THE THREAT OF OIL SPILLS FROM STORAGE TANKS AT END USER FACILITIES

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (2) ◽  
pp. 1159-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Yoshioka ◽  
Elisa Vitale
Keyword(s):  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Petroleum Industry ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
The United States ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
End Users ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
End User

ABSTRACT The oil pollution prevention program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addresses a large regulated community—the owners and operators of several hundred thousand nontransportation-related facilities. Regulated oil facilities generally are thought of as refineries, terminals, production field tanks, fuel oil dealers, or gasoline service stations. Some studies of the nationwide petroleum storage capacity do not even consider tanks owned by petroleum consumers, while others recognize that end users constitute a significant part of the nation's oil storage. The storage capacity of fixed petroleum tankage in the tertiary segment (agricultural, commercial, electric utility, industrial, military/government, residential, and transportation sectors) is estimated to comprise more than 20 % of the total U.S. storage capacity. EPA estimates that more than one-half of the facilities required to prepare Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans are such end users. The focus of oil pollution prevention, of course, is preventing spills. Several years ago, an American Petroleum Institute report on aboveground storage tank incidents stated that more than 25% of large petroleum releases in the United States were from tanks controlled by companies outside the petroleum industry. Recent data on large spills (10,000 gallons or more) show similar patterns. Of course, most nontransportation-related spills are from storage tanks or facilities in the petroleum industry (production wells, refineries, terminals, tank farms, and fuel oil dealers). More than 40%, however, are from electric utilities, manufacturing plants, military bases, airports, railroad yards, and other end user facilities. Smaller spills come from a variety of facility types. It is important for EPA and other groups to recognize the end user community and the threat of spills from end user facilities, and to begin to work with the owners and operators of end user facilities to educate them about EPA's oil pollution prevention regulation.

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention for HIV Prevention Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Young Men: Usability Evaluation (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwayoung Cho ◽  
Dakota Powell ◽  
Adrienne Pichon ◽  
Jennie Thai ◽  
Josh Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
End Users ◽  
End User ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Usability Problem ◽  
Prevention Curriculum

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) apps have the potential to be a useful mode of delivering HIV prevention information, particularly for young men (13-24 years) who account for 21% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States. We translated an existing evidence-based, face-to-face HIV prevention curriculum into a portable platform and developed a mobile Web app: MyPEEPS Mobile. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the usability of MyPEEPS Mobile from both expert and end user perspectives. METHODS We conducted a heuristic evaluation with five experts in informatics to identify violations of usability principles and end user usability testing with 20 young men aged 15 to 18 years in New York, NY, Birmingham, AL, and Chicago, IL to identify potential obstacles to their use of the app. RESULTS Mean scores of the overall severity of the identified heuristic violations rated by experts ranged from 0.4 and 2.6 (0=no usability problem to 4=usability catastrophe). Overall, our end users successfully completed the tasks associated with use case scenarios and provided comments/recommendations on improving usability of MyPEEPS Mobile. The mean of the overall Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire scores rated by the end users was 1.63 (SD 0.65), reflecting strong user acceptance of the app. CONCLUSIONS The comments made by experts and end users will be used to refine MyPEEPS Mobile prior to a pilot study assessing the acceptability of the app across diverse sexual minority young men in their everyday lives.

Development of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 353-355
Author(s):  
Cadets John P. Nolan ◽  
Susan J. Blood
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Development Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Convention ◽  
Pollution Damage ◽  
Information Center

ABSTRACT The International Oil Pollution Prevention and Response (OPPR) Convention represents current international efforts to improve capabilities to prepare for and respond to catastrophic oil spills. Initiated by the United States, it is being negotiated by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Major components of the proposal include the establishment of an International Marine Pollution Information Center located at IMO headquarters, National Response Centers in each coastal state, and oil spill response contingency plans for ships. Other proposed articles include prepositioning of oil response equipment in high-risk areas, a research and development program for response techniques, and international cooperation during responses to catastrophic oil spills. Several problems have complicated negotiations of the OPPR Convention. First, severe time constraints have been placed on the negotiators, with the final conference1 to consider the OPPR scheduled for November 1990. Second, the United States suffers from a lack of credibility in the IMO, since the Senate has not yet ratified previous initiatives, the 1984 protocols to the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, and the 1971 Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage. Finally, the IMO's financial troubles have placed the concept of the International Information Center in jeopardy. In spite of these obstacles, a clear majority of countries are willing to support the document, realizing that it fills a gap in marine oil pollution prevention and response. The OPPR Convention will likely be carried through to adoption by the November conference. This paper traces the development of the International Convention on Oil Pollution Response and Prevention. It summarizes the background and initial proposals of the Convention, and then discusses the problems that arose during negotiations. Finally, it describes the present status of the Convention and offers a projection of its future direction.

How About Farms and Ranches?

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 819-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha A. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
The State ◽  
Storage Tanks ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oil Storage ◽  
Farm Equipment ◽  
Initial Results

ABSTRACT During the past several years it has become apparent that farms and ranches have been delinquent in compliance regarding oil pollution prevention planning and practices. Some deaths have been caused by practices used at these aboveground oil storage tanks. These facilities store smaller quantities of oil, but they can be a great concern for human health and the environment. Some farmers and ranchers store large quantities of oil for the fueling of farm equipment. Yet others have tanks located directly on the shores of lakes and rivers in order to run the pumps needed to irrigate of crops. These tanks are often moved to adjust for rising and lowering of the water level. Region VIII has worked with the state of Montana and several tribes to increase awareness of the need for following spill prevention practices. The initial results have been mixed. There are many farmers and ranchers who work with the state or tribe and come into compliance, while others prefer to take their chances on being selected for a random inspection.

End-User System Development

2006 ◽  
pp. 34-48
Author(s):  
Murray E. Jennex
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
System Development ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
End Users ◽  
System Support ◽  
End User ◽  
Engineering Organizations ◽  
Development Support ◽  
Significant Effort ◽  
End User Computing

How much end-user computing is too much? Should end users develop systems? This case looks at a study of end user computing within the engineering organizations of an electric utility undergoing deregulation. The case was initiated when management perceived that too much engineering time was spent doing IS functions. The case found that there was significant effort being expended on system development, support, and ad hoc use. Reviews of a few key systems illustrate quality problems found with the end-user developed systems. Several issues were identified affecting system development including use of programming standards, documentation, infrastructure integration, and system support. Additionally, the issues of obsolescence, security, and procurement are discussed.

The SRC-II process

1981 ◽  
Vol 300 (1453) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coal Gasification ◽  
The United States ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Home Heating

Extensive laboratory and pilot plant experimental work on the Solvent Refined Coal process by Gulf Oil Corporation over the past 18 years, sponsored by the Fossil Fuel Division of the United States Department of Energy and its predecessor agencies, has led to the development of an improved version of the process known as SRC-II. This work has shown considerable promise in recent years and plans are now being made to demonstrate the SRC-II process with commercial size equipment in a 6000 ton/day (5440 t/day) plant to be located near Morgantown, West Virginia. On the basis of recent economic studies, the products (both liquid and gas) from a future large-scale commercial plant are expected to have an overall selling price of $4.25-4.75/GJ (first quarter 1980 basis). The major product of the primary process is distillate fuel oil of less than 0.3 % sulphur for use largely as a non-polluting fuel for generating electrical power and steam, especially in the east where utilities and industry are currently using petroleum products. In such applications, SRC-II fuel oil is expected to be competitive with petroleum-derived fuels within the next decade. During this period, SRC-II fuel oil should be economically attractive compared with coal combustion with flue gas desulphurization in electric utility and industrial boilers, particularly in the major metropolitan areas. Naphtha produced by the SRC-II process can be upgraded to a high-octane unleaded gasoline to supplement petroleum-derived supplies. Significant quantities of pipeline gas are also produced at a cost that should be competitive with s.n.g. from direct coal gasification. Light hydrocarbons (ethane, propane) from the process may be effectively converted to ethylene. In addition, certain fractions of the fuel oil might also be used in medium-speed diesel engines and automotive gas turbines. For many of these applications, the fuel oil and other products from the SRC-II process would displace high-quality petroleum fractions, which could then be used for production of diesel fuels, jet fuels, home heating oil and gasoline by conventional refinery processes.

Oil Spill Risks from Nontank Vessels1

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-266
Author(s):  
Jean R. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fuel Oil ◽  
Emergency Plan ◽  
Heavy Fuel Oil ◽  
Design Elements ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT An issue of increasing concern worldwide is that of oil spills from nontank vessels that carry large quantities of petroleum product as fuel or lubricants. The New Carissa incident in Oregon in 1999 is only one of several that have impacted the U.S. West Coast in the last few years. Others include the M/V Kuroshima, which grounded in Dutch Harbor, Alaska in 1997, and the M/V Kure, which spilled oil in Humbolt Bay also in 1997. The Tenyo Maru was cut in half in a collision and sank with the loss of one life and a spill of at least 100,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil and diesel in Washington State in 1991. Additional examples of both spills and threats of spills are sited, both in the United States and worldwide. This paper examines a number of actions that have been taken in response to this threat. One such model is the Canadian requirement that vessel owner/operators demonstrate a formal agreement with an approved response contractor, and list that contractor in their Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). A more comprehensive approach would be to establish approved “umbrella” contingency plans for major port areas, supported by contracts with oil spill removal organizations (OSROs). This preferred model has been adopted by the U.S. West Coast states, and affords the opportunity for the contracted responders to drill with emergency response officials, thus improving the likelihood of an efficient, coordinated spill response. This paper also proposes spill prevention design elements for nontank vessels.

Issues in End-User Behavior

2011 ◽  
pp. 136-151
Author(s):  
Murray E. Jennex
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
User Behavior ◽  
System Development ◽  
Electric Utility ◽  
End Users ◽  
System Support ◽  
End User ◽  
Engineering Organizations ◽  
Development Support ◽  
Significant Effort

What happens when end users do not respect the IS organization and have high computer self-efficacy? Will the end users develop usable systems and will they ignore IS? This chapter reports on a study of end-user computing within the engineering organizations of an electric utility undergoing deregulation. The study was initiated when management perceived that too much engineering time was spent doing IS functions. The study found that there was significant effort being expended on system development, support, and ad hoc use. Several issues were identified affecting system development, use of programming standards, documentation, infrastructure integration, and system support.

scholarly journals Health App Use Among Individuals With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety: A Survey Study With Thematic Coding

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caryn Kseniya Rubanovich ◽  
David C Mohr ◽  
Stephen M Schueller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
End Users ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
End User ◽  
User Perspective ◽  
Health Apps

Background Researchers have largely turned to commercial app stores, randomized trials, and systematic reviews to make sense of the mHealth landscape. Few studies have approached understanding by collecting information from target end users. The end user perspective is critical as end user interest in and use of mHealth technologies will ultimately drive the efficacy of these tools. Objective The purpose of this study was to obtain information from end users of mHealth technologies to better understand the physical and mental health apps people use and for what purposes. Methods People with depressive or anxious symptoms (N=176) seeking entry into a trial of mental health and well-being apps for Android devices completed online questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), past and current mental health treatment-seeking behavior, overall mobile device use, and use of mobile health apps. Participants reported the physical health and mental health apps on their devices and their reasons for using them. Data were extracted from the participant self-reports and apps and app purposes were coded in order to categorize them. Results Participants were largely white, middle-aged females from the Midwest region of the United States recruited via a health care organization and Web-based advertising (135 female, 41 male, mean age 38.64 years, age range 19-75 years.) Over three-quarters (137/176, 77.8%) of participants indicated having a health app on their device. The top 3 kinds of apps were exercise, fitness, and pedometers or heart rate monitoring apps (93/176, 52.8%); diet, food, or calorie counting apps (65/177, 36.9%); and mental health/wellness apps (46/177, 26.1%). The mean number of mobile physical and mental health apps on a participant’s phone was 2.15 (SD 3.195). Of 176 participants, 107 (60.8%) specifically reported the top 5 health apps that they used and their purposes. Across the 107 participants, a total of 285 apps were reported, with 139 being unique apps. The majority of these apps were free (129/139, 92.8%). Almost two-thirds of participants (67/107, 62.6%) reported using health apps at least on a daily basis. Conclusions Among those seeking support for their well-being via physical and mental health apps, people are using a variety of health apps. These people use health apps on a daily basis, especially free apps. The most common reason for using a health app is to track some health-related data; for mental health apps specifically, training or habit building was the most popular reason. Understanding the end user perspective is important because it allows us to build on the foundation of previously established mHealth research and may help guide future work in mHealth. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02176226; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02176226 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6rGc1MGyM)

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