How to predict timing and quantity of pre-emptive safe discharge – a dam simulation model

How to predict timing and quantity of pre-emptive safe discharge – a dam simulation model

THIS IS IT!  As the saying goes, a dam simulation model that could be easily implemented and calibrated with actual rainfall and river gauging data and compared with actual power generation and spillway discharge to predict dam height and dam water volume is now available to government agencies, dam operators, dam designers and ordinary laymen.  Please write the author for arrangements on how to secure this state-of-the-art dam simulation model. More »

How to help your government and people solve life-threatening and property-damaging events

How to help your government and people solve life-threatening and property-damaging events

As a sequel to my earlier blog on “how to predict pre-emptive safe discharge of dam water in anticipation of an incoming storm”, allow me to share my own findings, conclusions and recommendations in order that authorities could formulate a workable and acceptable plan for all the stakeholders in charge of operating and managing dams as well as the affected residents situated at the downstream communities.

This is my own little way of sharing my knowledge, expertise and experience to help my government and country overcome the recurring problem of devastating flooding during the typhoon season. More »

How to calculate power plant emissions – solution to problem of a reader

How to calculate power plant emissions – solution to problem of reader

Hi,

Please find on the next page a snippet of my spreadsheet showing the solution.  The model was calibrated to the above municipal solid fuel analysis at 80% excess air firing for combustion of municipal solid waste to meet the given SO2 emission of 15.75 mg/Nm3.

Assuming 26% thermal efficiency and given firing rate of 185,000 metric tons per year of 7018 hours (around 80% capacity factor), your plant must be generating over 52.41 MW of power with 9% plant own use (parasitic load assumed).

The fuel should have a sulfur analysis of 0.57% Sulfur (dry basis) in order to give such emission.

At 31.30% moisture in the wet fuel, this translates to 0.39% Sulfur (wet basis).

Once the sulfur in the wet fuel is known, the problem is solved:

kg SO2 per metric ton fuel (wet) = (0.39 / 100) x (mw of SO2 / mw of S) x (1000 kg / metric ton)

= (0.39 / 100) x (64.0648 / 32.0660) x (1000) = 7.806 kg SO2 per metric ton (tonne) of wet fuel More »

How to predict early safe release of dam water – 2nd comment from Philippine Star Federico Pascual

FYI… Postscript for Thursday, Oct. 18,

quotes Mr. M. Ocampo.

POSTSCRIPT/ PhilSTAR/ Oct. 15, 2009/ Thursday

By Federico D. Pascual Jr.

* * *

UNSTEADY HAND: In the Senate, one listens in horror to the testimony of dam managers and executives of the National Power Corp., upon whose judgment rests the crucial decision of when and how to release impounded water from the dams.

Their unsteady hand is poised on the lever that could unleash death and destruction on communities downstream — as had happened in the recent flooding in Central and Northern Luzon that killed hundreds and destroyed properties worth billions of pesos.

Their testimony and buck-passing gave the impression they think that dam water is released only when the reservoir is dangerously full, and that that is done mainly to save the structure from collapse. More »

How to Plan Ahead for a Dam Failure – US FEMA guidelines

How to Plan Ahead for a Dam Failure – US FEMA guidelines

[This article is being provided by Marcial Ocampo as a guide to NAPOCOR, PAGASA, NDCC, LGUs and dam operators for an effective response in the event that a catastrophic failure of a dam is imminent or has occurred.  Currently, an inter-agency committee has been constituted to review and submit by November 30, 2009 a revised DAM RELEASE PROTOCOL to avoid the very recent catastrophic release of excess water by five dams at the height of two super typhoons that inundated and damaged large areas of central and northern Luzon, Philippines. The links has been obtained thru Internet search using the search engine of MSN.  Cheers.  Marcial]

The following article from US FEMA provides the important links for all topics related to planning ahead for a dam failure.  It is the author’s view that all concerned shall be well informed in advance on a DAM OPERATION PROTOCOL in order to avoid dam failure as a result of excessive rainfall that could not anymore be safely stored by a dam.

As a preparatory document, the reader is advised to read a glossary or list of definitions related to dam operations in order to fully appreciate the contents of the links shown below.  The two links are as follow: More »