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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Improved Value of the Gasoline and Fuel Oil Co-Product Fractions Generated by the PNNL/LanzaTech Alcohol-to-Jet Process (Final Report)

The BETO-funded PNNL collaboration with LanzaTech, Inc. utilizes patented technology to address the need for low aromatic jet fuel blendstocks. The PNNL/LanzaTech alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) process converts ethanol from LanzaTech’s syngas fermentation process to jet-range isoparaffins. The aim of this Cooperative Research Development Agreement (CRADA) project was to improve the commercial viability of the LanzaTech/ PNNL ATJ process by developing two new co-product options. Two Focus Areas (FA) were explored: FA1) Increasing the RON of the lighter-than-jet gasoline fraction above 98; and FA2) Creating a synthetic lubricant base oil from the heavier-than-jet fraction. For FA 1, multiple processing approaches were evaluated, and RONs ranging from 96-100 were obtained, each comprising different processing costs. The most cost effective approach identified was a single-step process and yielded a liquid product of 97. Thus, additional development is required to obtain a RON > 98. We will continue work on this focus area with separate Direct Funding Opportunity (DFO) funding within the DOE-BETO Co-Optima Consortium (expected to begin Q2-FY21). Experimental work will focus on i) increasing single pass conversion to > 50%, and ii) obtaining a > 98 RON product. Technoeconomic analysis performed in this project suggests cost competitiveness provided these technical targets can be met. For FA2, multiple approaches were evaluated for increasing the viscosity index (VI) of the heavier-than-jet fraction to at least 120 in order to meet ASTM specifications for a Group III Base Oil (ASTM D6074). All other ASTM specifications are already met. A viscosity index of 115 was obtained, and with minimal undesirable cracking products. We believe a VI of 115 is about the highest possible from a catalytic approach, per review of the patent literature. In order to further increase the VI to > 120 we believe additives and/or liquid-liquid extraction is required. TEA performed earlier in the project suggests cost competitiveness with market prices assuming cracking byproducts are kept < 10 wt.%. If TEA updated with this additional processing still projects economic feasibility next steps could be taken in a subsequent effort.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2024

Nanoconfined Interfaces for Highly Selective Separation of Critical Rare Earth Elements

Industrial demand for rare earth elements (REEs) has surged over the past three decades due to their unique properties that support sustainable energy and new technologies. Separating individual REEs is challenging and hazardous, typically done through liquid-liquid extraction. There is an urgent need for environmentally friendly and efficient separation technologies for REEs. Porous materials offer promising advances for sustainable REE separation via ion-selective capture. We hypothesize that REE separation can be efficiently achieved in reactive nanopores, such as Zr(IV) and Cr(III) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), through surface functionalization. By integrating material synthesis, interfacial chemistry experiments, theory, computation, and machine learning, we gained insights into the chemical factors controlling REE speciation and their competitive adsorption on MOFs. Our findings show that these materials’ selectivity can be tuned by surface functionalization. The machine learning component addressed ion-specific diffusion based on MOF topology and chemistry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Leveraging Macrocyclic Chelators for Rare Earth Element Separations

The long-term objective of this project is to develop new, more energy-efficient and environmentally benign separations of the rare earth elements. The current approaches to separate the rare earth elements employ liquid-liquid extraction methods, using a biphasic mixture of aqueous and organic solvents containing different metal-binding agents. Although a significant amount of work has been carried out to develop new organic-phase extractants, significantly less has been executed for the design of aqueous complexants. Our approach to achieve better rare earth separations is to modify and optimize these aqueous complexants for achieving different rare earth-binding properties. Once synthesized, these new complexants were evaluated for more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient separations of the rare earth elements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Cleanup and Conversion of Biomass Liquefaction Aqueous Phase to C3–C5 Olefins over ZnxZryOz Catalyst

The viability of using a ZnxZryOz mixed oxide catalyst for the direct production of C4 olefins from the aqueous phase derived from three different bio-oils was explored. The aqueous phases derived from (i) hydrothermal liquefaction of corn stover, (ii) fluidized bed fast pyrolysis of horse litter, and (iii) screw pyrolysis of wood pellets were evaluated as feedstocks. While exact compositions vary, the primary constituents for each feedstock are acetic acid and propionic acid. Continuous processing, based on liquid–liquid extraction, for the cleanup of the inorganic contaminants contained in the aqueous phase was also demonstrated. Complete conversion of the carboxylic acids was achieved over ZnxZryOz catalyst for all the feedstocks investigated. The main reaction products from each of the feedstocks include isobutene (>30% selectivity) and CO2 (>23% selectivity). Activity loss from coking was also observed, thereby rendering deactivation of the ZnxZryOz catalyst, however, complete recovery of catalyst activity was observed following regeneration. Finally, the presence of H2 in the feed was found to facilitate hydrogenation of intermediate acetone, thereby increasing propene production and, consequently, decreasing isobutene production.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1995

On-line removal of volatile fatty acids from CELSS anaerobic bioreactor via nanofiltration

The CELSS (controlled ecological life support system) resource recovery system, which is a waste processing system, uses aerobic and anaerobic bioreactors to recover plants nutrients and secondary foods from the inedible biomass. The anaerobic degradation of the inedible biomass by means of culture of rumen bacteria,generates organic compounds such as volatile fatty acids (acetic, propionic, butyric, VFA) and ammonia. The presence of VFA in the bioreactor medium at fairly low concentrations decreases the microbial population's metabolic reactions due to end-product inhibition. Technologies to remove VFA continuously from the bioreactor are of high interest. Several candidate technologies were analyzed, such as organic solvent liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption and/or ion exchange, dialysis, electrodialysis, and pressure driven membrane separation processes. The proposed technique for the on-line removal of VFA from the anaerobic bioreactor was a nanofiltration membrane recycle bioreactor. In order to establish the nanofiltration process performance variables before coupling it to the bioreactor, a series of experiments were carried out using a 10,000 MWCO tubular ceramic membrane module. The variables studied were the bioreactor slurry permeation characteristics, such as, the permeate flux, VFA and the nutrient removal rates as a function of applied transmembrane pressure, fluid recirculation velocity, suspended matter concentration, and process operating time. Results indicate that the permeate flux, VFA and nutrients removal rates are directly proportional to the fluid recirculation velocity in the range between 0.6 to 1.0 m/s, applied pressure when these are low than 1.5 bar, and inversely proportional to the total suspended solids concentration in the range between 23,466 to 34,880. At applied pressure higher than 1.5 bar the flux is not more linearly dependent due to concentration polarization and fouling effects over the membrange surface. It was also found that the permeate flux declines rapidly during the first 5 to 8 hours, and then levels off with a diminishing rate of flux decay.

Colon, Guillermo↗
NASA NTRS1971

Phenol Analysis -- Some Analytical Considerations

Contamination of potable water supplies with halogenated phenols in concentrations of 2-10 parts per billion (ppb) produces objectionable tastes and odors capable of influencing consumer acceptability. Routine analysis by the distillation/ 4-aminoantipyrine method is limited by lack of sensitivity and subject to interference by aryl amines. This has been overcome by developing a continuous liquid-liquid extraction system to selectively isolate phenols and eliminate major interfering substances. Stable reagents have been formulated to reduce blank color and extend sensitivity. Equipment suitable for analysis of phenols at the 1 ppb level or less in 20 minutes is described.

Starkey, R. J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Compound Separation

Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed a new one-step liquid-liquid extraction technique which cuts processing time, reduces costs and eliminates much of the equipment required. Technique employs disposable extraction columns, originally developed as an aid to the Los Angeles Police Department, which allow more rapid detection of drugs as part of the department's drug abuse program. Applications include medical treatment, pharmaceutical preparation and forensic chemistry. NASA waived title to Caltech, and Analytichem International is producing Extubes under Caltech license.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2009

Lunar Oxygen Production and Metals Extraction Using Ionic Liquids

Initial results indicate that ionic liquids are promising media for the extraction of oxygen from lunar regolith. IL acid systems can solubilize regolith and produce water with high efficiency. IL electrolytes are effective for water electrolysis, and the spent IL acid media are capable of regeneration.

Marone, Matthew↗
NASA NTRS2022

Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission

The Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) is an instrument concept being developed for the Europa Lander mission currently under study. EMILI will meet and exceed the scientific and technical/resource requirements of the organic composition analyzer identified as a core instrument on the Lander. EMILI tightly couples two complementary analytical techniques, based on 1) liquid extraction and processing with capillary electrophoresis and 2) thermal and chemical extraction with gas chromatography, to robustly detect, structurally characterize, and quantify the broadest range of organics and other Europan chemicals over widely-varying concentrations. Dual processing and analysis paths enable EMILI to perform a thorough characterization of potential molecular biosignatures and contextual compounds in collected surface samples. Here we present a summary of the requirements, design, and development status of EMILI with projected scientific opportunities on the Europa Lander as well as on other potential life detection missions seeking potential molecular biosignatures in situ.

Europa↗
DOE OSTI2014

ON-LINE MONITORING FOR PROCESS CONTROL AND SAFEGUARDING OF RADIOCHEMICAL STREAMS AT SPENT FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has established international safeguards standards for fissionable material at spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plants to ensure that significant quantities of weapons-grade nuclear material are not diverted from these facilities. Currently, methods to verify material control and accountancy (MC&A) at these facilities require time-consuming and resource-intensive destructive assay (DA). Leveraging new on-line non-destructive assay (NDA) techniques in conjunction with the traditional and highly precise DA methods may provide a more timely, cost-effective and resource-efficient means for MC&A verification at such facilities. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is developing on-line NDA process monitoring technologies, including a spectroscopy-based monitoring system, to potentially reduce the time and resource burden associated with current techniques. The spectroscopic monitor continuously measures chemical compositions of the process streams including actinide metal ions (U, Pu, Np), selected fission products, and major non-radioactive flowsheet chemicals using UV-vis-near infrared and Raman spectroscopy. This paper provides an overview of the methods and reports our on-going efforts to develop and demonstrate the technologies. Our ability to identify material intentionally diverted from a liquid-liquid extraction contactor system was successfully tested using on-line process monitoring as a means to detect the amount of material diverted. A chemical diversion and detection of that diversion, from a solvent extraction scheme was demonstrated using a centrifugal contactor system operating a tributyl phosphate based extraction. A portion of the feed from a counter-current extraction system was diverted while a continuous extraction experiment was underway; the spectroscopic on-line process monitoring system was simultaneously measuring the feed, raffinate and organic products streams. The amount observed to be diverted by on-line spectroscopic process monitoring was in excellent agreement with values based from the known mass of sample directly diverted from system feed solution.

Np↗
DOE OSTI2018

Methods for gas-phase thermochromatographic separations of fission and activation products

Methods are provided for characterizing samples containing chemical elements such as rare earth elements, actinides, and heavy transition metals by treating the samples to form volatile complexes of the elements (e.g., β-diketonate complexes or other organic ligand complexes of the elements) and then analyzing the complexes, for example, via gas-phase thermochromatography. Also provided are methods for separating and/or recovering such chemical elements. The methods produce less waste and can be performed more rapidly than conventional liquid extraction methods and can provide separated elements of high purity (e.g., 99.9999% purity).

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2019

Production of a Biofuel Intermediate from Biomass Sugars by Clostridium tyrobutyricum

Butyric acid is a valuable chemical that can be fermentatively produced in Clostridium tyrobutyricum and catalytically upgraded to drop in biofuels. Despite considerable study of glucose fermentation in C. tyrobutyricum, information about glucose and xylose co-fermentation to produce butyric acid is limited. In this work, fed-batch fermentations of corn stover hydrolysate at pH 5.0 demonstrated the co-fermentation of glucose and xylose. However, the fermentation stalled at approximately 48 hours after reaching inhibitory levels of butyric acid (18 g/L). When the fermentation pH was increased to 6.0, higher butyric acid titers (50 g/L) were achieved but the fermentation again stalled after 98 hours due to product inhibition. To demonstrate the potential of a continuous co-fermentation process, in situ product recovery via membrane-based liquid-liquid extraction (pertraction) was applied to remove butyric acid. The extracted acids were then recovered from the organic solvent via back extraction into an alkaline solution, producing a high purity product. Results from pertractive fermentations of real corn stover hydrolysate are shown below.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Separation of High Purity Oxygenated Aromatics from Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Organic Streams

Thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass offers an attractive route to produce fuels and chemicals. Specifically, catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) oils have been shown to contain a high concentration of oxygenated aromatics, which can be isolated as value-added co-products. Purification of oxygenated aromatics can be a viable pathway to more economically competitive biorefineries, yet the isolation of highly pure coproduct streams remains technically challenging due to the high chemical heterogeneity of thermochemical process steams. Here, we demonstrate an industrially scalable process for isolating phenol, a widely used precursor to plastics, from CFP oil. Importantly, we leverage standard industrial processes, such as distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, and crystallization, to achieve phenol with 97% purity. In addition, the primary distillation of the CFP oil yielded several other fractions that contain chemicals with the potential to be isolated (e.g. cyclic ketones, cresols, and guaiacols). This work provides a technically feasible path to high purity oxygenated aromatics that has the potential to offset fuel production costs in a biorefinery.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A New Process for Small-Batch Purification of the Medical Isotope Molybdenum-99: Non-Technical Overview

The U.S. medical community depends on a reliable supply of the radioisotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) for nuclear medical diagnostic procedures. Mo-99's decay product, technetium-99m (Tc-99m), is used in over 40,000 medical procedures in the United States each day to diagnose heart disease and cancer, to study organ structure and function, and to perform other important medical applications. For example, patients undergoing a common procedure—the cardiac “stress test”—likely have benefited from Tc-99m. Historically, Mo-99 was primarily produced through the fission of uranium-235, in the form of highly enriched uranium (HEU) targets irradiated in research and test reactors. HEU is a proliferation-sensitive material that, if diverted or stolen, could be used as a component of a nuclear weapon. NNSA’s Office of Material Management and Minimization (M3) manages the Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) Program as part of its mission to minimize the use of HEU in civilian applications. The Mo-99 Program assists global Mo-99 production facilities in converting to non-HEU processes and supports the establishment of domestic supplies of Mo-99 without the use of proliferation-sensitive HEU. As part of this program, M3 funds U.S. national laboratories to provide non-proprietary technical support to U.S. companies working to establish non-HEU-based Mo-99 production capabilities. The results of this research are published on OSTI.gov for the benefit of the Mo-99 community and the public. However, it can be difficult for readers without a scientific background to understand and interpret these publications. In order to increase public understanding of the work being done in M3’s Mo-99 Program, this paper aims to provide an overview of a key, recent national laboratory technical publication in terms that can be understood by readers without a technical background. To accomplish this, the paper first explains key scientific concepts—primarily related to chemistry—that provide a foundation for understanding research in this area. This includes chromatography, absorption vs. adsorption, dissolution and precipitation, and liquid-liquid extraction. Drawing on these concepts, the paper then provides an explanation for non-technical audiences of the Argonne National Laboratory publication entitled Recovery of High Specific Activity Molybdenum-99 from Accelerator-Induced Fission on Low-Enriched Uranium for Technetium-99m Generators (Brown, M.A. et al., 2021) and related article Separation and Purification of Mo-99 Produced from Natural U3O8 Targets via Photo-Fission (Brown, M.A. et al., 2021).

Stamler, Bradley↗
DOE OSTI2023

Task 2.1: Adsorption-Based ISPR for BETO-Relevant Bioproducts

This task focuses on the development of adsorption-based in situ product recovery (ISPR) integrated with simulated moving bed chromatography for the recovery and purification of carboxylate products that are relevant to BETO. ISPR has been pursued previously in the Separations Consortium to recover carboxylic acids near or below their pKa values with liquid-liquid extraction coupled to downstream distillation. However, there are many acid products in the BETO portfolio that require neutralization well above their pKa values wherein ISPR could still be a major benefit to the bioprocess performance, including muconic acid, beta-ketoadipic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, itaconic acid, butyric acid, and others. In this task, we are combining dynamic filtration with a rotating ceramic disk, resin capacity measurements, tailored resin synthesis, and simulated moving bed chromatography into an ISPR system that can be used to recover BETO-relevant carboxylates from bioreactor cultivations. We are working across process scales and using computational modeling where applicable alongside techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment to understand major cost, energy, and GHG emissions drivers. The impact of this project will be a bench-scale integrated approach to recover carboxylate products in situ, which will reduce the waste generation from biological carboxylate production processes and improve the productivities of biological systems.

bio-based acid↗
DOE OSTI2016

Media Effects on the Recycling of Rhodium from Spent Nuclear Fuel - 16364

As byproducts of U-235 fission, precious metals (e.g., Ag, Pd, Ru, Rh) are produced in quantities greater than naturally occurring ores. The complex nature of spent nuclear fuel hinders the application of classical methods for this precious metal recovery. Rhodium has particular interest in energy applications and increasing demand for this metal has led to the exploration of alternative resources. To evaluate the recovery of rhodium from spent nuclear fuel, a benzoyl-thiourea ligand was examined to determine the efficiency of rhodium partitioning in liquid-liquid extraction. The effects of nitrate and chloride media were studied to understand the influence of these anions on rhodium speciation and extraction. Near quantitative extraction of rhodium was observed from both nitrate and chloride media at long equilibration times. However, slope analysis experiments indicated different extracted species based on the anion present. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Aryl triazole cages

The present disclosure concerns synthesis, anion binding features, liquid-liquid extraction of salts, and anti-corrosion character of aryl-triazole bicyclic macrocycles of Formula (I) and related compounds:

Flood, Amar H.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Use of Novel Diglycolamide Extractants in Liquid-liquid Separations of Light Rare Earths

Creation of a novel extractant that can improve rare earth separations both economically and environmentally will be pivotal for industry progression. Diglycolamide (DGA) extractants provide chemistries that support this goal by serving as an extractant with high affinity for lanthanides and improved separation factors for light rare earths as compared to current extractants like PC88A. Initial organic phase loading capacity and phase dispersion tests performed with various modified DGAs generated results that were unfavorable for industrial processing, but further modification of the DGA alkyl chain substituents have resulted in new structures with promising results. Dispersion time measurements taken in small scale batch contacts of the extractant with a simulated leach liquor containing La, Ce, Nd, and Pr support implementation in both mixer-settlers and centrifugal contactors for larger scale separations. Furthermore, this confirmation allowed for preliminary flowsheet design using extraction equilibria at various organic to aqueous flow ratios (O/A) for extraction, scrubbing, and stripping stages. These values along with expected product/effluent compositions for each section aid in the testing for specific distribution ratios and final flowsheet design. Implementation of the DGA extractant into solvent extraction equipment will provide essential information for the next steps of this project and how this extractant may be optimized for future applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗