Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Fossil Fuel”

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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Microwave-assisted dehydrogenation of fossil fuels using iron-based alumina nanocomposites

Hydrogen is mainly produced via steam reforming of methane and gasification of coal, with enormous CO 2 emissions in both cases. Microwave-assisted thermocatalytic decomposition (pyrolysis) is of interest as a method for hydrogen production from fossil fuels with no CO 2 emissions. For successful implementation of this technology, it is necessary to develop decomposition catalysts that are also good microwave absorbers and can be produced from inexpensive materials via a robust synthetic route. Recently, iron-based alumina nanocomposites, fabricated by solution combustion synthesis (SCS), have shown promising microwave-absorbing and catalytic properties in the pyrolysis of plastics. The reported project explored the feasibilities of improving such catalysts and using them for the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of liquid fossil fuels, viz., diesel fuel, gasoline, and crude oil. The research focused on how SCS parameters affect the material properties and pyrolysis performance.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2022

Single-column cryogenic air separation: enabling efficient oxygen production with rapid startup and low capital costs—application to low-carbon fossil-fuel plants

The rapid integration of intermittent renewable sources into the electricity grid is driving the need for more flexible, low-carbon fossil-fuel plants with lower capital costs. This then drives the need to improve the cryogenic air separation unit (ASU). To address this changing landscape, we explore a Praxair single-column ASU (PSC-ASU) design with the goal of reducing costs and improving flexibility, compared to a conventional double-column ASU. The PSC-ASU incorporates partial air condensation and air pre-separation in the bottom reboiler with a phase separator as well as N2-enriched vapor condensation in the upper reboiler to decrease energy consumption, as compared to Linde's single-column ASU. All three of the above-mentioned ASU designs are simulated in Aspen Plus and analyzed. An economic analysis is applied to evaluate the relative cost savings of the PSC-ASU compared to the double-column ASU. Results suggest that the specific energy consumption of the PSC-ASU is significantly lower than that of Linde's single-column ASU due to a drastically improved oxygen recovery rate. Although this improved oxygen recovery rate is still lower than that of the double-column ASU, the required pressure ratio of the main air compressor is 21% lower than that of the double-column ASU. As a result, the specific energy consumption of the PSC-ASU is only 1.9% greater than that of the double-column ASU for producing 95.1 mol% O2. However, the PSC-ASU reduces the hourly capital cost by 19% due to the elimination of a high-pressure column. This would effectively decrease the total hourly cost of the ASU, and thus the total hourly cost of low-carbon, fossil-fuel power plants that require oxygen.

Cheng, Mao↗
DOE OSTI2022

Low-Cost Sulfur Thermal Storage for Increased Flexibility and Improved Economics of Fossil-Fueled Electricity Generating Units (Final Report)

The US electric grid relies on conventional fossil fuel power plants for reliable and secure power, but these plants suffer from physical and financial strain due to the influx of inexpensive and variable solar and wind electricity. Conventional power plants need to generate electricity flexibly and on-demand to accommodate these renewable resources on the grid. Integrating a low-cost thermal energy storage (TES) gives fossil assets the ability to regulate their output efficiently and optimize the plant operation to maximize revenue in the wholesale electricity market. Element 16’s TES concept uses sulfur, a byproduct of the oil & gas industry, as the storage media that is 10 times cheaper than molten salt used in commercial two-tank TES technology. In this project, the team completed a detailed feasibility and technoeconomic study establishing the impact, cost and performance of molten sulfur TES system integrated with fossil assets.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Multiphysics and Multiscale Simulation Methods for Electromagnetic Energy Assisted Fossil Fuel to Hydrogen Conversion (Final Scientific/Technical Report)

This report summarizes the technical accomplishments of the four-year research project “Multiphysics and Multiscale Simulation Methods for Electromagnetic Energy Assisted Fossil Fuel to Hydrogen Conversion” (Award No. DE-FE0032092), conducted at Howard University and the University of Houston (subawardee) from September 2021 to August 2025. The project successfully achieved all four major objectives: 1. 3D Structural Characterization – Developed 3D optical imaging and mechanical sectioning methods to characterize catalyst distribution and support morphology in nickel foam substrates. Successfully reconstructed 3D geometries and imported them into COMSOL Multiphysics for electromagnetic simulations. 2. EM Hotspot Simulation – Created all-frequency stable electromagnetic formulations and 3D nodal discontinuous Galerkin (NDG) methods for coupled electromagnetic-thermal-fluid problems in multiscale catalytic media. Demonstrated stable solutions from DC to microwave frequencies. 3. Multiphysics Coupling – Developed multiscale simulation methods coupling FEM electromagnetic solvers with thermal transport equations. Reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF MD) simulations were performed to investigate catalytic reaction mechanisms at the atomistic level. Demonstrated electromagnetic-thermal co-simulation capabilities for porous catalyst structures. 4. System Optimization – Designed and optimized EM-assisted catalytic systems using nickel foam and carbon foam structures, demonstrating significant temperature increases due to microwave heating. Observed and characterized plasma generation in carbon fiber catalysts. Investigated multiple reaction chamber geometries for improved microwave energy deposition. The project produced significant scientific contributions including 15+ peer-reviewed publications, trained multiple Ph.D. students and undergraduate researchers, and advanced the understanding of microwave-assisted hydrogen production from fossil fuels.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rate expressions and kinetic parameters for metal ferrites in relation to applications of fossil fuel conversion to hydrogen: Part 1 of 2

Here, the goal of the present work was to provide the necessary reaction emulation information to enable detailed process simulation of a chemical looping H 2 production system from fossil fuels using CaFe 2 O 4 . This specifically pertained to the necessary kinetic data, reaction model development, and model rate parameters required for reaction emulation in both reducing and oxidizing environments. A logical methodology was defined, which included discretization of the reaction network, establishing a core model for reaction emulation that could be adapted based on the system phenomena, and development of a rate parameter regression tool designed around the core model. An extensive array of data sets was acquired by which parametric regressions were performed. The work presented and tabulated a comprehensive set of rate parameters for the reduction and oxidation reactions of CaFe 2 O 4 and descendent phases of Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 , FeO, Fe 3 O 4 , Fe, and CaO to emulate reaction behavior in a looping-based process environment. This included direct reduction using CH 4 , H 2 , and CO, and direct oxidation reactions with steam, CO 2 and O 2 . Dynamic equilibrium was quantified for reactions that could utilize H 2 O and CO 2 as soft oxidants to re-saturate lattice oxygen in the depleted structure/phases. The kinetics associated with the oxidative mechanisms with the soft oxidants were quantified and compared to those of the reducing counterparts. The analysis provided critical insight to emulate reactions for a process that seeks to use natural gas (NG) or other fossil fuels as a direct reductant for the end goal of H 2 production.

calcium ferrite oxygen carriers↗
DOE OSTI2022

Shifting from Fossil Fuel Reliance to Green Energy Sovereignty: Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Self-determination has been an on-going effort for Native American people and gained much traction with the passing of The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which included the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act. Congress passed this act to assist Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages with planning, development, and assistance to achieve their energy goals. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (UMUT) has relied on oil and natural gas for economic support the last 70 years. Burning fossil fuels, along with oil and gas development, decreases the quality of air and leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Subsequently, the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy is now more costly than many renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Environmental stewardship, along with the need to maintain revenue generation, has led UMUT’s efforts to achieve energy self-determinism employing PV and exploring other technology. In the past, the tribe completed a 1 megawatt PV project near Towaoc, Colorado, which serves as a case study on the tribe’s energy goals: a future where renewables will dominate their energy landscape. This paper explores UMUT’s past and on-going efforts toward energy independence and how it relates to the broader landscape of Native American energy sovereignty.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fog and Froth-based Post Combustion CO 2 Capture in Fossil Fuel Power Plants

The University of Kentucky (UK) project titled “Fog+Froth-Based Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture in Fossil Fuel Power Plant”, DE-FE0031733, was conducted from 5/1/2019 to 12/31/2023 in two Budget Periods (BPs), with BP1 from 5/1/2019 to 1/31/2021 and with BP2 from 2/1/2021 to 12/31/2023. The overall goal is to reduce the CO 2 capture capital and operating cost by reducing the absorber size. Other participants included Industrial Climate Solutions, Inc. (ICSI), ALL4 and NexantECA. All project deliverables, milestones, and success criteria were met. Scaled-up demonstration of the compact absorber is planned and two specific aspects of the project demonstration, the solvent spray and the low absorber bottom packing temperature, have been incorporated into the overall UK CO 2 capture process which is on the road to large scale verification and commercialization.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
NASA NTRS2018

The Use of Gridded Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions (FFCO2) Inventory for Climate Mitigation Applications: Errors, Uncertainties, and Current and Future Challenges

Emission Inventory (EI) is a fundamental tool to monitor global compliance of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions reduction actions. Inventory guidelines provide a best practice to help EI compilers to make comparable national emission estimates, in spite of the differences in data availability across countries and regions. There are a variety of sources of errors and uncertainties, however, that originate beyond what the inventory guidelines define. For example, spatially-explicit EIs, which are a key product for atmospheric modeling applications, are often developed for research purposes, and there are no specific guidelines to disaggregate emission estimates from country scale. On top of that, EIs are fundamentally prone to systematic biases due to the simple calculation methodology and thus an objective evaluation (e.g. atmospheric top-down estimates) is needed to assure the accuracy of the estimates. ODIAC is a global high-resolution (1x1 km) fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2) gridded EI that is now often used in atmospheric CO2 modeling. ODIAC is based on disaggregation of national emission estimates made by CDIAC, which is the well accepted standard in the community. The ODIAC emission data product is updated on an annual basis using best available statistical data. Subnational spatial emission patterns are estimated using power plant profiles and satellite-observations of nighttime lights. In addition to the conventional CDIAC gridded data product, ODIAC carries international bunker emissions (shipping and aviation), which allows flux inversion modelers to accurately impose the global total fossil fuel emissions and their horizontal and vertical distribution. We have extensively evaluated ODIAC emissions using fine-grained EIs as well as a high-resolution atmospheric model simulation across different scales (national, subnational/regional, and urban policy relevant) with a focus on the uncertainties associated with the emission disaggregation. We have examined the use of NASA's Black Marble Suomi-NPP/VIIRS nightlight data.

Oda, Tomohiro↗
NASA NTRS2020

Evaluating China's fossil-fuel CO2 emissions from a comprehensive dataset of nine inventories

China's fossil-fuel CO2 (FFCO2) emissions accounted for approximately 28 % of the global total FFCO2 in 2016. An accurate estimate of China's FFCO2 emissions is a prerequisite for global and regional carbon budget analyses and the monitoring of carbon emission reduction efforts. However, significant uncertainties and discrepancies exist in estimations of China's FFCO2 emissions due to a lack of detailed traceable emission factors (EFs) and multiple statistical data sources. Here, we evaluated China's FFCO2 emissions from nine published global and regional emission datasets. These datasets show that the total emissions increased from 3.4 (3.0–3.7) in 2000 to 9.8 (9.2–10.4) Gt CO2 per yr in 2016. The variations in these estimates were largely due to the different EF (0.491–0.746 t C per t of coal) and activity data. The large-scale patterns of gridded emissions showed a reasonable agreement, with high emissions being concentrated in major city clusters, and the standard deviation mostly ranged from 10 % to 40 % at the provincial level. However, patterns beyond the provincial scale varied significantly, with the top 5 % of the grid level accounting for 50 %–90 % of total emissions in these datasets. Our findings highlight the significance of using locally measured EF for Chinese coal. To reduce uncertainty, we recommend using physical CO2 measurements and use these values for dataset validation, key input data sharing (e.g., point sources), and finer-resolution validations at various levels.

Pengfei Han↗
NASA NTRS1974

The economic value of remote sensing of earth resources from space: An ERTS overview and the value of continuity of service. Volume 7: Nonreplenishable natural resources: Minerals, fossil fuels and geothermal energy sources

The application of remotely-sensed information to the mineral, fossil fuel, and geothermal energy extraction industry is investigated. Public and private cost savings are documented in geologic mapping activities. Benefits and capabilities accruing to the ERS system are assessed. It is shown that remote sensing aids in resource extraction, as well as the monitoring of several dynamic phenomena, including disturbed lands, reclamation, erosion, glaciation, and volcanic and seismic activity.

Lietzke, K. R.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Solution combustion synthesis of iron-based alumina nanocomposites for clean production of hydrogen from fossil fuels

Iron-based alumina nanocomposites are promising materials for microwave-assisted thermocatalytic dehydrogenation of fossil fuels, which has been proposed for the production of hydrogen with no CO2 emissions. Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is an attractive technique for the fabrication of these materials because it has been used for synthesis of many nanoscale oxides. However, SCS can be carried out using different organic fuels and different heating equipment, and it is important to determine which fuel and heating mode generate materials with the best properties for dehydrogenation, such as maximized specific surface area. In the present work, the iron-based alumina nanocomposites were obtained by SCS using two different fuels (citric acid and glycine) and two different heating modes (a hotplate and a muffle furnace). The precursors/oxidizers were iron nitrate and aluminum nitrate. They were mixed with the fuel according to stoichiometry and dissolved in water. Heating the solution resulted in combustion synthesis. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, laser diffraction particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The experiments have shown that the specific surface area of the iron-based alumina nanocomposites obtained by SCS can be dramatically increased by using citric acid instead of glycine, and additionally by using a muffle furnace instead of a hotplate.

Solution combustion synthesis, Nanoscale metal oxi↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fossil Fuel Transitions Framework: Case Studies of the Decision-Making Process for Energy and Economic Development Pathways

Each community is unique, and transitions must be tailored to local and national contexts, with recognition that access to financing is a key differentiator between wealthy and low-to-middle income countries. This analysis examines six community fossil fuel transitions in two different country contexts to provide insights on inclusive processes and decision-making criteria that bring forth positive outcomes for the communities. In both the United States and Chile, a coordination mechanism is established across government agencies and the importance of stakeholder engagement is recognized. In many cases, the government, local community groups, and electric utility or industry players have a critical role in transition planning and support.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Repurposing Fossil-Fueled Assets For Energy Storage

The annual retirement of U.S. coal-fired electricity generation units (CF-EGU) is at an all-time high and is expected to continue. This loss of reliable baseload generation, combined with predicted growth of variable renewable energy (VRE) generation, is expected to stress grid reliability as the number of load-following resources drops below the experienced load variability. Many regions are already experiencing challenges, and fossil retirement-related warnings by the North American Electric Reliability Corp. are becoming more dire. All CF-EGU retirements pose significant challenges to asset owners, local workforces, and their communities. Repurposing a retiring CF-EGU as a long-duration energy storage plant can address these challenges and offer a suite of additional benefits to asset owners, the grid, and society. This project performed a techno-economic evaluation and assessment of repurposing a Duke Energy fossil-fueled asset (in particular, a coal plant) into an energy storage system by integrating the retiring asset with a Malta long duration Pumped Heat Energy Storage (PHES) system. The project validated the technoeconomic benefits of repurposing retiring coal plants into long-duration energy storage using Malta’s PHES. Key findings for this project are summarized below: (1) Technical: (a) Retiring coal plants (and other steam turbine fossil generation) can be repurposed to enable the clean energy transition using Malta’s technology. (b) For older retiring coal plants, repurposing the site and electrical interconnection for a standalone PHES plant is the most economically favorable option. (c) For newer coal plants where there is also a local peaking capacity need, repowering the steam cycle into a hybrid integration with PHES is attractive. (d) A process was developed to assist fossil generation owners in choosing the best path for each plant’s circumstances. (2) Economic (a) Communities facing economic challenges caused by the retirement of fossil generation would benefit from repurposing the plant as long-duration energy storage using Malta’s PHES. (b) On a $/MW basis, repowering retiring coal units into Malta PHES plants can maintain the same number and types of jobs and economic activity. (c) For a 70% carbon reduction scenario, a 10-hour Malta PHES plant is more economic for the asset owner than similar-power 4-hour batteries. This project showed that repurposing a retiring coal unit into thermal energy storage, by integrating it with a Malta PHES system, makes techno-economic sense. At least two integration options are available, with the optimal solution depending on the coal plant and its location. Repurposing retiring coal plant into energy storage results in economic benefits for the plant owner and local communities.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Optimizing the combustion synthesis of FeAlxOy catalysts for microwave-assisted thermocatalytic dehydrogenation of fossil fuels

The growing demand for hydrogen requires the development of clean and energy-efficient technologies for its synthesis. Microwave-assisted thermocatalytic dehydrogenation of fossil fuels has demonstrated the potential to produce H2 with high yield and selectivity, and simultaneously generate valuable nanostructured carbon byproducts. In prior work, iron-based alumina (FeAlxOy) catalysts for this process were made via solution combustion synthesis (SCS). However, the effect of SCS parameters on the dehydrogenation performance is not well understood. The present study investigates this by varying the SCS fuel, Fe:Al molar ratio, and heating mode. The results show subtle changes of these parameters can result in significant differences in the phase composition, specific surface area, and microwave absorbing properties of FeAlxOy, which all affect microwave-assisted dehydrogenation. Notably, H2 selectivity can be increased from 30% to 74%. Statistical testing determined that the SCS fuel used was the most significant SCS parameter affecting dehydrogenation performance.

Chanoi, Zachary A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Response of the global climate to changes in atmospheric chemical composition due to fossil fuel burning

Tropospheric ozone and methane might increase in the future as the result of increasing anthropogenic emissions of CO, NOx and CH4 due to fossil fuel burning. Since O3 and CH4 are both greenhouse gases, increases in their concentrations could augment global warming due to larger future amounts of atmospheric CO2. To test this possible climatic impact, a zonal energy-balance climate model has been combined with a vertically-averaged tropospheric chemical model. The latter model includes all relevant chemical reactions which affect species derived from H2O, O2, CH4 and NOx. The climate model correspondingly incorporates changes in the infrared heating of the surface-troposphere system resulting from chemically induced changes in tropospheric ozone and methane. This coupled climate-chemical model indicates that global climate is sensitive to changes in emissions of CO, NOx and CH4, and that future increases in these emissions could enhance global warming due to increasing atmospheric CO2.

Cess, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Global Partitioning of NOx Sources Using Satellite Observations: Relative Roles of Fossil Fuel Combustion, Biomass Burning and Soil Emissions

This document contains the following abstract for the paper "Global partitioning of NOx sources using satellite observations: Relative roles of fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning and soil emissions." Satellite observations have been used to provide important new information about emissions of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are significant in atmospheric chemistry, having a role in ozone air pollution, acid deposition and climate change. We know that human activities have led to a three- to six-fold increase in NOx emissions since pre-industrial times, and that there are three main surface sources of NOx: fuel combustion, large-scale fires, and microbial soil processes. How each of these sources contributes to the total NOx emissions is subject to some doubt, however. The problem is that current NOx emission inventories rely on bottom-up approaches, compiling large quantities of statistical information from diverse sources such as fuel and land use, agricultural data, and estimates of burned areas. This results in inherently large uncertainties. To overcome this, Lyatt Jaegle and colleagues from the University of Washington, USA, used new satellite observations from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) instrument. As the spatial and seasonal distribution of each of the sources of NOx can be clearly mapped from space, the team could provide independent topdown constraints on the individual strengths of NOx sources, and thus help resolve discrepancies in existing inventories. Jaegle's analysis of the satellite observations, presented at the recent Faraday Discussion on "Atmospheric Chemistry", shows that fuel combustion dominates emissions at northern mid-latitudes, while fires are a significant source in the Tropics. Additionally, she discovered a larger than expected role for soil emissions, especially over agricultural regions with heavy fertilizer use. Additional information is included in the original extended abstract.

Jaegle, Lyatt↗