New electric power technologies

"OTA-E-246"--P. [4] of cover

Transportation of hazardous materials.

Mode of access: Internet.

Spontaneous combustion and simulation of mine fires and their effects on mine ventilation systems

The structure of a comprehensive research project into mine fires study applying the Ventgraph mine fire simulation software, preplanning of escape scenarios and general interaction with rescue responses is outlined. The project has Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) funding and also relies on substantial mining company site support. This practical input from mine operators is essential and allows the approach to be introduced in the most creditable way. The effort is built around the introduction of fire simulation computer software to the Australian mining industry and the consequent modelling of fire scenarios in selected different mine layouts. Application of the simulation software package to the changing mine layouts requires experience to achieve realistic outcomes. Most Australian mines of size currently use a ventilation network simulation program. Under the project a small subroutine has been written to transfer the input data from the existing mine ventilation network simulation program to ‘Ventgraph’. This has been tested successfully. To understand fire simulation behaviour on the mine ventilation system, it is necessary to understood the possible effects of mine fires on various mine ventilation systems correctly first. Case studies demonstrating the possible effects of fires on some typical Australian coal mine ventilation circuits have been examined. The situation in which there is some gas make at the face and effects with fire have also been developed to emphasise how unstable and dangerous situations may arise. The primary objective of the part of the study described in this paper is to use mine fire simulation software to gain better understanding of how spontaneous combustion initiated fires can interact with the complex ventilation behaviour underground during a substantial fire. It focuses on the simulation of spontaneous combustion sourced heatings that develop into open fires. Further, it examines ventilation behaviour effects of spontaneous combustion initiated pillar fires and examines the difficulties these can be present if a ventilation reversal occurs. It also briefly examines simulation of use of the inertisation to assist in mine recovery. Mine fires are recognised across the world as a major hazard issue. New approaches allowing improvement in understanding their consequences have been developed as an aid in handling this complex area.

New solid base catalysts for biodiesel synthesis

The application of heterogeneous catalysts for the manufacture of renewable biodiesel fuels offers an exciting, alternative clean chemical technology to current energy intensive processes employing soluble base catalysts. We recently synthesised tuneable MgO nanocrystals as efficent solid base catalysts for biodiesel synthesis, and have developed a simple X-ray spectroscopic method to quantitatively determine surface basicity, thereby providing a rapid screening tool for predicting the reactivity of new solid base catalysts. Promotion of these MgO nanocrystals through Cs doping dramatically enhances biodiesel production rates due to the formaion of a mixed Cs Mg(CO ) phase. These MgO derived nanocatalysts permit energy efficent, continuous processing of diverse, sustainable oil feedstocks in flow reactors.

Increase in soil organic carbon by agricultural intensification in northern China

Acknowledgements. This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 31370527 and 31261140367) and the National Science and Technology Support Program of China (no. 2012BAD14B01-2). The authors gratefully thank the Huantai Agricultural Station for providing of the Soil Fertility Survey data. We also thank Zheng Liang from China Agricultural University for the soil sampling and analysis in 2011. Thanks are extended to Jessica Bellarby for helpful discussion and suggestions.

Metamorfosis en la energía mítica:de la libido freudiana a la libido electrónica y digital

La historia de la mitología puede ser narrada como la crónica de las sucesivas metamorfosis de las fuentes de energía mítica y sus desplazamientos metafóricos de sentido. La modernidad se distingue por haber descubierto un manantial inédito de energía mítica, la libido freudiana. Desde su despertar surrealista, donde se creía inagotable, hasta su empleo por parte de los dispositivos pulsionales de Internet, el imaginario de la libido freudiana está sufriendo una mutación como libido digital: una crisis energética que supone una lectura renovada del imaginario edípico (crisis de la diacronía) y un estudio de sus más recientes rituales electrónicos (crisis de la sincronía) en la era de Internet.

Review of the magnetic fusion program of the Department of Energy : hearing before the Subcommittee on Fossil and Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth Congress, second session, September 18, 1978.

"No. 86."

MHD program review : hearings before the Subcommittee on Fossil and Nuclear Energy Research, Development and Demonstration of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-fifth Congress, second session, May 2, 4, August 3, 1978.

"No. 76."

Gasification technology assessment of sterile coal to clean electrical power generation.

Sterile coal is a low-value residue associated to the coal extraction and mining activity. According to the type and origin of the coal bed configuration, sterile coal production can mainly vary on quantity, calorific value and presence of sulphur compounds. In addition, the potential availability of sterile coal within Spain is apparently high and its contribution to the local power generation would be of interest playing a significant role. The proposed study evaluates the availability and deployment of gasification technologies to drive clean electricity generation from waste coal and sterile rock coal, incorporating greenhouse gas emission mitigation systems, like CO2, H2S and NOx removal systems. It establishes the target facility and its conceptual basic design proposal. The syngas obtained after the gasification of sterile coal is processed through specific conditioning units before entering into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine. Flue gas leaving the gas turbine is ducted to a heat recovery steam generation boiler; the steam produced within the boilerdrives a steam turbine. The target facility resembles a singular Integrated Gasification in Combined Cycle (IGCC) power station. The evaluation of the conceptual basic design according to the power output set for a maximum sterile contribution, established that rates over 95% H2S and 90% CO2 removal can be achieved. Noticeable decrease of NOx compounds can be also achieved by the use of commercial technology. A techno-economic approach of the conceptual basic design is made evaluating the integration of potential unitsand their implementation within the target facility aiming toachieve clean power generation. The criterion to be compliant with the most restrictive regulation regarding environmental emissions is setting to carry out this analysis.

National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, second session, April 27, 1988.

"No. 125."

National toxicology program [microform] : hearing before the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session, July 15, 1981.

"No. 32."

Oversight of the national climate program [microform] : hearings before the Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, first and second sessions, March 5, 1981 and March 16, 1982.

"No. 95."

NASA space communications program [microform] : hearings before the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session, July 8, 9, 1981.

"No. 17."

Oversight--the Nuclear Regulatory Commission research program [microform] : hearings before the Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, second session, May 18, 19; June 15, 1982.

"No. 128."

NASA program management and procurement procedures and practices [microform] : hearings before the Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, first session, June 24, 25, 1981.

"No. 16."