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At least 451 records · Page 25
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Chapter 6: Recycling Plastic Waste to Produce Chemicals - A Techno-Economic Analysis and Life-Cycle Assessment

This study presents the results of a preliminary assessment on the technology, economics, and sustainability of using waste plastics as a feedstock to produce low molecular weight olefins via pyrolysis and gasification pathways. We also studied the formation of formaldehyde - an important polymer precursor - via the gasification of waste plastics. Process pathways for recovery of ethylene and propylene and production of formaldehyde from a simulated mixed plastic waste were constructed based on literature data. They included direct and indirect pathways based on either gasification or pyrolysis as the primary conversion step. Results of these studies have shown that significant economic challenges exist of producing olefins via pyrolysis and gasification, with the latter pathway especially difficult. Base costs of pyrolysis naphtha from waste plastics are higher when compared to the same material produced from fossil feedstocks. Base olefin costs for one direct route are two times higher than comparable costs from steam cracking of fossil naphtha. These costs are driven primarily by feedstock costs; some pyrolysis scenarios become more economically feasible when very low feedstock costs are used. Similarly, for gasification, the cost of methanol - the central intermediate - was found to be noticeable higher when produced by gasification of waste plastics compared to current selling prices, which negatively impacts all pathways that go through methanol as the central intermediate. Life-cycle assessment indicates that the production of pyrolysis naphtha from plastics is a carbon intensive operation; no major advantages were found in terms of greenhouse gas emissions for any of the pathways producing C2 and C3 olefins. The results of this study can serve as the baseline for future comparison to other plastic waste valorization processes.

BIOMASS FUELS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Synthetic Graphite Manufactured via Electrochemical Graphitization

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are expected to play a crucial role in meeting many of the clean energy-related goals. Due to its electrical properties such as good conductance, chemical inertness, and corrosion resistance, graphite is a very popular anode for LIBs. Traditional methods of producing battery-grade graphite (high purity >99%) include processing naturally mined graphite or manufacturing synthetic graphite via the Acheson process, which converts soft amorphous carbons such as petroleum coke into graphite by subjecting it to high temperature (up to 3000 °C) for prolonged periods of times (3–5 days). However, due to a lack of abundant high purity natural graphite sources, synthetic graphite is the preferred choice for many LIBs. A new synthetic electrochemical graphitization method that subjects the amorphous carbon precursor submerged in a molten salt mixture to a constant cathodic polarization (against a graphitic anode) has been discovered that has significantly lower graphitization temperatures (~800 °C) and reduced graphitization time (3–6 h). Furthermore, the method can accept a higher variety of carbon precursors compared to the Acheson process. A prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) is conducted on this new method and compared against the traditional processes. The laboratory-scale demonstration of the method is used to build an inventory, which through various assumptions is scaled up to a commercial scale. An additional scenario is also considered with a biomass-derived carbon precursor for the graphite. The results from the LCA show that while the laboratory scale process is similar to the Acheson process and natural flake graphite in terms of impact, the scaled-up process is drastically better than the Acheson process in all environmental categories. Using a coconut shell-derived biomass precursor has a higher impact due to its manufacturing in Indonesia, as the Indonesian energy grid is highly fossil fuel dependent. Therefore, the biomass carbon may have a higher impact than petroleum coke dependent on the location of production of biomass-derived carbon black. The LCA has identified the molten salt—CaCl 2 —as a potential hotspot and suggests other salts should be considered. Accordingly, the new method shows promise in this early stage LCA in improving the environmental performance of graphite (and by relation LIBs) and therefore needs to be explored more in terms of its commercial viability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1990

Transpiration during life cycle in controlled wheat growth

A previously developed model of wheat growth, designed for convenient incorporation into system level models of advanced space life support systems is described. The model is applied to data from an experiment that grew wheat under controlled conditions and measured fresh biomass and cumulated transpiration as a function of time. The adequacy of modeling the transpiration as proportional to the inedible biomass and an age factor that varies during the life cycle are discussed.

Volk, Tyler↗
NASA NTRS1985

Capacity-cycle life behavior in secondary lithium cells

The practical utilization of high energy density rechargeable lithium cells is dependent upon maintaining high capacity for the duration of the required cycle life. However, a critical, yet generic problem with room temperature lithium systems is that the capacity often declines considerably during the early stages of cycling. The results of our studies are reported on electrolyte degradation which is observed after cells have undergone 300 and 700 deep cycles with 3-methylsulfolane- and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran-LiAsF6 electrolytes, respectively.

Somoano, R. B.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Technoeconomic and Life Cycle Analysis of an Integrated Fermentation and Microbial Electrochemical Process for Volatile Fatty Acid Production from Food Waste

Techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted for an integrated system designed for the production of volatile fatty acid (VFA) from food waste. The TEA estimated a production cost of $\$$3.12/kg VFA, and the LCA predicted negative greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of -0.4 kg CO 2 e/kg VFA, driven primarily by diverting organic waste from landfills and avoiding methane emissions while producing valuable chemical products. Hotspot analysis showed arrested methanogenesis (AM) fermentation as the largest contributor to costs (37%) and environmental burden (47%), driven by high sodium hydroxide (NaOH) consumption. Distillation and microbial electrosynthesis (MES) units were the next-largest environmental contributors (28% and 18%). Major cost drivers also included residuals management (biosolids and wastewater) and the equipment and operating costs for AM, MES, and sonication pretreatment units. Although the new integrated system is environmentally benign, its costs and environmental impacts can be further reduced by integrating alternative energy sources, minimizing chemical and energy inputs through process optimization, and improving efficiency. In conclusion, this work highlighted the viability of waste-derived VFA production and provided a clear, data-driven strategy to accelerate the commercialization of waste valorization technology.

Carboxylic Acid Production↗
DOE OSTI2026

BLEECAM™ (Benchmarking Life Cycle Environmental, Economic, and Social Metrics for Critical and Advanced Minerals and Materials) [SWR-25-125]

The National Laboratory of the Rockies' (NLR) Benchmarking Life Cycle Environmental, Economic, and Social Metrics for Critical and Advanced Minerals and Materials (BLEECAM™) is an open-source, integrated decision-support tool for evaluating the impacts, risks, and trade-offs across U.S. and global materials supply chains. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, BLEECAM supports supply chain and market analysis. The tool integrates multi-objective supply chain optimization, system dynamics, network design, lifecycle assessment, techno-economic modeling, and social impact assessment methods to evaluate how supply chains evolve over time, geography, and deployment scenarios. BLEECAM also supports analysis related to energy infrastructure, data centers and digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and other sectors that depend on critical materials.

Khalifa, SherifA. [National Laboratory of the Rock↗
NASA NTRS1990

Minimizing life cycle cost for subsonic commercial aircraft

A methodology is presented which facilitates the identification of that aircraft design concept which will incur the lowest life-cycle costs (LCCs) while meeting mission requirements. The methodology consists of an LCC module whose constituent elements calculate the costs associated with R&D, testing, evaluation, and production, as well as direct and indirect operating costs, in conjunction with the 'Flight Optimization System' conceptual design/analysis code. Provision is made in the methodology for sensitivities to advanced technologies for the subsonic commercial aircraft in question, which are optimized with respect to minimum gross weight, fuel consumption, acquisition cost, and direct operating cost.

Johnson, Vicki S.↗
NASA NTRS2009

The Need for Technology Maturity of Any Advanced Capability to Achieve Better Life Cycle Cost (LCC)

Programs such as space transportation systems are developed and deployed only rarely, and they have long development schedules and large development and life cycle costs (LCC). They have not historically had their LCC predicted well and have only had an effort to control the DDT&E phase of the programs. One of the factors driving the predictability, and thus control, of the LCC of a program is the maturity of the technologies incorporated in the program. If the technologies incorporated are less mature (as measured by their Technology Readiness Level - TRL), then the LCC not only increases but the degree of increase is difficult to predict. Consequently, new programs avoid incorporating technologies unless they are quite mature, generally TRL greater than or equal to 7 (system prototype demonstrated in a space environment) to allow better predictability of the DDT&E phase costs unless there is no alternative. On the other hand, technology development programs rarely develop technologies beyond TRL 6 (system/subsystem model or prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment). Currently the lack of development funds beyond TRL 6 and the major funding required for full scale development leave little or no funding available to prototype TRL 6 concepts so that hardware would be in the ready mode for safe, reliable and cost effective incorporation. The net effect is that each new program either incorporates little new technology or has longer development schedules and costs, and higher LCC, than planned. This paper presents methods to ensure that advanced technologies are incorporated into future programs while providing a greater accuracy of predicting their LCC. One method is having a dedicated organization to develop X-series vehicles or separate prototypes carried on other vehicles. The question of whether such an organization should be independent of NASA and/or have an independent funding source is discussed. Other methods are also discussed. How to make the choice of which technologies to pursue to the prototype level is also discussed since, to achieve better LCC, first the selection of the appropriate technologies.

Robinson, John W.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Carbon Conversion Life Cycle Analysis at NETL

Presentation given to the CCU TEA and LCA Guidance – A Harmonized Approach Workshop on May 18, 2023. Describes carbon conversion-related life cycle analysis efforts at NETL.

Krynock, Michelle↗
DOE OSTI2022

Developing an In-situ Formed Dynamic Protection Layer to Mitigate Lithium Interface Shifting: Preventing Dendrite Formation on Metallic Lithium Surface to Facilitate Long Cycle Life of Lithium Solid-State Batteries

After extensive research on various system, a fully lithiated Si anode material (Li 3.75 Si) was synthesized. The high energy density, long cycle life anode demonstrated no apparent dendrite growth in an all-solid-state Li battery. A flexible solid-state electrolyte film with a thickness less than 50 μm was developed. All-solid-state Li full batteries were built and tested with NMC811, organic, organosulfide and sulfur cathode. Energy density of 1140 Wh/Kg at material level and 376 Wh/Kg at electrode level were demonstrated for over 500 cycles and with no apparent dendrite formation on the Li anode.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

BioSTEAM-LCA: An Integrated Modeling Framework for Agile Life Cycle Assessment of Biorefineries under Uncertainty

Biorefineries will play a critical role in sustainable bioeconomies, but projections of their environmental impacts vary widely. A core challenge with life cycle assessments (LCAs) of biorefineries is that they are often disconnected from biorefinery design, simulation, and techno-economic analysis (TEA). This lack of integration is a barrier to early stage technology and process evaluations, reducing consistency and transparency across sustainability indicators while limiting our understanding of the relative importance of individual factors (e.g., design decisions, greenhouse gas emission accounting procedures), how these factors interact, and trade-offs or synergies with process economics. In this study, we propose a new agile LCA framework, BioSTEAMLCA, which layers onto BioSTEAM (Biorefinery Simulation and Techno-Economic Analysis Modules, which automates biorefinery design, simulation, and TEA) to characterize the environmental impacts of biorefineries across a landscape of designs, technology performance assumptions, and contexts. Inventory databases and impact assessment methods are integrated to enable flexible user defined LCA system models, and the implications of uncertainties throughout the production system are characterized via Monte Carlo simulation. To demonstrate the capabilities of BioSTEAMLCA, we present a case study for sugarcane ethanol production. Overall, BioSTEAM-LCA enables computationally efficient, agile gate-to-gate LCA to evaluate biorefinery processes, the production of candidate biofuels and bioproducts, and trade-offs among productivity, economics, and environmental impacts under uncertainty.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2006

Low Temperature Life-Cycle Testing of a Lithium-Ion Battery for Low-Earth-Orbiting Spacecraft

A flight-qualified, lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery developed for the Mars Surveyor Program 2001 Landeris undergoing life-testing at low temperature under a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) profile to assess its capability to provide long term energy storage for aerospace missions. NASA has embarked upon an ambitious course to return humans to the moon by 2015-2020 in preparation for robotic and human exploration of Mars and robotic exploration of the moons of outer planets. Li-ion batteries are excellent candidates to provide power and energy storage for multiple aspects of these missions due to their high specific energy, high energy density, and excellent low temperature performance. Laboratory testing of Li-ion technology is necessary in order to assess lifetime, characterize multi-cell battery-level performance under aerospace conditions, and to gauge safety aspects of the technology. Life-cycle testing provides an opportunity to examine battery-level performance and the dynamics of individual cells in the stack over the entire life of the battery. Data generated through this testing will be critical to establish confidence in the technology for its widespread use in manned and unmanned missions.

Reid, Concha↗
DOE OSTI2026

Using Visual Systems Mapping to Improve Transparency and Comparability of Life Cycle Assessment Baseline Scenarios

Visual systems mapping is a systems engineering approach used to represent complex processes and interactions. This study evaluates its application for documenting assumptions in life cycle assessment (LCA) baseline scenarios. In LCA, the baseline or reference case represents the business as usual system against which changes in impacts (e.g., emissions) are assessed. These baseline assumptions are particularly influential in biomass LCAs, yet they often vary across studies due to regional context, system boundaries, and simplifying assumptions that are not consistently or transparently documented. As a result, key feedbacks, omitted processes, and boundary choices may remain unclear, limiting comparability across studies and weakening their usefulness for decision-making. This study examines whether visual systems mapping can improve the transparency and comparability of biomass LCA baseline scenarios. A case study of five published biomass-related LCAs were reviewed, and their baseline scenarios were translated into visual system maps to identify included processes, omitted components, and underlying assumptions. The analysis demonstrates that visual systems mapping can make baseline assumptions more explicit, highlight excluded dynamics, and improve documentation of system boundaries. Based on these findings, the study recommends the use of visual systems mapping alongside open data repositories and reproducible workflows to support greater transparency, reproducibility, and comparability in LCAs. These improvements can strengthen the role of LCAs in informing decisions related to sustainable biomass systems.

Davis, Maggie [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000181319328)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Life Cycle Analysis of Natural Gas Extraction and Power Generation: U.S. 2020 Emissions Profile

This work summarizes the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory's (NETL) recent life cycle analysis (LCA) study of the U.S. natural gas supply chain. In recent years, there has been growing interest in accurate accounting of methane emissions, with a specific focus on those from natural gas infrastructure, due to its much higher global warming potential as compared to carbon dioxide.

Khutal, Harshvardhan [NETL Site Support Contractor↗
NASA NTRS1978

Kinetic energy budgets during the life cycle of intense convective activity

Synoptic-scale data at three- and six-hour intervals are employed to study the relationship between changing kinetic energy variables and the life cycles of two severe squall lines. The kinetic energy budgets indicate a high degree of kinetic energy generation, especially pronounced near the jet-stream level. Energy losses in the storm environment are due to the transfer of kinetic energy from grid to subgrid scales of motion; large-scale upward vertical motion carries aloft the kinetic energy generated by storm activity at lower levels. In general, the time of maximum storm intensity is also the time of maximum energy conversion and transport.

Fuelberg, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Accelerated and real-time geosynchronous life cycling test performance of nickel-hydrogen batteries

RCA Astro-Electronics currently has four nickel-hydrogen storage battery modules (11 cells each) on test in simulated geosynchronous life cycle regimes. These battery modules are of identical design to those used on the GSTAR (GTE Satellite Corp.) and Spacenet (GTE Spacenet Corp.) communications satellites. The batteries are being tested using an automated test station equipped with computer-controlled environmental chambers and recording equipment. The two battery types, 30 ampere-hours and 40 ampere-hours (GSTAR and Spacenet, respectively), are being electrically cycled using identical 44-day eclipse sequences at 5 C and vary with respect to depth of discharge, recharge ratio, duration of accumulated suntime, and the use of a reconditioning sequence. The test parameters are outlined and the preliminary test data and results are presented.

Green, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Planetary and synoptic-scale interactions during the life cycle of a mid-latitude blocking anticyclone over the North Atlantic

The formation of a blocking anticyclone over the North Atlantic has been examined over its entire life-CyCle using the Zwack-Okossi (Z-O) equation as the diagnostic tool. This blocking anticyclone occurred in late October and early November of 1985. The data used were provided by the NASA Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres on a global 2.O degree latitude by 2.5 degree longitudinal grid. The horizontal distribution of the atmospheric forcing mechanisms that were important to 500 mb block formation, maintenance and decay were examined. A scale-partitioned form of the Z-O equation was then used to examine the relative importance of forcing on the planetary and synoptic scales, and their interactions. As seen in previous studies, the results presented here show that upper tropospheric anticyclonic vorticity advection was the most important contributor to block formation and maintenance. However, adiabatic warming, and vorticity tilting were also important at various times during the block lifetime. In association with precursor surface cyclogenesis, the 300 mb jet streak in the downstream (upstream) from a long-wave trough (ridge) amplified significantly. This strengthening of the jet streak enhanced the anti-cyclonic vorticity advection field that aided the amplification of a 500 mb short-wave ridge. Tile partitioned height tendency results demonstrate that the interactions between the planetary and sn,noptic-scale through vorticity advection was the most important contributor to block formation. Planetary-scale, synoptic-scale. and their interactions contributed weakly to the maintenance of the blocking anticyclone with the advection of synoptic-scale vorticity by the planetary-scale flow playing a more important role. Planetary-scale decay ofthe long-wave ridge contributed to the demise of this blocking event.

Smith, Phillip J.↗