Engineering topics

Parks, Jim

Publications and source records attributed to Parks, Jim.

6 records

DOE OSTI2022

Impact of Tree Age and Anatomical Fraction on Forest Residue Pyrolysis and Hydrotreating

Utilization of cost-advantaged biomass and waste resources to produce clean, domestic biofuels will be a key factor in decarbonizing transportation in the United States. This study investigates how the distribution of anatomical fractions (stem wood, bark, needles, branches) from pine forest residues of different ages impacts pyrolysis and hydrotreating processes, including product composition, carbon efficiency, economics, and overall sustainability. Commercially sourced 13- and 23-year-old loblolly pine residues were chosen to represent available resources; whole tree thinnings, and tops and branches from merchantable timber, respectively. Detailed characterization of the residue samples, product distributions, bio-oil, char, and gas characterization data are presented for 13 experiments, including the individual fractions, blends, and air-classified samples to reduce ash content. Pyrolysis mass balances averaged 97 +/- 3%. As expected, bio-oil yields were lower for the bark, needles, and blends with high proportions of these (53-56% dry basis), and highest for the debarked stem wood (67-71% dry basis). Lower yields were attributed to the high ash content of the needles, but also to the high lignin content in the bark (>50%), which is hypothesized to have led to increased char formation during pyrolysis. Higher-oil yield was generally correlated with total volatiles, hydrogen, oxygen, glucan, and mannan; somewhat correlated with xylan and acetyl content; and negatively correlated with total carbon, fixed carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and extractives. Air classification of the residues was effective in reducing ash content (1.5% to 0.64%), extractives (~7% to 2%), and sulfur (0.04% to 0.02%), resulting in a small increase in yield, a significant increase in the GC-detectable proportion of oil (27% to 34%) and a net economic benefit. These experimental results were used to conduct technoeconomic and life cycle analyses, which are also summarized here.

biofuels↗

DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - FCIC Task 6: High Temperature Conversion

The impacts of feedstock variability on pyrolysis processes are significant but poorly defined. Current engineering designs are based on empirical guidelines, useful only over a narrow range of feedstock properties. The objectives of this project are to (1) Develop science-based knowledge of how feedstock attributes and operational parameters impact pyrolysis process reliability and product quality; and (2) Build an experimental and computational toolset that predicts these outcomes, enabling processes to optimize reliability and product quality. Biomass is a complex feedstock. Controlling for and testing the effects of individual attributes is very challenging. This project couples multiscale experimentation and modeling to accurately capture the fundamental physics and chemistry of biomass flow and conversion behavior in feeding and pyrolysis reactor operations. Our focus is on pine residue attributes – anatomical fraction (bark, needles, wood), particle morphology (size/shape distribution, density, porosity), and chemical composition (extractives, biopolymers, alkali metals) – that impact product quality for downstream catalytic upgrading. Because detailed pyrolysis product characterization is limited, cutting-edge analytical techniques are being developed to reveal impactful product attributes. The tools and knowledge developed here will enable integrated pyrolysis-based processes that are more robust, flexible, and market-responsive with respect to feedstock variability.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2019

Aftertreatment protocols for catalyst characterization and performance evaluation: low-temperature oxidation, storage, three-way, and NH3-SCR catalyst test protocols

A set of standardized and realistic aftertreatment catalyst test protocols have been developed by the Advanced Combustion and Emission Control Technical Team in support of the U.S.DRIVE Partnership. The protocols are intended to accelerate the pace of aftertreatment catalyst innovation by enabling the accurate evaluation and comparison of aftertreatment catalyst performance data from various testing and research facilities to maximize the impact of discovery-phase research occurring across the nation. The protocols address a need identified by the Partnership’s industry partners for consistent and accurate metrics for aftertreatment catalyst evaluation and comparison. The protocols consist of a set of standardized requirements and test procedures that sufficiently capture the performance capability of a catalyst technology in a manner that is adaptable in various laboratories. The protocols provide a detailed description of the necessary reactor system, the steps for achieving a desired aged state of the catalyst, all necessary sample pretreatment to be performed prior to testing, and realistic test conditions for evaluating performance. This article details four low-temperature catalyst test protocols applicable to (1) oxidation catalysts, (2) passive storage (and release) catalysts, (3) three-way catalysts, and (4) NH3-SCR catalysts. The catalyst test protocol descriptions are presented in five (5) sections: protocol general guidelines and the four individual catalyst test protocol descriptions. The general guidelines plus the individual protocol description forms the complete low-temperature catalyst test protocol for the application.

Emission control, Three-way catalyst, oxidation, S↗

DOE OSTI2019

3D printed structures for optimized carbon capture technology in packed bed columns

The use of 3D printed structured packing for the optimization of aqueous-amine based carbon capture in packed absorption columns is examined in this paper. An experimental testing system has been set up, and initial comparisons were made between metal, plastic, and 3D printed 16-inch packing elements and between three 8-inch 3D printed elements of different densities. Pressure drop measurements were obtained at various air flowrates under dry conditions. Measurements were also taken for a wet system by adding water at six different liquid flowrates. In each case, theoretical calculations for pressure drop were performed based on a model presented in the literature. It was found that, for the 16-inch dry column, the model slightly overpredicts the pressure drop. The model provides an accurate prediction for the dry 8-inch experimental data, especially for the two least dense packing elements. For the wet system, the model overpredicts the pressure drop, likely due to modeling deficiencies when the column reaches its loading limit. Furthermore, these results provide sufficient confidence to move forward with testing and process intensification of the CO 2 capture process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2016

Detailed characterization of particulate matter emitted by lean-burn gasoline direct injection engine

This study presents detailed characterization of the chemical and physical properties of PM emitted by a 2.0L BMW lean-burn turbocharged GDI engine operated under a number of combustion strategies that include lean homogeneous, lean stratified, stoichiometric, and fuel rich conditions. We characterized PM number concentrations, size distributions, and the size, mass, compositions, and effective density of fractal and compact individual exhaust particles. For the fractal particles, these measurements yielded fractal dimension, average diameter of primary spherules, and number of spherules, void fraction, and dynamic shape factors as function of particle size. Overall, the PM properties were shown to vary significantly with engine operation condition. Lean stratified operation yielded the most diesel-like size distribution and the largest PM number and mass concentrations, with nearly all particles being fractal agglomerates composed of elemental carbon with small amounts of ash and organics. In contrast, stoichiometric operation yielded a larger fraction of ash particles, especially at low speed and low load. Three distinct forms of ash particles were observed, with their fractions strongly dependent on engine operating conditions: sub-50 nm ash particles, abundant at low speed and low load, ash-containing fractal particles, and large compact ash particles that significantly contribute to PM mass loadings

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

DOE OSTI2016

Filter Sensing Technologies

Leaders from Filter Sensing Technologies, CTS Corporation, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory discuss how a small business developed an award-winning diesel emissions control sensor with support from the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office and researchers at ORNL’s National Transportation Research Center.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗