The overall objective of the Westinghouse Coal Gasification Program is to demonstrate the viability of the Westinghouse pressurized fluidized bed gasification system for production of low- and intermediate-Btu fuel gas for electric power generation, syngas, feedstocks or industrial fuels and to obtain performance and scale-up data for the process and hardware.
This manual is the result of a detailed analysis of the CHEMFLUB code. The first portion, Chapter II, consists of a description of the variables needed to run CHEMFLUB and output variables which contain the results produced by the code. Chapter III provides all of the information needed to run CHEMFLUB including setting of input variables, printing output options, constructing the calculation mesh and restarting a previous calculation. The next section, Chapter IV, is a detailed discussion of the code operation; followed by Chapter V which contains the flow charts of CHEMFLUB. Chapter VI discusses the diagnostic messages currently contained in CHEMFLUB to alert the user to incorrect input conditions, calculation problems, etc. Chapter VII consists of the results of using CHEMFLUB to perform a calculation. The sample problem is discussed, the input used for the problem is shown, and the generated output is provided so that a user can verify the results produced by operating the code. The file needed to restart the calculation and the output produced are also included. The information gained from using CHEMFLUB is summarized in Chapter VIII so its limitations and capabilities can be better understood by users. 4 references, 8 figures, 22 tables.
We have made excellent progress toward a practical route from field butanes to MTBE, the oxygenate of choice for high-octane, clean-burning, environmentally acceptable reformulated gasoline. We have evaluated two proprietary process possibilities with a potential commercial partner and have conducted a joint catalyst evaluation program. The first of the two potential processes considered during the past quarter utilizes a two-step route from isobutane to tert-butyl alcohol, TBA. Not only is TBA an intermediate for MTBE production but is equally applicable for ETBE-an oxygenate which utilizes renewable ethanol in its` manufacture. In the two-step process, isobutane is oxidized in a non-catalytic reaction to a roughly equal mixture of TBA and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. TBHP, eq. 1. We have developed an inexpensive new catalyst system based on an electron-deficient macrocyclic metal complex that selectively converts TBHP to TBA, eq. 2, and meets or exceeds all of the process criteria that we have set.
Oil shale blocks were cored to suitable dimensions (nominally 2.5 cm diameter and 1 cm thick). Specific gravity measurements were then carried out on these cylindrical cores to determine the organic content. Selected samples were also assayed at Laramie Energy Technology Center, WY, by the pulsed NMR technique. Oil yields obtained by the two methods on identical cores were in agreement with the limits of experimental error (vide infra). The cored shale samples were crushed to particles which passed through 100-mesh sieves. Ten to fifteen milligram batches of these crushed shale particles were then subjected to enthalpy measurements in the differential scanning calorimetry assembly. A sample of kerogen concentrate was obtained from Laramie Energy Technology Center. DSC measurements were carried out on a DuPont 990 thermal analysis system fitted with the DSC accessory module. All measurements were carried out in a flowing atmosphere of prepurified N/sub 2/. A heating rate of 10/sup 0/C/min was employed for the enthalpy determinations. The fusion endotherm of zinc (mp 419.4/sup 0/C, ..delta..H/sub f/ = 27.05 cal/g) was used as the calibration standard. The linear correlation that was observed between the enthalpy of decomposition of the organic matter (..delta..H) and oil yields for Green river oil shales suggests that this technique might be useful as a rapid screening tool for resource evaluation of an oil shale deposit.
Tasks which were performed in this period are: (1) Natural Gas Reservoir Data System Development, (2) Technology Transfer, (3) Storage Media, (4) Reservoir Data System Updates, and (5) Supplemental Reservoir Studies.
This environmental impact statement examines the environmental and socioeconomic impacts that would result from that proposed action. The purpose of this document is to assist the Secretary of Interior in making a decision on whether or not to hold a lease sale in March 1983, and if one is held, which tracts to offer. It supplements the 1973 Prototype Environmental Impact Statement, updating environmental data which has become available since that time, and analyzing the impacts of leasing an additional tract that was not included in that document.
Research on miscible displacement of West Sak oil is described. The following tasks were performed: Task 1, laboratory measurement of phase behavior and physical properties of West Sak oil/endash/solvent mixtures. Task 2, measurement of minimum miscbility pressure for enriched gas solvents/endash/West Sak crude mixtures. Task 3, prediction of phase behavior and miscibility conditions for West Sak crude/endash/solvent mixtures. Task 4, displacement experiments on steam/endash/solvent process for West Sak oil. Task 5, displacement studies on steam/endash/solvent injection for heavy oil recovery and application to West Sak reservoir: development of a heat transfer model. 14 figs., 5 tabs.
This study deals with three questions: What does gas from coal cost and what affects this cost; How do different approaches and processes compare; and How near to competitive cost-levels is present-day technology. Discussion covers production of both substitute natural gas (SNG) and medium calorific gas (MCG: 10-16 MJ/Nm3 or 250-400 Btu/SCF). Conclusions are that SNG from low-cost U.S. coal and West German brown coal are, on the basis of mature technology and Government rates-of-return, roughly competitive with gas imports into the U.S. and Europe respectively. Similarly MCG from second-generation gasifiers is competitive with gas-oil or No. 2 heating oil in Europe, North America and Japan. However, capital costs form about half total gas costs at 10 percent rate-of-return, so that the competitiveness of gas from coal is sensitive to capital costs: this is the area of greatest uncertainty.
The objective of this project is to demonstrate the value of elastic-wavefield seismic stratigraphy, a new seismic interpretation science based on the principles that: ? All modes of an elastic wavefield have equal value for studying subsurface geology. ? One wave mode of a multicomponent (i.e., elastic) seismic wavefield often reveals depositional sequences and depositional facies across a stratigraphic interval that cannot be detected with the other modes of that wavefield.
The United States Department of energy is sponsoring a program to select and characterize a potential underground coal gasification experiment site in western Washington State. This activity is evaluated with reference to possible environmental impacts in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
"The proposed program is in concert with the president's energy message of June 4, 1971, in which he requested the secretary of the interior to initiate a leasing program to develop our vast oil shale resources, provided that environmental questions can be satisfactorily resolved. As part of the program, the department authorized informational core drilling at various sites in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah and 16 core holes were completed. The department requested nominations of proposed leasing tracts on November 2, 1971, and a total of 20 individual tracts of oil shale land were nominated."
"Pillars surrounding modified in situ retorts contain large amounts of potentially recoverable shale oil. Recovery of the oil contained in the pillars within a few feet of the retorts would significantly increase oil yields. A series of tests was conducted to evaluate methods for recovering oil from pillars. Analyses of core samples taken from a block of western oil shale that was retorted using radio-frequency energy indicate oil did not move horizontally within the block, but may have moved vertically by gravity drainage. In a later test, a block of western oil shale was extensively fractured when the block was heated to 120 to 150·C (250 to 300·F) using radio-frequency energy at a frequency of 915 MHz. Attempts to retort the fractured block by retorting oil shale rubble adjacent to the block were not successful. Channeling of the retorting air prevented the rubble from being heated as hot or as long as was planned. Another block of western oil shale was retorted with radio-frequency energy to acquire data to use for testing the Baker-Jarvis retorting model at a frequency of 915 MHz. The 915 MHz generator failed after 92 hours of heating with temperatures in the block varying from 450 to 320·C (840 to 61O F). Heating was continued for 6 hours using a frequency of 2450 MHz until dielectric breakdown was observed immediately after lightning struck nearby."
The objective of this project is to characterize the fluid properties and fluid-rock interactions that are needed for formation evaluation by NMR well logging. This is the first annual progress report submitted to the DOE. It reports on the work completed during the reporting period even if it may have started before this period. This project is a partnership between Professor George J. Hirasaki at Rice University and Professor Kishore Mohanty at University of Houston. In addition to the DOE, this project is supported by a consortium of oil companies and service companies. The fluid properties characterization has emphasized the departure of live oils from correlations based on dead oils. Also, asphaltic components can result in a difference between the T1 and T2 relaxation time distributions as well as reduce the hydrogen index. The fluid rock characterizations that are reported here are the effects of wettability and internal magnetic field gradients. A pore reconstruction method ha s been developed to recreate three-dimensional porous media from two-dimensional images that reproduce some of their key statistical properties. A Monte Carlo simulation technique has been developed to calculate the magnetization decay in fluid saturated porous media given their pore structure.
The objective of the Ferron Sandstone project is to develop a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, quantitative characterization of a fluvial-deltaic reservoir to allow realistic inter-well and reservoir-scale models to be developed for improved oil-field development in similar reservoirs world-wide. Quantitative geological and petrophysical information on the Cretaceous Ferron Sandstone in east-central Utah will be collected. Both new and existing data will be integrated into a three-dimensional model of spatial variations in porosity, storativity, and tensorial rock permeability at a scale appropriate for inter-well to regional-scale reservoir simulation. Simulation results could improve reservoir management through proper infill and extension drilling strategies, reduction of economic risks, increased recovery from existing oil fields, and more reliable reserve calculations. Transfer of the project results to the petroleum industry is an integral component of the project. This report covers research activities for fiscal year 1993-94, the first year of the project. Most work consists of developing field methods and collecting large quantities of existing and new data. We also developed preliminary regional and case-study area interpretations.
Project Final Report-DE-NT0004651-In this project, new fluids have been designed to efficiently drill deepwater wells that can be cost-effectively drilled. The new fluids are heavy-liquid foams with low density at shallow depths and high density at drilling depths. Designing new fluids to efficiently drill deepwater wells that can not be costeffectively drilled with current technologies. The new fluids will be heavy liquid foams that have low-density at shallow dept to avoid formation breakdown and high density at drilling depth to control formation pressure. The goal of this project is to provide industry with formulations of new fluids for reducing casing programs and thus well construction cost in deepwater development. Studying the effects of flue gas/CO2 huff n’ puff on incremental oil recovery in Louisiana oilfields bearing light oil. Arriving at a quantitative understanding for the three-dimensional controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) geophysical response of typical Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon reservoirs.
This temperature data has been interpreted considering available diagnostic measurements. Spurious segments of the record have been deleted on these copies to reduce the possibility of misinterpretation and only validated data is presented. In the final report to be published, this data will be complemented by the complete set of raw data and the diagnostic data on which judgments were biased.
"Design of efficient oil shale retorting plants and evaluation of the thermal efficiency of proposed retorts require information on the rate of heat transfer to a bed of shale. A search of the literature does not reveal any data of this type. To provide some preliminary values on the rate of heat transfer from a gas stream to Colorado oil shale, data obtained from experiments in the heat of retorting apparatus were used. These experiments were not designed originally to provide heat transfer data and consequently some data that would be desirable are not available. However, because of the urgent need for heat transfer data, this report was prepared from the data at hand. Studies planned for the future will cover this subject more adequately."
In 1976, Congress passed the "Solid Waste Disposal Bill." Part of the bill is the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Under Section 3001 of this act, the Environmental protection Agency is required to define the criteria and methods for the identification and listing of hazardous wastes.
The goal of this project is to develop prototype rechargeable batteries capable of operating in a high-temperature environment to power a variety of emerging measurement-while-drilling (MWD) and other logging equipment in deep wells.
The general objectives of the research program are to (1) identify and develop gelled polymer systems which have potential to improve reservoir conformance of fluid displacement processes, (2) determine the performance of these systems in bulk and in porous media, and (3) develop methods to predict their performance in field applications. The research focuses on three types of gel systems-an aqueous polysaccharide (KUSPI) that gels as a function of pH, polyacrylamide or xanthan crosslinked by Cr(Ill) and a polyacrylamide-aluminum citrate system. Work to date has focused primarily on development of a database, selection of systems, and work to characterize the gel/polymer physical properties and kinetics. The use of ester hydrolysis to control the rate of pH change of a gel system has been investigated and this approach to gel-time control shows promise. Extensive kinetic data were taken on the uptake of Cr(Ill) oligomers by polyacrylamide. A model was developed which describes very well the monomer uptake rates. The model described the dimer uptake data less well and the trimer uptake data poorly. Studies of the flow and gelation in rock materials have been initiated. A mathematical model of rock-fluid interaction during flow of high pH solutions has been developed.
The Mississippian Class 2 project is an effort to introduce Kansas producers to potentially useful technologies and to demonstrate these technologies in actual oil field operations. In addition, advanced technology will be tailored specifically to the scale appropriate to the operations of - Kansas producers. The majority of Kansas production is operated by small independent producers that do not have resources to develop and test advanced technologies (90% of the 3,000 Kansas producers have less than 20 employees). For Kansas producer's, access to new technology is important for sustaining production and increasing viability. A major emphasis of the project is collaboration of university scientists and engineers with the independent producers and service companies operating in the state to accelerate adaptation and evaluation of new technologies. An extensive technology transfer effort is being undertaken to inform other operators of the project results. In addition to traditional technology transfer methods (for example, reports; trade, professional, and technical publications; workshops; and seminars), a public domain relational database and computerized display package will be made available through the Internet and other means of digital access. The goal is literally to provide access to data and technology to independent producers in their office.
In line with a determination by the Federal Government that a fluidized bed combustion process can efficiently convert the energy of coal to usable power in an environmentally acceptable manner, Georgetown University was awarded contract E(49-18)-2461 to construct and operate a demonstration plant. Construction of an atmospheric fluidized bed boiler for burning high-sulfur coals was completed in November 1979. Progress made during the second quarter of plant startup is reported. In the October through December 1979 quarter, the FBC boiler was operated for 694 hours during 9 separate runs. Of these additional hours of operation, 78 1/2 hours were on two beds, and the balance on one bed. Steam generation rates ranged from 18,000 to 80,000 lb/h. A peak generation rate of 56,000 lb/h was achieved on one bed alone. Boiler operations at levels in excess of 80,000 lb/h were precluded by the relatively mild Fall weather encountered, which limited the peak campus steam load to 80,000 lb/h. The boiler was operated through the first week in December at which time the plant was shut down for the balance of the Quarter for inspection and to complete various modifications, the most important of which were the installation of grid plate seals within the boiler, and modifications of the flyash reinjection blowers. With these modifications, the boiler is ready for extensive performance testing in January 1980. (LCL)
Mining considerations inherent in the in situ development of oil shale are examined. Three mining methods are evaluated with regard to their potential for producing a rubble column suitable for retorting. These are: 1) block caving, 2) sublevel room and pillar mining, and 3) sublevel caving. Physical and environmental constraints are also discussed and their impact on a shale oil industry evaluated.
This program was designed to demonstrate the capabilities of state-of-the-art 3-D seismic technology for the imaging of shallow, thin target beds in subtle traps and to determine the cost-effectiveness of current survey techniques and procedures as a prospecting tool for the smaller independent geological/geophysical exploration company. The 3-D field test included the following tasks: -The development of technologies for use in the identification of shallow exploration targets, - The design of a field test on a scale appropriate for small operators or other independents, such as a native American Tribe, - A field test of the design, - A test and evaluation of state-of-the-art 3-D technologies to image subtle hydrocarbon traps, -An assessment of the effectiveness and economics of the process from the point of view of the typical small operator, -Transfer of the technology to independent operators and native tribes. The ultimate goal of the program was to design, develop, and promote new and innovative petroleum exploration techniques, to encourage drilling activity by independents within the U.S., and ultimately to increase domestic production. In addition, a location in Osage County was chosen to further the objectives of the Presidents Native Tribes Initiative, which has a goal of encouraging entrepreneurial activities on Native American lands.
A three-dimensional model which simulates the injection-production air flow rate in a tar sand bed was developed by the author in fulfillment of ERDA Contract (E(29-2)). The model consisted of a non-linear partial differential equation derived from the continuity equation, Darcy's Law and the ideal gas equation of state. A finite difference scheme based on the work developed by Bruce et al. was incorporated in a computer code which determines both the injection-production-air flow rates and the pressure distribution in the tar sand bed. The major drawback of the finite difference scheme is the question of stability, which imposes a severe restriction on the size of the time step required for convergence. Such a restriction increased the computation time considerably and necessitated a major revision of the previous computer code. Thus, the finite difference scheme was abandoned in favor of a more stable computer code based on the method of lines. Furthermore, a two-dimensional formulation replaced the more cumbersome three-dimensional code used on the previous stages. This was possible because the flow pattern obtained from the three-dimensional model exhibited negligible transverse flow normal to the bedding plane.
Logsheets for various samples in Green River Oil Shale.
We have installed several types of geotechnical instrument systems at our Hoe Creek, Wyoming in situ coal gasification site to measure both surface and subsurface deformations resulting from gasification cavity creation. The subsurface instruments include two six position borehole extensometers in borings EX-1 and EX-2, two electrical shear strips in borings SS-1 and SS-2, a piezometer borehole PZ-1 containing four hydraulically isolated pore pressure transducers, and six boreholes completed so as to allow the use of a wire line inclinometer device.
The Pentek coating removal technology was tested and is being evaluated at Florida International University (FIU) as a baseline technology. In conjunction with FIU`s evaluation of efficiency and cost, this report covers evaluation conducted for safety and health issues. It is a commercially available technology and has been used for various projects at locations throughout the country. The Pentek coating removal system consisted of the ROTO-PEEN Scaler, CORNER-CUTTER{reg_sign}, and VAC-PAC{reg_sign}. They are designed to remove coatings from steel, concrete, brick, and wood. The Scaler uses 3M Roto Peen tungsten carbide cutters while the CORNER-CUTTER{reg_sign} uses solid needles for descaling activities. These hand tools are used with the VAC-PAC{reg_sign} vacuum system to capture dust and debris as removal of the coating takes place. The safety and health evaluation during the testing demonstration focused on two main areas of exposure: dust and noise. Dust exposure minimal, but noise exposure was significant. Further testing for each exposure is recommended because of the environment where the testing demonstration took place. It is feasible that the dust and noise levels will be higher in an enclosed operating environment of different construction. In addition, other areas of concern found were arm-hand vibration, whole-body, ergonomics, heat stress, tripping hazards, electrical hazards, machine guarding, and lockout/tagout.
Forty selected core samples of ''Devonian shales''from two wells in western and southwestern West Virginia were analyzed petrographically. Lithologically these samples may be grouped into 6 rock types: shale, silty shale, dolomitic shale, shaly siltstone, shaly dolostone, and dolostone. Mineralogically, illite comprises the major part of the argillaceous fraction, whereas quartz constitutes the principal nonclay mineral. Carbonate is present in most specimens and is generally dolomitic. The most prevalent heavy mineral is pyrite. Dark gray (N3) to brownish-black (5YR2/1) organic, rich shale constitutes the most distinctive rock type in the principal ''Brown shale pay zone interval. Organic matter occurs in several forms and comprises as much as 4.4% of the shale. Vertical mineral-lined fractures are important in facilitating gas accumulation and migration in most pay zones. Dolomite is the main mineral constituent in these linings; however, small amounts of calcite and barite are also present. Mineral linings serve as propping agents to hold fractures open and thus are important in maintaining porosity and permeability along the fractures. Lenses of silt-size quartz and feldspar may serve as conduits for movement of gas into these fractures. (16 figures)
In this report we present the mathematical foundations of the physical processes for true in-situ retorting by electromagnetic heating. The modeling of in-situ retorting via electromagnetic heating requires a mathematical formulation of the problem and empirical relations for such quantities as thermal conductivity, heat capacities, rate constants, permeabilities, and viscosities. The mathematical formulation consists of equations for conservation of species, saturations, capillary pressure, momentum and energy. These equations constitute a system of coupled non-linear partial differential equations which must be solved numerically. 8 references.
Monitoring vegetation is an active area of laser-induced fluorescence imaging (LIFI) research. The Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology (HCET) at Florida International University (FIU) is assisting in the transfer of the LIFI technology to the agricultural private sector through a market survey. The market survey will help identify the key eco-agricultural issues of the nations that could benefit from the use of sensor technologies developed by the Office of Science and Technology (OST). The principal region of interest is the Western Hemisphere, particularly, the rapidly growing countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The analysis of needs will assure that the focus of present and future research will center on economically important issues facing both hemispheres. The application of the technology will be useful to the agriculture industry for airborne crop analysis as well as in the detection and characterization of contaminated sites by monitoring vegetation. LIFI airborne and close-proximity systems will be evaluated as stand-alone technologies and additions to existing sensor technologies that have been used to monitor crops in the field and in storage.
Isothermal and nonisothermal pyrolysis experiments have been conducted on Asphalt Ridge tar sand. Oil produced from the isothermal experiments has a molecular weight of approximately 250 and has a hydrogen to carbon ratio between 1.7 and 1.9. Product oil composition varies slightly with reaction time. Results of thin layer chromatographic separation of the residual bitumen show that the concentrations of saturates and aromatics in this bitumen decrease rapidly with increasing reaction time, while the concentrations of aromatics and polars in this bitumen increase. Polars and polynuclear aromatics are the dominant species in this bitumen. Nonisothermal data have been analyzed using a distributed activation energy technique. These tests show a distinct bimodal weight loss curve. The low temperature weight loss peak has a maximum about 275/sup 0/C (527/sup 0/F) and a first order apparent activation energy below 10 kcal/mol. The high temperature peak has a maximum above 400/sup 0/C (752/sup 0/F) and an apparent activation energy of about 60 kcal/mol. 12 refs., 11 figs., 8 tabs.
Quarterly report Oct-Dec 1973, detailing: In Situ Oil Recovery from Tar Sand Deposits, The Chemistry of Tar Sand Bitumens, Characterization of Heavy Petroleum Oils, Asphalt Studies
Two refinery operations, runs Nos. 35 and 35A, are covered by this report. The purpose of run No. 35, July 19 and 20, 1951, was to submit a mixture of polymer, slop oil, and naphtha to a simple fractionation at atmospheric pressure to obtain suitable distillate stocks for road oil blending purposes. Run No 35A, from July 30 to August 3, 1951, was a modified atmospheric distillation in which the visbroken residuum charge stock was reduced to an asphalt for preparing road oil.
The Reservoir Class Field Demonstration Program was initiated in FY92 in response to rapidly declining domestic production and the realization that huge volumes of oil are being abandoned in reservoirs because of uneconomic production techniques. This program is just one of the critical elements of the National Oil Program necessary to move Improved Oil Recovery (lOR) technology from the conceptual stage through research, pilot scale field experiments, and full-scale field demonstrations to industry acceptance and commercialization. Both the successful results and failures of the field demonstrations will provide focus to concurrent research programs. Elements of the field demonstrations that are suitable for broad industry application are being communicated to the industry through the oil program's technology transfer effort. Significant events in the oil industry during 1998-1999, including company repositioning, mergers, sale of fields, and personnel layoffs, have effected important changes in DOE's Class projects. Several projects have moved field locations and transferred the technology developed in Phase I to other nearby fields in Phase II. Mergers have caused several fields to be sold, and a few projects have terminated early because of these changes. The value of the research remains high, and publications and technology transfer presentations by project personnel continue to contribute a significant body of knowledge on the solution of problems in producing oil from mature domestic oil fields.
A preliminary program dated April 25, 1974, was prepared for Development Engineering, Inc. (DEI) on research and development, for laboratory, field and other engineering studies on the disposal of retorted oil shale. This program was revised and published as a final document dated December 17, 1974. The document included discussions on the peculiarities of retorted shale materials to be investigated and discussions of the various laboratory and field tests which would need to be conducted to define their physical and chemical properties
This report contains a review and evaluation of three systems analysis studies performed by LITCO on integrated thermal treatment systems and integrated nonthermal treatment systems for the remediation of mixed low-level waste stored throughout the US Department of Energy weapons complex. The review was performed by an independent team of nine researchers from the Energy and Environmental Research Center, Science Applications International Corporation, the Waste Policy Institute, and Virginia Tech. The three studies reviewed were as follows: Integrated Thermal Treatment System Study, Phase 1--issued July 1994; Integrated Thermal Treatment System Study, Phase 2--issued February 1996; and Integrated Nonthermal Treatment System Study--drafted March 1996. The purpose of this review was to (1) determine whether the assumptions of the studies were adequate to produce an unbiased review of both thermal and nonthermal systems, (2) to identify the critical areas of the studies that would benefit from further investigation, and (3) to develop a standard template that could be used in future studies to assure a sound application of systems engineering.
The Vernal an Sunnyside deposits have been examined by the Federal Geological Survey, and reports covering the geology, general characteristics, grade of the deposits, reserves of bituminous sandstone, and contained bitumen have been published.
Understanding geoengineering properties of host rock is fundamental for determining repository construction feasibility and evaluating the ability of host rock to provide a structural barrier to the migration of radionuclide's. The shafts, access drifts, emplacement rooms, and emplacement holes should be designed, excavated, monitored, and maintained in such a way that they remain stable during the repository life. To assure adequate performance of the repository in the preclosure and postclosure stages, rock geoengineering properties, and the underground conditions surrounding the repository should be understood.
The Gulf of Mexico is a small ocean basin surrounded by land masses. It is connected to the Atlantic Ocean through the Florida Strait to the east and to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatan channel. Numerous topics have been studied in the Gulf of Mexico including: sediment transport, mineralogy, grain size and more recently sea floor sediment distribution. These studies confirm the major influence of sediment supplied by the Mississippi River on the composition of the Gulf of Mexico sediments.
The Dow Chemical Company contract with the Department of Energy to investigate the feasiblity of recovering energy from Antrim shale by an in situ process required the investigation of several fracturing techniques. One of these included the use of explosives detonated in wellbores at a depth of 1200 to 1400 feet. This report summarizes the seismic monitoring of several of these explosions and the analysis of the data obtained.
"The fourth underground coal gasification experiment conducted by the Laramie Energy Technology Center is currently underway at a site near Hanna, Wyoming. The Hanna IV experiment, as originally conceived, was significantly larger than the three previous experiments. The experiment was designed to nest the following objectives: determination of the interrelationships of well spacing, air injection rate, and areal sweep efficiency; demonstration of the ability to conduct reverse combustion linkage over distances up to 45.7 m; determination of pressure and gas composition gradients within the coal seams during process operation; determination of gasification zone progress as a function of time; and demonstration of relaying the process down a row of process wells. A portion of the technology development has involved environmental assessment of the process. This assessment included characterization of the effulents from the process as well as initiation of the biological effects studies and determination of the fate of pollutants from the process. Major concerns associated with the process are impacts on air and ground water quality and the effects of subsidence. This paper describes the initial phase of the Hanna IV experiment in which difficulties were encountered and a sustained gasification process could not be maintained. An override situation acress the 30.5 m well spacing resulted in a premature shutdown of the experiment, Preparations are being made to continue the experiment and recover from the override situtions."
The interrelationship between the Upper Cretaceous Mesaverde, Lewis, Fox Hills, and Lance formations of Northwestern Colorado and south central Wyoming, and the position of the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in this area, have been studied in detail for over 50 years. With the addition of considerable subsurface control in the past few years, it is now possible to present a more complete picture of the stratigraphy of this part of the section. Additional paleontological collections are needed and, in the deeper parts of the Sand Wash and Washakie basins, there are large gaps in the subsurface control. Detailed surface mapping of the intertonguing relationships of the Upper Cretaceous formations could add immeasurably to the stratigraphic knowledge of this area. The occurrence of gas, and possibly oil, in this part of the stratigraphic column, creates an economic reason for more precise knowledge of environments of deposition and paleogeography. The purpose of this paper is to review the origin of stratigraphic nomenclature now in use and to add new information regarding regional stratigraphy and its relationship to gas entrapment.
The test evaluation of supported system CuO/Zeolite was carried out in the fluidized bed reactor with 450 mean average particle diameter. In all the tests, the sulfur capacity was observed below 1 mole % conversion for 10 ppM H/sub 2/S concentration in the effluent gas. There was an improvement in sulfur capacity of air-steam regenerated batches (Run 171 and 172) compressed to air regenerated batches (Run 169 and 170). We believe CuO-ZnO system has greater potentials than supported CuO only. We plan to carry out a desulfurization test of mixed oxide CuO/ZnO sorbent with ZrO/sub 2/ as diluent.
"The Bureau of Mines and the Alabama. Power Co. jointly conducted a first experiment in underground gasification of coal at Gorgas, Ala., during the fall and winter of 1946-47. This preliminary experiment showed that it was not difficult to maintain combustion of coal underground, and that coal in place could be completely gasified. It was noted that the high temperature developed by the gasification of coal in place brought about changes in overlying strata that appeared to be favorable to the process. The high temperatures caused the roof rock to become plastic, to expand, and to settle down an the mine floor directly behind the reacting coke face. These results were promising enough to warrant further investigation of the process. It was believed that if this action could be controlled properly with roofs of similar composition, it would tend to force the gas-making fluids underground against the coal faces. Plans for the second experiment were based in part on this favorable roof action, and the successful operation of the planned initial straight-line passages depended on this fact."
A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the influence of hydration and recarbonation on the solid phase distribution of trace elements in retorted oil shale. The oil shale samples were retorted by the Paraho direct heating process and equilibrated with deionized distilled water under controlled carbon dioxide conditions. A sequential extraction technique was then used to fractionate trace elements into soluble. KNO3 extractable, N2O extractable, and residual phases. The chemical fractions present in retorted oil shale and hydrated and recarbonated retorted oil shale were compared to identify trace element mineralogical changes that may occur n retorted oil shale disposal environments.
"Long-term experience in burning gas from underground gasification of coal (UGC gas) indicates that as far as the efficient organization of gas consumption is concerned, this form of gas is superior to any type of coal in terms of fuel characteristics, and is only slightly inferior to natural gas in terms of thermal power plant efficiency."
The microbial transport simulator (MTS) is a three-dimensional, three-phase, multiple-component numerical model that permits the study of the transport of microorganisms and nutrients in porous media. Microbial parameters incorporated into MTS include: Microbial growth and decay, microbial deposition, chemotaxis, diffusion, convective dispersion, tumbling, and nutrient consumption. Governing equations for microbial and nutrient transport are coupled with continuity and flow equations under conditions appropriate for a black oil reservoir. The model`s mathematical formulations and preparation procedures of data files for conducting simulations using MTS are described. A general background of microbial transport simulation is given in Section I and the governing equations, mechanisms, and numerical solutions of MTS are given in Section II. Explanations for preparing an input data file with reservoir and microbial transport data are described in Section III, and recurrent data are given in Section IV. Example data inputs are enclosed after explanations of each input line to help the user prepare data files. Major items of the output files are reviewed in Section V. Finally, two sample problems for running MTS are described in Section VI, and input files and part of the output files of these problems are listed in the appendix.