CCS Networks for the UK: Benefits, Impacts and Regulation

What benefits might be offered by developing well planned CCS networks? A review of the drivers for and barriers to the coherent development of CCS networks in the UK is used to synthesise a limited set of possible network topologies. The benefits offered by each topology for UK carbon dioxide and other atmospheric emissions are estimated. Other potential benefits are considered qualitatively, and a range of uncertainties identified. The complexity of CCS networks means that addressing these uncertainties is a challenging task, and the need for a whole systems approach is evaluated. Finally, implications for CCS regulation and policy are highlighted

Coal mining in the UK : recent effects of technological change on productivity and safety

The thesis starts by defining technological change, productivity and safety. Different definitions are discussed and their merits compared. A brief history of coal mining, together with a description of the state of the mining industry at present is given. Technological innovations recently adopted by the industry are discussed. The concept of productivity in relation to the coal industry of the U.K., and the deficiencies of the present measurement technique, are fully explained. Safety in the coal mining industry of the U.K. is investigated. A brief history is given, together with a full discussion of the consequences and costs of accidents. The concept of technical productivity is introduced and its relation to total productivity explained. The total productivity concept is then applied to longwall coal faces. A multi-variable non-linear model is devised which represents mean total productivity of all longwall faces to an accuracy of about J7G. The model is tested and a forecasting method suggested. Total productivity components are analysed and values for the productivity of various inputs during the period 1958-1980 given. Similarly, a model for representing safety, based on costs, is introduced, tested for accuracy and its components analysed. By applying marginal analysis to the total productivity and safety models, the influence of technological change on productivity and safety are quantified. It is concluded that a new method for measuring productivity should be adopted, in which case total productivity would be the most realistic and comprehensive choice. The models introduced can serve as useful tools in planning and forecasting, as well as being used to measure productivity and safety. Since this work has been in progress, work at the NCB has also led to consideration of improved measures of productivity

Evaluation of rock burst in deep coal mining by using forensic engineering

Rock bursts remain an important problem in longwall coal mining. These bursts are due to a sudden and severe failure of rocks from a high stress concentration in deep underground excavations that occur with the instantaneous release of strain energy stored in the rocks. They can potentially cause irrecoverable damage to equipment and personnel, thus accurate rock burst prediction and control is expected to be carried out by the mine design engineer. As a result, this can constitute major challenges for said engineer. In this paper, forensic engineering has been used to evaluate the possibility and extent of rock bursts in deep coal mining. For this purpose, established mining engineering principles, including factors influencing the severity of rock bursts, have been incorporated in the forensic engineering technique. The analyses took place in five steps: • Assessment of regional and local conditions prior to the event • Assessment of conditions after the event • Hypothesize plausible ways in which pre-event conditions can become post-event ones • Search for evidence that either denies or supports various hypotheses • Apply engineering knowledge to relate the various facts and evidence into a cohesive scenario of how the event may have occurred. The paper concludes by demonstrating a method for predicting rock bursts and preventing their re-occurrence. The methodology used in this paper, together with the results obtained, can serve as useful tools for the coal mine design engineer in the primary evaluation of rock burst potential in underground coal mines

On the diameter of dot-critical graphs

A graph G is $k$-dot-critical (totaly $k$-dot-critical) if $G$ is dot-critical (totaly dot-critical) and the domination number is $k$. In the paper [T. Burtona, D. P. Sumner, Domination dot-critical graphs, Discrete Math, 306 (2006), 11-18] the following question is posed: What are the best bounds for the diameter of a $k$-dot-critical graph and a totally $k$-dot-critical graph $G$ with no critical vertices for $k \geq 4$? We find the best bound for the diameter of a $k$-dot-critical graph, where $k \in\{4,5,6\}$ and we give a family of $k$-dot-critical graphs (with no critical vertices) with sharp diameter $2k-3$ for even $k \geq 4$

A Management System to Develop Occupational Health & Safety in Ground Control Operations of Underground Mines

Falls of ground have historically been the main cause for fatalities in underground mines. Although recent advances in technology have reduced the number of such accidents, when failures occur they usually result in severe consequences. Risks of rock falls, use of heavy machinery and electrical apparatus, entry to confined spaces, working in noisy and dusty environments, and working on unstable platforms are some of the hazards in ground control operations. Managing these risks requires a management regime involving strict adherence to operational codes of practice and an enshrined culture of safety. These should be subsequently reinforced through active participation of management, systematic training, and stringent internal and third party auditing. Accident reports show that the major contributing factor in most rock fall accidents is the failure to adequately manage known risks due to the lack of a systematic process. OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) is an international occupational health and safety management standard specification to develop occupational health and safety at the workplace. This standard is intended to help mine operators control occupational health and safety risks. Addressing the requirements of OHSAS 18001 can be a complex and demanding task. A comprehensive guide for efficient and accurate implementation of this standard is provided in this paper. The discipline can be used to establish an accountable management system foreground control activities in underground coal mines. The paper also provides guidelines for preparing necessary documents, devising safety policies, procedures, performing risk assessment, and handling instructions. Finally, the paper concludes by providing a sound analytical basis in terms of the creation of a robust safety management system foreground control operations in underground mines. Full benefits of implementing an effective and systematic operational health and safety management system are illustrated. The procedure adopted and prescribed in this paper can be used in all underground coal mines where lack of appropriate ground control practices can create deficiencies in both safety and productivity

Assessment of the Dynamic Loads Effect on Underground Mines Supports

Blasting operations generate seismic effects in underground mines. These effects apply additional dynamic loads on the support system, which should bear both static and dynamic loads. Static loads are caused by the weight of the superincumbent strata, while dynamic loads occur as a result of blasting in the mining area. Identification of the origin and determination of the support system behavior in natural frequencies is crucial in assessing the stability of underground mines. This is because resonance occurs when a support is vibrated with its natural frequencies, which can cause a vibration with the maximum amplitude and subsequently cause extreme deformations. The mechanism of support system deformation during dynamic load displacement has been studied and numerical simulation for the impact of the dynamic loads on stability of supports is carried out using finite element method. The paper introduces a simple technique for improving stability and safety of mining operations. Results obtained and the methodology adopted in this research can help mining design engineers make decisions on adequate support for active mining operations

Comprender los factores clave para crear una marca de medios de comunicación

The purpose of the present research is to answer the question of what factors influence building a brand for news media. To answer the question, we used the meta-synthesis method. The statistical population of this research is qualitative articles that have been published on the media brand, in particular, the news media brand, between 2000 and 2017. Using content analysis, a total of 87 codes, 18 concepts and 5 categories for the brand of news media were discovered and labeled. Findings showed that the elements of the organization, message, communication, audience, and values are used in creating a brand for news media.El propósito de la presente investigación es responder a la pregunta de qué factores influyen en la construcción de una marca para los medios de comunicación. Para responder a la pregunta, utilizamos el método de meta-síntesis. La población estadística de esta investigación son los artículos cualitativos que se han publicado sobre la marca de medios, en particular, la marca de medios de comunicación, entre 2000 y 2017. Utilizando el análisis de contenido, un total de 87 códigos, 18 conceptos y 5 categorías para la marca de los medios de comunicación fueron descubiertos y etiquetados. Los resultados mostraron que los elementos de la organización, el mensaje, la comunicación, la audiencia y los valores se utilizan para crear una marca para los medios de comunicación

Environmental risk analysis and management associated with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

CCS legislation is currently comprised of an overlapping network of international agreements and regional policies which form a strong basis for environmental protection for potential leakage of CO2 from underground storage sites. However, these legislative instruments form an uncoordinated legal basis for CCS with overly stringent liability provisions posing a significant barrier to stakeholder investment, technology development and future roll-out of commercial scale CCS projects. A number of insurance companies have recently developed different types of insurance mechanisms for covering CO2 storage facilities. Whilst these types of insurance policies are beneficial in encouraging the CCS industry in general, there are also drawbacks. Mostly, they only cover the CO2 capture facility during the operational phase of power plants or they solely cover the facility for 10 to 30 years after injection has been completed and storage sites have been sealed off. Furthermore, there is no standard regime for a comprehensive insurance mechanism for commercial scale CO2 storage facilities due to lack of enough information in regards to the long-term liability of potential CO2 leakage, type of risks involved in the technology of geological storage of CO2 and the likelihood of occurrence of these perceived. This research has identified the main risks associated with CO2 storage under geological formations and has developed a novel mechanism that enables the insurance industry to assess the risks of CO2 storage more effectively and therefore adjust their premium rates more in favour of CCS projects. In addition, this will also be beneficial for regulators in enabling them to regulate more effectively in order to incentivise stakeholder participation and investment in the CCS technology. The said mechanism has been developed using a range of systems engineering optimization techniques in order to assess the significance and criticality of the risks of CO2 leakage through the caprock and their likelihood of occurrence.Open Acces