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At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Tropical Red Macroalgae Cultivation with a Focus on Compositional Analysis

To create carbon efficient sources of bioenergy feedstocks and feedstuff for aquaculture and terrestrial livestock, it is critical to develop and commercialize the most efficient seaweed cultivation approach with a sustainable nutrient input supply. Here, we present data for a novel, onshore tropical macroalgae cultivation system, based on influent deep seawater as the nutrient and carbon sources. Two red algal species were selected, Agardhiella subulata and Halymenia hawaiiana, as the basis for growth optimization. Highest productivity in small-scale cultivation was demonstrated with A. subulata in the 10% deep seawater (64.7 µg N L−1) treatment, growing at up to 26% specific growth rate day−1 with highest yields observed at 247.5 g m−2 day−1 fresh weight. The highest yields for H. hawaiiana were measured with the addition of 10% deep seawater up to 8.8% specific growth rate day−1 and yields at 63.3 g fresh weight m−2 day−1 equivalent. Biomass should be culled weekly or biweekly to avoid density limitations, which likely contributed to a decrease in SGR over time. With a measured 30–40% carbon content of the ash-free dry weight (20–30% of the dry weight) biomass, this translates to an almost 1:1 CO2 capture to biomass ratio. The compositional fingerprint of the high carbohydrate content of both Agardhiella and Halymenia makes for an attractive feedstock for downstream biorefinery applications. By focusing on scaling and optimizing seaweed farming technologies for large-scale onshore farms, the opportunities for yield potential, adaptability to cultivation conditions, and meeting global sustainability goals through novel, carbon-negative biomass sources such as seaweed can be realized.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1997

The effects of atmospheric [CO2] on carbon isotope fractionation and magnesium incorporation into biogenic marine calcite

The influences of atmospheric carbon dioxide on the fractionation of carbon isotopes and the magnesium incorporation into biogenic marine calcite were investigated using samples of the calcareous alga Amphiroa and benthic foraminifer Sorites grown in the Biosphere 2 Ocean system under variable atmospheric CO2 concentrations (approximately 500 to 1200 ppm). Carbon isotope fractionation was studied in both the organic matter and the skeletal carbonate. Magnesium analysis was to be performed on the carbonate removed during decalcification. These data have not been collected due to technical problems. Carbon isotope data from Amphiroa yields a linear relation between [CO2] and Delta(sup 13)C(sub Corg)values suggesting that the fractionation of carbon isotopes during photosynthesis is positively correlated with atmospheric [CO2]. [CO2] and Delta(sup 13)C(sub Corg) values for Sorites produce a relation that is best described by a hyperbolic function where Delta(sup 13)C(sub Corg) values increase between 300 and 700 ppm and decrease from 700 to 1200 ppm. Further investigation of this relation and Sorites physiology is needed.

Vieira, Veronica↗
NASA NTRS2002

Modeling of the HiPco process for carbon nanotube production. II. Reactor-scale analysis

The high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco) process, developed at Rice University, has been reported to produce single-walled carbon nanotubes from gas-phase reactions of iron carbonyl in carbon monoxide at high pressures (10-100 atm). Computational modeling is used here to develop an understanding of the HiPco process. A detailed kinetic model of the HiPco process that includes of the precursor, decomposition metal cluster formation and growth, and carbon nanotube growth was developed in the previous article (Part I). Decomposition of precursor molecules is necessary to initiate metal cluster formation. The metal clusters serve as catalysts for carbon nanotube growth. The diameter of metal clusters and number of atoms in these clusters are some of the essential information for predicting carbon nanotube formation and growth, which is then modeled by the Boudouard reaction with metal catalysts. Based on the detailed model simulations, a reduced kinetic model was also developed in Part I for use in reactor-scale flowfield calculations. Here this reduced kinetic model is integrated with a two-dimensional axisymmetric reactor flow model to predict reactor performance. Carbon nanotube growth is examined with respect to several process variables (peripheral jet temperature, reactor pressure, and Fe(CO)5 concentration) with the use of the axisymmetric model, and the computed results are compared with existing experimental data. The model yields most of the qualitative trends observed in the experiments and helps to understanding the fundamental processes in HiPco carbon nanotube production.

Validation Studies↗
DOE OSTI2024

Diverse organic carbon dynamics captured by radiocarbon analysis of distinct compound classes in a grassland soil

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a large, dynamic reservoir composed of a complex mixture of plant- and microbe-derived compounds with a wide distribution of cycling timescales and mechanisms. The distinct residence times of individual carbon components within this reservoir depend on a combination of factors, including compound reactivity, mineral association, and climate conditions. To better constrain SOC dynamics, bulk radiocarbon measurements are commonly used to trace biosphere inputs into soils and to estimate timescales of SOC cycling. However, understanding the mechanisms driving the persistence of organic compounds in bulk soil requires analyses of SOC pools that can be linked to plant sources and microbial transformation processes. Here, we adapt approaches, previously developed for marine sediments, to isolate organic compound classes from soils for radiocarbon ( 14 C) analysis. We apply these methods to a soil profile from an annual grassland in Hopland, California (USA), to assess changes in SOC persistence with depth (down to 1 m). We measured the radiocarbon values of water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), total lipid extracts (TLEs), total hydrolyzable amino acids (AAs), and an acid-insoluble (AI) fraction from bulk and physically separated size fractions (< 2 mm, 2 mm–63 µm, and < 63 µm). Our results show that Δ 14 C values of bulk soil, size fractions, and extracted compound classes became more depleted with depth, and individual SOC components have distinct age–depth distributions that suggest distinguishable cycling rates. We found that AAs and TLEs cycle faster than the bulk soils and the AI fraction. The AI was the most 14 C-depleted fraction, indicating that it is the most chemically inert in this soil. Our approach enables the isolation and measurement of SOC fractions that separate functionally distinct SOC pools that can cycle relatively quickly (e.g., plant and microbial residues) from more passive or inert SOC pools (associated with minerals or petrogenic) from bulk soils and soil physical fractions. With the effort to move beyond SOC bulk analysis, we find that compound class 14 C analysis can improve our understanding of SOC cycling and disentangle the physical and chemical factors driving OC cycling rates and persistence.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Analysis of the Cetama Viognier Standard Reference Material

The Viognier sample was analyzed for C, N, and S concentrations and stable isotope compositions using an Elementar Vario Isotope Cube Elemental Analyzer (EA) that is coupled to an IsoPrime PrecisION IRMS. Powder samples were placed in tin capsules and then loaded onto a rotary autosampler. The autosampler dropped samples into the EA, and samples were combusted at 1175 °C over tungsten oxide in a continuous stream of helium carrier gas. A pulse of oxygen is added to the gas stream resulting in flash combustion of the tin capsule containing the sample, which raises the reaction temperature to approximately 1800 °C for a few seconds. The combustion reaction produces SO 2 , N 2 and CO 2 from any sulfur, nitrogen and carbon present in the sample. The resulting gases were then passed through a reduced copper reactor that was heated to 850 °C, to reduce NO x to N 2 , reduce SO 3 to SO 2 , and trap any volatile halogen compounds on silver wool. Following water removal using an adsorption tube, the N 2 , CO 2 , and SO 2 analyte gases were separated and purified using purge-trap columns. The purified gases were then carried through a thermal conductivity detector. The detector signal was passed to software that calculated elemental abundances based on integrated peak areas. The sample gases were then passed to the IRMS and stable isotope ratios were measured. Raw sample peak areas were corrected by subtracting the average peak area from blanks consisting of empty tin capsules run using the same EA analysis method. Blanks were also run following each replicate to verify that all the material was combusted. The Viognier sample was analyzed in triplicate on two days (target sample masses: 30, 60 and 90 mg). The following standards were analyzed to calibrate EA-IRMS measurements: IAEA-C6, USGS-40, USGS-41, IAEA-S1, and IAEA-S2.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
NASA NTRS1986

Earth's early atmosphere as seen from carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of Archean sediments

The origin and evolution of the Earth's early atmosphere has long been a topic of great interest but determination of actual compositions over geologic time is a difficult problem. However, recent systematic studies of stromatolite deposits (Precambrian Paleobiology Research Group) has extended our knowledge of Archean ecosystems. It has been shown that many stromatolite deposits have undergone negligible alteration since their time of formation. The discovery of primary fluid inclusions within unaltered 3.5 b.y. old Archiean sediments and the observation that the 3.3 b.y. old Barberton cherts have remained closed to argon loss and have not been subjected to thermal metamorphism suggests that an opportunity exists for the direct measurement of the volatile constituents present at their time of formation. Of primary interest to this study was the possibility that the stromatolites and other Archean sediments might retain a vestige of the atmosphere and thus afford an indication of the variations in carbon dioxide and nitrogen isotopic compositions with time. A suite of essentially unaltered Archean stromatolites and the cherts of different ages and geologic sites have been analyzed for their trapped carbon dioxide and nitrogen compositions by the stepped combustion extraction tech nique utilizing static mass spectrometers for the isotope measurements.

Gibson, E. K., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2008

A Modeling Technique and Representation of Failure in the Analysis of Triaxial Braided Carbon Fiber Composites

Quasi-static tests have been performed on triaxially braided carbon fiber composite materials with large unit cell sizes. The effects of different fibers and matrix materials on the failure mode were investigated. Simulations of the tests have been performed using the transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA. However, the wide range of failure modes observed for the triaxial braided carbon fiber composites during tests could not be simulated using composite material models currently available within LS-DYNA. A macroscopic approach has been developed that provides better simulation of the material response in these materials. This approach uses full-field optical measurement techniques to measure local failures during quasi-static testing. Information from these experiments is then used along with the current material models available in LS-DYNA to simulate the influence of the braided architecture on the failure process. This method uses two-dimensional shell elements with integration points through the thickness of the elements to represent the different layers of braid along with a new analytical method for the import of material stiffness and failure data directly. The present method is being used to examine the effect of material properties on the failure process. The experimental approaches used to obtain the required data will be described, and preliminary results of the numerical analysis will be presented.

Littell, Justin D.↗
NASA NTRS2008

A Modeling Technique and Representation of Failure in the Analysis of Triaxial Braided Carbon Fiber Composites

Quasi-static tests have been performed on triaxially braided carbon fiber composite materials with large unit cell sizes. The effects of different fibers and matrix materials on the failure mode were investigated. Simulations of the tests have been performed using the transient dynamic finite element code, LS-DYNA. However, the wide range of failure modes observed for the triaxial braided carbon fiber composites during tests could not be simulated using composite material models currently available within LS-DYNA. A macroscopic approach has been developed that provides better simulation of the material response in these materials. This approach uses full-field optical measurement techniques to measure local failures during quasi-static testing. Information from these experiments is then used along with the current material models available in LS-DYNA to simulate the influence of the braided architecture on the failure process. This method uses two-dimensional shell elements with integration points through the thickness of the elements to represent the different layers of braid along with a new analytical method for the import of material stiffness and failure data directly. The present method is being used to examine the effect of material properties on the failure process. The experimental approaches used to obtain the required data will be described, and preliminary results of the numerical analysis will be presented.

Littell, Justin D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Modeling of Failure for Analysis of Triaxial Braided Carbon Fiber Composites

In the development of advanced aircraft-engine fan cases and containment systems, composite materials are beginning to be used due to their low weight and high strength. The design of these structures must include the capability of withstanding impact loads from a released fan blade. Relatively complex triaxially braided fiber architectures have been found to yield the best performance for the fan cases. To properly work with and design these structures, robust analytical tools are required that can be used in the design process. A new analytical approach models triaxially braided carbon fiber composite materials within the environment of a transient dynamic finite-element code, specifically the commercially available transient dynamic finite-element code LS-DYNA. The geometry of the braided composites is approximated by a series of parallel laminated composites. The composite is modeled by using shell finite elements. The material property data are computed by examining test data from static tests on braided composites, where optical strain measurement techniques are used to examine the local strain variations within the material. These local strain data from the braided composite tests are used along with a judicious application of composite micromechanics- based methods to compute the stiffness properties of an equivalent unidirectional laminated composite required for the shell elements. The local strain data from the braided composite tests are also applied to back out strength and failure properties of the equivalent unidirectional composite. The properties utilized are geared towards the application of a continuum damage mechanics-based composite constitutive model available within LS-DYNA. The developed model can be applied to conduct impact simulations of structures composed of triaxially braided composites. The advantage of this technology is that it facilitates the analysis of the deformation and damage response of a triaxially braided polymer matrix composite within the environment of a transient dynamic finite-element code such as LS-DYNA in a manner which accounts for the local physical mechanisms but is still computationally efficient. This methodology is tightly coupled to experimental tests on the braided composite, which ensures that the material properties have physical significance. Aerospace or automotive companies interested in using triaxially braided composites in their structures, particularly for impact or crash applications, would find the technology useful. By the development of improved design tools, the amount of very expensive impact testing that will need to be performed can be significantly reduced.

Goldberg, Robert K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Parts-Per-Million Carbonate Mineral Quantification with Thermogravimetric Analysis–Mass Spectrometry

Mitigating the deleterious effects of climate change requires the development and implementation of carbon capture and storage technologies. To expand the monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV) capabilities of geologic carbon mineralization projects, we developed a thermogravimetric analysis–mass spectrometry (TGA–MS) methodology to enable quantification of <100 ppm calcite (CaCO 3 ) in complex samples. We extended TGA–MS calcite calibration curves to enable a higher measurement resolution and lower limits of quantification for evolved CO 2 from a calcite–corundum mixture. We demonstrated <100 ppm carbonate mineral quantification with TGA–MS for the first time, an outcome applicable across earth, environmental, and materials science fields. We applied this carbonate quantification method to a suite of Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) well cuttings recovered in 2009 from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Wallula #1 Well. Our execution of this new combined calcite and calcite–corundum calibration curve TGA–MS method on our CRBG sample suite indicated average carbonate contents of 0.050 wt % in flow interiors (caprocks) and 0.400 wt % in interflow zones (reservoirs) in the upper 1250 m of the Wallula #1 Well. Finally, by advancing our knowledge of continental flood basalt-hosted carbonates in the mafic subsurface and reaching new TGA–MS quantification limits for carbonate minerals, we expand MRV capabilities and support the commercial-scale deployment of carbon mineralization projects in the Pacific Northwest United States and beyond.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

CarbStor: Development, Analysis and Modification of Carbon Storing Model Soil Communities

Soil microbial communities carry out a number of key processes including plant growth promotion, bioremediation and cycling of nutrients. Carbon cycling is among the most important of these nutrients that are metabolized and processed by the soil microbial community. Many of the carbon inputs are converted to alternative organic forms of carbon that can be used by plants or act as biomass for microbial growth. However, inorganic forms of carbon can also be produced by soil microbial communities including calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ). Production of calcium carbonate is beneficial for the ecosystem in several ways: it can stabilize soils and improve soil health, especially denser soils with high clay content, it can act as a method of bioremediation, it can serve as an alternative carbon source for plants and it can be a way to store carbon in soil in a stable, inorganic manner for the long term. While the chemistry surrounding individual species carrying out this process is well known what is lacking is an understanding of how species interact in a community to drive carbonate production. As all microbial species in soil exist in a community setting gaining this knowledge is critical to our predicting and controlling this microbial phenotype to greatly improve soil health. The CarbStor project is focused on developing, analyzing and modifying defined microbial soil consortia that express phenotypes at both the species and community level to convert carbon into recalcitrant stable sources such as precipitated carbonate or microbial necromass. To take full advantage of the soil community for this process we will need to fill several key knowledge gaps (KG), three of which are the focus of CarbStor. KG1: Whether and to what degree microbial communities can be developed that produce precipitated carbon via microbial metabolism. KG2: What interspecies interactions drive the individual member phenotypes in defined communities that lead to carbon precipitation. KG3: How can these interactions be modified to enhance carbon sequestration beyond what native communities are capable of. We hypothesize that in a carbon sequestering community only a subset of species will express phenotypes related to carbon storage processes. We also hypothesize that these phenotypes are expressed as a result of interactions with other species in the community that are not involved in carbon storage processes and that these interactions can be harnessed to enhance community carbon sequestration.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1978

An improved method for analysis of hydroxide and carbonate in alkaline electrolytes containing zinc

A simplified method for titration of carbonate and hydroxide in alkaline battery electrolyte is presented involving a saturated KSCN solution as a complexing agent for zinc. Both hydroxide and carbonate can be determined in one titration, and the complexing reagent is readily prepared. Since the pH at the end point is shifted from 8.3 to 7.9 - 8.0, m-cresol purple or phenol red are used as indicators rather than phenolphthalein. Bromcresol green is recommended for determination of the second end point of a pH of 4.3 to 4.4.

Reid, M. A.↗