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DOE Selects Potential Breakthrough Approaches for Carbon Sequestration

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Forwarding announcement directly from DOE Fossil website. If you have any difficulty receiving it in your email system and would like a text copy, let me know. You can also use the URL below to go directly to the website.

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Issued on April 29, 1998
DOE Selects Potential Breakthrough Approaches For Removing Greenhouse Gases from Ecosystem

From Super Algae to Deep Ocean Carbon Disposal

The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected an initial group of research projects to pursue a goal that could ultimately determine the long-range future of global fossil fuel use — the inexpensive capture and permanent disposal of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. These cutting-edge research projects range from the use of carbon dioxide absorbing algae to deep-ocean greenhouse gas disposal.

The selected projects include a diverse mix of novel concepts, including the use of CO2-absorbing algae growing on artificial reefs or encased in bioscrubbers; the disposal of greenhouse gases in deep aquifers or on the ocean floor; and innovative chemical processes and membranes that separate CO2 from the flue gases of fossil fuel power plants and factories. Each project will receive approximately $50,000 for the initial phase. Projects that proceed into later development phases could receive up to $1.5 million each.
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http://www.fe.doe.gov/techline/tl_novelseq.html
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| ** UFTO ** Edward Beardsworth ** Consultant
| 951 Lincoln Ave. tel 650-328-5670
| Palo Alto CA 94301-3041 fax 650-328-5675
| http://www.ufto.com edbeards@ufto.com
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U.S. Department of Energy [Home | Site Index | Search | Help]

[DOE FOSSIL ENERGY TECHLINE]

Issued on April 29, 1998

DOE Selects Potential Breakthrough Approaches For Removing Greenhouse Gases from Ecosystem From Super Algae to Deep Ocean Carbon Disposal

The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected an initial group of research projects to pursue a goal that could ultimately determine the long-range future of global fossil fuel use — the inexpensive capture and permanent disposal of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. These cutting-edge research projects range from the use of carbon dioxide absorbing algae to deep-ocean greenhouse gas disposal.

Secretary of Energy Federico Pena today announced grants to 12 research teams that will begin exploring whether practical, affordable methods can be developed to prevent carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases from building up in the atmosphere.

“Such processes could be the revolutionary breakthroughs that break the link between the world’s use of fossil fuels and concerns over global climate change,” said Pena. “We are beginning the first steps today, but if the path leads to realistic technologies, it may become much easier for the United States and other nations to implement effective greenhouse gas reduction strategies.”

The selected projects include a diverse mix of novel concepts, including the use of CO2-absorbing algae growing on artificial reefs or encased in bioscrubbers; the disposal of greenhouse gases in deep aquifers or on the ocean floor; and innovative chemical processes and membranes that separate CO2 from the flue gases of fossil fuel power plants and factories. Each project will receive approximately $50,000 for the initial phase. Projects that proceed into later development phases could receive up to $1.5 million each.

Secretary Pe–a kicked off the new effort last September in a speech at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where he called on the nation’s scientific and technical community to “look beyond what is currently feasible” and develop breakthrough concepts for sequestering or recycling greenhouse gases. Sixty-two proposals responded to the challenge and 12 were selected.

In the President’s FY 1999 budget proposal, DOE has recommended expanding carbon sequestration research efforts with activities focusing on both the science of carbon management, and the application of innovative techniques for removing and permanently storing carbon gases.

Following is a brief description of the projects.

* Louisiana State University,Baton Rouge, LA
: Dr. Charles E. Graham, (504) 388-3386

Project: “PH-Neutral Concrete for Attached Microalgae and Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Fixation” (Abstract) – Louisiana State University will study the capture of CO2 by microalgae supported on artificial reefs. These reefs would be manufactured with cement products especially tailored for microalgae attachment. The novel aspect is the use of supercritical CO2 to neutralize the alkaline cement mixture. After this treatment, the cement has a near neutral pH, which allows immediate attachment of pH-sensitive marine microalgae to the artificial reef. Attached microalgae and algae beds on reefs are 20 times more efficient for CO2 fixation compared to algae in the open ocean when considered on an area basis. A portion of the carbon in the biomass produced will be permanently sequestered in the deep-ocean.

* McDermott Technologies, Inc., Alliance, OH
: Mr. Ray L. Posey, (303) 829-7422

Project: “Large-Scale CO2 Transportation and Deep Ocean Sequestration” (Abstract) – McDermott Technology Inc., in collaboration with the Hawaii National Energy Institute at the University of Hawaii, will study the viability of large-scale CO2 transportation and deep ocean storage. Phase I activities include a technical and preliminary economic feasibility study of a large-scale CO2 transportation and disposal system, focused on extending the application of pipe-laying technology well beyond the current depth limit of 1300 meters. Emphasis will be placed on injection at depths of 3000 meters or more to avoid adverse environmental impacts. Two options will be examined for transporting and disposing the captured CO2. In one case, CO2 will be pumped from a land-based collection center through a long pipeline laying on the ocean floor. Another case will consider oceanic tanker transport of liquid CO2 to an offshore floating platform on a barge for vertical injection to the ocean floor. Future work will focus on the analytical and experimental simulations of liquid CO2 dissolution and dispersion, laboratory-scale corrosion testing, and further conceptual and engineering evaluation of transportation and disposal options.

* Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC
: Mr. Dave Obringer, (919) 541-7081

Project: “Recovery of Carbon Dioxide in Advanced Fossil Processes Using a Membrane Reactor” (Abstract) – Research Triangle Institute will develop an inorganic, palladium-based membrane device that reforms hydrocarbon fuels to mixtures of hydrogen and CO2 and, at the same time, separates the high-value hydrogen. The remaining gas, predominantly CO2, is recovered in a compressed form. The hydrogen could be used in future fuel cell systems or advanced turbine power systems. Pure hydrogen, when burned to generate power, produces water vapor as the only product of combustion. The proposed work will be conducted in three phases. Phase I will demonstrate the electroless plating techniquefor depositing palladium on a ceramic substrate and will develop a membrane reactor module. Phase II will involve reforming reaction and hydrogen separation experiments in the bench scale test facility. Phase II will demonstrate the technology at the proof-of-concept scale.

* Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI
: Ms. Anita Quinn, (906) 487-2225

Project: “Low Cost Bioscrubber for Greenhouse Gas Control” (Abstract) – Michigan Technological University proposes a novel, algae growing bioscrubber that could be retrofitted to existing power plants or applied to new power plants. By optimizing the photosynthetic conditions for the algae in the scrubber, algae can grow rapidly, consuming CO2 and, perhaps, other greenhouse gases. Mature algae will be harvested and processed to produce value-added products and energy. Using a plant that generates 100 megawatts of electricity each hour, researchers estimate that about 800 million kilowatt hours of electricity can be generated annually from the biomass produced in a bioscrubber.

* University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center, Grand Forks, ND
: Mr. Edwin Olson, (701) 777-4278

Project: “Novel Systems for Sequestering and Utilizing CO2” (Abstract) – The Energy and Environmental Research Center of the University of North Dakota will develop new chemistry and catalysts to convert CO2 to useful polymers in industrial quantities. Polymers having different properties will be synthesized for specific end uses. For example, water soluble polymers with high viscosities could be produced for enhanced oil recovery projects, while others could be developed for use in strong structural resins or ion-exchange materials. The proposal envisions novel, solar-powered photoreactors that use sunlight for converting CO2 to simple alcohols for subsequent polymer synthesis.

* Northwest Fuel Development, Inc., Lake Oswego, OR
: Dr. Peet M. Soot, (503) 699-9836

Project: “Sequential Carbon Dioxide Removal from Stack Gases and Sequestration Using Coal Seams” (Abstract) – Northwest Fuel Development, Inc. (NW Fuel) will develop a unique system for removing and sequestering CO2 by injecting power plant flue gas into abandoned coal mines and using the residual coal in the mines to filter out and retain the carbon dioxide. Reducing the pressure in the undeground mines would release the concentrated carbon dioxide, allowing it to be compressed and injected into underlying deep unmineable coal seams. Most of the coal-fired power plants in the U.S. are located in or near coal basins, which could be suitable for this type of processing. This multi-phased effort will be conducted at the Nelms Mine site in Harrison County, Ohio. The initial portion of the effort will consist of a technical and economic feasibility analysis of the process. Laboratory and bench scale tests will take place in Phase II, and a field demonstration unit will be built and operated at the Nelms Mine during Phase III.

* The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
: Ms. Yvonne Murray, (512) 471-2338

Project: “Optimal Geological Environments for Carbon Dioxide Disposal in Saline Aquifers in the U.S.” (Abstract) – Saline aquifers have great potential for the long-term sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions including CO2. This study will help fill the information gap between studies using idealized aquifers and the often poorly known properties of real aquifers. This effort will develop a data base of saline aquifers in the U.S. where geological conditions promote the greatest probability of success of CO2 sequestration projects. Standard techniques for hydrocarbon exploration and development such as reservoir characterization and geological formation analysis will be used to make these predictions.

* Battelle, Columbus, OH
: Mr. Ralph Henricks, (614) 424-5693

Project: “Experimental Evaluation of Chemical Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide in Deep Aquifer Media” (Abstract) – The disposal mechanism to be studied in this project involves deep-well injection of supercritical phase CO2 in aquifers that are deeper than 800m and have no known economic resources. Battelle will conduct basic research on aquifer processes. Researchers will perform a series of laboratory experiments to determine the chemical processes controlling the fate of injected CO2 in different aquifer settings. The major focus will be on the potential resources for disposal in the Midwest United States in a region with one of the highest CO2 emission rates in the nation.

* Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, PA
: Mr. S. M. Morris, (610) 481-8282

* Tampa Electric Company, Tampa, FL
: Mr. Charles R. Black, (813) 228-4111

Project: “The Removal and Recovery of Carbon Dioxide from Syngas and Acid Gas Streams in an IGCC Power Plant for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases” (Abstract) – Tampa Electric’s Polk Power Station, built as part of the joint government-industry Clean Coal Technology Program, is a state-of-the-art 250 MW(e) Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant. IGCC power technology provides an ideal opportunity for CO2 capture when oxygen rather than air is used. Coal-derived gas is produced in a highly-concentrated, pressurized form that allows for the use of a variety of solvents that can capture CO2 from the gas stream prior to combustion. Engineering studies will be performed to evaluate the technical and economic merits of alternative systems that could be demonstrated at the Polk Power Station. In Phase III and beyond, the selected recovery system would be built and operated at the plant.

: Mr. John D. Wright, (303) 422-7819

Project: “A Novel CO2 Separation System” (Abstract) – TDA Research, Inc., proposes a “Sorbent Energy Transfer System” in which the fossil fuel (gasified coal or natural gas) transfers its energy to reduce a metal oxide, producing steam and high-pressure CO2 that can be sequestered with little additional compression energy. The steam would be used to drive a steam turbine to produce electricity. The metal is then reoxidized in air, producing heat to raise the temperature of a high-pressure stream of air or nitrogen to drive a gas turbine to generate more electricity. The oxidized metal is sent to the reducing vessel to repeat the cycle.

* Institute for Environmental Management, Inc. (IEM), Palo Alto, CA-
: Mr. Don Augenstein, (650) 856-2850
Project: “Landfill Operation for Carbon Sequestration and Maximum Methane Emission Control” (Abstract) – Working at the Yolo County Central Landfill outside Davis, CA, the Institute for Environmental Management, Inc., will study a way to accelerate the production of methane from landfills and capture the methane using surface membrane covers. Methane is a strong greenhouse gas with approximately 20 times as much greenhouse effect as CO2. The project, to be conducted cooperatively with Yolo County and the California Energy Commission, will involve two demonstration cells at the landfill, each containing approximately 9000 tons of waste. Techniques will be applied to promote decay of the landfill waste to provide more rapid and complete methane generation. A gas-impermeable membrane will be used as a cover over the landfill to prevent the methane from escaping into the atmosphere. Gas-permeable layers in the cover will conduct the methane to a collection point.

For additional information, contact:
Robert C. Porter, (202) 586-6503 e-mail: robert.porter@hq.doe.gov

Civil & Geotechnology Services – Ontario Hydro

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Additional areas of technology and expertise available from Ontario Hydro Technologies. (See earlier UFTO Report for general background on OHT — October 28)

Civil & Geotechnology Services

As a result of many years of providing expert opinion and applying leading edge technology to Ontario Hydro’s 7000 MW hydroelectric generation system, comprised of 69 generating stations and over 200 dams, as well as its fossil and nuclear facilities, OHT has developed expertise in the following areas:

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Durability Studies
Inspection of Concrete Structures, Life Cycle Management
Concrete Repair Projects (Leakage, Surface, Structural)
Development of Specialised Concrete for Specific Applications
Concrete Inspection, QA/QC System Design & Audit
Concrete Repair Materials Formulation & Testing

GEOTECHNOLOGY
Specialised Drilling for Rock, Concrete or Soil
Drain, Pipe and Tunnel Inspection & Cleaning
Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessment
Instrumentation of Rock, Concrete & Wood Structures
Risk Assessment
Geographic Information Systems

General Contact:
Mr. C W Dawson, Tel 416-207-6307, Fax 416-234-1511
dawsoncw@rd.hydro.on.ca
Mr L E Milton, Tel 416-207-5405, Fax 416-234-1511
miltonle@rd.hydro.on.ca

– Concrete Durability Studies.
An exposure facility is located at the Kipling Site in Toronto, and provides climatic conditions typical for Southern Ontario. An extensive database, going back over 30 years is available from this facility. Laboratory facilities are also available for testing concretes under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, as well as providing standard testing services.

– Inspection of Concrete Structures.
Extensive experience in the inspection of concrete structures is available. This would normally go through the steps of visual inspection leading to non-destructive ultrasonic inspection, core drilling of suspect locations and physical testing and evaluation of the cores. Testing would normally cover, adsorption, air content, density, alkali aggregate reactivity, compressive strength and carbonation.

– Specialized Concrete & Grout Repairs.
OHT can provide a comprehensive knowledge of repair products and approaches to their application. We can provide mix designs for special applications and small to large scale testing of the mixes in our laboratories prior to application. We also provide construction and repair specifications and can provide application supervision and quality management.

– Specialized Concrete Development.
OHT has been extensively involved in the development and testing of specialty concretes. This has included standards development for fly ash concretes, flowable backfills with custom designed strength characteristics, guidelines for the use of fly ash and bottom ash as structural fills and the development of high density concrete for nuclear waste containment.

– Specialised Drilling Services.
OHT has acquired and developed experience with both computerized and directional drilling technology. This technology has been used in conjunction with wire line saw cutting for stress relief of concrete structures, and investigation of problematic geological structures through the extraction of rock cores (along the axis of a tunnel for example). The technology can also be used for post tensioning cable retrofit, instrumentation installation and piping, sewer, cable installations through rock.

– Drain Inspection & Cleaning.
Considerable experience has been developed in the inspection and cleaning of drains as a result of an ongoing program in Ontario Hydro’s own hydroelectric facilities. OHT owns two sets of high pressure waterjetting equipment and a number of sets of down hole TV camera equipment.

– Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessments.
OHT has comprehensive capability and equipment for carrying out geotechnical monitoring and assessments, including contamination assessments. This includes a mobile soils assessment rig, as well as rock coring capability. OHT also has experience in the use of instrumentation for monitoring the movement of rock and soil formations, as well as concrete and wood structures. Instrumentation has been widely deployed throughout our hydrelectric system, but especially at our Saunders plant, where problems with AAR are being experienced. OHT also has the capability to carry out hydrogeological investigations as they relate to the suitability of a given location for a structure.

– Risk Assessment.
OHT can also provide complete risk assessment services for a structure. This would include an evaluation of the condition of the structure, an assessment of the magnitudes and probabilities of hazards that may affect and threaten the structure, a complete analysis of the risks associated with those hazards and recomendations of ways in which those risks could be managed.

– Geographic Information Systems.
Ontario Hydro and OHT have considerable experience with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to utility problems, such as land use planning, infrastructure mapping, natural resource management, route and site selection etc. We are therefore in a position to provide other potential users with advice on the merits of various commercial systems, and optimal infrastructures and applications for GIS.

UFTO Note – Civil & Geotechnology Services-Ontario Hydro Fri, 07 Nov 1997

Civil & Geotechnology Services – Ontario Hydro

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Additional areas of technology and expertise available from Ontario Hydro Technologies. (See earlier UFTO Report for general background on OHT — October 28)

Civil & Geotechnology Services

As a result of many years of providing expert opinion and applying leading edge technology to Ontario Hydro’s 7000 MW hydroelectric generation system, comprised of 69 generating stations and over 200 dams, as well as its fossil and nuclear facilities, OHT has developed expertise in the following areas:

CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY
Durability Studies
Inspection of Concrete Structures, Life Cycle Management
Concrete Repair Projects (Leakage, Surface, Structural)
Development of Specialised Concrete for Specific Applications
Concrete Inspection, QA/QC System Design & Audit
Concrete Repair Materials Formulation & Testing

GEOTECHNOLOGY
Specialised Drilling for Rock, Concrete or Soil
Drain, Pipe and Tunnel Inspection & Cleaning
Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessment
Instrumentation of Rock, Concrete & Wood Structures
Risk Assessment
Geographic Information Systems

General Contact:
Mr. C W Dawson, Tel 416-207-6307, Fax 416-234-1511
dawsoncw@rd.hydro.on.ca
Mr L E Milton, Tel 416-207-5405, Fax 416-234-1511
miltonle@rd.hydro.on.ca

– Concrete Durability Studies.
An exposure facility is located at the Kipling Site in Toronto, and provides climatic conditions typical for Southern Ontario. An extensive database, going back over 30 years is available from this facility. Laboratory facilities are also available for testing concretes under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, as well as providing standard testing services.

– Inspection of Concrete Structures.
Extensive experience in the inspection of concrete structures is available. This would normally go through the steps of visual inspection leading to non-destructive ultrasonic inspection, core drilling of suspect locations and physical testing and evaluation of the cores. Testing would normally cover, adsorption, air content, density, alkali aggregate reactivity, compressive strength and carbonation.

– Specialized Concrete & Grout Repairs.
OHT can provide a comprehensive knowledge of repair products and approaches to their application. We can provide mix designs for special applications and small to large scale testing of the mixes in our laboratories prior to application. We also provide construction and repair specifications and can provide application supervision and quality management.

– Specialized Concrete Development.
OHT has been extensively involved in the development and testing of specialty concretes. This has included standards development for fly ash concretes, flowable backfills with custom designed strength characteristics, guidelines for the use of fly ash and bottom ash as structural fills and the development of high density concrete for nuclear waste containment.

– Specialised Drilling Services.
OHT has acquired and developed experience with both computerized and directional drilling technology. This technology has been used in conjunction with wire line saw cutting for stress relief of concrete structures, and investigation of problematic geological structures through the extraction of rock cores (along the axis of a tunnel for example). The technology can also be used for post tensioning cable retrofit, instrumentation installation and piping, sewer, cable installations through rock.

– Drain Inspection & Cleaning.
Considerable experience has been developed in the inspection and cleaning of drains as a result of an ongoing program in Ontario Hydro’s own hydroelectric facilities. OHT owns two sets of high pressure waterjetting equipment and a number of sets of down hole TV camera equipment.

– Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessments.
OHT has comprehensive capability and equipment for carrying out geotechnical monitoring and assessments, including contamination assessments. This includes a mobile soils assessment rig, as well as rock coring capability. OHT also has experience in the use of instrumentation for monitoring the movement of rock and soil formations, as well as concrete and wood structures. Instrumentation has been widely deployed throughout our hydrelectric system, but especially at our Saunders plant, where problems with AAR are being experienced. OHT also has the capability to carry out hydrogeological investigations as they relate to the suitability of a given location for a structure.

– Risk Assessment.
OHT can also provide complete risk assessment services for a structure. This would include an evaluation of the condition of the structure, an assessment of the magnitudes and probabilities of hazards that may affect and threaten the structure, a complete analysis of the risks associated with those hazards and recomendations of ways in which those risks could be managed.

– Geographic Information Systems.
Ontario Hydro and OHT have considerable experience with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to utility problems, such as land use planning, infrastructure mapping, natural resource management, route and site selection etc. We are therefore in a position to provide other potential users with advice on the merits of various commercial systems, and optimal infrastructures and applications for GIS.

UFTO Note – Civil & Geotechnology Services-Ontario Hydro Fri, 07 Nov 1997

Technology Transfer Opportunities – Ontario Hydro Technologies

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UFTO

PROPRIETARY

Final Report

Technology Transfer Opportunities in the Federal Laboratories

Ontario Hydro Technologies (OHT)

October 1997

Prepared for:

Utility Federal Technology Opportunities (UFTO)

By:

Edward Beardsworth

Consultant

This report is part of a series examining technology opportunities at National Laboratories of possible interest to electric utilities

Contents:
page
Summary
Overview & Organization
Technologies & Programs

This report is proprietary and confidential. It is for internal use by personnel of companies that are subscribers in the UFTO multi-client program. It is not to be otherwise copied or distributed except as authorized in writing.

Summary

This report details findings about technology and technology transfer opportunities at the Ontario Hydro that might be of strategic interest to electric utilities. It is based on a visit to the lab in September 1996 and subsequent contacts, as part of the UFTO multiclient project.

Background

Noting the tremendous scope of research underway in the research facilities of the U.S. government, and a very strong impetus on the government’s part to foster commercial partnering with industry and applications of the technology it has developed, the UFTO program has been established as a multi-client study of the opportunities thus afforded energy utilities and their many subsidiaries.

Overview

Since 1912, Ontario Hydro Technologies (OHT) has been the research and technology services arm of Ontario Hydro, one of North America’s largest utilities. OHT is one of Canada’s largest industrial research organizations, with a staff at one time of over 500 people, now at 350, and comprehensive facilities located in Toronto, Ontario. OHT has done pioneering work in the past on 500 kV transmission systems, scrubber systems for fossil generation, and zirconium metallurgy in support of the CANDU nuclear reactors. More recently, OHT has made key developments in fuel cell technology, power system stabilization, fibre optics, and customer interactions.

In the context of potential changes in Ontario’s electricity industry (and the commitment of Ontario Hydro’s owners, the Ontario Government, to opening the Ontario electricity market to competition), Ontario Hydro began to position itself more and more as a commercial player, and OHT as a competitive provider of technology products and services.

In 1993, OHT was set up as a separate subsidiary, and began adding to its portfolio by making significant investments in alternate energy including biomass, wind and solar developments. Also, OHT embarked on a developing a set of products based on its system stabilizer technology. OHT has also developed a number of other products and services that have the potential to dramatically improve utility performance. Some of these are introduced below.

In 1997, both concern about the emerging competitive environment and strong local criticism about its nuclear power program forced Ontario Hydro to re-focus its energies on the core business of generation. As a result, the scope of OHT’s programs was cut back, limiting product development efforts to those which directly serve the electricity industry, or those which could have a significant financial benefit for Ontario Hydro and similar utilities. OHT expects to continue to earn a substantial portion of its budget from outside clients, by providing expertise, consulting and services to the energy and process industries, on a fee-for-service basis.

More changes at OHT are occurring on almost a daily basis, as speculation continues about the parent utility’s future structure. (The very latest rumors suggest it will split into two crown corporations, one for generation and one for transmission.)

Organization:

Currently OHT is under the leadership of Dr. Jim Brown, Vice- President Technology Services and New Product Development for Ontario Hydro. OHT is organized into two major divisions: New Product Development (NPD) headed up by Dr. Frank Chu, and Technology Services (TS) led by Mr. Dave Dodd. NPD has in it a number of product development projects, while TS has departments dealing with Power System Technologies, High Voltage and High Current Testing, Mechanical Systems Performance, Process Technologies, Environmental Technologies, Civil & Geotechnologies, Materials Technologies, Component Integrity, and Zirconium Metallurgy.

The general contact at the labs is:

Mr. Alfred Mo of the Marketing Department

416 207-6024, moa@oht.hydro.on.ca

All queries should be directed to either Alfred or to the individual noted for the specific item of interest.

Technologies & Programs

Covered in this report:

• Powernetics Products
Digital Power System Stabilizer (DPSS):
Programmable Synchrocheck Relay (PSR)
Microprocessor Digital Frequency Recorder (MDFR)
Power System Disturbance Recorder (PSDR)

• Maintenance Planning Advisor
• Optical Ground Wire Test facility
• Fuel Cell Testing and Development
• Real-Time Digital Simulator Services
• Gas Insulated Substation Diagnostics
• Non-destructive Evaluation
• Fall Protection Engineering
• High Current and High Voltage Facilities
• Concrete Technology

Durability Studies
Inspection of Concrete Structures, Life Cycle Management
Concrete Repair Projects (Leakage, Surface, Structural)
Development of Specialised Concrete for Specific Applications
Concrete Inspection, QA/QC System Design & Audit
Concrete Repair Materials Formulation & Testing

• Geotechnology
Specialised Drilling for Rock, Concrete or Soil
Drain, Pipe and Tunnel Inspection & Cleaning
Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessment
Instrumentation of Rock, Concrete & Wood Structures
Risk Assessment
Geographic Information Systems

• Powernetics Products

Over thirty years of experience with Ontario Hydro’s complex power system has led to the development of the Powernetics line of products designed to increase reliability, stability, protection and control of power systems. These products have undergone extensive field testing, and are backed by training, consulting, and technical services. General contact: Mr. Mike Bell 416-207-6721, belljm@oht.hydro.on.ca

– Digital Power System Stabilizer (DPSS): Ontario Hydro’s power system is characterized by a few large generation sources and several large sinks of power, leading to the potential of system instabilities. (About 40% of Ontario Hydro’s energy is produced by its 12 CANDU reactors located at three sites in southern Ontario.) To reduce the possibility of large system oscillations, OHT developed a digital system stabilizer that has been installed on most major Ontario Hydro generators. With this stabilizer technology, system stability has been maintained even under major system disturbances, including the sudden loss of over 10% of generation (2700MW) during a recent event.

– Programmable Synchrocheck Relay (PSR): The PSR facilitates the automatic closing of breakers at remotely controlled transformer stations. The PSR is fully programmable to match transformer station characteristics, including the presence of old and new equipment. Generally the PSR can be installed with little or no programming and minimal wiring changes.

– Microprocessor Digital Frequency Recorder (MDFR): Reliable high-resolution recordings of frequency disturbances provide a basis for better analysis and understanding of power system performance and integrity. With greater system interconnection, frequency change data is becoming more and more important. The MDFR is a micro-processor controlled desktop device which records powerline frequency swings. It can be automatically set to record frequency changes which deviate by a set amount from 60Hz. The MDFR will find application in the assessment of control and protection schemes. The data can be accessed, and the MDFR can be reprogrammed remotely.

– Power System Disturbance Recorder (PSDR): This device allows utilities to analyze system performance under major disturbance conditions, such as transmission line faults. When installed at major generating, transformer and switching stations, the collected data will provide valuable information on the performance of protection and control schemes. The PDSR will also allow the collection of data to verify operating security limits.

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• Maintenance Planning Advisor

Effective management of assets provides a competitive edge, achieved by operating existing equipment to full capacity and by optimizing maintenance plans. Through rigorous analysis of specific equipment performance data, optimum maintenance schemes can be identified. Maintenance Planning Advisor is an advanced probabilistic model which takes operational information on equipment and converts that data into remaining life and life- cycle cost. It was originally developed for Ontario Hydro’s rotating equipment, but has now been extended to substation components and circuit breakers. In one application for a US client, the MPA predicted a saving of 33% if more inspections and fewer maintenance activities were carried out. This program is also supported by expert consulting services. Contact: Mr. Mark Vainberg 416-207-6451, vainberg@rd.hydro.on.ca

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• Optical Ground Wire Test facility

A special facility at OHT is a long span room, which has been developed into a fibre optic cable and hardware testing facility. The facility and its services are being used both by manufacturers and utilities wanting to install fibre optic loaded cables. The facility is capable of testing a comprehensive range of mechanical, electrical and optical parameters to meet both ANSI and IEC standards. The facility includes an optical power sensor with 0.001 dB resolution and a 1550 nm laser source with high long-term and short-term stability. The comprehensive range of tests includes: aeolian vibrations, galloping, creep, fibre strain, stress-strain, strain margin, temperature cycling etc. Contact: Mr. Craig Pon 416-207-6741, ponc@rd.hydro.on.ca.

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• Fuel Cell Testing and Development

Fuel cell development has been an area of expertise at OHT for many years. Most recently OHT has been involved with Westinghouse in testing their solid oxide fuel cell elements under high- pressure conditions. This fuel cell set a record at OHT for the power produced from a single oxide fuel cell. The power output was 277 watts at 10 atmospheres was about 30% greater than that achieved by Westinghouse at atmospheric pressure. OHT has considerable experience with Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC), having operated a 40KW grid connected cell for several years, and having supervised the operation of a 200 KW system at one of Ontario Hydro’s regional offices. OHT’s experts are available to help you with your fuel cell development needs. Contact: Mr. Chris Cheh 416-207-6159, chehc@rd.hydro.on.ca.

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• Real-Time Digital Simulator Services

OHT has the experience, facilities and expertise to provide a wide range of services using the Real-Time-Digital Simulator (RTDS). This highly sophisticated modular computing system models any user defined electrical system with complex electrical components (transmission lines generators, transformers) based on an electromagnetic transient pulse type of simulation.

This allows the testing of your relay or control equipment to be tested in a closed-loop mode acting on the simulated system as it would in the actual installation. The some of the elements modeled by the RTDS include: current and power transformers with user defined saturation characteristics, circuit breakers, fault switches, synchronous machines with exciters, turbine/governor, and stabilizer models, static VAR compensators, HVDC power and control components. The RTDS system is located at OHT, but its outputs can be applied anywhere on a power system. Contact: Mr. John Kuffel 416-207-6539, kuffelj@rd.hydro.on.ca.

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• Gas Insulated Substation Diagnostics

OHT has over two decades of R&D and development experience with GIS technology and is an acknowledged expert in the area of partial discharge (PD) analysis. In particular OHT has developed a diagnostic system that acts as an early warning system for developing problems within a GIS. This system works through the installation of specifically designed partial discharge couplers in access ports within the GIS. The high frequency PD signals are converted to slower pulses and analysed by computer to assess the state of the system.

In addition to this system OHT offers research and consulting services to assist utilities with emerging GIS problems. These services include: S2F10 gas and moisture analysis, GIS failure analysis, very fast transient analysis, on -site testing services, high sensitivity XIPD testing for GIS spacers. OHT’s services can be of value both once problems have developed and also to forestall problems. OHT’s experts are available to visit clients and do some on site investigations. The most sophisticated tools such as the x-ray induced partial discharge analyzer are however are located at OHT. Contact: Mr. John Kuffel 416-207-6539, kuffelj@rd.hydro.on.ca.

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• Non-destructive Evaluation

OHT is an acknowledged world leader in non-destructive evaluation, having produced a number of sophisticated products for the analysis of components in the nuclear, aerospace and petroleum industries. Products include TRUSTIE (Tiny Rotating Ultrasonic Tube Inspection System), OPIT (Optical Profilometry Inspection Tool), FRILS (Flaw Replication Inspection Laser Scanner), and Winspect a sophisticated software tool for the control, interpretation and display of output from the other systems. OHT’s experts will carry out site visits with a limited set of NDE systems. In many cases NDE tools may need to be modified to meet specific client’s system requirements. Contact: Mr. Kash Mahil 416-207-6816, mahilks@oht.hydro.on.ca.

– TRUSTIE: is an ultrasonic based tool to inspect steam generator and heat exchanger tubes for corrosion, cracking and deformation. TRUSTIE: is capable of inspecting tubes as small as IDs down to 0.31″ and of lengths up to 50 feet. The inspection frequencies range from 5 to 25 MHz and probe rotation speeds range up to 1000 RPM. TRUSTIE can be used to look at wall thickness and ID profilometry, as well as well as circumferencial crack and ID profilometry. – OPIT and FRILS: are optical systems designed to provide fast and precise three-dimensional information from a surface. Originally designed to support Ontario Hydro’s nuclear program, these systems have now been applied to non-nuclear systems such as steam turbine blades and cable insulation.

– Winspect: is an advanced data acquisition software package for ultrasonic testing, built on Windows. It can control the scanning rig, collect the data, and simultaneously control auxiliary instrumentation. Data and images can be transferred directly to other software packages for analysis and reporting. It can be used with existing hardware–software support is available for a broad range of acquisition and control equipment. It also has signal processing routines, such as data averaging, digital filtering, and fast fourier transforms. It is available from

UTEX Scientific Instruments, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

1-800-828-0360 www.utex.com

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• Fall Protection Engineering

OHT’s work in fall protection has saved at least 20 lives at Ontario Hydro over the past twelve years. Ontario Hydro experts are leaders in setting standards for fall protection, as well as in the development of fall protection equipment. The comprehensive fall protection centre at OHT offers advanced testing in compliance with the following standards: ANSI Z359.1- 1993, CSA Z259, as well as others from ANSI, CSA, ASTM, CGSB, UL, and UIAA. OHT’s fall protection experts offer a broad variety of testing services, fall protection training, fall protection consulting, and fall protection audits. Contact: Mr. Andrew Sulowski 416-207-6298, sulowski@rd.hydro.on.ca

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• High Current and High Voltage Facilities

OHT’s high current facility is used to test the full range of components from transmission class disconnect switches to small connectors. This includes short circuit power arc or temperature rise testing. This laboratory has been operating for over 25 years and assisting Ontario Hydro and the electrical industry in Canada and the US. OHT’s 200 MVA high current facility is directly supplied by Ontario Hydro’s grid, allowing for stable long-duration tests. Of course, clients are welcome to observe tests, and multi-channel, video and high speed photography recording of all tests are available. For example, the facility has been used by safety clothing manufacturers to test the performance of clothing for use in arc-prone environments. Contact: Dr. John Kuffel, 416-207-6539

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• Civil & Geotechnology Services

As a result of many years of providing expert opinion and applying leading edge technology to Ontario Hydro’s 7000 MW hydroelectric generation system, comprised of 69 generating stations and over 200 dams, as well as its fossil and nuclear facilities, OHT has developed expertise in the following areas:

• Concrete Technology
Durability Studies
Inspection of Concrete Structures, Life Cycle Management
Concrete Repair Projects (Leakage, Surface, Structural)
Development of Specialised Concrete for Specific Applications
Concrete Inspection, QA/QC System Design & Audit
Concrete Repair Materials Formulation & Testing

• Geotechnology
Specialised Drilling for Rock, Concrete or Soil
Drain, Pipe and Tunnel Inspection & Cleaning
Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessment
Instrumentation of Rock, Concrete & Wood Structures
Risk Assessment
Geographic Information Systems

General Contact:

Mr. C W Dawson, Tel 416-207-6307, Fax 416-234-1511
dawsoncw@rd.hydro.on.ca

Mr L E Milton, Tel 416-207-5405, Fax 416-234-1511
miltonle@rd.hydro.on.ca

– Concrete Durability Studies.

An exposure facility is located at the Kipling Site in Toronto, and provides climatic conditions typical for Southern Ontario. An extensive database, going back over 30 years is available from this facility. Laboratory facilities are also available for testing concretes under a variety of temperature and humidity conditions, as well as providing standard testing services.

– Inspection of Concrete Structures.

Extensive experience in the inspection of concrete structures is available. This would normally go through the steps of visual inspection leading to non-destructive ultrasonic inspection, core drilling of suspect locations and physical testing and evaluation of the cores. Testing would normally cover, adsorption, air content, density, alkali aggregate reactivity, compressive strength and carbonation.

– Specialized Concrete & Grout Repairs

OHT can provide a comprehensive knowledge of repair products and approaches to their application. We can provide mix designs for special applications and small to large scale testing of the mixes in our laboratories prior to application. We also provide construction and repair specifications and can provide application supervision and quality management.

– Specialized Concrete Development.

OHT has been extensively involved in the development and testing of specialty concretes. This has included standards development for fly ash concretes, flowable backfills with custom designed strength characteristics, guidelines for the use of fly ash and bottom ash as structural fills and the development of high density concrete for nuclear waste containment.

– Specialised Drilling Services.

OHT has acquired and developed experience with both computerized and directional drilling technology. This technology has been used in conjunction with wire line saw cutting for stress relief of concrete structures, and investigation of problematic geological structures through the extraction of rock cores (along the axis of a tunnel for example). The technology can also be used for post tensioning cable retrofit, instrumentation installation and piping, sewer, cable installations through rock.

– Drain Inspection & Cleaning.

Considerable experience has been developed in the inspection and cleaning of drains as a result of an ongoing program in Ontario Hydro’s own hydroelectric facilities. OHT owns two sets of high pressure waterjetting equipment and a number of sets of down hole TV camera equipment.

– Geological & Soils Monitoring & Assessments.

OHT has comprehensive capability and equipment for carrying out geotechnical monitoring and assessments, including contamination assessments. This includes a mobile soils assessment rig, as well as rock coring capability. OHT also has experience in the use of instrumentation for monitoring the movement of rock and soil formations, as well as concrete and wood structures. Instrumentation has been widely deployed throughout our hydrelectric system, but especially at our Saunders plant, where problems with AAR are being experienced. OHT also has the capability to carry out hydrogeological investigations as they relate to the suitability of a given location for a structure.

– Risk Assessment.

OHT can also provide complete risk assessment services for a structure. This would include an evaluation of the condition of the structure, an assessment of the magnitudes and probabilities of hazards that may affect and threaten the structure, a complete analysis of the risks associated with those hazards and recomendations of ways in which those risks could be managed.

– Geographic Information Systems.

Ontario Hydro and OHT have considerable experience with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to utility problems, such as land use planning, infrastructure mapping, natural resource management, route and site selection etc. We are therefore in a position to provide other potential users with advice on the merits of various commercial systems, and optimal infrastructures and applications for GIS.

Followup on SC CO2/concrete

/0 Comments/in , /by

Subject: UFTO-followup on sc CO2/concrete
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 09:51:49 -0800
From: Ed Beardsworth

Here’s the Los Alamos Press release, issued today (it was delayed a week). The web site for Materials Technology Ltd. I gave in my earlier note had a typo — the correct address is http://www.mtlstech.com (I left out the ‘s’)

Suggest you get the Nov 96 Sci American article, also avail. online at http://www.sciam.com/1196issue/1196techbus1.html

When someone’s ready, I recommend a call to Roger Jones, the principal at Materials Tech… he’s great to talk to. Keep me posted!
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| ** UFTO ** Edward Beardsworth ** Consultant
| 951 Lincoln Ave. tel 415-328-5670
| Palo Alto CA 94301-3041 fax 415-328-5675
| http://www.ufto.com edbeards@ufto.com
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Los Alamos paves the way for better cement

Laboratory researchers are developing an environmentally friendly process that hardens cement and creates a new class of strong and lightweight building and fabrication materials.

The Laboratory process transforms common portland or lime cemented materials and clays by treatment with carbon dioxide under high pressure, making them chemically stable, nearly impermeable and stronger. The process also makes inexpensive building products out of waste materials, including fly ash from coal-burning power plants, alum sludge from water treatment plants and blast furnace slag. Treated cement also may improve the safe storage of radioactive waste.

The process, patented by Roger Jones Jr. of Materials Technology Limited of Reno, Nev., may lead to new building materials, consumer goods, auto parts and other products. According to Jones, the process creates recyclable materials that will be competitive with certain metals, plastics and wood products.

Under increasing pressure and temperature, carbon dioxide gas first reaches a liquid phase, then enters a region called “supercritical” where it has useful properties of both gas and liquid. Supercritical carbon dioxide expands to fill its container and diffuses into the tiniest pores like a gas. On the other hand, because supercritical carbon dioxide has a high density like a liquid, it can dissolve substances and carry them. In this case, it grabs water molecules and pulls them out of the cement.

Chemically, the process converts the hydroxide of cement to a carbonate, with water as the byproduct. This chemical reaction occurs naturally, too, but may take thousands of years.

“The cement in the Great Wall of China has not yet reached a chemically neutral state,” said Craig Taylor, principal investigator for the Labortory’s Supercritical Fluids Development Center in Organic Chemistry (CST-12). “But the supercritical carbon dioxide treatment achieves the chemically stable condition in minutes or hours. It’s not really cement anymore, but a whole new material. It is really pourable limestone.”

Taylor demonstrates the effect of supercritical carbon dioxide with two chunks of bonded fly ash, a waste product from coal-burning power plants. Set in a pan of water, the untreated sample quickly crumbles and dissolves, obviously useless as a building material. The treated sample, however, remains impervious to the water. Treated fly ash could make a strong, lightweight and economically attractive material for wall board, flooring and other construction products.

Large-scale use of supercritical carbon dioxide is not new to industry. For example, commercial operations have applied the same technology for years to make vegetable oils and to decaffeinate coffee. So Taylor does not foresee difficulties treating large volumes of cement blocks or massive columns and slabs. Even the U.S. Air Force has expressed interest in the technology — for building high-strength concrete slabs for runways.

Using supercritical carbon dioxide through a high pressure nozzle, large surfaces of existing concrete structures might be hardened and sealed against penetration of chemicals, improving wear-resistance and durability. The treated surfaces will resist chipping or scaling because the transition from the thin, very hard exterior to normal strength interior concrete would be gradual.

Large amounts of carbon dioxide produced by coal and oil burning power plants and by gasoline burning cars are blamed in part for a trend toward global warming, called the greenhouse effect. But the cement treatment process, by permanently removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it into building products, actually helps reduce the impact of coal and petrochemical use. (Total curing of 2.2 pounds of cement permanently removes about 25 gallons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.) Research is under way to use both the fly ash and carbon dioxide expelled by coal-burning plants to produce construction materials.

“Like living coral, now we can take carbon dioxide out of the environment and build our houses with it. The process is good for ourselves and good for the environment,” said Taylor.

The Lab’s continuing role in development of the improved cement will be to optimize treatment conditions and help design a treatment facility. And researchers see a major new area of materials science to pursue.

“It’s a new bulk material not well characterized,” said Taylor. “Materials scientists will be busy with this for decades.”

Since supercritical carbon dioxide readily dissolves many polymers, the process can be used to drive polymers into the surfaces of products made from cements, ceramics or other water-based pastes. Polymer-impregnated structures are better able to resist shock and impact forces and could be useful for a range of products from buildings to auto bodies.

The Laboratory, with the only operational plutonium facility in the country, also is interested in the chemistry of cement because radioactive waste often is mixed with cement for long-term storage and disposal. Because regular cement contains water, however, chemical reactions occur inside these cemented wastes, sometimes resulting in a hazardous buildup of hydrogen gas. If the cemented waste could be treated with the supercritical carbon dioxide process, dangerous chemical reactions would be eliminated.

The Lab’s supercritical carbon dioxide research is funded internally through the Nuclear Materials Stabilization Technologies group. Commercial research continues through agreements with Materials Technology Limited and Custom Building Products of Seal Beach, Calif.