Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors report how the Midland cogeneration venture (MCV) is repowering the incomplete Midland nuclear plant to operate as a gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration facility. They discuss how their company is responsible for performing engineering, procurement, licensing, construction, start-up, training, and operational assistance for this facility. As shown, twelve gas turbine generator sets supply heat to twelve heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), which are headered together on the steam side to provide energy to either of two existing steam turbine generators. This combination of equipment enables approximately 1,380 MWe of electrical generation capability, while supplying an average steam flow of 629,000 lbs/hr to an adjacent Dow Chemical Company pant. The MCV facility will also provide 60 MW of electric power to Dow. The authors report how the Midland ccogeneration venture (MCV) is repowering the incomplete ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Alcohol dependence (AD) is clinically and etiologically heterogeneous. The goal of this study was to explore AD subtypes among a sample of 1, 221 participants in the Irish Affected Sib Pair...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background ?Guidelines for safe and effective management and use of point of care testing? have been recently launched in Ireland. Aims To survey point of care testing (POCT) services in the Republic of Ireland. Methods A questionnaire covering accreditation status, existence of POCT committees, quality management systems, and staff resources was distributed by the Irish External Quality Assessment Scheme (IEQAS). Results Of those that returned completed questionnaires, 56% had assigned specific POCT responsibilities to designated staff. Most support was for blood gases and glucose analysis. Compared with other published studies, Irish laboratories gave similar support for blood gases, less for glucose and much less for urinalysis. Conclusions This survey demonstrated poor IT support for P...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An intertidal estuarine sediment core was collected from Esk Estuary in the Irish Sea which had been contaminated by low-level radioactive liquid effluent from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants at Sellafield, UK. The {sup 242}Cm and {sup 243,244}Cm radioactivity concentrations were determined to establish the present contamination levels compared with other radionuclides {sup 137}Cs, {sup 237}Np, {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239,240}Pu, {sup 241}Pu and {sup 241}Am. The results showed that {sup 242}Cm and {sup 244}Cm existed in the detectable levels in the Irish Sea sediment and the concentration of {sup 242m}Am was evaluated from that of {sup 242}Cm. The {sup 242m}Am/{sup 239,240}Pu and {sup 244}Cm/{sup 239,240}Pu inventory ratios in the sediment core were about 0.04% and 0.3%, respectively. The total amount of {sup 242m}Am discharged into the Irish Sea from the start of the operation of BNFL Sellafield in 1952 to 1988 was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A radioactively contaminated marine sediment core stemming from Irish Sea has been characterized by radiometric and mass spectrometric techniques as for "2"3"7Np, "2"4"1Am, "2"3"9Pu, "2"4"0Pu, "2"4"1Pu, "1"3"7Cs and "1"5"4Eu. The data obtained with independent methods in the framework of a QA/QC program as compared with the source term discharges, as well as with those reported in literature, are in good agreement. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Over the last four decades the Irish Sea has received controlled discharges of radioactive effluents from the Sellafield (Windscale) nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Cumbria, UK. Enhanced levels of a range of fission, activation and transuranic elements have been reported in a variety of environmental media. Most of the {sup 239,240}Pu and {sup 241}Am and about 10% of the {sup 137}Cs have been retained in a deposit of the fine sediment near the discharge point. The quantities of radionuclides discharged annually from Sellafield decreased by two orders of magnitude from the mid-1970s to 1990, but estimated critical group internal and external exposure decreased by less than one order of magnitude over this period. Redistribution of the contaminated marine sediment is potentially of major significance. In this paper, a review is presented of published work and recent our study relating to Sellafield waste long-lived radionuclides, especially transuranium elements, ...

Science.gov (United States)

SNAP25 occurs on chromosome 20p12.2, which has been linked to schizophrenia in some samples, and recently linked to latent classes of psychotic illness in our sample. SNAP25 is crucial to synaptic functioning, may be involved in axonal growth and dendritic sprouting, and its expression may be decreased in schizophrenia. We genotyped 18 haplotype-tagging SNPs in SNAP25 in a sample of 270 Irish high-density families. Single marker and haplotype analyses were performed in FBAT and PDT. We adjusted for multiple testing by computing q values. Association was followed up in an independent sample of 657 cases and 411 controls. We tested for allelic effects on the clinical phenotype by using the method of sequential addition and 5 factor-derived scores of the OPCRIT. Nine of 18 SNPs had P values Irish family sample. Although we failed to replicate this in an independent sample, this gene should be further tested in other samples. PMID:19806613

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

SNAP25 occurs on chromosome 20p12.2, which has been linked to schizophrenia in some samples, and recently linked to latent classes of psychotic illness in our sample. SNAP25 is crucial to synaptic functioning, may be involved in axonal growth and dendritic sprouting, and its expression may be decreased in schizophrenia. We genotyped 18 haplotype-tagging SNPs in SNAP25 in a sample of 270 Irish high-density families. Single marker and haplotype analyses were performed in FBAT and PDT. We adjusted for multiple testing by computing q values. Association was followed up in an independent sample of 657 cases and 411 controls. We tested for allelic effects on the clinical phenotype by using the method of sequential addition and 5 factor-derived scores of the OPCRIT. Nine of 18 SNPs had P values <...

Wastenet

...] 2002, Volume 2002, Issue 2-Summer 1-16 A Descriptive Analysis of the Irish Housing Market by Duffy, David [Downloadable!] 2002, Volume 2002, Issue 1-Spring 1-13 Interpreting Recent Developments in the Economy and Labour Market by Sexton J. J. [Downloadable!] 2001, Volume 2001, Issue 4-December 1-4 Budget 2002: Analysis of the Distributional Impact by Callan, Tim & Keeney, Mary ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Raywell Process Plants unit, which reclaims a wide range of organic solvents, including chlorinated hydrocarbons, is based on thin film evaporation and distillation rather than steam distillation, thus reducing the risk of contamination by water. Henry Balfour and Co.'s Pfaudler Solvent Recovery System gives 96% or better solvent recovery and produces a near-solid waste suitable for landfill disposal; like the Raywell system, it uses a mechanically wiped thin-film evaporator. Midland Oil Refineries uses sa Raywell thin-film evaporator for recovery of waste lubricating oils rather than the conventional sulfuric acid/clay treatment, thus avoiding formation of sulfuric acid sludge waste. The Henry Balfour Bioenergy anaerobic digestion system gives yields of fuel gas with 65-75% methane as high as 0.8 cu m/kg BOD; it achieves 95-98% BOD removal with no pH control or nutrient addition because it separates solids from liquid effluent and retains liquids for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The relative abundance and variation of Cr, Co, Cd and Pb in Ascophyllum nodosum and intertidal surface sediments from six locations around the coast were assessed over six seasons. Higher Cd and Pb levels in Galway Docks and Cork Harbour were attributed to localised inputs of these metals from municipal and domestic waste, while at a reference site (Ballyconneely), high algal Cr concentrations were considered a function of geological setting rather than anthropogenic loading. Little seasonal variation was observed, with the exception of higher Co levels in plants in winter, associated with growth dynamics and increased fluvial inputs. In comparison with previously published data for metals in A. nodosum from the North Atlantic, with the exception of localised hot spots, the Irish coastline is still a relatively pristine environment. A. nodosum may be successfully and easily used as a biomonitor of metal contamination in coastal waters. - This paper provides ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A microcosm laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the impact of biological reworking by the ragworm Nereis diversicolor on the redistribution of particle-bound radionuclides deposited at the sediment-water interface. Over the course of the 40-day experiment, as much as 35% of a "1"3"7Cs-labelled particulate tracer deposited on the sediment surface was redistributed to depths of up to 11 cm by the polychaete. Three different reworking models were employed to model the profiles and quantify the biodiffusion and biotransport coefficients: a gallery-diffuser model, a continuous sub-surface egestion model and a biodiffusion model. Although the biodiffusion coefficients obtained for each model were quite similar, the continuous sub-surface egestion model provided the best fit to the data. The average biodiffusion coefficient, at 1.8 #+-# 0.9 cm"2 y"-"1, is in good agreement with the values quoted by other workers on the bioturbation effects of this polychaete species. The ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A microcosm laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the impact of biological reworking by the ragworm Nereis diversicolor on the redistribution of particle-bound radionuclides deposited at the sediment-water interface. Over the course of the 40-day experiment, as much as 35% of a 137Cs-labelled particulate tracer deposited on the sediment surface was redistributed to depths of up to 11 cm by the polychaete. Three different reworking models were employed to model the profiles and quantify the biodiffusion and biotransport coefficients: a gallery-diffuser model, a continuous sub-surface egestion model and a biodiffusion model. Although the biodiffusion coefficients obtained for each model were quite similar, the continuous sub-surface egestion model provided the best fit to the data...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of estrogen-induced breast carcinogenesis remain unclear. The present study investigated the roles of estrogen metabolism and oxidative stress in estrogen-mediated mammary carcinogenesis in vivo. Female August Copenhagen Irish (ACI) rats were treated with 17b-estradiol (E2), the antioxidant vitamin C, the estrogen metabolic inhibitor a-naphthoflavone (ANF), or cotreated with E2 + vitamin C or E2 + ANF for up to 8 months. E2 (3 mg) was administered as an subcutaneous implant, ANF was given via diet (0.2%) and vitamin C (1%) was added to drinking water. At necropsy, breast tumor incidence in the E2, E2 + vitamin C and E2 + ANF groups was 82, 29 and 0%, respectively. Vitamin C and ANF attenuated E2-induced alterations in oxidative stress markers in b...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This presentation describes a method for analyzing, quantifying, and minimizing the total cost of fossil, combined cycle, and pumped hydro power plant cycling operation. The method has been developed, refined, and applied during engineering studies at some 160 units in the United States and 8 units at the Irish Electric Supply Board (ESB) generating system. The basic premise of these studies was that utilities are underestimating the cost of cycling operation. The studies showed that the cost of cycling conventional boiler/turbine fossil power plants can range from between $2,500 and $500,000 per start-stop cycle. It was found that utilities typically estimate these costs by factors of 3 to 30 below actual costs and, thus, often significantly underestimate their true cycling costs. Knowledge of the actual, or total, cost of cycling will reduce power production costs by enabling utilities to more accurately dispatch their units to manage unit life expectancies, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An on-going inter-comparison programme which is focused on assessing and establishing consensus protocols to be applied in the identification, selection and sub-sampling of materials for subsequent "1"4C analysis is described. The outcome of the programme will provide a detailed quantification of the uncertainties associated with "1"4C measurements including the issues of accuracy and precision. Such projects have become recognised as a fundamental aspect of continuing laboratory quality assurance schemes, providing a mechanism for the harmonisation of measurements and for demonstrating the traceability of results. The design of this study and its rationale are described. In summary, a suite of core samples has been defined which will be made available to both AMS and radiometric laboratories. These core materials are representative of routinely dated material and their ages span the full range of the applied "1"4C time-scale. Two of the samples are of wood from the German and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prior to this study, almost no up-to-date information was available on the 'background' level of "1"4C present in the water and biota of the UK coastal marine environment. The weighted mean "1"4C activity derived from the lowest activities of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and biota for sites which are remote from potential sources is 247#centre dot#6#+-#1#centre dot#0 Bq kg"-"1 carbon. This is proposed as the best estimate of the natural/weapons testing 'background' for 1995 and should be subtracted from the activity derived for any sample to establish the excess due to UK anthropogenic inputs. "1"4C activities in the DIC component of seawater and a range of marine biota are significantly enhanced above the expected 'background' value in the environment around the British Nuclear Fuels plc reprocessing plant at Sellafield, Cumbria, NW England and Amersham International plc, Cardiff, Wales. The enrichments around Sellafield are largely confined to the NE Irish ...