Patents Assigned to The Electric Power Research Institute
  • Publication number: 20120299603
    Abstract: A monitoring system adapted to assess insulation losses of an underground power cable includes a cable circuit having first and second, spaced-apart terminals. The cable circuit is disposed along a section of the underground power cable. The system further includes a communications device adapted to transmit data gathered at the first and second terminals, and a processor adapted to receive and process the data measured at the same time with the synchronization device and transmitted from the communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: Tiebin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20120299288
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a header assembly having a header section and a tube section includes the steps of providing a reverse mold of the header assembly, forming the header section by filling a header section of the reverse mold with an atomized low alloy steel powder, and forming the tube section. The tube section is formed by filling a first portion of a tube section with an atomized low alloy steel powder, forming a transition region by filling a second portion of the tube section with a series of atomized steel powders incrementally from a low alloy steel to an austenitic stainless steel, and filling a third portion of the tube section with an atomized austenitic stainless steel powder. The method further includes the step of consolidating and melting the atomized powders in a high temperature, high pressure atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Gandy, John Shingledecker
  • Publication number: 20120301344
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing integral head and tube replacement sections includes the steps of providing a reverse mold of a head and tube replacement section, providing an atomized steel powder, and filling the reverse mold with the atomized steel powder. The method further includes the step of inserting the mold into a hot isostatic processing (HIP) furnace to consolidate and sinter the powder into the shape of the head and tube replacement section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Gandy, Kent K. Coleman, John Shingledecker
  • Publication number: 20120300210
    Abstract: An inspection probe for directly measuring a transmission spectrum of a solvent oil in a transformer includes a tube having a plurality of apertures spaced along a side of the tube to allow oil to pass therethrough, and first and second optical collimators disposed at opposing ends of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Bo Dong, Anbo Wang, Jianmin Gong
  • Publication number: 20120279238
    Abstract: A method for controlling frost on a heat transfer device includes the steps of providing an air flow device adapted to provide a stream of air at a high flow rate, and using the air flow device to subject a heat transfer device to the stream of air during frosting times. The stream of air interacts with the heat transfer device to remove water droplets disposed on the heat transfer device, thereby preventing frost from accumulating on the heat transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Kalinowski, John Lawler, Seguei Dessiatoun, Amir Shooshtari
  • Publication number: 20120282564
    Abstract: A method for reducing NOx in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) fossil-fuel fired boiler includes the steps of providing a first set of optical measurement devices adapted to measure NOx and NH3 concentrations contained in an exhaust stream from a fossil-fuel fired boiler, performing measurements of NOx and NH3 at an SCR inlet using the first set of optical measurement devices, and determining an NH3/NOx molar ratio using the measurements taken by the first set of optical measurement devices. The method further includes the steps of using the determined NH3/NOx molar ratio in comparison against a user specified NH3/NOx molar ratio set-point, and controlling an NH3 control valve to match ammonia flow to changes in boiler NOx emissions such that the molar ratio set-point is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Marshall Himes
  • Publication number: 20120271501
    Abstract: An underground utility vault inspection system and method includes a pre-defined railway installed in an underground utility vault, and an inspection vehicle adapted to traverse the railway to provide inspection results to inspection personnel. The inspection vehicle includes inspection tools for inspecting underground power lines and equipment, recording inspection results, and transmitting the inspection results to the inspection personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Tiebin Zhao, Andrew John Phillips, Steven Wallace Eckroad
  • Publication number: 20120247330
    Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
  • Publication number: 20120228202
    Abstract: An aquatic organism removal system includes a screen system and a return system. The screen system is adapted to separate aquatic organisms from cooling water entering a cooling water intake of a power producing facility and includes a screen intake and a screen exit downstream of the screen intake. The return system is connected to the screen exit and is adapted to receive the aquatic organisms and transfer the aquatic organisms safely to a source waterbody. When the cooling water and aquatic organisms enter the screen intake, the cooling water flows through the screen system and into the cooling water intake of a power producing facility and the aquatic organisms flow out the screen exit and into the return system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventor: David Edward Bailey
  • Publication number: 20120212862
    Abstract: A method and a device for limiting secondary arc current of an extra-high voltage/ultra-high voltage double circuit line on the same tower. The method comprises the following steps: determining the type of a single-phase-to-ground fault when the extra-high voltage/ultra-high voltage double circuit line on the same tower has a single-phase-to-ground fault (S501); selecting a reactance value of a neutral grounding reactor according to the type of the single-phase-to-ground fault (S502); and switching the extra-high voltage/ultra-high voltage double circuit line on the same tower to the selected reactance value of the neutral grounding reactor (S503). Thus the reactance value of the neutral grounding reactor is not constant, but is changed along with the operating conditions of the power transmission line, that is, the reactance value of the neutral grounding reactor is controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicants: STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA, CHINA ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Liangeng Ban, Jiming Lin, Zutao Xiang, Bin Han, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaotong Wang, Ruihua Song, Hongtao Liu, Bin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8241398
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
  • Publication number: 20120183115
    Abstract: A method for the cleanup of ionic species such as cobalt and nickel in nuclear power plant aqueous streams using a sequestration resin material is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of providing a sequestration resin for removal of radioisotopes of transition metal impurities contained in the plant process streams, and distributing the sequestration resin into the plant process streams such that the sequestration resin interacts with the process streams and removes the transition metal impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul L. Frattini, Roger Howard Asay, Keith Paul Fruzzetti, Susan Elaine Garcia, Richard Herbert Kohlmann, Daniel Morgan Wells
  • Publication number: 20120184796
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of capturing radioactive species in an aqueous solution and removing the radioactive species for disposal. The method includes the steps of providing a macroporous bead form sequestration resin, subjecting the bead form sequestration resin to radioactive species contained in the aqueous solution to allow the bead form sequestration resin to capture the radioactive species; and disposing the radioactive species in a radioactive storage facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul L. Frattini, Roger Howard Asay, Keith Paul Fruzzetti, Susan Elaine Garcia, Leon Yengoyan, Lisa Maxine Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120168192
    Abstract: A method for vertically grounding and leading down form a center of a composite pole tower includes the following steps: extending a ground down-leading wire from a center of a ground wire cross arm which is made of metal and is positioned on top of the pole tower, wherein the ground down-leading wire is vertically leaded down to the earth form the center of the composite pole tower, wherein when an lower portion of the tower body is a metal pipe, the ground down-leading wire is extended from the center of the composite material and is directly connected to the metal pipe. The method utilizes the advantage of the insulating intensity of the wall of the composite pole tower and enhances the insulating intensity of the transmission line on impact of lightning. The ground down-leading wires are prevented from short-circuiting with the tower body of the composite pole tower, so that advantage of the insulating property of the composite material of the pole towers is realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: STATE GRID ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Zhusen Sun, Qiang Zhang, Minghua Li, Zhijun Li, Ting Liu, Feng Huo, Min Dai, Kai Liu, Xiong Wu, Dingxie Gu, Peihong Zhou, Ying Lou, Zhenqiang Li, Huiwen He
  • Publication number: 20120168193
    Abstract: A method for vertically grounding and leading down form an outer side of a composite pole tower and pole tower thereof, wherein the method includes the following steps: extending an upper metal cross arm from an extended line of at least one side of a ground wire cross arm, vertically leading down a ground down-leading wire from a distal end of the upper metal cross arm, connecting the ground down-leading wire to the pole tower via a lower metal cross arm at a distance under a lower lead, and grounding the ground down-leading wire along a tower body of the pole tower, wherein when an lower portion of the tower body is a metal pipe, the ground down-leading wire is selectively directly connected to the metal pipe via the lower metal cross arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: STATE GRID ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Hanming LI, Zhijun LI, Qianhu Wei, Ting Liu, Shicong Deng, Feng Huo, Ming Zhan, Min Dai, Weicai Zhou, Kai Liu, Yuhua Zhang, Xiong Wu, Ning Cao, Dingxie Gu, Peihong Zhou, Huiwen He, Ying Lou, Zhenqiang Li
  • Publication number: 20120157556
    Abstract: An organic synthesis of materials to achieve removal of low molecular weight ionic species, such as transition metal ions including cobalt, iron, nickel, and zinc, from aqueous solutions. The synthesis includes the steps of providing a cation exchange resin, functionalizing the cation exchange resin using a chloride intermediate to form a sulfonyl chloride resin, and reacting a multi-amine based ligand with the sulfonyl chloride resin to form a sequestration resin. The synthesis further includes the steps of cooling the sequestration resin, and washing and drying the sequestration resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Leon Yengoyan, Paul L. Frattini, Daniel Morgan Wells
  • Patent number: 8204632
    Abstract: A load shedding system and method for controlling imbalances in a power system includes a signal generator adapted to generate a signal representative of a local system, and a modifying circuit adapted to adjust set frequencies. The system also includes a processing circuit adapted to process data received from the signal generator and modifying circuit and set load shedding priorities for the local system based on the processed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas C. Abi-Samra
  • Patent number: 8182776
    Abstract: An integrated process for operating a fossil fuel fired power plant including: producing hydrogen gas and an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide via a process including: dissociating hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from water; pressurizing the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas; and mixing, under pressure, the oxygen gas and at least about a stoichiometric portion of the hydrogen gas with an aqueous solution of a catalyst and a promoter to form the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide; supplying a remainder of the hydrogen gas to at least one of (a) a storage means, (b) a boiler detonation cleaning system of the fossil fuel fired power plant, and (c) an electrical generator of the fossil fuel fired power plant; and injecting the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide into an air pollution control system of the fossil fuel fired power plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Edward Scherer
  • Publication number: 20120123602
    Abstract: This invention relates to a PMU-based controlled system separation method to protect against a catastrophic blackout. The method includes the steps of performing an offline analysis of an electrical transmission network to partition generators into a number of coherent groups, performing online monitoring of the transmission network to determine a separation interface and frequencies and damping ratios of dominant inter-area modes, and estimating the risk of system separation to perform real-time control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Kai Sun, Kyeon Hur, Pei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8165261
    Abstract: A method for cleaning an irradiated nuclear fuel assembly includes chemically enhancing a technique utilizing an apparatus including a housing adapted to engage a nuclear fuel assembly. A set of ultrasonic transducers is positioned on the housing to supply radially emanating omnidirectional ultrasonic energy to remove deposits from the nuclear fuel assembly. Any corrosion products remaining after ultrasonic fuel cleaning will have exposed surfaces that are susceptible to chemical dissolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Frank Hussey, Kurt Edsinger, Jeff Deshon