David J. Bayless

Membrane-based wet electrostatic precipitation

Abstract Emissions of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, in both primary and secondary form, are difficult to capture in typical dry electrostatic precipitators (ESPs). Wet (or water-based) ESPs are well suited for collection of acid aerosols and fine particulates because of greater corona power and virtually no re-entrainment. However, field disruptions because of spraying (misting) of water, formation of dry spots (channeling), and collector surface corrosion limit the applicability of current wet ESPs in the control of secondary PM2.5. Researchers at Ohio University have patented novel membrane collection surfaces to address these problems. Water-based cleaning in membrane collectors made of corrosion-resistant fibers is facilitated by capillary action between the fibers, maintaining an even distribution of water. This paper presents collection efficiency results of lab-scale and pilot-scale testing at First Energy’s Bruce Mansfield Plant for the membrane-based wet ESP. The data indicate that a membrane wet ESP was more effective at collecting fine particulates, acid aerosols, and oxidized mercury than the metal-plate wet ESP, even with ∼15% less collecting area.

Use of membrane collectors in electrostatic precipitators.

ABSTRACT Membrane collection surfaces, developed and patented by researchers at Ohio University, were used to replace steel plates in a dry electrostatic precipitator (ESP). Such replacement facilitates tension-based rapping, which shears the adhered particle layer from the collector surface more effectively than hammer-based rapping. Tests were performed to measure the collection efficiency of the membranes and to quantify the potential improvements of this novel cleaning technique with respect to re-entrainment. Results indicate that even semiconductor materials (e.g., carbon fibers) collect ash nearly as efficiently as steel plates, potentially indicating that collection surface resistivity is primarily dictated by the accumulated ash layer and not by the underlying plate conductivity. In addition, virtually all sheared particles separated from the collecting membranes fell within the boundary layer of the membrane, indicating extremely low potential for re-entrainment.

Kinetics of low-temperature homogeneous SO3 formation for use in flue gas conditioning for improved electrostatic precipitator performance

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the kinetics of homogeneous SO 3 formation used as an alternative to external SO 3 injection for reducing fly ash resistivity. While homogenous SO 2 to SO 3 conversion has been previously studied, primarily for boiler corrosion control, little data exist for low gas temperatures. This work was based on recent studies demonstrating that hydrocarbon flames introduced in relatively low temperature gas streams could provide sufficient O atoms to promote the formation of SO 3 from existing SO 2 . For this study, a premixed natural gas flame was used to promote the conversion of SO 2 to SO 3 in a drop tube furnace with free stream gas temperatures ranging from 450 to 1000 K. SO 2 and SO 3 concentration measurements via wet chemistry and gas chromatography, coupled with numeric modeling of reactions and species concentrations, indicated that lower free stream temperatures reduce the maximum conversion percentage of SO 2 to SO 3 while extending the duration of elevated SO 3 concentration. In addition, the effects of SO 2 and excess O 2 on this conversion process were explored to understand potential ramifications on practical systems. Finally, calculated kinetic parameters of the assumed conversion mechanisms indicate both a greater rate coefficient for H-atom-based decomposition of SO 3 than previously reported and a possible temperature dependence in the collisional dissociation of SO 3 . Other kinetic parameters were in general agreement with studies conducted at higher temperatures.

Engineering leadership studies and the robe leadership institute model in the russ college of engineering and technology at Ohio university

As technologys influence grows, it is critical that engineers take a greater role in public and private leadership. Most engineering students, however, are not exposed to formal studies in leadership development. For the past 12 years, the Robe Leadership Institute (RLI) has encouraged effective leadership for the colleges students, faculty, and staff through a wide variety of activities, classes, and guest speakers. The focus on leadership concepts, styles, self-realization, and personal interactions with established leaders develops each students own leadership style in preparation for future opportunities. This paper will summarize Institute progress in leadership education, focusing on the yearly course offered to the Russ Colleges most promising student leaders. This course includes a literature survey, studies of emotional intelligence and leadership styles, team building, interactions with invited leaders, and journaling on each activity. The course structure, pedagogy, assignments, speaker interaction, alumni surveys, and future goals will be presented.

Leadership education for engineering students

The interdependency of technical and socio-economic problem solving has increased the need for engineers, inherent problem solvers, to improve the development of their “soft skills.” Our ability to compete and innovate in an ever flattening world depends on engineers bringing envisioned solutions to fruition through leadership. Yet for the most part, engineering students are not exposed to formal studies in leadership. Instead, most engineering curricula focus on communications skills and anticipate that the graduate will acquire leadership skills either through employer training or via observation and “on-the-job” action. This deferral to employers for leadership development could possibly put the engineer at a disadvantage compared to other graduating majors where leadership is emphasized (e.g., Business), and reduce the competitiveness of our workforce that depends on realization of technical innovations to spur job creation. In response to this need, Ohio Universitys Russ College of Engineering and Technology established the T. Richard and Eleanora K. Robe Leadership Institute (RLI) in 1996. Since its founding, the Institute has promoted and encouraged effective leadership for college students, faculty, and staff through a wide variety of activities, awards, classes, and guest speakers that would allow them to reach beyond their professional competence. The focus on learning leadership concepts, styles, self-realization, and personal interactions with established leaders develops the students own leadership style and prepares them to maximize future leadership opportunities. This paper will present the pedagogy used by the RLI in the annual leadership course offered to the Russ Colleges most promising student leaders. This course includes literature survey on leadership concepts, study of emotional intelligence and personal leadership styles, team building, and discussions/interactions with invited leaders, along with journals for reflection on each course activity. Details of the course structure, assignments, and interaction with the speakers will be presented.

Economic Analysis of a Vertical Sheet Algal Photobioreactor for Biodiesel Production

The combination of a 100% increase in diesel fuel prices since 2002 and a new photobioreactor technology has renewed interest in producing biodiesel, a direct petroleum diesel fuel substitute, from microalgae. A new photobioreactor technology in which the microalgae are grown on vertically suspended membranes promises to increase algal productivity per acre ten-fold compared to microalgae ponds, and 400-fold compared to soybeans. This paper describes the general photobioreactor concept and assesses the economic viability of such technology given the current crude oil prospects. The majority of the data necessary for assessment are obtained from published articles, with experimental results providing the remaining necessary information. Analysis results indicate that the photobioreactor would need to be constructed and operate on the order of dollars per square foot per year.Copyright

An Alternative to Additional SO3 Injection for Fly Ash Conditioning

ABSTRACT Small concentrations, approximately 2-10 parts per million (ppm), of injected sulfur trioxide (SO3) have improved particulate collection efficiencies of electrostatic precipita-tors burning lower-sulfur coal. However, the addition of extra SO3 not only incurs costs but also presents negative environmental effects. This work explored a method that could be applied to existing coal-fired power plants to convert the sulfur dioxide (SO2) already present in the flue gas to sufficient levels of SO3 for fly ash conditioning as an alternative to adding SO3 by burning elemental sulfur. During this research, a pre-mixed natural gas flame was used to promote the conversion of SO2 to SO3 in a drop-tube furnace with average non-flame, free stream gas temperatures of 450 and 1000 K. SO3 concentrations measured by wet chemistry and confirmed using elemental balances of other sulfur species measured by gas chromatography revealed that as much as 7% of SO2 was homogeneously transformed to SO3. The results also showed that at low temperatures, the rate at which SO3 is converted back to SO2 decreased, thus extending the time period during which SO3 concentrations would be sufficient for ash conditioning. An additional benefit of this technique is speculated to result from increased flue gas humidity.

American Electric Power's Project Probe/sup SM/-enhancing power engineering education through industrial-academic cooperation

Project Probe is an annual summer intern program offered by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide qualified engineering students a meaningful educational experience in power generation and utility operation. The program fosters communication and cooperation between academia and the power industry, enhances the education of future engineers, and supports engineering faculty while it enlightens students and faculty about the power industry. During the program, teams of junior and senior students from various engineering disciplines perform wide-ranging project work at a host plant under the supervision of engineering faculty and plant personnel. Lectures and field trips supplement the work experience. This paper presents the objectives, methodology, and results of Project Probe 1996 including student development, faculty enrichment, benefits to the host plant, and benefits (both tangible and anticipated) to American Electric Power. Project Probe is shown to offer advantages over traditional student intern or cooperative educational programs. Recommendations include potential improvements to Project Probe and information to encourage other industries to sponsor similar programs.Numerous concerns confronting engineering education in the next century will necessitate a greater level of cooperation between academia and industry. A model of such cooperation is Project Probe/sup SM/-an annual summer intern program offered by American Electric Power (AEP) to provide meaningful education and work experiences in power generation engineering for qualified engineering students. Project Probe supplements traditional engineering education that often lacks focus in areas of critical need for the power industry. Project Probe aims to foster communication and cooperation between academia and the power industry, support and educate engineering faculty with regard to the power industry, as well as enhance the education of future engineers. This paper presents the objectives, methodology and results of Project Probe since 1995, including student development, faculty enrichment and benefits to the host power plants and American Electric Power. Project Probe is shown intern or cooperative educational programs. Information is also presented to encourage implementation of aspects of Project Probe into university classroom work and to encourage educators and industry to seek suitable partners for sponsorship and development of similar programs. Recommendations are also presented to facilitate implementation of a program similar to Project Probe.

Numerical Investigation of the Flow Profiles in the Electrically Enhanced Cyclone

Abstract A numerical model for simulation of the electrohydrodynamic flow in an electrically enhanced cyclone is presented. A finite element approach was applied to solve the coupled equations for the positive corona-induced electric field. Three-dimensional simulations of gas flow were carried using Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations including the Reynolds stress model and the electrohydrodynamic effect. Numerical results show that the change in the flow profile because of the influence of the corona-induced electric field is apparent when the inlet flow rate is low but is negligible at higher flow rates.

First-generation hybrid solar lighting collector system development and operating experience

Research is underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) that could lead to entirely new, highly energy-efficient ways of lighting buildings using the power of sunlight. In addition to providing light, the hybrid lighting system will convert sunlight to electricity much more efficiently than conventional solar technologies using thermo-photovoltaic cells. In commercial buildings today, lighting consumes more electric energy than any other building end-use. It accounts for more than a third of all electricity consumed for commercial use in the United States. Typically, less than 25% of that energy actually produces light; the rest generates heat that increases the need for air-conditioning. ORNL is developing a system to reduce the energy required for lighting and the air-conditioning loads associated with it, while generating power for other uses. The system uses roof-mounted concentrators to collect and separate the visible and infrared portions of sunlight. The visible portion is distributed through large-diameter optical fibers to hybrid luminaires. (Hybrid luminaires are lighting fixtures that contain both electric lamps and fiber optics for direct sunlight distribution.) When sunlight is plentiful, the fiber optics in the luminaries, provide all or most of the light needed in an area. Unlike conventional electric lamps, they produce little heat. During times of little or no sunlight, sensor-controlled electric lamps will operate to maintain the desired illumination level. A second use of the hybrid lighting collector system is to provide sunlight for enhanced practical photosynthesis carbon dioxide mitigation. In this project the hybrid lighting collector system is being used to provide sunlight to a lab-scale photobioreactor for growing algae that is being used for CO2 mitigation. The end goal of this project is to provide a photobioreactor that can be used to mitigate CO2 in fossil fuel fire power plants. This paper will discuss the development and operating experience to date of two hybrid lighting solar collectors installed at ORNL and at Ohio University. The first hybrid lighting collector system was tested at ORNL and then installed at Ohio University in June of 2002. A second collector of the same design was installed at ORNL in September of 2002. The Ohio University collector system has been running continually since its installation while the ORNL unit has been operated in a research mode on most sunny days. They have operated with very little human interaction and this paper will summarize the development, operating experience, collection efficiency, as well as providing information on additional data being collected as part of the system operation.