Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electric utilities are actively seeking ways of optimizing the economics of their operations by improving productivity and reducing time and money spent on maintenance. Iberdrola, a Spanish utility, is using advanced machine condition-monitoring technology to centralize control and maintenance of its hydropower projects as a means of achieving those goals. The company is using a blend of technologies to supervise their projects from a regional control center. The monitoring scheme makes use of data from on-line, machine-condition monitors, displays from in-plant audio asnd video equipment, and analysis from the control center`s SCADA system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper focuses on the application and features of a unified multi-machine train condition monitoring and diagnostic system as applied to a 340 MW repowered combined cycle power plant. Modifications during repowering of the plant required the addition of gas turbines, and design changes to the boiler and steam turbine. Operational procedure during startup also had to be developed. In order to improve the economics of operation, enhancement of both plant operational efficiency and availability were required. Thus it was decided to implement an on-line plant-wide multi-machine Condition Monitoring System. In this paper, the details of the condition monitoring system and some of the design details of the power plant are presented. Requirements of a condition monitoring system ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report briefly describes the background to colliery engineering maintenance, past experience in machine condition monitoring within coal preparation and the introduction of condition-based maintenance. A role model scheme has been developed for the introduction of condition-based maintenance into coal preparation plants. The report describes the instrumentation and monitoring methods suitable for application to most mineral processing plants, the use of specialist companies to monitor, gather, process and analyse the information and the actions taken by the colliery. Examples of the benefits of operating such a scheme are given in terms of safety, performance and finance. Other problematical aspects of coal processing are examined which have a direct effect on plant condition and availability.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferrography is a technique for isolating wear particle debris from lubricating and hydraulic oils, the presence of which carry with them a history of the wear processes in the machine. Thus, the technique has fundamental applications in machine condition monitoring and failure prevention. The wear particles are significant in the metal types that are present in the particle distribution as an indication of the wearing machine components and in the particle size distribution and morphology which indicates the severity of wear in the system. In this paper, the fundamental principles which describe the working of the ferrograph, concentrating on the working of the on-line ferrograph are discussed. The significance of equilibrium particle concentration in the oil system and its measurement using the ferrograph are also discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A model-based technique incorporating neural networks has been developed for process monitoring. The technique is intended for processes where the uncertainty in the reference model is larger than desired but where process measurements providing additional information about the behavior of the system are available. This data is used to reduce the uncertainty of the model. The technique has been implemented in a real-time system for monitoring operational changes of mechanical equipment for use in predictive maintenance applications. Tests on a peristaltic pump were conducted and demonstrate the advantages of the proposed technique.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper discusses how specialized techniques for machine condition monitoring can help to eliminate false alarms and undetected faults, leading to a truly cost effective predictive maintenance program. It is vital to base the monitoring system on the parameter which will give the most useful information about potential faults and breakdowns. This parameter is generally agreed to be vibration. While oil debris analysis and variations in temperature, geometry and machine speed can all give advance warning of faults, no other parameter can reveal as wide a range of fault types as vibration. The vibration transducers job is to accurately and faithfully convert the vibration into an electric signal for assessment. If this part of the system is weak, reliability will be badly affected. Data integrity is crucial.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vibration of machinery plays an important role in preventive maintenance programs of machinery. It can be applied in different phases ranging from simple to computerized programs. The advantages of applying machine condition monitoring programs are numerous since vibration measurement and analysis leads to the early detection of component deterioration. The cost, savings and some details of the vibration preventive maintenance program are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent work has been carried out on development of isotope wear analysis and optical and eddy current technologies to provide bearing wear measurements and real time monitoring of shaft speed, shaft axial displacement and shaft orbit of the Orbit Transfer Vehicle hydrostatic bearing tester. Results show shaft axial displacement can be optically measured (at the same time as shaft orbital motion and speed) to within 0.3 mils by two fiberoptic deflectometers. Evaluation of eddy current probes showed that, in addition to measuring shaft orbital motion, they can be used to measure shaft speed without having to machine grooves on the shaft surface as is the usual practice for turbomachinery. The interim results of this condition monitoring effort are presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The subject of FDD (fault detection and diagnosis) has gained widespread industrial interest in machine condition monitoring applications. This is mainly due to the potential advantage to be achieved from reduced maintenance costs, improved productivity and increased machine availability. This paper presents a new FDD scheme for condition machinery of an industrial steam turbine using a data fusion methodology. Fusion of a SVM (support vector machine) classifier with an ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) classifier, integrated into a common framework, is utilized to enhance the fault detection and diagnostic tasks. For this purpose, a multi-attribute data is fused into aggregated values of a single attribute by OWA (ordered weighted averaging) operators. The simulation studies indicate that the resulting fusion-based scheme outperforms the individual ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Papers are presented under the session headings: research in mechanical fragmentation; rock characterization, remote sensing and interface detection; monitoring, data transmission and communications; tunnel boring machines; minewide monitoring and expert systems for ground control; machine guidance; shaft and raise boring; automation of drilling equipment; machine automation and control; new developments in mechanical miners; materials handling; innovative mining systems; general minewide monitoring and expert systems; ground support; human factors; and extraterrestrial mining.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many electric power utilities are currently employing machine condition monitoring technologies as a means of reducing forced outages and controlling repair costs. These condition monitoring technologies are a set of {open_quotes}tools{close_quotes} to help maintenance and operations personnel identify and repair machinery problems before catastrophic failure occurs. In this way, the analysis of this data becomes a vital link in the daily operation of the plant. Machinery vibration analysis, machinery balancing and alignment, motor current testing, periodic thermography surveys, analysis of lubrication oil samples, performance monitoring, chemistry monitoring, ultrasonic leak detection surveys, and non-destructive inspections are some of the technologies available to perform this condition ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Roller bearing is one of the most widely used elements in rotary machines. Condition monitoring of such elements is conceived as pattern recognition problem. Pattern recognition has three main phases: feature extraction, feature selection and feature classification. Histogram features can be used for fault diagnosis of roller bearing. This paper presents the use of decision tree for selecting best few histogram features (bin ranges) that will discriminate the fault conditions of the bearing from given train samples. These features are extracted from vibration signals. A rule set is formed from the extracted features and fed to a fuzzy classifier. The rule set necessary for building the fuzzy classifier is obtained largely by intuition and domain knowledge. This paper also presents the usag...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Monitoring and diagnostic systems are of main importance for a safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants. The author describes new developments with respect to vibration monitoring with a functional extension in the time domain for den secondary circuit, the development of a local system for the surveillance of rotating machines, the structure-borne sound monitoring with improvement of event analysis, esp. the loose part locating, leakage monitoring with a complete system for humidity measurement, and the development of a common platform for all monitoring and diagnostic systems, that allows an efficient access for comparison and cross references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maintenance of power stations so far operated on the concept of using or extending the expected service life of a machine or plant as far as possible in order to avoid early and costly replacement. This was done by means of time-oriented maintenance, inspection and repair, otherwise called preventive maintenance. A European study on maintenance methods totals the cost of these measures at between 140 to 200 billion DM. One way of reducing these costs is 'predictive maintenance'. Estimated savings are about 8 percent or between 12 and 16 billion DM per year. Predictive maintenance identifies irregulaties of machine parts at an early point in time by means of condition monitoring and can help to cut costs: unplanned repairs can be avoided; repairs can be fitted into production schedules; production will not be disturbed to to unforeseen repairs, optimised spare part warehousing helps to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reviews some of the mining equipment exhibited at the Chicago Minexpo exhibition. The exhibits include: large mining trucks; tractor with impact ripper; haulers; shuttle roof bolter; and monitoring systems for vehicles or mining machines. 2 figs.

Science.gov (United States)

The introduction of numerical control (NC) machine tools has made it possible to automate machining in series and small series production. The organization of automated production sections merged NC machine tools with automated transport systems. However, both the one and the other require the presence of an operative at the machine for low skilled operations. Industrial robots perform a number of auxiliary operations, such as equipment loading-unloading and control, changing cutting and auxiliary tools, controlling workpieces and parts, and cleaning of location surfaces. When used with a group of equipment they perform transfer operations between the machine tools. Industrial robots eliminate the need for workers to form auxiliary operations. This underscores the importance of developing robotized manufacturing centers providing for minimal human participation in production and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aqueous solutions (mixed waste) generated from various LLNL operations, such as debris washing, sample preparation and analysis, and equipment maintenance and cleanout, were combined for storage in the B695 tank farm. Prior to combination the individual waste streams had different codes depending on the particular generating process and waste characteristics. The largest streams were CWC 132, 791, 134, 792. Several smaller waste streams were also included. This combined waste stream was treated at LLNL's waste treatment facility using a vacuum filtration and cool vapor evaporation process in preparation for discharge to sanitary sewer. Prior to discharge, the treated waste stream was sampled and the results were reviewed by LLNL's water monitoring specialists. The treated solution was discharged following confirmation that it met the discharge criteria. A major source, accounting for 50% for this waste stream, is metal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The fundamental tasks of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant maintenance operations are planning, scheduling, executing, postmaintenance testing, completing the maintenance job, and supporting these activities with administrative and technical assistance. The Department of Energy (DOE) ``Maintenance Management Program`` guidelines require that we use a graded approach for applying formality and documentation to these maintenance operations. The most-rigorous controls should be placed on maintaining the most-vital systems, structures, and components (SSCs). We must understand risk assessments in order to evaluate which SSCs are most vital. The product of this assessment process is a well-developed understanding of where to apply the most rigor, formality, and documentation. Once we have determined where, we must determine how to apply maintenance so as to mitigate risk. Fundamental to determining how to apply it is an understanding of the main difference between proactive and reactive (or ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Machine condition monitoring (MCM) has the capability to predict equipment maintenance needs which can reduce forced down-time and facilitate the avoidance of catastrophic failures and the consequential secondary damage. It can be used to allow confident deferral of routine maintenance, and improve equipment performance, availability, reliability and safety. In order to capitalize on the potential benefits of MCM directed toward power transformers two types of vibration tests were conducted on transformers owned and operated by Cargill Inc. and IES Utilities at the Bridgeport corn plant in Eddyville, Iowa. These tests involved collecting vibration signals from the transformer tank walls during transformer energization at no-load and during steady state operation at various loads. These vibration signals were then used to detect deterioration of internal mechanical integrity. Both types of tests conducted on the transformers ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Tevatron is a proton anti-proton accelerator collider operating at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The machine is currently delivering beam for the CDF and D0 experiments, which expect increasing luminosity until the conclusion of Run II, planned for 2009. The Laboratory defined a plan for achieving higher luminosity, and one of the tasks is the upgrade of the accelerator's beam position monitor (BPM). The Tevatron was built during the early eighties and some of its control systems, including the BPMs, are still the original ones. This paper describes the front-end software of the Tevatron BPM upgrade, from the requirements to the implementation, and the underlying hardware setup. The front-end software designed is presented, emphasizing its modularity and reusability, allowing it to be applied to other Fermilab machines.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Various electrochemical techniques are available to continuously monitor corrosion in conditions simulating those on the secondary side of PWR steam generators. This paper reviews those electrochemical techniques which are potentially useful to measure denting in tube-support crevices in situ. Attention is also given to corollary needs for monitoring the water chemistry which leads to corrosive attack. Finally some suggestions are offered for corrosion monitoring in autoclaves, model boilers and operating steam generators.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This guide explained the requirements for Off-Road Compression Ignition Engine Emission Regulations established under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The regulations are enforced by Environment Canada, which authorizes and monitors the use of the national emissions mark. The regulations prescribe standards for off-road engines that operate as reciprocating, internal combustion engines, other than those that operate under characteristics similar to the Otto combustion cycle and that use a spark plug or other sparking device. The regulations apply to engines that are typically diesel-fuelled and found in construction, mining, farming and forestry machines such as tractors, excavators and log skidders. Four different types of persons are potentially affected by the regulations: Canadian engine manufacturers; distributors of Canadian engines or machines containing Canadian engines; importers of engines or ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Papers are presented under the following topics: machine control and automation; rock drilling; cutting and fragmentation; rock characterization, remote sensing and interface detection; artificial intelligence and mine monitoring systems; computer applications; mechanical excavators; material handling; surface and underground mining; innovative mining systems; new developments in mechanical miners; ground hazard detection and control; ground support; and extraterrestrial mining.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Based on the information system characteristics of mine, proposed network architecture design of the mine property. And in this framework based on the design of three-dimensional virtual mine described the application of intelligent management platform. Three-dimensional virtual underground mine that shows the situation, the core application is through remote monitoring system of information exchange between devices (material object communication). Internet of things in the framework of mining three-dimensional virtual reconstruction of mine. On coal mine safety in the production process of human, machine and environment, control elements and their harmony and unity. 3D virtual mine management platform integrates personnel positioning, dust control, gas monitoring, roof pressure monitoring...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, power system stabilizer design for multi-machine power systems is translated into an equivalent problem of decentralized controller design for Multi-Output Multi-Input (MIMO) control systems. Subject to a condition based on the structured singular values, each stabilizer can be designed independently. Within this general framework, the conventional stabilizer design methodology based on the concept of synchronous and damping torques is used to decide the design details of each stabilizer. The suggested design method is applied to a model of a practical 10 machine power system. (author)

Science.gov (United States)

... 15- Two Sigma from Mean S..... I ..... 2 ... only a small number of engine filter debris samples ... comprehensive, but it does point out that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Eiric Raude offshore drilling rig is a powerful machine that is suitable for drilling in harsh environments in ultra deep water. It has a total drilling depth of 8,200 to 10,000 metres and an operational displacement of 53,400 mt. The rig complies with the regulatory regimes of Norway, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Eiric Raude has drilled 5 deepwater wells offshore eastern Canada, 1 well offshore Cuba, 1 well west of Shetland, and 3 offshore Norway. The environmental criteria for extreme weather conditions consider wave, current and wind forces. The general operational guidelines were discussed along with key areas for prevention of environmental impact, including emissions from well testing, air emissions from diesel engines, cooling water, bunkering operations, discharges from drilling, accidental discharges, drain water, and domestic sewage. It was noted that the zero discharge philosophy is the basis for all activities. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to prevent corrosion failures of machines and structures, it is desirable to know in advance when the corrosion damage will take place, and appropriate measures are needed to mitigate the damage. The corrosion predictions are needed both at development as well as operational stage of machines and structures. There are several forms of corrosion process through which varying degrees of damage can occur. Under certain conditions these corrosion processes at alone and in other set of conditions, several of these processes may occur simultaneously. For a certain type of machine elements and structures, such as gears, bearing, tubes, pipelines, containers, storage tanks etc., are particularly prone to pitting corrosion which is an insidious form of corrosion. The corrosion predictions are usually based on experimental results obtained from test coupons and/or field experiences ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A transient stability program was developed for the Taiwan Power Company, which has a high proportion of nuclear generation in its power system. This program offers a new territory to investigate nuclear plant effects on the power system transient stability. This program also provides a high speed tool for the Taipower system operational planning. A generalized procedure of synchronous machine modeling for a large-scale stability study is presented. The merits and weaknesses of machine modeling can be comprehended through each item of this procedure. Three types of nonlinear synchronous machine modeling implemented into this stability program are derived by following this procedure. A robust subroutine was derived to perform the fourth order Runge-Kutta integration method, making the software programming neat and systematical. For simulating the nuclear plant influence on the system, this program implemented an additional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hard surface finishing represents the final manufacturing step for functional areas of machine elements in state-of-the-art production. Raceways of rolling bearing rings are ground and honed to the required low roughness. Plastic deformation is restricted to a narrow edge zone of the hardened steel. Reheating of the machined components below the martensite tempering or bainite transformation temperature results in a marked decrease of the XRD line width on the surface. The investigated samples are made of through-hardened standard bearing steel 100Cr6 (international denotation: SAE 52100). On the basis of a material model that explains the effect as a complex diffusion process of dislocational carbon segregation, i.e. static strain aging, the measured kinetics of the XRD line width reduction is simulated by an Arrhenius-type equation, which describes the rate-controlling reaction step of temper carbide dissolution. The formation of a small ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There is now an acute need to optimize maintenance to improve both reliability and competitiveness of nuclear power plant operation. There is an increasing tendency to move from the preventive (time based) maintenance concept to one dependent on plant and component conditions. In this context, various on-line and off-line condition monitoring and diagnostics, nondestructive inspection techniques and surveillance are used. Component selection for condition based maintenance, parameter selection for monitoring condition, evaluation of condition monitoring results are issues influencing the effectiveness of condition based maintenance. All these selections of components and parameters to be monitored, monitoring and diagnostics techniques to be used, acceptance ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Standard radiation monitoring has been conducted at Sendai nuclear power station for the purpose of estimation of 'source activity' during refueling outage and evaluation of countermeasures to reduce dose rate. Selected objects of the monitoring are radiation dose rate at maintenance area, radiation field at each equipment and piping, coolant chemistry and plant operation condition. Monitored data indicates that 'source activity' variation can be estimated to some extent using influential factors, and that evaluation of change of loose crud activity, which is presumed to be represented by the dose rate at letdown heat exchanger, is necessary to further explain change in radiation field at main work area. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A review of the literature was undertaken to determine the potential for development of instrumentation for on-board remote sensing of coal quality. This review report acts as an inventory of commercially available techniques being tested or under development, particularly in the areas of the cutting horizon measurement methods associated with longwall mining equipment and coal/waste monitoring techniques in coal handling systems. While technology is available which can discriminate rocks from coal on a conveyor belt, the literature indicates that this hardware has yet to be adapted to continuous surface mining machines. 23 refs., 18 figs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The role of robotics and remote handling equipment in future nuclear power plant maintenance activities is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence applications. Special requirements manipulators, control systems, and man-machine interfaces for nuclear applications are noted. Tasks might include inspection with cameras, eddy current probes, and leak detectors; the collection of material samples; radiation monitoring; and the disassembly, repair and reassembly of a variety of system components. A robot with vision and force sensing and an intelligent control system that can access a knowledge base is schematically described. Recent advances in image interpretation systems are also discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In supervising CANDU plant operation, Operations staff must routinely monitor plant status using information from several information systems. One key source of plant status information are the CRT displays at console workstations and panel locations. At Darlington, as at most CANDU plants, Operations staff have adopted a reference set of displays for use in monitoring during Full Power Steady State conditions. The display set employed was chosen from the available suite of displays, and operational experience has demonstrated that the current displays could be improved. For Outages, no reference display set has been defined, and for Upset conditions, the current Transient display set does not provide the information needed by operations staff, and consequently is not used. This paper describes the basis for and findings from a COG project [1] undertaken in 1997 to characterize ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The conference paper gives a short description of the strategies within Statoil Gas Transport for pipeline condition monitoring and control. This is done for ensuring that the pipeline integrity can be maintained during all phases from construction to operation. Efficient condition monitoring and control can only be performed if the total pipeline integrity is taken into consideration such as design conditions, experience, environmental information, and general improved knowledge or the like for determining the requirement of inspection. Such philosophy will ensure the pipeline integrity better as corrective actions can be taken at a very early stage before any damage to the pipeline system have developed. 1 fig.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aluminum matrix composite Al356/SiCp(Vol. 15%)(Al MMC) material has been cut under various cutting conditions using Abrasive WaterJet (AWJ) machining process. The experimental cutting was carried out using three different material thicknesses of 10, 20, 30mm with a 0.33mm diameter orifice. The pump pressure, traverse rate, StandOff Distance(SOD) were taken as process parameters. After cutting the quality of the specimen in terms of kerf width, kerf taper, and surface finish were measured to characterize machinability of the material. As a result of the study, the maximum traverse rate for 30mm thick Al MMC under the pump pressure of 350 MPa reached up to 70 mm/min and the surface roughness of the material showed surface finish Ra in the range of 2.3{approx}23.4{mu}m.

CERN Document Server

In undirected graphical models, learning the graph structure and learning the functions that relate the predictive variables (features) to the responses given the structure are two topics that have been widely investigated in machine learning and statistics. Learning graphical models in two stages will have problems because graph structure may change after considering the features. The main contribution of this paper is the proposed method that learns the graph structure and functions on the graph at the same time. General graphical models with binary outcomes conditioned on predictive variables are proved to be equivalent to multivariate Bernoulli model. The reparameterization of the potential functions in graphical model by conditional log odds ratios in multivariate Bernoulli model offers advantage in the representation of the conditional independence structure in the model. Additionally, we impose a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Solid-state acoustic sensors for monitoring conditions at a surface immersed in a liquid and for monitoring concentrations of species in a liquid and for monitoring electrical properties of a liquid are formed by placing interdigital input and output transducers on a piezoelectric substrate and propagating acoustic plate modes therebetween. The deposition or removal of material on or from, respectively, a thin film in contact with the surface, or changes in the mechanical properties of a thin film in contact with the surface, or changes in the electrical characteristics of the solution, create perturbations in the velocity and attenuation of the acoustic plate modes as a function of these properties or changes in them.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Corrosion is a materials degradation process that engineering personnel in the pulp and paper industry have had to accept as unavoidable to some degree, due to aggressive processing conditions prevalent in paper mills. The increasing incidence of corrosion-related failures in plant and equipment has resulted in the introduction of new techniques to monitor corrosion rates, since many of the more traditional methods do not provide data that is either recent or accurate enough. Thin layer activation (TLA) is a new corrosion monitoring technique which has recently been employed to measure corrosion trends inside a continuous pulp digester. With TLA a surface is irradiated by a particle beam from a nuclear accelerator, causing it to be labelled with an accurate depth profile and low level radioactivity. By monitoring this activity, it is possible to calculate how much of the surface has been removed by ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many nondestructive beam position monitors are known. However, these devices can not be used for DC particle beam diagnostics. We investigated a method of beam diagnostics applicable for the operative control of DC high power e-beam inside closed waveguide. A design of the detector for determination of{open_quote} center of mass {close_quote} position of DC particle beam was developed. It was shown that the monitor can be used as a nondestructive method for the beam position control in resonators. Magnetic field of the particle beam outside a resonator is used. The detector consists of the steel yokes and magnetic field sensors. The sensors measure magnetic fluxes in the steel yokes fixed outside the resonator. When the particle beam changes its position, these magnetic fluxes also change. Beam displacement sensitivity of the monitor depends on the steel yoke dimensions. The detector sensitivity is equal to 1 Gauss/mm for ...

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A stable power system stabilizer (PSS) based on the inverse dynamics of the controlled system using an artificial neural network (ANN) is suggested to enhance the dynamic performances of a power system. First, an output feedback control law is driven with some conditions satisfied, which guarantees the internal stability and robustness against the asymptotically stable external disturbances. Then the control law is implemented using the inverse dynamics of the controlled plant. The inverse dynamics of the controlled plant is identified by an ANN, inverse dynamics neural network (IDNN), off-line. The pole-shifting technique and a scaling factor are introduced for the control system to meet the conditions for internal stability and robustness. The proposed controller is applied to a typical single-machine infinite-bus power system. Simulation results under various operation conditions are given which show ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel method to control the mixed-mode bending (MMB) specimen is presented. By maintaining a constant opening, or Mode 1, displacement rate, stable delamination growth is achieved for all mixed-mode ratios. A constant-opening displacement rate is achieved by attaching a second displacement transducer to the hinges of the specimen. The test machine is then controlled externally by the second displacement transducer. By achieving stable delamination growth and monitoring the opening displacement, an experimental compliance calibration may be derived for the Modes 1 and 2 parts. This new approach to control the test and determine the experimental compliance calibration, overcomes the potential inaccuracies of the previously used beam theory expressions to determine compliance and to separate the modal values of G.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Prior to routine use, all newly installed x-ray machines must have a radiation-protection survey by a qualified expert. The survey is an evaluation of existing or potential radiation hazards associated with the use of diagnostic x-ray equipment under specific conditions. Such evaluation includes the measurement of exposure levels in the environment as well as environmental levels arising from operation of the equipment. The survey also includes an evaluation of the safety characteristics of the x-ray unit.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Multi-machine experimental observations indicate resilience in the temperature profiles at low pedestal temperatures,whereas at high pedestal temperatures the profile stiffness seems to disappear.The change of the profile behavior impacts the energy confinement,basically due to a strong non-linear dependence of the energy transport on the pedestal temperature together with different critical conditions for the onset of turbulence in the ions and electrons.This possible explanation for the different observations is based on the assumption that both ion and electron energy transport is governed by turbulence which sets in at a critical temperature gradient as well as on a significant energy equipartition between electrons and ions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Centre's new structure, implemented in July 1997 is now operating well. CMTE Development Limited is now the legal entity for the CRC and replaces the previously unincorporated joint venture. CMTE has ten core participating organisations. Roche Highwall Mining Pty. Ltd., withdrew participation during the year. The annual report describes its structure and management and various cooperative links. It outlines research programs in the following areas: mining; geological sensing; automation; reliability and maintenance; and coal processing. Projects include: developing an ultra-short-radius drilling machine for drainage of methane gas from coal seams; developing techniques for improved drilling speed and accuracy to reduce costs for gas drainage holes in underground coal mining; developing draglines; developing geophysical logging tools; developing autonomous control of underground vehicles such as coal-haul-dump (LHD) and haulage trucks, developing tools ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reports on the generator condition monitor (GCM) developed in an attempt to detect overheating inside large turbine generators. As part of a broader study on rotating machinery diagnostics, generator condition monitors were evaluated under field conditions in a 550 MW turbogenerator. Small 100 W resistors coated with insulating paints and varnishes were mounted inside the generator to simulate insulation overheating. The GCM responded very rapidly to an overheating event, typically within two minutes, even for hot spots as small s 10 cm{sup 2}. Similarly the aerosols produced on overheating were found extremely short lived, decaying within two to three minutes after overheating was discontinued. Use of heated ion chambers was found to desensitize the GCM regardless of the nature of the overheated insulation and in some cases would altogether prevent the GCM from reaching ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

With the aid of a DOE grant (No. DE-FC26-01NT41050), Stolar Research Corporation (Stolar) developed the Horizon Sensor (HS) to distinguish between the different layers of a coal seam. Mounted on mining machine cutter drums, HS units can detect or sense the horizon between the coal seam and the roof and floor rock, providing the opportunity to accurately mine the section of the seam most desired. HS also enables accurate cutting of minimum height if that is the operator's objective. Often when cutting is done out-of-seam, the head-positioning function facilitates a fixed mining height to minimize dilution. With this technology, miners can still be at a remote location, yet cut only the clean coal, resulting in a much more efficient overall process. The objectives of this project were to demonstrate the feasibility of horizon sensing on mining machines and demonstrate that Horizon Sensing can allow coal to be cut cleaner and more ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Plastic injection molds are an important economic sector due to the increasing use of injection molded plastic components. The selection of mold steel material, its processing conditions, and the way it is machined and hardened all have an impact on how it performs during use across its lifecycle for injection molding. For this study, injection molding conditions seen during high volume manufacturing were used to induce wear that would be typical during processing. A 50wt.% glass fiber reinforced Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) was used for the research. After 3000 injection operations, surface damage was found only on the steel used for the stationary half of the mold cavity and the corresponding surface of the molded parts. In contrast, the moving half showed no surface damage or increa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to a leakage from a 12-inch pressurized diesel steel pipe four years ago, an area of approximately 30,000 square meters was contaminated. A pilot study applying the technology of in-situ enhanced bioremediation was conducted. In the study, a field test kit and on-site monitoring equipment were applied for site characterization and treatment verification. Physically, the enhanced bioremediation study consisted of an air extraction and air supply system, and a nutrition supply network. Certain consistent sampling methodology was employed. Progress was verified by daily monitoring and monthly verification. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capabilities of indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade the petroleum hydrocarbons with provision of oxygen and nutrients. Nine extraction wells and eight air sparging wells were installed. The air sparging wells injected the air into geoformation and the extraction wells provided the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Renewable energy systems (RES) are unique among energy supply systems because their performance and design depends entirely on the location and climatic conditions. As a result of design options, user requirements and local climatic conditions, there are enormous variations between RES. This paper describes a method how to evaluate the data on monitored renewable energy systems (RES) in such a way that the operating conditions and performance of individual components and the system as a whole can be analysed and compared. It shows how categories of similar use can be defined and recommendations for each category can be made to assist in the selection of the most suitable products. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The renovation programme of the Phenix nuclear power plant (fast neutrons reactor situated at Marcoule) has for objective to ensure the reactor operation lengthening. In this frame, expertise and monitoring operation in situ of materials have been started. The presence of sodium and a temperature at the cold breakdown of the primary circuit between 150 and 180 degrees (Celsius) imply, for fast reactors, very special conditions. In this context, Framatome has realised three intervening in the area of nondestructive testing: the inspection of the cone-shaped support ring, the monitoring of the upper part of the primary vessel and the monitoring of the intermediary exchanger equipment. (N.C.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Complete calculations of the accelerator related background in the muon spectrometer of the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider are presented. The simulations have been performed with the STRUCT multi-turn tracking code and the MARS and FLUKA cascade codes taking into account latest information of the LHC lattice, vacuum conditions, beam cleaning system and the shielding and layout of the CMS experiment. Beam loss distributions in the interaction regions and their vicinities and their contribution to the background levels in the muon spectrometer of CMS are analyzed. The studies show that hadronic and electromagnetic components of machine background are efficiently suppressed by the proposed CMS shielding. High energy muons penetrate through the shielding, but in positions of significance they do not contribute more than a few percent compared to the background generated by the pp-collisions. It is anticipated that the relative ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The sliding friction and wear behaviour of different steel qualities were investigated with and without lubrication conditions. Steel qualities tested are normally used in the overhead conveyor system of many industrial fields, like the automotive sector. Sliding wear tests have been conducted by means of a pin-on-disk machine. A 100Cr6 steel similar to that used within the overhead conveyor trolleys has been employed as a pin. Friction coefficient values obtained under lubrication conditions were three times smaller than those obtained without lubrication. The mechanism that controls wear behaviour under lubrication conditions is an abrasive one and the wear values obtained are almost worthless. On the other hand, mechanism controlling wear during non lubrication tests, was a combination of abrasion and adhesion. (Author) 20 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Based on the IAPWS technical guidance on ''Instrumentation for Monitoring and Control of Cycle Chemistry for Steam-Water Circuits of Fossil-Fired and Combined Cycle Power Plants,'' the latest situation regarding instrumentation for nuclear power plants is discussed. As a result of the discussion, it is concluded that: (1) Reliable and safe operation of plants is established by the application of suitable chemical conditions in plant cooling systems, which should be supported by the selection of suitable control targets for monitoring and by the application of reliable instruments. (2) The minimum level of key instrumentation consists of on-line as well as off-line instruments for monitoring the key parameters: - on-line: pH, conductivity, cation conductivity, O{sub 2} and H{sub 2} concentrations, electrochemical corrosion potential; - off-line: radioactive nuclides ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... brakes reactor charging machines reactors machine parts Int. Cl. B66d5/00;

Science.gov (United States)

The kinetic and guiding center fluid theories of high-..beta.. plasma containment in mirror machines have been developed in a number of self-consistent models. The geometrical effects of magnetic field and ambipolar potential variation have been incorporated in a bounce-averaged Fokker-Planck code which shows that the square-well model somewhat overestimates the n tau and ..beta.. achievable in a mirror field. Simple analytic approximations to the resulting pressure profiles have been incorporated in three-dimensional fluid-equilibrium codes which show the effect of coil geometry on the maximum ..beta... Strongly curved vacuum fields allow higher ..beta.., but short plasmas in weakly curved fields tend to reverse the curvature locally before the mirror-mode limit is reached. Adiabaticity of particle orbits is described in terms of general formulas, applicable in high-..beta.. plasma equilibria, and is shown to break down close to the mirror-mode limit. Two ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The U.S. Department of Energy Order 435.1, Radioactive Waste Management, requires a disposal authorization statement authorizing operation (or continued operation) for low-level waste disposal facilities. In fulfillment of these requirements, a disposal authorization statement was issued on October 25, 1999, authorizing the Hanford Site to transfer, receive, possess, and dispose of low-level radioactive waste at the 200 East Area burial grounds and the 200 West Area burial grounds. One of the conditions is that monitoring plans for the 200 East Area and 200 West Area low-level burial grounds be written and approved by the Richland Operations Office. As a result of a record of decision for the Hanford Site Solid Waste Program and acceptance of the Hanford Site Solid Waste Environmental Impact Statement, the use of the low-level burial ground (LLBG) as a disposal facility for low-level and mixed low-level wastes has been restricted to lined ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The CleverFarm project started out to build an integrated monitoring system for wind farms, where all information would be available and could be used across the wind farm for maintenance and component health assessments. This would enable wind farm operators to prioritise their efforts, since they have a good view of the farm status from home. A large emphasis was placed on the integration of condition monitoring approaches in the central system, enabling estimates of the remaining lifetime of components, especially in the nacelle. During the 3,5 years of the project, software and hardware was developed and installed in two wind farms in Denmark and Germany. The connected hardware included two different condition monitoring systems based on vibration sensors from Gram&Juhl and ISET, plus a camera system developed by Overspeed. Additionally, short-term predictions of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper describes the application of Fuzzy Power System Stabilizer(FPSS) for improving dynamic stability of power system. The Real-coding Genetic Algorithm(RGA) was applied to optimize gains of the inputs and outputs of the FPSS. The effectiveness of the proposed FPSS was demonstrated by simulation studies for single-machine infinite system. To show the superiority of the proposed FPSS, its performances were compared with those of Conventional Power System Stabilizer (CPSS). The proposed FPSS showed better control performances than the CPSS in three-phase ground fault under a normal load which was system condition in tuning FPSS. To show the robustness of the proposed FPSS, it was applied to damp the low frequency oscillations caused by disturbances such as three-phase ground fault under heavy and light load conditions. The proposed FPSS showed better performance than CPSS in terms of the settling time and damping effect ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) technology the reducing of volume and mass of the fuel cell stack and the improvement of catalyst utilization are of great interest. These parameters affect applicability and system cost. In this work we present an alternative way for reducing the stack volume by combining gas distribution and catalytic active area in one plate. Micro machined glassy carbon electrodes serve as support material for the platinum catalyst, as well as gas distributor at the same time. A comparison of these electrodes with conventional platinum-black gas diffusion electrodes under fuel cell conditions shows that the new system is a promising electrode type for enhanced power density and catalyst utilization. (author) 3 figs., 5 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper the concept of a composite power system stabilizer is investigated. This stabilizer comprises a properly designed, robust, conventional power system stabilizer (CPSS) and an auxiliary stabilizer (AS) which can be either a self-tuning stabilizer (ASTS) or a fixed-parameter stabilizer (AFPS). For small disturbances, the CPSS performs satisfactorily over a wide range of operating conditions. When large disturbances occur the auxiliary stabilizer augments the performance of the CPSS. It has been demonstrated that the composite power system stabilizer can significantly improve the dynamic performance of the system when there is a major disturbance such as a short circuit in the system. Because in the case of a single-machine system the parameters of the ASTS do not vary appreciably, it can also be implemented as a fixed-parameter device; this simplifies significantly the implementation of the composite PSS. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, a neural networks (NN) based adaptive sliding mode controller (SMC) is introduced. The selection of SMC feedback gains is normally based on one operating point and thus the performance of the controller away from the design operating point is, of necessity, a compromise. The adaptive SMC is proposed to overcome the limitations imposed on the effectiveness of the SMC under different operating conditions. Neural networks are used for online prediction of the optimal SMC gains when the operating point changes. The proposed method has been applied to a power system stabilizer (PSS) of a single machine power system. Simulation results are included to demonstrate the performance of the proposed control scheme.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Technology roadmaps serve as pathways to the future. They call attention to future needs for research and development; provide a structure for organizing technology forecasts and programs; and help communicate technological needs and expectations among end users and the research and development (R and D) community. Critical Technology roadmaps, of which the Robotics and Intelligent Machines (RIM) Roadmap is one example, focus on enabling or cross-cutting technologies that address the needs of multiple US Department of Energy (DOE) offices. Critical Technology roadmaps must be responsive to mission needs of the offices; must clearly indicate how the science and technology can improve DOE capabilities; and must describe an aggressive vision for the future of the technology itself. The RIM Roadmap defines a DOE research and development path for the period beginning today, and continuing through the year 2020. Its purpose is to identify, select and develop objectives ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

PMID:21878105

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report provides information to government and industry to enable decision-making and management of local environmental quality conditions. The need for a summary air quality report has arisen in recent years due to growing concerns about air quality. Increased growth in population and the tourism industry is placing additional pressures on environmental quality. The report summarized meteorological and air quality data collected by the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection in the Sea-to-Sky airshed from 1984 to 2001. The airshed is located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. Air quality monitoring was conducted for various periods at 18 different stations and meteorological monitoring was conducted at 4 locations. A list of both provincial and national air quality objectives and standards was provided, with definitions and reference levels from the Canadian Environmental Protection ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Version III of the Salix Maskiner ``Bender`` coppice harvester was used to successfully harvest 11.2 hectares of short rotation poplar and willow coppice in February 1997. On a wide range of typical UK crop and site conditions, the Swedish harvester was shown to have productivity rates ranging from 4.28 to 7.97 odt/smh. Based on a total system cost of Pound 81.26 per scheduled machine hour, the Bender III is able to produce wood chip for between Pound 10.20 and pound 18.97 per dry tonne. The variation in machine productivity is dependent on crop productivity and working method, emphasising the importance of site design in optimising system efficiency. In willow crops the wood chip produced by the Bender III contained a significant amount of material greater than 75mm in length. The bulk of the chips however, fell into the 5-45mm category with only a very limited amount of fine materials less than 5mm in length. The chips ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research highlights: ? Mathematical model represents a power system which consists of synchronous machine connected to infinite bus through transmission line. ? Power system stabilizer was designed based on optimal pole shifting controller. ? The system performances was tested through load disturbances at different operating conditions. ? The system performance with the proposed optimal pole shifting controller is compared with the conventional pole placement controller. ? The digital simulation results indicated that the proposed controller has a superior performance. -- Abstract: Power system stabilizer based on optimal pole shifting is proposed. An approach for shifting the real parts of the open-loop poles to any desired positions while preserving the imaginary parts is presented. In each step of this approach, it is required to solve a first-order or a second-order linear matrix Lyapunov equation for shifting one real pole or two complex ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A critical and difficult step in the development and implementation of new technologies for environmental monitoring and characterization is successfully transferring these technologies to industry and government users for routine assessment and compliance activities. The Environmental Sciences Section of the DOE Savannah River Technology Center provides a forum for developers, potential users, and regulatory organizations to evaluate new technologies in comparison with baseline technologies in a well characterized field test bed. The principal objective of this project is to conduct comprehensive, objective field tests of monitoring and characterization technologies that are not currently used in EPA standard methods and evaluate their performance during actual operating conditions against baseline methods. This paper provides an overview of the field test site and a description of some of the technologies demonstrated at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An 80 keV, 3.6 MW neutral beam injection system has recently been installed on Doublet III, and the installation of a second system is scheduled within several months. Armor plate consisting of /approximately equals/100 graphite tiles (10 cm x 10 cm) coated with TiC has been plated over portions of the inner vacuum wall lying in the line of sight of the ion sources. In order to monitor the condition of the armor plate an infrared camera and a set of optical pyrometers have been installed alongside the beamline and view the armor plate through a CaF/sub 2/ window. The pyrometers measure the temperature of the armor plate associated with the maximum of the intensity distribution of each ion source.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level {alpha} solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination factor differs and depends on the ruthenium concentration, harmful gas concentration, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermo-hygro-rheology of wood-adhesive systems plays an important role during the hot pressing process of wood based composites. The principal objective of this research is to quantitatively study the thermo-hygro rheological characteristics of wood-adhesive systems used in such composites. This is with a view to providing material characteristics which may be used in simulation models of industrial hot-pressing operations. For this purpose, a specially designed miniature hot press system mounted on a servo-hydraulic testing machine was used to compress pre-formed fiber networks. The environment for each test was maintained uniform throughout the specimen by pre-treating it inside the system until the desired conditions of temperature and moisture were achieved. Experiments were conducted under a range of test conditions of load (1 to 6 MPa), temperature (25 to 150C) and moisture content (0 to 16%). A five-element ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

EPRI has sponsored an experimental program in the pipe whip impact and pipe rupture and depressurization areas. Sixteen pipe whip tests were performed with 3 in Schedule 80 (or 10) carbon steel pipes impacting on rigid target or concrete slab. The major testing parameters include distance, impact location, pipe rupture location, and concrete slab thickness and strength. The piping crushing at impact correlates with impact force and target response behavior. Conservatism was established by comparing measured and calculated impact forces. The pipe rupture and depressurization tests were carried out using 6 in stainless steel and carbon steel pipes under either PWR or BWR fluid conditions. These tests are of axial crack with initial machined-in surface flaw. It was found that pipe rupture would occur only if a long unstable through-wall crack was embedded in a sufficiently long unstable part-through crack (in the pipe wall). All other flaw ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uranium enrichment by gas centrifugation relies on the pressure diffusion of the isotopes when their gaseous mixture is submitted to the pressure diffusion in the strong radial pressure gradient due to the centrifugal force in a very rapidly rotating cylinder. To compute the isotope separation in a gas centrifuge, the viscous compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the mixture, then the diffusion equations are solved for the isotopes. As far as the separation performance is concerned, the models deal with the steady state of the axi-symmetric gas motion in the rotating cylinder. The numerical tools are briefly presented: first, the MOLINA code which numerically solves the axi-symmetric gas motion in the specific conditions of rapid rotation by use of a change of variables suited to the high density gradient and by use of a Marker And Cell method; then, the diffusion equations solver which uses a Finite Volume method with a mesh refinement for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The current--density profile of a focused ion beam (FIB) has a central peak accompanied by broader ``wings`` that, while unimportant in lithographic applications, can lead to unwanted effects during an implantation operation. The origin of the wings, and hence the best way to minimize them, is not clear and needs further study. We have measured the line profiles of several of the ions available in our FIB machine as a function of a number of variables, under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. No effects are observed from changes in emission current or deliberate defocusing of the objective lens. There are some changes with beam aperture and/or current, but the biggest differences seem to be associated with a change of source type and hence, possibly, with a change in the source/extractor configuration or in the alloy and the emission process. The wing amplitudes are appreciably lower than many previously observed, and their profiles, at least ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Concern for the environment and cost reduction are driving forces for a broad effort in government and the private sector to develop new, more cost-effective technologies for characterizing, monitoring and remediating environmental sites. Secondary goals of the characterization, monitoring and remediation (CMR) activity are: minimize secondary waste generation, minimize site impact, protect water tables, and develop methods/strategies to apply new technologies. The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) project in directional boring for CMR of waste sites with enhanced machinery from the underground utility installation industry was initiated in 1990. The project has tested a variety of prototype machinery and hardware built by the industrial partner, Charles Machine Works (CMW), and SNL at several sites (Savannah River Site (SRS), Hanford, SNL, Kirtland AFB (KAFB), CMW), successfully installed usable horizontal environmental ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The registration of secondary cosmic ray neutrons is a convenient tool for the investigation of primary cosmic ray variations and for meteorological effects as well. At present a large network of neutron monitors exists, aiming at studies of cosmic ray variations which are related to interplanetary conditions and geomagnetic activity. At the same time cosmic ray variations may be related to some atmospheric processes. In this connection, using the data from two neutron monitors (a standard and a lead free one), a gamma detector from Moscow station and lead free neutron monitor at BEO Moussala, we studied the correlations between rain flows and neutron flux. In this study we used daily averages on the basis of 10 min data for the neutron flux, corrected for barometric pressure and data from local meteo-stations. The preliminary analysis indicates a correlation between rain flows and neutron flux in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, we define, design and test a radiation tolerant autonomous monitoring tool for nuclear embedded applications. The goal of the instrumentation system was to record the values of some parameters such as dose, temperature or vibrations appearing inside the containment building of nuclear power plants. The knowledge of these parameters will be a good help for predictive maintenance of the power plant components. For the design of the monitoring tool, we rely on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) low power electronic components to use battery-supplied power. A large amount of components starting from discrete transistors or logic units to memories and micro-controllers was associated to define and design a prototype. We then confirm the environment conditions tolerance estimated to up to 2 kGy of total dose and 80 C for temperature by on-line irradiation experiments for individual components and functions and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program (ISEMP - BPA project No.2003-0017) has been created as a cost effective means of developing protocols and new technologies, novel indicators, sample designs, analytical, data management and communication tools and skills, and restoration experiments that support the development of a region-wide Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) program to assess the status of anadromous salmonid populations, their tributary habitat and restoration and management actions. The most straightforward approach to developing a regional-scale monitoring and evaluation program would be to increase standardization among status and trend monitoring programs. However, the diversity of species and their habitat, as well as the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding indicators, metrics, and data interpretation methods, requires the testing of multiple approaches. Thus, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Development and deployment of small-scale nuclear power reactors and their maintenance, monitoring, and control are part of the mission under the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) program. The objectives of this NERI-consortium research project are to investigate, develop, and validate advanced methods for sensing, controlling, monitoring, diagnosis, and prognosis of these reactors, and to demonstrate the methods with application to one of the proposed integral pressurized water reactors (IPWR). For this project, the IPWR design by Westinghouse, the International Reactor Secure and Innovative (IRIS), has been used to demonstrate the techniques developed under this project. The research focuses on three topical areas with the following objectives. Objective 1 - Develop and apply simulation capabilities and sensitivity/uncertainty analysis methods to address sensor deployment analysis and small grid stability issues. Objective 2 - Develop and test an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A guidance document on the instrumentation for monitoring and control of cycle chemistry for the steam-water circuits of fossil-fired and combined-cycle power plants was developed within the IAPWS Power Cycle Chemistry Working Group. This technical guidance document has been authorized by the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS) at its meeting in Doorwerth, The Netherlands, 6-11 September, 2009, for issue by its Secretariat. The members of the IAPWS are: Britain and Ireland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Russia, and the United States of America, and the associate members Argentina and Brazil, Italy, and Switzerland. In order to achieve suitable chemical conditions in steam-water circuits it is essential to establish reliable monitoring of key parameters on every plant. This enables the demonstration of operation within cycle chemistry targets, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There is an urgent need to monitor the condition of fluid-filled taped (FFT) cables. The Dissolved-Gas Analysis (DGA) technique that has been successfully applied to power transformers holds great potential for the preventive maintenance of FFT cables. However, before this emerging technique can be properly applied to cables, a suitable fluid sampling and subsequent gas analysis method had to be developed, including the generation of both laboratory and field data to aid in data interpretation. Data on gas saturation levels in various cable fluids have been presented. This paper describes a novel method developed specifically for FFT cables and discusses field results so obtained. The type, distribution and concentration of gases from fluid alone and paper alone under electrical stress has been presented, including the differences between normal and not-so-normal cable systems as demonstrated by DGA. The concept of wet tensile strength has been ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to changed operational conditions and because of the increasing age of several hydro power plant components, there is an increasing risk of damages and the control of degradation mechanisms is of increasing significance. Therefore lifetime considerations for safety relevant components in pumped-storage plants become more and more important. The development of a lifetime management system, in conjunction with monitoring systems and specific surveillance for a group of pumped-storage power plants of different ages and in a wide range of power output is presented. The special focus is on the impact of fatigue strength considerations within this framework. The applied procedure will be described for typical mechanical components in pumped-storage plants exemplarily. (orig.)

CERN Document Server

Defects ~10 nm in size, with number densities ~10^{10} cm^{-2}, form spontaneously beneath ion-milled, etched, or HF-dipped silicon surfaces examined in our Ti-ion getter-pumped transmission electron microscope (TEM) after exposure to air. They appear as weakly-strained non-crystalline intrusions into silicon bulk, that show up best in the TEM under conditions of strong edge or bend contrast. If ambient air exposure is <10 minutes, defect nucleation and growth can be monitored {\\em in situ}. Possible mechanisms of formation are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The wind industry has experienced premature turbine component failures during the past years. With the increase in turbine size, these failures, especially those found in the major drivetrain components, i.e. main shaft, gearbox, and generator, have become extremely costly. Given that the gearbox is the most costly component in the drivetrain to fix, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) initiated the Gearbox Reliability Collaborative (GRC) to determine the causes for premature gearbox failures and subsequently, recommend improvements to gearbox design, manufacture, and operational practices. The GRC has two identical test gearboxes, which are planned for a dynamometer and a field test, respectively.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The project aim is to model the hybrid plant at Vaesthamnsverket in Helsingborg using artificial neural networks (ANN) and integrating the ANN models, for online condition monitoring and thermoeconomic optimization, at Vaesthamnsverket. The definition of a hybrid plant is that it uses more than one fuel, in this case a natural gas fuelled gas turbine with heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and a biomass fuelled steam boiler with steam turbine. The project is a continuation of previous projects where ANN training was done with operational data from the plant. The ANN models have, if required, been updated to better suit the purpose of this project. The thermoeconomic optimization takes into account current electricity prices, taxes, fuel prices etc. and calculates the current production cost along with the 'predicted' production cost. The tool also has a built in feature of predicting when a compressor wash is economically ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A chromatographic technique is described for checking the condition of cable insulation by analyzing cable oil for the gases that are typical of defects in power transformers: carbon dioxide, acetylene, methane and ethylene. This technique was successfully used for predicting breakdown of insulation on KL-2 cable at one of the hydroelectric plants of Kirgizglavenergo power grid 1.5 months in advance. The presence of the above-mentioned gases in cable oil can provide a signal for monitoring the state of cable insulation. Further research is needed in addition to more operational experience to work out criteria for objective evaluation of the state of cable lines.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Short-term radon measurements were used to make a comparison between weekly screening tests and seasonal concentration. The screening measurements were made in an indoor environment over a period of one quarter during early summer and the results are compared with the measured average radon level over that period. In these experiments, the envelope-type and plastic bag monitors were used for screening and long term radon concentration measurements, respectively. The results show that one cannot achieve predicting the seasonal mean radon concentration based on weekly measurements better than 50% under the conditions reported. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms are developed for combustion of all nine isomers of heptane (C{sub 7}H{sub 16}), and these mechanisms are tested by simulating autoignition of each isomer under rapid compression machine conditions. The reaction mechanisms focus on the manner in which the molecular structure of each isomer determines the rates and product distributions of possible classes of reactions. The reaction pathways emphasize the importance of alkylperoxy radical isomerizations and addition reactions of molecular oxygen to alkyl and hydroperoxyalkyl radicals. A new reaction group has been added to past models, in which hydroperoxyalkyl radicals that originated with abstraction of an H atom from a tertiary site in the parent heptane molecule are assigned new reaction sequences involving additional internal H atom abstractions not previously allowed. This process accelerates autoignition in fuels with tertiary C-H bonds in the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Proteins aggregated into spherulite structures of amyloid fibrils have been observed in patients with certain brain diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. The conditions under which these protein spherulites form and grow are not currently known. In order to illuminate the role of environmental factors on protein spherulites, this research aims to explore the kinetics and mechanisms of spherulite formation and growth, as monitored by optical microscopy, in a range of salt concentrations, and initial protein concentrations for two model proteins: bovine b-lactoglobulin and insulin. These two proteins are significantly different in their size and fibril growth rate, but both of these proteins have been shown previously to form amyloid fibrils and spherulites under low pH conditions. The...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the last two years, the VDMA work group 'Functional security' compiled a qualitative and quantitative procedure for the determination and evaluation of turbo-machine specific risks. With the calibrated risk graph for turbo-machines the requirements (Safety Integrity Level SIL) to the protective functions for turbo-machines (steam turbines, gas turbines, generators and compressors) were determined. With consideration of the legislation, the work group compiled a recommendation for the renewal and/or reconstruction of protective functions with old facilities.

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... Accession Number : ADA079641. Title : Relation of the One-Phase Stefan Problem to the Seepage of Liquids and Electrochemical Machining,. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

China's propaganda machine seeks to control public opinion at all costs?-?and the media is its tool, writes David Bandurski

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Processes were developed that use lasers as manufacturing tools. These processes were stripping of insulation from cables and wires, machining of quartz, microdrilling and welding of reflective metals, and precision alignment of curved surfaces before machining. A technological basis also was formed which resulted in a process for automatic surface inspection of parts and aided development of machining processes for Kevlar parts.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liquid metal ion sources (LMISs) with Ga as ion species are widely used in focused ion beam (FIB) technology for micromachining and surface treatment on the sub-micron and nano-scale. Key features of a LMIS for investigating mechanical properties and 3D-microfabrication of materials are long life-time, high brightness, stable ion current and a highly effective milling ability for the material to be modified. In order to increase the material removal rate, heavier ions than Ga and their clusters should be applied. Bismuth (Bi) is the heaviest, non-radio-active element in the periodic table, is non-toxic and exhibits a low melting point. We have thus produced a long-life (about 1000 h) Bi LMIS with a good beam performance, applicable in any FIB system. Since Bi is the only element in this source, it is not necessary to separate it from other ions by a mass filter. Investigation of the sputtering rate of NiTi shape memory alloys using Ga and Bi LMIS showed that, for the same experimental ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A duplex surface treatment technique based on calorizing and plasma nitriding was developed to improve the wear and oxidation resistance of H13 steel at high temperatures. The effects of the relative thickness of the calorized layer to the depth of plasma nitriding on the wear and oxidation properties at temperatures up to 900 C were investigated in this work. High-temperature wear tests were performed at 500 C with dry conditions in open air using a ball-on-disk type tribotest machine. Isothermal oxidation tests were performed at 900 C for up to 100 h under controlled atmosphere. The results indicated that the specimens with a calorized layer as an intermediate phase between the surface duplex layer and the base metal showed higher wear and oxidation resistance than the specimens with a nitrided layer alone. During exposure to elevated temperatures, the aluminum in the calorized layer diffused to the surface and formed an aluminum oxide layer. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The instrument ball bearings are the key components of movable components for various kinds of measuring and control instruments; they often operate in the environmental condition of high-speed and light preload. In general, the non metal, disposable oilimpregnated retainer material has been used for these kinds of high precision miniature bearing. The engineering practice shows that the common failure mode of them is the wear which appears under the condition of insufficient lubrication condition. As the results, the vibration and noise will be enlarged, so does the frictional torque, which makes the ball bearings to lose its original working accuracy. It is the lifetime test of bearings that can enable the designers and manufacturers to chose the material of the bearing properly, optimize the product structure, mend the manufacturing technique process, and to enhance the technical level of the bearing products ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Monitoring describes the prospective supervision, observation, and testing of an ongoing process. The result of monitoring provides reassurance that the goal has been or will be achieved, or suggests...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this investigation was to simulate a machining front from an abrasive waterjet and its movements in a ceramic material. Wear factors affecting the abrasive waterjet nozzle were also to be established. Therefore, a low inclination angle (9[degree]) was used between the nozzle and test sample, simulating a moving machine front. A standard nozzle with an inner diameter of 0.76 mm was used in the test, and it was placed close to the samples. The outer diameter of the abrasive nozzle was 9.5 mm. The high wear rate from abrasive waterjets makes it possible to machine hard ceramics-including dense alumina, titanium boride, silicon nitride, and composites-at high machining speeds.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

According to the development of power electronic element (GTO, IGBT) nd material for electrical machines (permanent magnet, super conductor), the technology for electrical machines is now a day rapidly developing. here with, a novel electrical machine, based on the new conception of transverse flux configuration leads to a considerable increase in power density and enables simultaneously high efficiency.The transverse flux machine with PM excitation will be applied to gearless direct drives for railway traction system. The designed and measured performance of transverse machine for railway traction system revealed a great potential of system improvements to reduce linear motor mass. (author). 10 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Because of the chaotic nature of the corrosion process and the complexity of the electrochemical noise signals that are generated, there is no generally accepted method of measuring and interpreting these signals that allows the consistent detection and identification of sustained localized pitting (SLP) as compared to general corrosion. We have reexamined electrochemical noise analysis (ENA) of localized corrosion using different hardware, signal collection, and signal processing designs than those used in conventional ENA techniques. The new data acquisition system was designed to identify and monitor the progress of SLP by analyzing the power spectral density (PSD) of the trend of the corrosion current noise level (CNL) and potential noise level (PNL). Each CNL and PNL data point was calculated from the root-mean- square value of the ac components of current and potential fluctuation signals, which were measured simultaneously during a short time period. The PSD ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A scheme for on-line tuning of a fuzzy-logic power system stabilizer is presented. firstly, a fuzzy-logic power system stabilizer is developed using speed deviation and accelerating power as the controller input variables. The inference mechanism of fuzzy-logic controller is represented by a decision table, constructed of linguistic IF-THEN rules. The Linguistic rules are available from experts and the design procedure is based on these rules. It assumed that an exact model of the plant is not available and it is difficult to extract the exact parameters of the power plant. Thus, the design procedure can not be based on an exact model. This is an advantage of fuzzy logic that makes the design of a controller possible without knowing the exact model of the plant. Secondly, two scaling parameters are introduced to tune the fuzzy-logic power system stabilizer. These scaling parameters are the outputs of another fuzzy-logic system, which gets the operating conditions ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The K0.5 for intracellular sodium of the two forms of (Na ,K )-ATPase which exist in rat adipocytes has been determined by incubating the cells in the absence of potassium in buffers of varying sodium concentration; these conditions shut off the Na pump and allow sodium to equilibrate into the cell. The activity of (Na ,K )-ATPase was then monitored with YWRb /K pumping which was initiated by adding isotope and KCl to 5 mM, followed by a 3-min uptake period. Atomic absorption and SSNa tracer equilibration were used to determine the actual intracellular (Na ) under the different conditions. The K0.5 values thus obtained were 17 mM for alpha and 52 mM for alpha(+). Insulin treatment of rat adipocytes had no effect on the intracellular (Na+) nor on the Vmax of YWRb /K pumping, but did produce a shift in the sodium ion K0.5 values to 14 mM for alpha and 33 mM for alpha(+). This change in affinity can explain the selective ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

ABB Industrietechnik AG recently has introduced an augmented version of its Cyldeyt cylinder pressure monitoring system aimed at spark-ignited and diesel/gas, dual-fuel engines. In addition to recording and evaluating cylinder pressure as a means of assessing engine condition, the new Cyldet version now evaluates the cylinder pressure signals to provide protection against pre-ignition related damage. When pre-ignition reaches critical levels, the Cyldet computer relays alarm signals in two stages to the overriding engine control system of the power plant. On receiving the first-stage alarm signal, the engine control system is programmed to adjust one or more engine settings to eliminate preignition - a typical adjustment is to lower charge-air temperature, for example. If such measures fail to eliminate pre-ignition, in the case of a dual-fuel engine, a second alarm signal triggers a reduction in engine load or, as last resort, changeover of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sterile aqueous N-methylaniline solutions were allowed to equilibrate at various nitrite, F-400 granular-activated carbon, and pH levels for 1 week. The aqueous and activated carbon phases were extracted and analyzed for nitrosamines relative to an added internal standard. Selected ion monitoring GC/MS, utilizing continuous monitoring of the NO/sup +/ ion (m/z 29.9980) characteristic of nitrosamines, at medium resolution (R = 2500-3000) was applied to quantitatively measure nitrosamines at picograms per microliter concentrations. This method selected for nitrosamine products only and eliminated interferences from non-nitrosamine reaction products. Results indicate that the pressure of granular-activated carbon significantly enhanced the formation of nitrosamine from N-methyl-aniline (F = 145, P< 0.0001). The amount of N-nitrosomethylaniline formed in the presence of activated carbon was 75 times more than that formed in the absence of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Alanine/EPR Dosimetry system is classified as a reference-standard dosimeter which used to calibrate radiation environments and to calibrate routine dosimeters in absorbed dose range of 1 to 105 Gy. Characteristics of Alanine/EPR dosimetry system are better suitable than routinely used personnel dosimeters for the long term radiation measurement in harsh condition of Nuclear power plant : This system is not significantly affected by temperature and humidity and also has low fading rate. About 1 year ago, Alanine and Lithium compound dosimeters were installed at Wolsung unit 1 for the environment monitoring as a part of equipment qualification program. 35 positions which are most severe and representative cable positions were chosen for radiation and temperature monitoring. The recovered alanine dosimeter in the period of maintenance was measured by E-scan alanine analyzer system, Meanwhile measurement result shows extremely ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the results from acoustic emission (AE) and ultrasonic monitoring of the Aespoe Pillar Stability Experiment (APSE) at SKB's Hard Rock Laboratory (HRL), Sweden. The APSE is being undertaken to demonstrate the current capability to predict spalling in a fractured rock mass using numerical modelling techniques, and to demonstrate the effect of backfill and confining pressure on the propagation of micro-cracks in rock adjacent to deposition holes within a repository. An ultrasonic acquisition system has provided acoustic emission and ultrasonic survey monitoring throughout the various phases of the experiment. Results from the entire data set are provided with this document so that they can be effectively compared to several numerical modelling studies, and to mechanical and thermal measurements conducted around the pillar volume, in an 'integrated analysis' performed by SKB staff. This document ...

Science.gov (United States)

... Title : ON-LINE MONITORING OF FLUE GAS DESULFURIZATION SCRUBBER CORROSION WITH ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of the project is to study the conditions and processes occurring in permanently frozen crystalline bedrock, with special reference to deep (i.e., several hundreds of meters) bedrock conditions. The target of the study is the Lupin mine in Nunavut Territory, Northern Canada. The results may be utilized in assessing the long-term performance of deep underground constructions (e.g., nuclear waste repositories) in cooling climatic conditions. In Phase I of the project versatile background information was collected from the site e.g., on climate, geology and on hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical conditions. During Phase II a broad range of research was conducted including (i) electromagnetic soundings to investigate the distribution of permafrost in the surroundings of the mine; (ii) drilling of three research boreholes at the base of the permafrost for groundwater research; (iii) application of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Phenolic resins have made a major breakthrough in the field of high technology in 80's. These are now active participants of "high tech' areas ranging from electronics, computers, communication, outer space, aerospace, advanced materials, bio materials and technology. A phenol - formaldehyde (1:1.5) resin having resin content of 70% synthesized in the laboratory has been applied for wood coating and reinforcing glass fiber. The weatherability and solvent resistance of these items have been studied and results discussed keeping in view the envisaged application for structural materials and chemical equipment. The toxic materials released during contact with solvents for chemical applications and during degradation general have been monitored. The results are discussed with reference to environmental pollution due to these resins and their composites under different conditions. (authors)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growth power-time curves of a strain of petroleum bacteria, B-2, in various kinds of cultures containing different kinds of carbon sources, glucose, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane and n-octadecane, and different kinds of microemulsions have been determined by using a 2277 Thermal Activity Monitor. The curves showed a single peak for cultures containing a single carbon source, glucose, and two peaks for cultures containing two kinds of carbon sources, glucose and one of the n-alkanes. The first peak indicated that bacteria grew by consuming glucose and the second peak indicated that bacteria grew by consuming n-alkane. The curves were complex when the bacterium grows in a microemulsion culture. According to a kinetic equation of bacterial growth under limited conditions, the rate constants of bacterial growth were obtained. The results showed that the microemulsion culture was more appropriate to bacteria to grow on n-alkanes.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Biomarkers are biometric measurements that provide critical quantitative information about the biological condition of the animal or individual being tested. In drug safety studies, established toxicity biomarkers are used along with other conventional study data to determine dose-limiting organ toxicity, and to define species sensitivity for new chemical entities intended for possible use as human medicines. A continuing goal of drug safety scientists in the pharmaceutical industry is to discover and develop better trans-species biomarkers that can be used to determine target organ toxicities for preclinical species in short-term studies at dose levels that are some multiple of the intended human dose and again later in full development for monitoring clinical trials at lower therapeutic ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A detailed knowledge about the dynamics of phytoplanktonic photosynthesis and respiration is crucial for the determination of primary productivity in open oceans as well as for biotechnological applications. The dynamics are best studied in photobioreactors that are able to simulate natural conditions in such, that light can be modulated not only diurnally but also mimicking effects of solar elevation angle from sunrise to sunset, variable cloudiness, light modulation in refractory sun flecks due to water waves, or light intermittence due to turbulent flow in dense suspensions. In addition, high performance photobioreactors ought to be able to monitor in real time photosynthetic and respiratory activities as well as culture growth. Here, we demonstrate performance of a newly designed bench...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Within the framework of the MINEO research project assisted by the European Union the Deutsche Steinkohle AG (DSK) has developed methods for the operational use of remote sensing data and geo-information systems for the regular observation, measurement and evaluation of environmental effects in mining areas. Only indirect environmental effects of the mining industry, which may result in particular from subsidence-induced changes in the hydrological situation (ground water level, drainage) and the resulting effects on the vegetation and land utilisation, can be observed for the DSK test area 'Kirchheller Heide' because of the underground mine workings. Hence the evaluations of the remote sensing data were concentrated on the development of methods to measure and analyse the vegetation condition and any changes. MINEO thus constitutes a module for the DSK environmental information system. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study examined whether elevated intravascular pressure stimulates asynchronous Ca2+ waves in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells and if their generation contributes to myogenic tone development. The endothelium was removed from rat cerebral arteries, which were then mounted in an arteriograph, pressurized (20 100 mmHg) and examined under a variety of experimental conditions. Diameter and membrane potential (VM) were monitored using conventional techniques; Ca2+ wave generation and myosin light chain (MLC20)/MYPT1 (myosin phosphatase targeting subunit) phosphorylation were assessed by confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis, respectively. Elevating intravascular pressure increased the proportion of smooth muscle cells firing asynchronous Ca2+ waves as well as event frequency. C...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A passive dosemeter, based on a Makrofol ED track detector covered with aluminized Mylar, enclosed in diffusion chamber, has been used for radon concentration studies. Detectors have been irradiated, using a "2"4"1Am source, at different energies and fluences in order to obtain the electrochemical etching conditions that allow the optimum registration of alpha particles having energies over 3 MeV. Thirty dosemeters have been sent to the UK National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB) Radon Environmental Chamber for calibration. The sensitivity of the dosemeter has been calculated. Several dosemeters have also been exposed in houses and dwellings in the Barcelona and Madrid areas for monitoring. Values for radon concentration in the areas under study are presented. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A marine propulsion system is a very complicated system composed of many mechanical components. As a result, the vibration signal of a gearbox in the system is strongly coupled with the vibration signatures of other components including a diesel engine and main shaft. It is therefore imperative to assess the coupling effect on diagnostic reliability in the process of gear fault diagnosis. For this reason, a fault detection and diagnosis method based on bispectrum analysis and artificial neural networks (ANNs) was proposed for the gearbox with consideration given to the impact of the other components in marine propulsion systems. To monitor the gear conditions, the bispectrum analysis was first employed to detect gear faults. The amplitude-frequency plots containing gear characteristic sign...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By varying different variables (potential, chloride content, surface pretreatment etc.) it is possible to show the effect of increasingly harsher corrosion conditions on passive-layer stability. These changes will not be detected by conventional methods e.g. measurement of passive current density, until a very late stage. Electrochemical noise measurement will allow the action of inhibitors to be detected in a rapid and effective manner. High-alloy steels and titanium claddings subjected to pitting corrosion in chloride-containing media demonstrate how to use this method for problem solutions and to open up new practical applications. The effect of mechanical stresses (natural, tensile) on the corrosion system can be detected by electrochemical noise which opens up new methods for crack corrosion studying and monitoring. (orig./DG).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Breath analysis could offer a non-invasive means of intravenous drug monitoring if robust correlations between drug concentrations in breath and blood can be established. In this study, propofol blood and breath concentrations were determined in an animal model under varying physiological conditions. Propofol concentrations in breath were determined by means of two independently calibrated analytical methods: continuous, real-time proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and discontinuous solid-phase micro-extraction coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Blood concentrations were determined by means of SPME-GC-MS. Effects of changes in pulmonary blood flow resulting in a decreased cardiac output (CO) and effects of dobutamine administration resulting in...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract The present study makes use of a detailed water balance to investigate the hydrological status of a peatland with a basal clay-rich layer overlying an aquifer exploited for drinking water. The aim is to determine the influence of climate and groundwater extraction on the water balance and water levels in the peatland. During the two-year period of monitoring, the hydrological functioning of the wetland showed a hydric deficit, associated with a permanent unsaturated layer and a deep water table. At the same time, a stream was observed serving as a recharge inflow instead of draining the peatland, as usually described in natural systems. Such conditions are not favourable for peat accumulation. Field investigations show that the clay layer has a high hydraulic conductivity (from 11...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The atmospheric processing by ozone of peptide-containing mixed particles was investigated as proxies for biogenic and sea spray primary organic aerosol. Reactions were performed in a flow reactor and particle composition was monitored by photoelectron resonance capture ionization aerosol mass spectrometry. Mixed particles containing dipeptides in a saturated organic matrix of stearic and palmitic acids showed no reaction under ozonolysis at exposure levels of 2.5???10?4?atm s O3. However reactions of mixed particles of a dipeptide (Leu-Leu) in an unsaturated matrix (oleic acid) under the same conditions resulted in a rapid loss of the peptide ion signal, as well as the carrier matrix, and appearance of a number of ion signals corresponding to secondary products. High molecular weight imid...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Human activities in the karst Ozark Plateaus can impact water quality of springs where surface water is rapidly transferred to subsurface conduits. Bennett Spring, in southern Missouri, is the fourth largest spring in the state and supports local tourism activities. Questions regarding poorly functioning on-site wastewater systems (OWS) have raised concerns over the long-term water quality of the spring. This study reports the results of a surface water quality monitoring program in the recharge area where monthly samples were collected at base flow to identify potential pollution sources to the spring. Base flow hydrology of the recharge area was highly variable over the study period, which was drier than normal, causing an incomplete sampling record due to no flow conditions at some site...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optically stimulated luminescent (OSL) radiation dosimeter technically surveys a wide dynamic measurement range and a high sensitivity. Optical fiber dosimeters provide capability for remote monitoring of the radiation in the locations which are difficult-to-access and hazardous. In addition, optical fiber dosimeters are immune to electrical and radio-frequency interference. In this paper, a novel remote optical fiber radiation dosimeter is described. The optical fiber dosimeter takes advantage of the charge trapping materials CaS:Ce, Sm that exhibit OSL. The measuring range of the dosimeter is from 0.1 to 100 Gy. The equipment is relatively simple and small in size, and has low power consumption. This device is suitable for measuring the space radiation dose and also can be used in high radiation dose condition and other dangerous radiation occasions. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aquatic monitoring program consists of onsite monitoring of surface runoff, monitoring of point source discharges identified in the NPDES permit, and limited instream biological monitoring. The program is tied to a feedback mechanism for implementing corrective action before significant adverse impacts occur in the Holston River. This report evaluates the aquatic monitoring program for the second year (October 19, 1978 through October 18, 1979) of construction as required by the NPDES permit, Part III, Section I. Included in this report are data from peripheral runoff monitoring, selected heavy rainfall sampling, ground water monitoring, instream aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring, and aquatic macrophyte monitoring.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

More efficient and safe production machines are required for sod peat production. The efficiency and durability of machines is especially important in contract work. Two sod peat harvester types, Pala-14 and Turve-Unsa, were tested by the forest department of the Work Efficiency Associationin summer 1986. Sod peat was collected with these machines at three sod peat production sites. The yield of the Pala-14 harvester was 121 m/sup 3//h for harvesting time, and 56 m/sup 3//h for worksite time, and that of Turve-Unsa was 108 m/sup 3//h and 55 m/sup 3//h, respectively.

CERN Document Server

The whole computer hardware industry embraced multicores. For these machines, the extreme optimisation of sequential algorithms is no longer sufficient to squeeze the real machine power, which can be only exploited via thread-level parallelism. Decision tree algorithms exhibit natural concurrency that makes them suitable to be parallelised. This paper presents an approach for easy-yet-efficient porting of an implementation of the C4.5 algorithm on multicores. The parallel porting requires minimal changes to the original sequential code, and it is able to exploit up to 7X speedup on an Intel dual-quad core machine.

Science.gov (United States)

The Wind Energy Division at Sandia National Laboratories recently completed a point design based on the 34-m Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) Test Bed. The 34-m Test Bed research machine incorporates several innovations that improve Darrieus technology, including increased energy production, over previous machines. The point design differs minimally from the Test Bed; but by removing research-related items, its estimated cost is substantially reduced. The point design is a first step towards a Test-Bed-based commercial machine that would be competitive with conventional sources of power in the mid-1990s.

Science.gov (United States)

we have a colloquium scheduled. Computing: register your machine and check our network security and visitor computer policies. For Our Information: Once arranged, please let us...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper deals with an experimental study of ultra-precision diamond cutting of magnesium alloy (AZ31). In order to investigate the machinability such as the cutting force and the surface integrity and understand the problems in a micro cutting, the experiments on the diamond cutting of magnesium alloy and pure aluminum with an ultra-precision turning machine has been carried out. The machinability of magnesium alloy was compared with that of pure aluminum and discussed. Consequently, both the thrust force component and the surface roughness obtained by cutting of magnesium alloy became larger than that of pure aluminum. It was also found that the inclusions or the defects in the work material caused to generate the scratches on the finished surface and influenced the integrity of mirror surface. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Officials of Saturn Machine and Welding Co., describe the company's designs of oven door, door cleaner and jamb cleaner and report performance at US coking plants.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Privacy-preserving machine learning algorithms are crucial for the increasingly common setting in which personal data, such as medical or financial records, are analyzed. We provide general...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Zirconia-based restorations are widely used in prosthetic dentistry; however, their susceptibility to hydrothermal degradation remains elusive. We hypothesized that CAD/CAM machining and subsequent...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

airborne separation assistance systems (ASAS) to ... operations should be limited to the outer traffic flow ...... AGARD Meeting on Machine Intelligence in Air ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) is a promising hybrid process for high-performance machining of non-conductive glass. ECDM drilling has been found to have different characteristics and material removal mechanisms in discharge regime (less than 300??m in depth) and hydrodynamic regime (more than 300??m in depth); however, these regimes are never separately modeled in existing ECDM models, which leads to large prediction error, especially at low applied voltages and high machining depths. Until now, no model is particularly designed for discharge regime, where most material is removed. In this paper, a finite element based model for ECDM drilling in discharge regime is presented. Material removal subjected to a single spark was simulated using finite element method. The drilling d...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A custom-built graphite-coated transmission ionization chamber is compared to the VacuDAP 2001 (VacuTec, Dresden, Germany), which has transparent conductive electrodes. A study was made of the dependence of response on x-ray tube potential for both types of chamber under identical conditions of exposure using over-table and under-table x-ray tubes. Since the calibration factor is the dose-area product of the radiation incident on the patient per chamber reading, it depends on the intrinsic response of the chamber as well as the effect of material in the beam between the x-ray tube and patient. Differences of about 20% were measured between the intrinsic and the over-table calibration factors and between the over-table and the under-table calibration factors for both chambers. The VacuDAP display is specifically calibrated for the over-table condition and would overstate the actual DAP in the under-table case. The intrinsic response of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growing concern of the population with regards to the problem of atmospheric pollution has induced a change in the role of air quality monitoring networks, especially those monitoring air pollution in large cities which suffer from summer smog. The population is no longer satisfied with real-time measurements but wants to be warmed of high pollutants concentrations in advance. Some countries have been forecasting air pollution, and especially ozone, for a large number of years. Although most of them use statistical models based on the analyses of past conditions which induced high pollution episodes, some predict ozone levels using only their knowledge of the meteorological situation. Nowadays two trends appear regarding ozone forecasting: either very basic statistical methods, such as regression, or more sophisticated ones, such as neural networks. The paper then reviews several behaviours common to most forecasting ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Typical beam lines are comprised of an assembly of vacuum valves and shutters referred to as a ''front end'', optical elements to monochromatize, focus and split the photon beam, and an experimental area where a target sample is placed into the photon beam and data from the interaction is detected and recorded. Windows are used to separate sections of beam lines that are not compatible with storage ring ultra high vacuum. Some experimental beam lines share a common vacuum with storage rings. Sections of beam lines are only allowed to vent up to atmospheric pressure using pure nitrogen gas after a vacuum barrier is established to protect ring vacuum. The front end may only be bled up when there is no current in the machine. This is especially true on the VUV storage ring where for most experiments, windows are not used. For the shorter wavelength, more energetic photons of the x-ray ring, beryllium windows are used at various beam ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A decoupled characteristic between the damping of a specific swing mode and the stabilizer gain of the corresponding machine in multimachine power systems is identified. Using this decoupled characteristic a power system stabilizer (PSS) synthesis approach which is based on the phase compensation concept is verified on a 9-machine system and the dynamic performance of this system is significantly improved. This method is proved to be effective, simple and it can provide useful guidance for the PSS field tuning.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A micro-computer based fuzzy logic power system stabilizer is applied to a micro-machine system to investigate its efficiency in real time control. The stabilizing signal is determined by using measured speed or real power signals at every sampling time to damp the system oscillations. The results show the proposed stabilizer improves the system damping effectively subject to various types of disturbances.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper presents a sequential procedure for coordinated stabilization of a multimachine power system with arbitrary complexity of the system model. The most effective machine to be equipped with a power system stabilizer is identified using eigenvalue analysis. The selection is based on the sensitivity of critical eigenvalues to increases in the coefficient of a damping term which is inserted in each equation of motion, in succession. The method is applied to a three-machine system and simulation studies show appreciable improvements in the small disturbance stability of the system.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author describes the layout of the environmental monitoring scheme at Devco's No. 26 Colliery in Canada, which includes wall face ventilation, fan performance, and methane drainage monitoring. He gives details of the sensors, outstations, and the surface control room.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article consists of a series of manufacturer's descriptions outlining specifications of underground monitoring equipment which range in complexity from gas sensitive personal badges to full mine monitoring systems. 8 figs.

Science.gov (United States)

The objective of this project is to reduce energy consumption in 203 buildings by providing a new EMCS (Energy Monitoring Control System) to control and monitor systems.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A major problem in the maintenance and rehabilitation of pipelines is the removal of the original coating system, particularly in cases where the coating contains sticky components or adhesives. It has been found that such coatings can be removed by use of a cleaning machine with a plurality of counter-rotating carbide-tipped tools mounted to an oscillating head embracing the pipe, and which is operable at the same time to travel along the length of the pipe. Such a machine can be designed to effect a positive, gentle milling operation on the pipe surface to remove the coating efficiently and at relatively low power consumption. A particular advantage of the pipe cleaning machine of the invention is that its design and manner of operation allows it to be used in the field to clean an uncovered section of pipeline, for example a natural gas pipeline, without the requirement of removing the pipeline section from the ditch in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article considers the fundamentals of what happens in asolid when it is impacted with a medium energy gallium ion. The study ofthe ion/sample interaction at the nanometer scale is applicable to mostfocused ion beam (FIB) based work even if the FIB/sample interaction isonly a step in the process, e.g., micromachining or microelectronicdevice processing. Whereas the objective in other articles in this issueis to use the FIB tool to characterize a material or to machine a deviceor transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample, the goal of the FIB inthis article is to have the FIB/sample interaction itself become theproduct. To that end, the FIB/sample interaction is considered in threecategories according to geometry: below, at, and above the surface.First, the FIB ions can penetrate the top atom layer(s) and interactbelow the surface. Ion implantation and ion damage on flat surfaces havebeen comprehensively examined; however, FIB applications require thefurther ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The General-Purpose Heat Source (GPHS), an improved radioisotope heat source, employs a unique thermal insulation material, carbon-bonded carbon fiber (CBCF), to protect the fuel capsule and to help achieve the highest possible specific power. The CBCF insulation is made from chopped rayon fiber about 10 ..mu..m in diameter and 250 ..mu..m long, which is carbonized and bonded with phenolic resin particles. The CBCF shapes, both tubes and plates, are formed in a multiple molding facility by vacuum molding a water slurry of the carbonized chopped-rayon fiber (54 wt %) and phenolic resin (46 wt %). The molded shapes are subsequently dried and cured. Final carbonization of the resin is at 1600/sup 0/C. Machining to close tolerances (+-0.08 mm) is accomplished by conventional tooling and fixturing. The resulting material is an excellent lightweight insulation with a nominal density of 0.2 Mg/m/sup 3/ and a thermal conductivity of 0.24 W(m.K) in vacuum at 2000/sup 0/C. ...

Science.gov (United States)

May 11, 2011 ... The Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measures the type, amount, energy, and ...

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Elaboration of a Modern Technology for Operational Agrometeorological Soil Moisture Monitoring Spring Wheat, Yield and Disease Damage Forecasting and Recommendations for Plant Protection on the Kazakhstan Territory

Wastenet

...Air Quality Monitoring Networks Products and Equipment Find and compare a variety of air quality monitoring networks products and equipment on the world's largest environmental industry portal. ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Chemically reactive compounds in tissues can be monitored through their products of reaction with biomacromolecules. For the purpose of in vivo dose monitoring, hemoglobin (Hb) has been preferred to...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work, we use lasers to enhance possibilities of laser desorption methods and to optimize coating procedure for capillary electrophoresis (CE). We use several different instrumental arrangements to characterize matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALD) at atmospheric pressure and in vacuum. In imaging mode, 488-nm argon-ion laser beam is deflected by two acousto-optic deflectors to scan plumes desorbed at atmospheric pressure via absorption. All absorbing species, including neutral molecules, are monitored. Interesting features, e.g. differences between the initial plume and subsequent plumes desorbed from the same spot, or the formation of two plumes from one laser shot are observed. Total plume absorbance can be correlated with the acoustic signal generated by the desorption event. A model equation for the plume velocity as a function of time is proposed. Alternatively, the use of a static laser beam for observation enables reliable determination of plume ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mercury has had various uses in nuclear fuel reprocessing and other nuclear processes, and so is often present in radioactive and mixed (both radioactive and hazardous according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) wastes. Depending on regulatory requirements, the mercury in the off-gas must be controlled with sometimes very high efficiencies. Compliance to the Hazardous Waste Combustor (HWC) Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards can require off-gas mercury removal efficiencies up to 99.999% for thermally treating some mixed waste streams. Several test programs have demonstrated this level of off-gas mercury control using fixed beds of granular sulfur-impregnated activated carbon. Other results of these tests include: (a) The depth of the mercury control mass transfer zone was less than 15-30 cm for the operating conditions of these tests, (b) MERSORB(reg_sign) carbon can sorb Hg up to 19 wt% of the carbon mass, and (c) the spent carbon ...

Science.gov (United States)

The objective of the study was the kinetic modeling of the effect of storage temperature on the quality and shelf life of chilled fish, modified atmosphere-packed (MAP), and osmotically pretreated with the addition of nisin as antimicrobial agent. Fresh gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fillets were osmotically treated with 50% high dextrose equivalent maltodextrin (DE 47) plus 5% NaCl. Water loss, solid gain, salt content, and water activity were monitored throughout treatment and treatment conditions were selected for the shelf life study. Untreated and osmotically pretreated slices with and without nisin (2 x 10(4) IU/100 g osmotic solution), packed in air or modified atmosphere (50% CO(2)-50% air), and stored at controlled isothermal conditions (0, 5, 10, and 15 degrees C) were studied. Quality assessment and modeling were based on growth of several microbial indices, total volatile nitrogen, trimethylamine nitrogen, ...

CERN Document Server

Two quantities play a central role in that part of nonlinear optics which deals with the effects of a finite momentum spread in a particle beam: the orbit position whose derivative with respect to momentum is called 'orbit dispersion' and the betatron wave number whose derivative WRT momentum is the 'chromaticity'. The orbit dispersion varies with the azimuth and is essentially horizontal in a machine with a horizontal symmetry plane; parasitic radial fields induce a vertical component. The chromaticity is a scalar quantity related to the integral of the focusing strength, over one turn of the machine; it is defined for the horizontal and vertical planes. After recalling the general motion equation in the horizontal plane, the orbit dispersion and the chromaticity will be treated. Closed formulae are given for lumped elements and special emphasis is put on dipoles with a high deflection angle. (8 refs).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The basic relationships of the convolution/superposition dose calculation technique are reviewed, and a modelling technique that can be used for obtaining a satisfactory beam model for a commercially available convolution/superposition-based treatment planning system is described. A fluence energy spectrum for a Co-60 treatment machine obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation was used for modelling the fluence spectrum for a Rokus M machine. In order to achieve this model we measured the depth dose distribution and the dose profiles with a Wellhofer dosimetry system. The primary fluence was iteratively modelled by comparing the computed depth dose curves and beam profiles with the depth dose curves and crossbeam profiles measured in a water phantom. The objective of beam modelling is to build a model of the primary fluence that the patient is exposed to, which can then be used for the calculation of the dose deposited in the patient. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fibre-reinforced-polymer-composite material has been suggested as a bearing material to overcome tribological problems witnessed during the testing of Ram assembly of the 540 MWe fuelling machine at RTD. After successful trials at B-Ram the composite material has been adapted for B-RAM, C-Ram and RDB head at fuelling machines being tested at RTD, Hall 7 and at Tarapur. Laboratory evaluations were also carried out at Tribology Lab RTD to study effect of radiation on the composite. Paper deals with the various aspects of life prediction of this material in term of wear and radiation damage. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In embodiments, spectroscopic monitor monitors modulated light signals to detect low levels of contaminants and other compounds in the presence of background interference. The monitor uses a spectrometer that includes a transmissive modulator capable of causing different frequency ranges to move onto and off of the detector. The different ranges can include those with the desired signal and those selected to subtract background contributions from those with the desired signal. Embodiments of the system are particularly useful for monitoring metal concentrations in combustion effluent.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The transfer function concept is well known as an additional method to evaluate the impulse test of power transformers in the test laboratory. Another application for the transfer function method is monitoring of transformers in service. Thereby, Off-line and On-line monitoring can be realized. Both kinds of monitoring are demonstrated with on-site measurements on a power transformer in service.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication. 1 ref., 4 figs.

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

International Science & Technology Center (ISTC)

Epizootological Monitoring of Brucellosis and Methods of its Eradication in the Kyrgyz Republic

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Based on the Morlet wavelet transformation and Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD), we present a wind turbine fault diagnosis method in this paper. Wind turbine can be damaged by moisture absorption, fatigue, wind gusts or lightening strikes. Due to this reason, there is an increasing need to monitor the health of these structures. Vibration analysis is the best-known technology applied in wind turbine condition monitoring, in which the time-frequency analysis techniques such as Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD) are widely used. Theoretically WVD has an infinite resolution in time-frequency domain. For early wind turbine fault signals, however, there are two main difficulties in WVD analysis. One is strong noise signals in the background and the other is cross terms in WVD itself. In this paper, continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) is employed to filter useless noise in raw vibration signals, and auto terms window (ATW) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Between December 2001 and May 2004, a ventilation experiment (VE) was performed in the Mont Terri Underground Research Laboratory (URL) and co-financed by the Commission of the European Communities. The objective was to investigate the desaturation of consolidated clay formations in consequence of the ventilation of underground openings of a repository in such a formation. The results of the geoelectric measurements performed in the second phase of the Mont Terri ventilation test can be summarized as follows: Geoelectric tomography has been found suitable for monitoring ventilation-induced saturation changes in the Opalinus clay. During ventilation with dry air a desaturation down to below 50% could be detected in both desaturation cycles. The desaturated zone extends less than 0.5 m into the rock around the microtunnel. During the second resaturation phase, ventilation with humid air led to quick resaturation at the tunnel surface, while resaturation of the rock ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During third quarter 1994, samples from AMB groundwater monitoring wells at the Metallurgical Laboratory Hazardous Waste Management Facility (Met Lab HWMF) were analyzed for selected heavy metals, indicator parameters, radionuclides, volatile organic compounds, and other constituents. Eight parameters exceeded standards during the quarter. As in previous quarters, tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene exceeded final Primary Drinking Water Standards (PDWS). Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exceeded final PDWS in one well. Aluminum, iron, manganese, tin, and total organic halogens exceeded the Savannah River Site (SRS) Flag 2 criteria. Groundwater flow direction and rate in the M-Area Aquifer Zone were similar to previous quarters. Conditions affecting determination of groundwater flow directions and rates in the Upper Lost Lake Aquifer Zone, Lower Lost Lake Aquifer Zone, and the Middle Sand Aquifer Zone of the Crouch Branch Confining Unit were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Under drought conditions, sucrose distribution (osmotic adjustment vs. export) may be regulated at the mesophyll plasmalemma/tonoplast. Leaves were given {sup 14}CO{sub 2} for a 30/30 min pulse/chase. Peeled leaf discs were put in low or high osmotic solutions to monitor release of labeled solutes. High turgor increased efflux rates double those at low turgor. About 30% and 55% of the released label was in the sugar (sucrose + hexose) fractions at low and high turgor, respectively. Response to changes in cell turgor was rapid and reversible. PCMBS had no effect on efflux. NEM and CCCP enhanced efflux at high turgor. Presence of unlabeled sucrose in the wash solutions greatly enhanced sucrose efflux in a turgor-dependent manner; suggesting the presence of a sucrose exchange system, which appeared to be at the tonoplast. Turgor-regulated efflux involved both the tonoplast and plasmalemma. However, efflux across the plasmalemma was not ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sensors installed at a telephone office building in Neenah, WI, continuously monitor 24 parameters related to the operation of the building's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. This data is stored in a dedicated minicomputer and can be retrieved, in various formats, for subsequent analyses. For more than a year, we have measured indoor and outdoor concentrations of both fine and coarse airborne particles, their chemical constituents, and volatile organic compounds at this same location. Using this data, we have examined the composition of the indoor air as it correlates to the composition of the outdoor air and the various HVAC operating parameters. The steady-state indoor concentrations of the particles, particulate constituents, and organic vapors can be explained in the context of a mass balance model. This model can also be used to calculate the rate at which selected chemicals are generated within the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The heating system of the `Centre integre de mecanique industrielle de la Chaudiere`, in Saint-Georges, Quebec, is based on a solar wall and a geothermal heat pump with a glycol/water mixture circulating in 44 wells that are 100 m deep. With installation costs below $25 per sq.m, more than 85 per cent of the heating needs of the 9500 sq.m centre were supplied by geothermal power. The geothermal heat pump is composed of a well field and two 211-kW cooling units, each equipped with four coiled compressors. In winter, heat is pumped from the earth and in summer, a heat exchanger with control valves allows to heat to be dumped back into the earth. The monitoring and simulation of the system proved its efficiency, considering the climatic conditions in Quebec. The annual consumption of geothermal heating is 0.146 GJ per sq.m, which is very low compared to the consumption of electric heating (0.286 GJ per sq.m) or oil heating (0.419 GJ per sq.m). 4 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In many facilities, energy management is simply a matter of managing the energy required for lighting and space conditioning. In many others, however, energy management is much more complex and involves large motors and controls, industrial insulation, complex combustion monitoring, unique steam distribution problems, significant amounts of waste heat, etc. Typical facilities offering large energy management opportunities include industrial facilities, large office and commercial operations, government institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons. Such facilities generally have specialized industrial, commercial or institutional processes that incorporate many of the concepts covered in other chapters. These processes require thorough analytical evaluations to determine the appropriate energy-saving measures. This chapter provides some examples. In this chapter the authors present a suggested procedure for process energy improvement. ...

Science.gov (United States)

Government agencies responsible for protecting the public from the adverse effects of toxic chemicals must set priorities for research, regulatory action, protocol testing, and monitoring due to the vast number of toxic chemicals and the limited resources available to these agencies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must set priorities for research on hazards encountered in the workplace. Priorities are also utilized by NIOSH in preparing criteria for recommended occupational standards which are forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, for possible promulgation. For various reasons, including rapidly changing conditions in the American workplace, NIOSH has instituted a revised priorities program. In the future, NIOSH research and recommended standards activities will focus not only on individual chemicals, but also on industries, occupations, chemical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This Public Design Report provides, in a single document, available nonproprietary design -information for the ``Innovative Coke Oven Gas Cleaning System for Retrofit Applications`` Demonstration Project at Bethlehem Steel Corporation`s Sparrows Point, Maryland coke oven by-product facilities. This project demonstrates, for the first time in the United States, the feasibility of integrating four commercially available technologies (processes) for cleaning coke oven gas. The four technologies are: Secondary Gas Cooling, Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Removal, Hydrogen Sulfide and Ammonia Recovery, and Ammonia Destruction and Sulfur Recovery. In addition to the design aspects, the history of the project and the role of the US Department of,Energy are briefly discussed. Actual plant capital and projected operating costs are also presented. An overview of the integration (retrofit) of the processes into the existing plant is presented and is followed by detailed non-proprietary descriptions ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

APEX (ATLAS Positron EXperiment), a collaborative effort of ANL, FSU, MSU/NSCL, Princeton, Queen`s, Rochester, Washington and Yale, is an experiment to study positron and electron production in very heavy ion collisions. The electrons and positrons are detected with two detector arrays, each consisting of 216 1 mm thick Si PIN diodes, and their energy and time-of-flight are measured. The number of detectors and limited space made it necessary to develop a system that could efficiently process and transfer signals from the detectors to the charge sensing ADC`s and data readout electronics as well as monitor the condition of the detectors. The discussion will cover the electronics designed for the Si detectors, including the charge amplifier, ``Mother board`` for the charge amplifiers, 8 channel Shaper, 16 channel Constant Fraction Discriminator (CFD), 16 channel Peak-to-FERA (PTF) and the integration of the CFD and PTF with Charge sensing ADC`s. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For a number of years, researchers at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory have been developing processes and equipment for converting high-level liquid wastes to solid forms. One of these processes is the Spray Calciner/In-Can Melter system. To immobilize high-level liquid wastes, this system must be operated remotely, and the calcine must be reliably conveyed from the calciner to the melting furnace. A concept for such a remote conveyance system was developed at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory, and equipment was tested under full-scale, nonradioactive conditions. This concept and the design of demonstration equipment are described, and the results of equipment operation during experimental runs of 7 d are presented. The design includes a connecting section and its associated systems - a canister sypport and alignment concept and a weight-monitoring system for the melting furnace. Overall, the runs demonstrated that the concept design is an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Extra-fine powdered activated charcoal has been used as stationary phase (coating layer) in solid-phase microextraction (SPME). The efficiency and reliability of the prepared device have been investigated for the extraction of some volatile organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) from the headspace of water samples. Monitoring of the extracted compounds and further quantitative analysis of the real samples have been performed by capillary GC-FID. Effects of several factors such as temperature, addition of salt, and stirring speed on extraction efficiency and exposure time have been studied. Under optimum conditions, extraction recoveries for these compounds from 50 mL water were >95%. The calibration graphs were linear in the range 5 to 10{sup 4} pg mL{sup -1} and the detection limit for each BTEX compound was 1.5-2 pg mL{sup -1}. The results obtained by use of this porous layer activated charcoal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Trichloroethene (TCE), a common groundwater contaminant, can be degraded under certain conditions by microorganisms that occur naturally in the subsurface. TCE can be degraded under anaerobic conditions to less chlorinated compounds and ultimately into the non-chlorinated, non-hazardous end product, ethene, via anaerobic reductive dechlorination (ARD). ARD is widely recognized as a TCE degradation mechanism, and occurs in active groundwater remediation and can occur during monitored natural attenuation (MNA). MNA relies on natural processes, such as dispersion and degradation, to reduce contaminant concentrations to acceptable levels without active human intervention other than monitoring. TCE can also be biodegraded under aerobic conditions via cometabolism, in which microbial enzymes produced for other purposes fortuitously also react with TCE. In cometabolism, TCE is oxidized ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

16 papers are presented covering: remote sensing - an aid to environment management; remote sensing application; monitoring environmental changes over iron ore mining areas; monitoring and management of environmental degradation due to geological factors; use of Landsat multispectral scanner data in environmental monitoring; geotechnical engineering problems with abandoned limestone mines; photogrammetric monitoring of mining environment; slope monitoring in open cast mines using close range remote sensing method; geobotanical remote sensing and mineral prospecting; geographical information in study of geo-environment through remote sensing; and alteration mapping in cuprite mining district.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We demonstrate rapid fabrication of submicrometer-diameter pores in borosilicate glass using femtosecond laser machining and subsequent wet-etch techniques. This approach allows direct and repeatable...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The flow of water through a dam of fairly arbitrary shape is examined in the limit of large frictional drag on the flow. The relation of the problem to the one-phase Stefan problem and a problem of anodic smoothing is explored. Monotonicity and uniqueness...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Skin sensitization is the most commonly reported occupational illness, causing much suffering to a wide range of people. Identification and labeling of environmental allergens is urgently required to...Full Text Available