Chemical Engineering Commons^™

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.

The Associated Electric Cooperative Energy Control System, Douglas W. Arlig

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

Associated Electric Coop, installed a digital computer energy control system in 1971 to improve the economics and security of its power system operation. Since its initial implementation, the new energy control system has been undergoing a continuing evolutionary process. The addition of new data acquisition systems, improved man-machine interfaces, and the development of new, more sophisticated application programs has helped bring the system closer to its goal of reliable, secure, and economic power system operation.

This paper describes Associated's energy control system as it was originally installed, as it is currently operating today, and as it is currently envisioned to …

Energy And The Environment, Joseph T. Zung

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

The topic of Energy and Environment is probably the most timely one at present time. Probably it is not because both energy and environment are man's most precious resources we want to conserve, but because of their seemingly contradictory and mutually destructive nature. One often asks ourselves these days: Is the energy crisis an environmental problem or environmental restrictions caused our present energy crisis?

Interfaces Of Steam Electric Power Plants With Aquatic Ecosystems, Gerald J. Lauer, William T. Waller, Guy R. Lanza

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

Growth and reproduction may be stimulated by increased temperature in the cooling system and thermal plume during seasons when ambient water temperature is less than optimum, but growth, reproduction and survival are reduced when the elevated temperatures become excessive. Some fish species congregate in the warm thermal plumes during cold seasons but are excluded from this living space by temperatures above their preference in the summer. However, the warm refuge provided by a thermal plume in cold seasons can be a death trap if a power plant shuts down suddenly and exposes the fish to cold shock exceeding their lower …

Mini-Computer Control Of Electrical Energy Demand, Thomas P. Hertel

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

Electrical power demand control results in huge dollar savings for the medium to large user. Meramec Mining Company realizes an average $4,500.00 savings from an average $150,000.00 monthly charge because of demand control efforts.

This paper discusses the planning, designing, implementing, and auditing of the mini-computer system at Meramec Mining Company. No detailed discussion of the actual computer coding is included.

Auditing Program For Effective Energy Conservation, S. Noble Robinson

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

Mallinckrodt Chemical Works has developed and is using a special audit format to identify conservation opportunities for all its utilities. Manufacturing, Utilities, R & D, and Engineering personnel are collected together for several days during which time a process or operation is subjected to an intense analyses of its utilities consumption, a brain-storming of conservation ideas, and then an "on-the-spot" engineering analysis of the economics and feasibility of each idea. This technique is a fast, comprehensive way to assess conservation potentials while committing the attention of those operating groups that can implement the ideas.

Monsanto's Energy Conservation Program, Ray E. Doerr

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

Energy conservation is not new to Monsanto. We have had utility and process improvement programs for many years. But the motivation of these programs was to reduce our operating costs and improve profits. However, these programs did result in substantial energy savings.

Now, however, Monsanto is placing major emphasis on a broad-scale energy conservation program for all Monsanto locations. The energy saving potential is great and is necessary because of the energy shortage as well as the rapidly escalating energy costs.

Energy Conservation In The Manufacturing Process, Paul H. Kaiser

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

My presentation will cover the basic procedure used by the Emerson Electric Co. to conserve energy in Its operations. And because people frequently tell me how much they like or dislike our television sets, and how concerned they are or are not about the depth of our involvement in furnishing material for the Defense Department, at this point I would like to give a short commercial. Hopefully, it will dispel misconceptions, and define the use of energy in Emerson's operations.

Uniroyal's Approach To Energy Management, J. C. Madigan

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

Uniroyal makes selected consumer and industrial products including chemicals, plastics, and rubber articles in 90 plants worldwide. About 90% of raw materials are petroleum-based and about $40 million will be spent on energy in 1974.

Energy management includes centralized monitoring and feedback of usage per unit of production at all factories; energy audits; educational programs; suggestion systems; operational, maintenance, and capital investment programs. Specific items are detailed. Organization places responsibility on Divisional Coordinators backed by President and Divisional Vice Presidents, coached and assisted by Corporate Coordinator and Engineering Specialists. Results in 1973 were very encouraging.

The Role Of Natural Gas And Lng In Supplying Our Energy Needs, D. L. Caldwell

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

The domestic natural gas industry experienced a spectacular growth during the two decades from 1950 to 1970. Demand for gas continues to rise and production has peaked at a time when the price for other energy sources is escalating. A price increase can stimulate production over the short term. Massive LNG imports can help the intermediate term supply. The long term natural gas situation is bleak and substitute natural gas sources must be employed. A conservation program and reordering of priorities for energy sources is essential for the United States as well as most industrial nations.

Oil Spill Containment And Removal In Arctic Ecosystems, Wilfred R. Mcleod, Diana L. Mcleod

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

Statistics on 16 arctic and subarctic oil spills, their locations, the amount of oil spilled, combatant schemes used, and causes for the spills were culled from the literature. This information has been used to analyze the effectiveness of available chemical, mechanical, and destructive means of oil recovery or disposal under arctic and subarctic conditions.

The choice of the best cleanup procedures to follow in any particular instance is clouded by a number of variables and must be weighed against such considerations as wind, sea, and ice conditions, properties of the oil, and effects of chemicals on marine and wildlife. Access …

A Technique For Improving Stability Of Petroleum Reservoir Simulation Models, M. D. Arnold, T. C. Wilson, A. Herbert Harvey

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

Computational instability may occur in the mathematical simulation of hydrocarbon reservoirs when small inaccuracies in the calculated pressures cause loss of diagonal dominance in the matrix of coefficients. The problem can be resolved by the use of a more precise technique for computation of pressures. However, this stability problem is still troublesome to users of certain types of reservoir simulators. A computational technique which has been found effective in resolving the problem is presented.

An Environmental And Energy Information System, G. U. Ulrikson, M. P. Guthrie, G. M. Caton, H. F. Mcduffie

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

The Environmental Information System Office (EISO) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) provides information support for researchers and administrators involved with energy and environmental policy and progress. Multiple EISO activities for various governmental agencies have resulted in establishment of compatible data bases concerned with energy and environmental information, methods for effectively developing these, development and computer display of numerical data summaries, and reports evaluating published information. Direction is provided by continuing dialogue between users and information system staff.

The Assessment Of Environmental Impacts At Nuclear Power Generating Stations, Thomas H. Row, J. R. Mcwherter

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

The Federal actions that are required with regard to nuclear power stations are the granting of a construction permit and later the issuance of a license to operate the station. Since the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) is responsible for these actions, the Commission is also responsible for preparation of an environmental statement on the proposed actions. The National Laboratories including the one at Oak Ridge are used as part of the staff in preparing the statements.

The staff makes an independent determination of the plant effluents and their dispersions. The impact of these and plant construction on the environment are …

Monitoring And Control Of Electric Power Usage, Robert B. Webb

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

At the Armco Kansas City Works the consumption of Electrical Power is monitored and controlled by a General Purpose Computer located in the Electric Furnace Dept. This computer monitors the power used in the entire plant through the power metering system. The computer can limit the' power to the electric arc melting furnaces and in this manner control the demand level during peak hours. The computer can also detect meter failures. The computer system collects data which enables management to detect and analyze variations in electrical power consumption.

Energy Conservation: Constructive But No Cure, N. V. Poer

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

Let me share with you a quotation from a report issued bv the Chase Manhattan Bank while the Arab oil embargo was still in effect. "Reportedly, the annual cost of a gasoline rationing program would amount to $1.4 billion. Based upon past results, if that much money was devoted to an exploratory effort, it would be potentially capable of discovering more than 2 billion barrels of petroleum. That amount of petroleum would be equal to 19 percent more than all the gasoline consumed in privately owned automobiles in 1973."

While the threat of rationing has disappeared with an end to …

Radiation Testing Under Simulated Loca Conditions, Kenneth G. Mayhan, D. R. Edwards, W. F. Oberbeck, J. F. Montle

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

The purpose of this evaluation is to gather data to determine whether or not radiation during a simulated Loss of Coolant Accident would have any effect upon the coatings being used. Because of the concern in industry regarding the safety of nuclear power generating stations and the strong actions of the various environmentalist clubs and agencies clubs and agencies, the utilities have been required to prove the safety of the power facilities to extraordinary degrees before licensing can be obtained to operate. One of the areas regarding the safety is the necessity of proving that the coatings will remain intact …

Oxidation Reactions Of Unsaturated Hydrocarbons For Fuel Cells, James W. Johnson, William Joseph James, A. K. Agrawal

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

The anodic oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons has been the subject of numerous studies, primarily on Pt and Au electrodes at low temperatures, < 100°C. The complete oxidation to CO₂ is usually the predominant reaction with both H₂O and OH^- having been proposed as the oxygen source. Usually a single study consists of a comprehensive investigation of a single compound on a single electrode or a somewhat limited study of several compounds on a single electrode. A diversity of proposed mechanisms has resulted and is illustrated by the following summary.

History Of So2 Removal System At The Meramec Plant Of Union Electric, Gerald E. Dreifke, John F. Mclaughlin, Jerrel D. Smith

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

In line with the then emerging air pollution control regulations Union Electric installed a limestone injection wet scrubber sulfur dioxide removal system on an intermediate size coal-fired utility boiler at its Meramec Power Plant on an experimental basis in September, 1968. During approximately 3 years of operation many difficulties were encountered with plugging and scaling of various system components by calcium sulphate. As a result of this experience along with related experiences by other utilities employing similar systems, the experiment was terminated in June, 1971.

As a result of the experiences gained, however, second generation experiments in sulfur dioxide removal …

Future United States Energy Demand Patterns, Leland Blank, Richard Riley

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

The future energy demands of the United States are forecast using a unique approach. The saturation forecasting method reflects the inability of an individual to utilize more than a limited amount of energy. This technique also allows evaluation of various conservation methods and their effects on the future energy needs.

Front Matter, University Of Missouri--Rolla

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

No abstract provided.