Davion Hill

The Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate/Formic Acid: Engineering and Economic Feasibility

The engineering and economic feasibility of large-scale electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate salts and formic acid is the focus of this Full Paper. In our study we investigated the long-term performance of tin and other proprietary catalysts in the reduction of carbon dioxide to formate/formic acid at a gas/solid/liquid interface, using a flow-through reactor. The overall economics and energy consumption of the process are evaluated through a value chain analysis. The sensitivity of the net present value of the process to various process parameters is examined.

A Review of Engineering and Safety Considerations for Hybrid-Power (Lithium-Ion) Systems in Offshore Applications

topside and subsea systems enjoy the same benefits (increased efficiency and reduced costs), yet for different reasons. Oil and gas stakeholders must determine when and where hybrid-power systems provide the most value for operations, how they should be implemented, what technologies are acceptable, what safety considerations there may be, system suitability for extreme environments, and how these technologies can improve the bottom line. There is a wealth of information on Li-ion batteries, though it is not all consistent—cost data are unclear, lifetime and energy density considerations vary under different conditions, and ruggedness and application to harsh environments constitute a large uncertainty. In the following sections, we will address these issues to help provide clarification for the oil and gas operator.

Energy Storage Via Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 Into Specialty Chemicals

There is significant interest in technologies that reduce or mitigate greenhouse gases in the atmosphere because of their contribution to climate change. In addition, concerns for energy security are linked to political, environmental, and economic factors that threaten supply of hydrocarbon sources for fuels and the petrochemical feedstock that support the production of plastics, fertilizers, and chemical supply chains. With these climate and energy security concerns, there is a need for technologies that can economically address both issues. In addition, with increased integration of renewable energy systems into the grid, there are major concerns about grid instability and the need for energy storage. Significant research is being done on both topics, but there is a need to more efficiently transmit and use energy (which is the focus of the Smart Grid initiatives) as well as store energy for future use. Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to useful products will be discussed including analyses of the energy and carbon balances required for the process, the value of the end use chemicals as energy storage media, and the energy density of the end use chemicals compared to other energy storage technologies.Copyright

Cost Effective Energy Improvements for an Existing Commercial Building: A Case Study

In the beginning months of 2008, the energy consumption and water use data of a 28 year old commercial building in central Ohio was compiled with approximately one and a half years of prior data. At the initiation of the analysis period, studies were performed to identify key improvement areas for the most effective energy improvements for the building. Lighting, heating and cooling, insulation, and water use were all evaluated. Tenant involvement was incorporated to address waste management and conservation efforts. Improvement areas were identified and a program was implemented to make stepwise progress toward a reduced environmental footprint. Progress was tracked by continuous monitoring of energy and water use. Capital improvements were treated as investments with best approximations of return on investment. As the program gained momentum, opportunities arose for both ISO 14001 and LEED certifications. The improvement process was and continues to be for the long term, and the initial efforts resulted in a zero nonconformance evaluation during the first ISO 14001 audit. Studies and improvements for LEED certification for the existing building are currently ongoing.Copyright

Probabilistic Energy ROI Models: Carbon, Energy, and Dollars

A renewable or “clean” energy system pays back the user in three ways. First, it typically avoids the use of hydrocarbon fuel, so for every kilowatt-hour or BTU that it produces it displaces or avoids a quantity of CO2 emission due to combustion of hydrocarbon. Second, the system requires an energy investment during its manufacture, so the embodied energy is paid back over its life cycle, and this aspect of renewable energy systems is often analyzed in standardized life cycle analyses. Third, the system represents a financial investment that should be preferably paid back before the end of the system life in order for the investment to be profitable. Deterministic assessments may inaccurately assess variables that can affect the ROI in any of these three categories, such as resource availability, equipment reliability or failure, and efficiency factors. Probabilistic modeling, on the other hand, can account for some of this uncertainty and reflect the uncertainty in the output. Use of this modeling technique will be demonstrated via examples to show how feasibility or ROI projections can be augmented with the use of probabilistic models.Copyright

Performance and Integrity Issues for Composite Reinforced Steel Pipelines With Cathodic Protection

Composites have seen increased usage for repair of pipelines. The performance of the entire metal-composite system has not been extensively addressed with regard to corrosion of the substrate and adhesion loss when the conditions are wet and the substrate is cathodically protected. In this work we have investigated the influence of corrosive environments on the performance of composite repair systems for pipelines. Earlier in this work we used FEA models to evaluate a composite patch for pipelines and the present research includes the experimental results for both patch and full-wrap composite repairs in simulated and field environments. The effect of impacts, cathodic protection, long term immersion, and soil corrosivity have been investigated by monitoring variables related to potential and conductivity of the electrolyte. We have also tested mechanical properties via four point bend on specimens intentionally exposed to ASTM cathodic disbondment tests. We have also evaluated the performance of these repairs in a modified ASTM G8 cathodic disbondment test with the addition of high pressure cyclic loading. By monitoring these variables, loss of adhesion and integrity in the composite-metal system is addressed.© 2010 ASME