North Carolina State University - Agromeck Yearbook (Raleigh, NC)

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B - . ■ Lj f Graduate student Robert Ma compares gauge readings on the gasif ier with computer readings. Coal conversion helps reduce air pollution Behind the storefront windows of nddicH tiaii looms a mysterious collection of pipes and wires. To the right, computer terminals display a stream of readings from 96 sensors. Since 1978 the facility — called the Pilot Coal Qasifier I Gas Cleaning Facility — has been helping scientists find more efficient ways to convert coal into commercially useful gases and other compounds. Converting coal Into methane or hydrogen gas before burning is a more controlled chemical process than current coal-burning practices, said Dr. J.K. Ferrell, State professor of chemical engineering and head of the pilot plant. Mhough hydrogen yields only 75-80 percent of the original energy content of the coal, the gasification process allows certain by-products to be removed before combustion, resulting in systematic reduction of atmospheric pollution and possible income from the sale of the by-products. Water Is added to the finely ground coal, and the mixture is raised to high temperature and pressure, where It reacts to form carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and numerous other compounds. While the processes of gasification are fairly well known, the technology of gas cleanup is not as well developed. Commercial Installations across the country have begun to conven many organic (carbon-containing) compounds into gases. The Tennessee Valley fituthority is converting coal to ammonia for fertilizer, methane Is produced by a plant in north Dakota, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are burned in a gas turbine to produce electricity in Southern California and peat Is being gasified in a Washington Co.,n.C., facility. Under grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, Ferrell and his team of faculty and graduate assistants have sought the best ways to extract sulfur and metallic compounds from the gas. hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide are major pollutants from coal-fired power generating stations and remain major headaches for utilities trying to comply with federal emission guidelines (See feature on add raln| The gasifier is not run continuously but operates In a series of day-long runs with different mixtures and conditions. An analysis team studies the reaction products for various compound contents, then the cycle is started again with a different recipe. Only preliminary results have been published, but this project could become a model for commercially practical gasification plants on a large scale. Almost limitless coal supplies in the U.S. will be use ess unless ways are found to control the associated harmful sulfur and metal emissions Into the atmosphere. -W.J.W. Opening 9

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)f ' - ' - ' ' 5port5 for their own sake. From a campus perspective it quietly flourished. Erirollment up to 1978 had increased at a modest pace. The University possessed a good base for academics, especially in the scientific and technical fields. In the areas which determine national prominence in an aca- demic program — research grants and respected faculty — many engineering and life science departments already qualified. The collections of D.hl. hill Library were improving markedly. In student entertainment, singer Mike Cross was gaining a devoted following with packed shows at Stewart Theatre. Furthermore, students and faculty dared to drive once again across the It was always tough making that trek across campus to class at eight o ' clock, but it always felt so good when you got out (above). You felt like just making the effort was all worth it, and you always felt more comfortable asking someone for help knowing that you had always been there (right). 8 Opening

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wmm •« f, ' - ' m% railroad tracks when the ricketty Pullen Road bridge yielded to progress and the wrecking ball. It is difficult to characterize what was to happen to State in the next five years. Enrollment shat- tered records, increasing by six percent annually. At last, the nunnber of total students at State exceeded that of UMC-Chapel hill. But adnninistration insiders point out that enrollment breakdowns better tell this story of growth. Although male students still out- numbered females, the males share dropped from 69 to 64 percent of total enrollment, follow- ing the national trend, (lumbering only a mere 500 in 1962, women accounted for 7000 of the student body by 1982. Former Chancellor John Caldwell called this one of the most profound events in State ' s recent history. Even more telling is the 58 percent increase in special, or non-degree, students, indicating improved accessability of State ' s facilities to the non-traditional student. Working women in 10 Opening » Registration was always a confusing time, as was change day. The only thing that was sure, was that you had to be in this line or that (right). At Carolina (fop) they seem to have trouble knowing not only how to form lines, but where to form them. Maybe they just don ' t read well. These Syme Dorm residents (above) took time out to enjoy a carnival on campus. The time was right to break from regular dorm activities. •