Detection of incipient self-ignition process in solid fuels through gas emissions methodology

The aim of this study is to propose an experimental methodology to detect incipient self-ignition processes in solid fuels. This methodology is based on the gases emissions of different solid fuels, varying the degree of compaction and the grain size of the materials. To achieve this goal, a procedure for the collection and analysis of the gases emitted by samples of various fuels has been developed, analysing the temperatures at which these emissions begin. The results obtained for different materials show that it is possible to detect incipient spontaneous combustion processes using measurements of CO and CO₂ emissions during heating process, and then to set alarm thresholds based on the concentrations of these gases. Those results have been compared with results from conventional thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry tests and it is shown that the proposed methodology detect the self-ignition process start point in advance.     

Safe storage of selected fuels with regard to their tendency to spontaneous combustion

European standard EN 15188 is dedicated to the assessment of the tendency of solid flammable substances to spontaneous combustion. Fossil fuels and biofuels that substitute them are a frequent reason of fires caused by spontaneous combustion. Even though having different properties, both types of fuels can be assessed according to this standard by the method of the determination of the dependency of self-ignition temperature against the ratio of volume to surface area of geometrically exactly defined solid body, or based on the theory of thermal explosion according to Frank-Kamenetskii. The comparison of calculated values confirmed the agreement of both methods results, and the tendency of fuels to spontaneous combustion can be assessed by them.     

Determination of spontaneous combustion of thermally dried sewage sludge

The general purpose of this research was the determination of self-ignition tendency of thermally dried sewage sludge. Eight Spanish plants located in Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga were selected to develop this study and ten samples were collected. Three different testing methodologies for studying the self-ignition of dusts have been undertaken. Thermogravimetric techniques, self-ignition temperature analyses and UN Division 4.2 tests were developed. The results of these analyses showed the risk of self-ignition during storage and transportation of these substances.     

Study of lignocellulosic biomass ignition properties estimation from thermogravimetric analysis

In the last decade, the use of renewable resources has increased significantly in order to reduce the energetic dependence on fossil fuels, as they have an important contribution to the global warning and greenhouse gasses effect. Because of that, research on biofuels has been increased in the last years as its characteristics of use match those of the conventional fuel's: solid biomass can be used instead of coals, and biodiesel could replace diesel. Research on solid biomass ignition properties has been considerably developed because of the amount of industrial accidents related to the treatment and use of solid biomass (self-ignition, dust explosions, etc.). On the other hand, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is becoming and important characterization technique as it can be used to determine a wide spectrum of properties, such as kinetics, composition, proximate analysis, etc. This research aims to combine thermal analysis and ignition properties, by using the TGA to obtain the elemental composition of lignocellulosic biomass and compare those results to Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) values test output, so a relation between composition and MIE can be found.To achieve this aim, biomass samples from different origins have been used: oil palm wastes (empty fruit bunches, mesocarp fiber and palm kernel shell), agricultural wastes (straw chops) and forestry wastes (wood chips and wood powder). Also, raw materials and torrefied biomass were compared. The hemicellulose/cellulose ratio was calculated and compared to different flammability properties, finding out that the greater the ratio and the lower the onset temperature (temperature at which the pyrolysis reaction accelerates), the lower was the minimum ignition energy. From this basis it was possible to define “tendency areas” that grouped the samples whose MIE values were similar. Three tendency areas were found: high minimum ignition energy, medium minimum ignition energy, and low ignition energy.     

Fault detection and diagnostics of a three-phase separator

A high demand of oil products on daily basis requires oil processing plants to work with maximum efficiency. Oil, water and gas separation in a three-phase separator is one of the first operations that are performed after crude oil is extracted from an oil well. Failure of the components of the separator introduces the potential hazard of flammable materials being released into the environment. This can escalate to a fire or explosion. Such failures can also cause downtime for the oil processing plant since the separation process is essential to oil production. Fault detection and diagnostics techniques used in the oil and gas industry are typically threshold based alarm techniques. Observing the sensor readings solely allows only a late detection of faults on the separator which is a big deficiency of such a technique, since it causes the oil and gas processing plants to shut down.A fault detection and diagnostics methodology for three-phase separators based on Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN) is presented in this paper. The BBN models the propagation of oil, water and gas through the different sections of the separator and the interactions between component failure modes and process variables, such as level or flow monitored by sensors installed on the separator. The paper will report on the results of the study, when the BBNs are used to detect single and multiple failures, using sensor readings from a simulation model. The results indicated that the fault detection and diagnostics model was able to detect inconsistencies in sensor readings and link them to corresponding failure modes when single or multiple failures were present in the separator.     

Revised emergency vacuum relief device sizing for atmospheric distillation systems

Conventional vacuum relief methodologies are usually protective responses; that is, they accomplish their purpose by substitution of an inert gas (usually nitrogen) for the process gases removed by an external vacuum source, or for condensable vapour collapsed by an internal process mechanism (e.g. condensation). While this approach is theoretically possible for all potential vacuum scenarios, it becomes practically impossible to implement for installations where a rapid phase change can impart near-instantaneous system pressure reductions. The procedure outlined in this paper takes a preventive approach: eliminate the source of vacuum generation before the safe lower system pressure limit is reached. For distillation and other refluxing systems, this vacuum source is usually the main overhead condenser, which is designed to collapse large volumes of condensable vapour. To eliminate the vacuum source requires elimination of the system's ability to rapidly condense vapour. This goal is accomplished by introduction of inert gas directly into the condensing system to ‘blanket’ the heat transfer surface and stop condensation. The procedure determines the rate, amount and location for introduction of inert gas. The required design data include: (i) system starting pressure, (ii) maximum allowable system vacuum, (iii) volume of the condensing system, and (iv) normal system condensing rate. By determining the rate at which the condenser removes vapour volume from the system, and designing an inert gas delivery system to meet or exceed this rate, the vacuum generation potential of the system is effectively eliminated using a much smaller quantity of inert gas than with the more traditional volume substitution methods.     

Targeting for optimal grid-wide deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques are considered as one of the promising approaches to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuel based power generation, which still accounts for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. CCS technology can be used to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, with the additional advantage that it allows continuing use reliable and inexpensive fossil fuels. However, CCS retrofit entails major capital costs as well as a reduction of overall thermal efficiency and power output. Thus, it is essential for planning purposes to implement the minimal extent of CCS retrofit while meeting the specified carbon emission limits for the power sector. At the same time, it is necessary to plan for compensatory power generation capacity to offset energy losses resulting from CCS retrofit. In this paper, an algebraic targeting technique is presented for planning of grid-wide CCS retrofits in the power generation sector with compensatory power. The targeting technique is developed based on pinch analysis. In addition, the proposed methodologies are illustrated through case studies based on grid data in India and the Philippines. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to determine the suitable CCS technology and compensatory power source which satisfy emission limits.     

基于广义概念的城市燃气管道泄漏精确定位

为了准确地检测城市燃气管道泄漏,提出了一种基于广义概念的管道泄漏检测定位方法。声发射技术对于管道泄漏的检测、定位是一个极好的工具,但由于泄漏源的传播容易受到周围背景噪声以及复杂工况的影响,其定位误差较大。基于时延估计的互相关信号处理方法被广泛用于管道泄漏检测定位,但由于泄漏应力波传播通道的动态特性,使得源信号在传播过程中会产生波形变化,给互相关函数峰值位置的确定带来困难。由此引入广义相关分析方法,通过对信号进行前置滤波,在一定程度上减少了传播通道动态特性因素对泄漏点定位的不利影响,得到了更为准确的时延估值。在此基础上,通过模拟实验,编写Matlab神经网络代码,构造GRNN模型,进一步预测定位。结果表明,GRNN预测的声发射检测值、互相关定位值以及广义相关定位值,相比之前定位精度分别得到提高,其中基于广义相关的延时估计方法定位最为精确,将该方法用于工程实际中,可以更加精确地定位出泄漏点。     

PLS-based EWMA fault detection strategy for process monitoring

Fault detection (FD) and diagnosis in industrial processes is essential to ensure process safety and maintain product quality. Partial least squares (PLS) has been used successfully in process monitoring because it can effectively deal with highly correlated process variables. However, the conventional PLS-based detection metrics, such as the Hotelling's T² and the Q statistics are ill suited to detect small faults because they only use information from the most recent observations. Other univariate statistical monitoring methods, such as the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control scheme, has shown better abilities to detect small faults. However, EWMA can only be used to monitor single variables. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to combine the advantages of the univariate EWMA and PLS methods to enhance their performances and widen their applicability in practice. The performance of the proposed PLS-based EWMA FD method was compared with that of the conventional PLS FD method through two simulated examples, one using synthetic data and the other using simulated distillation column data. The simulation results clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed method over the conventional PLS, especially in the presence of faults with small magnitudes.     

Modelling and simulation of an existing MSWI flue gas two-stage dry treatment

Power generation from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) is in widespread use as a technology for solid waste treatment and energy recovery. One of the main environmental issues posed by MSWI plants is the continuous emission of pollutants into the atmosphere. Among flue gas components, acid gases are of particular concern due to their high potential impact on the environment. The two-stage dry treatment is among the Best Available Technologies for an enhanced removal efficiency of acid gases. In the first stage the removal process is based on the reaction of acid gases with solid calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), while in the second stage removal is obtained by reaction with sodium bicarbonate. In the present study, design and process data from an existing Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator, where a flue gas two-stage treatment is adopted, were used to test a previously developed operational model. The model was implemented in a simulation software to describe both design and process conditions, taking also into account the recycle rate of solid products and unreacted calcium hydroxide in the first stage. Simulations were carried out with the aim of optimizing both reactant feed rates and amounts of solid wastes formed in the acid gas removal process.     

多点法测定可燃物质自燃特性的可靠性研究

多点法是一种新提出的自热反应动力学分析方法。采用实验研究和理论分析相结合的方式对多点法的操作过程以及实验结果的可靠性展开研究。通过构建一维导热系统、采用不同形式的热电偶布设方式,对烟叶粉末的自燃临界环境温度、活化能以及反应热与指前因子的乘积等参数进行了测定。研究表明:所构建的一维系统能较好地模拟一维导热;热电偶的分布方式对测量结果有较大影响,对称分布状况下,温度结果与经典的F-K对称模型一致;多点法相比于传统方法省时省力,测定结果有较好的线性拟合相关度,求解的动力学参数较为可靠。     

基于随机搜索优化XGBoost的瓦斯涌出量预测模型*

为防治瓦斯灾害,解决井下瓦斯涌出量在预测过程中因影响因素繁多带来的精度较低问题,提出1种基于套索(Lasso)回归与随机搜索优化极限梯度提升(XGBoost)的模型进行瓦斯涌出量预测。以沈阳某煤矿综采面瓦斯涌出量历史数据为例,综合考虑影响瓦斯涌出量的影响因素。首先利用Lasso回归提取对瓦斯涌出量有重要影响的特征数据,作为预测输入;采用随机搜索算法对XGBoost模型4种主要参数进行寻优,选取最优参建立预测模型获得预测指标并分析比较其他模型。研究结果表明:Lasso回归筛选出的影响因素结合随机搜索获得的最优参数组合优化XGBoost比其他模型预测精度更高,平均相对误差为1.53%,均方根误差为0.140 3 m3/min,希尔不等系数为0.013 2,研究结果可为现场瓦斯管理提供参考依据。     

Environmental consequence analysis for resource depletion

Resource depletion is of concern to both present and future generations in terms of access to resources. It is a prominent impact category within life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability assessment. This paper examines existing resource depletion approaches and indicators in the context of natural gas depletion, and their limitations in modelling the wider environmental consequences of resource consumption. Some existing models assume substitution of scarce fossil fuels with an alternative fossil fuel or mix, but do not consider all of the subsequent change in impacts. An additional methodology is proposed to measure the impact changes when fossil fuel substitution occurs as a result of scarcity. The methodology will demonstrate the effect of resource scarcity for individual processes but also multiple processes which operate at different levels of resource consumption with varying degrees of impacts. The methodology is applied to a scarcity situation of natural gas in Australia, where black coal is substituted for gas. It is first applied to natural gas consumed for electricity generation only. In the second case, the methodology is applied to the substitution of natural gas for both electricity generation and hydrogen production. The varying impacts on emissions to air and water, together with solid waste generation and water depletion, as a result of the substitution are used to reflect the consequences of fossil fuel depletion. The indicators also provide information on the impacts of substitution in each product, thus enabling users to prioritise products based on the impacts produced during natural gas allocation.     

Performance evaluation of biodiesel from used domestic waste oils: A review

Global warming, high-energy demand and availability of new technologies are among the factors catalyzing the search for alternative sources of energy. Currently, there is renewed interest in obtaining energy from wastes hitherto meant for disposal. Increased costs of disposal and their attendant problems of heavy environmental loading are some aspects making the disposal option unattractive. These wastes are sources of energy and among the several sources of generating this energy are the waste-to-energy (WTE) categories with potentials for useable fuel production. The WTE materials are mainly used domestic waste oils (UDWOs), municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural and industrial wastes. However, the latter wastes are not attractive as they consist of innumerable hazardous contaminants. The UDWOs are arguably a safe and cost effective source of useable fuel. Their conversion offers the merits of a reduction in greenhouse gas emission (GHG), enhancing fuel diversification and a qualitatively comparable energy output to fossil diesel fuels. Thus, UDWOs could significantly contribute towards achieving the 2020 and 2030 goals of substituting approximately 20% and 30% of petro-diesel with biofuels in US and EU, respectively. Moreover, attaining the forecasted annual production rate of 227 billion liters of biofuel by most active stakeholders in the biodiesel industry could be easily achieved.This review aims to analyze the performance of biodiesel fuels obtained from UDWO and to demonstrate the suitability of applying these fuels as substitutes to mineral diesel in various industries. Benefits of UDWO as a biodiesel feedstock were as well highlighted.     

环空带压气井保护液液位测试方法研究

为了有效检测环空保护液位,评估气井环空带压情况,在传统回声法检测的基础上,提出了基于频谱分析及自相关分析的2种液位检测方法;搭建了液位检测试验系统,开展了不同环空压力下的液位检测试验,计算了不同压力下的环空声速;设计了FIR低通滤波器对液面回波信号进行滤波处理,同时利用了上述2种方法计算液位值并与实际值及传统液位计算方法对比,得出了声衰减系数并评判了衰减过程对液面回波信号频谱分析的影响程度。研究结果表明:设计的FIR低通滤波器适用于所建液位检测试验的滤波处理过程;频谱分析及自相关分析都能够有效检测液位高度,最大误差分别为1.65%和0.61%,自相关分析方法具有更高的精确度;声衰减系数整体较小,对液面回波信号频谱分析结果影响较小。     

Calculating overpressure from BLEVE explosions

Although a certain number of authors have analyzed the prediction of boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) and fireball effects, only very few of them have proposed methodologies for predicting the overpressure from such explosions. In this paper, the methods previously published are discussed and shown to introduce a significant overestimation due to the erroneous thermodynamic assumptions—ideal gas behaviour and isentropic vapour expansion—on which they are based (in fact, they give the maximum value of overpressure which can be caused by a BLEVE). A new approach is proposed, based on the—more realistic—assumption of an adiabatic and irreversible expansion process; the real properties of the substance involved in the explosion are used. The two methods are compared through the application to a given case.     

The influence of initial conditions on the propagation of smouldering fires in dust accumulations

A mathematical model is presented which allows one to treat the combined phenomena of heat, mass and species transfer by diffusion as they occur within smouldering fires in accumulations of dust or other solid bulk materials. The model was applied to predict self-ignition temperatures of five different dusts, where it could be shown that computed and experimental self-ignition temperatures coincide within an error margin of ±5%.

For smouldering fires, if initiated by either self-ignition or an ignition source, it could be shown that the temperature and the velocity at which the reaction front propagates both depend on the volume of the dust accumulation. In addition, the propagation velocity increases when the initial temperature of the dust accumulation is increased and decreases when the initial moisture content of the dust accumulation is increased.

Comparisons of the numerical model with experiments show that the smouldering propagation is mirrored qualitatively, while the accuracy of the computations strongly depends on the accuracy of the input parameters, namely on the apparent activation energy.     

煤与瓦斯突出预测技术研究现状及发展趋势

对矿井煤与瓦斯突出预测方法的研究现状及发展趋势进行了论述及分析。目前我国大量使用的是钻屑量S、钻孔瓦斯涌出初速度q、瓦斯解吸指标Δh2 、瓦斯放散指数ΔP等钻孔静态预测方法 ,这些方法花费大量的人力、物力和财力 ,而且准确性较低。而声发射和电磁辐射等方法是很有前途的预测方法。未来煤与瓦斯突出预测的发展趋势是 ,利用声发射监测技术对变形破裂剧烈区域进行定位 ,利用电磁辐射监测技术工作面非接触连续预测 ,再结合现有的环境监测系统监测的瓦斯动态涌出对煤与瓦斯突出现象进行准确预测     

Emission factor estimation for oil and gas facilities

Fugitive emission rate quantification in an oil and gas facility is an important step of risk management. There are several studies conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and American Petroleum Institute (API) proposing methods of estimating emission rates and factors. Four major approaches of estimating these emissions, in the order of their accuracy, are: average emission factor approach, screening ranges emission factor approach, USEPA correlation equation approach, and unit-specific correlation equation approach. The focus of this study is to optimize the USEPA correlation equations to estimate the emission rate of different units in an oil and gas facility. In the developed methodology, the data available from USEPA (1995) is used to develop new sets of equations. A comparison between USEPA correlation equations and the proposed equations is performed to define the optimum sets of equations. It is observed that for pumps, flanges, open-ended lines, and others, the proposed developed equations provide a better estimation of emission rate, whereas for other sources, USEPA equations supply the better estimate of emission rate.     

Mechanisms of high-pressure hydrogen gas self-ignition in tubes

This paper describes a numerical and experimental investigation of hydrogen self-ignition occurring as a result of the formation of a shock wave. The shock wave is formed in front of high-pressure hydrogen gas propagating in a tube. The ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture occurs at the contact surface of the hydrogen and oxidant mixture and is due to the temperature increase produced as a result of the shock wave. The required condition for self-ignition is to maintain the high temperature in the mixture for a time long enough for inflammation to take place. The experimental technique employed was based on a high-pressure chamber pressurized with hydrogen, to the point of a burst disk operating to discharge pressurized hydrogen into a tube of cylindrical or rectangular cross section containing air. A physicochemical model involving gas-dynamic transport of a viscous gas, detailed kinetics of hydrogen oxidation and heat exchange in the laminar approach was used for calculations of high-pressure hydrogen self-ignition. The reservoir pressure range, when a shock wave is formed in the air that has sufficient intensity to produce self-ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture, is found. An analysis of governing physical phenomena based on the experimental and numerical results of the initial conditions (the hydrogen pressure inside the vessel, and the shape of the tube in which the hydrogen was discharged) and physical mechanisms that lead to combustion is presented.