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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 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Brackish water desalination using reverse osmosis and capacitive deionization at the water-energy nexus

Here, we present a critical review of the reported performance of reverse osmosis (RO) and capacitive deionization (CDI) for brackish water (salinity < 5.0 g/L) desalination from the aspects of engineering, energy, economy and environment. We first illustrate the criteria and the key performance indicators to evaluate the performance of brackish water desalination. We then systematically summarize technological information of RO and CDI, focusing on the effect of key parameters on desalination performance, as well as energy-water efficiency, economic costs and environmental impacts (including carbon footprint). We provide in-depth discussion on the interconnectivity between desalination and energy, and the trade-off between kinetics and energetics for RO and CDI as critical factors for comparison. We also critique the results of technical-economic assessment for RO and CDI plants in the context of large-scale deployment, with focus on lifetime-oriented consideration to total costs, balance between energy efficiency and clean water production, and pretreatment/post-treatment requirements. Finally, we illustrate the challenges and opportunities for future brackish water desalination, including hybridization for energy-efficient brackish water desalination, co-removal of specific components in brackish water, and sustainable brine management with innovative utilization. Our study reveals that both RO and CDI should play important roles in water reclamation and resource recovery from brackish water, especially for inland cities or rural regions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2021

Emerging satellite observations for diurnal cycling of ecosystem processes

Diurnal cycling of plant carbon uptake and water use, and their responses to water and heat stresses, provide direct insight into assessing ecosystem productivity, agricultural production and management practices, carbon and water cycles, and feedbacks to the climate. Temperature, light, atmospheric water demand, soil moisture and leaf water potential vary over the course of the day, leading to diurnal variations in stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration. Earth observations from polar-orbiting satellites are incapable of studying these diurnal variations. Here, we review the emerging satellite observations that have the potential for studying how plant functioning and ecosystem processes vary over the course of the diurnal cycle. The recently launched ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 (OCO-3) provide land surface temperature, evapotranspiration (ET), gross primary production (GPP) and solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence data at different times of day. New generation operational geostationary satellites such as Himawari-8 and the GOES-R series can provide continuous, high-frequency data of land surface temperature, solar radiation, GPP and ET. Future satellite missions such as GeoCarb, TEMPO and Sentinel-4 are also planned to have diurnal sampling capability of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence. We explore the unprecedented opportunities for characterizing and understanding how GPP, ET and water use efficiency vary over the course of the day in response to temperature and water stresses, and management practices. We also envision that these emerging observations will revolutionize studies of plant functioning and ecosystem processes in the context of climate change and that these observations and findings can inform agricultural and forest management and lead to improvements in Earth system models and climate projections.

Plant functioning↗
DOE OSTI2024

Understanding Water Controls on Shale Gas/Oil Mobilization into Fractures (FY 2019-2021(FY2022, No Cost Extension), Final Report)

The large volumes of injected and produced water, and costs associated with both hydraulic fracturing fluids and produced water treatment motivate development of hydraulic fracturing strategies that use water more efficiently. The overall objective of this project is to improve understanding on how water is distributed within unconventional shales during and after hydraulic fracturing in order to provide a more rational basis for reservoir stimulation strategies that increase hydrocarbon recovery per unit of water used. The strong capillary imbibition of water into shale matrix pores and immiscibility with hydrocarbons makes it highly desirable to reduce water use during reservoir development. Given the importance, and competing influences of capillarity and gravity in controlling water in fractured porous media, this project also seeks to understand how these factors interact to obstruct or allow gas flow.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
NASA NTRS2019

Retrieval of Vegetation Water Content Using Brightness Temperatures from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Mission

In this paper, we explore a time series approach to using the tau-omega (τ-ω) model to retrieve vegetation water content (kg/m2) with minimal use of ancillary data. Analytically, this approach calls for nonlinear optimization in two steps. First, multiple days of co-located brightness temperature observations are used to retrieve the effective vegetation opacity, which incorporates the combined radiometric and polarization effects of surface roughness and vegetation opacity. The resulting effective vegetation opacity is then used to retrieve vegetation water content to within a gain factor α and an offset factor β. By using a climatological vegetation water content ancillary database as the one adopted in the development of the SMAP standard and enhanced soil moisture products, α and β can be determined globally using the annual minimum and annual maximum of vegetation water content. The resulting values of α and β can then be used to reconstruct the retrieved vegetation water content. Formulation, assumptions, and limitations of this approach are presented alongside the preliminary global retrieval of vegetation water content using one year (2016) ofSMAP brightness temperature observations.

radiative transfer↗
NASA NTRS2000

The Use of Water Vapor for Detecting Environments that Lead to Convectively Produced Heavy Precipitation and Flash Floods

This Tech Report summarizes years of study and experiences on using GOES Water vapor (6.7 micron and precipitable water) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/1) from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) derived Precipitable Water (PNAI) for detecting environments favorable for convectively produced flash floods. An emphasis is on the moisture. upper air flow, and equivalent potential temperature (Theta(sub e)) patterns that lead to devastating flood events. The 15 minute 6.7 micron water vapor imagery is essential for tracking middle to upper tropospheric disturbances that produce upward vertical motion and initiate flash flood producing systems. Water vapor imagery at 6.7 micron is also used to detect surges of upper level moisture (called tropical water vapor plumes) that have been associated with extremely heavy rainfall. Since the water vapor readily depicts lifting mechanisms and upper level moisture, water vapor imagery is often an excellent source of data for recognizing patterns of heavy precipitation and flash floods. In order to analyze the depth of the moisture, the PW aspects of the troposphere must be measured. The collocation (or nearby location) of high values ofP\V and instability are antecedent conditions prior to the flash flood or heavy rainfall events. Knowledge of PW magnitudes have been used as thresholds for impending flash flood events, PW trends are essential in flash flood prediction. Conceptual models and water vapor products are used to study some of the characteristics of convective systems that occurred over the United States of America (USA) during the summer of 1997 and the 1997-1998 El Nino. P\V plumes were associated with most of the \vest coast heavy precipitation events examined during the winter season of 1997 - 1998, In another study, conducted during the summer season of 1997. results showed that the collocation of water vapor (6.7 micron) and P\N' plumes possessed higher correlations with predicted rainfall amounts than when PW plumes occurred by themselves (i.e.. without the presence of 6.7 micron water vapor plumes). Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) meteorologists use the 6.7 micron water and P\V products for their QPE's (interactive Flash Flood Analyzer (IFFA) and Auto-Estimator precipitation estimates), Outlooks, and heavy precipitation briefings with the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center/National Center for Environmental Prediction.

Scofield, Rod↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effects of CO2 on stomatal conductance: do stomata open at very high CO2 concentrations?

Potato and wheat plants were grown for 50 d at 400, 1000 and 10000 micromoles mol-1 carbon dioxide (CO2). and sweetpotato and soybean were grown at 1000 micromoles mol-1 CO2 in controlled environment chambers to study stomatal conductance and plant water use. Lighting was provided with fluorescent lamps as a 12 h photoperiod with 300 micromoles m-2 s-1 PAR. Mid-day stomatal conductances for potato were greatest at 400 and 10000 micromoles mol-1 and least at 1000 micromoles mol-1 CO2. Mid-day conductances for wheat were greatest at 400 micromoles mol-1 and least at 1000 and 10000 micromoles mol-1 CO2. Mid-dark period conductances for potato were significantly greater at 10000 micromoles mol-1 than at 400 or 1000 micromoles mol-1, whereas dark conductance for wheat was similar in all CO2 treatments. Temporarily changing the CO2 concentration from the native 1000 micromoles mol-1 to 400 micromoles mol-1 increased mid-day conductance for all species, while temporarily changing from 1000 to 10000 micromoles mol-1 also increased conductance for potato and sweetpotato. Temporarily changing the dark period CO2 from 1000 to 10000 micromoles mol-1 increased conductance for potato, soybean and sweetpotato. In all cases, the stomatal responses were reversible, i.e. conductances returned to original rates following temporary changes in CO2 concentration. Canopy water use for potato was greatest at 10000, intermediate at 400, and least at 1000 micromoles mol-1 CO2, whereas canopy water use for wheat was greatest at 400 and similar at 1000 and 10000 micromoles mol-1 CO2. Elevated CO2 treatments (i.e. 1000 and 10000 micromoles mol-1) resulted in increased plant biomass for both wheat and potato relative to 400 micromoles mol-1, and no injurious effects were apparent from the 10000 micromoles mol-1 treatment. Results indicate that super-elevated CO2 (i.e. 10000 micromoles mol-1) can increase stomatal conductance in some species, particularly during the dark period, resulting in increased water use and decreased water use efficiency.

NASA Discipline Life Support Systems↗
NASA NTRS1976

Measurement of transpiration in Pinus taeda L. and Liquidambar styraciflua L. in an environmental chamber using tritiated water

Transpiration rates of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) were measured at two different atmospheric water vapor pressure deficits (V.P.D.) in a controlled environment growth chamber using tritiated water as a tracer. The trees were maintained in a sealed plant bed containing a hydroponic nutrient solution into which labeled water (spike) was introduced. Samples of leaves, chamber air, spiked nutrient solution and control water were assayed for ratio-activity using liquid scintillation techniques to determine transpiration rates. The transpiration rate of sweetgum in ml./hr./gm. (4.95) was found to be 5 times greater than that of loblolly pine (1.03) at 1.84 V.P.D. and 8 times greater at 6.74 V.P.D. (15.99 for sweetgum vs. 2.19 for pine). Transpiration (based on measurements of leaf radioactivity) in both species rose with increasing deficit; however sweetgum increased its output by 3 times while pine only doubled its rate. Cyclical changes in transpiration rates were noted in both species; the sweetgum cycle required a 6 hour interval whereas the pine cycle required a 9 hour interval.

Levy, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS2018

Remote Sensing of Evapotranspiration over the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, USA

Knowledge of baseline water use for irrigated crops in the U.S. Southwest is important for understanding how much water is consumed under normal farm management and to help manage scarce resources. Remote sensing of evapotranspiration (ET) is an effective way to gain that knowledge: multispectral data can provide synoptic and time-repetitive estimates of crop-specific water use, and could be especially useful for this arid region because of dominantly clear skies and minimal precipitation. Although multiple remote sensing ET approaches have been developed and tested, there is not consensus on which of them should be preferred because there are still few intercomparison studies within this environment. To help build the experience needed to gain consensus, a remote sensing study using three ET models was conducted over the Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District (CAIDD). Aggregated ET was assessed for 137 wheat plots (winter/spring crop), 183 cotton plots (summer crop), and 225 alfalfa plots (year-round). The employed models were the Satellite-Based Energy Balance for Mapping Evapotranspiration with Internalized Calibration (METRIC), the Two Source Energy Balance (TSEB), and Vegetation Index ET for the US Southwest (VISW). Remote sensing data were principally Landsat 5, supplemented by Landsat 7, MODIS Terra, MODIS Aqua, and ASTER. Using district-wide model averages, seasonal use (excluding surface evaporation) was 742 mm (millimeters) for wheat, 983 mm for cotton, and 1427 mm for alfalfa. All three models produced similar daily ET for wheat, with 6-8 mm per day mid-season. Model estimates diverged for cotton and alfalfa sites. Considering ET over cotton, TSEB estimates were 9.5 mm per day, METRIC 6 mm per day, and VISW 8 mm per day. For alfalfa, the ET values from TSEB were 8.0 mm per day, METRIC 5 mm per day, and VISW 6 mm per day. Lack of local validation information unfortunately made it impossible to rank model performance. However, by averaging results from all of them, ET model outliers could be identified. They ranged from minus 10 percent to plus 18 percent, values that represent expected ET modeling discrepancies. Relative to the model average, standardized ET-estimators - potential ET (ET (sub 0)), FAO-56 ET, and USDA-SW gravimetric-ET - showed still greater deviations, up to 35 percent of annual crop water use for summer and year-round crops, suggesting that remote sensing of actual ET could lead to significantly improved estimates of crop water use. Results from this study highlight the need for conducting multi-model experiments during summer-months over sites with independent ground validation.

Alfalfa↗
NASA NTRS1998

Monitoring Direct Effects of Delta, Atlas, and Titan Launches from Cape Canaveral Air Station

Launches of Delta, Atlas, and Titan rockets from Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS) have potential environmental effects that could arise from direct impacts of the launch exhaust (e.g., blast, heat), deposition of exhaust products of the solid rocket motors (hydrogen chloride, aluminum oxide), or other effects such as noise. Here we: 1) review previous reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements for Delta, Atlas, and Titan vehicles and pad areas to clarity the magnitude of potential impacts; 2) summarize observed effects of 15 Delta, 22 Atlas, and 8 Titan launches; and 3) develop a spatial database of the distribution of effects from individual launches and cumulative effects of launches. The review of previous studies indicated that impacts from these launches can occur from the launch exhaust heat, deposition of exhaust products from the solid rocket motors, and noise. The principal effluents from solid rocket motors are hydrogen chloride (HCl), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), water (H2O), hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The exhaust plume interacts with the launch complex structure and water deluge system to generate a launch cloud. Fall out or rain out of material from this cloud can produce localized effects from acid or particulate deposition. Delta, Atlas, and Titan launch vehicles differ in the number and size of solid rocket boosters and in the amount of deluge water used. All are smaller and use less water than the Space Shuttle. Acid deposition can cause damage to plants and animals exposed to it, acidify surface water and soil, and cause long-term changes to community composition and structure from repeated exposure. The magnitude of these effects depends on the intensity and frequency of acid deposition.

Schmalzer, Paul A.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Final Report for Intravenous Fluid Generation (IVGEN) Spaceflight Experiment

NASA designed and operated the Intravenous Fluid Generation (IVGEN) experiment onboard the International Space Station (ISS), Increment 23/24, during May 2010. This hardware was a demonstration experiment to generate intravenous (IV) fluid from ISS Water Processing Assembly (WPA) potable water using a water purification technique and pharmaceutical mixing system. The IVGEN experiment utilizes a deionizing resin bed to remove contaminants from feedstock water to a purity level that meets the standards of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), the governing body for pharmaceuticals in the United States. The water was then introduced into an IV bag where the fluid was mixed with USP-grade crystalline salt to produce USP normal saline (NS). Inline conductivity sensors quantified the feedstock water quality, output water purity, and NS mixing uniformity. Six 1.5-L bags of purified water were produced. Two of these bags were mixed with sodium chloride to make 0.9 percent NS solution. These two bags were returned to Earth to test for compliance with USP requirements. On-orbit results indicated that all of the experimental success criteria were met with the exception of the salt concentration. Problems with a large air bubble in the first bag of purified water resulted in a slightly concentrated saline solution of 117 percent of the target value of 0.9 g/L. The second bag had an inadequate amount of salt premeasured into the mixing bag resulting in a slightly deficient salt concentration of 93.8 percent of the target value. The USP permits a range from 95 to 105 percent of the target value. The testing plans for improvements for an operational system are also presented.

McQuillen, John B.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Consumer Guide to Home Water Efficiency

Learn how a water-efficient home helps you minimize your water use, harness water for reuse, conserve energy, and save money. This fact sheet from Energy Saver includes information on ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, why to improve water efficiency, and how to save water and energy.

water efficiency, water heating, saving water, wat↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coupling Waste Feedstocks to Microbial Protein for a Circular Food System

The global food system is responsible for approximately 34% of annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and up to 85% of water consumption. This critical sector suffers from intensive and inefficient land and water use, the generation of multiple (solid, liquid, and gaseous) waste streams, and high fuel, fertilizer, and pesticide consumption. The production of waste-derived microbial protein (MP) represents a promising alternative for reducing the environmental impacts of protein production relative to conventional agriculture. MP can be mass-produced in volumetrically scalable cultivation processes on short timescales, enabling facile up-scaling with lower greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water impacts than animal and, in some cases, plant protein production. MP can also be produced from waste feedstocks, diverting waste from landfills or the natural environment. Here, we present the availability and suitability of waste feedstocks for MP production, as well as the fermentation and downstream processes required to convert MP into human food products. We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing waste-derived bacterial MP and highlight key areas for innovation in both the microbiology and process design space for a more sustainable and circular food system.

BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES,ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY,↗
DOE OSTI2022

Impacts of Riparian and Non-riparian Woody Encroachment on Tallgrass Prairie Ecohydrology

Woody encroachment has impacted grassland ecohydrology worldwide, prompting management strategies aimed at woody vegetation removal to prevent or mitigate loss of water yield. For this work, we measured stream discharge following sustained cutting of riparian trees (2010–2020) in a native tallgrass prairie (northeastern Kansas, USA). Discharge has declined at this site since the 1980’s despite a concurrent increase in precipitation. This decline has been previously attributed to increased transpiration of stream water by riparian vegetation. We used water stable isotopes (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) to determine whether riparian grasses, shrubs, and trees primarily used stream/groundwater or soil water. Additionally, we quantified the increase in riparian and non-riparian woody cover (1978–2020) and combined it with sap-flux data to estimate changes in transpirative water loss. Sustained cutting of riparian trees did not result in increased discharge. Rather than stream/groundwater, the largest proportion of water used by riparian trees (Quercus spp.) was deep soil water. Cornus drummondii (clonal woody shrub) used a higher proportion of stream water and had greater overall variability in water-use. Riparian shrub cover increased about 57% from 1978 to 2020. Over the same time period, shrub cover increased about 20% in areas outside the riparian zone, resulting in an estimated 25% increase in daily transpirative water loss. Although stream water use was less than 50% for all riparian zone species, the total increase in shrub cover on this watershed, coupled with higher transpiration rates of shrubs, suggests that these woody species—within and outside the riparian zone—are key contributors to observed declines in stream flow in this system.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Comparison of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Uranium Metal-Water Systems using Calculated and Experimental Critical Data

Heterogeneous effects of fissile units latticed in water has been documented in several forms in commonly referenced handbooks and guides. Many of these documents provide guidance for when heterogeneous systems are more reactive than their homogenous counterparts if controlling fissile mass or volume. This information provides insight into when heterogeneity should be considered for conservatism, however this information is not always displayed in a manner that is comparable to commonly referenced data, such as critical curves based on spherical systems. This paper aims to provide a juxtaposition of homogenous and heterogeneous uranium metal-water systems using both experimental and calculated critical data displayed in the format of commonly referenced critical curves. This format allows for easy comparison between the two systems against parameters that are often considered for single unit analysis such as: uranium density, fissile mass, system volume, and total system mass (fissile mass plus moderator mass). Calculated critical spherical systems provide an equal comparison between latticed geometry types as the latticed array can be cut off or restricted in the same manner in each series of models, which is not true for experimental values. Additionally, enrichment of the latticed units can be made uniform in the calculated systems, which is also difficult to achieve when referencing experimental data of varying latticed geometries. A comparison of calculated critical values and available experimental values is provided to show how these parameters can impact the critical spherical system result.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Comparison of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Uranium Metal-Water Systems using Calculated and Experimental Critical Data

Heterogeneous effects of fissile units latticed in water has been documented in several forms in commonly referenced handbooks and guides. Many of these documents provide guidance for when heterogeneous systems are more reactive than their homogenous counterparts if controlling fissile mass or volume. This information provides insight into when heterogeneity should be considered for conservatism, however this information is not always displayed in a manner that is comparable to commonly referenced data, such as critical curves based on spherical systems. This paper aims to provide a juxtaposition of homogenous and heterogeneous uranium metal-water systems using both experimental and calculated critical data displayed in the format of commonly referenced critical curves. This format allows for easy comparison between the two systems against parameters that are often considered for single unit analysis such as: uranium density, fissile mass, system volume, and total system mass (fissile mass plus moderator mass). Calculated critical spherical systems provide an equal comparison between latticed geometry types as the latticed array can be physically cut off or restricted in the same manner in each series of models, which is not true for experimental values. Additionally, enrichment of the latticed units can be made uniform in the calculated systems, which is difficult to achieve when referencing experimental data of varying latticed geometries. A comparison of calculated critical values and available experimental values is provided to show how these parameters can impact the critical spherical system result.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Parametric Studies of Heat Pump Water Heater Using Low GWP Refrigerants

A storage heat pump water heater (HPWH) comprises a vapor compression system and a hot water tank. It can lead to more than 70% energy saving, compared with electric resistance heating. HPWH usually uses a wrapped-tank coil as the water heater. The wrapped coil has a strong interaction with the water tank and impose a new challenge for the engineering design and simulation study. Based on the US DOE/ORNL Heat Pump Design Model (HPDM), i.e., a public-domain, component-based thermal system modelling platform, a segment-to-segment wrapped-tank coil model coupled with a one-dimensional stratified water tank model were developed, which facilitates modeling and design HPWHs having various configurations and components. Additionally, the hardware-based design model was used to evaluate refrigerants having lower global warming potentials to replace R-134a, including R-1234yf, R-1234ze, R-290, R-513A and R-450A, when effects of compressor size, refrigerant charge on 24-hour uniform energy factor (UEF) and first-hour rating (FHR) were investigated.In the drop-in replacements, R-1234ze achieved the best UEF, and R-290 resulted in the lowest UEF. When downsizing the compressor to maximize the UEFs, the UEFs of R-134a, R-290, R1234yf, R-450A and R-513A ascended to the range of 4.4 to 4.53, with R-513A having the highest UEF. The R-1234ze ended up having the lowest UEF of 4.27. Refrigerants having larger volumetric vaporization heat led to higher FHRs if using the fixed-size compressor, that R-290 resulted in the highest FHR.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗