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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

From Futile to Fruitful: Diesel Soot as White Light Emitter

The present work describes a solution for the effective use of the hazardous particulate matter (diesel soot) from the internal combustion engines (ICEs) as a potential material emitting white light for white light emitting diodes (WLEDs). The washed soot samples are subjected to Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High- Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), UV–Visible, Photoluminescent (PL) Spectroscopy and quantum yield measurements. The CIE plot and Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) reveals the white fluorescence on photoexcitation. The sample on ultraviolet (UV) laser excitation, provides a visual confirmation of white light emission from the sample. The diesel soot collected from public transport buses of different years of manufacture invariably exhibit white fluorescence at an excitation of 350 nm. The sample show a quantum yield of 47.09%. The study is significant in the context of pollution and search for low-cost, rare-earth phosphor free material for white light emission and thereby turning the hazardous, futile material into a fruitful material that can be used for potential applications in photonics and electronics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Substitution or Shared Utilization? Intrahousehold Vehicle Use in Mixed-Powertrain Households

While previous research has focused heavily on understanding the factors deriving alternative fuel vehicle adoption rates, there remains a significant gap in understanding how households distribute mileage across different powertrains. This study utilizes data from the 2022 Next Generation National Household Travel Survey to investigate vehicle miles traveled within a sample of 150 plug-in electric vehicle (PEV)-owning households (in which at least one battery electric vehicle is present), characterizing how different powertrains are integrated into daily mobility. Leveraging a Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) framework the study jointly models the utilization of PEVs, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) while accounting for household-level substitution effects. The results provide evidence of an asymmetric substitution effect. In households with mixed-powertrain configurations, the ICEV captures a substantially higher share of household miles (compared with the PEV), acting as a utility sponge. Conversely, the model identifies specific socioeconomic and geographic cohorts that prioritize PEV as the primary household workhorse, indicating a systematic sorting effect. Although the sample size limits broader generalizability, these findings suggest that PEVs are used for frequent, specific routine-intensive roles, whereas the ICEV remains a specialized utility vehicle. These insights highlight distinct intrahousehold vehicle use behaviors that are often obscured by aggregate fleetwide statistics.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2010

Benefits and Challenges of Achieving a Mainstream Market for Electric Vehicles

The Plug-in Hybrid electric Vehicle (PHEV) Market Introduction Study Final Report identified a range of policies, incentives and regulations designed to enhance the probability of success in commercializing PHEVs as they enter the automotive marketplace starting in 2010. The objective of the comprehensive PHEV Value Proposition study, which encompasses the PHEV Market Introduction Study, is to better understand the value proposition that PHEVs (as well as other plug-in electric vehicle platforms - PEVs) provide to the auto companies themselves, to the consumer and to the public at large as represented by the government and its public policies. In this report we use the more inclusive term PEVs, to include PHEVs, BEVs (battery electric vehicles that operate only on battery) and EREVs (extended range electric vehicles that combine battery electric vehicles with an internal combustion engine that charges the battery as needed). The objective of Taratec's contribution to Phase 2 of the PHEV Value Proposition Study is to develop a clear understanding of the benefits of PEVs to three stakeholders - auto original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), utilities, and the government - and of the technical and commercial challenges and risks to be overcome in order to achieve commercial success for these vehicles. The goal is to understand the technical and commercial challenges in moving from the 'early adopters' at the point of market introduction of these vehicles to a 'sustainable' mainstream market in which PEVs and other PEVs represent a normal, commercially available and attractive vehicle to the mainstream consumer. For the purpose of this study, that sustainable market is assumed to be in place in the 2030 timeframe. The principal focus of the study is to better understand the technical and commercial challenges in the transition from early adopters to a sustainable mainstream consumer market. Effectively, that translates to understanding the challenges to be overcome during the transition period - basically the middle years as the second and third generation of these vehicles are developed and come to market. The concern is to understand those things that in the near term would delay that transition. The study looked at identifying and then quantifying these technical and commercial risks and benefits from three perspectives: (1) The auto industry original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) themselves; (2) The utilities who will provide the electric 'fuel' that will fully or partially power the vehicles; and (3) The government, representing public policy interest in PEV success. By clarifying and quantifying these benefits and the technical and commercial risks that could delay the transition to a sustainable mainstream market, the study provides the basis for developing recommendations for government policies and support for PHEV and PEV development.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Electrodeposition of Metals in Catalyst Synthesis: The Case of Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts

The concern about energy sources, their availability, and related environmental effects, is at an all time high. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) - with an efficiency higher than that of internal combustion engines, light weight, low operating temperature, and fast-start-up capability - are strong candidates for automotive applications. Transportation applications could be especially important in shaping up the new energy economy since they may entail a substantial decrease in the adverse environmental effects linked to the use of fossil fuels and prolong their availability. The largest portion of the cost of PEMFCs reflects the large amount of Pt needed in the cathode's catalytic layer due to the low catalytic activity of Pt for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Recently, considerable advances have been made in fuel cell electrocatalysis yielding improved electrocatalysts, and increasing our understanding of the kinetics of the ORR in combination with significant advances in theoretical treatments. Some of these studies involved: (1) alloying Pt to synthesize bi-metallic catalysts, (2) core-shell nanoparticles catalysts, (3) the role of size, structure, and shape of nanoparticles, and (4) de-alloying of bimetallic alloys. However, a complete understanding of the ORR kinetics on Pt, the best single element catalyst, and of its low efficiency, is yet to be achieved. These problems, compounded with the high Pt content in current cathode catalysts, and with their gradual loss of performance under operating conditions, still hamper commercialization of fuel cells. In order to minimize the amount of noble metal electrocatalysts and maximize their utilization, while achieving high catalytic activity, numerous synthetic approaches have been attempted. The electrocatalysts were prepared using vacuum deposition methods, wet chemistry methods, or electrodeposition techniques. Electrodeposition in particular has several attractive features with respect to the application in catalyst synthesis such as simplicity of operation and ease of control of the deposition conditions. In this article we describe the application of metal electrodeposition in the synthesis of a new type of electrocatalysts comprising a Pt monolayer (Pt{sub ML}) on metal or alloy nanoparticles. The concept of Pt{sub ML} electrocatalysts offers a possible solution to the impasse caused by a slow ORR kinetics and the consequent large Pt content of conventional electrocatalysts. A Pt{sub ML} shell on a nanoparticle substrate core ensures that every Pt atom is available for catalytic activity; in other words, a Pt{sub ML} achieves the ultimate reduction in Pt loading and complete Pt utilization. Also, through geometric and electronic interaction with the substrate a Pt{sub ML} can change its electronic properties and be more active and durable than pure-Pt electrocatalysts.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
NASA NTRS1993

Kalman-Filter Estimation Of Unmeasured Output Variables

Kalman-filter "observer" algorithm used in estimating unmeasured output variables of turbofan engine. Unmeasured output variables needed along with measured output variables as feedback data to characterize state of aircraft-and-engine system for control purposes. Subsystem or processor implementing Kalman-filter algorithm incorporated into adaptive digital control system, called "performance-seeking" control system, developed to compute engine-control settings to optimize performance of aircraft under given pseudo-steady-state cruise conditions. Basic concept of algorithm not restricted to aircraft-engine application and can be extended to internal-combustion engines in land vehicles.

Gilyard, Glenn B.↗
NASA NTRS1926

On the knocking of gasoline engines

It is of the greatest importance, not only for automobile engines, but also for every other kind of internal combustion engine, since it limits the degree of compression and the thermal efficiency and its investigation indicates ways for saving fuel.

DETONATION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Rankine cycle waste heat recovery system

A waste heat recovery (WHR) system connects a working fluid to fluid passages formed in an engine block and/or a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, forming an engine heat exchanger. The fluid passages are formed near high temperature areas of the engine, subjecting the working fluid to sufficient heat energy to vaporize the working fluid while the working fluid advantageously cools the engine block and/or cylinder head, improving fuel efficiency. The location of the engine heat exchanger downstream from an EGR boiler and upstream from an exhaust heat exchanger provides an optimal position of the engine heat exchanger with respect to the thermodynamic cycle of the WHR system, giving priority to cooling of EGR gas. The configuration of valves in the WHR system provides the ability to select a plurality of parallel flow paths for optimal operation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Internal Nozzle Flow Simulations of Gasoline-Like Fuels under Diesel Operating Conditions

Spray formation in internal combustion engines with direct injection is strictly correlated with internal nozzle flow characteristics, which are in turn influenced by fuel physical properties and injector needle motion. This paper pre-sents a series of 3D simulations that model the in-nozzle flow in a 5-hole mini-sac diesel injector. Two gasoline-like naphtha fuels, namely full-range and light naphtha, were tested under operating conditions typical of diesel applica-tions and were compared with n-dodecane, selected from a palette used as diesel surrogates. Validated methodolo-gies from our previous work were employed to account for realistic needle motion. The multi-phase nature of the problem was described by the mixture model assumption with the Volume of Fluid method. Cavitation effects were included by means of the Homogeneous Relaxation Model and turbulence closure was achieved with the Standard k-ε model in an Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes formulation. The results revealed that injector perfor-mance and propensity to cavitation are influenced by the fuel properties. Analyses of several physical quantities were carried out to highlight the fuel-to-fuel differences in terms of mass flow rate, discharge coefficients, and fuel vapor volume fraction inside the orifices. A series of parametric investigations was also performed to assess the fuel response to varied fuel injection temperature, injection pressure, and cross-sectional orifice area. For all cases, the strict correlation between cavitation magnitude and saturation pressure was confirmed. Owing to their higher volatil-ity, the two gasoline-like fuels were characterized by higher cavitation across all the simulated conditions. Occur-rence of cavitation was mostly found at the needle seat and at the orifice inlets during the injection event’s transient, when very small gaps exist between the needle and its seat. This behavior tended to disappear at maximum needle lift, where cavitation was absent for all fuels. Differences in mass flow rate between the naphtha fuels and n-dodecane were measured and ascribed to the different densities of the three fuels. Nevertheless, they were found to be smaller than expected, owing to the lower viscosity of the gasoline-like fuels. This beneficial influence of the lower viscosity was shown to be less effective at higher temperature, where the relative viscosity differences de-creased.

Torelli, R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

A High Specific Output Gasoline Low Temperature Combustion Engine

This report summarizes activities conducted in support of the project “A High Specific Output Gasoline Low Temperature Combustion Engine” under COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NUMBER DE-EE0007788. This cooperative agreement was structured as a 51%/49% recipient/DOE NETL cost share with two Go / no-Go decision gates spanning three budget periods. The primary objective of the program is the development and demonstration of a downsized boosted, lean, low temperature gasoline combustion engine system capable of demonstrating a 15-17% fuel economy improvement relative to a contemporary naturally aspirated stoichiometric combustion engine consistent with relevant emissions constraints and the use of marketplace gasolines. The program focused on maximizing internal combustion engine fuel economy potential by combining the benefits of downsized boosted engine technology with next generation gasoline lean-burn, low temperature combustion and novel low temperature plasma ignition. The project achieved a 20.5% improvement from hot FTP cycle test and 18.9% improvement from cold FTP cycle test while meeting stringent SULEV30 emissions regulation for both test cycles (HOT FTP: 15.37 mg of NOx+HC; 0.16 g/mile of CO, COLD FTP: 23.1 mg of NOx+HC; 0.33 g/mile of CO).

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Three-Dimensional CFD Investigation of Pre-Spark Heat Release in a Boosted SI Engine

Low-temperature heat release (LTHR) in spark-ignited internal combustion engines is a critical step toward the occurrence of auto-ignition, which can lead to an undesirable phenomenon known as engine knock. As such, correct predictions of LTHR are of utmost importance to improve the understanding of knock and enable techniques aimed at controlling it. While LTHR is typically obscured by the deflagration following the spark ignition, extremely late ignition timings can lead to LTHR occurrence prior to the spark, i.e., pre-spark heat release (PSHR). In this research, PSHR in a boosted direct-injection SI engine was numerically investigated using three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A hybrid approach was used, based on the G-equation model for representing the turbulent flame front and the multi-zone well-stirred reactor model for tracking the chemical reactions within the unburnt region. A recently developed best practice was also employed which keeps the well-stirred reactor model active throughout the entire simulation. This allowed for correct predictions of the previous cycle trapped residuals which have a considerable effect on the onset of LTHR. Multi-cycle simulations were conducted using Co-Optima alkylate and E30 fuels. The predicted in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate agreed well with the experimental data and served as validation for the CFD model. Following the initial validation, the dynamics of PSHR was discussed and a series of parameters of interest were assessed. First, the effect of exhaust valve temperature was investigated, qualitatively highlighting the importance of boundary conditions uncertainty. Further analyses were carried out on the effects of fuel properties, including laminar flame speed (LFS) and heat of vaporization (HOV). The results indicate that PSHR phasing is slightly advanced with lower LFS as more trapped unburnt fuel is made available for the next cycle. A similar trend was observed with lower HOV as less intense spray cooling led to higher mixture temperatures, i.e., higher mixture reactivity. Finally, a comparison of Co-Optima alkylate and E30 fuels was made using the pressure-temperature trajectory framework. It was shown that the differences between Co-Optima alkylate and E30 in PSHR tendency are correlated with both HOV and chemical effects.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS1998

Carbon-Carbon Turbocharger Housing Unit for Intermittent Combustion Engines

An improved, lightweight, turbine housing unit for an intermittent combustion reciprocating internal combustion engine turbocharger is prepared from a lay-up or molding of carbon-carbon composite materials in a single-piece or two-piece process. When compared to conventional steel or cast iron, the use of carbon-carbon composite materials in a turbine housing unit reduces the overall weight of the engine and reduces the heat energy loss used in the turbocharging process. This reduction in heat energy loss and weight reduction provides for more efficient engine operation.

Northam, G. Burton↗
NASA NTRS1999

Process for Making Carbon-Carbon Turbocharger Housing Unit for Intermittent Combustion Engines

An improved. lightweight, turbine housing unit for an intermittent combustion reciprocating internal combustion engine turbocharger is prepared from a lay-up or molding of carbon-carbon composite materials in a single-piece or two-piece process. When compared to conventional steel or cast iron, the use of carbon-carbon composite materials in a turbine housing unit reduces the overall weight of the engine and reduces the heat energy loss used in the turbo-charging process. This reduction in heat energy loss and weight reduction provides for more efficient engine operation.

Northam, G. Burton↗
DOE OSTI2022

Integrated hydrogen generator and compressor with related method

An integrated hydrogen generator and compressor (200) that includes a combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111) and steam-methane reformer (104) to produce high-pressure hydrogen from natural gas (methane). The reformer (104) combines methane, water, and heat under high pressure in the presence of an appropriate catalyst, to produce hydrogen utilizing waste heat from combustion cylinders of the combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111). Compression serves to pressurize two different gases (methane and hydrogen) in different compression cylinders including the compression cylinders (109a, 109b, 109c) of the combined engine compressor (collectively 109, 110, 111) alternatively and/or optionally combined with internal combustion engine (310) and/or gas compressor(s) (410) that are integrated thermally and via communication of compressed gases.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1996

Self-Lubricating, Wear-Resistant Diamond Films Developed for Use in Vacuum Environment

Diamond's outstanding properties--extreme hardness, chemical and thermal inertness, and high strength and rigidity--make it an ideal material for many tribological applications, such as the bearings, valves, and engine parts in the harsh environment found in internal-combustion engines, jet engines, and space propulsion systems. It has been demonstrated that chemical-vapor-deposited diamond films have low coefficients of friction (on the order of 0.01) and low wear rates (less than 10(sup -7) mm (sup 3/N-m)) both in humid air and dry nitrogen but that they have both high coefficients of friction (greater than 0.4) and high wear rates (on the order of 1(sup -4) mm sup 3/N-m)) in vacuum. It is clear that surface modifications that provide acceptable levels of friction and wear properties will be necessary before diamond films can be used for tribological applications in a space-like, vacuum environment. Previously, it was found that coatings of amorphous, non-diamond carbon can provide low friction in vacuum. Therefore, to reduce the friction and wear of diamond film in vacuum, carbon ions were implanted in an attempt to form a surface layer of amorphous carbon phases on the diamond films.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2014

Compression ignition engine having fuel system for non-sooting combustion and method

A direct injection compression ignition internal combustion engine includes a fuel system having a nozzle extending into a cylinder of the engine and a plurality of spray orifices formed in the nozzle. Each of the spray orifices has an inner diameter dimension of about 0.09 mm or less, and define inter-orifice angles between adjacent spray orifice center axes of about 36.degree. or greater such that spray plumes of injected fuel from each of the spray orifices combust within the cylinder according to a non-sooting lifted flame and gas entrainment combustion pattern. Related methodology is also disclosed.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2018

System and method for engine combustion

A combustion system for use with one or more cylinder bores of an internal combustion engine includes at least one cylinder head defining first and second intake ports in fluid communication with the one or more cylinder bores. A flap is adjustably connected to the at least one cylinder head. The flap includes a first flap portion cooperating with the first intake port extending from an arm and a second flap portion cooperating with the second intake port extending from the arm and disposed adjacent the first flap portion. A controller in electrical communication with an actuator monitors the condition of the engine and actuates the flap to position the first and second flap portions between first and second positions to create a first combustion condition and a second combustion condition.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effects of molar expansion ratio of fuels on engine efficiency

Fuel properties have a strong impact on the efficiency of internal combustion engines. Contrary to other physical and thermochemical fuel properties, the molar expansion ratio is normally ignored. Molar expansion ratio is the ratio of number of moles of the products to the reactants. In this work, the impact of the fuel’s molar expansion ratio on engine efficiency is investigated. Findings are based on simulations of a spark ignition engine using different fuels (standard fuels and user-defined fuels) and different dilution ratios. Simulations without heat transfer and friction were performed first. The combustion then takes place at top dead center with a very short combustion duration to approach the ideal Otto cycle. The heat transfer and friction were then added step by step. From this analysis, it could be concluded that the heat loss and friction work decrease as molar expansion ratio increases. The gross indicated and brake thermal efficiencies thus increase. User-defined fuels with different molar expansion ratio, but the same physical and thermochemical properties were then employed. The simulated results showed that the brake thermal efficiency increases by around 1.15% with an increase in molar expansion ratio of 0.02 compared to a fuel with a molar expansion ratio of unity. Lastly, the simulation was also done with air and exhaust gas recirculation dilution.

42 ENGINEERING↗