Plant Shutdown Research Articles

Examining interindividual differences in unemployment-related changes in subjective well-being: The role of psychological well-being and re-employment expectations

This study examined whether the six trait-like dimensions of psychological well-being (e.g., autonomy and environmental mastery) moderate the effects of unemployment on various facets of subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, satisfaction with life domains, and experienced mood). Further, re-employment expectations during unemployment were investigated as a moderator in this context. The study is based on monthly panel data ( Nobservations > 23,000) of two samples of initially employed German jobseekers, who either registered as jobseekers due to (i) mass layoffs or plant closures ( N = 552) or (ii) other reasons ( N = 988). The results indicate substantial interindividual differences in unemployment-related changes across all examined subjective well-being facets. However, dimensions of psychological well-being did generally not moderate these changes. Only in one unemployment context, environmental mastery was positively related to unemployment-related mood changes. Good re-employment expectations were related to increases in several well-being facets (e.g., leisure satisfaction) compared to being employed, whereas poor re-employment expectations were associated with particularly detrimental effects of unemployment in terms of life satisfaction. Overall, the study provides further evidence that (perceived) contextual features of unemployment seem to be particularly relevant for how individuals experience unemployment, whereas internal (coping) resources only seem to play a negligible role.

Retooling local economies: Practitioners’ experiences with and perspectives on plant closures in Ontario

ABSTRACT Since the early 2000s, plant closures have been a significant concern in Ontario, Canada. Scholars and policymakers alike aim to investigate the causes of plant closures and determine how to mitigate their impacts. Despite the large body of literature on plant closures, local economic development practitioners’ perspectives and experiences have been neglected. To fill this gap, this paper interviewed twenty-two practitioners from various cities in Ontario to understand how practitioners perceive and respond to plant closures. The findings provide a comprehensive overview of the various dynamics of plant closures. Also, based on the findings, seven policy recommendations are presented.

A Method for Projecting Cloud Shadows Onto a Central Receiver Field to Predict Receiver Damage

This work demonstrates methods of mapping high-spatial-resolution direct normal irradiance (DNI) data from satellites, Total Sky Imagers (TSIs), and analogous data sources onto a heliostat field for characterizing the spatial and temporal variation of the incident flux on a central receiver tower during cloud transient events. The mapping methods are incorporated into an optical software module that interfaces with CoPylot–SolarPILOT’s python API– to provide computationally efficient optical simulation of the heliostat field and the solar power tower. Eventually, this optical model will be incorporated into optimization models whereby a plant operator can understand the effects of cloud transient events on overall power production and receiver lifetime due to creep-fatigue damage and therefore make better informed decisions about receiver shutdown events. By more accurately modelling the effects of cloud events on receiver flux maps, this work may determine the magnitude and frequency of thermal cycling on receiver tubes and panels using actual or realistic cloud shapes instead of averaged DNI values–which may undercount the total cycle number. This work may also prevent unnecessary plant shutdowns due to overly precautionary control strategies and characterize the relative impact of various cloud types on receiver life. We plan to eventually integrate this methodology into the System Advisor Model (SAM) to improve performance model accuracy during periods of cloudiness. In this paper, we demonstrate generating DNI maps and mapping them to a solar field in CoPylot using 10 m resolution data from publicly available Sentinel-2 satellite data over the Crescent Dunes plant.

A working-class road to radical industrial democracy. Workplace industrial relations and workers mobilisation in the ex-GKN factory in Florence

Can workplace industrial democracy be a tool of transformative working-class empowerment in the contemporary context of liberalised industrial relations? We argue that in the presence of specific historical legacies and organisational circumstances, radical forms of workplace industrial democracy can contribute to the strengthening of workers' structural, associational, societal and ideational power resources, even under hostile conditions of labour-capital balance of power. After providing a conceptual definition of radical industrial democracy, we develop our argument by showing its workings in practice in a salient case of industrial restructuring, that of the former GKN plant in Florence, Italy. Since summer 2021, GKN workers have undertaken a long-lasting mobilisation against the plant closure and for its reindustrialisation, in the perspective of a productive reconversion compatible with the concept of just transition. We show how the practices of radical industrial democracy embedded in the GKN plant played a key role in shoring up workers' power resources, supporting the long-lasting mobilisation and the convergence with other social movements. Our findings underscore that radical industrial democracy can be a key asset to cultivate autonomous working-class power. It needs, however, to be backed up by broader institutional and political infrastructures to lead to transformative outcomes.

Microstructural characterization of 15Cr steel after quenching and slow cooling rates

Abstract Ferritic 15 %-Cr steels have better oxidation resistance, due to their higher chromium content, and creep strength, their lower dislocation density and lack of lath microstructure than conventional martensitic steels such as MarBN. Their mechanical properties are sensitive to chemical composition and heat treatment. In this study, we first simulated the formation of stable phases in two ferritic steels containing 2 % nickel (wt.%) and an alloy without nickel using the thermomechanical software MATCALC. Microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) reveals the formation of carbides and intermetallic phases after diffusion annealing, both during rapid cooling in oil and slow cooling in the furnace. Dilatometry and XRD studies confirm the gradual phase transformation of ferrite to austenite from 650 °C onwards during heating. Dilatometry also shows that ferritic steels have a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than martensitic steels, austenitic steels, and superalloys, which results in lower thermal stresses during frequent start-up and shutdown of power plants.

The impact of COVID‐19 on price transmission and price volatility in the Canadian beef supply chain

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in disruptions to the Canadian meat and livestock markets. While prices initially decreased, the shutdowns of beef packing plants led to a large reduction in the supply of beef and a corresponding increase in the wholesale price with ramifications along the entire supply chain. This study examines the effect of COVID‐19 on price transmission and price volatility in the Canadian beef supply chain using monthly farmgate, wholesale, and retail price data covering the period from July 2005 to February 2022. We find evidence indicating that COVID‐19 affected long‐run price transmission from farmgate and wholesale markets to the retail market. Specifically, we find that the pandemic resulted in a 94.42 and 81.48% decrease in price transmission from the farmgate and wholesale market, respectively, to the retail market, indicating that higher prices at the wholesale level were not being passed on to consumers to the same extent. In the short run, we find asymmetric price adjustments and both direct and indirect volatility spillovers among the three levels of markets, implying strong market interactions across the beef supply chain. Overall, our results suggest the resiliency of the Canadian beef sector to COVID‐19 shocks.

Predictive Analytics-Based Methodology Supported by Wireless Monitoring for the Prognosis of Roller-Bearing Failure

Roller mills are commonly used in the production of mining derivatives, since one of their purposes is to reduce raw materials to very small sizes and to combine them. This research evaluates the mechanical condition of a mill containing four rollers, focusing on the largest cylindrical roller bearings as the main component that causes equipment failure. The objective of this work is to make a prognosis of when the overall vibrations would reach the maximum level allowed (2.5 IPS pk), thus enabling planned replacements, and achieving the maximum possible useful life in operation, without incurring unscheduled corrective maintenance and unexpected plant shutdown. Wireless sensors were used to capture vibration data and the ARIMA (Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average) and Holt–Winters methods were applied to forecast vibration behavior in the short term. Finally, the results demonstrate that the Holt–Winters model outperforms the ARIMA model in precision, allowing a 3-month prognosis without exceeding the established vibration limit.

Hot Strip Mill Gearbox Monitoring and Diagnosis Based on Convolutional Neural Networks Using the Pseudo-Labeling Method

The steel industry is typical process manufacturing, and the quality and cost of the products can be improved by efficient operation of equipment. This paper proposes an efficient diagnosis and monitoring method for the gearbox, which is a key piece of mechanical equipment in steel manufacturing. In particular, an equipment maintenance plan for stable operation is essential. Therefore, equipment monitoring and diagnosis to prevent unplanned plant shutdowns are important to operate the equipment efficiently and economically. Most plant data collected on-site have no precise information about equipment malfunctions. Therefore, it is difficult to directly apply supervised learning algorithms to diagnose and monitor the equipment with the operational data collected. The purpose of this paper is to propose a pseudo-label method to enable supervised learning for equipment data without labels. Pseudo-normal (PN) and pseudo-abnormal (PA) vibration datasets are defined and labeled to apply classification analysis algorithms to unlabeled equipment data. To find an anomalous state in the equipment based on vibration data, the initial PN vibration dataset is compared with a PA vibration dataset collected over time, and the equipment is monitored for potential failure. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is applied to the vibration signals collected to obtain an image dataset, which is then entered into a convolutional neural network (an image classifier) to determine classification accuracy and detect equipment abnormalities. As a result of Steps 1 to 4, abnormal signals have already been detected in the dataset, and alarms and warnings have already been generated. The classification accuracy was over 0.95 at d=4, confirming quantitatively that the status of the equipment had changed significantly. In this way, a catastrophic failure can be avoided by performing a detailed equipment inspection in advance. Lastly, a catastrophic failure occurred in Step 9, and the classification accuracy ranged from 0.95 to 1.0. It was possible to prevent secondary equipment damage, such as motors connected to gearboxes, by identifying catastrophic failures promptly. This case study shows that the proposed procedure gives good results in detecting operation abnormalities of key unit equipment. In the conclusion, further promising topics are discussed.

PROTECTION COORDINATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANT IN THE TIME DOMAIN

The safety of workers and equipment in the power grid requires the shutdown of power plants in case of maintenance or malfunction. The shutdown relies on protective devices that must be properly coordinated to isolate only the part of the grid affected by the malfunction. Using the DIgSILENT PowerFactory software, an analysis was conducted on a model of an accurate real grid integrating a photovoltaic power plant with a capacity of 390 kW. Protection coordination testing was carried out for three-phase, two-phase, and single-phase short circuit currents at arbitrarily selected locations at medium and low voltage levels. Protection in the time domain is coordinated on lines and busbars to determine the speed and selectivity of protective devices. The analysis results indicate that adequately adjusting the three-phase short circuit at the main transformer output 110/10 kV with an impedance of 0 Ω and an allowed protection operation time of up to two seconds can be correctly addressed within 36.7 ms.

The impact of the closure of mining plants on the local environment in the perspective of demographic change and public health

Purpose: in the cognitive space of the article, an important and significant challenge arises, which is - in the perspective of the megatrends indicated in the article, demographic change and public health - the need to prepare a package of socio-economic activities dedicated primarily to the inhabitants of the areas where the process of closing down mining plants will take place. In this context, the issues of demographic change and health should be given priority in these areas in activities promoting social and economic activity in the transformation process. Methodology: the theses presented in the article were verified using the following methods: literature review, critical analysis of literature, analysis and comparison of documents and an example of good practices. Resultat: in the perspective of the next decades, numerous social and economic challenges and effects related to the transformation of mining plants in the space of local communities (commune, district) can be pointed out. While maintaining the hierarchy of objectives described in the European Green Deal Plan and clearly related to the plan for the transformation of mining plants, lasting cooperation of the three key stakeholders in this process, i.e., local communities (representation of local and territorial self-government), employers and representation of state policies, should be expected in their environment. Originality: the conclusions and recommendations from the article may be important for researchers and practitioners involved in the implementation of activities aimed at limiting the marginalization, differentiation and social and economic exclusion of residents of areas where the process of closing mining plants will take place. Keywords: mining, demographic change, public health.

The Unintended Consequences of Coal-Fired Power Plant Closures: Evidence from China

The Unintended Consequences of Coal-Fired Power Plant Closures: Evidence from China

The COVID-19 Pandemic Decreases Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study in Industry.

We aimed to determine if maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), resting heart rate (RHR), and self-reported leisure- time moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) changed over a 3-year follow-up (FU) among industrial workers. We assessed cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) August 2018 and August 2021. The last 17-18 months coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 86 participants were collected; demographics by questionnaire and cardiovascular outcomes from medical examination: V˙O2max, RHR, and fat mass (%). Workers reported on their leisure-time MVPA twice. To assess changes in health outcomes we applied a linear mixed model, adjusting for baseline (BL) age, sex, pack-years, shift work, and a 5-month plant shutdown. Further, we adjusted for actual age instead of BL age. V˙O2max decreased from 39.6 mL/kg/min at BL to 34.0 at FU, a reduction of 5.6 mL/kg/min (95%CI, -7.6, -3.7). Adjusted for actual age, the corresponding figure for V˙O2max was 5.4 mL/kg/min, (95%CI, -7.4, -3.4), an annual loss of 4.6%. RHR increased from 61.3 to 64.4 beats per minute (95%CI, 0.8, 5.4). Self-reported MVPA decreased by 43.9 min/week, (95%CI, -73.5, -14.4). We observed a decrease in V˙O2max, an increase in RHR and a decrease in self-reported MVPA, suggesting physical inactivity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rethinking job loss in an age of assetisation: Lessons from the study of precarious older workers

Studies of job loss and deindustrialisation have tended to reproduce findings of long-term disadvantage for people and places. Far from purely reflecting matters of historical interest, recent studies have found that deindustrialisation exhibits a ‘half-life’ in which effects linger for generations after major closures. But these literatures are yet to fully consider job loss in contemporary societies where workers’ lives have been transformed by assetisation. Historical studies of deindustrialisation have tended to focus on times and places where assets were marginal to working-class peoples’ lives. Combining insights from parallel literatures on deindustrialisation, job loss and assetisation, this article addresses the questions: How important is asset ownership for workers during mass closure events? And to what extent does asset ownership generate new fault-lines of inequality between workers when confronted with job loss and its aftermath? These questions are addressed by quantifying financial outcomes, home ownership, and retirement arrangements for a group of nearly 900 older workers whose long careers were extinguished by major plant closures in 2017. While findings demonstrate that workers with greater asset ownership were relatively protected from the negative impacts of unemployment and precarious work, they also contribute to recent debate about the role of labour in the asset economy by pointing to the dynamic interaction of assets and employment over the working life course; that outcomes from job loss are shaped by the interaction of assets and employment, not assets or employment.

Influence of short-lived radioiodines other than 131I on screening direct thyroid measurements with TCS-172 NAI(TL) survey meters.

In a nuclear emergency, one of the actions taken for the sake of public is to monitor thyroid exposure to radioiodines. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority recently published a report on such monitoring and proposed direct thyroid measurements with conventional NaI(Tl) survey meters (e.g. Hitachi model TCS-172) as a primary screening method. A previous study proposed screening levels (SLs) used in these simplified measurements as the net reading values of the TCS-172 device. Age-specific SLs were derived from a thyroid equivalent dose of 100mSv due to the inhalation intake of 131I. This study addressed the possible influence of short-lived iodine isotopes other than 131I on the simplified measurements. In preparation for such measurements, the responses of the device for 132I as an ingrowth component from 132Te, 133I, 134I and 135I in the thyroid were evaluated by numerical simulations using age-specific stylized phantoms in addition to those obtained for 131I in the previous study. The radioactivity ratios of the relevant isotopes were taken from the inventory data of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The results were used to predict the net readings of the device when 132Te-132I and 133I as well as 131I were inhaled at 24 or 72h after the shutdown of a nuclear power plant. In these cases, the signals from 132Te-132I and 133I become undetectable a couple of days after intake, which could lead to underestimations of the thyroid dose. To estimate the thyroid dose accurately from the simplified measurements, it is necessary to identify the exact time of intake after the shutdown and the actual physiochemical property of 132Te that affects the thyroid uptake of 132I.

High-temperature corrosion behavior of bare and NiCr-coated AISI 422 steel by varying the coating thickness in the Na2SO4 + 60%V2O5 environment

It is difficult to assess fatalities due to high temperature corrosion, such as plant closure time, production loss, decrease in productivity, contamination, etc. In this context, the AISI 422 martensitic steel is a popular choice for high temperature applications due to its unique properties. The durability of this material can be increased by coating technology. The Ni-20Cr composite powder is a highly recommended choice for high-temperature applications. In this research, Ni-20Cr coating was sprayed on AISI 422 steel, using a flame spray process with two different thicknesses of 250–350 µm and 350–450 µm. Corrosion studies have been carried out at temperatures of 600 °C and 900 °C for Na2SO4 + 60%V2O5 salt solution environment. The corrosion kinetics were studied with the help of the Wagner equation. Micrographics analysis has been performed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Coated material has been shown better corrosion resistance compared to bare. The low-thickness coating has better corrosion resistance corresponding to both bare and high-thickness.

A breath of fresh air: Coal power plant closures and health in China

This study provides the first causal evaluation of the impact of coal power plant closures on health in China using nationally representative survey data. Based on the linkage between the staggered shutdowns of 13 coal power plants between 2000 and 2015 and the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data, we adopt the new event study approach by Sun and Abraham (2021) to compare changes in overall health statuses for residents living downwind of coal power plants (treated) with those living upwind (control), before and after plant closures. We find that incidences of sickness are reduced by 7 percentage points or 0.2 standard deviations 5–9 years after the closure. The result is robust to a host of robustness checks. Further analyses reveal that the health benefits are concentrated on older adults, rural areas, and historically low pollution regions. By considering several potential channels, we find that plant shutdowns have decreased incidences of overweight and hypertension, increased physical activity levels, and generated a wealth effect resulting from increased housing prices.

Optimization of safety instrumented system performance and maintenance costs in Algerian oil and gas facilities

Gas processing industry is associated with high risks which have the potential to cause catastrophic accidents. Safety Instrumented Systems (SISs) are considered the most effective safety barriers in this sector aiming to prevent undesired events and mitigate their consequences. However, several factors can affect their performance including maintenance strategy in place. In this paper, a Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) model is proposed for evaluating maintenance strategies related to SIS. The model is applied to analyze the performance of an Emergency Shutdown System (ESD) in a Flared Gases Recovery Unit located at south Algerian field. Furthermore, the paper investigates the financial impact of proof tests, including direct costs (such as manpower, equipment, and transportation) and indirect costs (such as production losses and gas flaring tax). These costs can be effectively managed and reduced by optimizing proof test intervals and scheduling tests during planned plant shutdowns. The results demonstrate that the proposed Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) model successfully analyzes the impact of imperfect full and partial proof tests on PFD average values of Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs). In addition, it has been shown through reliability analysis that the proposed model is able to minimize spare parts expenses leading to significant cost savings while maintaining the required safety integrity levels (SILs), about 60% benefit achieved within two years compared to the actual procurement process over same period.

Employment and well-being after plant closure: Survey evidence from Switzerland on the mid and long run

How does plant closure affect the employment and well-being of displaced workers? This article presents the results of two surveys of workers at five manufacturing plants two and 11 years after mass layoffs. After two years, two-thirds of displaced workers had been re-employed, one in five workers was still unemployed, and one in 10 workers had retired. A decade after the plant closures, unemployment had fallen below 5%. Overall, post-displacement outcomes in Switzerland were more favourable than in other European plant closures. However, age disparities loomed large. Older workers struggled to find new jobs and often had to accept large wage cuts and unstable jobs. In particular, many workers in their late forties and early fifties were hit hard as they were too young to benefit from early retirement, but too old to start over.

FE modeling of the reconstructed Bituminated radioactive waste storage of Ignalina NPP

Decommissioning of nuclear facilities is a complex of various activities strongly related to safety. In 2004 and 2005, both reactors of Ignalina NPP were closed. One of the tasks that must be solved is what to do with the radioactive waste storage facility (Ignalina AE Building 158). Possible solutions: – complete destruction of the radioactive waste storage with the need to empty the canyons and store the waste in a special place or, as an alternative, turning the storage into a repository. Converting storage to repository also has many different options. The installation of protective barriers of different thicknesses or even the construction of a sarcophagus is possible. The cheapest way to form a protective barrier on an existing building structure. The problem is the relatively high weight of the barrier structure, which must be supported by the existing building structure.The article presents an analysis of the durability of the structures of the radioactive waste storage, assessing the influence of the self-weight of the building's reinforced concrete structural elements and the mass of the bituminous radioactive waste stored in the canyons, as well as the effect of additional loads acting on the floor and roof of the first floor during the planned conversion of the storage facility into the repository. Numerical simulation was performed using ANSYS computer code and the results were compared with the relevant standards and norms in order to assess the building's ability to undergo such transformations.Spatial volumetric geometric and calculation models of the construction structures of the 158 building were created. These models have been modified after considering future changes during the transformation of the building into a repository. Perform calculations of the state of stresses and strains of the landfill under the load of the self-weight of the structural elements and the hydrostatic pressure of the bituminous waste. On the basis of the results of the calculations, conclusions were formulated about the level of load on the construction structures of the building and the margin under the current operating loads.The developed numerical models can be easily extended to evaluate the effects of new building elements and additional loads on structures (specifically walls and ceilings) after the transformation of a waste storage into a repository.The article presents not only the idea of reorganizing the waste storage structure to repository but also the methodology of modelling such a structure by assessing the age of the building's soil and additional loads. This methodology can be useful and applied to the closure of other nuclear power plants when it is necessary to turn the radioactive waste storage into a repository.

Performance of an Air-Cooled Heat Exchanger in a Separation Unit Based on Fouling Factor and Pressure Drop

Heat exchangers transfer heat from a high temperature to a low temperature in a fluid. Air-cooled heat exchangers are one of the most widely used types of heat exchangers, after shell and tube heat exchangers. Its performance is determined by calculating the fouling factor value and the pressure drop. The purpose of this case study is to evaluate the performance of a water-cooled heat exchanger in a plant that produces a thickening agent (CMC, or carboxymethylcellulose), which affects the amount of ethanol produced. Ethanol will cool from 79.347 to 54.133 oC, and air will cool from 31.333 to 59.667 oC as the cold fluid. The calculation results show that both reviews exceed the design threshold of 0.007056 h.ft2.oF/Btu. These heat exchangers require maintenance and repair. These results differ from the pressure drop values on the air side and pipe section, which are 1.2.10-3 inH2O and 0.647 psia, respectively. Both values remain outside the allowable limits. The performance evaluation of process equipment in the separation unit was aided by field data. The review of the data was able to predict a plant shut-down. This action was able to effect a partial or total plant shut-down due to fouling and scale exceeding design data thresholds.