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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 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Techno-economic Model and Analysis for Hydrogen (H2) Pipeline Transportation

Presentation at the 9th ELAEE (Latin American Energy Economics Meeting) July 28th – 30th, 2024 in PUC-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The presentation highlights the FECM/NETL Hydrogen Pipeline Cost Model (H2_P_COM). The model estimates costs for transporting gaseous hydrogen in a pipeline from a source, such as a hydrogen production facility, to a final destination which may be a user of the hydrogen or a distribution center where hydrogen in the pipeline is diverted to multiple end users.

Cunha, Luciane↗
DOE OSTI2024

Technical and Economic Assessment and Gap Analysis of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Integration with a Reference Methanol Synthesis Plant

Efforts continue to identify the most-economic methods to decarbonize several sectors of the United States (U.S.) economy. Industrial processes such as synfuel synthesis and high value commodity chemicals rely heavily on energy-dense and easily stored and transported fossil fuels, which power and feed their operations. Steam methane reforming (SMR) is a widely used process for producing methanol. In this process, methane (CH 4 ) from natural gas (NG) reacts with steam (H 2 O) over a catalyst at high temperatures (700-1,000°C) to produce syngas, a mixture of hydrogen (H 2 ) and carbon monoxide (CO). The syngas is then converted into methanol (CH 3 OH) through a second catalytic reaction. This method is known for being an efficient and commonly employed pathway for industrial methanol production. The high-temperature heat needed for SMR, which is currently used in the natural-gas-to-methanol process, cannot be supplied by small modular nuclear reactor (SMNR) direct heating; the temperatures required for the SMR process exceed those of the main steam produced by near-market high-temperature gas reactors (HTGRs). For the conventional methanol process, this leaves possible nuclear-integration opportunities that include: (1) blending nuclear hydrogen into the SMR NG fuel, or (2) assessing alternative synthesis routes leveraging nuclear capabilities and steam electrolysis outputs. In the reference methanol plant, SMR provides the methanol-synthesis reactor with H 2 and co. In Case (2), the state-of-the-art reverse water gas shift (RWGS) pathway achieves the same, sourcing carbon from an industrial CO 2 source.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

2024 OES-Environmental 2024 State of the Science Report, Chapter 4: Social and Economic Effects of Marine Renewable Energy

While the 2024 State of the Science report primarily focuses on the interactions between marine renewable energy (MRE) and the environment, to fully account for the effects of MRE development, the social and economic aspects must also be considered. Incorporating how societal elements are altered related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of MRE projects and how MRE development may affect communities on a local, regional, and/or national scale is necessary to understand the suite of effects from the industry.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2024

Techno-economic Analysis and Optimization of Point Source Solvent-Based Carbon Capture Systems at High CO2 Capture Levels for NGCC Power Plants

This poster was presented at the 2024 FECM / NETL Carbon Management Research Project Review Meeting held during Aug 5-9, 2024. It summarizes the research done as a part of CCSI2 for determining the optimal design and operating conditions of an MEA solvent-based carbon capture system connected to a commercial scale NGCC plant, operating at CO2 capture levels beyond 90%. The techno-economic optimization approach is outlined, along with the trends of key cost and performance indicators across high capture levels.

Deshpande, Anuja↗
DOE OSTI2024

Developing a Robust Market for CHP: A Plan for Fostering Economic Development, Business Competitiveness and Resiliency in the Mid-Atlantic Region

The Department of Energy’s Mid Atlantic Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership (MA CHP TAP) was established to develop public-private partnerships to advance the technology, policies, and programmatic support for combined heat and power (CHP), including its application in microgrids, heat to power and district energy. The MA CHP TAP’s work includes education and outreach as well as technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders including end-users (commercial, industrial, institutional and more), state decision makers, electric and gas utilities, trade associations and non-profit organizations. This assistance includes evaluating the economic, energy, reliability and environmental value of proposed systems. The MA CHP TAP represents the multi-state Mid- Atlantic region and is the CHP expert in the region who provides fact-based, un-biased information on CHP, including technologies, project development, project financing, local electric and natural gas utility interfaces, and related state best practice policies.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-economic Analysis of the Cryogenic Flux Capacitor Compared to Other forms of Hydrogen Production and Storage

The Cryogenic Flux Capacitor (CFC) is a cold, dense energy storage core that is being studied in the cryo-compressed, about 300 bar and 80K, region of gaseous hydrogen (GH2) storage and liquid hydrogen (LH2) region near the normal boiling point. The hydrogens storage is improved by physically bonding the molecules within the nanoscale pores of the aerogel composite blanket material. The process of bonding or debonding is governed by principles of physical adsorption (physisorption) and thermodynamics. The large surface area afforded by the nanoporous aerogel (~1,000 m2/g) allows its storage performance to easily exceed capacities of high-pressure GH2 storage for an equivalent volume. With the integrated aerogel, subscale tests have shown that storage is increased by about 49% over a simple tank filled with GH2 at the same operating temperature and pressure. For LH2 conditions, the CFC is shown to operate at equivalent densities. For the techno-economic analysis (TEA), the source of hydrogen is compared between onsite steam methane reforming (SMR) and onsite solar photovoltaic (PV) panels providing power to electrolyzers to produce GH2. The TEA compares pure hydrogen burning in a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) to hydrogen fuel cells with an overall net power output of 650 MW. The SMR system uses natural gas as an input and includes a carbon capture and storage (CCS) system. The levelized cost of electricity is developed based on the capital cost and operating cost of the systems. Sensitivities are discussed around the cost of natural gas, ranging from 1.93 USD per MMBTU to 6.75 USD per MMBTU, and carbon dioxide disposal, ranging from 7 USD per tonne to 10 USD per tonne. For comparison to the conventional CCGT baseline, a baseload scenario is adopted with 85% capacity factor. The results of the study show that onsite hydrogen generation from SMR is about 1 to 3 USD per kg over the life of the plant and the PV hydrogen production produces at 4 to 5 USD per kg. The cost of storage for CFC is compared to other systems, including high-pressure GH2 and atmospheric LH2. The system is shown to provide the lowest costs for all these options at the grid scale, due to its higher capacity than high-pressure GH2 and ability to operate at 80K, receiving refrigeration from liquid nitrogen systems reducing capital and operating costs when compared LH2 storage systems. SMR is competitive with CCGT at the gas prices, both of which have lower LCOE than the PV system. When accounting for variability in gas prices, the PV and electrolyzer system is less sensitive to these changes and provides the lowest LCOE across the whole range.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring Sustainable Critical Mineral Production in Central Appalachia: A Pathway to Economic Revitalization & Environmental Justice

The Evolve Central Appalachia (Evolve CAPP) project team was formed to explore the sustainability of critical mineral production within the Central Appalachian coal basin, spanning Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee in the United States. The initiative is evaluating the rare earth and critical mineral resource potential essential for powering clean energy technologies, while fostering a circular economy throughout the energy transition. Opportunities are being sought to address environmental justice, workforce development and responsible sourcing. By promoting greater resource utilization, the project is identifying downstream value-added industries, further fostering economic revitalization in the region.

Bishop, Richard↗
DOE OSTI2024

Techno-Economic Optimization of a Solvent Absorption Process for CO2 Capture with 3D-Printed Intensified Packing

Presentation given at the 2024 annual AICHE meeting held October 27-31, 2024. The presentation focuses on modeling performance and economics of a solvent absorption system for CO2 capture with towers utilizing intensified packing. The packing is an alternative to traditional structured packing by incorporating cooling channel for simultaneous mass and heat transfer.

Summits, Stephen↗
DOE OSTI2024

Enhanced Weathering Screening Techno-Economic Analysis

This presentation reports on a screening techno-economic analysis that examines the impact of key factors that influence terrestrial enhanced weathering performance and cost. Two cases are considered for analysis based on the material used: (1) Naturally occurring mined igneous rock (2) Industrial waste materials (like biomass ash or cement kiln dust) The analysis considers locating the terrestrial enhanced weathering system in the Midwestern United States, because of proximity to alkaline materials, availability of farmland, and appropriate ambient conditions for weathering. For the igneous rock case, the size of the system is based on the average amount of igneous rock available from a single mine—250,000 tonnes/year. For the industrial waste case, the size of the system is based on the amount of suitable waste material produced by an industrial hub—150,000 tonnes/year.

Leptinsky, Sarah↗
DOE OSTI2024

Scale up, Field Testing, and Optimization of Nontoxic, Durable, Economical Coatings for Control of Invasive mussels at Hydropower Facilities (Final Report for CRADA 527)

In this effort, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) demonstrated the technical maturation of a durable, economical, and nontoxic coating (Superhydrophobic Lubricant Infused Composite, SLIC) that prevents invasive mussels and other unwanted organisms from growing on hydropower and marine structures. The physical characteristics of SLIC were measured using a variety of industry standard methods, just as a commercially available paint would, to show that it can rival other antifouling paints on the market not just in antifouling efficacy, but in structural integrity. SLIC also underwent extensive field testing in diverse field sites across the US to demonstrate that it is effective in varying environments. Engagement with industrial partners showed there is continued interest and need for a cost-effective, durable antifouling coating such as SLIC.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Luminescent Materials for the Detection of Economically Critical Metals in Harsh Environments

Renewable energy technologies used for electric vehicles and wind turbines are heavily reliant upon metals, such as rare earth elements, cobalt, lithium, and nickel. Indeed, there are 50 minerals that are currently considered “economically critical” by the 2022 United States Geological Survey. With anticipated global adoption of renewable energy technologies, producing sufficient metals to meet this demand presents a significant challenge, particularly due to the current monopolistic market for many of these metals. The production of metals from unconventional sources, such as coal utilization byproducts, is one of many promising strategies to boost domestic supply. However, sensitive, rapid, and inexpensive characterization technologies are needed to minimize production costs associated with metals prospecting and processing. Photoluminescence-based sensing techniques are particularly intriguing due to their potential for low cost and portability, coupled with high sensitivity and selectivity. This presentation focuses on the development of high-performance sensing materials for a range of critical metals, including metal-organic frameworks capable of sensitizing detection of parts-per-billion concentrations of six different rare earth elements, nanoparticles that can detect down to 600 parts-per-billion levels of cobalt, and thin films that sense aluminum down to 120 parts-per-billion. These materials are highly selective, capable of withstanding low pH conditions, and provide a response within minutes. Importantly, each sensing material is integrated with a custom-built, fully portable fiber-optic spectrometer for potential field deployment, providing significant cost savings over commercial instruments, along with potential advantages such as material regeneration for use across multiple sensing cycles and solvent removal for enhanced emission signal. These results highlight the exciting potential of luminescence platforms as cost-effective alternatives for metals characterization.

Crawford, Scott↗
DOE OSTI2025

Preliminary Screening Techno-Economic Analysis of Industrial SOFC/SOEC and Reversible SOC Integration

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) provides system-level process, cost, and market analyses on solid oxide cell (SOC) based technologies. Specifically, techno-economic analyses (TEA), market assessments, and other technology evaluations serve to guide the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (R-SOFC) Program technology goals and objectives. These studies are key to describing how the technologies contribute to improving domestic energy infrastructure in a clean, efficient manner. This effort seeks to elucidate the potential integration opportunities between reversible SOCs and industrial systems which would aid in SOC commercialization and deployment. These preliminary screening-level results show what opportunities exist for power generating SOFCs, hydrogen producing SOECs, and point-source carbon capture. Improvements can be seen through changes in cost of electricity, cost of hydrogen, and cost of carbon capture.

reversible SOC↗