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At least 253 records · Page 14

Updated Available Drawdowns for Big Hill SPR Caverns - Model Including the Caprock Fault

This report updates the estimated values of the baseline available drawdowns for the caverns at the Big Hill storage facility, and an updated table listing the available drawdowns. An updated finite element numerical analysis model, which included a fault in the caprock layers, was constructed and the daily data of actual wellhead pressures and oil-brine interfaces was used. The number of available drawdowns for each of the Big Hill SPR caverns is estimated using the new model. All caverns are predicted to have five available drawdowns remaining from a geomechanical perspective. BH-101 and 105 have a region of concern at the floor edge and/or sloping floor, where tensile and dilatant stresses are predicted to occur during each workover. The tensile state is predicted to occur because of the geometries of the edge and floor. Therefore, geomechanical examination for two caverns would be recommended after a drawdown leach. The well integrity of each cavern is not investigated in this report. The estimates for the number of baseline available drawdowns are subject to change in the future as the knowledge of physical phenomena at the sites, and the further development of the models of geomechanical behavior at the sites, evolve over time.

02 PETROLEUM↗

UT-GOM2-2 Drilling Fluid (Technical Note)

It is proposed that a salt-saturated, water-based mud might improve borehole stability for UT-GOM2-2 relative to a fresh-water-based mud. However, the primary objective for UT-GOM2-2 is to safely and successfully acquire uncompromised hydrate-bearing sediment cores. This can only be done if conditions stay within the hydrate stability zone, and well away from the hydrate stability boundary. The addition of salt to the drilling mud, shifts the hydrate stability boundary closer to estimated conditions. This shift, by some estimates of pressure and temperature, where conditions now fall outside of the hydrate stability zone, may result in borehole enlargement and the release of free gas into the borehole. This shift by all estimates, even when coring conditions stay inside the hydrate stability zone, shrinks the window between the estimated conditions and the hydrate stability boundary. This shift is likely to compromise the hydrate-bearing cores while they are being recovered from the bottom-hole to the rig floor. In this report we present two examples: 1) Assuming temperature and pressure from in-situ estimates: Hydrate within the target reservoirs (Orange and Blue) at Walker Ridge Block 313 (WR 313) will be outside the hydrate stability zone in the presence of a drilling mud with 9.5 wt.% salinity (the salinity of the proposed 10.5 ppg salt-based mud) at in situ pressure and temperature. Thus, the hydrate will be unstable. A 10.5 ppg salt-based mud may result in dissociation of the hydrate into its components: water and gas. 10.5 ppg salt-based mud may enlarge the borehole, release free gas into the borehole, and compromise the cores. 2) Assuming temperatures equal to the measured LWD borehole temperatures at this location: Hydrate within the target reservoirs will be stable with a salinity of 9.5 wt.% (the salinity of the proposed 10.5 ppg salt-based mud), but possibly unstable (just at the methane hydrate stability boundary) for a salinity of 17.2 wt.% (the salinity of the proposed 13.5 ppg salt-based kill mud). if the borehole has the same temperature as recorded during previous LWD drilling at this location. A 13.5 ppg salt-based kill mud may destabilize the borehole. More importantly, a 10.5 ppg salt-based mud does not provide a large enough window between the estimated conditions and the hydrate stability boundary. Core temperatures and pressures fluctuate from the bottom-hole conditions as the core is brought up from the bottom-hole to the rig floor. These fluctuations are likely to cause the hydrate in the cores to touch or cross the stability boundary. Therefore, cores captured using a 10.5 ppg salt-based mud are likely to be compromised during core recovery to the rig floor.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Defining the Prototype Convenience Store Building Characteristics

The US Department of Energy supports the development of commercial building energy codes and standards. To support commercial building energy research activities and the development of commercial building energy codes and standards, continuous efforts have been made to convert 30 prototype building models (20 different building types), which cover 80% of US commercial building floor space, to OpenStudio prototype buildings. Additionally, the suite of prototype building models was expanded to include the addition of new building prototype models (e.g., courthouse, college building). This report documents the building and system characteristics of the prototype convenience store building model. Multiple sources, including databases, documented projects, and personal communications, were used to define the prototype convenience store building characteristics, and a one-story, 3,000 ft 2 building was considered as the prototype convenience store to represent an average-sized convenience store in the United States. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory team defined the operational hours of the convenience store as 17 hours per day. The types of exterior walls, roof, and floor were defined as brick wall, metal surfacing roof, and slab-on-grade floor, respectively. Double glazing was selected, and the window-towall ratio was set as 15% on the front side. For the system part, packaged system and centralized water heater were selected for the space heating and cooling system and water heater system, respectively. In terms of the refrigerator system, the number of refrigerators and freezers were determined as eight closed cases and two walk-in units.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Integrity Monitoring, Prediction and Assessment, Corrosion Control, and Repair of the Hanford Storage Tanks – 25213

The Hanford Nuclear Reservation site contains approximately 211 million liters of radioactive and chemically hazardous waste arising from nuclear weapons production, beginning with World War II, and continuing through the Cold War [1]. The waste is stored in 177 carbon-steel underground storage tanks, of which 149 are single-shell tanks (SSTs) and the remaining are double-shell tanks (DSTs). The mission of an ongoing River Protection Project is to retrieve the waste from the underground storage tanks and then treat and immobilize (i.e., vitrify) it for disposal. Waste from the older SSTs is being progressively retrieved into the newer DSTs for storage pending treatment, immobilization, and disposal. Figure 1 depicts a typical DST design [2]. The tank is approximately 23 m in diameter and 9 m high and has a domed structure and has a capacity of 4000 m3. The tank wall and floor vary in thickness between approximately 10 mm and 25 mm depending on location. The thicker wall sections are near the curved transition between the tank wall and the floor, while the thinner sections are located near the top of the tank wall. The tank floor thickness varies from 25 mm at the tank center to 10 mm near the tank wall. The tanks were constructed of either ASTM A516 Grade 65 or ASTM A537 Class 1 carbon steel and were post-weld heat treated to reduce the risk of SCC.

Shukla, Pavan K. [Savannah River National Laborato↗

Measuring Impact: Evaluating Thermal Zoning Simplification on Energy Efficiency Measures Analysis

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a versatile tool for designing, retrofitting, ensuring code compliance, obtaining certifications, qualifying for incentives, and enabling real-time building control. However, capturing all the details of building geometry for thermal zoning can be time-consuming, costly, and sometimes computationally challenging. As a result, modelers have been applying zoning simplification based on factors such as space functions and internal loads, as well as relying on their experience and judgment while adhering to zoning rules outlined in industry standards. Despite the prevalence of this common practice, a notable gap exists in the literature regarding studies quantifying the influence of simplified thermal zoning on the evaluation of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Recognizing this gap, this paper seeks to contribute to the field by enhancing the understanding of how the simplification of thermal zoning influences the evaluation of EEMs against a baseline design. The study utilized a medium office prototype model with a detailed floor plan featuring over 20 zones per floor covering diverse functional spaces with varying internal loads and occupancy schedules. A standard thermal zoning strategy outlined in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G was employed as the simplified zoning method. This strategy condenses the zoning into a core zone and four perimeter zones per floor. It was compared with the detailed zoning approach, which involves one zone per space. Common Energy EEMs, such as enhanced envelope, high-efficiency appliances and equipment, and HVAC controls, were individually implemented and evaluated. The results indicate that the performance comparison between the two zoning methods varies depending on the type of measures considered. Basic measures, such as adding wall insulation, demonstrate similar energy impacts, while advanced HVAC control measures, such as static pressure reset, exhibit a more substantial difference that cannot be overlooked.

Xie, Jiarong↗

Modification of one man life raft

A one man inflatable life raft is described. The raft has an inflatable tube perimetrically bounding the occupant receiving space with a flexible floor member. A zippered opening in the floor allows entry and facilitates the use of a constant diameter tube. An airtight fabric bulkhead divides the peripheral tube longitudinally into inflatable tube sections, where if either tube section were punctured, the bulkhead would move into the punctured section to substitute for the punctured wall portion and maintain the inflatable volume of the tube. The floor member is attached to the central portion of the tube wall so that either side of the raft can be the up side.

Soter, E. J.↗

Experimental studies for determining human discomfort response to vertical sinusoidal vibration

A study was conducted to investigate several problems related to methodology and design of experiments to obtain human comfort response to vertical sinusoidal vibration. Specifically, the studies were directed to the determination of (1) the adequacy of frequency averaging of vibration data to obtain discomfort predictors, (2) the effect of practice on subject ratings, (3) the effect of the demographic factors of age, sex, and weight, and (4) the relative importance of seat and floor vibrations in the determination of measurement and criteria specification location. Results indicate that accurate prediction of discomfort requires knowledge of both the acceleration level and frequency content of the vibration stimuli. More importantly, the prediction of discomfort was shown to be equally good based upon either floor accelerations or seat accelerations. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the discomfort levels in different seats resulting from similar vibratory imputs were equal. Therefore, it was recommended that criteria specifications and acceleration measurements be made at the floor location. The results also indicated that practice did not systematically influence discomfort responses nor did the demographic factors of age, weight, and sex contribute to the discomfort response variation.

Dempsey, T. K.↗

Concorde noise-induced building vibrations, Sully Plantation - Report no. 2, Chantilly, Virginia

Noise-induced building vibrations associated with Concorde operations were studied. The approach is to record the levels of induced vibrations and associated indoor/outdoor noise levels in selected homes, historic and other buildings near Dulles International Airport. Representative data are presented which were recorded at Sully Plantation, Chantilly, Virginia during the periods of May 20 through May 28, 1976, and June 14 through June 17, 1976. Recorded data provide relationships between the vibration levels of windows, walls, floors, and the noise associated with Concorde operations, other aircraft, and nonaircraft events. The results presented are drawn from the combined May-June data base which is considerably larger than the May data base covered. The levels of window, wall and floor vibratory response resulting from Concorde operations are higher than the vibratory levels associated with conventional aircraft. Furthermore, the vibratory responses of the windows are considerably higher than those of the walls and floors. The window response is higher for aircraft than recorded nonaircraft events and exhibits a linear response relationship with the overall sound pressure level. For a given sound pressure level, the Concorde may cause more vibration than a conventional aircraft due to spectral or other differences. However, the responses associated with Concorde appear to be much more dependent upon sound pressure level than spectral or other characteristics of the noise.

Source record↗

Concorde noise-induced building vibrations: John F. Kennedy International Airport

Outdoor and indoor noise levels resulting from aircraft flyovers and certain nonaircraft events were recorded at eight homesites and a school along with the associated vibration levels in the walls, windows, and floors at these test sites. Limited subjective tests were conducted to examine the human detection and annoyance thresholds for building vibration and rattle caused by aircraft noise. Both vibration and rattle were detected subjectively in several houses for some operations of both the Concorde and subsonic aircraft. Seated subjects more readily detected floor vibrations than wall or window vibrations. Aircraft noise generally caused more window vibrations than common nonaircraft events such as walking and closing doors. Nonaircraft events and aircraft flyovers resulted in comparable wall vibration levels, while floor vibrations were generally greater for nonaircraft events than for aircraft flyovers. The relationship between structural vibration and aircraft noise is linear, with vibration levels being accurately predicted from overall sound pressure levels (OASPL) measured near the structure. Relatively high levels of structural vibration measured during Concorde operations are due more to higher OASPL levels than to unique Concorde-source characteristics.

Mayes, W. H.↗

Geology of the Valles Marineris - First Analysis of Imaging from the Viking 1 Orbiter Primary Mission

The Valles Marineris on the planet Mars constitute an enormous group of steep-walled equatorial canyons extending over an area more than 4000 km long and up to 700 km wide. An overview of Valles Marineris is provided, taking into account canyon system subdivisions, imaging and topographic data, Noctis Labyrinthus, western troughs, central troughs, east central troughs, and eastern canyons. Aspects of canyon wall and canyon floor morphology are discussed, giving attention to erosional features, layered rocks in canyon walls, tectonic features, plains, landslide deposits, hilly terrain, fractured floor, and floor plateaus and ridges. Upland pits and closed depressions in the canyons are considered along with regional tectonics and regional erosional styles.

Blasius, K. R.↗

Geologic application of thermal inertia imaging using HCMM data

The author has identified the following significant results. The day infrared and visible HCMM satellite data for Death Valley taken on 31 May 1978 were compared with aircraft data of the same area taken in March of the same year. In the visible image, it is possible to note the drying of the valley floor during the two month period between acquisition of the two data sets. On the IR image however, the valley floor remains cool, probably indicating that while the standing water has disappeared, the floor is still moist.

Paley, H. N.↗

New morphometric data for fresh lunar craters

Morphometric relations have been determined for 2598 fresh craters on the lunar nearside using data given in the catalog of Wood and Andersson (1978). For each of five principal morphological types, typified by Albategnius C, Biot, Sosigenes, Triesnecker, and Tycho, statistical relations are documented for the following: crater diameter and depth; floor diameter and crater diameter; central peak height and crater diameter; average wall slope and crater depth; central peak occurrence and crater diameter; occurrence of scallops or terraces and crater diameter. The first four relations generally confirm the conclusions of Pike (1977), but the last two differ from results reported by Smith and Sanchez (1973). Small (diameter less than 20 km) flat-floored craters formed in mare terrains are as much as 10% deeper than those formed in the highlands, and the depths of small bowl-shaped craters reflect even greater dependence on terrain. Larger, scalloped-walled craters are deeper in highland terrain than on the maria. Although wall failure does not occur until the crater diameter reaches 13 km, central peaks are found in flat floor craters as small as 2 km.

Wood, C. A.↗

Central peaks in lunar craters - Morphology and morphometry

Fresh lunar craters with diameters from 17 to 175 km are found to display a linear relationship between the central peak morphology and morphometry and such critical crater parameters as rim crest diameter, floor diameter, and substrate. Some other previously established linear relationships have been cited as evidence that floor diameter, peak height, and peak ring diameter are related to the kinetic energy of impact. The two new relations derived in the present work would therefore indicate that the central peaks, too, are related to the kinetic energy of impact, and probably begin to form early in the cratering event as suggested by Milton and Roddy (1972) and Head (1978). There seems to be no obvious reason to expect such linear relationships between central peak diameter and rim crest and floor diameter if the peaks are formed by gravity induced failure of the transient cavity, as suggested by Dence et al. (1968).

Hale, W.↗

Landslides in Valles Marineris, Mars

The morphology of the landslides in the Martian equatorial troughs, the geologic structure of the troughs, the time of emplacement, the similarity to terrestrial landslides, and the origin and mechanism of transport are analyzed. About 35 large landslides well-resolved on Viking images were examined, and it is found that the major landslides cover 31,000 sq km of the trough floors, and individual slides range in area from 40 to 7000 sq km. The morphologic variations of the landslides can be attributed mainly to their degree of confinement on trough floors. Many prominent landslides appear to be of similar age and were emplaced after a major faulting that dropped the trough floors. Most sliding occurred after the created scarps were dissected into spurs, gullies, and tributary canyons. Emplacement of the landslides approximately coincided with a late episode of major eruptive activity of the Tharsis volcanoes, and it is suggested that the slides may have originated as gigantic mudflows with slump blocks at their heads. The large size of many landslides is due to the fault scarps as high as 7 km on which they formed in the absence of vigorous fluvial erosion. The landslides suggest that Mars is earthlike in some respects, which may be important for further evaluations.

Lucchitta, B. K.↗

Morphology of fresh craters on Ganymede and the origin of pedestal craters

Properties of the planetary surface and subsurface can affect the morphology of impact craters. A mechanism was proposed to explain pedestal craters and domed floors within fresh craters on Ganymede. Voyager 1 and 2 images with resolutions = to or 3.2 km/lp were examined and 523 fresh craters were identified. For each crater, the rim and ejecta diameters were measured, and the crater was characterized by ejecta class(es), interior features, floor morphology and target terrain. Of the craters examined, 97 show moderate to prominent doming of the crater floor; 340 craters have continuous ejecta which terminates in a scarp pedestal craters, of which 86 (25%) have a high albedo diffuse deposit beyond the pedestal.

Horner, V. M.↗

Analysis of a transport fuselage section drop test

Transport fuselage section drop tests provided useful information about the crash behavior of metal aircraft in preparation for a full-scale Boeing 720 controlled impact demonstration (CID). The fuselage sections have also provided an operational test environment for the data acquisition system designed for the CID test, and data for analysis and correlation with the DYCAST nonlinear finite-element program. The correlation of the DYCAST section model predictions was quite good for the total fuselage crushing deflection (22 to 24 inches predicted versus 24 to 26 inches measured), floor deformation, and accelerations for the floor and fuselage. The DYCAST seat and occupant model was adequate to approximate dynamic loading to the floor, but a more sophisticated model would be required for good correlation with dummy accelerations. Although a full-section model using only finite elements for the subfloor was desirable, constraints of time and computer resources limited the finite-element subfloor model to a two-frame model. Results from the two-frame model indicate that DYCAST can provide excellent correlation with experimental crash behavior of fuselage structure with a minimum of empirical force-deflection data representing structure in the analytical model.

E. L. Fasanella↗

Submarine Volcanic Eruptions and Potential Analogs for Venus

As part of an analysis program to better understand the diversity of volcanic processes on the terrestrial planets, an investigation of the volcanic landforms which exist on the Earth's ocean floor was initiated. In part, this analysis is focused toward gaining a better understanding of submarine volcanic landforms in their own right, but also it is hoped that these features may show similarities to volcanic landforms on Venus, due to the high ambient water (Earth) and atmospheric (Venus) pressures. A series of numerical modelling experiments was performed to investigate the relative importance of such attributes as water pressure and temperature on the eruption process, and to determine the rate of cooling and emplacement of lava flows in the submarine environment. Investigations to date show that the confining water pressure and the buoyancy effects of the surrounding water significantly affect the styles of volcanism on the ocean floor. In the case of Venusian volcanism, confining pressures will not be as great as that found at the ocean's abyssal plains, but nevertheless the general trend toward reducing magma vesiculation will hold true for Venus as well as the ocean floor. Furthermore, other analogs may also be found between submarine volcanism and Venusian activity.

Wilson, L.↗

Analysis of a method for precisely relating a seafloor point to a distant point on land

A study of the environmental constraints and engineering aspects of the acoustic portion of a system for making geodetic ties between undersea reference points and others on land is described. Important areas in which to make such observations initially would be from the California mainland out to oceanic points seaward of the San Andreas fault, and across the Aleutian Trench. The overall approach would be to operate a GPS receiver in a relative positioning (interferometric) mode to provide the long range element of the baseline determination (10 to 1,000 km) and an array of precision sea floor acoustic transponders to link the locally moving sea surface GPS antenna location to a fixed sea floor point. Analyses of various environmental constrants (tides, waves, currents, sound velocity variations) lead to the conclusion that, if one uses a properly designed transponder having a remotely controllable precise retransmission time delay, and is careful with regard to methods for installing these on the sea floor, one should, in many ocean locations, be able to achieve sub-decimeter overall system accuracy. Achievements of cm accuracy or better will require additional understanding of time and space scales of variation of sound velocity structure in the ocean at relevant locations.

Spiess, F. N.↗