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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 OSTI2023

Parametric evaluation of ducted fuel injection in an optically accessible mixing-controlled compression-ignition engine with two- and four-duct assemblies

Ducted fuel injection (DFI) is a strategy to improve fuel/charge-gas mixing in direct-injection compression-ignition engines. DFI involves injecting fuel along the axis of a small tube in the combustion chamber, which promotes the formation of locally leaner mixtures in the autoignition zone relative to conventional diesel combustion. Previous work has demonstrated that DFI is effective at curtailing engine-out soot emissions across a wide range of operating conditions. This study extends previous investigations, presenting engine-out emissions and efficiency trends between ducted two-orifice and ducted four-orifice injector tip configurations. For each configuration, parameters investigated include injection pressure, injection duration, intake manifold pressure, intake manifold temperature, start of combustion timing, and intake-oxygen mole fraction. For both configurations and across all parameters, DFI reduced engine-out soot emissions compared to conventional diesel combustion, with little effect on other emissions and engine efficiency. Emissions trends for both configurations were qualitatively the same across the parameters investigated. The four-duct configuration had higher thermal efficiency and indicated-specific engine-out nitrogen oxide emissions but lower indicated-specific engine-out hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions than the two-duct assembly. Both configurations achieved indicated-specific engine-out emissions for both soot and nitrogen oxides that comply with current on- and off-road heavy-duty regulations in the United States without exhaust-gas aftertreatment at an intake-oxygen mole fraction of 12%. High-speed in-cylinder imaging of natural soot luminosity shows that some conditions include a second soot-production phase late in the cycle. The probability of these late-cycle events is sensitive to both the number of ducted sprays and the operating conditions.

Yraguen, Boni Frances↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cellulosic Biomass Sugars to Advantage Jet Fuel: Catalytic Conversion of Corn Stover to Energy Dense, Low Freeze Point Paraffins and Naphthenes (CRADA CRD-12-462 Final Report)

NREL will provide scientific and engineering support to Virent Energy Systems in three technical areas: Process Development/Biomass Deconstruction; Catalyst Fundamentals; and Technoeconomic Analysis. The overarching objective of this project is to develop the first fully integrated process that can convert a lignocellulosic feedstock (e.g., corn stover) efficiently and cost effectively to a mix of hydrocarbons ideally suited for blending into jet fuel. The proposed project will investigate the integration of Virent Energy System's novel aqueous phase reforming (APR) catalytic conversion technology (BioForming) with deconstruction technologies being investigated by NREL at the 1-500 L scale. Corn stover was chosen as a representative large volume, sustainable feedstock.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Electrode Composition: Durable Fuel Cell Power under Anhydrous Conditions

Innovators/Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed an electrode composition that improves fuel cell performance under anhydrous conditions above 100°C. It has demonstrated great durability in humidified conditions under 100°C as well. It holds promise for use in fuel cells for heavy duty vehicles while retaining utility for portable and stationary power applications. In coming years this flexibility may be a breakthrough improvement over conventional compositions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Guide to Fuel, Lubricant, and Engine Concerns Relative to the IMO 2020 Fuel Oil Sulfur Reduction Mandate

The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an agency within the US Department of Transportation tasked with promoting waterborne transportation, including port and vessel operations and environmental safety. MARAD also provides crucial information in the form of primers and reports to ship owners and operators. These publications focus on the potential impacts of upcoming regulatory or other changes to marine vessel operation. Under the guidance of MARAD, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been tasked to develop a primer that can be shared with vessel owners and operators with emphasis on the impacts of the 2020 sulfur regulations on engines, fuels, lubricants, and all related systems. The impacts of past and future fuel-related regulations and other information pertinent to the short-term future of shipping are also included.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Diesel Fuel Consumption in Prominent U.S. Open-Pit Mines: Site-Level Estimates

This report presents a comprehensive framework for estimating diesel fuel consumption and prices at open-pit mines in the United States. The framework includes transparent methods for calculating site-level diesel energy use when direct reporting is unavailable, and a structured confidence evaluation for each method. The framework is demonstrated to estimate current diesel consumption at 21 open-pit mines in the United States. Initial findings support ongoing efforts to strengthen the competitiveness and security of the U.S. industrial base by supporting data-driven supply chain analysis and decision-making, improved transparency in mining sector energy use, and targeted deployment of energy innovation and cost-reduction strategies. Future updates to the dataset—coupled with expanded data transparency and method validation—will help ensure that the findings remain relevant as the sector continues to evolve.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2021

Development of an Innovative Inspection Tool for Superheater Tubes in Fossil Fuel Power Plants

Fossil fuel power plants are complex systems containing multiple components that require periodic health monitoring. Failures in these systems can lead to increased downtime for the plant, reduction of power, and significant cost for repairs. Inspections of the plant’s superheater tubes are typically manual, laborious, and extremely time-consuming. This is due to their small diameter size (between 1.3 and 7.6 cm) and the coiled structure of the tubing. In addition, the tubes are often stacked close to each other, limiting access for external inspection. This paper presents the development and testing of an electrically powered pipe crawler that can navigate inside 5 cm diameter tubes and provide an assessment of their health. The crawler utilizes peristaltic motion within the tubes via interconnected modules for gripping and extending. The modular nature of the system allows it to traverse through straight sections and multiple 90° and 180° bends. Additional modules in the system include an ultrasonic sensor for tube thickness measurements, as well as environmental sensors, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, and camera. Furthermore, these modules utilize a gear system that allows for 360° rotation and provides a means to inspect the entire internal circumference of the tubes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evaluation of fuel-borne sodium effects on a DOC-DPF-SCR heavy-duty engine emission control system: Simulation of full-useful life

Here we report that for renewable fuels to displace petroleum, they must be compatible with emissions control devices. Pure biodiesel contains up to 5 ppm Na + K and 5 ppm Ca + Mg metals, which have the potential to degrade diesel emissions control systems. This study aims to address these concerns, identify deactivation mechanisms, and determine if a lower limit is needed. Accelerated aging of a production exhaust system was conducted on an engine test stand over 1001 h using 20% biodiesel blended into ultra-low sulfur diesel (B20) doped with 14 ppm Na. This Na level is equivalent to exposure to Na at the uppermost expected B100 value in a B20 blend for the system full-useful life. During the study, NOx emissions exceeded the engine certification limit of 0.33 g/bhp-hr before the 435,000-mile requirement. Replacing aged diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices with new degreened parts showed that each device contributed equally to the NOx increase. Following this systems-based evaluation, a detailed investigation of the individual components was completed. Na was determined to have minimal impact on DOC activity. For this system, it is estimated that B20-Na resulted in 50% more ash into the DPF. However, the Na did not diffuse into the cordierite DPF nor degrade its mechanical properties. The SCR degradation was found to be caused by a small amount of precious group metals (PGM) contamination that increased NH3 oxidation, and lowered NOx reduction. Therefore, we determined that the primary effect of Na in this study is through increased ash in the DPF rather than deactivation of the catalytic activity.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1981

Fuel quality/processing study. Volume 3: Fuel upgrading studies

The methods used to calculate the refinery selling prices for the turbine fuels of low quality are described. Detailed descriptions and economics of the upgrading schemes are included. These descriptions include flow diagrams showing the interconnection between processes and the stream flows involved. Each scheme is in a complete, integrated, stand alone facility. Except for the purchase of electricity and water, each scheme provides its own fuel and manufactures, when appropriate, its own hydrogen.

Jones, G. E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Carbon-13 and proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of shale-derived refinery products and jet fuels and of experimental referee broadened-specification jet fuels

A proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study was conducted of Ashland shale oil refinery products, experimental referee broadened-specification jet fuels, and of related isoprenoid model compounds. Supercritical fluid chromatography techniques using carbon dioxide were developed on a preparative scale, so that samples could be quantitatively separated into saturates and aromatic fractions for study by NMR. An optimized average parameter treatment was developed, and the NMR results were analyzed in terms of the resulting average parameters; formulation of model mixtures was demonstrated. Application of novel spectroscopic techniques to fuel samples was investigated.

Dalling, D. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dual-fuel versus single-fuel propulsion systems for AMLS applications

The results of using a computerized preliminary design system to integrate propulsion systems examined as a part of the Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) and Space Transportation Booster Engine (STBE) studies with reference vehicle concepts from the Advanced Manned Launch System (AMLS) study are presented. The major trade study presented is an analysis of the effect of using a single fuel for both stages of two-stage AMLS reference vehicles as opposed to using a separate fuel for the boosters. Other trade studies presented examine the effect of varying relevant engine parameters in an attempt to optimize the reference engines for use with the AMLS launch vehicles. In each propulsion trade discussed, special attention is given to the major vehicle performance and operational issues involved.

Stanley, Douglas O.↗
NASA NTRS1992

High accuracy fuel flowmeter. Phase 2C and 3: The mass flowrate calibration of high accuracy fuel flowmeters

A facility for the precise calibration of mass fuel flowmeters and turbine flowmeters located at AMETEK Aerospace Products Inc., Wilmington, Massachusetts is described. This facility is referred to as the Test and Calibration System (TACS). It is believed to be the most accurate test facility available for the calibration of jet engine fuel density measurement. The product of the volumetric flow rate measurement and the density measurement, results in a true mass flow rate determination. A dual-turbine flowmeter was designed during this program. The dual-turbine flowmeter was calibrated on the TACS to show the characteristics of this type of flowmeter. An angular momentum flowmeter was also calibrated on the TACS to demonstrate the accuracy of a true mass flowmeter having a 'state-of-the-art' design accuracy.

Craft, D. William↗
NASA NTRS1955

Flight and Preflight Tests of a Ram Jet Burning Magnesium Slurry Fuel and Utilizing a Solid-propellant Gas Generator for Fuel Expulsion

Data obtained from the first flight test of a ram jet utilizing a magnesium slurry fuel are presented. The ram jet accelerated from a Mach number of 1.75 to a Mach number of 3.48 in 15.5 seconds. During this period a maximum values of air specific impulse and gross thrust coefficient were calculated to be 151 seconds and 0.658, respectively. The rocket gas generator used as a fuel-pumping system operated successfully.

Bartlett, Walter, A , jr↗
NASA NTRS1934

Performance of a Fuel-Injection Spark-Ignition Engine Using a Hydrogenated Safety Fuel

This report presents the performance of a single-cylinder test engine using a hydrogenated safety fuel. The safety fuel has a flash point of 125 degrees f. (Cleveland open-dup method), which is high enough to remove most of the fire hazard, and an octane number of 95, which permits higher compression ratios to be used than are permissible with most undoped gasolines.

Schey, Oscar W↗