scholarly journals Evaluation of Structural Performance of Post-Installed Anchors Embedded in Cracked Concrete in Power Plant Facilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3488
Author(s):  
Sangmoon Lee ◽  
Wooyoung Jung

In this study, a field survey was conducted on the fixed anchorages of the operation and power generation facilities installed in domestic power plants. A static/dynamic performance evaluation was conducted to present safety evaluation guidelines that meet the domestic seismic performance requirements. Seismic performance tests were performed on the post-installed set anchors M10 and M12, which are mainly used for anchorages in accordance with the US and European seismic performance standards. The dynamic shear test results showed that the M12 anchor met the seismic performance verification criterion, whereas the M10 anchor did not because its dynamic performance was reduced, owing to the cyclic loading. In the results of the dynamic pull-out test, M12 also met the seismic performance verification criterion, whereas M10 was safe only in a non-cracked state. In summary, the seismic performance of M12 in both cracks and non-cracks was satisfied, but, in the case of M10, the results were not satisfied in cracks. This was an experimental study; it will be necessary to conduct additional analytical research in the future to verify the reliability and parameters of the experiment.

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-373
Author(s):  
Anna Khakee

The suspense-filled attempted partial privatization of the Narva Power Plants in the neo-liberal darling Estonia involved a rich cast, from trade unions and local scientists, via Estonian courts and ombudsmen to international consulting firms, major global banks and the US government. More important, a detailed single case study on the democratic decision-making process in this privatization case makes it possible to go beyond common generalizations regarding the consequences of neo-liberalism for democratic processes. It shows that purported proponents of economic neo-liberalism such as the US government sometimes use their arguments to advance the narrow business interests of politically well-connected firms. Established private firms can behave in a more rent-seeking manner than publicly owned, ex-communist companies. Liberal economic principles of open competition and a level playing-field are at times used by actors in the democratic process to question top-down, opaque economic decisions.


Author(s):  
Washington Orlando Irrazabal Bohorquez ◽  
Joa˜o Roberto Barbosa

In the Ecuadorian electrical market, several sugar plants, which significantly participate in the local electricity market, are producing their own energy and commercializing the surplus to the electrical market. This study evaluates the integral use of the sugar cane bagasse for productive process on a Cogeneration Power Plant in an Ecuadorian Sugar Company [8]. The electrical generation based on biomass requires a great initial investment. The cost is around US$ 800/kW installed, twice the US$ 400/kW initial investment of conventional thermoelectric power plant and almost equal to the US$ 1,000/kW initial cost of hydroelectric power plant [5]. A thermoeconomic study was carried out on the production of electricity and the sales of the surplus of 27 MWe average produced by the power plant. An operational analysis was made using instantaneous values from the estimated curves of demand and generation of electricity. From the results, it was concluded that the generated electricity costs are 0.0443 US$/kWh, while the costs of the electricity from Fossil Power Plants (burning fuel oil, diesel fuel and natural gas) are in the range 0.03–0.15 US$/kWh and from Hydroelectric Plants are about 0.02 US$/kWh. Cogeneration power plants burning sugar cane bagasse could contribute to the mitigation of climatic change. This specific case study shows the reduction of the prospective emissions of greenhouse gases, around 55,188 ton of CO2 equivalent yearly for this cogeneration power plant.


Author(s):  
William D. Rezak

One of America’s best kept secrets is the success of its nuclear electric power industry. This paper presents data which support the construction and operating successes enjoyed by energy companies that operate nuclear power plants in the US. The result—the US nuclear industry is alive and well. Perhaps it’s time to start anew the building of nuclear power plants. Let’s take the wraps off the major successes achieved in the nuclear power industry. Over 20% of the electricity generated in the United States comes from nuclear power plants. An adequate, reliable supply of reasonably priced electric energy is not a consequence of an expanding economy and gross national product; it is an absolute necessity before such expansion can occur. It is hard to imagine any aspect of our business or personal lives not, in some way, dependent upon electricity. All over the world (in 34 countries) nuclear power is a low-cost, secure, safe, dependable, and environmentally friendly form of electric power generation. Nuclear plants in these countries are built in six to eight years using technology developed in the US, with good performance and safety records. This treatise addresses the success experienced by the US nuclear industry over the last 40 years, and makes the case that this reliable, cost-competitive source of electric power can help support the economic engine of the country and help prevent experiences like the recent crisis in California. Traditionally, the evaluation of electric power generation facility performance has focused on the ability of plants to produce at design capacity for high percentages of the time. Successful operation of nuclear facilities is determined by examining capacity or load factors. Load factor is the percentage of design generating capacity that a power plant actually produces over the course of a year’s operation. This paper makes the case that these operating performance indicators warrant renewed consideration of the nuclear option. Usage of electricity in the US now approaches total generating capacity. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has pre-approved construction and operating licenses for several nuclear plant designs. State public service commissions are beginning to understand that dramatic reform is required. The economy is recovering and inflation is minimal. It’s time, once more, to turn to the safe, reliable, environmentally friendly nuclear power alternative.


2018 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Young Kong ◽  
Gamal Akabani ◽  
John W Poston

Abstract One of the most important issues in the nuclear power industry is the implementation of the 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) published in ICRP Publication 103. These recommendations include the implementation of the concept of dose constraints for occupationally exposed workers at nuclear power plants (NPPs). When considering these changes from a cost–benefit standpoint, the implementation of dose constraints is still highly controversial. This study analysed annual occupational dose distributions to determine whether a dose constraint is needed for occupationally exposed workers at the US NPPs. Results of the analysis showed that the use of dose constraints had no positive impact on radiation safety of workers at NPPs in the USA. In fact, it appears that the implementation of dose constraints will impose an unnecessary regulatory burden on licensees. Based on these results, implementation of dose constraints is not recommended.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stig Settemsdal ◽  
Saverio Ventrelli

Abstract The paper presents a novel approach for modernizing/retrofitting offshore drilling rig power plants with islanded direct current (DC) power grids and energy storage. The concept has been successfully applied on several offshore rigs which are in operation today and is applicable to jack-ups, semi-submersibles, drill ships, as well as other types of marine support vessels for oil and gas platforms and wind farms. The approach aims to enhance the feasibility of leveraging energy storage solutions on offshore drilling rigs and marine vessels by making use of the existing power plant footprint. Unique measures have also been incorporated into the electrical system architecture to ensure that the reliability and safety of the existing alternating current (AC)-based system are not compromised. This enables operators to capitalize on the numerous benefits of energy storage (e.g., reduced emissions, enhanced dynamic performance for drilling and dynamic positioning, etc.) without having to perform a "rip and replace" of the entire power plant and electrical infrastructure.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (04) ◽  
pp. 1841010
Author(s):  
Tadashi Kawai ◽  
Makoto Ishimaru

Evaluating the seismic stability of a rock slope typically involves searching for the minimum value of calculated safety factors (SF) for each supposed sliding block. Because only the transient equilibrium is evaluated, the likelihood of any slope failure can be deemed negligible if all the calculated SFs are greater than unity. However, even if some of the calculated SF are less than unity, it cannot be assumed that the slope will collapse. Recently, in the wake of extremely large earthquakes in Japan, the design earthquake standards for nuclear power plants (NPP) have been extended. After the experience of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake, the designer is expected to consider beyond design basis earthquakes to determine whether more can reasonably be done to reduce the potential for damage, especially where major consequences may ensue [IAEA (2011). IAEA international fact finding expert mission of the Fukushima dai-ichi NPP accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Mission report, IAEA]. With this in mind, the method employed to evaluate the seismic performance of the slope surrounding an NPP needs to be capable of doing more than determining the likelihood of failure: it must also consider the process toward failure in the event of an earthquake beyond the design basis. In this paper, a new evaluation flow which considers the failure process is proposed to evaluate the seismic performance of slopes surrounding an NPP. This is followed by confirming the validity of the concepts in the proposed flow chart by re-evaluating centrifuge tests in past literature and the numerical simulations designed for those tests.


Author(s):  
Michael L. Murphy

Energy Products of Idaho has designed and installed numerous waste to energy systems in the United States and Europe, with others currently under development. Among the latest are a number of installations in operation and/or construction in Italy. The systems design have undergone some changes over time to stay ahead of changing regulations performance requirements.


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