Ralph M. Parsons Foundation

Benzene, diphenyl sulfone (DPS), para-hydroxybiphenyl (PPP), ortho-hydroxybiphenyl (OPP), higher hydroxybiphenyls, and alkylated benzenes were found in a small lake receiving contaminated groundwater discharge from the Industri-Plex Superfund site (Woburn, MA) in the Aberjona watershed in eastern Massachusetts. All of these chemicals may derive from the former phenol manufacturing activities present at the Industri-Plex site during World War I. Concentrations up to 1660 microgram/l benzene, 450 micro/l DPS, 230 microgram/l PPP, and 100 microgram/l OPP were detected in the hypolimnion. Epilimnetic concentrations of the chemicals were significantly lower (normally < 5 microgram/l). DPS showed a distinct seasonal behavior: It was readily biodegradable during warm periods. No biodegradation was observed in the winter, leaving export to the Aberjona River as the major removal mechanism. Although benzene is known to be toxic and a human carcinogen, our results indicate that DPS, OPP, and PPP are not mutagenic in tests using human MCL-5 and h1A1v2 cell lines.ImagesFigure 1

A brief review of the subject of the biological effects of 50/60 Hz fields is presented. Included is a discussion of extremely-low-frequency (ELF) fields to which the public is exposed, and ELF fields that are encountered in a petrochemical refinery. The proposed limits to which humans should be subjected and methods of reducing exposure are presented. Specific methods which may be employed to avoid the higher-strength ELF fields are detailed, and recommendations of the International Radiation Protection Association are included. >

Abstract Lessons from a hazard and operability review (HAZOP) can be vital to safe operations throughout the life of any plant [1]. These lessons can come at a very high price. But, as the popular Mercedes Benz ad goes, “there are some secrets too valuable not to share,” In this paper incidents are documented at different phases of a type of plant's development. The phases of development include design/construction, initial startup, and normal operation. The type of plant of concern is the sulfur recovery unit in a refinery. How the finds impacted each project are detailed with resolutions and insights of the importance of performing a HAZOP with individuals intimately familar with the plant, with adequate preparation (meaning having available up‐to‐date and complete documentation), and following through in a systematic and thorough fashion. Also the importance of HAZOP updates throughout the plant's life are emphasized.

Grounding has a significant impact on personnel and property safety, and is an integral part of electrical system design. Specific areas relating to safety criteria, system grounding, and equipment grounding that are either neglected or not covered in sufficient detail in presently published standards, guides, and codes are discussed. Some considerations and recommendations are presented. The major purpose of system grounding is to improve system safety by using the earth as a reference. The type, size, and location of the resulting grounds must be determined in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and good engineering judgement. The connection of a specific point of an electrical system to the earth creates a potential reference point for that electrical system. By doing so, overvoltages are controlled and limited, contributing to safe system operation. >

The essential reasons why static power converters (SPCs) possess operating characteristics that are a cause of concern with regard to the power system are described. Aspects of the power system whereby the SPC AC line side characteristics can result in unfavorable effects are presented. Application guidelines and system solution concepts derived from analysis and practice are provided. The focus is entirely on three-phase full-wave bridge SPCs. The harmonic disturbance caused by three-phase full-wave bridge diode- and thyristor-type SPCs is emphasized.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

The advantages of PC-based design packages are apparent through improved accuracy in design and analysis of electrical distribution systems. Some application programs are described, and the philosophy behind these design packages is presented. The personnel resources required for development and implementation are discussed, along with how various software programs are applied. The PC as a database organizer, management considerations, design enhancement tools, data porting and conversion, and the integrated engineering database are considered. >

Recommendations are presented for conducting proper manufacturing inspection procedures and tests of alternating-current (AC) motors, transformers, and certain packaged mechanical equipment. These recommendations will assist the purchaser in identifying tests (normally performed by the manufacturer and others) that should be conducted to gain confidence that equipment will be delivered operable and will meet its requirements. The manufacturer should provide documentation of the certified test data and a statement specifying compliance to the appropriate standards. >

The contract between the DOE and the utilities specifies that the DOE will receive spent fuel from the nuclear utilities in 1998. This study investigates the feasibility of employing a simple Transfer Facility which can be constructed quickly, and operate while the full-scale MRS facilities are being constructed. The Transfer Facility is a hot cell designed only for the purpose of transferring spent fuel assemblies from the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM) transport casks (shipped from the utility sites) into onsite concrete storage casks. No operational functions other than spent fuel assembly transfers and the associated cask handling, opening, and closing would be performed in this facility. Radioactive waste collected in the Transfer Facility during operations would be stored until the treatment facilities in the full-scale MRS facility became operational, approximately 2 years after the Transfer Facility started operation. An alternate wherein the Transfer Facility was the only waste handling building on the MRS site was also examined and evaluated. 6 figs., 26 tabs.

Analysis of the effect of C & D Canal on the salinity intrusion in the Delaware Estuary is described. Two separate mathematical models are used: MIT-Dynamic Network Model and MIT-Transient Salinity Intrusion Model. Emphasis is put on the investigation of simulated responses in the Delaware, rather than the Canal. The primary objective of the study is the investigation of salinity distribution in the Delaware under different forcing functions. MIT-DNM application reveals the behavior of a coupled Canal/Delaware system under natural boundary conditions specified at the Chesapeake Bay, Capes May and Henlopen and at the head of tide at Trenton. MIT-TSIM application shows temporal and spatial salt distribution in the Delaware with salt and net flow condition specifications in the Canal. The results of these simulations indicate that salinity in the Delaware Estuary is appreciably affected by the dynamics of the Canal. However, the Canal has little discernible effect on the hydrodynamics of the Delaware.