Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “consortium”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 703 records · Page 39
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

SULI Oral Presentation

Furthering our understanding of the prevalence and severity of issues that customers face when charging their electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial in order to improve the charging experience across the United States. This project utilizes web-scraping, machine leaning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP) techniques to analyze and categorize user-generated reviews. Selenium was used to build a data collection tool that can scrape vast amounts of user review data from the PlugShare website. Sentiment analysis was employed on this dataset in order to filter out negative reviews for further analysis. NLP techniques such as tokenization and word embedding were then used to convert user-written comments into a numerical format that a ML model can interpret. Multiple ML approaches are currently being explored in order to identify and categorize the charging issues being talked about in each review. Ultimately, the results from the ML model will be visualized and explained in a report on customer pain points to be delivered to the ChargeX Consortium, therefore revealing specific areas for improvement in the customer charging experience.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2022

CTF Improved Drag Model and Flow Regime Transition Criteria

The demand for accurate prediction of two-phase flow behavior in a boiling water reactor (BWR) requires a comprehensive understanding of flow regime, void fraction, heat transfer, and pressure drop. The CTF subchannel code, which is used for the Thermal/Hydraulic (T/H) solution in the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL)-developed Virtual Environment for Reactor Application (VERA) core simulator, is being further developed for BWR applications. In support of this goal, the present work highlights some of the two-phase closure model developments towards improving the CTF void fraction prediction, especially for subcooled boiling. The drift-flux approach has been well-developed for upward dispersed two-phase flows and proven to be accurate in predicting void fraction in bubbly and slug flow regimes. In this work, these kinematic constitutive relations for the drift-flux velocity have been implemented into CTF to describe the interfacial drag of bubbly flow as an alternative to the existing model for better void fraction prediction. The success of these constitutive relations also relies on a good flow regime map that accounts for flow conditions and channel geometry. A more reliable flow regime transition criteria that account for the flow condition has also been implemented in this study for modeling the flow regime transition criteria. The newly implemented models are shown to give improved void fraction predictions in comparison to experimental data.

Hizoum, Belgacem↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-Economic Case Study: Low-Temperature Conversion Performance Based on Isolated Anatomical Fractions of Corn Stover

This report summarizes analysis conducted to support a case study under the Feedstock Conversion Interface Consortium (FCIC) focused on techno-economic analysis (TEA) modeling to quantify the process yield and resulting process cost impacts for processing isolated anatomical fractions of corn stover through a low-temperature conversion (biochemical) pathway. It is hypothesized that different individual anatomical fractions of corn stover vary in both composition and recalcitrance, giving biorefineries options in whether and how to deal with fractionated or whole biomass feedstock. By quantifying the techno-economic impacts of this variability, we provide actionable information for end users to understand tradeoffs in conversion system yields and economics in considering feedstock processing decisions at the biorefinery gate. For this study, we worked with FCIC researchers to obtain data on the compositional analysis and conversion performance of whole corn stover alongside three individual anatomical fractions (cobs, husks, and stalks) across key steps of the biorefinery conversion process within FCIC’s research scope—pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. This TEA screening assessment highlighted biorefinery economic trade-offs observed through this approach. Namely, relative to processing whole stover biomass, two of the three anatomical fractions for which composition/conversion data were available (cobs and husks) demonstrated the ability to achieve higher fuel yields and lower minimum fuel selling prices (MFSPs), while the third fraction (stalks) led to the opposite result, as a composite reflection of compositional differences and process convertibility.

cost impacts↗
DOE OSTI2023

Air Classification of Forest Residue for Tissue and Ash Separation Efficiency

The goal of this Case Study was to evaluate the performance of air classification of logging residues toward meeting conversion CMAs for carbon and ash contents, as compared to the static status quo Base Case system in which the residues are first dried and then ground in a hammer mill with a 6 mm screen and fines less than 1.18 mm are removed. Also considered were moisture and ash impacts on throughput and Overall Operating Effectiveness (OOE), as well as delivered feedstock cost and minimum fuel selling price (MFSP). Laboratory data on the impacts of fan speed and moisture content on the separation efficiency of soil ash, needles and bark from white wood were received from FCIC Subtask 5.2: Preprocessing, High Temperature Conversion Preprocessing (Jordan Klinger and Tiasha Bhattacharjee, INL). Average throughput and energy consumption data were obtained from the Bioenergy Feedstock National User Facility (BFNUF) (Neal Yancey, INL) for the same air classifier. These data were utilized to develop the necessary response surface equations to perform throughput analysis using discrete event simulation. Feedstock-Conversion Interface Consortium. Because the Base Case status quo system utilizes drying prior to grinding, we modeled the Case Study with drying prior to air classification and subsequent grinding of the separated white wood to isolate the individual quality and cost impacts of air classification relative to the Base Case system.

CMA↗
DOE OSTI2023

Environmental and Economic Implications of Emerging Plastic Recycling Technologies

Recycling will play a crucial role in mitigating plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy for polymers. Quantitative analysis can help guide the optimization and implementation of these plastic management strategies, enabling increased circularity while minimizing costs, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental impacts. This talk will outline the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE) Consortium's approach to analysis-guided plastic recycling research. Stringent process modelling, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis are used to benchmark the technical feasibility, environmental impacts, and costs of chemical and biological recycling technologies in comparison to conventional fossil fuel-based plastic manufacturing. Across emerging recycling strategies, several key challenges become apparent - including plastic feedstock pretreatment requirements, high energy or chemical use, and recycled plastic yields and quality - highlighting opportunities for future innovation. Through this consistent and in-depth analysis approach, BOTTLE aims to provide the plastics community with key metrics and insights to drive plastic recycling innovation towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

circular economy↗
DOE OSTI2023

Reliable and Durable Communication: Consistently Connecting DuraMAT Messages with Target Audiences

This webinar addresses communications strategies for the Durable Module Materials Consortium (DuraMAT). DuraMAT focuses on precompetitive research needs in solar photovoltaic (PV) module packaging to accelerate a sustainable, just, and equitable transition to zero carbon electricity generation by 2035. In the webinar, an interactive exercise helps researchers write better article titles. DuraMAT communications goals and lessons learned are discussed. Key audiences for DuraMAT communication products are identified. Next steps for DuraMAT communications are summarized.

audiences↗
DOE OSTI2023

H2@Scale CRADA: CA Research Consort. (Ref. Station, Fueling Perf. Test Device, Station Cap Model)

Heavy-duty (HD) hydrogen stations are an essential part of building a clean energy infrastructure by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants from the trucking industry. Clean fuel at HD stations also supports energy, environmental, and social justice by preventing pollution near the stations and on truck routes while strengthening U.S. manufacturing and providing pathways to private sector uptake. The goal of the CA Research Consortium is to continue the research partnership between national laboratories, DOE, and California public agencies for the advancement of hydrogen fueling infrastructure for HD vehicles. This cooperative work directly impacts California's transition to Zero Emission Trucks and will provide tools and information that lead to more efficient design, acceptance, and commissioning of these larger capacity, higher flow rate stations serving HD hydrogen trucks such as class 8 trucks in long haul applications.

AMR↗
DOE OSTI2023

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis of Biorefinery Pathways

This talk provides an overview of failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) development and implementation as a systematic criticality and risk assessment tool for biorefinery pathways within the FCIC. This supports a quality by design (QbD) approach, and this talk provides a high-level overview of the results for the FMEA evaluation focused on the generation of pine residue materials for high-temperature pyrolysis conversion. the FMEA interviews included two approaches. The first approach was based around the entire system of unit operations giving a wholistic system level view. The second approach used detailed interviews from individual unit operation within the system allowing for specific failures for individual system components. These two approaches provide different resolutions of information about the reliability and risk. The FMEA results focused on failures associated with meeting critical quality attributes (CQAs) identified for the high temperature conversion of loblolly pine residues and were supplemented with experimental data supporting process upsets and reliability also collected within the consortium. Estimations of risk scores for meeting each given CQA specification, identification of the impacts for not meeting a CQA specification, capturing causes associated with material attributes and process parameters for each failure, identification of current detection methods, and speculation of potential mitigation strategies for decreasing a failure’s risk score were gathered through the FMEA interviews, and were combined to understand the overall process risk metrics and where technology, process, and knowledge improvements are needed in order to de-risk emerging biorefineries.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

RADIANCE Executive Summary

Microgrids are gaining attention from organizations and cities because of their potential reliability and resilience benefits, especially in remote geographic areas: Microgrids can provide local power during emergencies, and they can reduce the costs of imported fuel by reducing overall fuel use. But the complexities and novelties of microgrid technologies are often barriers to deployment that require testing and validation to overcome. This report describes the testing, validation, and deployment of microgrid technologies in Cordova, Alaska, completed through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) project Resilient Alaskan Distribution system Improvements using Automation, Network analysis, Control, and Energy storage (RADIANCE).

ARIES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electric Motor Thermal Management

During FY 2022, NREL efforts focused on supporting collaborations with external research partners within the Electric Drive Technologies research consortium. The poster highlights collaborations with SNL, ORNL, and Georgia Tech. The collaboration with SNL utilized NREL's experimental capabilities to mechanically characterize SNL-provided material samples for motor applications. The collaboration with ORNL supported efforts to refine the design of a high-speed, non-heavy-rare-earth outer-rotor motor. The collaboration with Georgia Tech focused on a novel cooling technique for electric machines. NREL supported the effort by leading the thermal analysis and design of advanced machines.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2023

EVs@Scale Next-Gen Profiles - EV Profile Capture 2023

As part of the U.S. DOE EVs@Scale consortium Next-Gen Profiles (NGP) project, the profile capture of production electric vehicles undergoing high power charging (HPC) is conducted over a wide range of conditions to explore variance and performance. Charge session parameters are collected from both the electric vehicle (EV) and electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) at a rate of 10Hz and entered into a time-series database for analysis. These charge profiles are captured under nominal and off-nominal conditions, exploring the impact of battery state of charge (SOC), battery temperature, vehicle condition, smart charge management (SCM), and EVSE limitations. Nominal conditions are defined to be ideal conditions that should transfer the maximum allowable energy in the minimum possible amount of time. Nominal condition profiles are compared across EVs to characterize state-of-the-art EV charging performance against one another. Off-nominal condition profiles are compared against its nominal condition profile counterpart to highlight the variance across less desirable starting conditions within a single EV. Under nominal conditions, most EVs can achieve the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) rated peak-power and charge times. Peak power across EVs has variance due to the vehicle design, battery topology, charging strategy, etc. These 10-100% nominal preconditioned charge profiles across 13 EVs (11 light-duty (LD), 2 heavy-duty (HD)) were used for analysis in power curve analysis, power distribution, SOC and range comparison, thermal impacts of current draw, battery pack size and energy charged, and ramp rates. Power curve analysis show the uniqueness in power vs time curves across all EVs, breaking down the features of a typical profile and where variation is typically seen. Power distribution results showed that over 50% of charge time is spent below 50kW and only 12.1% is spent above 200kW. SOC and range performance yielded different top performing EVs when exploring goals of performance from SOC and range gained after 10-min (EV2) and 20-min (EV8), and time-to-achieve 80% SOC (EV8) and 200 miles of range (EV1). Current draw from 400-volt EVs had a higher thermal impact to cable/connector temperatures when compared to 800-volt EVs, due to a higher current requirement to achieve similar power levels. There was high variance in C rating, a useful metric when comparing the relationship between peak/average charge session power and relative battery pack size, across EVs under test. Ramp rates during initial power transfer were examined, fastest and slowest speeds ranging from 192.5kW/second to 2.6kW/second respectively. A similar analysis of ramp rates was also conducted for OCPP curtailment testing, where EVs underwent a 2-minute 65A curtailment request before returning to full-power charge. Under off-nominal conditions, most EVs experienced variation from the nominal condition profiles. EVs that underwent the full set of NGP defined testing conditions were compared, analysis of which was categorized by 800-volt and 400-volt EVs. It should be noted that the 800-volt EVs had significantly higher peak power ratings than the 400-volt EVs, and thus were more prone to variance. Initial state of charge, battery temperature, and vehicle condition had a considerable impact on peak power levels and charge time for the 800-volt vehicles under test. EVSE limited tests lowered achievable power down to 200kW, greatly impacted 800-volt charging power, and had little to no effect on 400-volt charging power. Adapter testing was performed on a single 400-volt EV, where power and current limitations were found but overall charge time was not significantly impacted. Adapter and boost converter testing was performed on a single 800-volt EV, where both charge power and charge time were greatly impacted. Charge profiles are unique, and comparing such requires analysis that examines starting conditions, vehicle and battery topologies,

Charging↗
DOE OSTI2020

Dismantling of the Bohunice V1 Reactor Coolant System - 20011

About 2.5 kilometers from the village of Jaslovske Bohunice in the Trnava District in western Slovakia at the Bohunice V1 nuclear power plant, Westinghouse and VUJE are working on the dismantling of two VVER-440 units. The consortium was awarded this contract in October 2017 from Jadrova a vyradovacia spolocnost (JAVYS) and has begun onsite work to dismantle the reactor coolant systems of both units that operated at the plant. The Bohunice V1 plant is composed of two V-230 type VVER 440 units (440 MWe each). The first unit ceased operation on December 31, 2006, and the second on December 31, 2008, after 28 years of operation. The project strategy relies on the early release of some plant areas to allow the erection of new facilities to enable a fast and safe dismantling. These up-front activities play a crucial role within the whole project. Since schedule and ALARA are two key elements to be considered, it has been decided to separate the dry cutting activities from the ones occurring underwater. Two Wet Cutting Workshops will allow the segmentation and packaging of the high activity components. To take advantage of the large space available in the turbine building, a Dry Cutting Workshop has been built for segmenting the twelve steam generators of both units. Two more Dry Cutting Workshops (one per unit) have been installed in the reactor building for the fragmentation of the remaining large components and auxiliary systems components. This paper describes all current preparatory works as well as the on-going segmentation and packaging activities. Interesting lessons learned are also provided. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

DEM and MELT: A Modular and Compact In-Can Melting Technology Dedicated to D and D and Remediation Waste - 20033

The DEM and MELT In-Can vitrification process is designed to process intermediate and high level waste coming for D and D and remediation operations. It is developed to treat liquid and solid waste, to produce a small amount of secondary waste and to minimize investment and operating costs. This In-Can vitrification process is also developed with a compact and modular design and can be adapted regarding nuclear operators' needs and requirements. Furthermore, this robust and simple process is flexible enough to accommodate most uncertainties on waste composition. The DEM and MELT process is developed through the French consortium coordinated by CEA which gathers Orano, ECM technologies and Andra. In the frame of this project, Orano has designed a compact and modular layout of the process allowing an efficient in situ implementation, close to the waste to be treated. This paper presents the compact and modular design of the DEM and MELT process and the way it can be used for a short duration, as a decommissioning tool aimed to be dismantled just after the treatment operation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

DEM and MELT In-Can Vitrification Process for Fukushima Daiichi Water Treatment Secondary Waste - 20034

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station was severely damaged by a tsunami induced by the earthquake on March 11, 2011. A large amount of water treatment secondary waste has been generated from the purification work of contaminated water that consists of the water flowing into the reactor building. The Mid and Long-Term Road map specifies that solid waste at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station should be stored safely and reasonably according to its characteristics. In order to meet this goal, a versatile treatment solution is needed, and the In-Can vitrification seems to be a suitable solution. The DEM and MELT In-Can vitrification process is being developed and qualified in France to treat waste arising from decommissioning and dismantling operations. This qualification is carried out through the consortium of the DEM and MELT project coordinated by CEA which gathers Orano, ECM technologies and Andra. The DEM and MELT In-Can vitrification process is a robust, simple and versatile in situ vitrification process. It is designed for high or intermediate level waste and is compact enough to be implemented in an existing facility or close to the waste to be treated. It is developed to treat liquid and solid waste, to produce a small amount of secondary waste and to minimize investment and operating costs. The DEM and MELT In-Can vitrification process is also developed with a modular design in order to be adapted to nuclear operators needs and requirements. The In-Can melting process has already been developed and fully qualified by the CEA for Alpha liquid waste and can be rated TRL 7 for this scope. The In-Can vitrification technology is considered as a qualified solution that could be applied for the treatment of waste resulting from the D and D work in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. The feasibility evaluation of the DEM and MELT In-Can vitrification process for Fukushima Daiichi water treatment secondary waste is a project led by Orano, CEA and ANADEC. This R and D project is performed by the funds from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as The Subsidy Program 'Project of Decommissioning and Contaminated Water Management'. This paper presents the first results of this feasibility evaluation, from the scenarios and glass formulation definition to the industrial implementation feasibility. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Acoustic Backscatter for In Situ Monitoring of Nuclear Sludge Wastes During Transfer - 20117

This paper presents an overview into the use of acoustic backscatter systems (ABS) for the in situ characterization of nuclear waste sludge concentration, size and aggregation, highlighting key achievements from the University of Leeds. Previous projects funded through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) UK and Innovate UK are firstly reviewed and linked to current research within the new TRANSCEND consortium. Detailed are a number of developments at various stages of technology readiness level, from the use of ABS to monitor small-scale sludge settling in columns, to large-scale jet-mixing and waste transfer operations. Current work with Sellafield Ltd will see new technology and world leading analysis methods deployed to measure the consolidation of complex wastes currently undergoing containment, the first time full industrial utilization of these systems has been achieved. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Risk to Ecological Resources on Burial Waste Sites on the Hanford Site, Washington - 20248

The US and other nations have a large nuclear and chemical waste remediation task remaining from World War II, the Cold War, and industrial activities. The US Department of Energy (DOE) has the largest task in the U.S., with Hanford (Washington State) being the most contaminated site, with the longest and most costly cleanup program projected to extend to the end of the century. One of the greatest remediation problems at Hanford are the burial waste facilities, some of which are inside the 200 Areas on the Central Plateau, while others are outside the 200 Areas. These areas are associated with waste sites, pipes, and contaminated trenches, posing technical cleanup challenges to meet DoE's remediation goals, including protection of human health and the environment commensurate with Tri- Party Agreement and current regulatory requirements. In this paper we select one of the legacy waste sites (the BC Cribs and Trenches) as a case study to explore how risk to ecological resources varies during and as a consequence of remediation on sites primarily considered legacy waste sites. We used the risk methodology developed by the Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP) during the Hanford Site-wide Risk Review. The CRESP methodology included evaluating the risk to receptors, including human health, the Columbia River, groundwater, and ecological and cultural resources. The risk evaluation process for ecological receptors included defining the boundaries of each evaluation unit (EU) to be remediated, definition of a suitable buffer area that might be affected, and consideration of the known resource value based on field work. This information, coupled with known remediation options or strategies, allowed us to develop a risk rating for ecological resources. Site risks were evaluated on a scale of 'not discernible' to 'very high' risk. Consideration of the risks at the buried waste sites was complicated by uncertainties in remediation methods and the degree of restoration that would occur as part of the remediation process. We use the BC Cribs and Trenches as a case study to explore why the risks are low currently but increase during remediation. The current 'not discernible to low' risk rating is due to the lack of high quality ecological resources on the BC Cribs and Trenches EU, except for edge areas (with some state-listed species). During remediation the risks increase to 'medium', mainly due to high quality resources on adjacent buffer lands, which could be disrupted during active remediation. Medium and high quality resources on the edge of the site are continuous with higher quality native shrub-steppe habitat on the buffer. Ecological resources on some of the areas surrounding the 200 East and West Areas are some of the highest quality shrub-steppe areas on the Hanford Site, and risk to these resources could be prevented by planning before and during remediation to minimize disruption. For example, lay down areas for the BC Cribs and Trenches can be minimized by careful planning. Heavy truck and other vehicular traffic can be minimized. Spread of the noxious weeds now on some of the site can be prevented, and the spread of invasive species into the site (particularly near undisturbed shrub-steppe habitat) can be reduced. Further, the areas around and between the 200 East and West Areas have been largely undisturbed and can serve as a source of seeds and propagules for any revegetation that occurs as part of the remediation process. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗