Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Direct Capture Component”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2

Reliability‐based layout optimization in offshore wind energy systems

Abstract Existing methods for optimizing wind array layouts typically use power or cost objectives and rarely consider reliability‐based objectives. Component and system failure rates, however, are dependent on location‐specific wind conditions, are influenced by array layout and wake interactions, and have a direct and significant impact on capital costs, operational costs, and power production. Although wind power plant models exist that calculate wind loads with sufficient resolution to capture component loading dynamics from wind conditions, they are computationally expensive and thus not suitable for research applications requiring many evaluations, particularly optimization. This study describes the development of computationally efficient, reliability‐based layout optimization methods, enabling us to explore the relationship between component reliability and layout optimization. These methods include the surrogate modeling of the planet bearing life based on varying wind conditions simulated in FAST.Farm and the formulation of reliability‐based objectives based on failure cost and power production models. Through demonstration of this method, we explore how wind conditions, objective functions, and capacity density influence reliability‐based layout optimization. Results indicate that considering reliability alongside power production can reduce failure costs associated with replacement costs and downtime while maintaining or improving power production. Our conclusions highlight the opportunity for wind power plant developers to integrate reliability and operational expenditures alongside performance and capital expenditure objectives in plant design and development to improve plant performance and costs.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

A fully light-driven approach to separate carbon dioxide from emission streams

Carbon capture from industrial point sources is an essential component of the global effort to mitigate climate risks. However, traditional approaches require significant energy input—often provided, counterproductively, by fossil fuel combustion. Using sunlight directly as the energy source would significantly improve the energy efficiency of carbon capture processes. Herein, we report the first fully visible-light-driven CO 2 separation system, in which carbon capture is achieved via the photoenolization/addition reaction of inexpensive 2-methylbenzophenone with CO 2 , and CO 2 release is realized through an intramolecular photodecarboxylation reaction. Finally, this system operates isothermally, works with natural sunlight, and facilitates CO 2 removal from natural gas flue emissions, providing a blueprint for other non-thermal chemical separations.

Ahmad, Bayu I. Z. [Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (Unit↗

Integrated Direct Air Capture and H₂-Free CO₂ Valorization

This project advances fundamental understanding of a novel integrated direct air capture (DAC) and CO₂ conversion process that valorizes atmospheric CO₂ without external H₂. The research encompasses four critical components: (1) design of task-specific ionic liquids for efficient CO₂ capture under ambient conditions, (2) development of H₂-free tandem catalytic systems using ethane as a reductant, (3) advanced operando characterization to elucidate capture and conversion mechanisms, and (4) data science-driven predictive computation to accelerate material discovery. Over the project period, we developed five high-performance DAC sorbent systems—including CaO/superbase ionic liquid composites, Ni-MOF/Ionic Liquid (IL) hybrids, fluorinated covalent organic frameworks with ion-pair functional groups, defect-engineered UiO-66, and a validated kinetic model for humid-condition operation, achieving CO₂ capacities up to 1.86 mmol/g at 400 ppm with excellent cycling stability. For H₂-free conversion, we constructed atomically synergistic Zn–O–Cr binuclear catalytic sites that achieve 100% ethylene selectivity, ~9.6% ethane conversion, and 99% CO₂ utilization in equimolar co-conversion of ethane and CO₂. We further demonstrated downstream valorization pathways converting CO and C₂H₄ into polyketones and C₃ chemicals. These advances strengthen the scientific foundation for producing value-added materials from ambient CO₂.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Low Carbon Inducible2/Fatty Acid Desaturase4 locus in C. reinhardtii directs plastid peroxidase location and trans fatty acid production

Light capture and photosynthetic energy conversion depend on photosynthetic complexes that are embedded within lipid membranes. Components of these complexes are vulnerable to damage by reactive oxygen species, byproducts of photosynthesis that accumulate under environmental stress. Here we explore the basis for a lipid-based sensing mechanism allowing plants or algae to assess and respond to damage to the photosynthetic membranes. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Low Carbon Inducible2 (LCI2) and Fatty Acid Desaturase4 (FAD4) are two proteins derived from the same locus by a differential splicing event, sharing an N-terminus encoded by the first two exons. FAD4 produces a 16-carbon, trans double bond-containing fatty acid found exclusively in phosphatidylglycerol of chloroplast membranes, while LCI2 recruits peroxidase activity to the membrane. The unique organization and transcriptional regulation of the LCI2/FAD4 locus represents a regulatory interface that allows cells to initiate the biosynthesis of a fatty acid unique to the photosynthetic membranes while also linking it to the production of an enzyme involved in the mitigation of reactive oxygen species.

Nicodemus, Timothy J [Michigan State University, E↗

A Gaussian process autoregressive model capturing microstructure evolution paths in a Ni–Mo–Nb alloy

Additive manufacturing is increasingly being employed to produce components of complex geometries in structural alloys because of the expected energy savings associated with the near-net-shape capability and the ability to build in novel internal features that are not possible with many conventional manufacturing approaches. However, because of the extreme thermal conditions encountered, the non-equilibrium microstructures produced during powder bed-based additive manufacturing processes must be subjected to custom post-heat treatment processes to recover the target mechanical properties. Phase-field models and simulation techniques have matured to a state where the microstructure evolution paths, and the morphologies of the resulting precipitate phases can be predicted reasonably accurately, considering alloy-specific thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the nucleation and growth processes. However, phase-field simulations are computationally intensive, which precludes the ability to apply the simulations directly to the length scale of the entire component. Therefore, it is highly desirable to develop low-computational-cost surrogate models that effectively capture the physics at the microstructural length scale, while facilitating the design of optimized processing conditions resulting in location-specific targeted microstructures at the component scale. The work presented here demonstrates the application of the materials knowledge system framework to develop a surrogate model that effectively captures the microstructural path during annealing of a Ni–Mo–Nb alloy containing different Mo and Nb compositions known to segregate during solidification under additive manufacturing conditions. Specifically, the surrogate model built in this work is based on a Gaussian process autoregressive model informed by statistical representation of simulated microstructures using two-point correlations and dimensionality reduction through principal component analysis. In conclusion, this surrogate model is shown to capture the bifurcation of the microstructural path during precipitation, which yields a microstructure dominated by the $\gamma^{\prime\prime}$ phase at high Nb concentrations and the $\delta$ phase at low Nb concentrations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assessment of an E10 gasoline surrogate: Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of in-cylinder spray morphology

A minimum-component gasoline fuel surrogate that captures both chemical and physical behaviors of a full-distillate fuel is needed for high-fidelity CFD simulations. This study evaluates gasoline spray characteristics in a direct-injection spark-ignition engine under motored operation. Two fuels are compared; PACE-20, which is a 9-component surrogate formulation of RD5-87, is compared with its target fuel RD5-87, which is a full-boiling range research grade E10 gasoline. The spray morphologies of both fuels are recorded for a centrally-located direct-injection 8-hole spray subject to intake air cross-flow during the early part of the intake stroke. High-speed imaging recorded scattered light of the side and axial projections of the liquid spray. Quantitative metrics were developed and employed to facilitate comparison of spray morphologies as well as to identify the transition in spray morphology due to flash boiling. This paper builds on a previous study of RD5-87 where coolant temperature (20°C–100°C), in-cylinder pressure (40–110 kPa), engine speed (650–1950 rpm), and injection pressure (60–180 bar) were systematically changed to span operating conditions with and without flash boiling. Images of the PACE-20 morphology are selected for a sub-set of operating conditions from the previous study where distinctive morphology changes occurred. Visual inspection of the images and quantitative metrics demonstrate that the PACE-20 spray morphology is equivalent to that of the RD5-87 in most cases. The exception was for changes in the ambient-gas pressure where the flash-boiling transition occurred at ∼5 kPa higher in-cylinder pressure for PACE-20. Three empirical metrics, Merging Index, Asymmetry, and Flash Index are proposed here and they were found to be useful both as quantitative comparisons of the fuel morphologies, and for identifying the transition in spray morphology due to flash boiling.

Kim, Namho↗

Parameterization of Direct and Doorway Processes in R-Matrix Formalism

R-matrix formalism is extended beyond compound nuclear (CN) resonant reactions to include parameterization of direct as well as doorway processes. Direct processes in the R-matrix exterior are parameterized by a unitary matrix that introduces mixing among wave function coefficients of the incoming and outgoing wave function components at the R-matrix channel surface. Doorway processes are parameterized by separating the Hilbert space of the interior R-matrix region into its doorway and CN subspaces, from which doorway state eigenenergies, reduced width amplitudes, and the strengths of their coupling to CN levels appear as new R-matrix parameters. Parameterization of generalized as well as the conventional Reich–Moore approximation for eliminated capture channels in the presence of direct, doorway, and CN processes is presented along with a complex-valued scattering length with contributions from direct, doorway, and CN capture processes. Derivation of Brune’s alternative R-matrix parameters is extended to include doorway states. This work suggests how R-matrix formalism could be extended further by adopting the concepts from related reaction formalisms.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Data-Driven Optimization of the Processing Window for 316H Components Fabricated Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program is focused on accelerating the development and deployment of advanced materials and components fabricated via additive manufacturing with a specific focus on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). As an initial case study, the program has selected 316H stainless steel (SS) as an initial material around which to develop a code case development strategy. This strategy involves two parallel approaches: (1) an equivalency approach whereby round-robin testing across multiple collaborating laboratories demonstrates repeatability in processing and direct comparisons with conventional wrought 316H material and (2) a revolutionary approach to code qualification combining in situ data collection and high-fidelity modeling to capture, predict, and bound the performance of LPBF 316HSS components. As part of this campaign, this work package has initiated an extensive process optimization campaign across three laboratories, each printing variations of LPBF 316HSS using three different LPBF units (Concept Laser, EOS, and Renishaw). In FY23, ORNL has focused on unique experimental designs spanning wide ranges in energy inputs and turning knobs such as scan speed, laser power, hatch spacing, layer thickness, spot size, scan rotation, and more. On the Concept Laser M2, 72 different combinations of processing variables were investigated with duplicate samples and different powder compositions. In total, 252 samples were printed with combined in situ sensing data. A parallel design of experiments was conducted on the Renishaw AM400 with an additional 390 printed specimens for analysis. All 642 miniature specimens, each with unique features included in each print to capture geometry-related heterogeneity, were subjected to high-throughput x-ray computed tomography (XCT) analysis to enable the downselection of specific processing parameters of interest. Then, using electrical discharge machining (EDM), miniature tensile specimens were extracted for mechanical testing and microscopy investigations. From the analysis performed in FY23, it was found that powder composition drastically affects the resulting microstructure and mechanical performance of 316SS. Specifically, changing from 316L to 316HSS powder results in a wide range of grain sizes with varying degrees of preferred grain orientation, which increases as a function of energy density. It was also found that due to stored heat in thin fin–type features, large microstructural differences can be seen within one part printed with one set of processing parameters. These variations in microstructure features, including grain size, the nanoscale dislocation structure, and grain texture, will all affect the irradiation performance and high-temperature mechanical performance of LPBF 316HSS parts. Two sets of concept laser processing parameters, spanning both refined and columnar grain structures, were scaled to print larger 316H builds for campaign testing (high-temperature creep and irradiation). In addition, at least two optimized processing parameter sets were identified for the Renishaw AM400 for round-robin testing in FY24 with Argonne National Laboratory. Future work includes printing samples using identical parameters identified by partner institutions, providing material for corrosion and high-temperature mechanical testing, and continuing evaluations of heterogeneity in larger printed parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Data-Driven Optimization of the Processing Window for 316H Components Fabricated Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Program is focused on accelerating the development and deployment of advanced materials and components fabricated via additive manufacturing with a specific focus on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). As an initial case study, the program has selected 316H stainless steel (SS) as an initial material around which to develop a code case development strategy. This strategy involves two parallel approaches: (1) an equivalency approach whereby round-robin testing across multiple collaborating laboratories demonstrates repeatability in processing and direct comparisons with conventional wrought 316H material and (2) a revolutionary approach to code qualification combining in situ data collection and high-fidelity modeling to capture, predict, and bound the performance of LPBF 316HSS components. As part of this campaign, this work package has initiated an extensive process optimization campaign across three laboratories, each printing variations of LPBF 316HSS using three different LPBF units (Concept Laser, EOS, and Renishaw). In FY23, ORNL has focused on unique experimental designs spanning wide ranges in energy inputs and turning knobs such as scan speed, laser power, hatch spacing, layer thickness, spot size, scan rotation, and more. On the Concept Laser M2, 72 different combinations of processing variables were investigated with duplicate samples and different powder compositions. In total, 252 samples were printed with combined in situ sensing data. A parallel design of experiments was conducted on the Renishaw AM400 with an additional 390 printed specimens for analysis. All 642 miniature specimens, each with unique features included in each print to capture geometry-related heterogeneity, were subjected to high-throughput x-ray computed tomography (XCT) analysis to enable the downselection of specific processing parameters of interest. Then, using electrical discharge machining (EDM), miniature tensile specimens were extracted for mechanical testing and microscopy investigations. From the analysis performed in FY23, it was found that powder composition drastically affects the resulting microstructure and mechanical performance of 316SS. Specifically, changing from 316L to 316HSS powder results in a wide range of grain sizes with varying degrees of preferred grain orientation, which increases as a function of energy density. It was also found that due to stored heat in thin fin–type features, large microstructural differences can be seen within one part printed with one set of processing parameters. These variations in microstructure features, including grain size, the nanoscale dislocation structure, and grain texture, will all affect the irradiation performance and high-temperature mechanical performance of LPBF 316HSS parts. Two sets of concept laser processing parameters, spanning both refined and columnar grain structures, were scaled to print larger 316H builds for campaign testing (high-temperature creep and irradiation). In addition, at least two optimized processing parameter sets were identified for the Renishaw AM400 for round-robin testing in FY24 with Argonne National Laboratory. Future work includes printing samples using identical parameters identified by partner institutions, providing material for corrosion and high-temperature mechanical testing, and continuing evaluations of heterogeneity in larger printed parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Propylamine Functionalized Porous Fiber Sorbents with High Oxidation Stability for Direct Air Capture

Amine-based sorbents are highly effective for direct air capture (DAC) due to their excellent CO2 capture efficiency under ultra-dilute conditions. However, these sorbents can suffer degradation when exposed to combinations of heat, oxygen, and other atmospheric components, indicating a need for improved sorbent stability. In this study, we developed amidoxime functionalized polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1-AO) fibers with tethered amines, specifically tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA) and tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (TAPA), denoted as PIM-1-AO-TAEA and PIM-1-AO-TAPA, respectively. In addition, large scale sorbent fiber spinning has been successfully performed by producing meters of fibers in the lab. We demonstrated that substituting TAEA with TAPA, which has propyl chains instead of ethyl chains, reduces oxidative degradation under regeneration conditions. The findings revealed that PIM-1-AO-TAPA not only significantly outperforms PIM-1-AO-TAEA after accelerated aging process, but also outperforms any other sorbent used in DAC aged under similar conditions. Moreover, PIM-1-AO-TAPA sorbent fibers showed one of the highest amine efficiencies (0.25) considering the low amine loading (21%) coupled with robust CO2 uptake performance (1.12 mmol/g) under DAC conditions.

amine-based sorbent↗

Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

Olson, Edwin S.↗

Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

Olson, Edwin S.↗

Molecular-Level Overhaul of y-Aminopropyl Aminosilicone/Triethylene Glycol Post-Combustion CO2-Capture Solvents

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from post-combustion gas streams is an energy-intensive process that is required prior to either converting or sequestering CO2. There are a few commercial offerings of 1st and 2nd generation aqueous amine technologies, however the cost of capturing CO2 with these technologies remains high. To decrease costs of capture, researchers are designing efficient solvent systems with the goal of being drop-in replacements for 1st and 2nd generation infrastructure. One approach has seen the development of water-lean solvents that aim to increase efficiency by reducing the water content in solution. Water-lean solvents such as GE’s GAP/TEG are promising technologies, with potential to halve the parasitic load to a coal-fired power plant, only if the intrinsically high solution viscosities and hydrolysis of the siloxane moieties could be mitigated. We present here, an integrated multidisciplinary approach to overhaul the GAP/TEG solvent system at the molecular level to mitigate hydrolysis while also reducing viscosity. We present molecular-level insights into chemical speciation of CO2-containing ions, showing that co-solvents and diluents have a negligible effect on reducing viscosity and are not needed. This finding allowed for the design of singlecomponent siloxane-free diamine derivatives with site-specific incorporation of selective chemical moieties for direct placement and orientation of hydrogen bonding to reduce viscosity. Ultimately, we present new single-component diamine formulations less susceptible to hydrolysis that exhibit up to a 98% reduction in viscosity compared to the initial GAP/TEG formulation.

Cantu Cantu, David↗

Demonstration of a Continuous Motion Direct Air Capture System

Global Thermostat (GT) has developed a process that addresses the primary technical challenges associated with direct air capture (DAC): the ability to process enormous volumetric flowrates of air and provide the energy for regeneration at acceptable cost. However, at current, there is opportunity for improvement in overall capture costs and especially in capital costs. While GT has advanced its base technology to TRL levels supporting commercial deployments, its research strategy includes alternative technology embodiments that enable substantial reductions in the cost per tonne of CO 2 removed. The objective of this project is to advance the most promising of these embodiments, where a DAC plant is operated in a continuous fashion rather than a discrete stepwise fashion (GT’s commercial scale technology approach). The Continuous Motion Direct Air Capture (cDAC) System’s advantages over the GT baseline stepwise DAC platform have been proposed primarily as a reduction in the complexity required for starting and stopping a movement system, relaxing requirements for other components designed for a rapid switching application, and a flattening of the sharp instantaneous fluid flowrates into steady-state mass & energy flows to enable smoother operation and easier heat integration. These advantages can lead to shorter cycle times, greater plant reliability, and lower capital expense. The primary objective of this project is the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of a field-test unit (FTU) at a scale in the range of ~200 tons CO 2 per year. Data generated from the operation campaign would then be used in a prescreening techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA), allowing this process to be compared to other carbon capture technologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Capturing Historic Reliability Performance Through Graph Databases: A Model Based System Engineering Approach

With the goal of improving the performance and reliability of high dependable technological systems such as nuclear power plants, advanced monitoring and health management systems are employed to inform system engineers on observed degradation processes and anomalous behaviors of assets and components. This information is captured in the form of large amount of data which can be heterogenous in nature (e.g., numeric, textual). Such large data availability poses challenges when system engineers are required to parse and analyze them in order to track historic reliability performance of assets and components. This paper tackles directly this challenge by providing means to organize data in the form of a graph: a knowledge graph. The presented approach distinguish itself from current knowledge graph-based methods by the fact that model-based system engineering (MBSE) models are used to “put data into context”. In particular, MBSE models are used as skeleton of a knowledge graph; numeric and textual data elements, once processed, are associated to MBSE model elements. Thus, a knowledge graph captures both system architecture (though MBSE models) and health/performance data. Such feature opens the door to new data analytics methods designed to identify causal relations between observed phenomena.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗