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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 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Removal of Calcium and Silica from Simulated Blowdown Water Using CO 2 -Assisted Magnesium Electrocoagulation

Blowdown water from various industries and cooling facilities contains high concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), silica, and corrosion inhibitors, which render the water unsuitable for discharge into surface water and wastewater treatment plants. Electrocoagulation (EC) is effective at removing Ca and silica. Here, in this study, Mg-alloy electrodes EC resulted in ∼91% silica removal at a 5400 C/L charge loading. Ca removal, however, was only 31%. To enhance Ca removal, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) containing gas was introduced. CO 2 addition formed carbonate ions, which reacted with Ca/Mg ions to generate carbonate precipitates. Introducing 5% and 14% CO 2 , simulating natural gas-fired and coal-fired flue gas, enhanced Ca removal to 38% and 47%, respectively. Pure CO 2 facilitated 70% Ca removal, more than two times higher than that without CO 2 , while maintaining high silica removal. FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses confirmed enhanced Ca/Mg carbonate formation upon CO 2 . In situ Raman spectroscopy was employed to monitor carbonate-ions formation. The results demonstrated carbonate-ions removal through Ca-carbonate formation after CO 2 addition. A techno-economic assessment showed that recycled electrode materials and flue gas lead to ∼3 times lower cost compared with conventional silica/Ca removal through chemical coagulation, softening, or membrane filtration. The study demonstrated that CO 2 addition removes high concentrations of Ca and silica ions from wastewaters at a competitive cost.

blowdown water↗
DOE OSTI2025

Integrating Analytical Solutions and U-Net Model for Predicting Groundwater Contaminant Plumes in Pump-and-Treat Systems

Pump-and-treat (P&T) is a common technique for groundwater remediation involving the extraction and treatment of contaminated water above ground. Optimizing the design and operation of the P&T well network is essential for maximizing the system’s effectiveness and efficiency. However, this optimization often necessitates many model evaluations, leading to computationally demanding tasks. This study introduces a novel approach that integrates analytical solutions for groundwater dynamics with the U-Net (Ronneberger et al., 2015) deep learning framework to predict groundwater contaminant plume migration under dynamic pumping conditions. By incorporating the Thiem equation (Thiem, 1906) into the input preprocessing, the U-Net model transforms sparse well data into a continuous spatial field that captures the hydraulic impacts of pumping activities. This integration enables the model to leverage both deep learning capabilities and classical physics-based groundwater theories, enhancing prediction accuracy and computational efficiency. These advancements can facilitate rapid, large-scale evaluations of P&T optimization simulations, allowing for timely and effective decision-making in well placement and system management. We demonstrate the model's robust performance across both simplified transient 2D models and a more complex 3D heterogeneous site model at the 200 West P&T facility at the Hanford Site. The U-Net-based model offers substantial computational advantages, reducing simulation times significantly compared to full physics-based models and providing a powerful tool for rapid site evaluation and P&T system optimization, such as evaluating alternative P&T well network designs. Our findings highlight the potential of advanced machine learning models to significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of groundwater remediation efforts, offering a novel application of U-Net architecture in environmental science.

Pump-and-treat↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrocoagulation of high-salinity produced water: lessons learned from its early applications in unconventional reservoir plays

Ample research has demonstrated that electrocoagulation is a versatile technology capable of facilitating the removal of a wide range of physical, biological, organic, and inorganic constituents such as suspended solids, turbidity, bacteria, viruses, oil and grease, organic carbon (including chemical and biological oxygen demand), silica, fluoride, and so on. Despite its purported advantages and extensive lab-scale evaluations, it has not yet been widely adopted for water and wastewater treatment and reuse at commercial scale. This is symptomatic of a chasm between its technological capabilities on one hand and field performance and reputation on the other. Herein, we opine as to why this might be the case using our collective experiences with the oil and gas industry as an exemplar. In this study, we highlight scientific, technological, engineering, and business issues that need to be addressed to realize the full potential of this promising technology.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electrically regenerated ion-exchange technology: Leveraging faradaic reactions and assessing the effect of co-ion sorption

Capacitive deionization (CDI) technologies have the potential to become cost-competitive alternatives to reverse osmosis for the treatment of brackish waters. In this study, we describe our findings on the effect of co-ion sorption and faradaic side reactions on our ion exchange resin functionalized desalination electrodes which passively capture salt and reject it upon charging. This system, which we previously reported on and refer to as electrically regenerated ion exchange (ERI), avoids the use of expensive ion exchange membranes in an effort to save costs. Surprisingly, we find that, compared to a reference CDI system, ERI electrodes capture salt most effectively at low applied voltages (0.5 mg/cm 3 at 0.8 V). Both CDI and ERI systems also seem to suffer from co-ion sorption effects which negatively impact salt adsorption. However, Faradaic side reactions at higher voltages (1 V and 1.2 V) which we track via pH measurements, serve as a detriment to CDI but seem to facilitate the functionality of ERI.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Lithium Recovery and Conversion from Wastewater Produced by Recycling of Li-Ion Batteries via Two-Stage Electrodialysis

Electrodialysis (ED) is a membrane separation technique that has been well-established in various applications such as desalination, drinking water production, wastewater treatment, and lithium salt production. A limited number of studies have explored its application in lithium salt production, especially from secondary resources like wastewater. This study investigated a route to recover lithium from wastewater generated from the recycling of end-of-life Li-ion batteries. Two electrodialysis methods, namely standard electrodialysis (ED) and bipolar-membrane electrodialysis (BPED), were combined to concentrate lithium ions and convert them to lithium hydroxide (LiOH), a valuable product that can be fed back into the supply chain for manufacturing Li-ion batteries. Lithium (Li⁺) concentration in recycling wastewater was successfully increased by 58% using ED and converted to LiOH (>96% purity) with a further increase in Li⁺ concentration by 67% using BPED. The Coulombic efficiency of the experiments was 91.0 and 92.2%, with specific energy consumption of 1 and 2.5 kWh/kg, and a production rate of 1.01 and 0.14 kg/h/m 2 for the ED and BPED processes, respectively. In addition, preliminary techno-economic and environmental impact analyses show a significant improvement (GHG emission reduction by 77% and total energy reduction by 53%) by producing LiOH via electrodialysis compared to conventional lithium production via brine extraction. The process was assessed to be beneficial for lithium extraction from secondary resources and to enhance overall battery recycling efforts.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Benchmark calculations of radiative forcing by greenhouse gases

Changes in concentrations of greenhouse gases lead to changes in radiative fluxes throughout the atmosphere. The value of this change, the instantaneous radiative forcing, varies across climate models, due partly to differences in the distribution of clouds, humidity, and temperature across models, and partly due to errors introduced by approximate treatments of radiative transfer. This paper describes an experiment within the Radiative Forcing Model Intercomparision Project that uses benchmark calculations made with line–by–line models to identify parameterization error in the representation of absorption and emission by greenhouse gases. Clear–sky instantaneous forcing by greenhouse gases is computed using a set of 100 profiles, selected from a re–analysis of present–day conditions, that represent the global annual mean forcing from pre–industrial times to the present–day with sampling errors of less than 0.01 W m –2 . Six contributing line–by–line models agree in their estimate of this forcing to within 0.025 W m –2 while even recently–developed parameterizations have typical errors four or more times larger, suggesting both that the samples reveal true differences among line–by–line models and that parameterization error will be readily identifiable. Agreement among line–by–line models is better in the longwave than in the shortwave where differing treatments of the water vapor vapor continuum affect estimates of forcing by carbon dioxide and methane. The impacts of clouds on instantaneous radiative forcing are estimated from climate model simulations. Here, the adjustment due to stratospheric temperature change by assuming fixed dynamical heating. Adjustments are large only for ozone and for carbon dioxide, for which stratospheric cooling introduces modest non–linearity.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Review: Flow Electrode Capacitive Deionization for Improved Electrochemical Water Desalination

In many places of the world people have continued to suffer from major droughts and water shortages. With climate change climbing in intensity, these dry conditions will only worsen. With much of the world’s water in the ocean, both saltwater and brackish water have been identified as key water sources. Currently, there are several technologies available for water desalination and treatment such as reverse osmosis, capacitive deionization, electrodialysis, and flow electrode capacitive deionization. This paper will briefly review each of these technologies and propose a new design to improve the current flow electrode capacitive deionization architecture. The new design uses a current collector flow-electrode architecture that has the potential to achieve record thermodynamic energy efficiencies. This formulation is proprietary to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1971

Oceanographic Interpretation of Apollo Photographs. Coastal Oceanographic and Sedimentologic Interpretation of Apollo 9 Space Photographs; Carolina's Continental Shelf, USA

Apollo 9 photographs, color band separations, and oceanographic and meteorological data are used in the study of the origin, movement, and dissipation of masses of discolored water near the shores of North and South Carolina. A model has been developed incorporating jet theory, climatology, currents, surface temperatures, color separations, and other oceanographic data to explain the processes involved in the life cycle of the discolored water masses. Special treatment is afforded the Gulf Stream boundary definition and the Cape Hatteras oceanographic barrier.

Mairs, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Polymers with complexing properties. Simple poly(amino acids)

The free amino (0.3 equiv/residue) and carboxyl (0.5 equiv/residue) groups of thermal polylysine increased dramatically on treatment with distilled water. The total hydrolysis of such a polymer was abnormal in that only about 50% of the expected amino acids were recovered. Poly (lysine-co-alanine-co-glycine) under usual conditions hydrolyzed completely in 8 hours; whereas, when it was pretreated with diazomethane, a normal period of 24 hours was required to give (nearly) the same amounts of each free amino acid as compared with those obtained from the untreated polymer. The amino groups of the basic thermal poly(amino acids) were sterically hindered. The existence of nitrogen atoms linking two or three chains and reactive groups (anhydride, imine) were proposed.

Roque, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Biocidal quaternary ammonium resin

Activated carbon (charcoal) and polymeric resin sorbents are widely used in the filtration and treatment of drinking water, mainly to remove dissolved organic and inorganic impurities and to improve the taste. Earlier hopes that activated carbon might "disinfect' water proved to be unfounded. The feasibility of protecting against microbial infestation in charcoal and resin beds such as those to be incorporated into total water reuse systems in spacecraft was investigated. The biocidal effect of IPCD (insoluable polymeric contact disinfectants) in combination with a representative charcoal was assessed. The ion exchange resins (IPCD) were shown to adequately protect charcoal and ion exchange beds.

Janauer, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Consequences of bacterial resistance to disinfection by iodine in potable water

This study was done to quantify the sensitivity of bacteria to iodine under controlled laboratory conditions. When exposed to 1 mg/1 I2 for 1 min, bacteria isolated from the Shuttle were more resistant than a P. aeruginosa isolated from a povidine-iodine solution. Cultures grown in rich media were more sensitive than those grown in low nutrient solutions. The P. aeruginosa and a P. cepacia isolated from the Shuttle were resuspended in PBW after exposure to iodine. Iodinated cells recovered better than uniodinated controls. Pseudomonads in biofilms developed on coupons of stainless steel were more resistant to iodine than cells suspended in buffered water. Although resistant bacteria may colonize spacecraft water systems, multiple treatment barriers should provide adequate control of these contaminants.

Mcfeters, Gordon A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Analysis of an algae-based CELSS. I - Model development

A steady state chemical model and computer program have been developed for a life support system and applied to trade-off studies. The model is based on human demand for food and oxygen determined from crew metabolic needs. The model includes modules for water recycle, waste treatment, CO2 removal and treatment, and food production. The computer program calculates rates of use and material balance for food, O2, the recycle of human waste and trash, H2O, N2, and food production/supply. A simple noniterative solution for the model has been developed using the steady state rate equations for the chemical reactions. The model and program have been used in system sizing and subsystem trade-off studies of a partially closed life support system.

Holtzapple, Mark T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The use of membranes in life support systems for long-duration space missions

The use of membrane processes in a long-duration manned mission's regenerative environmental control and life-support system is presently discussed, in the cases of treatment for hygiene water, urine, humidity condensate, and phase-change distillate, as well as of water-vapor and CO2 removal from spacecraft air. Attention is given to the design of a tube-side-feed hollow-fiber module for membrane support and fluids-feed, as well as to the schematics for a membrane-based urine processor, an air recirculator, a potable-water producer, and a two-stage urine treater.

Mccray, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Recent improvements in Geosat altimeter data

Techniques are described for enhancing the accuracy of the geophysical data records derived from Geosat altimeter observations with treatments for water-vapor correction and satellite orbit. The TOVS/Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSMI) water vapor data and T2 ephemeris are used to effectively adjust tide-gauge records. The T2 orbit is found to be effective for the study of large-scale phenomena with reductions in the radial orbit error.

Cheney, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Isotopic and molecular analyses of hydrocarbons and monocarboxylic acids of the Murchison meteorite

The monocarboxylic acids and hydrocarbons of the Murchison meteorite (CM2) were isolated for isotropic analysis. The nonvolatile hydrocarbons were analyzed as crude methanol and benzene-methanol extracts and also after separation by silica gel chromatography into predominantly aliphatic, aromatic, and polar hydrocarbon fractions. The volatile hydrocarbons were obtained after progressive decomposition of the meteorite matrix by freeze-thaw, hot water, and acid treatment. Molecular analyses of the aromatic hydrocarbons showed them to comprise a complex suite of compounds in which pyrene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and acenaphthene were the most abundant components, a result similar to earlier analyses. The polar hydrocarbons also comprise a very complex mixture in which aromatic ketones, nitrogen, and sulfur heterocycles were identified. The monocarboxylic acids, aliphatic, aromatic, and polar hydrocarbons, and the indigenous volatile hydrocarbons were found to be D-rich. The deuterium enrichment observed in these compounds is suggestive. In two separate analyses, the delta-D values of the nonvolatile hydrocarbons were observed to increase in the following order: aliphatic-aromatic-polar. This finding is consistent with an early solar system or parent body conversion of aromatic to aliphatic compounds as well as the suggestion of pyrolytic formation of aromatic from aliphatic compounds.

Krishnamurthy, R. V.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effect of thermal processing practices on the properties of superplastic Al-Li alloys

The effect of thermal processing on the mechanical properties of superplastically formed structural components fabricated from three aluminum-lithium alloys was evaluated. The starting materials consisted of 8090, 2090, and X2095 (Weldalite(TM) 049), in the form of commercial-grade superplastic sheet. The experimental test matrix was designed to assess the impact on mechanical properties of eliminating solution heat treatment and/or cold water quenching from post-forming thermal processing. The extensive hardness and tensile property data compiled are presented as a function of aging temperature, superplastic strain and temper/quench rate for each alloy. The tensile properties of the materials following superplastic forming in two T5-type tempers are compared with the baseline T6 temper. The implications for simplifying thermal processing without degradation in properties are discussed on the basis of the results.

Hales, Stephen J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The influence of H2O line blanketing on the spectra of cool dwarf stars

We present our initial results of model atmosphere calculations for cool M dwarfs using an opacity sampling method and a new list of H2O lines. We obtain significantly improved fits to the infrared spectrum of the M dwarf VB10 when compared to earlier models. H2O is by far the dominant opacity source in cool stars. To illustrate this, we show the Rosseland mean of the total extinction under various assumptions. Our calculations demonstrate the importance of a good treatment of the water opacities in cool stars and the improvements possible by using up-to-date data for the water line absorption.

Allard, F.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Volatile Removal Assembly Flight Experiment and KC-135 Packed Bed Experiment: Results and Lessons Learned

The Volatile Removal Assembly (VRA) is a high temperature catalytic oxidation process that will be used as the final treatment for recycled water aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The multiphase nature of the process had raised concerns as to the performance of the VRA in a microgravity environment. To address these concerns, two experiments were designed. The VRA Flight Experiment (VRAFE) was designed to test a full size VRA under controlled conditions in microgravity aboard the SPACEHAB module and in a 1 -g environment and compare the performance results. The second experiment relied on visualization of two-phase flow through small column packed beds and was designed to fly aboard NASA's microgravity test bed plane (KC-135). The objective of the KC-135 experiment was to understand the two-phase fluid flow distribution in a packed bed in microgravity. On Space Transportation System (STS) flight 96 (May 1999), the VRA FE was successfully operated and in June 1999 the KC-135 packed bed testing was completed. This paper provides an overview of the experiments and a summary of the results and findings.

Holder, Donald W.↗