Showing papers by "Brian Veitch published in 2004"

Human Health Risk Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Produced Water—A Case Study

Abstract: Human health effects from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in produced water are of concern due to their bioavailability and bioaccumulation characteristics in finfish and shellfish species used for human consumption. Being chemically similar to calcium, radium concentrates mostly in bones, shells, and exoskeletons. Previous studies have been based on the whole-body bioaccumulation of radium in fish where the distribution of radium in bone/exoskeleton and the edible parts of fish were not considered separately and thus the predicted risks were relatively high. In this article, the distribution of radium in the non-edible and edible parts of fish and the probability of exposure to a produced water plume have been studied in order to characterize human health risks. A probabilistic hydrodynamic model has been incorporated in this study. Using the concentration distribution approach, the mean cancer risks to humans were predicted in the range of 8.6 × 10−7 to 9.5 × 10−7, which were 2...

An Ecological Risk Assessment Methodology for Screening Discharge Alternatives of Produced Water

Abstract: Previous studies on Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) of produced water relied on the use of deterministic hydrodynamic models. The assessment was usually carried out in the North Sea context using a model such as the Chemical Hazard Assessment and Risk Management (CHARM), or in the North American context based on the output of a hydrodynamic model such as the Cornell Mixing Zone Expert System (CORMIX). In both these cases, however, probabilistic analysis has not been employed, particularly, to account for uncertainty associated with hydrodynamic models in the ERA study. In fact, it is the hydrodynamic model that has a direct linkage to the selection of the discharge alternatives. Apart from the monitoring purposes, in this article, it is suggested that criteria for evaluating discharge alternatives of produced water in a marine environment might incorporate an awareness of ecological risks by incorporating engineering and toxicological aspects. An ERA methodology consisting of problem formulation...

Numerical investigation of propulsive characteristics of podded propellers

Abstract: Numerical investigations were performed to predict effects of propeller hub taper angle and pod geometry configurations on propulsive performance. An existing time domain panel method code was extended to handle the simulation tasks. The effect of taper angle was examined in terms of shaft thrust coefficient, KT, and torque coefficient, KQ, for different taper angles of -15° (pull/tractor configuration) and +15° (push configuration). The predicted pressure distribution was also analyzed to investigate the effect of taper ratio on pressure coefficient, Cp, at the blade root section. The effects of pod-strut geometry on KT and KQ of a propeller with taper angles of 15° and 20° with two pods both in push configuration were examined. A complementary experimental study of the effects of taper angle on propulsive performance was also conducted for 15° and 20° taper angles in push configuration. Numerical predictions and experimental measurement showed a good agreement over a wide range of advance coefficients from the bollard pull condition to the design advance coefficient of about 1.0.

Evaluation of Inherent Safety Potential in Offshore Oil and Gas Activities

Abstract: The inherent safety approach is the best option for hazard/risk management in offshore oil and gas activities. Some of the main drivers for inherent safety in the offshore industry are to reduce manning levels and provide minimum facilities installations, encourage the use of compact and simple technology, and reduce the need for operators to be present. Though this approach is comparatively mature and has been widely accepted in onshore process industries, its applications in offshore industries are still limited. A recent pilot study to assess the extent to which the concept and principles of inherent safety are being applied in the development and design of offshore oil and gas installations revealed that the term inherent safety is only just beginning to be recognized in the industry, mainly as a result of its inclusion in the Design Safety Case Guidance, and the UKOOA Fire and Explosion Hazard Management Guide. There appears to be a number of subtle but significant differences of opinion as to what inherent safety is, including ‘hazard avoidance’, ‘hazard prevention’, ‘risk minimization’, and ‘good engineering’. While all of these may form part of an inherently safer strategy, they do not encompass a full understanding of the role of inherent safety. This paper discusses inherent safety in offshore oil and gas activities and presents methods to evaluate inherent safety potential. It also highlights areas for further research.Copyright © 2004 by ASME

Evacuation Performance of Davit Launched Lifeboats

Abstract: The capabilities of two marine evacuation systems have been investigated using model experiments in a large test facility at the Institute for Ocean Technology. Tests were done with the widely used conventional davit launched twin-falls lifeboat and a similar system with the addition of a flexible boom. The performance of both systems was evaluated as a function of weather conditions, ranging from calm conditions to storms. In addition, the effects of the configuration of the evacuation station were examined. This included the orientation of the boat at launch and its clearance from the vessel. Evacuation tests were done in intact and damaged conditions. Results of this large experimental campaign are presented and practical applications to emergency preparedness planning and evacuation system design are discussed. This work aims to address a knowledge gap by providing objective, empirical data that can be used by designers, regulators and others in their decisions concerning safety.Copyright © 2004 by ASME