Mining Engineering Commons^™

Energy Conservation Program At Ralston Purina, George A. Bossman

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

While the food industry as a whole uses only about 5 per cent of total manufacturing energy, we at Ralston Purina Company recognize our dependence upon energy and the importance of a strong energy management program. Last year, as part of this program, we established and implemented an energy conservation program designed to identify opportunities for conservation.

The major thrust of this program has been directed at manufacturing facilities where usages can be traced, wastes detected, and appropriate action taken. These are separate from a general overall corporate effort to make employees more energy conscious in every phase of their …

Osmo - Power. Osmotic Work; Energy Production From Osmosis Of Fresh Water/Sea-Water Systems, H. H. G. Jellinek

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

It is imperative that new and ecologically acceptable energy sources are made available. Solar energy is a source which seems to be inexhaustible and free of pollution hazards. One vast source, which can be considered to be a solar energy source consists of the system fresh water/sea water. Fresh water is continually removed by the hydrological cycle where water evaporates from the ocean due to solar radiation and is eventually precipitated again in the form of fresh water feeding various rivers. Fresh water and ocean (salt) water mix when rivers flow into the oceans. The different chemical potentials are equalized …

Alternative Approaches To Energy Modeling, Alan S. Cohen, Kenneth W. Costello

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

The effects of government and private sector energy policies are varied and interrelated. Before implementing research and development programs, new technologies, environmental and price regulations, import quotas, and other energy-related policies, the consequences of these programs must be identified and quantified on a regional basis. To evaluate the regional impacts of energy policies, we need to consider production costs, transportation costs, and the location of reserves, as well as the demands for energy and nonenergy goods. Developing techniques for analyzing these factors was the objective of many previous research efforts. The strengths and weaknesses of the resulting models are discussed …

Energy Management In The Food Store, Paul Adams

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

Food store refrigeration is vital to the food distribution system and consumes much of the energy used in a supermarket. The manufacturers of food store display equipment have worked long and hard to develop new ideas in supermarket energy conservation. Hussmann's studies have uncovered a number of facts invaluable to anyone concerned with energy conservation in the supermarket.

The first fact is to realize that supermarkets are different from any other retail stores. They consume more energy each year per sq. ft. of store - or per customer - or per dollar sales than other retail stores and most commercial …

Efficiency In The Use Of Energy Has Been Effected Through Industrial Use Of Subsurface Space, Truman Stauffer Sr.

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

Our Nation, with its high standard of living made possible by industrialization, draws heavily on energy producing natural resources. Self reliance mandates the use of every measure of conservation in order to extend the yet finite supply of energy to meet our national needs. Efficiency in the use of energy has been and can increasingly be effected through industrial use of subsurface space. The use of mined rooms for industry and warehousing utilizes the natural stable underground temperature and the low coefficient of heat transfer existing naturally in the lithosperic materials of the subsurface environment. The small amount of energy …

Oil Shale R & D -- A Bureau Of Mines Program, Steve Utter

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

Energy is one of our basic natural resources. Oil constitutes an important part of this resource but domestic production is dropping while imports are rising. Today, oil represents about one-half of the total energy consumed in this country, and demand is expected to grow at the rate of about 2 percent per year during the next 10 years. Increased reliance on imports can be reduced by synthetic fuels produced from the oil shale deposits of the Green River Formation in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. These deposits are so enormous (600 billion barrels in high- grade shale alone), that any limitations …

Inexpensive Inertial Energy Storage Utilizing Homopolar Motor-Generators, W. F. Weldon, H. H. Woodson, H. G. Rylander, M. D. Driga

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

The pulsed power demands of the current generation of controlled thermonuclear fusion experiments have prompted a great interest in reliable, low cost, pulsed power systems. The Energy Storage Group at the University of Texas at Austin was created in response to this need and has worked for the past three years in developing inertial energy storage systems. 0.5 and 5 megajoule homopolar motor-generators have been designed, built and tested at the University of Texas and design studies have been completed for several systems ranging in size up to 63 gigajoules. The performance of the two laboratory machines and the potential …

Evaluating The Total Cost Of An On-Site Solar Energy System, Dennis Costello, Jerry Bradley

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

A methodology for evaluating the total or life-cycle cost of an on-site solar energy system is presented. The costs represent after-tax or effective costs realized by the owner of the energy system. The methodology addresses: (1) capital costs; (2) fuel costs; (3) maintenance and operating costs; (4) property taxes; (5) the tax benefits of depreciation; and (6) the investment tax credit. The model was developed for evaluating solar energy systems located at the point where the energy is demanded. However, the methodology also has applicability to many other types of energy systems.

Self-Consistency In Estimating Future Electrical Energy Consumption, W. D. Devine Jr., C. C. Calligan, O. D. Osborne

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

A socio economic computer simulation model for the State of Oregon is described. The Oregon State Simulation Model (OSSIM) includes a thirty-seven sector model of electrical energy consumption. Coupling between this model and the OSSIM ensures self-consistent scenarios of socio economic phenomena which underlie energy consumption. One of the purposes of this effort is to help state-level decision makers understand the determinants of electricity consumption within a context of changing economic conditions.

Industrial Innovations And Management Toward More Efficient Usage Of Electrical Energy, Tom Day

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

This paper deals with some of the industrial accomplishments in alleviating energy supply and demand problems. A survey is presented on how electrical energy in America is generated, resources used and kilowatt usage for the years 1970 to and including 1974. Conservation of electrical energy is the main theme in which three primary areas of innovation and utilization of industrial equipment are discussed; induction, lighting, heating and air conditioning. An awareness of natural gas shortages and the trend toward an "electric economy" are reviewed. The real challenge to energy management is apparent in order to handle the greatest expansion in …

Optimum Control Of Heating, Ventilating And Air Conditioning Systems, Terry R. Weaver

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

The control of HVAC systems has traditionally been performed by relatively simple field hardware. The industry appears, however, to be ready for the use of more sophisticated measures. The paper presents several approaches to the conservation of energy in this area with the use of closed-loop computer control and optimization.

Energy Conservation In Uniroyal, Inc., John C. Madigan

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

In the last year, rapid developments have led to the establishment of industry conservation goals and monitoring by the Department of Commerce and the Federal Energy Administration via the various industry associations.

Since 1972, Uniroyal has progressed more than half way toward the 1980 goal of 15% established for the rubber and chemical industries. This paper will describe details of the program with emphasis on new input, such as the computerized tracking method now in use.

Plant studies have provided an assessment of "base" loads vs. process loads, important when considering unit energy consumption. These vary, particularly with the climate …

Lean Burning Spark-Ignition Engines -- An Overview, J. A. Alic

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

Means of improving the thermal efficiency of spark-ignition internal combustion engines through fuel-lean combustion at part-load are discussed. For purposes of comparison and evaluation, lean-burning engines are classified as modified conventional engines, stratified charge engines, and engines using alternative fuels. Particular attention is given to automobile applications because of their importance for conservation of fuels.

Creating The Electric Energy Economy, L. G. Hauser

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

My remarks will be directed to four points:

First, that energy is the life blood of our economy, and that its use or conservation is far from a simple matter of personal habits of waste or frugality. In other words, the vital role energy plays in the production of goods and services should be distinguished from its use in their consumption.

Second, that our excessive dependence on our two scarcest energy resources -- oil and natural gas -- is the core of the energy problem, both U.S. and worldwide.

Third, that limiting our time horizon to this winter, next summer, …

Energy And Transportation Policy, James S. Sagner

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

Energy shortages of recent years suggest a re-examination of national transportation policy. The lack of a coordinated approach to the solution of urban cogestion inhibits potential short-run responses to gasoline shortfalls. Longer-range policy, particularly in the context of severe financial constraints, must be carefully integrated with demonstrated patterns of urban travel and population and employment densities. Given these considerations, metropolitan areas now planning or constructing rapid rail facilities may be selecting inappropriate responses to the problem of urban access.

The Design And Performance Of A Distributed Flow Water-Cooled Solar Collector, Donald L. Spencer, Theodore F. Smith, Herbert R. Flindt

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

Design of a flat plate collector which reduces the temperature differential between the absorber plate and the fluid is described. The reduced temperature differences are shown to yield increase collector performance. Flow characteristics of the collector are examined. Collector thermal performance is illustrated for typical operating and environmental conditions. A cost analysis is presented to demonstrate that material and assembly costs are substantially lower than for any collector presently on the market.

How Might Synthetic Fuels From Coal Affect Natural Resources And Environment?, H. J. Plass Jr.

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

Energy self-sufficiency for the U. S. requires substantially increased use of coal. Direct combustion of coal without adequate environmental controls, as would occur if coal were used as a fuel for homes and offices throughout the country, would result in severe air pollution problems„ Synthetic fuels from coal such as methane, low BTU gas, or hydrogen, when utilized by the homes and businesses as gas or as electricity from gas, will contribute a much smaller amount of air pollution. However, to make these synthetic fuels available, it is necessary to mine more coal than would have to be mined for …

Decoupled Explosive Charge Effects On Blasting Performance, Roberto Ucar

Masters Theses

"This investigation was performed to determine the burden at which hard rock would break utilizing decoupled and unstemmed charges when the free surface parallel to the borehole was the wall of an open hole. This open hole was created by burn cuts and by drilling holes of 7-7/8 in. and 12 in. diameter. Additional tests were performed using partially stemmed charges where the stemming was the same size as the explosive charge.

The explosive used was a 0.75 lb. slurry charge, 1.5 in. diameter and 10 in. long. The diameter and depth of the borehole were 2 in. and …

Optimizing Underground, Trackless Loading And Hauling Systems, Richard Lee Bullock

Doctoral Dissertations

"Determining the optimum system and equipment to be utilized in today's underground trackless haulage mine is a complex problem which was dealt with in this research by systems simulation. The computer program developed by the Caterpillar Tractor Company served as the starting point for simulating the equipment's capabilities to move material over a course in a prescribed time. Extensive time studies of the unsimulated events lead to structuring this program in the deterministic mode since it was felt to be more acceptable to the operating management which would eventually use the technique. Every phase of the simulation was successfully validated …

Creep And Stiffness Of Full Column Resin Grouted Roof Bolts., Wesley Clare Patrick

Masters Theses

"A three-phase test program was utilized to evaluate some creep and stiffness parameters of several types of full-column resin-grouted roof-bolt installations. The tests indicate that: (1) a large percentage of an applied load bleeds off during the first 100 hours subsequent to bolt installation; (2) the amount of load bleed-off is a f unction of the grout annulus size and the bolt surface roughness; (3) retightening of grouted rock bolts reduces the magnitude and rate of the load bleed-off phenomenon; and (4) resin-grouted roof bolts provide a stiffer roof support system in that bolt elongation resulting from an applied load, …

Analysis Of The Stresses Induced In Rock By Rock Splitters., Diogenes De Jesus Chollett

Masters Theses

"The method of solution of the problem of determining the stress and displacement distributions around an unfractured circular hole subjected to nonuniform applied internal pressure located in an infinite plate is developed. Two problems are solved for two different representative boundary conditions. The problem of determining the stress distribution around a circular hole with two symmetric radial cracks subjected to nonuniform applied radial pressure located in an infinite plate is analyzed and developed for further solution"-- Abstract, p. ii

Centralized Solar Wind Home Heating, Russell Peterson, Duane Cromack

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

In the immediacy of national goals for energy independence, the need emerges to use dialectic methods to diminish the energy consumptive characteristics of the typical home.

At the cutting edge of resourceful progress are the residential developments which embrace alternative and conservative energy techniques. In conjunction with such a planned, low impact community, this paper proposes a cluster-centralized system which utilizes wind energy in combination with solar thermal energy for space and domestic water heating.

A description of the random solar-wind resource embodies a matching problem that in turn reveals the benefits of the combined mode of energy collection. Though …

The Application Of Water Jets In Coal Mining, David A. Summers

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

Water is one of the natural erosion agents which through time has changed the face of the earth. Application of this principle to remove earth and rock by man is a long established technique. This paper briefly describes the changes in technology which have brought the application of water jets from the slow erosion of soil to the point where in Canada some 3,400 tons per shift are currently mined in a coal mine using high pressure water jet technology. The use of water jets has shown sufficient promise that there are several research programs currently being funded by the …

Direct Ac Generation From Solar Cell Arrays, Fernando L. Alvarado, Adel H. Eltimsahy

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

Results of the investigation of the performance of solar cells when directly coupled to a conventional three-phase power network are presented. This approach dissociates the electricity production problem from the electric energy storage problem. Extensive studies of the required power inverter are performed. Preliminary simulation results indicate that ac power outputs of better than 90% of the optimum cell power output can be easily achieved by means of a suitably controlled inverter, thereby justifying the elimination of dc loads or local dc electric energy storage devices. It is also shown that the controlling policy for the inverter must depend on …

Status Report On The Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, A. E. Bolan, D. F. Schnell

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

The progress to date of the first nuclear-powered, electric generating plant proposed to be constructed in the state of Missouri is described.

Dynamic Simulation For Regional Energy Studies, B. W. Jones, P. M. Moretti, J. H. Mize

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

A series of models has been developed for regional studies of energy supply- demand systems. The models are based on dynamic simulation of components of the system using equations derived from the technical details of the system. The models contain sufficient detail to make in-depth studies and specific recommendations. The final goal is to include all aspects of regional energy systems from native supplies of energy resources to the economic activities of the region.

To develop a comprehensive model, the system has been partitioned into subsystems, so that a detailed model can be made for each subsystem. The detailed model …

Alcohol Assisted Hydrocarbon Fuels: A Comparison Of Exhaust Emissions And Fuel Consumption Using Steady-State And Dynamic Engine Test Facilities, D. J. Bushnell, J. M. Simonsen

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

This paper presents experimental data which exemplifies the differences in emission level testing on internal combustion engines when dynamic engine tests are used instead of steady-state engine tests. A comparison of the two test methods is made using hydrocarbon fuels with varying amounts of methanol. Emissions measured include the nitric oxides, unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Emission levels and fuel consumption are reported for the various volumetric percentages of methanol in the fuel.

Of special significance are the different trends the emission levels establish when subjected to a dynamic engine test as compared to the results for the steady-state tests. …

Energy, Environment And Incremental Decision Making, Jeff V. Conopask, Robert R. Reynolds Jr.

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

During the late 1960's and early 70's a variety of environmental/energy oriented legislation was enacted by the Congress. The most important of these acts, the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), required that environmental impact statements be filed when various private and public activities have a potential for impacting man and his environment. (17) Impact statement requirements go beyond the currently practiced cost/benefit analysis, which is often just a production (direct) impact assessment. Heretofore, indirect or second round economic and social effects of consequence affecting other national goals were seldom counted.

Electroplating, James G. Farrell

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

Electrometallurgical industries comprise an important segment of the world's manufacture of metal products. These industries involve three major categories: electrowinnowing, electrorefining and electroplating. Electrowinnowing consists of purifying raw ore to a relatively pure metal by electrolysis. Extraction of aluminum from bauxite is an example. Electrorefining involves electrolysis of metallic solutions to recover or produce extremely pure metal. Recovery of precious metals is often done by electrorefining. Electroplating involves the coating of one metal or object with another metal for various reasons. The chief reasons are the protection of a part from corrosion or its beautification. Another type of electroplating is …

The Effect Of Explosive Charge Length Of Cratering, John M. Mason

Masters Theses

"In an attempt to determine the influence of charge length upon cratering, a series of small scale model blasting experiments were conducted in Plexiglas, Hydrostone, mortar and dolomite, using mild detonating fuse as the explosive charge. Single hole blasts were simulated, with the blasthole being drilled normal to one free face and parallel to a second. The resultant craters were photographed and closely studied. Particular attention was paid to effects of variation of charge length and burden upon cratering.

The investigation showed the importance of radial fracturing and the dominance of gas pressure in explosive crater formation from elongated cylindrical …