CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

 

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

 

Monday, July 19, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

 

Topic:    “Clean Air Act Compliance:  Breathe easier with TVA” - Mike Scott, Title IV Program Mgr, TVA

 

The Chattanooga area has come a long way in the last several decades when it comes to cleaning up our air.  It seems the U.S., indeed the whole world, is increasingly aware of the need to clean up the air we breathe and, more importantly, reducing the production of air pollutants in the first place.  In addition to automobile emissions, power plant emissions are getting most of the attention.  TVA is currently spending over a million dollars per day to reduce emissions from its coal-fired power plants. Mike Scott will discuss the environmental regulations which are driving this investment in emission control equipment, how TVA determines how to respond to these environmental regulations, and how these emission control devices operate.

 

Invocation/Pledge Chair for July:  Jim Couch

Menu:  Pot roast with carrots and celery, garlic mashers & mushroom gravy, salad

 

OUR PREVIOUS MEETING________________________________________________

 

“TVA's Nuclear Program:  What's next on the nuclear horizon?” - Mark Burzynski, TVA Nuclear

 

TVA has a three-fold mission:  supply affordable, reliable power; support a thriving river system; and stimulate economic growth.  TVA supplies power to about 8.5 million end users through 158 power distributors and 60 direct service customers.  The Tennessee River system is the 5th largest in the nation and TVA is responsible for the vitality of the system including dams, navigation, landings, recreational access, and other important services.  Last year, TVA sponsored the creation of about 47,000 jobs in the communities they serve.  TVA spends about $1 million/day on air quality improvements.

 

Providing nuclear energy is an important function of TVA and Unit 1 at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant has a target restart date of May 2007.  This unit was shut down in 1993 and in 2002 a decision was made to restart it in five years.  The project has a $1.8 billion budget.  The project has to meet 270 NRC commitments and will go through an extensive restart test program.  The scoping review involves 134 systems and structures.

 

TVA is also replacing steam generators at Sequoyah and Watts Bar nuclear plants.  New generators made of less corrosive materials are to replace the older steam generators.  Unit 1 at Sequoyah is complete and Watts Bar will be replaced next.  Planning on Unit 2 at Sequoyah has already begun.  Mr. Burzynski then showed digital pictures of the processes used in replacing the steam generators.

 

Thanks to Jim Barrott for the meeting summary.

 

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

 

July 26:  Getting the ‘tech’ out there:  “ORNL’s Summer Tour” - Fred Strohl, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

 

August 2:  It'll take more than a homemade rocket for this trip:  “NASA's Vision for Space Exploration” - Roy Priest, Marshall Space Flight Center

 

August 9:  “Optical Sensors” - T.W. Cease, IEEE

 

August 16:  TBD

 

August 23:  “TVA Activities as a Result of the Northeast Blackout” - Tim Ponseti, TVA

 

TBD:  “Nuclear Proliferation and Security:  Keeping us safe at home and abroad” - ORNL

 

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

 

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

 

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

 

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or email her at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.