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At least 631 records · Page 35

Graphite solubility and co-vesiculation in basalt-like melts at one-ATM

The identity and source of the vapor phase that caused lunar lava-fountaining and vesiculation in lunar basalts continues to be of interest because of its implications for the composition and state of the lunar interior and because of its implications for lunar resources. In light of the apparent near-absence of H2O on the Moon, it has been suggested that the vapor phase may be CO2-CO. This premise is supported by the presence of carbon on the surface of volcanic glass beads. However, although the rapid exsolution of CO2 from a melt during decompression may be consistent with firefountaining, it fails to provide a satisfying explanation for vesiculation in mare basalt where exsolution of the gas phase would more reasonably be related to cooling/crystallization at low pressure rather than decompression from high pressure. Also, geochemical trends in lunar volcanic glasses suggest that their source has an oxygen fugacity more reducing than the iron-wustite buffer, an oxygen fugacity that is inconsistent with presence of dissolved CO2-CO at depth. The results of experiments in which a vesicular 'basalt' is produced from a melt equilibrated with graphite and pure CO gas at one atmosphere pressure are reported. The vesiculation is apparently related to exsolution of CO or a CO species during cooling of the melt or growth of quench crystals. Additionally, particulate carbon dispersed through the quenched sample suggests that elemental carbon is either in solution in the melt prior to quenching or tends to go into suspension perhaps as colloid-like particles. These two observations may provide insight into the nature of fire-fountaining and vesiculation on the Moon.

Colson, R. O.↗

Micrometeorological measurements of CH4 and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and subarctic tundra

Eddy correlation flux measurements and concentration profiles of total hydrocarbons (THC) and CO2 were combined to provide a comprehensive record of atmosphere-biosphere exchange for these gases over a 30-day period in July-August 1988 in the Yukon-Kuskokwin River Delta of Alaska. Over 90 percent of net ecosystem exchanges of THC were due to methane. Lakes and wet meadow tundra provided the major sources of methane. The average fluxes from lake, dry tundra, and wet tundra were 11 +/- 3, 29 +/- 3, and 57 +/- 6 mg CH4/sq m/d, respectively. The mean remission rate for the site was 25 mg/sq m/d. Maximum uptake of CO2 by the tundra was 1.4 gC/sq m/d between 1000 and 1500 hrs, and nocturnal respiration averaged 0.73 gC/sq m/d. Net uptake of CO2 was 0.30 gC/sq m/d for the 30 days of measurement; methane flux accounted for 6 percent of CO2 net uptake.

Fan, S. M.↗

REDOTHERM (Redox Countercurrent Thermodynamic Limits Model) [SWR-24-88]

REDOTHERM is an open-source, MATLAB-based thermodynamic modeling framework developed to evaluate the performance of redox-active materials for water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) splitting. It includes models of all major unit operations and supports comparative analysis of different redox-active material candidates. The model is tailored for systems of moving oxide under a parallel/cocurrent flow (PF) and countercurrent flow (CF) configurations. Unvalidated mixed flow reactor (MFR, also known as CSTR) model is also included as an optional addition.

Lidor, Alon [National Renewable Energy Laboratory ↗

Development of a Framework for Data Integration, Assimilation, and Learning for Geological Carbon Sequestration (DIAL-GCS) (Final Report)

This project aimed to develop and demonstrate a Data Integration, Assimilation, and Learning framework for geologic carbon sequestration projects (DIAL-GCS). DIAL-GCS is an intelligence monitoring system (IMS) for automating GCS closed-loop management by leveraging recent developments in machine learning technologies, complex event processing (CEP), and reduced-order modeling. The safe and efficient operation of GCS repositories requires integrated monitoring to track the injected CO¬2 as it moves within a storage reservoir. GCS projects are data intensive, as a result of proliferation of digital instrumentation and smart-sensing technologies. GCS projects are also resource intensive, often requiring multidisciplinary teams performing different monitoring, verification, accounting (MVA) tasks throughout the lifecycle of a project to ensure secure containment of injected CO2. The success of GCS thus depends in a large part on our ability to access, assimilate, and analyze heterogeneous data and information sources in a timely manner. This project included a number of meaningful and necessary tasks to transform the human domain knowledge into machine-interpretable rules for automating knowledge extraction and discovery in GCS. The specific technical objectives of the proposed DIAL-GCS project were to develop an ontology-driven GCS data management module for storing, querying, and exchanging GCS data (both historic and live sensor data) from multiple sources and in heterogeneous formats. Incorporate a CEP engine for detecting abnormal situations by seamlessly combining expert knowledge, rule-based reasoning, and machine learning. Enable uncertainty quantification and predictive analytics using a combination of coupled-process modeling, AI/ML methods, and reduced-order modeling, and integrate and demonstrate the system’s capabilities with both real and simulated data. As far as we know, this is one of the first projects aimed to develop intelligent monitoring systems (IMS) targeting the GCS. Under this project, the team had developed a large number of web applications and scientific algorithms that contribute the main theme of intelligent monitoring. The team has published more than a dozen peer reviewed papers and disseminated the research results at multiple technical meetings.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Highly Permeable Rubbery Thin Film Composite Membranes for CO2 Capture from Steel Mills

For presentation at the 2024 AIChE Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, October 27-31, 2024. High-permeance and CO2-selective membranes are needed to make membrane technology economically viable for large-scale deployment of carbon capture from various industrial point sources such as steel mills. Thin film composite (TFC) membranes are necessary for this practical implementation because they can provide high permeance by forming a thin selective layer on top of a porous support layer. This presentation reports the rational design and fabrication of National Energy Technology Laboratory’s highly permeable non-aging TFC membranes achieved by: (1) synthesizing a high-performance rubbery selective material; (2) developing a high-porosity membrane support; (3) optimizing coating methods to assemble the two materials into scalable membranes; and (4) scaling up membrane supports and TFCs via a roll-to-roll process. This talk will also cover the design, computational fluid dynamic simulation, 3D printing, construction, and permeation testing of plate-and-frame membrane modules for an upcoming field demonstration at U. S. Steel’s Edgar Thomson Plant in Braddock, PA.

Zhu, Lingxiang↗

The Economic Accessibility of CO2 Sequestration through Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) in the US

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is one strategy to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. To assess the potential scale and cost of CO2 sequestration from BECCS in the US, this analysis models carbon sequestration net of supply chain emissions and costs of biomass production, delivery, power generation, and CO2 capture and sequestration in saline formations. The analysis includes two biomass supply scenarios (near-term and long-term), two biomass logistics scenarios (conventional and pelletized), and two generation technologies (pulverized combustion and integrated gasification combined cycle). Results show marginal cost per tonne CO2 (accounting for costs of electricity and CO2 emissions of reference power generation scenarios) as a function of CO2 sequestered (simulating capture of up to 90% of total CO2 sequestration potential) and associated spatial distribution of resources and generation locations for the array of scenario options. Under a near-term scenario using up to 206 million tonnes per year of biomass, up to 181 million tonnes CO2 can be sequestered annually at scenario-average costs ranging from $62 to $137 per tonne CO2; under a long-term scenario using up to 740 million tonnes per year of biomass, up to 737 million tonnes CO2 can be sequestered annually at scenario-average costs ranging from $42 to $92 per tonne CO2. These estimates of CO2 sequestration potential may be reduced if future competing demand reduces resource availability or may be increased if displaced emissions from conventional power sources are included. Results suggest there are large-scale opportunities to implement BECCS at moderate cost in the US, particularly in the Midwest, Plains States, and Texas.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A standard particle sizer-velocimeter

A standard particle sizer-cum-velocimeter is described, which was designed and built for the purpose of providing a standard source of aerosols of known size-distribution, moving with a known velocity, for the purpose of calibrating the continuous wave (CW) CO2-Laser Doppler Velocimeters at Marshall Space Flight Center. The instrument is designed with the capabilities of: (1) monitoring the size-distribution of particles of diameters larger than 1.0 microns; (2) measuring flow velocities in the range 0.05 - 100.0 cm/sec; (3) photographing particles of diameters above 0.2 microns moving at slow speeds (approximately 0.1 cm/sec); (4) measuring the size-distribution of particles settling in quiet air (or convection velocities of less than 0.15 cm/sec); and (5) use in the laboratory or in the field.

Deepak, A.↗

The forbidden oxygen lines in comets

High spatial resolution observations of comet Bradfield (1979X) with the IUE spectrograph have made it possible to tentatively identify a feature at 2972 A as the 1S-3P forbidden transition of oxygen atoms. It is shown here that the most likely source of this emission is the photodissociation of water molecules, mainly by solar Lyman-alpha photons, but that a significant contribution of CO2 cannot be excluded.

Festou, M. C.↗

The chemical shock tube as a tool for studying high-temperature chemical kinetics

Although the combustion of hydrocarbons is our primary source of energy today, the chemical reactions, or pathway, by which even the simplest hydro-carbon reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form CO2 and water may not always be known. Furthermore, even when the reaction pathway is known, the reaction rates are always under discussion. The shock tube has been an important and unique tool for building a data base of reaction rates important in the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. The ability of a shock wave to bring the gas sample to reaction conditions rapidly and homogeneously makes shock-tube studies of reaction kinetics extremely attractive. In addition to the control and uniformity of reaction conditions achieved with shock-wave methods, shock compression can produce gas temperatures far in excess of those in conventional reactors. Argon can be heated to well over 10 000 K, and temperatures around 5000 K are easily obtained with conventional shock-tube techniques. Experiments have proven the validity of shock-wave theory; thus, reaction temperatures and pressures can be calculated from a measurement of the incident shock velocity. A description is given of the chemical shock tube and auxiliary equipment and of two examples of kinetic experiments conducted in a shock tube.

Brabbs, Theodore A.↗

Petrology and physical conditions of metamorphism of calcsilicate rocks from low- to high-grade transition area, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu

Calc-silicate rocks comprising quartz, plagioclase, diopside, sphene, scapolite, grossularite-andradite and wollastonite occur as lensoid enclaves within the greasy migmatitic and charnockitic gneisses of the Archaean amphibolite- to granulite-facies transition zone in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu. The calc-silicate rocks are characterized by the absence of K-feldspar and primary calcite, presence of large modal quartz and plagioclase and formation of secondary garnet and zoisite rims around scapolite and wollastonite. The mineral distributions suggest compositional layering. The chemical composition and mineralogy of the calc-silicate rocks indicate that they were derived from impure silica-rich calcareous sediments whose composition is similar to that of pelite-limestone mixtures. From the mineral assemblages the temperature, pressure and fluid composition during metamorphism were estimated. The observed mineral reaction sequences require a range of X sub CO2 values demonstrating that an initially CO2-rich metamorphic fluid evolved with time towards considerably more H2O-rich compositions. These variations in fluid composition suggest that there were sources of water-rich fluids external to the calc-silicate rocks and that mixing of these fluids with those of calc-silicate rocks was important in controlling fluid composition in calc-silicate rocks and some adjacent rock types as well.

Narayana, B. L.↗

The effects of wavelength on coherent Doppler lidar performance

Hitherto, long-range wind-sensing coherent (heterodyne) lidars have utilized CO2 lasers (operating at a 10-micrometer wavelength) since these were the only high-power single-mode (spatial and axial) pulsed sources available. This property ensures temporal coherence over the required spatial resolution, e.g., the pulse length. Recent developments in Nd:YAG lasers makes possible the consideration of a 1.06-micrometer source (Kane et al., 1984). The relative merit of operation at various wavelengths is a function of system parameter, backscattering cross section, signal processing, beam propagation, and practical and eye safety considerations. These factors are discussed in the context of a global wind-sensing coherent lidar.

Lawrence, T. R.↗

Nickel-coated Aluminum Particles: A Promising Fuel for Mars Missions

Combustion of metals in carbon dioxide is a promising source of energy for propulsion on Mars. This approach is based on the ability of some metals (e.g. Mg, Al) to burn in CO2 atmosphere and suggests use of the Martian carbon dioxide as an oxidizer in jet or rocket engines. Analysis shows that CO2/metal propulsion will reduce significantly the mass of propellant transported from Earth for long-range mobility on Mars and sample return missions. Recent calculations for the near-term missions indicate that a 200-kg ballistic hopper with CO2/metal rocket engines and a CO2 acquisition unit can perform 10-15 flights on Mars with the total range of 10-15 km, i.e. fulfill the exploration program typically assigned for a rover. Magnesium is currently recognized as a candidate fuel for such engines owing to easy ignition and fast burning in CO2. Aluminum may be more advantageous if a method for reducing its ignition temperature is found. Coating it by nickel is one such method. It is known that a thin nickel layer of nickel on the surface of aluminum particles can prevent their agglomeration and simultaneously facilitate their ignition, thus increasing the efficiency of aluminized propellants.

Shafirovich, Evgeny↗

Nickel-Coated Aluminum Particles: A Promising Fuel for Mars Missions

Combustion of metals in carbon dioxide is a promising source of energy for propulsion on Mars. This approach is based on the ability of some metals (e.g. Mg, Al) to burn in CO2 atmosphere and suggests use of the Martian carbon dioxide as an oxidizer in jet or rocket engines. Analysis shows that CO2/metal propulsion will reduce significantly the mass of propellant transported from Earth for long-range mobility on Mars and sample return missions. Recent calculations for the near-term missions indicate that a 200-kg ballistic hopper with CO2/metal rocket engines and a CO2 acquisition unit can perform 10-15 flights on Mars with the total range of 10-15 km, i.e. fulfill the exploration program typically assigned for a rover. Magnesium is currently recognized as a candidate fuel for such engines owing to easy ignition and fast burning in CO2. Aluminum may be more advantageous if a method for reducing its ignition temperature is found. Coating it by nickel is one such method. It is known that a thin nickel layer of nickel on the surface of aluminum particles can prevent their agglomeration and simultaneously facilitate their ignition, thus increasing the efficiency of aluminized propellants. Combustion of single Ni-coated Al particles in different gas environments (O2, CO2, air) was studied using electrodynamic levitation and laser ignition. It was shown that the combustion mechanisms depend on the ambient atmosphere. Combustion in CO2 is characterized by the smaller size and lower brightness of flame than in O2, and by phenomena such as micro-flashes and fragment ejection. The size and brightness of flame gradually decrease as the particle burns.

Shafirovich, Evgeny↗

Prospective Seal Name Catalog for U.S. Sedimentary Basins V1.0

The Prospective Seal Name Catalog for U.S. Sedimentary Basins V1.0 is an aggregation of prospective seal units for prospective storage resources within the USA for geologic carbon storage in both onshore and offshore basins. The catalog is intended to guide users to available literature and data resources. Prospective seal names are displayed with respect to the associated prospective storage resource target, for which the specified prospective seal may act as a confining layer for CO2 storage. A prospective seal unit’s lithology, position with respect to the reservoir (Primary, Secondary, Intraformational, etc.), and age (Geologic Period) are included when stated in the original literature or data resource. The information source for each record in the catalog includes the published citation, year of publication, resource type (Journal Article, Event Proceedings, etc.) and additional record notes.

Basin↗

Uncertainties in the Modelled CO2 Threshold for Antarctic Glaciation

frequently cited atmospheric CO2 threshold for the onset of Antarctic glaciation of approximately780 parts per million by volume is based on the study of DeConto and Pollard (2003) using an ice sheet model and the GENESIS climate model. Proxy records suggest that atmospheric CO2 concentrations passed through this threshold across the Eocene-Oligocene transition approximately 34 million years. However, atmospheric CO2 concentrations may have been close to this threshold earlier than this transition, which is used by some to suggest the possibility of Antarctic ice sheets during the Eocene. Here we investigate the climate model dependency of the threshold for Antarctic glaciation by performing offline ice sheet model simulations using the climate from 7 different climate models with Eocene boundary conditions (HadCM3L, CCSM3, CESM1.0, GENESIS, FAMOUS, ECHAM5 and GISS_ER). These climate simulations are sourced from a number of independent studies, and as such the boundary conditions, which are poorly constrained during the Eocene, are not identical between simulations. The results of this study suggest that the atmospheric CO2 threshold for Antarctic glaciation is highly dependent on the climate model used and the climate model configuration. A large discrepancy between the climate model and ice sheet model grids for some simulations leads to a strong sensitivity to the lapse rate parameter.

simulation↗

The ratios of carbon and non-radiogenic helium and argon isotopes in the mantle and crustal rocks

The studies of the relations of carbon and primary isotopes of noble gases were carried out on the natural gases and on the mantle rocks from the mantle M-type sources, which represent the degassed mantle reservoir (MORB's). These works has the aim of estimation of the values of the C/3He ratios in the deep mantle fluids to determine the flux of the mantle CO2 on the basis of known flux of primary mantle 3He. It was found, that in the natural gases the values of the C/3He ratios fall into the range from 1 times E plus 6 to 1 times E plus 15, and in the fluids of MORB's are constant near 2 times E plus 9. We have studied the mantle rocks from the relatively undergassed mantle P minus type sources: continental; Baikal Rift (Siberia), Mongolia, Catalonia (Spain), Pannonia Depression (central Europe) and ocean; Spietzbergen isl., Hawaii isl., Canarian isl. It ws found, that in mantle xenolites and the host alkaline basalts from the continental rifts and ocean islands, the values of the C/3He ratios fall into the range from E plus 11 to E plus 15 (and this result needed to be explained; the higher carbon to helium ratios is relatively undergassed mantle reservoir compared with the degassed one, requires whether hilly compatibility of helium compared with carbon, whether additional flux of 3He to the degassed mantle reservoir). From the other hand it was found that in the mantle rocks from the sources of P minus and M minus types, continental carbonatites, the values of the C/36Ar ratios are constant in the range from E plus 9 to E plus 10, the close values have the MORB's also.

Lokhov, K.↗

Applications of Kalman filtering to real-time trace gas concentration measurements

A Kalman filtering technique is applied to the simultaneous detection of NH3 and CO2 with a diode-laser-based sensor operating at 1.53 micrometers. This technique is developed for improving the sensitivity and precision of trace gas concentration levels based on direct overtone laser absorption spectroscopy in the presence of various sensor noise sources. Filter performance is demonstrated to be adaptive to real-time noise and data statistics. Additionally, filter operation is successfully performed with dynamic ranges differing by three orders of magnitude. Details of Kalman filter theory applied to the acquired spectroscopic data are discussed. The effectiveness of this technique is evaluated by performing NH3 and CO2 concentration measurements and utilizing it to monitor varying ammonia and carbon dioxide levels in a bioreactor for water reprocessing, located at the NASA-Johnson Space Center. Results indicate a sensitivity enhancement of six times, in terms of improved minimum detectable absorption by the gas sensor.

Non-NASA Center↗

Production of carbon monoxide by charged particle deposition.

Recent studies of electron energy deposition in CO2 and CO based upon a large set of electron impact cross sections are utilized to estimate the telluric CO directly produced by various charged-particle deposition mechanisms. The mechanisms considered are (1) lightning, (2) cloud coronal discharges, (3) background radioactivity, (4) natural electrostatic discharges, (5) photoelectrons in the ionosphere, (6) auroral electrons, (7) auroral protons, (8) cosmic rays, and (9) solar wind. 'Ball park' estimates of the global CO production by each of these mechanisms are given. Apart from mechanisms 1, 2, and 5, all CO production mechanisms are estimated to be small compared to artificial sources. If, as appears to be the case, the hot oxygen atoms and ions and other atomic species immediately produced by these three charged-particle deposition mechanisms react rapidly with CO2 to produce CO, these mechanisms can readily lead to CO production levels in the multimegaton-per-year range.

Green, A. E. S.↗