Union Electric Research Articles

Comparison of Parent and Butt-Fusion Material Properties of Unimodal High-Density Polyethylene

The U.S. nuclear power industry is seeking U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) approval to use high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in safety-related applications. The USNRC had granted approval for the use of HDPE for safety-related service water applications, with limitations, to Catawba (Duke Energy Corp., Catawba, SC) and Callaway (Union Electric Co., Callaway, MO) based on separate relief requests submitted by the licensees. The nuclear industry continues to show increasing interest in utilizing HDPE in safety-related piping systems. In order to evaluate and maintain the structural integrity of HDPE pipes, the material properties and the fracture resistance behavior must be fully characterized. Although there has been extensive work on material property development of HDPE, most of the investigations have been focused on the parent (base) material. Hence, the material property and fracture resistance behavior of the butt-fusion region have not been comprehensively investigated. In this paper, tensile, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and slow crack growth (SCG) tests were performed for unimodal PE 4710 HDPE material. Specimens were machined from both parent piping material and butt-fusion regions. The test results indicate that the tensile and DMA properties show no significant differences between parent and butt-fusion joint materials. However, in terms of SCG resistance, the time to failure for butt-fusion joint material was an order of magnitude lower than that of the parent material.

Finding Market Power in Electric Power Markets

As part of the regulatory review of electric utility mergers in the United States, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires utilities to submit market power studies. The Commission has specified a detailed method for calculating market concentration in these studies.This paper shows that one can simulate the actual price effects from the merger by using similar data and models. Using the merger between Union Electric and Central Illinois Public Service Company as an example, this paper demonstrates that the Commission's method is unsound and often identifies competitive problems that are not likely to exist.

Using simulation to estimate the uncertainty in Union Electric Company's residential customer forecast

An estimation of uncertainty for Union Electric Company's residential customer forecast is made using Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology is an improvement over the deterministic simulation methodology the company used when it filed an integrated resource plan with the Missouri Public Service Commission in 1993. Two different sensitivity analysis methodologies are applied to the company's 1994 residential customer forecast. One methodology involves testing each discreet combination of model inputs within the uncertainty range. The other methodology involves simulating the distribution of model inputs. Neither methodology produces adequate results by itself. A combination of the two methodologies is used to efficiently determine an acceptable conclusion about forecast sensitivity.

Establishing a lightning protection evaluation program for distribution and subtransmission lines

Union Electric (UE) began a project in December 1994 to evaluate the performance of existing types of lightning protection, identify deficiencies, and recommend changes that will result in improved performance. UE employs two basic types of lightning protection-static wire and arresters. The authors discuss ground impedance, the National Lightning Detection Network, and the Lightning Protection Design Workstation (LPDW). The LPDW is a Windows based software package developed by EPRI to assist in designing an optimum protection scheme. The first step in the evaluation process is to identify lines that have historically performed poorly under lightning conditions. The next step is to conduct pole-by-pole field inspections of the feeders to identify what factors were contributing to the poor performance of each line. Once it is determined that a feeder is in need of improvements and the deficiencies are identified, the LPDW is used to compare alternatives. Two case studies are discussed.

97/04281 Pulverizer tramp iron problems affect coal switching at Union Electric's Labadle Plant

97/04281 Pulverizer tramp iron problems affect coal switching at Union Electric's Labadle Plant

Winter and spring evaluations of a wetland for tertiary wastewater treatment

The Union Electric Callaway Nuclear Power Plant currently uses a wetland that evolved after the retirement of a water treatment lagoon to supplement the existing mechanical wastewater treatment plant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wastewater treatment performance of the evolved wetland. Removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate were monitored during winter 1992 and early spring 1993. Hydraulic and hydrologic assessments were also conducted to determine the effective treatment area and actual detention times. The organic loading during the study was low, resulting in moderate decreases or increases in BOD, COD, TSS, and ammonium. The wetland system provided excellent reduction in phosphate, nitrate, and sulfate. Removal of all constituents was significantly greater during the early spring sampling period than the winter period. Increased performance was probably caused by increased surface water temperature, vegetative uptake, and greater detention times. A large amount of short circuiting was observed within the system, reducing detention time and wastewater treatment performance.

Interfacing AM/FM with distribution SCADA

Union Electric Company (UE) decided to upgrade its existing distribution SCADA system and improve dispatching/operating efficiencies by interfacing it with UE's automated mapping and facility management (AM/FM) system, thus giving the dispatchers a way to relate facility outages geographically with a real-time monitoring system. This interfaced system will improve the efficiency in the management of UE's power distribution and the dispatching of emergency crews, as well as day-to-day maintenance and repair services, by using the accurate, up-to-date facilities information and spatial relationships provided by the AM/FM system linked to the real-time functions of SCADA.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

An Intercomparison of Neutron Dosimeters and Detectors For In-containment Dosimetry

To improve the methodology for assessing neutron dose at Union Electric's Callaway Nuclear Power Plant, an intercomparison of neutron detectors and dosimeters was performed. Seven different neutron detectors and dosimeters were tested in four different neutron fields utilizing facilities at the Missouri University Research Reactor and at the Southwest Radiation Calibration Center at the University of Arkansas. In general, all results agree within a factor of 2 in predicting the neutron dose equivalent. It was concluded that measurements of dose in containment should utilize the Tissue-Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC), the Bonner-sphere system, and the proton recoil spectrometer to accurately assess the neutron dose. These data can then be used to provide correction factors for more traditionally used dosimeters in containment, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters and survey meters.

Variable, nonlinear tie-line frequency bias for interconnected systems control

In February 1984, Union Electric began implementation of a test to identify the improvement to electric system automatic generation and tie-line control that could be achieved by the application of variable nonlinear tie-line frequency bias. Variable, nonlinear tie-line frequency bias is a better simulation of electric system frequency response than fixed straight-line bias because it recognizes the variable nature of a system's reaction to frequency changes. Important components of this response are the deadband in turbine-generator governors, variations in the number of online generators, and variations in load. The test showed that when tie-line frequency bias is better matched to system response, the result will be improved area-control error performance and reduced generating unit regulation. In addition, interconnection reliability is enhanced due to the fact that variable, nonlinear tie-line frequency bias does not inhibit the full governor response during large frequency disturbances, thereby providing better interconnected systems frequency stabilization.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

The Development and Application of System Analysis at Kansas Gas and Electric Company

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has encouraged utilities to perform their own safety analyses to support reload applications, technical specification amendments, etc., to significantly improve their understanding of plant behavior. During the meetings of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards on the Wolf Creek project, Kansas Gas and Electric Company (KGandE) was urged to develop ''a strong in-house capability for analyzing and understanding the nuclear-thermal-hydraulic behavior and systems performance.'' KGandE fully intends to develop a strong in-house analytical capability and responded as such to the NRC. Part of this in-house analytical capability will be provided through the Safety Analysis Section. The development and application of system analysis is an integral part of the Safety Analysis Section. The development phases of achieving in-house system analysis capability are discussed. They include intermediate and long-term goals, a technical review of all non-loss-of-coolant accident transients performed by Westinghouse in Chap. 15 of the Final Safety Analysis Report, and the development of RETRAN system analysis models. Applications of system analysis are also discussed. Applications include an analysis of the plant loss-of-flow startup test to relax the acceptance criteria and a joint effort with Union Electric to reanalyze the steam generator tube rupture event formore » the NRC licensing commitment.« less

Making Sense of the Federal Budget the Old Fashioned Way-Incrementally

25. NRC-FEMA Joint Report, op. cit., pp. 2-3. 26. Ibid. 27. Franklin, op. cit., p. 14. One Senate report castigated the NRC for not ordering an evacuation of the area around TMI within hours of the accident, rather than waiting two days to issue a call for the evacuation of children and pregnant women. See Robert D. Hershey, Criticizes Evacuation Plan at 3 Mile Island, The New York Times (July 3, 1980): 12. 28. U.S. Federal Management Agency, Annual Report 1981 (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1982), p. 6. 29. Ibid., pp. 97-99. 30. Pollock, op. cit., p. 16. 31. Moffett Hearings, op. cit., p. 8. 32. See Harold E. Collins, Emergency Response to a Nuclear Facility Accident: Preplanning and Preparedness by Off-site Organizations, in Lathrop, op. cit., pp. 83, 84, and 88. 33. Ronald Perry, The Social Psychology of Civil Defense (Lexington, Mass.: Lexington Books, D.C. Heath and Co., 1982), 13. 34. See Russell R. Dynes, Organized Behavior in Disaster (Columbus, Ohio: Disaster Research Center, The Ohio State University, 1974) and William W. Chenault, Evacuation Planning and the TMI Accident: Final Report (Washington, D.C.: U.S. FEMA, 1979). 35. NRC-FEMA Joint Report, op. cit., Part II, Table VII. The localities involved are Callaway, Gasconnade, Osage, and Montgomery. All have indicated their requirement for funding of equipment and personnel to Union Electric prior to their approval of local plans. The table referenced above outlines five other similar cases around the U.S. and more cases have been excluded. See Wright Restates Callaway's Position, Kingdom Daily Sun-Gazette, Fulton, Missouri (June 10, 1982). 36. Mitchell, op. cit., p. 15. 37. Wright, op. cit., p. 15. 38. See Jane Perlez, Nuke Plant Safety Zone May be Cut, The Wilmington Sunday News Journal, Delaware (November 5, 1983).

Transformer Tap Position Estimatiion - Field Experience

This paper presents the field experience with a simplified tap estimation algorithm implemented at the Union Electric Load Dispatch System. The technique enhances the capabilities of the State Estimator by generating estimates for non-telemetered transformer tap positions. Various test results indicate that the method is simple, fast and highly suitable for real-time applications. Actual field data are compared with the calculated tap positions. The paper presents some background information followed by algorithmic descriptions and test results on the Union Electric system.

Investigation of Nonlinear Tie Line Bias Control of Interconnected Power Systems

Present Automatic Generation Control schemes utilize a linear tie line bias characteristic. Due to non-linearities in the connected load and governor dead bands the actual system response characteristic is non-linear. Therefore, a linear tie line bias characteristic does not match the actual system response characteristic. This mismatch causes unnecessary fuel consumption and increased wear and tear on generators. Tom Kennedy of Union Electric estimates that $ 50,000,000 could be saved annually in the eastern interconnected system in fuel savings alone if the control characteristic matcped the actual system frequency response characteristic.

Conversion of Refuse to Electrical Energy at the St. Louis-Union Electric Refuse Fuel Demonstration Project

At the Union Electric Meramec power plant in St. Louis, tests in which refuse-derived fuel was co-fired with pulverized coal in a tangential suspension-fired coal boiler have been conducted. Data obtained were used to calculate the megawatt-hours of electrical energy produced by refuse-derived fuel. The experimental method used, the results obtained, and a discussion of these results are presented in this report.

History of SO2 removal system at the Meramec plant of union electric.

In line with the then emerging air pollution control regulations Union Electric installed a limestone injection wet scrubber sulfur dioxide removal system on an intermediate size coal-fired utility boiler at its Meramec Power Plant on an experimental basis in September, 1968. Approximately 3 years of operation many difficulties were encountered with plugging and scaling of various system components by calcium sulphate. As a result of this experience along with related experiences by other utilities employing similar systems, the experiment was terminated in June, 1971. As a result of the experiences gained, however, second generation experiments in sulfur dioxide removal have been initiated elsewhere with the hope of improved performance. A number of experimental projects are still under tests. Costs in resources, reliability, and disposal of residual by-products are matters of great concern. The ture cost of sulfur dioxide removal systems in dollars and resources is not well known and perhaps a reevaluation of current and future SO2 removal projects is in order at this time before additional resources are committed.

Development of the solid waste resource.

This paper describes the waste processing and boiler feed facilities which serve as the prototype for Union Electric Company's proposed Solid Waste Utilization System for recycling essentially all the solid waste generated in the metropolitan St. Louis area. The recently announced system, capable of processing up to 8,000 tons of raw refuse per day and estimated to cost $70 million, will be built and operated without government subsidy. Solid waste will be processed for the recovery of recyclable noncombustibles and use as a supplementary fuel to electric utility boilers.

Microwave and VHF Radio Installation for the Union Electric System

Microwave and VHF Radio Installation for the Union Electric System

Microwave &amp;amp; VHF Radio Installation for the Union Electric System

The prime function of any electric utility is that of reliable and uninterrupted power flow to its customers. The direct relation between the growth of a utility and the expansion of its communication facilities often times do not parallel. This results in the communications facilities becoming so overburdened that they almost become ineffective. Figure 1 shows Union Electric's growth over the past few years.

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

W ERE RIP VAN WINKLE TO VIEW America's industrial scene today, he would be more than slightly confused. He might be downright confoundedand rightfully so. Old Rip would run into trouble talking with former pals. True, some of his difficulty could be simply a matter of semantics-but the terminology of U. S. industry in 1953 brings difficulties even for those of today. You need not be Rip to realize that, not so long ago, no one had heard of the host of antibiotics that have transformed the drug industry, of Cinerama, of polyethylene, or of transistors. The kind of associates known to Rip has vastly changed. A cosy group of chaps that thrived happily as glass blowers-incandescent bulb making was their business-now have their shops teeming with electronic engineers and are in the thick of an industry whose present potential is rated greater than the automobile was in Henry Ford's day. Rip would discover that food makers also launch plastic weather balloons for the Army, and this is just one item in General Mills' program of diversification, which includes organic chemicals and precision instruments! A strange group of bedfellows constitute the contracting business, as evidenced by the role that du Pont and Goodyear Tire & Rubber play for the Atomic Energy Commission. Indeed, AEC has wedded such divergent interests as Dow Chemical Company and Detroit Edison Company, and Monsanto Chemical and Union Electric Company of Missouri, who have joined forces to explore the possibilities of using atomic energy for the production of electric power. Today Rip would meet rail analysts who measure the prospects of a carrier not only in terms of traffic density but also by the oil-productive possibilities of their land holdings. Such is the current approach to Union Pacific, Northern Pacific, and certain other railroads. He would also discover analysts discussing textile companies, relating their position to the chemical industryCelanese Corporation is a case in point. Reversing this situation, he might find the future of Union Carbide in the chemical field being measured in part by the possible importance of Dynel among synthetic textile fibers, and du Pont by its nylon and Orlon.

Portable schering bridge for field tests

Discussion of a paper by C. F. Hill, T. R. Watts, and G. A. Burr published in the January 1934 issue, pages 176–82, and presented for oral discussion at the insulation and protection session of the South West District meeting, Oklahoma City, Okla., April 24, 1935. This paper was also presented at the winter convention, New York, N. Y., January 25, 1934, and other discussion was published in the March 1934 issue, pages 478–81, April 1934 issue, pages 618–22, and September 1934 issue, page 1311. G. W. Gerell (Union Electric Light and Power Co., St. Louis, Mo.): The experience of my company with the power factor testing of bushings is rather limited. In 1933 the 66 and 132 kv transformer and oil switch bushings on Westinghouse equipment at the Cahokia and Venice stations only, were tested by means of the Schering bridge. In the fall of 1934 all bushings on the 66 and 132 kv system were tested. In addition quite a few 33 kv bushings in certain of the a-c distributing substations were included.