Designing a System for Upgrading of Heavy Crude Oils Through Electron Beam Treatment

Low-quality crude oil reserves require prohibitively high energy costs to extract and transport. The extreme viscosity and impurities of these oils prevents them from being transported via pipeline, requiring the use of more expensive trucks or trains. Light crude oil has a viscosity ranging up to 100 cP at 40°C. In contrast, Crude Oil #1 under investigation measures 33,855 cP, and Crude Oil #2 is 4,570,000 cP at the same temperature as measured in the laboratory. Sulfur content of both exceeds 5% by mass. Effects of the exposure of these oils to an electron beam discharge are being researched to reduce viscosity with higher conversion factors, using less energy at low temperatures. To facilitate this investigation, a flow loop was created with controls to adjust oil initial temperature with line heaters, radiation dose rate with height adjustment, flow shear rate through flow channel angle, and flow residence time through a gear pump.The flow loop uses stainless steel lines with a gear pump built to handle viscous oil at 230°C, and makes extensive use of aluminum versus steel in a modular frame to prevent overheating from the e-beam. To support the flow test cart, a remote control station cart was created, along with a fire safety cart and mobile test cell for safe sample extraction and shakedown testing. In designing the system and writing safety documentation, the test vehicles were further refined as new concerns were addressed and potential hazards mitigated. Preliminary testing of the various system components yielded a successful design. The end result is a set of systems that allows for ease of variability in operating parameters such as dose rate, gas environment, and added hydrogenation

PESH/OSHA Standards: Information for Workers

[Excerpt] Health and safety for union members on the job is a top priority for the Public Employees Federation. Our members face the risk of on-the-job injuries every working day. It is a known fact that the injury and illness rates for public employees far exceed that of private sector employees. Our union’s Health and Safety Department has prepared this handbook to assist PEF members in recognizing the workplace hazards that are most frequently cited by PESH and OSHA. This handbook gives you an overview of the standards related to those hazards as well as a reference guide to do any further research

Aplicación de métodos de Correlación Digital de Imágenes y enfoques probabilísticos en el diseño de soluciones presurizadas elaboradas con materiales compuestos

Tesis por compendio de publicaciones[ES]La Ciencia y la Tecnología son herramientas indispensables en la construcción de sociedades modernas. Actualmente se está inmerso en una dinámica que no sólo persigue encontrar soluciones a problemas cotidianos, si no en un esfuerzo que busca el avanzar permanentemente en el conocimiento, para afrontar nuevos retos, buscar nuevas soluciones y mejorar el nivel tecnológico de nuestra sociedad. Es esta filosofía, la que fundamenta la presente Tesis Doctoral. Hace años se hablaba de que en algunos campos se estaban alcanzando los denominados “techos tecnológicos”, pero cuando se estaba cerca de éstos en el campo de la ingeniería se produce una revolución gracias a la aparición de los materiales compuestos. Si bien es cierto que la ingeniería actualmente está dotada de grandes técnicas y herramientas, se tiende a aplicar métodos tradicionales y conocimiento adquirido a las nuevas situaciones. En el ejemplo planteado, esta actitud no siempre arroja buenos resultados, dado el complejo comportamiento y la falta de experiencia en estos nuevos materiales. Este trabajo, en un afán de progresar en la búsqueda de métodos y soluciones más adaptados al contexto actual, relativo a los nuevos materiales, y con el objetivo de encontrar diseños más fiables a la par que económicos, se marca el objetivo inicial de lograr una sinergia con tecnologías propias de la Geomática; concretamente la correlación digital de imágenes. Esta técnica proporcionará un mejor conocimiento del material en su conjunto, a mayores de otras ventajas de índole económica. Inicialmente el trabajo se centra en comparar y aplicar la citada técnica geomática para mejorar la caracterización de materiales compuestos aptos para soluciones presurizadas (recipientes, tuberías, etc). Además, los datos obtenidos permiten caracterizar el comportamiento variable del material, a través de un enfoque de tipo probabilístico. Por otro lado, se adaptan los procesos de cálculo numérico al nuevo enfoque, a la par que se aplican técnicas de análisis sensible en la búsqueda de obtener los parámetros críticos del diseño. También, se avanza en el tratamiento de los resultados; lo que constituye el siguiente escalón evolutivo de la ingeniería. Esto es, pasar de enfoques determinísticos a enfoques probabilísticos, apoyándose en lo que se conoce como Ingeniería Robusta asistida por métodos subrogados para lograr definir procedimientos viables de cara a ser transferidos al ámbito industrial.[EN]Science and Technology are indispensable tools in modern Society. Nowadays we are immersed in a dynamic world of Science and Technology that aims to find solutions to daily problems, to continuously advance knowledge, meet new challenges, find new solutions and to improve Society’s Technological level. This philosophy is the base to the present Ph.D. Years ago, people thought that some Fields were reaching their ‘technological ceilings’ but when this happened in Engineering, there was a new revolution thanks to the creation of composites. Although nowadays, it is true that engineering is supported by great tools and techniques, we still tend to apply traditional methods and adquired knowledge to new situations. In the current work, such traditional methods do not always give reliable results, given the complex behaviour of, and the lack of experience in using these new materials. This work aims to progress by looking for methods and solutions which are better adapted to the current context in Engineering, concerning to composites. The first objective is to achieve a synergy with Geomatic technologies; specifically Digital Image Correlation. This technique will give a better understanding of materials as a whole, as well as other economical advantages. Initially, this work focuses on comparing and applying the cited geomatic technique to improve the characterization of composites appropriate for pressurised solutions (containers, piping, etc). Also the data obtained allows for characterising of the variable behaviour of the material through a probabilistic technique. The numerical calculus processes are adapted to this new technique and at the same time are combined with sensitive analysis techniques to obtain design critical parameters. Also there is an advance in the analysis of the results, that constitutes the next evolutionary step in engineering; that is, to move from a deterministic focus to a probabilistic one. This is supported by what is known as Robust Engineering, assisted by surrogate methods to enable viable procedures to be applied to the industrial environment

Implementation of the 64-meter-diameter Antennas at the Deep Space Stations in Australia and Spain

The management and construction aspects of the Overseas 64-m Antenna Project in which two 64-m antennas were constructed at the Tidbinbilla Deep Space Communications Complex in Australia, and at the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex in Spain are described. With the completion of these antennas the Deep Space Network is equipped with three 64-m antennas spaced around the world to maintain continuous coverage of spacecraft operations. These antennas provide approximately a 7-db gain over the capabilities of the existing 26-m antenna nets. The report outlines the project organization and management, resource utilization, fabrication, quality assurance, and construction methods by which the project was successfully completed. Major problems and their solutions are described as well as recommendations for future projects

Shyh Wang Hall- LBNL Building 59

This report details the fire and life safety analysis of Shyh Wang Hall, a new building at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Wang Hall houses offices, high performance computers, and associated mechanical space. The building is constructed as a Type IIB structure and includes four stories. Both prescriptive-based and performance-based design is considered. The prescriptive analysis considers the fire and life safety features as required by applicable codes, including the Department of Energy requirements. The building is protected by fire detection and alarm system as well as automatic sprinklers. The prescriptive design meets the code requirements with the possible exception of the Central Stair. This stairway is not part of the means of egress and presents an unprotected four story shaft. The building was evaluated following a performance-based design analysis. A design fire, modeled using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), was placed adjacent to one exit, rendering that exit unusable. The maximum RSET for the building is 663 seconds, based on the simulated evacuation time using Pathfinder along with the detection and pre-movement time. The ASET for floors not associated with the fire is sufficient. On the fire floor, the south section becomes untenable at approximately 237 seconds. Depending on the actions of the occupants, the performance criteria may not be met. Recommendations include: upgrading the construction of the Central Stair to meet two- hour fire-resistant construction; addition of smoke detectors on the office levels; enhancing the existing inspection, testing, and maintenance program to include all code and standard requirements; additional training for staff and BET members regarding actions in a fire emergency; and reevaluation of use of TB 117 furniture

Report of Apollo 204 Review Board, Appendix D. Panels 12 Thru 17

No abstract availabl

Lithium/sulfur dioxide cell and battery safety

The new high-energy lithium/sulfur dioxide primary electrochemical cell, having a number of advantages, has received considerable attention as a power source in the past few years. With greater experience and improved design by the manufacturers, this system can be used in a safe manner provided the guidelines for use and safety precautions described herein are followed. In addition to a description of cell design and appropriate definitions, there is a safety precautions checklist provided to guide the user. Specific safety procedures for marking, handling, transportation, and disposal are also given, as is a suggested series of tests, to assure manufacturer conformance to requirements

Designing a System for Upgrading of Heavy Crude Oils Through Electron Beam Treatment

Low-quality crude oil reserves require prohibitively high energy costs to extract and transport. The extreme viscosity and impurities of these oils prevents them from being transported via pipeline, requiring the use of more expensive trucks or trains. Light crude oil has a viscosity ranging up to 100 cP at 40°C. In contrast, Crude Oil #1 under investigation measures 33,855 cP, and Crude Oil #2 is 4,570,000 cP at the same temperature as measured in the laboratory. Sulfur content of both exceeds 5% by mass. Effects of the exposure of these oils to an electron beam discharge are being researched to reduce viscosity with higher conversion factors, using less energy at low temperatures. To facilitate this investigation, a flow loop was created with controls to adjust oil initial temperature with line heaters, radiation dose rate with height adjustment, flow shear rate through flow channel angle, and flow residence time through a gear pump.The flow loop uses stainless steel lines with a gear pump built to handle viscous oil at 230°C, and makes extensive use of aluminum versus steel in a modular frame to prevent overheating from the e-beam. To support the flow test cart, a remote control station cart was created, along with a fire safety cart and mobile test cell for safe sample extraction and shakedown testing. In designing the system and writing safety documentation, the test vehicles were further refined as new concerns were addressed and potential hazards mitigated. Preliminary testing of the various system components yielded a successful design. The end result is a set of systems that allows for ease of variability in operating parameters such as dose rate, gas environment, and added hydrogenation

HSE Procedure for Deep Drilling & Workover Operations: Proposal for a drilling company operating in the middle east

The purpose of the hereby document is to implement a procedure that will be suitable to the deep drilling and workover operations carried out by the Deep Drilling Group from XYZ Company. Also is intended to obtain a uniformed document that will be a reference to all Contractors and Subcontractors working under The Deep Drilling Group. The document will, obviously, be complemented with specific XYZ HSE procedures that are part of the actual management system implemented and which are a very useful source of information. Nevertheless, the information and recommendations compiled on the document do cover most of the needs for a safely operation, and they do comply with international industry best practices and regulations. Besides the HSE Procedure, which is the main subject of the thesis, it is also possible to get an overview of industry HSE matters, information related to the oil industry in a Middle East Country, using Kuwait as reference, and a specific overview of the HSE status in the XYZ Company. From practical side, the document directs the reader to an annexure were a full HSE procedure for drilling and workover operations is available for consultation and use