Digital Commons Network^™

Alternate Energy Removal Modes For Nuclear Power Reactors, Robert L. Carter

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

Attention is focussed upon the unique qualities of high energy fission particles, and upon the fundamental limits to the direct removal of their kinetic energy by electrostatic means and by cyclotron resonance deceleration. Efficiencies of secondary and tertiary product ionization and excitation produced by fission particles are examined. The potential for delivery of power through various non-thermal modes is discussed, and the significant unknowns relating thereto are identified.

Prospects For Nuclear Fusion Power, William C. Gough

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

The prospects for fusion power are discussed including the need for fusion, its environmental advantages, and the research results that form the basis for present confidence that the program will succeed. The steps remaining before commercial fusion power will be available are outlined. Exploratory ideas for second generation fusion electric power plants, and non electrical applications of fusion technology and reactors are briefly covered.

The Energy Problem -- Crude Oil, J. A. Marshall

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

This paper discusses the national energy problem as it affects the demand for and availability of crude oil. Forecasts of energy demands to 1990 have been made based on population trends and changing life styles in the USA. Projections of energy supplies show a rapidly increasing gap between supply of crude oil and demand for crude oil from the early 1970's through 1990. The need for imported crude oil to supply the forecast deficit is discussed. The political and economic implications of these imports are also discussed. The need for refineries, port facilities, tankers, and pipelines are presented. Finally, recommendations …

Coal Gasification And Liquefaction, Sam Friedman

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

The current major processes being developed for coal gasification and liquefaction will be reviewed briefly. The Bureau of Mines Hydrane process for converting coal to pipeline quality gas directly by reaction with hydrogen will be discussed in more detail. The featured topic will be the Bureau's Synthoil process which converts coal in one step into a low-sulfur, low-ash fuel oil. Coal suspended in recycled oil is propelled through a packed-bed reactor by rapid turbulent flow of hydrogen. A 1/2 TPD plant is in operation producing over 1 bbl of oil per day.

Coal And Its Derivatives As An Energy Resource, W. G. Stockton

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

April 25, 1974

Events of the last few months, it seems, have somewhat altered the public countenance of the coal industry. These events, I am sure, are the generating factors focusing interest on our industry currently, and I suspect they account for my invitation to address this distinguished group of engineering students today on the subject of coal in this nation's energy outlook.

Coal Mining is not a new industry - - it has been around a long, long time. A surprising number of people, though, have never seen any coal; they are not aware of the existence of the …

Status And Outlook For Energy Conversion Via Fuel Cells, John P. Ackerman

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

Fuel cells have the potential of providing good solutions to a variety of energy-related problems. As our supplies of conventional fossil fuels are depleted, their cost will rise, and there will be increasing difficulty in obtaining certain premium fuels at any price. It behooves us, then, to use our remaining reserves of fuels as efficiently as possible. Energy conversion via fuel cells represents one of the best ways to achieve this goal, because it is possible, simultaneously, to obtain more work and less pollution from a dollar's worth of fuel with a fuel cell than with any other device.

An Overview Of Natural Gas Supply And Availability, D. E. Gibbs

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

Natural gas presently supplies almost one-third of the total U.S. energy supply--and like oil, has had its proven reserves reduced by ever-increasing production. The potential gas reserves of the United States are sufficient to maintain our present demand for a considerable period of time, if these reserves can be found. The exploration necessary has to be financed by increased gas cost. Additional technology will be necessary to increase the amounts of gas that can be produced from our present and future supplies. Several methods of obtaining the capital necessary to perform the additional drilling and areas of technical improvement are …

Bellamy Field Tests: Recovery Of Medium Gravity Crude Oil From Missouri Tar Sands By Counterflow Underground Burning, J. C. Trantham

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

In the current energy shortage, the heavy oil and tar sands of the United States are assuming critical importance. This is true for at least two reasons: first, they constitute a major resource, amounting to some 150 billion barrels in place; and second, their where-abouts is known -- exploration will not contribute to the lead time required for bringing these resources into the national energy picture. Moreover, many of the technological problems have been solved. The delay in producing these heavy oil and tar deposits is due primarily to economics.

A Proposed Coal Slurry Pipe Line, R. W. Toler

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

Investigation is underway to determine the feasibility of building a slurry pipe line over 1000 miles long to deliver coal from Wyoming to the Arkansas-Louisiana-Mississippi area. This paper describes some of the featur's of this project.

Clean Fuel From Coal For Electric Power Generation, J. Agosta

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

Several strategies have been studied and applied for the reduction of sulfur-dioxide emissions from power generation sites. These include switching to low sulfur fuels, stack gas processing, and a greater reliance upon nuclear power. One area of interest is the processing of fuel prior to combustion through the total gasification of coal to produce a fuel gas suitable for combustion in utility boilers and gas turbines. Specifically, this paper will deal with need for coal as a fuel in the generation of electric power, the production from coal of a clean power fuel gas of-approximately 150 to 200 Btu and …

Power Transmission Technology For The 1980-1990 Time Period, T. H. Lee

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

It is a great pleasure for me to have this opportunity to present to you a subject that is very close to my heart - future transmission systems. Electrical demand in the U.S. is doubling every ten years. While the electric growth capacity characteristics are being questioned for the future, the best estimates are that this will continue at least through the 1990’s.

Load tends to be concentrated in cities and historically generating plants were located in cities. Environmental considerations for fossil plants are tending to locate them away from cities and the trend is expected to continue. Reluctance to …

Solar-Thermal Energy Conversion, E. R. G. Eckert

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

The fact that our conventional fuel resources are finite and will be exhausted some time in the future gives impetus to a consideration of solar radiation for conversion into heat or electric power. The characteristics of the solar radiation - that the enrgy flux density is small and that it arrives intermittently on the ground of our glove has to be considered in any system utilizing this energy source. For home heating parts of the roof offer a sufficiently large area, for electric power production areas of some km² are required to collect a sufficient amount of energy. Optical …

An Advanced Supervisory Indication, Control & Data Acquisition System, George W. Fox

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

Electric Utility systems in the United States double in growth every ten years. This growth necessitates the construction of substations in new areas and expansion of substations in existing areas.

Troubles quite often cannot be quickly and accurately diagnosed until a sufficient number of calls have been received from customers to establish a pattern.

This paper will describe an advanced supervisory system utilizing latest state-of-the-art electronic equipment interfaced with digital computers to provide the trouble dispatcher with a rapid update as to the status of his system at all times. He will also be able to remotely control his system …

Development Of Industrial Energy Management Programs, Michael C. Noland

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

Energy management is a term which has only recently been entered in the business management lexicon. Until recently business managers, even the most successful ones, devoted only casual thought to the need to manage their use of fuels and electricity. Energy was cheap and plentiful. Economic sense dictated that if labor could be replaced by more energy-intense processes or equipment, the smart manager did so. Local and national policy, industrial process design, consumer habits--all these and more encouraged massive energy consumption.

Prospects For Conversion Of Solar Energy Into Electrical Power, William R. Cherry

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

In 1972, the Solar Energy Panel took a broad look at solar energy across the whole field to see just what could be done with this energy source. Maybe the era of acquiring energy without regard to cost and without regard to consequences of using it is beginning to come to a close and maybe we ought to start looking at the newer sources of energy, even though we need every bit of energy we can get from every source. I am not trying to say we don't need gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy. We are not going to …

Introductory Remarks, Joseph T. Zung

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

No abstract provided.

Conference Keynote Address, John B. Rigg

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

No abstract provided.

Are Nuclear Shipments Really Safe?, William A. Brobst

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

The transportation of nuclear materials is on the increase. Although nuclear shipments are only a very small fraction of the Nation’s hazardous materials shipments, they attract a great deal of public attention. Shipments of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear wastes are a particular concern.

One of the many fears that people have about nuclear energy is the possibility that a nuclear shipment might somehow go awry and cause a serious public hazard. Primarily, they are worried that a shipment of spent reactor fuel or highly radioactive waste could be involved in a serious rail or highway accident and dump its …

1st Umr-Mec Conference On Energy Resources -- Entire Proceedings, University Of Missouri--Rolla

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

No abstract provided.

Locating Nuclear Power Plants Underground, Frank M. Scott

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

This paper reviews some of the questions that have been asked by experts and others as to why nuclear power plants are not located or placed underground. While the safeguards and present designs make such installations unnecessary, there are some definite advantages that warrant the additional cost involved. First of all, such an arrangement does satisfy the psychological concern of a number of people and, in so doing, might gain the acceptance of the public so that such plants could be constructed in urban areas of load centers. The results of these studies are presented and some of the requirements …

Introduction -- Solar And Wind Energy, Jack L. Boone

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

In recent years the scientific community has begun to explore the many alternatives of using solar energy in terms of solar energy conversion schemes. These, in general, may be classified according to use. We can talk about solar to low-grade thermo residential heating and cooling applications. We can talk about solar to high-grade heat for such applications as steam powered generation and certain high-temperature conversion processes. We can talk about solar to electrical for either residential or for large power production installations; and we can talk about wind to electrical and this would, of course, come in both large and …

A Solar-Hydrogen Energy Conversion Scheme For Agricultural Use, R. L. Reisbig, Jack L. Boone, Gordon E. Weiss, Thomas Van Doren

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

A solar energy activated system is presented which can produce hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels (methanol) for use on farms. The device, named "solar-kine", also can produce fertilizer (anhydrous ammonia) as a byproduct of the hydrogen. A cost analysis shows that solar-kine may be mass-producible and sold to farmers for between $7,200 and $14,700. This is equivalent to giving the fanner energy at a price of $1.79 to $3.66 per million BTU's (in 1974 dollars). Presently (Spring, 1974) regular gasoline used in tractors at 43¢ per gallon, represents a cost to the farmer of $3.77 per million BTU's. As oil-based fuels …

Flat Plate Collector Design For The Central U. S., Joseph T. Zung

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

An efficient design for both heating and cooling of an average sized residence is presented. The main source of energy is derived from a large roof top flat plate collector built into the roof structure of the house. The amount of solar energy collected is stored in a combination of hot air and hot water storage system located underneath the house. An auxiliary electric heating coil is built into the solar heating system for use in any extended period of cloudy and inclement weather. The system is so designed as to satisfy the two key requirements for any successful solar …

Oil Shale And Its Potential Utilization, G. U. Dineen

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

The large deposits of oil shale in the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming offer a potential source of significant quantities of liquid fuels. This paper discusses the location and potential of the resource; the present state of technology for producing shale oil by both aboveground and in situ processes; the characteristics of shale oil; environmental aspects of oil-shale utilization; and recent developments, particularly results of the Department of the Interior’s Prototype Oil Shale Leasing Program, that suggest inauguration of commercial oil-shale processing.

Hydrogen -- An Emerging Energy Carrier, James E. Funk

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

The "hydrogen economy" envisions the energy needs of the United States in the early part of the next century being served by a network of nuclear plants producing electricity, hydrogen, and perhaps desalted water. Hydrogen is a very attractive synthetic fuel and offers appealing features as an energy carrier. This paper considers a number of factors involved in the expanded use of hydrogen including supply and demand, production techniques and transmission and storage.

Energy From Biochemical Sources, G. J. Fennewald, D. L. Million, Efton Park, J. L. Gaddy

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

As available energy reserves decline, renewable sources must be utilized. Organic matter, grown agriculturally, represents a renewable energy source, which is readily available. This paper reviews the methods by which organic matter can be converted to energy sources by biochemical processes. The economics of conversion of agricultural crops and byproducts to alcohols by fermentation and conversion of these agricultural materials to methane by anaerobic digestion are examined. Projections of the potential of this energy source are quite promising.

Energy Saving Projects Recently Completed At A Large Petroleum Refinery, J. A. Marshall, A. D. Kiehne

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

A significant reduction in energy consumption per barrel of crude oil processed has been effected at Shell Oil's Wood River, Illinois, Refinery during the past two years. Some of the projects which have resulted in reduced energy consumption are:

1. Improved furnace efficiency through closer surveillance and through installation of optimizing controllers on certain furnaces.

2. Lowered reflux-to-feed ratios on certain fractionating columns following reoptimization of operating conditions with current fuel values.

3. Additional heat exchangers purchased and installed on plants originally designed and optimized at lower fuel values.

This paper discusses examples of each of the above projects and …

Missouri Coal In Perspective, Charles E. Robertson

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

Missouri's coal resource base of 49 billion tons is part of the 132 billion ton coal resource base of the Western Interior Coal Region of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The energy content of this coal resource base is 2,600 quadrillion Btu, more than the amount of energy contained in all the petroleum produced to date in the United States.

This large energy resource cannot remain ignored in a time of energy crisis such as the present. It is recommended that research efforts be stepped up that will permit recovery of energy from the thin, high sulfur seams of …

A Systems Approach To The Design Of A Hydrogen Economy, Joel Hebert

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

A description of the organization and methods used to select and direct participants in the design of a hydrogen energy system; a hydrogen economy. The Systems Design concept was used throughout the task, including inputs from applied psychology. Task and time organization was such that the eighteen participants completed the task, including report writing, in eleven weeks (8000 man hours).

Projected costs of producing hydrogen from coal or from nuclear heat are in the range of $1.00 to $1.50 per million Btu. Transmission and distribution costs are estimated to be about half as much. Possibilities for large scale usage of …

Development Of The Solid Waste Resource, David L. Klumb, Earl M. Wells

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

This paper describes the waste processing and boiler feed facilities which serve as the prototype for Union Electric Company's proposed Solid Waste Utilization System for recycling essentially all the solid waste generated in the metropolitan St. Louis area. The recently announced system, capable of processing up to 8,000 tons of raw refuse per day and estimated to cost $70 million, will be built and operated without government subsidy. Solid waste will be processed for the recovery of recyclable non- combustibles and use as a supplementary fuel to electric utility boilers.