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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Performance analysis of a bio-gasification based combined cycle power plant employing indirectly heated humid air turbine

Rapid depletion of fossil fuel has forced mankind to look into alternative fuel resources. In this context, biomass based power generation employing gas turbine appears to be a popular choice. Bio-gasification based combined cycle provides a feasible solution as far as grid-independent power generation is concerned for rural electrification projects. Indirectly heated gas turbine cycles are promising alternatives as they avoid downstream gas cleaning systems. Advanced thermodynamic cycles have become an interesting area of study to improve plant efficiency. Water injected system is one of the most attractive options in this field of applications. This paper presents a theoretical model of a biomass gasification based combined cycle that employs an indirectly heated humid air turbine (HAT) in the topping cycle. Maximum overall electrical efficiency is found to be around 41%. Gas turbine specific air consumption by mass is minimum when pressure ratio is 6. The study reveals that, incorporation of the humidification process helps to improve the overall performance of the plant.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2026

The effect of relative humidity and temperature on the response of stomatal conductance to vapor pressure deficit in tropical trees

Understanding how leaf gas exchange responds to changes in vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is key to predicting tropical forest resilience to climate change. Stomata regulate leaf water and CO2 diffusion, and respond to changes in temperature and relative humidity (RH), two drivers of VPD. At high temperatures, the cuticular pathway may also become significant and participate in the overall leaf conductance. Here, we measured gas exchange under light and dark conditions to investigate the stomatal and cuticular responses to temperature and RH on detached branches in five tropical tree species. Leaf conductance in the dark, when stomata are essentially closed, was not markedly impacted by temperature and RH, suggesting a minimal response of the cuticular pathway to these conditions. We compared six steady-state conductance models incorporating different effects of photosynthesis and evaporative demand on stomatal control. All models performed well (residual standard deviation, σ, < 0.025 mol m-2 s-1), but the best-fitting model (σ = 0.017 mol m-2 s-1) used a nonlinear relationship between photosynthesis and stomatal conductance and incorporated RH rather than vapor pressure difference. All models overestimated the steady-state conductance at high RH. Furthermore, leaf conductance immediately increased after a decrease in RH (wrong-way response), but not after an increase in leaf temperature. This suggests that the mechanisms underlying stomatal response to VPD need further investigation. The non-linear coupling between photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance indicates a sharper physiological response than previously acknowledged.

Lamour, Julien↗
DOE OSTI2024

Diagnosis of PV Cell Passivation Degradation Resulting from Hot-Humid, High Voltage Potential Aging

Corrosion of the antireflective coating on the cell ("AR c corrosion") was previously observed in studies using hot-humid test conditions with external high voltage (HV) bias. Because AR c corrosion is not well understood, mini-modules (MiMos) were examined in a comparative experiment using PERC and PERT as well as legacy Al-BSF cells. For separate MiMos with the cell circuit electrical at +1500 V, -1500 V, or unbiased "V oc", test conditions in the comparative study included 60degrees C/60% RH for 96 h, as in IEC TS 62804-1; 70degrees C/70%RH for 200 h; and 85degrees C/85% RH for 200 h. Characterizations at each read point included: camera and electroluminescence (EL) imaging, colorimetry, and I-V curve tracing. Characterizations at the final read point included: SunsVoc; spatially mapping external quantum efficiency (EQE); high resolution: photoluminescence (PL), EL, and dark lock-in thermographic (DLIT) imaging. Forensics were performed on extracted cores, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM). Forensics were also conducted on MiMos (stepped HV aging) and full-sized modules (outdoor aging) from previous studies. AR c corrosion was specifically observed for the glass/encapsulant/cell side of +1500 V (HV+) stressed MiMos, where appearance, color, and reflectance were the characteristics most distinguished relative to simultaneously occurring degradation modes. SEM/EDS and SAM identified conversion of silicon nitride to silicon oxide or hydrous silica, preferentially occurring at the edges and tips of the pyramidal textured cell surface.

aging↗
DOE OSTI2015

Lignin decomposition is sustained under fluctuating redox conditions in humid tropical forest soils

Abstract Lignin mineralization represents a critical flux in the terrestrial carbon (C) cycle, yet little is known about mechanisms and environmental factors controlling lignin breakdown in mineral soils. Hypoxia is thought to suppress lignin decomposition, yet potential effects of oxygen (O 2 ) variability in surface soils have not been explored. Here, we tested the impact of redox fluctuations on lignin breakdown in humid tropical forest soils during ten‐week laboratory incubations. We used synthetic lignins labeled with 13 C in either of two positions (aromatic methoxyl or propyl side chain C β ) to provide highly sensitive and specific measures of lignin mineralization seldom employed in soils. Four‐day redox fluctuations increased the percent contribution of methoxyl C to soil respiration relative to static aerobic conditions, and cumulative methoxyl‐C mineralization was statistically equivalent under static aerobic and fluctuating redox conditions despite lower soil respiration in the latter treatment. Contributions of the less labile lignin C β to soil respiration were equivalent in the static aerobic and fluctuating redox treatments during periods of O 2 exposure, and tended to decline during periods of O 2 limitation, resulting in lower cumulative C β mineralization in the fluctuating treatment relative to the static aerobic treatment. However, cumulative mineralization of both the C β ‐ and methoxyl‐labeled lignins nearly doubled in the fluctuating treatment relative to the static aerobic treatment when total lignin mineralization was normalized to total O 2 exposure. Oxygen fluctuations are thought to be suboptimal for canonical lignin‐degrading microorganisms. However, O 2 fluctuations drove substantial Fe reduction and oxidation, and reactive oxygen species generated during abiotic Fe oxidation might explain the elevated contribution of lignin to C mineralization. Iron redox cycling provides a potential mechanism for lignin depletion in soil organic matter. Couplings between soil moisture, redox fluctuations, and lignin breakdown provide a potential link between climate variability and the biochemical composition of soil organic matter.

Hall, Steven J.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Stomatal response to humidity and CO 2 implicated in recent decline in US evaporation

Abstract Evapotranspiration, defined as the total flux of water from the land surface to the atmosphere, is a major component of the hydrologic cycle and surface energy balance. Although evapotranspiration is expected to intensify with increasing temperatures, long‐term, regional trends in evapotranspiration remain uncertain due to spatially and temporally limited direct measurements. In this study, we utilize an emergent relation between the land surface and atmospheric boundary layer to infer daily evapotranspiration from historical meteorological data collected at 236 weather stations across the United States. Our results suggest a statistically significant ( α = 0.05) decrease in evapotranspiration of approximately 6% from 1961 to 2014, with a significant ( α = 0.05) sharp decline of 13% from 1998 to 2014. We attribute the decrease in evapotranspiration mostly to declines in surface conductance, but also to offsetting changes in longwave radiation, wind speed, and incoming solar radiation. Using an established stomatal conductance model, we explain the changes in inferred surface conductance as a response to increases in carbon dioxide and, more recently, to an abrupt decrease in atmospheric humidity.

Rigden, Angela J.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Controlled relative humidity storage for high toughness and strength of binderless green pellets

Here, an equation was developed to predict fracture toughness of green powder compacts. The model combines crack tip toughness predicted by Kendall's model with crack tip shielding due to bridging of moisture meniscuses across the crack. The model predicts that crack tip shielding due to moisture should be dominant. Fracture tests on ceria green pellets verified that storing pellets at a high relative humidity (98% RH) for an extended period of time led to fracture strength more than double those stored at lower RH. However, at lower RH there is no significant increase in fracture strength with increased RH as predicted by the model. The lower strength at low RH is due to insufficient capillary and surface forces but may also be related to the lack of sufficient adsorbed moisture to form bridging meniscuses. The high green strengths achieved by storing pellets at a high RH suggest a method of strengthening green parts without adding binder.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Role of humidity and surface roughness on direct wafer bonding

Bodies made from elastically stiff material usually bind very weakly unless the surfaces are flat and extremely smooth. In direct wafer bonding flat surfaces bind by capillary bridges and by the van der Waals interaction, which act between all solid objects. Here we study the dependency of the work of adhesion on the humidity and surface roughness in hydrophilic direct wafer bonding. We show that the long-wavelength roughness (usually denoted waviness) has a negligible influence on the strength of wafer bonding (the work of adhesion) from the menisci that form from capillary condensation of water vapor.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Long-Term Effects of Humidity on Stainless Steel Pitting in Sea Salt Exposures

Ground 304 stainless steel (SS) samples were exposed to sea salt particles at 35 °C and two relative humidity (RH) levels for durations ranging from 1 week to 2 years. For all exposure times, pit number density and total pit volume at 40% RH were observed to be considerably greater than those at 76% RH. Statistical analysis of distributions of pit populations for both RH conditions showed that pit number density and total pit volume increased rapidly at first but slowed as exposure time increased. Cross-hatched features were observed in the 40% RH pits while ellipsoidal, faceted pits were observed at 76% RH. Optical profilometry indicated that most pits were not hemispherical. X-ray tomography provided evidence of undercutting and fissures. Piecewise curve fitting modeled the 40% RH data closely, predicting that corrosion damage would eventually plateau. However, a similar treatment of the 76% RH data suggested that corrosion damage would continuously increase, which implied that the piecewise power-law fit was limited in its ability to model atmospheric corrosion generally. Based on these observations, the operative mechanisms determining long-term corrosion behavior were hypothesized to be different depending on the RH of exposure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mitigation of PtCo/C Cathode Catalyst Degradation via Control of Relative Humidity

Maintaining the high performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) over the course of its lifetime is a key enabling factor for its successful commercialization as a primary power source in zero-emission transportation applications. In this context, it is important to mitigate the degradation of PtCo-alloy based cathode catalysts used for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). PtCo-alloy catalysts exhibit high activity at beginning-of-life (BOL) which tends to decrease during operation due to loss of electrochemical surface area (ECSA) and dissolution-contamination related effects of the Co-alloying component. Here, we demonstrate the use of relative humidity (RH) of the inlet gases as a controllable parameter to mitigate the degradation of PtCo-alloy catalyst degradation. We employ a catalyst-specific voltage cycling accelerated stress test (AST) durability protocol as a function of inlet RH to degrade PtCo catalysts. A series of in situ electrochemical diagnostics and ex situ characterizations have been carried out to investigate the catalyst layer characteristics at end-of-test (EOT). Our results show that at sub-saturated conditions of durability protocol operation, PtCo catalyst sustains higher EOT H 2 /air performance due to better retention of ECSA and smaller impact of Co 2+ dissolution/contamination.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrospun Nanofiber Electrodes for High and Low Humidity PEMFC Operation

MEAs with nanofiber mat electrodes containing Pt/C catalyst and Nafion binder were fabricated and evaluated. The electrodes were prepared by electrospinning a solution of catalyst powder, salt-form Nafion (with Na + , Li + , or Cs + as the sulfonic acid counterion), and a carrier polymer of either polyethylene oxide or poly(acrylic acid). The carrier polymer was extracted prior to MEA testing by a hot water soaking step. The resulting fibers were 15%–17% porous, with a core–shell-like morphology (a coating of primarily Nafion on the fiber surface). MEAs with anode/cathode catalyst loadings of 0.1 mg Pt cm −2 each and a Nafion 211 membrane produced high power at both high and low relative humidity (RH) conditions in H 2 /air fuel cell tests, e.g., a maximum power density of 919 mW cm −2 at 100% RH and 832 mW cm −2 at 40% RH for a test at 80 °C and 200 kPa abs . The presence of nm-size pores within the fibers trapped water via capillary condensation during low RH feed gas testing, thus maintaining a high proton conductivity of the Nafion binder in the anode and cathode while minimizing/eliminating ionic isolation of catalyst particles in low water content, poorly conductive binder.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Relative-Humidity Dependence of Electrochemically Active Surface Area in Porous Carbon Catalyst Layers

Polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) utilize porous catalyst layers (CLs) formed of carbon supports on which Pt particles are deposited and ionomer films are distributed. Carbon supports themselves have varying degrees of porosity, where high-surface-area carbon (HSC) supports possess nanometer-sized interior pores that are suitable for Pt nanoparticle deposition but prevent deleterious ionomer penetration. However, this requires protons to transport through water pathways inside the pores. To understand the generation of such pathways, we examine the various mechanisms of water uptake by PEFC CLs, and the subsequent impact of water uptake on Pt utilization through developing a multiphysics model of the water wetting phenomena as a function of relative humidity. The model details water uptake via ionomer absorption, capillary condensation in the hydrophilic pores, and surface adsorption using molecular potential that account for various water and surface dipole interactions. The results quantify how mesoporous carbons with highly hydrophilic pores increase Pt utilization through the development of wetted layers, which at the same time enable optimized gas-transport pathways. It also demonstrates the impact of pore-size distribution (PSD) and physical and chemical parameters on the water uptake phenomena, allowing for future CL particle and structure optimization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Enhanced MEA Performance for PEMFCs under Low Relative Humidity and Low Oxygen Content Conditions via Catalyst Functionalization

This work demonstrates that functionalizing annealed-Pt/Ketjen black EC300j (a-Pt/KB) and dealloyed-PtNi/Ketjen black EC300j (d-PtNi/KB) catalysts using p-phenyl sulfonic acid can effectively enhance performance in the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The functionalization increased the size of both Pt and PtNi catalyst particles and resulted in the further leaching of Ni from the PtNi catalyst while promoting the formation of nanoporous PtNi nanoparticles. The size of the SO3H-Pt/KB and SO3H-PtNi/KB carbon-based aggregates decreased dramatically, leading to the formation of catalyst layers with narrower pore size distributions.MEA tests highlighted the benefits of the surface functionalization, in which the cells with SO3H-Pt/KB and SO3H-PtNi/KB cathode catalysts showed superior high current density performance under reduced RH conditions, in comparison with cells containing annealed Pt/KB (a-Pt/KB) and de-alloyed PtNi/KB (d-PtNi/KB) catalysts. The performance improvement was particularly evident when using reactant gases with low relative humidity, indicating that the hydrophilic functional groups on the carbon improved the water retention in the cathode catalyst layer. These results show a new avenue for enhancing catalyst performance for the next generation of catalytic materials for PEMFCs.

Xin, Le↗
DOE OSTI2019

Humidity Effects on Pitting of Ground Stainless Steel Exposed to Sea Salt Particles

The effect of relative humidity (RH) on the corrosion of coarse-ground 304 stainless steel exposed for one year under sea salt particles was investigated. Total corrosion damage accumulation was higher at 40% RH than at 76% RH. At 40% RH, pits were numerous and irregularly shaped with a rough, cross-hatched structure. At 76% RH, pits were much fewer in number and ellipsoidal with crystallographically faceted surfaces. Higher E pit resulting from lower [Cl⁻] impeded initiation at 76% RH. Cathodic resource competition likely limited growth and resulted in lower total volume loss. At 40% RH, lower E pit due to higher [Cl⁻] led to initiation of multiple pits supported by discrete cathodes under individual droplets. Despite more cathodic current available at 76% RH, higher damage accumulation at 40% RH was due to lower anodic stability requirements resulting from higher [Cl⁻]. At 76% RH, pitting proceeded with increasing active area at conditions above critical stability, leading to ellipsoidal pits with facets. The cross-hatched morphology at 40% RH was ascribed to growth at the critical stability conditions, driven by constant current through a fixed active area. Small cracks at the 40% RH pits might have been caused by hydrogen environment assisted cracking.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Air temperature and relative humidity raw data from June 2017-Oct 2018 at the B34 tower in Manaus, Brazil

This data package contains raw data from stomatal conductance and leaf temperature measurements from the B34 tower at the NGEE Tropics site in Manaus, Brazil. Related data packages, including additional metadata such as site information and equipment manuals, are included in the data package listed under Dataset Reference(s). Air temperature and relative humidity data were obtained using a thermohygrometer (HC2S3, Campbell Scientific®) installed in tower K34 making a profile of (HR_: 7m, HR_2: 14m, HR_3: 21m). Data files are included in CSV and Excel file formats. No data processing or QA/QC was done on the raw datasets. Processed datasets will be uploaded separately. Contact israelmdt@gmail.com if you need to use this dataset for additional information.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Energycane ( Saccharum spp. × Saccharum spontaneum L.) Biomass Production, Reproduction, and Weed Risk Assessment Scoring in the Humid Tropics and Subtropics

There is growing interest in biofuel production, and energycane ( Saccharum spp. × S. spontaneum L.) has been proposed as an important biofuel and biomass crop. However, little is known about the growth and ecology of this new crop, especially in the tropics. The present study evaluated the performance of 14 energycane clones, elephantgrass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), and two sugarcane ( S. officinarum L.) varieties in the humid tropics of Costa Rica, and eight energycane clones in the subtropics of Florida. In the tropics, energycane's growth and biomass production were highly variable when comparing clones. However, the best performing clones US85‐1006, US88‐1006, and US78‐1014 produced almost twice the dry biomass (>64 Mg ha −1 ) compared with sugarcane varieties Pindar and Q‐132 (21–39 Mg ha −1 ). In the subtropics, energycane fresh (52–79 Mg ha −1 ) and dry (20–30 Mg ha −1 ) weights were less than half of those in the tropics. Energycane clones flowered in both environments, but pollen viability was three to four times higher (>40%) in the tropics than in the subtropics, although viable seeds were found only in the tropics. Weed risk assessment (WRA) scores were higher in the tropics than in the subtropics and varied among clones. The results confirmed that energycane is a promising feedstock for biomass production and could play an important role as a bioenergy crop when grown in the tropics and subtropics, but due to genotype × environment interactions, the tradeoff between biomass production and weedy and invasive risk must be assessed for each individual clone and environment.

Leon, Ramon G.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Short-Term Test Results: Transitional Housing Energy Efficiency Retrofit in the Hot-Humid Climate

This project evaluates the renovation of a 5,800 ft2, multi-use facility located in St. Petersburg, on the west coast of central Florida, in the hot humid climate. An optimal package of retrofit measures was designed to deliver 30-40% annual energy cost savings for this building with annual utility bills exceeding $16,000 and high base load consumption. Researchers projected energy cost savings for potential retrofit measures based on pre-retrofit findings and disaggregated, weather normalized utility bills as a basis for simulation true-up. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted for the seven retrofit measures implemented; adding attic insulation and sealing soffits, tinting windows, improving whole building air-tightness, upgrading heating and cooling systems and retrofitting the air distribution system, replacing water heating systems, retrofitting lighting, and replacing laundry equipment. The projected energy cost savings for the full retrofit package based on a post-retrofit audit is 35%. The building's architectural characteristics, vintage, and residential and commercial uses presented challenges for both economic projections and retrofit measure construction.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2013

Efficient Multifamily Homes in a Hot-Humid Climate by Atlantic Housing Partners

With assistance from the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and its Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction (BA-PIRC), Atlantic Housing Partners (AHP) has implemented a high performance, systems engineered package of measures. This report demonstrates how the initiative achieves Building America (BA) goals of 30%-50% energy savings. Specifically, the goals are documented as being achieved in the new construction multifamily housing sector in the hot humid climate. Results from energy modeling of the high performance package are presented. The role of utility allowance calculations, used as part of the low-income housing tax credit process, to value those energy savings is discussed, as is customer satisfaction with heat pump water heaters.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2014

Performance Verification of Production-Scalable Energy-Efficient Solutions: Winchester/Camberley Homes Mixed-Humid Climate

Winchester/Camberley Homes with the Building America program and its NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership collaborated to develop a new set of high performance home designs that could be applicable on a production scale. The new home designs are to be constructed in the mixed humid climate zone four and could eventually apply to all of the builder's home designs to meet or exceed future energy codes or performance-based programs. However, the builder recognized that the combination of new wall framing designs and materials, higher levels of insulation in the wall cavity, and more detailed air sealing to achieve lower infiltration rates changes the moisture characteristics of the wall system. In order to ensure long term durability and repeatable successful implementation with few call-backs, this report demonstrates through measured data that the wall system functions as a dynamic system, responding to changing interior and outdoor environmental conditions within recognized limits of the materials that make up the wall system. A similar investigation was made with respect to the complete redesign of the heating, cooling, air distribution, and ventilation systems intended to optimize the equipment size and configuration to significantly improve efficiency while maintaining indoor comfort. Recognizing the need to demonstrate the benefits of these efficiency features, the builder offered a new house model to serve as a test case to develop framing designs, evaluate material selections and installation requirements, changes to work scopes and contractor learning curves, as well as to compare theoretical performance characteristics with measured results.

2X6 WALLS↗