17 Energy (supplies, policy, economics, forecasts) Sorption isotherms for methanol, benzene and eth96lOllO6 anol on poly(vlnyl acetate) (PVAc) Saure, R. and Schlunder, E. U. Chemical Engng. & Processing, Jun. 1995, 34, (3), 305-316. The sorption isotherms for three organic solvents on PVAc have been measured via the isopiestic method using a simple inexpensive device with a spring inside the measuring chamber as the force sensor. A robust steel sprmg was used successfully instead of the sensitive quartz spring described in the literature. The sample was a thin aluminium foil coated with a thin polymer layer to yield a short diffusion path length and sufficient equilibrium load at an acceptable tare mass. This enabled equilibrium to be attained within l-2 h. The measuring device employed may be useful for the study of adsorbents that can be coated as a film onto aluminium foil or exist as a thin film themselves.
96101107 Speclatlon of organic sulfur forms In solld fuels and heavy oils Snape, C. E. et al., NATO ASI Ser., Ser. C., Composition, Geochemistry & Conversion of Oil Shales, 1995, (455), 125-142. The paper discusses the recent advances achieved with X-ray techniques, temperature programmed reduction and oxidation and selective chemical modification for the speciation of organic sulphur forms present in solid fuels. Although each of these approaches has its limitations, a consistent overall picture is beginning to emerge on the nature of organic sulphur groups i;l solid fuels-and heavy oil ftictions. As might be anticipated; the more stable sulphur groups are most abundant in the more mature coals and petroleum source rocks.
Spectroscopic and structural characterization of a fulvic acid from weathered coal
96101106
Tao, 2. Y. et al., Toxicol. Environ. Chem., 1995, 49, (l), 45-56. The fulvic acid from weathered coal of Gongxian, Henan Province, P.R. China, is characterized as a typical sample with the highest degree of humification. Based on the experimental results from high-resolution ‘H NMR and RIR spectra and correct fluorescence spectra, valuable information concerning its composition and structure was revealed and discussed.
Steady-state thermodynamic analysis of a combined Carnot cycle with internal irreversibility
96101109
Thermal decomposltlon of two coal model compounds - pyrldlne and P-plcollne. Klnetlcs and product dlstrlbutlons
96101114
Ikeda, E. and Mackie, J. C. J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, 1995, 34, (l), 47-63. Discusses the thermal decomposition of two coal model compounds, pyridine and 2-picoline, in a completely stirred fused-silica reactor over the temperature range 1060-1240 K at pressures between 8.0-13.3. Wa and at reactor residence times between 1 and 5s. Profiles of major products and kinetics of thermal decomposition of both compounds are given and a detailed investigation by GC/MS of the minor products of decomposition has been made.
96101116
X-ray studles of the structure of coals and cokes
Wilk, P. and Jasienko, S. NATO ASI Ser., Ser. C, Composition, Geochemiswy & Conversion of Oil Shales, 1995, (455), 477-484 The paper presents the results from studies of both the organic matter in coals and cokes and mineral compositions by X-ray diffraction techniques.
17ENERGY Supplies, Policy, Economics, Forecasts 96101116 practice?
Abandonment:
Of well-established
accounting
Pereira, V. Petroleum Rev., Sep. 1995, 49, (584), 399-401. Reports that in January, the Oil Industry Accounting Committee (OIAC) issued a discussion paper which considered the impact of FRS 5, ‘Reporting the Substance of Transactions’ on upstream oil and gas companies. The most significant proposal put forward in this paper was that existing accounting practice for abandonment is in need of revision. Respondents disagreed and the resulting impasse forced the Accounting Standards Board to address the issue in its project on provisions. This article provides an analysis of the OIAC conclusion and highlights the central issue which fired the debate.
Sahin, B. and Kodal, A. Energy, Dec. 1995, 20, (12), 1285-1289. An optimal performance analysis of a combined Carnot cycle (two single Carnot cycles in a cascade), including internal irreversibility for steady state operation, has been carried out. It is shown that the effects of internal irreversibility on maximum power may be characterized by two cycleirreversibility parameters representing the ratios of the entropy differences for each of the cycles. The effects of these two irreversibility parameters on power and thermal efficiency are studied.
Analysis of energy consumption In Jordan 96101117 Tamimi, A. Energy Convers. Mgmt., Nov. 1995, 36, (ll), 1063-1065. Energy consumption in Jordan was analysed and correlated over the last seven years for the period 1985-1992. The results were presented fairly by second or third degree polynominals with less than +/-5% error.
96lOlllO
96101116 Benchmarking in the energy dlstrlbutlon sector: Match the best
Study of anthracites and thermoanthracites by Xray diffraction analysis
Ulanovskii,
M. L. et al., Koks Khim., 1995, (ll),
6-9. (In Russian)
Sulfur K-edge XAFS measurements of fly ash with X-ray excited sample current detection
96101111
Zheng, S. et al., X-sen Bunseki no Shinpo, 1995, 26, 217-224. (In Japanese) The authors have measured sulphur K edge XAFS of coal fly ash employing the X-ray excited sample current detection and the X-ray fluorescence detection simultaneously. -Utilizing the difference in the analyzing depth between 2 methods, chemical states of the sulnhur in the flv ash could be compared between surface and near surface region. Sulphu; in the surface region was SO,*-. However, some portion of sulphur inside the fly ash particle was S’.. Also discusses the difference between fly ash samples.
Support elements with extremely negative thermal 96101112 exaanslan Hartwig, G. Cryogenics, 1995, 35, (ll), 717-718. A speGal system -of carbon fibres‘ cbmposites and metals, with an extremely negative value of the thermal expansion coefficient, has been developed. The value is about three times that of steel, but with a negative sign. A further advantage of this system is its very low thermal conductivity and high compressive strength. Thermal data and mechanical properties (compressive strength, fatigue endurance limit and creep behaviour) are discussed.
Lieftinck, A. Gas (Netherlands), Nov. 1995, 115, (ll), 42-44. (In Flemish) A comparison of 17 Dutch energy distribution companies revealed big differences in productivity. These differences are caused by the arrangement of working processes and the organisation of the companies. The study also aroused interest abroad; companies in Norway, Sweden, Austria and Germany want to compare themselves using the same method. In the Netherlands, the study will be repeated next year. 96107 119
Border disputes and the development of traneboundary energy resources
Roberts, J. Petroleum Rev., Sep. 1995, 49, (584), 395-398. The author discusses how oil and gas basins, like ethnic and religious communities, have an annoying habit of spanning international boundaries, and what makes matters worse is that iery often those boundaries are poorly defined or have yet to be delineated and demarcated.
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Temperature-programmed retention indices for g.c. and g.c.-m.s. analysis of coal- and petroleum-derived liquid fuels
96101113
Lai, W. C. and Song, C. Fuel, Oct. 1995, 74, (lo), 1436-1451. Retention indices are very useful in identifvinp. components in liquid fuels by gas chromatography cg.c.), even when g.c_is cobpled with m&s spectrometry. In this work, temperature-programmed retention indices of over 150 compounds were determined on an intermediately polar capillary column coated with 50% phenyl-50% methyl polysiloxane (Rtx-50) and a slightly polar column coated with 5% phenyl-95% methyl polysiloxane at three heating rates (2, 4 and 6”Cmm .’from 40 to 31O’C). Aliphatic compounds give nearly constant retention indices at different heating rates. However, the retention indices of polycyclic aromatic compounds exhibit a relatively large temperature dependence.
96101120 The BOT option. Conflicts and compromlses David, A. K. and Fernando, P. N. Energy Policy, Aug. 1995, 23, (8), 669-675. The build, operate and transfer (BOT) and the build, operate and own (BOO) arrangements have emerged as the most important private power investment options in developing countries. Although there is a huge market for such arrangements, since they are complex to negotiate, involve perceptions of risf that are not always properly understood and involve unusual cost, contracting, cash flow and returns to equity issues, the number of oroiects successfullv launched have been few. The oaoer is concerned &withexploring the& issues in a systematic way, disieliing certain myths and discussing how mutually useful arrangements can be reached ;‘,iyen a host utility and private developers on a fair and level playing
96101121
BP statistical review of world energy 1996
BP Educational Service, PO Box 934, Poole, Dorsel BH17 7BR, UK, flO.00, 36 pp. An invaluable source of statistical material on all sectors of the energy industries worldwide. Figures for reserves, production, consumption, trade movements and prices cover the whole industry.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts January 1996 67