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At least 289 records · Page 16

Multicriteria screening evaluation of geothermal resources on mine lands for direct use heating

Abstract Direct use of geothermal energy is the oldest and most versatile form of utilizing geothermal energy. In the last decade, this utilization has significantly increased, especially with the installation of geothermal (ground-source) heat pumps. Many current and inactive mine land sites across the U.S. could be redeveloped with clean energy technologies such as direct use geothermal, which would revitalize former mining communities, help with reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. We present a multicriteria screening framework to evaluate various aspects of direct-use geothermal projects on mine lands. The criteria are divided into three categories: (1) technical potential, (2) demand and benefits, and (3) regulatory and permitting. We demonstrate the framework using publicly available data on a national scale (continental U.S.). Then, using an example of abandoned coal mines in Illinois and focusing on resource potential, we illustrate how this evaluation can be applied at the state or more local scales when a region’s characteristics drive spatial variability estimates. The strength of this approach is the ability to combine seemingly disparate parameters and inputs from numerous sources. The framework is very flexible—additional criteria can be easily incorporated and weights modified if input data support them. Vice versa, the framework can also help identify additional data needed for evaluating those criteria. The multicriteria screening evaluation methodology provides a framework for identifying potential candidates for detailed site evaluation and characterization.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Aerothermodynamic Environment Definition for the Genesis Sample Return Capsule

NASA's Genesis sample return mission will be the first to return material from beyond the Earth-Moon system. NASA Langley Research Center supported this mission with aerothermodynamic analyses of the sample return capsule. This paper provides an overview of that effort. The capsule is attached through its forebody to the spacecraft bus. When the attachment is severed prior to Earth entry, forebody cavities remain. The presence of these cavities could dramatically increase the heating environment in their vicinity and downstream. A combination of computational fluid dynamics calculations and wind tunnel phosphor thermography tests were employed to address this issue. These results quantify the heating environment in and around the cavities, and were a factor in the decision to switch forebody heat shield materials. A transition map is developed which predicts that the flow aft of the penetrations will still be laminar at the peak heating point of the trajectory. As the vehicle continues along the trajectory to the peak dynamic pressure point, fully turbulent flow aft of the penetrations could occur. The integrated heat load calculations show that a heat shield sized to the stagnation point levels will be adequate for the predicted environment aft of the penetrations.

Cheatwood, F. McNeil↗

Temperature-Averaging Thermal Probe

Temperature-averaging thermal probe measures long-term temperature fluctuations in fluid environment. Consists of temperature probe embedded inside thermally massive material. Probe measurements used to estimate powerplant heating and cooling loads, map temperature profiles, and calibrate more-sensitive temperature probes.

Kalil, L. F.↗

Current Activity of the U.S. ASTER Science Team

The U.S. ASTER Science Team is currently engaged in numerous ASTER related activities, many of them jointly with our Japanese colleagues. These include vicarious instrument calibration, algorithm development and validation for higher level data products, assistance to ERSDAC for scheduling activities (primarily for U.S. users), assistance to data users other than Science Team members, and science applications of ASTER data, notably in the areas of glacial monitoring, volcanic monitoring, heat balance determinations, geologic mapping, and cloud studies.

ASTER instrument calibration algorithm development↗

A (12)CO J = 2-1 map of the disk of Centaurus A: Evidence for large scale heating in the dust lane

Centaurus A (NGC 5128) is a nearby (3 Mpc) elliptical galaxy with a prominent dust lane, extensive radio lobes, and a compact radio continuum source, suggestive of nuclear activity. As a consequence of its peculiar morphology, this merger candidate has been the subject of much attention, particularly at optical wavelengths. Unfortunately the high and patchy extinction in the disk, aggravated by the warped structure of the dust lane, has severely hindered investigations into the properties of the interstellar medium, particularly with regard to the extent of star formation. Here we present a map of the (12)CO J = 2-1 line throughout the dust lane which, when combined with a previously measured (12)CO J = 1-0 map and data on molecular absorption lines observed against the compact non-thermal continuum source, offers insight into the excitation conditions of the molecular gas.

Wild, W.↗

Field Validation of Air-Source Heat Pumps for Cold Climates

Heating energy is the largest end-use for U.S. residential buildings accounting for approximately one-third of residential building energy consumption (EIA 2021). Historically, air-source heat pumps have been limited to temperate climates because of subpar performance at extremely cold outdoor air temperatures. However, recent advances to cold-climate air-source heat pump technology, which typically rely on inverter-driven, variable-speed compressors and variable-speed fans, have significantly improved low-temperature heat pump performance enabling the technology to save energy for many homes in cold climates. The primary objective of this project was to measure in-field performance of centrally ducted, variable-capacity air-source heat pumps in cold climates to validate performance and develop field-based performance maps. The project focused on quantifying heat pump performance at cold temperatures. The sites identified for the study were primarily located in the Northwest United States since homes in the region tend to have all-electric space heating systems and high-efficiency heat pumps have been incentivized in the region for several years. NREL partnered with Ecotope, Inc., a small energy consulting firm located in Seattle, WA, for site recruitment, monitoring equipment installation, data quality management. All the sites included in the study had previously installed a high-efficiency, central heat pump system. One site was in a Denver, CO suburb, which was the only dual fuel heat pump in the study. We used airside and power measurements, collected at 5-second intervals, to quantify heat pump capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), and auxiliary heater energy consumption. We developed algorithms to automatically determine the heat pump operating mode including defrost and auxiliary heating operation. A whole-house thermal and duct audit was completed during the initial site visit to estimate winter heating loads and assess heat pump sizing. Whole-home heating design loads were calculated at ASHRAE 99% design temperatures and compared to manufacturer-reported maximum capacities to assess the heat pump sizing at each site.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Plan evaluation for heat resilience: complementary methods to comprehensively assess heat planning in Tempe and Tucson, Arizona

Abstract Escalating impacts from climate change and urban heat are increasing the urgency for communities to equitably plan for heat resilience. Cities in the desert Southwest are among the hottest and fastest warming in the U.S., placing them on the front lines of heat planning. Urban heat resilience requires an integrated planning approach that coordinates strategies across the network of plans that shape the built environment and risk patterns. To date, few studies have assessed cities’ progress on heat planning. This research is the first to combine two emerging plan evaluation approaches to examine how networks of plans shape urban heat resilience through case studies of Tempe and Tucson, Arizona. The first methodology, Plan Quality Evaluation for Heat Resilience, adapts existing plan quality assessment approaches to heat. We assess whether plans meet 56 criteria across seven principles of high-quality planning and the types of heat strategies included in the plans. The second methodology, the Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard™ (PIRS™) for Heat, focuses on plan policies that could influence urban heat hazards. We categorize policies by policy tool and heat mitigation strategy and score them based on their heat impact. Scored policies are then mapped to evaluate their spatial distribution and the net effect of the plan network. The resulting PIRS™ for Heat scorecard is compared with heat vulnerability indicators to assess policy alignment with risks. We find that both cities are proactively planning for heat resilience using similar plan and strategy types, however, there are clear and consistent opportunities for improvement. Combining these complementary plan evaluation methods provides a more comprehensive understanding of how plans address heat and a generalizable approach that communities everywhere could use to identify opportunities for improved heat resilience planning.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗

Rotary engine performance computer program (RCEMAP and RCEMAPPC): User's guide

This report is a user's guide for a computer code that simulates the performance of several rotary combustion engine configurations. It is intended to assist prospective users in getting started with RCEMAP and/or RCEMAPPC. RCEMAP (Rotary Combustion Engine performance MAP generating code) is the mainframe version, while RCEMAPPC is a simplified subset designed for the personal computer, or PC, environment. Both versions are based on an open, zero-dimensional combustion system model for the prediction of instantaneous pressures, temperature, chemical composition and other in-chamber thermodynamic properties. Both versions predict overall engine performance and thermal characteristics, including bmep, bsfc, exhaust gas temperature, average material temperatures, and turbocharger operating conditions. Required inputs include engine geometry, materials, constants for use in the combustion heat release model, and turbomachinery maps. Illustrative examples and sample input files for both versions are included.

Bartrand, Timothy A.↗

SEASONAL PERFORMANCE SIMULATION OF A GAS-FIRED CHEMISORPTION HEAT PUMP FOR RESIDENTIAL HEATING IN COLD CLIMATE

The gas-fired chemisorption heat pump (CSHP) is a promising technology for high-efficiency cold-climate residential heating. The CSHP utilizes the heat of reversible chemical reactions between sorbent and refrigerant to extract heat from cold ambient and supply high-temperature heat to the indoors. The efficiency of CSHP depends on the ambient and heat rejection temperatures. This study evaluates the seasonal performance of a CSHP by first develop a dynamic system model to generate a performance map for various ambient and heat-supply temperatures; then the bin method is used to evaluate the CSHP seasonal performance in two cold-climate locations for space and water heating.

Yang, Zhiyao↗

Magnetic field dependent thermodynamic properties of square and quadrupolar artificial spin ice

Applied magnetic fields are an important tuning parameter for artificial spin ice (ASI) systems, as they can drive phase transitions between different magnetic ground states or tune through regimes with high populations of emergent magnetic excitations (e.g., monopole-like quasiparticles). Here, using simulations supported by experiments, we investigate the thermodynamic properties and magnetic phases of square and quadrupolar ASI as a function of applied in-plane magnetic fields. Monte Carlo simulations are used to generate field-dependent maps of the magnetization, the magnetic specific heat, the thermodynamic magnetization fluctuations, and the magnetic order parameters, all under equilibrium conditions. These maps reveal the diversity of magnetic orderings and the phase transitions that occur in different regions of the phase diagrams of these ASIs, and are experimentally supported by magnetooptical measurements of the equilibrium “magnetization noise” in thermally active ASIs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

An Upgrade of the Imaging for Hypersonic Experimental Aeroheating Testing (IHEAT) Software

The Imaging for Hypersonic Experimental Aeroheating Testing (IHEAT) code is used at NASA Langley Research Center to analyze global aeroheating data on wind tunnel models tested in the Langley Aerothermodynamics Laboratory. One-dimensional, semi-infinite heating data derived from IHEAT are used to design thermal protection systems to mitigate the risks due to the aeroheating loads on hypersonic vehicles, such as re-entry vehicles during descent and landing procedures. This code was originally written in the PV-WAVE programming language to analyze phosphor thermography data from the two-color, relativeintensity system developed at Langley. To increase the efficiency, functionality, and reliability of IHEAT, the code was migrated to MATLAB syntax and compiled as a stand-alone executable file labeled version 4.0. New features of IHEAT 4.0 include the options to batch process all of the data from a wind tunnel run, to map the two-dimensional heating distribution to a three-dimensional computer-aided design model of the vehicle to be viewed in Tecplot, and to extract data from a segmented line that follows an interesting feature in the data. Results from IHEAT 4.0 were compared on a pixel level to the output images from the legacy code to validate the program. The differences between the two codes were on the order of 10-5 to 10-7. IHEAT 4.0 replaces the PV-WAVE version as the production code for aeroheating experiments conducted in the hypersonic facilities at NASA Langley.

Mason, Michelle L.↗

Diurnal ocean surface layer model validation

The diurnal ocean surface layer (DOSL) model at the Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center forecasts the 24-hour change in a global sea surface temperatures (SST). Validating the DOSL model is a difficult task due to the huge areas involved and the lack of in situ measurements. Therefore, this report details the use of satellite infrared multichannel SST imagery to provide day and night SSTs that can be directly compared to DOSL products. This water-vapor-corrected imagery has the advantages of high thermal sensitivity (0.12 C), large synoptic coverage (nearly 3000 km across), and high spatial resolution that enables diurnal heating events to be readily located and mapped. Several case studies in the subtropical North Atlantic readily show that DOSL results during extreme heating periods agree very well with satellite-imagery-derived values in terms of the pattern of diurnal warming. The low wind and cloud-free conditions necessary for these events to occur lend themselves well to observation via infrared imagery. Thus, the normally cloud-limited aspects of satellite imagery do not come into play for these particular environmental conditions. The fact that the DOSL model does well in extreme events is beneficial from the standpoint that these cases can be associated with the destruction of the surface acoustic duct. This so-called afternoon effect happens as the afternoon warming of the mixed layer disrupts the sound channel and the propagation of acoustic energy.

Hawkins, Jeffrey D.↗

New Insights into Coronae Evolution: Mapping on Venus

Coronae are geologically and geophysically important features on Venus, since they are thought to contribute to planetary heat loss. It is thus necessary to understand their role in space and time in the evolution of Venus. We show that the formation of corona annuli can be multistaged and that the position of the annulus does not always coincide with the main topographic ridges and troughs that outline the feature. We demonstrate that coronae do not all have the same relative ages with respect to adjacent units.

coronae↗

Sample environment effects on synchrotron-measured temperature profiles in an approximant of optical floating zone crystal growth

Even though the growth of crystals using optical floating zone furnaces has had an immense scientific impact, the implementation of this method remains more of an art than a science due to the difficulty of obtaining quantitative information about the sample thermal profile during crystal growth. Building on recent work demonstrating that in situ synchrotron studies can be used to map sample rod temperatures during heating, investigations were carried out to better understand how the sample environment affects the sample temperature profile. Through a combination of experimental studies and modeling efforts, it is shown that the environment in the furnace can strongly influence the sample temperature at the lamp focus, the steepness of the vertical temperature gradient, and the timescale required for sample heating and cooling - effects which can combine to produce a strong history-dependence to sample temperature profiles. It is demonstrated that the furnace effects can be effectively captured in thermal models, allowing both the steady-state and time-dependent behavior of the sample to be accurately reproduced with predictive models, and providing a launching point for improved furnace designs that can more readily deliver desired thermal profiles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mechanically Polishing Electroplated Nb3Sn for Higher Accelerating Gradients

As the demand for more efficient SRF technology continues to rise, so does the need to improve the performance of Nb3Sn, the most promising alternative to niobium. Leveraging recent breakthroughs in Nb3Sn research from Cornell University and Fermilab, namely the electrochemical synthesis-based growth of Nb3Sn and the centrifugal barrel polishing (CBP) technique to smoothen the final Nb3Sn film, our primary goal is to reduce surface roughness while preserving the film’s quality. We present promising RF results from an electroplated cavity that underwent mechanical polishing using the CBP technique, which showed an increase in the maximum accelerating gradient compared to the baseline test. However, contamination-induced Q-slope limited performance. Temperature mapping reveals quench location and heating response before, during and after quench.

Shpani, L. [Cornell U.]↗

Improving Cost and Efficiency of the Scalable Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Power System

The objective of this project was to design and develop a 20kW range small-scale solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) power system for applications such as data centers and commercial buildings. The original plan included a 5,000 hours demonstration and a Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) which were dropped as part of project termination. The original project plan was to use a stack with a cross-flow cell design which had previously been tested for 500 hours at a community college in Malta, NY. However, it was decided to move to the advanced R-SOFC co-flow cell developed under Department of Energy Award DE-FE0031971. The advanced cell design has the advantage of a larger active area for the same manufacturing footprint which results in fewer required cells for the same stack power, hence a higher volumetric power density (kW/L) and lower cost per kW than the original cross-flow cell design. A full SOFC system Simulink model was developed and calibrated with testing data from a fuel cell stack and BOP (balance of plant) components. The simulation results from the calibrated model showed an acceptable match with the experimental data. A structural analysis conducted for various load scenarios indicated no high stress areas for all spatial directions. Major electrical system components were acquired, built and successfully tested. System sensors were verified and validated against controls. Safety checks, a diagnostic check, PID tuning, and control software commissioning tasks were also conducted. The power electronics prototype was delivered and trial testing completed. Balance of Plant component testing and simulation work was conducted to characterize Reformer-Heat Exchanger heat transfer and backpressure and reformer catalyst methane conversion and product selectivity. Simulations were conducted to design the Anode and Cathode fluid passages and size the air-air and fuel-fuel heat exchangers. A Burner operation map was created from test data and the Anode Gas Recirculation blower was tested to evaluate its durability. The SOFC system used a horizontal style design where components sit directly on a casting with a direct connection to the skid. This design has efficient packaging and a small footprint with approximate dimensions of 750 mm x 700 mm x 1700 mm. An SOFC system was built and successfully tested at the Malta, NY facility The system for over 500 hours under load of which over 300 hours was at full load of 20 kW.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗