural gas wells on alluvial groundwater contamination at the Kansas City Plant (open access)

Potential effect of natural gas wells on alluvial groundwater contamination at the Kansas City Plant

This report is the result of a request for further information about several abandoned natural gas wells at the US Department of Energy's Kansas City Plant (KCP). The request was prompted by an old map showing several, possibly eight, natural gas wells located under or near what is now the southeast corner of the Main Manufacturing Building at KCP. Volatile organic compound contamination in the alluvial aquifer surrounding the gas wells might possibly contaminate the bedrock aquifer if the gas wells still exist as conduits. Several circumstances exist that make it doubtful that contamination is entering the bedrock aquifers: (1) because regional groundwater flow in the bedrock beneath the KCP is expected to be vertically upward, contaminants found in the alluvial aquifer should not migrate down the old wells; (2) because of the low hydraulic conductivity of the bedrock units, contaminant transport would be extremely slow if the contaminants were migrating down the wells; and (3) casing, apparently set through the alluvium in all of the wells, would have deteriorated and may have collapsed; if the casing collapsed, the silty clays in the alluvium would also collapse and seal the well. No definitive information has been discovered about the exact …
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Pickering, D.A.; Laase, A.D. (Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)) & Locke, D.A. (Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education, TN (United States))
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library