Showing papers on "Water environment published in 1982"

Hydrocarbon products damage control systems

Abstract: Spilled liquid hydrocarbon products ranging from crude oil to refined fractions and discrete compounds are converted from a liquid to a gel or to a semi-solid or solid state by contacting a liquid petroleum product with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquified refrigerant gas. The technique is particularly appropriate for control of oil spills in a water environment wherein the oil is either floating on or dispersed in water. Contact of the polymer particles with liquid hydrocarbons results in virtually instantaneous solvation of the polymer in the hydrocarbon to produce a cohesive gel or a semi-solid to solid material at a polymer concentration ranging generally from about 0.2% to 1% for gel formation and from about 1% to 30% for formation of a semi-solid to solid material based on hydrocarbon weight.

Multiport diffusers for heat disposal: A summary

Abstract: This paper reviews the fluid mechanical characteristics - as derived from theoretical and experimental studies during the past dozen years - of submerged multiport diffusers used for heat disposal from thermal power plants into the water environment Foremost among these characteristics is the near field instability produced by such thermal diffusers in typical receiving water conditions Rather than forming a distinct buoyant plume as is the case for the traditional sewage diffuser, the high discharge momentum of thermal diffusers leads to a flow breakdown with local recirculation zones and full vertical mixing Stability diagrams for both stagnant and flowing ambient conditions are presented The flow and temperature fields at larger distances, in the intermediate field, are, in turn, critically dependent upon how the discharge momentum is introduced into the ambient fluid layer Out of a spectrum of possible diffuser designs three major types have evolved The unidirectional and staged diffusers are designs which result in concentrated vertically mixed plume motions The alternating diffuser with appropriate nozzle control generates a stratified flow field outside the unstable near field Predictive techniques for these basic types are summarized A typical case comparison illustrates their differences in engineering design and environmental impact

Effects of exercise in cool water on body weight loss.

Abstract: Seven obese women (greater than 30 per cent body fat, mean = 43 per cent) performed moderate exercise (30 to 40 per cent of maximal oxygen consumption) for 90 min during head-out immersion in cool water (17 to 22 degrees C) five times per week for eight weeks to determine if cold exposure and the attendant caloric deficit in body heat stores would lead to body weight loss. Exercise was on a cycle ergometer that was modified for underwater use. Body weight, body fat, fat-free body weight, and caloric intake did not change significantly as a result of the exercise program in cool water. The significant heat debts incurred were presumably repaid without an increase in energy expenditure. The caloric balance and the thermal data obtained suggest that body heat stores were slowly repaid during recovery by resting metabolic heat production associated with a reduced rate of body heat loss. Maximal oxygen uptake did not increase significantly. No metabolic or thermal evidence was found to support cold adaptation in the obese women. Ergometer exercise in water as well-tolerated, as evidenced by no exercise-related injuries and an adherence rate of 93 per cent. It was concluded that, while cold exposure does not increase caloric expenditure significantly in obese individuals, exercising regularly in cool water may be beneficial as it may motivate obese people to exercise at higher intensity for thermal comfort and the water environment may help prevent injuries.

Human Posture in Zero Gravity

Abstract: EVER SINCE MANKIND'S ANCESTORS emerged from the water environment, the human body has been shaped by continuous exposure to gravity. Consequently, a considerable portion of human structures and controls are dedicated to relating to the gravity vector-operating in a one-g environment. Where everything has weight, skeletons are needed for rigidity and leverage, muscles are needed for sustained motion, and the strong circulatory system is needed to pump blood against gravity. Much of our daily metabolic output is expended by the postural, or antigravity, muscles. Postures and movements must always take gravity into consideration, and, further, the control and coordination of these systems must be "programmed" in our neurological systems to accommodate the multiple effects of the gravity vector. In space, the effects of gravity vanish, and with them some of the reasons man and other creatures of the earth are the way they are. Therefore, subjecting the human body to weightlessness should produce changes in shape, size, and composition as well as in movement patterns and movement efforts. From the earliest days of space flight, many of these changes and their effects have been described by astronauts (see appendix). They consider the absence of gravity a very significant problem, and it is one that has not been described either in the press or in the academic-scientific literature. Data from the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Skylab experiment are used here to describe the human posture in zero gravity. The postural differential from a one-g environment suggests a postural reflex that, although frequently if not invariably assumed by students of human movement and posture, has not heretofore been studied. Specification of the neutral position in zero-g has implications for human engineering on earth as well as in space, for the healing arts, and for research in human biokinetics.

On the measurement of strain in the hostile environment of high-pressure water (80 MPa): A newly developed self-pressure-compensating technique and two new chemical sealants for use with strain gages subjected to pressurized water environment are presented

Abstract: The measurement of strain on a structural member in the presence of high-pressure water environment requires waterproofing of the gages as well as understanding of the pressure effect on the foil gages. Two new waterproofing methods are developed to protect the gage under these extremely high pressures. This study has resulted in a new compensating method which eliminates the effects of temperature and pressure simultaneously. The waterproofing materials studied during this investigation are superior to other earlier techniques reported in literature since they provide protection up to 11,500 psi (80 MPa) while previously existing techniques failed before this pressure. Also, these studies on the pressure effect deal with the realistic situation of coated strain gages in a water environment, as compared to previous studies which dealt with uncoated strain gages in an oil environment.

Steel material for line pipe with excellent carbon dioxide corrosion resistance

Abstract: PURPOSE:To insure stability of corrosion product by specifying Cr, Si, Al in steel. CONSTITUTION:The steel comprises, in the % basis, 0.03-0.1 C, 0.2-4.0 Si, 0.02-1.5 Mn, 0.02 or less S, 0.015 or less P, above 0.1-3.0 Al, 3-13 Cr and the remainder Fe. Herein, C is necessary in order to insure strength but the upper limit is determined in order to insure corrosion resistance. Si is necessary from a standpoint of deaidification as well as forms an Si rich layer in a carbon dioxide gas saturated water environment to enhance corrosion resistance of said steel and the upper limit thereof is defined in an effective range. Because S, P promote corrosion, a content thereof is pref. reduced as possible as low. Al is added in order to form alminum killed steel for grain refining but forms an Al rich layer in a carbon dioxide gas saturated water environment to remarkably control corrosion thereof and the upper limit thereof is defined in an effective range. Cr remarkably increase corrosion control effect of Si, Al and, other than said effect, Cr alone reduces a corrosion speed. Further, when Mo, Ni, W are coexisted with Cr, the aforementioned effects are surprisingly enhanced.

Purification of Industrial Wastewaters Containing Chromocomplex Compounds

Abstract: Wastes from production of chromocomplex dyes 1:2 containing considerable amounts of chromium (150-300 mg Cr/dm 3 ) in the form of stable complexes with azo dyes and salicylic acid are hazardous for water environment. It is due to very great toxicity of chromo-organic complexes and the lack of effective way of their neutralization. The investigations allowed working out of a new effective method of removing chromium from the wastes in the form of sparingly soluble Ca(CrO 2 ) 2 with simultaneous lowering of basic indicators of pollution such as chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand and others. The method consists in decomposition of chromocomplex compounds under the influence of calcium ions in alcaline solution at boiling point. In optimum conditions of the process realized in semi-technical installation the degree of reduction of chromium in wastes was over 99.5%. Purified wastes revealed toxic properties about 30 times weaker than raw weaker than raw wastes.

Thermal characteristics of a marine microcosm designed to simulate the coastal water environment of the northern Gulf of California

Abstract: The construction and stocking of a 15 000-liter marine microcosm is described The microcosm is located outdoors in the arid desert environment of Tempe, Arizona and is an attempt to simulate the coastal water environment of the northern Gulf of California near Puerto Penasco, Mexico Temperature modulation is achieved by an appropriate area/volume ratio, partial shading of the water surface, and auxiliary solar panel heating Long-term measurements demonstrate that the system is capable of accurately duplicating the mean monthly temperatures of Puerto Penasco waters throughout the entire year

Detecting presence of hydrocarbons underwater

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom. The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor. Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environment such as marine life, turbidity, etc.

Characteristics of Commercially Pure Titanium for Power Plant

Abstract: It is reported that stainless steels and nickel alloys have suffered considerable troubles due to corrosion problems in high temperature and pressurized water environment.

Structural and morphological investigation of the oxidation of titanium diboride in various environments II. Oxidation of titanium diboride in a steam-water environment

Abstract: It was observed for the first time that titanium diboride oxidizes in steam at temperatures not exceeding 100°C. Qualitatively, the degree of oxidation, which depends on its duration, can be determined only by electron microscopy and, less accurately, by the petrographic technique. Oxidation is more intense in boiling water than in steam. This may be a consequence of partial elution of the oxide film being formed and exposure of fresh surfaces to the oxidizing environment. Under these conditions, the oxidation reaction takes place at the titanium diboride oxidizing environment interface.

Detection method of and apparatus for hydrocarbon in water

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons and other substance that fluoresces or absorbs light within a body of water which utilizes a controlled submersible vehicle scanning at or near the water bottom The method utilizes a selected frequency light source as carried by the submersible to scan the water bottom, and the returned light energy, either at the wavelength of oil fluorescing in water or the source frequency backscatter, is detected and processed for the water bottom as well as a water region that is a selected distance above the water floor Alternative forms of apparatus are disclosed for carrying out the functions of both oil fluorescence detection, and for obtaining differential absorption readings as to light source backscatter energy that is created by the ambient water and other factors in the water environment such as marine life, turbidity, etc