Alternative Fuels:
Potential of Methanol as a Boiler or Turbine Fuel
RCED-86-136FS: Published: Apr 4, 1986. Publicly Released: Apr 4, 1986.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the potential for using methanol as a fuel for producing energy from stationary sources, such as boilers and gas turbines.
GAO found that methanol is not economically viable as a boiler fuel at present because: (1) it is extremely costly; (2) it has a lower thermal efficiency than other boiler fuels; and (3) fossil fuels are relatively plentiful. Methanol has been tested, but not commercially demonstrated, as a fuel that could be used in a two-stage boiler combustion system to reduce pollutant emissions. GAO also found that: (1) methanol has technical advantages over other gas turbine fuels; (2) while methanol is more expensive than other turbine fuels, it may become more attractive than other fuels because it creates fewer pollutants; and (3) methanol may be a potential standby fuel for gas turbines during fuel supply disruptions. In addition, GAO found that: (1) it could be cheaper to produce methanol in coal gasification plants because the gas such plants produce is chemically similar to that used to produce methanol; and (2) a combination of technical and cost factors prevent the widespread use of coal and methanol mixtures as boiler fuel.
Dec 10, 2020
Uranium Management:
Actions to Mitigate Risks to Domestic Supply Chain Could Be Better Planned and CoordinatedGAO-21-28: Published: Dec 10, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2020.
Dec 8, 2020
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Offshore Wind Energy:
Planned Projects May Lead to Construction of New Vessels in the U.S., but Industry Has Made Few Decisions amid UncertaintiesGAO-21-153: Published: Dec 8, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 8, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Nuclear Waste Disposal:
Better Planning Needed to Avoid Potential Disruptions at Waste Isolation Pilot PlantGAO-21-48: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Nuclear Safety:
DOE and the Safety Board Should Collaborate to Develop a Written Agreement to Enhance OversightGAO-21-141: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Oct 15, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Plans to Modernize Critical Depleted Uranium Capabilities and Improve Program ManagementGAO-21-16: Published: Oct 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 15, 2020.
Jul 24, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
Action Needed to Address the W80-4 Warhead Program's Schedule ConstraintsGAO-20-409: Published: Jul 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 24, 2020.
Jun 24, 2020
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National Nuclear Security Administration:
Analyzing Cost Savings Program Could Result in Wider Use and Additional Contractor EfficienciesGAO-20-451: Published: Jun 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 24, 2020.
Jun 9, 2020
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Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Needs to Incorporate Additional Management Controls Over Its Microelectronics ActivitiesGAO-20-357: Published: Jun 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 9, 2020.
May 13, 2020
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Environmental Liabilities:
DOE Needs to Better Plan for Post-Cleanup Challenges Facing SitesGAO-20-373: Published: May 13, 2020. Publicly Released: May 13, 2020.
May 12, 2020
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Hanford Waste Treatment Plant:
DOE Is Pursuing Pretreatment Alternatives, but Its Strategy Is Unclear While Costs Continue to RiseGAO-20-363: Published: May 12, 2020. Publicly Released: May 12, 2020.
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