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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

An Open-Source Decarbonization Analytics Framework: Designing for Low-Carbon Emission Districts and Communities: Preprint

This paper introduces an open-source analytics framework designed to assist in creating low or net-zero carbon buildings and urban districts. Integrated within URBANopt, an open-source platform for energy analysis in districts and communities, this framework equips researchers, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders with tools to evaluate the carbon footprint implications of their design choices. The framework enables the analysis of various scenarios, incorporating both historical and future emission factors, and can span across different climate zones, each with distinct grid and emissions characteristics. The results showcase the framework's capability to evaluate the impact of design upgrades and control strategies on carbon emissions in districts and communities. An illustrative analysis using a hypothetical district in Denver, Colorado, shows reduced emissions from energy efficiency upgrades and control strategies, highlighting the sensitivity in their effects on emissions and energy use.

buildings energy efficiency↗
DOE OSTI2020

A multiscale cohesive law for carbon fiber networks

Better predictive models of mechanical failure in low-weight heat shield composites would aid material certification for missions with aggressive atmospheric entry conditions. In this study, we develop such a model for the rapid engineering analysis of the failure limits of phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) - a leading heat shield material whose structural component is a carbon fiber network. We hypothesize inelastic deformation failure mechanisms and model their behavior using molecular dynamics simulations to calculate the binding energy. We then upscale this binding energy to the macroscale using a renormalization argument. The approach delivers insightful and reasonably accurate macroscale predictions that compare favorably to experiments. In application, the model is validated for a particular variety of PICA by comparison to experiment and would then be used to study design scenarios in different entry conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Low Carbon Intensity Formic Acid Chemical Synthesis from Direct Air Captured CO 2 Utilizing Chemical Plant Waste Heat - Final Technical Report

The primary objective of Low Carbon Intensity Formic Acid Chemical Synthesis from Direct Air Captured CO 2 Utilizing Chemical Plant Waste Heat (ChemFADAC) is to execute and complete a FEED study for an integrated direct air capture (DAC) and carbon conversion system (together, the DACUS system) co-located at a Nutrien nitric acid production facility in Kennewick, WA capable of capturing and converting a minimum of 5,000 MT/year net atmospheric CO 2 to low carbon intensity formic acid (FA) using industrial waste heat and renewable electricity. The goal will be achieved through the completion of four objectives using a collaborative approach with community stakeholders. Objective 1. Conduct a FEED study and Class 3 project cost estimate for the proposed DACUS system that maximizes use of thermal energy from the Nutrien KFO host site to produce low carbon intensity FA from atmospheric CO 2 . Objective 2. Perform a cradle-to-gate life-cycle analysis of the DACUS system to determine the environmental sustainability and carbon intensity (CI) of the proposed project and product from the results of the FEED study. Objective 3. Perform a business case analysis from results of the LCA, FEED study and cost estimate to justify investment to build the DACUS project at the Nutrien KFO site. Objective 4. Quantify how deployment of the proposed technology will promote and prepare a ready workforce for clean energy and manufacturing jobs and coordinate with community stakeholders to perform an environmental justice and a preliminary economic revitalization and job creation outcomes analysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final Technical Report

The project goal is to demonstrate low-cost, interlocking, and carbon-storing insulation materials with thermal insulation of R5/inch, flexural modulus > 10 MPa, low material price < $ 0.5/ft2 wall area (materials cost for ½” thick panel), and net embodied carbon of 0.8t net CO2e/t (60% reduction compared to gypsum), respectively, which can meet the cost and performance targets of department of energy (DOE)’s 2050 climate target. To achieve this goal, the project plans three tasks, and each has a specific objective: 1) Modular design and engineering analysis of interlocking insulation panel blocks using biogenic materials (cellulose, straw, etc.): with the consideration of potential assembling and recycling. 2) Scalable manufacturing of biogenic-based interlocking insulation panels: scale up the modular panel production using ambient pressure drying and surface superhydrophobic modification at 1ft*1ft with the potential for further scalable mass production of 4ft*4ft. 3) Code-compliant testing, recycling and carbon footprint analysis of manufactured interlocking insulation panels examined using ASTM standards of thermal insulation (ASTM C518), mechanical properties (ASTM C1161), and water vapor transmission (ASTM E96).

Ren, Shenqiang↗
DOE OSTI2024

Interrelationships among methods of estimating microbial biomass across multiple soil orders and biomes: Supporting data

This dataset contains environmental and soil measurements from 18 different locations across the globe including the SPRUCE experiment site and multiple sampling depths, with 17 of these locations having samples processed between 2012-2013 and one location (SPRUCE) collected in 2021 and processed in 2022. Environmental measurements include: mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, and 30-day presampling temperature. Soil physicochemical measurements include: particle size analysis (PSA), pH, gravimetric moisture content (GMC), bulk soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), total organic C and N, C:N ratio, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Soil biological measurements include: microbial biomass carbon (MBC) measured through chloroform fumigation extraction (CFE), gene copy numbers (GCN) of bacteria, fungi, and archaea measured through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), DNA yield measured through Nanodrop spectrophotometry, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) of bacteria and fungi measured through PLFA analysis. This data set contains one file in comma separate (*.csv) format.

archaea gene copy number↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comparative Economic Analysis of Capture, Transport, and Storage from a CO2 Source Perspective in the Central U.S.

This poster, presented at the 2023 FECM/NETL Carbon Management Research Project Review Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, provides an overview of NETL’s Strategic Systems Analysis &amp; Engineering (SSAE) study that evaluated multiple carbon capture and storage (CCS) networks within the Central United States using NETL/SSAE-developed models and resources to better understand the benefits and challenges different CO2 source types face when capturing, transporting, and storing their CO2.

Sheriff, Alana↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluation of microalgae cultivation at air-CO 2 equilibrium pH for improving carbon utilization efficiency

Microalgae are often cultivated at near-neutral pH to optimize growth. However, this results in significant CO 2 loss through outgassing in open-pond cultivation systems, leading to low CO 2 utilization efficiency and higher biomass production costs. One potential solution is algal cultivation at air-CO 2 equilibrium pH, which minimizes CO 2 outgassing but may inhibit growth due to stresses at higher pH levels. In this study, we evaluated the viability of this approach by growing Picochlorum celeri and Tetraselmis striata under outdoor relevant conditions at equilibrium pH. Compared to pH 7 cultures, biomass productivity declined by 35 % for P. celeri and 57 % for T. striata. Although CO 2 outgassing could be minimized, the significant loss in productivity led to a higher overall minimum biomass selling price (MBSP). Increased ammonia toxicity at the higher pH was found to be one of the growth-limiting factors and was mitigated by reducing ammonium fertilizer concentration. This adjustment resulted in a more moderate productivity decline of 13 % (instead of 35 %) for T. striata, and consequently, a lower MBSP was achieved. These findings suggest that equilibrium pH cultivation may be a viable method for reducing CO 2 loss without significantly compromising biomass productivity. Depending on the strain, strategies to mitigate stressors, such as ammonia toxicity, may be necessary.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tri-molybdenum phosphide (Mo 3 P) and multi-walled carbon nanotube junctions for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection

Detection and analysis of volatile organic compounds' (VOCs) biomarkers lead to improvement in healthcare diagnosis and other applications such as chemical threat detection and food quality control. Here, we report on tri-molybdenum phosphide (Mo3P) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) junction-based vapor quantum resistive sensors (vQRSs), which exhibit more than one order of magnitude higher sensitivity and superior selectivity for biomarkers in comparison to pristine MWCNT junctions based vQRSs. Transmission electron microscope/scanning tunneling electron microscope with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies reveal the crystallinity and the presence of Mo and P elements in the network. The presence of Mo3P clearly enhanced the performance of vQRS as evidenced in sensitivity and selectivity studies. The vQRSs are stable over extended periods of time and are reproducible, making them a potential candidate for sensing related applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Toward net-zero sustainable aviation fuel with wet waste–derived volatile fatty acids

Significance To meet the growing demand for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), conversion pathways are needed that leverage wet waste carbon and meet jet fuel property specifications. Here, we demonstrate SAF production from food waste–derived volatile fatty acids (VFA) by targeting normal paraffins for a near-term path to market and branched isoparaffins to increase the renewable content long term. Combining these distinct paraffin structures was shown to synergistically improve VFA-SAF flash point and viscosity to increase the renewable blend limit to 70%. Life cycle analysis shows the dramatic impact on the carbon footprint if food waste is diverted from landfills to produce VFA-SAF, highlighting the potential to meet jet fuel safety, operability, and environmental goals.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Development and Characterization of a Sustainable Bio-Polymer Concrete with a Low Carbon Footprint

Polymer concrete (PC) has been used to replace cement concrete when harsh service conditions exist. Polymers have a high carbon footprint when considering their life cycle analysis, and with increased climate change concerns and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emission, bio-based polymers could be used as a sustainable alternative binder to produce PC. This paper examines the development and characterization of a novel bio-polymer concrete (BPC) using bio-based polyurethane used as the binder in lieu of cement, modified with benzoic acid and carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The mechanical performance, durability, microstructure, and chemical properties of BPC are investigated. Moreover, the effect of the addition of benzoic acid and MWCNTs on the properties of BPC is studied. The new BPC shows relatively low density, appreciable compressive strength between 20–30 MPa, good tensile strength of 4 MPa, and excellent durability resistance against aggressive environments. The new BPC has a low carbon footprint, 50% lower than ordinary Portland cement concrete, and can provide a sustainable concrete alternative in infrastructural applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

In-situ experiment reveals CO2 enriched fluid migration in faulted caprock

Abstract The sealing characteristics of the geological formation located above a CO 2 storage reservoir, the so-called caprock, are essential to ensure efficient geological carbon storage. If CO 2 were to leak through the caprock, temporal changes in fluid geochemistry can reveal fundamental information on migration mechanisms and induced fluid–rock interactions. Here, we present the results from a unique in-situ injection experiment, where CO 2 -enriched fluid was continuously injected in a faulted caprock analogue. Our results show that the CO 2 migration follows complex pathways within the fault structure. The joint analysis of noble gases, ion concentrations and carbon isotopes allow us to quantify mixing between injected CO 2 -enriched fluid and resident formation water and to describe the temporal evolution of water–rock interaction processes. The results presented here are a crucial complement to the geophysical monitoring at the fracture scale highlighting a unique migration of CO 2 in fault zones.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Total metal, carbon, anion, iron speciation, and sulfide concentrations; Slate River, East River, and Trail Creek surface water and floodplains, Crested Butte, CO; May 2023–August 2023

This data package comprises analytical results and metadata from stream and groundwater samples collected from the Slate River, East River, Trail Creek, and their respective floodplains. This dataset contains five files: (1) a samples file (2023_SFA_Field_samples.csv) that contains site information; (2) a chemical analysis data file (2023_FieldWaterSampleData_IC__ICPOES__ICPMS__TOC__Fe__S_chem_data.csv) that contains sample analysis values; (3) a file-level metadata file (flmd.csv) that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata; (4) a data dictionary file (dd.csv) that contains column/row headers used throughout the files along with definitions, units, and data types; and (5) a methods file (methods.csv) that contains ID, type, description, instrument, and lab information for each method.The samples’ anion concentrations were measured using ion chromatography (IC), total metal concentrations using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), non-purgeable organic carbon using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, dissolved sulfide concentration using methylene blue spectrophotometry, and iron speciation using the ferrozine assay. To support bulk chemical analyses and colloid characterization, samples were collected from multiple depths ranging from the surface to 3.5 meters below ground.Update on 2024-10-18: Updates were made to the 2023_FieldWaterSampleData_IC__ICPOES__ICPMS__TOC__Fe__S_chem_data.csv and dd.csv files to correct units (ppb instead of ppm).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Exploring the High-Pressure Phases of Carbon through X-ray Diffraction of Dynamic Compression Experiments on Sandia’s Z Pulsed Power Facility

The carbon phase diagram is rich with polymorphs which possess very different physical and optical properties ideal for different scientific and engineering applications. An understanding of the dynamically driven phase transitions in carbon is particularly important for applications in inertial confinement fusion, as well as planetary and meteorite impact histories. Experiments on the Z Pulsed Power Facility at Sandia National Laboratories generate dynamically compressed high-pressure states of matter with exceptional uniformity, duration, and size that are ideal for investigations of fundamental material properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is an important material physics measurement because it enables direct observation of the strain and compression of the crystal lattice, and it enables the detection and identification of phase transitions. Several unique challenges of dynamic compression experiments on Z prevent using XRD systems typically utilized at other dynamic compression facilities, so novel XRD diagnostics have been designed and implemented. We performed experiments on Z to shock compress carbon (pyrolytic graphite) samples to pressures of 150–320 GPa. The Z-Beamlet Laser generated Mn-Heα (6.2 keV) X-rays to probe the shock-compressed carbon sample, and the new XRD diagnostics measured changes in the diffraction pattern as the carbon transformed into its high-pressure phases. Quantitative analysis of the dynamic XRD patterns in combination with continuum velocimetry information constrained the stability fields and melting of high-pressure carbon polymorphs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Computational Analysis of the Effect of Structured Packing Design on Absorption Column Hydrodynamics for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture Applications

Solvent based post-combustion carbon capture technologies have a potential for reducing carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-fired power plants and industrial sources where CO2 emissions are inherently harder to mitigate, such as steel or cement industries. A prominent technology to achieve this is by retrofitting absorption columns to the existing infrastructure. While these systems have been among the less costly alternatives for carbon capture, they still impose a considerable energy penalty to the operation of power plants or industrial facilities. The optimization of CO2 capture rate in solvent-based absorption process is complex as it depends on several factors including CO2 solubility, solvent reaction kinetics and temperature effects on the solubility, reaction rates, surface tension, and thermophysical properties of the solvent and the flue gas. The overall heat and mass transfer also depends on the hydrodynamics, which in turn, is affected by the packing geometry. In the current work, we systematically quantify the effects the design of the structured packing has on the column hydrodynamics, by performing detailed CFD simulations for different geometrical configurations and operating conditions. We then obtain relationships between the key hydrodynamic metrics, such as liquid holdup, interfacial area, wetted area, and pressure drop to the parameters defining the packing geometries and identify new more effective packing designs for the given operating conditions.

Shah, Yash Girish↗
DOE OSTI2024

In situ Formation of Platinum-Carbon Catalysts in Propane Dehydrogenation

The catalytic production of propylene via propane dehydrogenation (PDH) is a key reaction in the chemical industry. By combining operando transmission electron microscopy with density functional theory analysis, we show that the intercalation and ordering of carbon on Pt interstitials to form Pt-C solid solutions is relevant for increasing propylene production. More specifically, we found that at the point of enhanced propylene formation, the structure of platinum nanoparticles is transformed into a transient caesium chloride-type Pt-C polymorph. At more elevated temperatures, the zincblende and rock salt polymorphs seemingly coexist. When propylene production was highest, multiple crystal structures consisting of Pt and carbon were occasionally found to coexist in one individual nanoparticle, distorting the Pt lattice. Catalyst coking was detected at all stages of the reaction, but did initially not affect all particles. These findings could lead to the development of novel synthesis strategies towards tailoring highly efficient PDH catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

NETL's Cost of Capturing CO2 from Industrial Sources and Industrial Carbon Capture Retrofit Database

This presentation was given on behalf of NETL's Strategic Systems Analysis and Engineering Directorate, Energy Process Analysis Team at a United States Energy Association webinar on January 24, 2023. The presentation summarizes techno economic analysis results of nine industrial CO2 capture cases, and also gave an overview and brief demonstration of the industrial sources Carbon Capture Retrofit Database, which is a publicly available tool that estimates capture costs for a subset of the industrial sources appearing in the companion systems analysis report.

Hughes, Sydney↗
DOE OSTI2021

An Integrative Model for Soil Biogeochemistry and Methane Processes: I. Model Structure and Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract Environmental changes are anticipated to generate substantial impacts on carbon cycling in peatlands, affecting terrestrial‐climate feedbacks. Understanding how peatland methane (CH 4 ) fluxes respond to these changing environments is critical for predicting the magnitude of feedbacks from peatlands to global climate change. To improve predictions of CH 4 fluxes in response to changes such as elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and warming, it is essential for Earth system models to include increased realism to simulate CH 4 processes in a more mechanistic way. To address this need, we incorporated a new microbial‐functional group‐based CH 4 module into the Energy Exascale Earth System land model (ELM) and tested it with multiple observational data sets at an ombrotrophic peatland bog in northern Minnesota. The model is able to simulate observed land surface CH 4 fluxes and fundamental mechanisms contributing to these throughout the soil profile. The model reproduced the observed vertical distributions of dissolved organic carbon and acetate concentrations. The seasonality of acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis—two key processes for CH 4 production—and CH 4 concentration along the soil profile were accurately simulated. Meanwhile, the model estimated that plant‐mediated transport, diffusion, and ebullition contributed to ∼23.5%, 15.0%, and 61.5% of CH 4 transport, respectively. A parameter sensitivity analysis showed that CH 4 substrate and CH 4 production were the most critical mechanisms regulating temporal patterns of surface CH 4 fluxes both under ambient conditions and warming treatments. This knowledge will be used to improve Earth system model predictions of these high‐carbon ecosystems from plot to regional scales.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗