Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Volume 2, Number 12 (December 1978), The Otec Liaison

The OTEC Liaison

No abstract provided.

Volume 2, Number 11 (November 1978), The Otec Liaison

The OTEC Liaison

No abstract provided.

Keynote Speech: New Energy Concepts -- Engineering Development Challenges, Joseph M. Marchello

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Bringing new energy concepts to commercialization presents formidable engineering challenges requiring considerable amounts of ingenuity and perseverance. Bolstered by the knowledge and experience gained from past accomplishments, engineers can face these challenges with the confidence and assurance that they can continue to create practical applications of science, especially in the pressing energy field.

New Trends In Building Design And Planning -- For The Age Of Energy Conservation, C. William Brubaker

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In response to increasing energy costs, building design and planning are changing. Rational design can achieve many of the goals of energy conservation.

The Arizona Solar Tax Incentives Package, Donald E. Osborn

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The State of Arizona has enacted into law one of the nation's most comprehensive and consumer oriented set of tax incentives to encourage the use of solar energy devices. The development of these incentives and their required regulations and guidelines are covered.

Solar Technology Inventory For The Mid-American Region, L. Icerman, S. K. Parker

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A mailed questionnaire and telephone contact procedure was developed to identify solar equipment manufacturers in the Mid-American Solar Energy Center (MASEC) region and to collect information required to characterize the solar equipment manufacturing industry. Special emphasis was placed on assembling data that are useful in evaluating the commercialization status of the solar energy industry from an equipment supplier viewpoint.

The Effect Of Crude Oil Prices On The Output Composition Of Refined Petroleum Products, Angelos Pagoulatos, David L. Debertin, Emilio Pagoulatos

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this study the crude petroleum market is linked to the market of refined petroleum products through a set of technological relationships. An econometric study is used to quantify the existing relevant variables. The price equations for each refined product are used to derive estimates of elasticities with respect to quantity supplied, price of domestic crude oil and price of imports.

Electrical Energy Conversion Techniques For The Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, Curtis W. Dodd, James L. Evers

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The characteristics of the Vertical Axis Wind Turbine make it possible to use generating techniques not suitable for Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines. Methods for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy are presented and discussed for vertical turbines of the 250 KW to 2500 KW size. This paper will also look at the present status of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine research in the United States.

Impacts Of Energy Price Increases On Fertilizer Use And Crop Acreages, David L. Debertin, Angelos Pagoulatos, Fred O. Boadu

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper examines the impacts of energy price increases of the use of fertilizer and the allocation of crop acreages between corn and soybeans. Regression analysis is used to estimate yield responses to alternative fertilization levels. A Linear Programming was used to allocate crop acreages under alternative assumptions with regard to fertilizer prices and yield responses.

Generation For Maximum System Efficiency, Charles A. Gross

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper presents a method for solving for the generation combination that supplies a specific load demand at maximum efficiency in a multigenerator power system. The method accounts for transmission losses using the B constant approach and generating losses using heat rate data. Results are presented for an example test system.

Oklahoma's Energy Extension Service Program -- Past, Present And Future, John W. Willis Jr.

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The U. S. Department of Energy's Plan for a nationwide Energy Extension Service (EES) provides a genuine opportunity for states to establish a positive energy outreach program. This paper summarizes Oklahoma's previous involvement in EES and outlines items that should be considered in design of the future program.

Design Of Wind-Powered Cold Storage Facility, D. H. Vaughan, H. L. Moses, J. C. Blanton, J. D. Baldwin

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The design and construction of a cold storage facility for use with wind power is described. The facility includes a 10-kilowatt wind generator, a cold storage building, a vapor-compression refrigeration system, and a thermal storage unit. The building is designed for storage of 1000 bushels (18,000 kg) of apples and is insulated to minimize energy requirements. The refrigeration system has a three-horsepower d.c. motor-driven compressor with Freon 12 refrigerant. Thermal storage is accomplished with a total of 90, 2.13-m (7-ft) long, 152-mm (six-inch) diameter pipes filled with water and a small amount of ethylene glycol. When power from the wind …

Energy Conservative Electric Lines-Now!, Paul F. Pugh, A. S. Yeranian

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper describes the components of a new energy conservative cable system and new methods to service prove new products without disturbing the existing power system. Methods are presented for attaching a new cable design to an existing system for a trial installation. It describes how field splices and taps are easily made to extend the line without a shutdown or disturbance.

Maxwellian Concepts Of Magnetro-Electrodynamics And The Reality Of Med Energy Producing Devices, Tom Day

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

"We can scarcely avoid the inference that light consists in the transverse undulations of the same medium which is the cause of electric and magnetic phenomena."

The Prediction Of The Optimum Performance Of Venturi-Type Wind-Energy Concentrators, J. A. C. Kentfield

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A simple theoretical analysis is presented which allows the optimum performance to be predicted for venturi-type wind-energy concentrators. The results of the analysis are presented in convenient parametric form in such a manner that, for example, the influence on optimum performance of reducing the outlet area of the exit diffuser, an obvious means of reducing the bulk and cost of a venturi-type concentrator, can be established directly from the curves. It is shown that the most important parameters affecting concentrator performance are: the effectiveness of the exit diffuser, the area ratio of that diffuser and the magnitude of the base-drag …

The Role Of The Civex Process In The Nuclear Industry, Thomas E. Eaton, Joseph C. Carter

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The United States is committed to policies which would assure that the international, commercial nuclear industry cannot be exploited as a source of materials for nuclear weapons. The Civex process provides for a proliferation-resistant fast breeder reactor fuel cycle. Nevertheless, the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation involving the commercial nuclear industry is small compared to the risk associated with certain research facilities and military activities.

A Strategy For The Practical Utilization Of Thorium Fuel Cycles, Paul R. Kasten

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

There has been increasing interest in the utilization of thorium fuel cycles in nuclear power reactors for the past few years because of economic, fuel utilization, and pro- 1 iteration resistance factors. Also, it appears desirable to maintain the ratio of thermal reactors to fast reactors at a high value in the long term because of economic and proliferation resistance features. The analysis performed here concludes that the practical, early utilization of thorium fuel cycles in power reactors requires commercialization of HTGRs operating first on stowaway fuel cycles, followed by thorium fuel recycle. In the longer term, thorium utilization involves …

Monitoring The Pilot Energy Extension Service Program, Owen D. Osborne

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

This paper briefly describes the 18 month Energy Extension Service (EES) program currently being conducted on a pilot basis in 10 states and provides the author's view of the problems and successes of the program to date. The EES is intended to implement energy conservation measures and to encourage the use of renewable energy sources by providing direct, personalized assistance to small energy consumers. Small energy consumers are defined as residential energy consumers, small businesses and agricultural operations, schools, hospitals and state and local governments. The program also addresses groups that influence energy use such as architects, bankers, and builders. …

Toward A Methodology For Evaluation Of Solar Systems, William P. Moran, Gene E. Kouba, Bruce V. Ketcham

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The shortcomings and inconsistences of the typical return-on-capital evaluation are detailed. Generalizations of evaluation objectives and performance measures and data gathering objectives are given.

Direct Energy Conversions Of Solar Energy, A. A. Rahman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this paper, the design concepts of three direct energy converters were explained. The converters selected were thermoelectric, thermionic and magnetohydrodynamic converters. Discussions and analysis of the material limitations of these converters with possible improvements to make these devices suitable for domestic or public use was also explained.

Luncheon Speaker: Can Government Be Creative, Alberta C. Slavin

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

"Genius Is the Inspired use of Information." That's what the Xerox commercial says. It will take the collective genius to be found In this room and in the entire nation put to inspired use all of the energy information we have. Why? Because one of the most formidable barriers to the inspired application of information is regulation and existing institutions….

Yes, this country -- this state -- needs genius in its institutions of government. It is not enough to have genius at work in our academic institutions. For many years I have had posted in a prominent position in my …

Mississippi County Community College -- A Photovoltaic Demonstration Project, William M. Woodsmall Jr.

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

An overall view of the integration of all systems involved in the world's largest photovoltaic demonstration project.

Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville is presently being planned using a 240 KW ± photovoltaic collection field for its energy source. Systems include the collectors, thermal, process control, storage (both thermal and electrical) power conditioning, and the building itself.

On The Thermodynamics Of Direct Energy Conversions, A. A. Rahman

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this work, a generalized thermodynamic analysis was developed for direct energy converters that operate as heat engines. Examples for various converters as thermoelectric, MHD and Nernst generators were solved. The possibilities of utilizing these concepts on designing generators to convert heat or solar energy directly into electricity were also discussed.

Low Btu Producer Gas -- A Fuel Of The Past And A Fuel Of The Future, Lee Carter

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

A prime purpose of this paper is to give conscious emphasis to an important type of coal gasification, one that does not demand hundreds of millions of dollars to launch an experimental program but instead is essentially ready to use after a reasonable and straightforward engineering check-out of the local coal sources and the prospective gas demand.

That type of coal gasification results in low Btu producer gas. This paper deals with its history, its technology and its economics. In the light of that information, the future of low Btu producer gas in America then is assessed.

Long Term Stability Of Linearized Thermistor Circuits, Gene E. Kouba

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The long term accuracy and stability of linearized thermistor circuits used for temperature measurements in a solar home monitoring project are being evaluated by periodic calibration.

Methane Production From Livestock Wastes By Anaerobic Digestion, Panos Kokoropoulos, Harlan H. Bengtson

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Increasing interest is being shown in anaerobic digestion as a process for both waste treatment and energy production. In this paper an experimental procedure for investigation of anaerobic digestion of livestock wastes is described, and data from experimental work is presented and analyzed. A model of anaerobic digestion is developed which includes conversion of soluble COD to volatile suspended solids by growth of microorganisms and solubilization of volatile suspended solids to soluble COD by enzymes. This model is used for the analysis of the experimental data.

Ambient Air Quality As Related To Energy Conversion Facilities, Economic Activity And Population, Walter P. Page

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

The paper examines the relationships between ambient air quality and energy conversion facilities, economic activity and population. Additional results are presented from investigation of the relationship between ambient air quality and total emissions from four source categories.

Some Problems With Economic Models Involving Air Pollution, John Hoag, J. David Reed

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

In this paper we consider how economic models have interfaced with environmental problems in three areas: optimal air quality standards, pollution control policy and growth with pollution. The focus is on what has been done and what should be done.

Comparison Of Stirred And Immobilized Cell Reactors For Ethanol Production, Oliver C. Sitton, J. L. Gaddy

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Biomass can be converted to sugars by hydrolysis with enzymes or mineral acids. These sugars can be converted into a number of chemical intermediates in biological reactors. Biological reactions are generally slow and selection of the most efficient reactor is important in these applications.

Immobilized cell reactors allow high cell densities and high throughput by attaching microorganisms to a fixed support. This paper compares the rate of production of ethanol from glucose by Saccharomyces Cerevisiae in a packed column and a stirred reactor.

Continuous stirred reactor studies showed a washout rate of .27 hr^-1. The optimum rate of …

Stabilization Of Uranium Mill Trailings, N. H. Tibbs, D L. Rath, E. E. Otto, L. F. Alsup

UMR-MEC Conference on Energy / UMR-DNR Conference on Energy

Large volumes of uranium mill tailings are being generated, requiring comprehensive long-term management programs to reduce health and environmental risks. Management programs are available which provide adequate secure long-term storage, but research on innovative concepts is necessary to develop improved, more efficient methods.