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Sophisticated nondestructive, non-contact sensing technologies developed at Argonne are playing a critical role in assuring the reliable operation of the nation's fastest growing electric power supply producer -- natural-gas-fired turbine generators.
Gas-fired turbines coupled to electric generators are expected to provide more than 60 percent of U.S. electric power demands over the next few decades. Argonne researchers have developed technologies to enable the reliable operation of high-temperature ceramic materials that improve turbine efficiency, lower exhaust emissions and enhance turbine lifetimes.
Reaching peak turbine efficiency -- 75 percent from the current 45-55 percent -- with low emissions requires tough ceramic components that allow higher gas firing temperatures. Reliability is a key concern because unscheduled shutdowns are costly.
Argonne has developed an arsenal of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to detect flaws that are frequently hidden beneath the ceramic surface. NDE methods include thermal imaging, acoustic resonance, air-coupled ultrasound and laser backscatter methods.
Ceramic-component makers are taking advantages of these techniques to evaluate reliability in each processing stage because detecting faults early saves time and costs.
Ceramic liners are being developed for gas combustion chambers, and Argonne tests these components. The liners are laminated cloth seamed together into belts that are 0.12 inches thick, eight to 12 inches wide and up to 30 inches in diameter. NDE techniques can detect faults or flaws in the layers or seams that can change mechanical and thermal properties before the liners are used in turbines.
Argonne's NDE toolbox
Using Argonne-written software in conjunction with infrared cameras initially developed for spy satellite technology, Argonne engineers created a thermal-imaging NDE technique for automated data collection. The time required for data acquisition and analysis has been reduced from 14 hours to less than 30 minutes with this patent-pending advance, making routine parts surveillance more economical.
"It is our philosophy to use at least two NDE techniques to ensure confidence in the NDE data," said Senior Engineer Bill Ellingson (ET). Researchers corroborate the thermal-imaging data with air-coupled ultrasound for high reliability.
Researchers are also developing NDE techniques for rotating components based on detection of resonant sound. Ceramists regularly use the "tap" test -- a high pitch reveals a good component, a low pitch a bad one. Argonne's NDE method replaces the human ear with a sensitive laser Doppler velocimeter detector and sophisticated software to "hear" every blade's resonance.
Argonne engineers successfully demonstrated the superiority of the laboratory's method for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Ellingson's group used it to detect unwanted structural changes that NASA's previous tests had caused in ceramic components for high-speed pumps in NASA's reusable launch vehicle.
Argonne is also investigating NDE techniques for thin "thermal barrier" coatings that allow metals to operate at higher temperatures. Work is under way on a laser-scattering technique that could detect coatings in danger of separating from the metal.
Researchers are also developing and transferring to industry methods to survey engine components with minimal disassembly of the engine. Argonne is working with such turbine engine manufacturers as Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce-Allison, Siemens-Westinghouse, the Solar Turbines division of Caterpillar and Honeywell Engines and Systems.
Funding for this research is provided by the U.S. DOE's Office of Fossil Energy and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
-- Evelyn Brown
Raymond Teller has been appointed director of Argonne's Intense Pulsed Neutron Source Division. Bruce Brown, who led the division for 14 years, is retiring.
Teller has extensive project management and technical supervisory experience, and has spent more than 20 years in crystallography and inorganic chemistry research.
He has held a number of supervisory and research positions at BP Chemicals. Most recently, he was research manager, exploratory catalysis for BP Chemicals, Naperville, Ill. There he coordinated and led a multinational catalyst research team and developed technical strategy for the Nitriles business unit.
Teller is no stranger to Argonne. From 1979-1982 he was an assistant chemist in the Chemistry Division, where he used neutron diffraction to determine the structure of complex organometallic compounds.
He has written 50 articles for peer-reviewed publications, and holds six patents.
He has been a member or officer of several professional organizations. Currently, Teller is a member of the International Centre for Diffraction Data and the American Crystallographic Association.
IPNS produces scientific results at the forefront of superconductivity, magnetism, polymer science, quantum systems, and complex materials of both basic and applied interest.
Because of the success of IPNS, a strong scientific case could be made for the next-generation Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), currently under construction at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The IPNS Division plays a strong role in SNS instrumentation design and development.
Additional exhibits and demonstrations at Argonne-East's Building 213 Cafeteria will make this year's "National Buckle Up America Week" bigger and better than in past years, said Greg Dely (EQO), chairperson of Argonne's Traffic Safety Committee.
National Buckle Up America Week is intended to remind drivers to use their seat belts. Air bags may grab most of the headlines, but seat belts are the most effective safety devices in vehicles today, saving close to 9,500 lives each year, Dely said.
Argonne will mark National Buckle Up America Week May 21-25. Six organizations will have booths in the Cafeteria lobby:
Monday, May 21: Illinois Department of Transportation
Tuesday, May 22: Illinois Secretary of State; Illinois Department of
Commerce, Operation Lifesaver
Wednesday, May 23: MADD -- Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Day to be determined: National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
New for this year are demonstrations to be held at lunchtime in the overflow parking lot in front of Buildings 200 and 205:
Monday, May 21: Illinois State Police rollover
simulator
Wednesday, May 23: The Seat Belt Convincer, sponsored by Eastern
Illinois University and Illinois Department of Transportation
Friday, May 25: Vehicle extrication demonstration
by the Argonne Fire Department
More booths and demonstrations may be scheduled as National Buckle Up America Week approaches, Dely said.
Nobel Laureate F. Sherwood Rowland will speak on "Earth's Atmosphere in the 21st Century" at a Director's Special Colloquium Wednesday, May 16, at 3:30 p.m. in the Building 402 Conference Center.
Rowland's current research focuses on the composition of atmosphere in remote locations throughout the Pacific region, highly polluted cities and areas with special conditions like burning forests.
Results from Rowland's previous work led to the discovery that methyl bromide, which significantly affects ozone concentrations in the stratosphere, has a seasonal cycle. The finding provides clues to hemispheric and seasonal methyl bromide sources and removal methods.
Rowland is Donald Bren research professor of chemistry and earth science at the University of California-Irvine. He shared the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his pioneering contributions to explaining how ozone is formed and decomposes through chemical processes in the atmosphere. His research showed how sensitive the ozone layer is to the influence of human-produced emissions of certain compounds. He has received several other international awards for his research.
"Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace," a new interactive course offered by Human Resources, is designed to help participants explore conflict-management techniques for the workplace.
The class will examine how interpersonal conflict develops and how to avoid and defuse it once it starts.
Participants will learn strategies for dealing with conflict-prone personalities, and discuss how to assertively take positions, disagree with others without provoking conflict and how to differentiate between constructive and destructive responses.
The course, HR 253, will be presented Wednesday, June 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 201, Room 190. Cost is $175.
Registration deadline is Friday, May 25. To enroll, contact a Training Management System representative before May 25. For more information, call ext. 2-3410.
Elton Kaufmann (OTD) has been elected secretary of the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS).
The international association of technical groups and societies promotes interdisciplinary materials research.
Past president of the U.S. Materials Research Society, Kaufmann currently serves the IUMRS as chair of its Commission on Publications. He is editor-in-chief of Methods in Materials Research and past editor of Annual Review of Materials Science.
Kaufmann is associate director of Argonne's Strategic Planning Group and manager of the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program.
A Social Security representative will be available to answer employees' questions Wednesday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to noon at Argonne-East's Human Resources office.
George Cutwright from the Joliet Social Security office can enroll employees in Social Security; take applications for new Social Security cards, whether they are original cards for newborns, corrected cards due to marriage, or replacement cards; help with earnings posting problems, and answer general questions related to Social Security.
To schedule a meeting, call Fran Perri (HR) at ext. 2-2989.
Several Argonne employees won mementos from the colleges and universities that took part in the Argonne-East College Fair April 25.
To claim prizes, call Karen Kroczek (PFS-SMO) at ext. 2-8764 or visit her office at Building 214, Room B151.
John Herman (PFS-WMO) St. Francis candy canister
Kelly Hanson (PFS-MAT) Joliet Junior College coffee mug
Charles Greenwood (PFS-CU) Daley College coffee mug
Raymond Peterson (PFS-CU) Lewis University coffee mug
Nan Cantwell (PFS-MC) National Louis University coffee mug
Deb Waters (OCF-ACT) Daley College mug
Dianne Williams (PFS-MAT) Joliet Junior College book bag
Bradley Stephen (PFS-MC) Keller Graduate School of Management executive binder
Guadalupe Franchini (PBCS) Olivet Nazarene sweatshirt
Thomas Johnson (PFS-CU) Daley College bag
Dawn Felicetti (UPD) National Louis University T-shirt
Doreen Schoening (PFS-MAT) National Louis University T-shirt
Mike Lorkewicz (PFS-FD) IIT sweatshirt
Roger Bergquist (PFS-CU) SIU baseball cap
The Argonne Toastmasters Club will offer a six-week speechcraft workshop to help participants improve their communication skills.
The workshop will be held Thursdays beginning May 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Argonne-East's Building 201. The cost is $50.
To register, call Caroln Arthur (HR) at ext. 2-9023 or Betty Iwan (HR) at ext. 2-3410.
Ar'Gang
NEW ARRIVALS
A girl, Mara Ann, born March 20 to Laura and Mark Delrose (PFS-WMO); a boy, Pietro Allessandro, born January 17 to Matt Elliott (TD); a girl, Susan Claire, born February 27 to Jack Vaughey (CMT); a boy, Sebastian Elias, born February 15 to Joerg and Uta (Ruett) Stempfer (MSD, BESSRC-CAT); a boy, Mason Edward, born to Angela and Mike Douell (ASD); a girl, Waverly Grace, born February 14 to Robi and Jeff Dooling (IPNS); a girl Sarah Lynn Xiao Yang, adopted January 7 by Jim and Mary Hodshire (PFS-SMO). Proud grandparents: a grandson, Sean, born February 21, Jack and Dolores Lagerquist (RPS); twins, Makena and Meagan, born, Nancy Sanchez (MSD); a granddaughter, Madeleine Rose, born March 8, first-time grandparent Chuck Malefyt (ET).
ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Mike Jansma (TD) who received his master's degree in mechanical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Phillip Finck (TD) received his MBA at The University of Chicago. Denise Moores (ET) received her Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) rating.
ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDINGS
Congratulations to Laura Schmidt and Jack Sepich ( both PFS-WMO) on their recent engagement. John Hammonds (IPNS) on his January marriage to Cheryl O'Reilly.
WELCOME
RPS welcomes Lisa M. Donnafield, Chris A. Hays, Clyde R. Taylor and James B. Billman. NT welcomes Randall S. Fielding. FAC welcomes Glenna Livingston. PFS-MC welcomes Joe Tavarczky, Gary Lestina and Greg Matteson. PFS-CU welcomes Jesus Almocera, Eddie Johnson and Steve Rubley. TD welcomes John Tinnin, Cortez Harvey and James Trater. MSD welcomes J. Gu and E. Kim. IPD welcomes Geraldine Lane.
FAREWELLS
Good luck to Robert D. Mariani (ENT), Leandro A. Jaramillo (RPS), Arnold Warren (ENT), Harry F. Poland (ENT), Destiny Monsalve (TD), Lary Aldrich (TD), Anil Gapi (TD), Doug Tanan (TD), Jorge Guerra (TD), Mike Jansma (TD), Kermit A. Bunde (FAC), Vern M. Peterson (RPS), Valerie J. Abu Riyash (FAC), Brenda Dixon (FAC) Klayne M. Coburn (FAC), and Herbert Ruoff (MSD) who have all left the laboratory.
GET WELL
Get well wishes for Maxine Klossner (FE) who is recovering from surgery.
PROMOTIONS
Promotions reported to Ar'Gang this month include: Joy Eagle (ENT) who was promoted to drafting section manager; Steve Bengtson (PFS-MC) who was promoted to planner; Brent Heilman (TD) who was promoted to assistant nuclear engineer; Dmitri Naberejnev (TD) who was promoted to assistant nuclear engineer; Bob Hysong (TD) who was promoted to D&D ESH project leader; Steve Hanuska (ASD); Carol Wesolowski (IPD) who was promoted to administrative secretary; Odell Waters, Mary Arellano and Ed Rank (all PFS-CU) all promoted tojanitor group leader; Donna Sahagun (PFS-CU) who was promoted to acting foreman.
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences to Anita Alamillo (CMT) on the death of her grandfather; Robert Einziger (CMT) on the death of his mother-in-law; Valerie Davis (CMT) on the death of her grandmother; Judy Papik (CMT) on the death of her mother; Walter Podolski (CMT) on the death of his father; Linda Chamberlain (ESH-SME) on the death of her brother; Gail Van Gorp (ESH-SME) on the death of her father; Jeff Goetzen (ASD) on the death of his mother; Tony Puttkammar (ASD) on the death of his grandmother; Audrey Salzbrunn (ASD) on the death of her father-in-law; Jeff Dukes (PFS-WMO) on the death of his grandmother; Gail Farmer (IPD) on the death of her father-in-law; Yvette Woell (IPD) on the death of her mother; Angie Monczynski (IPD) on the death of her father.
CONTRIBUTORS
Thanks to this issue's contributors: Bonnie Baudino (ET), Jodi Canaday (ASD), Gaylene Flores (ANL-W), Bonnie Gianpetro (PFS-WMO), Diana Grygiel (ESH), Sheila Jungman (MSD), Karen Kroczek (PFS), Cathy Nelson (IPD), Maria Nelson (TD), Faith Ruppert (CMT), and Carolyn Tobin (IPNS).
