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At least 703 records · Page 39

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2022

A novel green hydrogen production using water-energy nexus framework

The transformation of electrical energy to hydrogen via water electrolysis consumes considerable amount of fresh water and a productive use of nontraditional water sources enhances the reliability and resilience of energy and water systems. In this study, we have designed a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) system which is an evolving hydrogen production technology at high temperatures for water electrolysis. Here, the SOEC uses steam generated from flue gas as its feedstock and is fully integrated with numerous power production units, including coal and natural gas-fired power plants as its energy feedstock. While there is a hasten global shift away from fossil fuel, integrating its asset into this technology helps limit the risk and future losses of stranded assets and reduce the cost of investment in the new technologies. But high capital expenditures and doubt concerning the future cost and efficiency upgrade are obstacles to investing in water electrolysis. Such a detailed Levelized cost of hydrogen and techno-economic analysis is conducted to show the viability and environmental impacts of this novel technology. The results show SOEC efficiency of 97.4 % and 56.3 % as thermal-to-hydrogen efficiency of the system with a daily hydrogen production of 242,400 kg at $2.9–3.5/kg H 2 . The estimates show a positive gain prospect in this technology and techno-economic challenges.

08 HYDROGEN↗

NASA NTRS2009

Evaluation of the Biocidal Efficacy of Different Forms of Silver Against Cupriavidus (formerly Wautersia) Species Bacteria

Contingency Water Containers (CWCs) are used to store potable and technical water that is transferred to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Shuttle orbiter vehicles. When CWCs are filled, water from the orbiter galley is passed through an ion exchange/activated carbon cartridge that removes the residual iodine biocide used on Shuttle before silver biocide is added. Removal of iodine and addition of silver is necessary to inhibit microbial growth inside CWCs and maintain compatibility with the water systems in the Russian segment of ISS. As part of nominal water transfer activities, crewmembers collect samples from several CWCs for postflight analysis. Results from the analysis of water transfer samples collected during the docked phases of STS-118/13A.1 and STS-120/10A showed that several of the CWCs contained up to 10(exp 4) CFU/mL of bacteria despite the fact that the silver concentrations in the CWCs were within acceptable limits. The samples contained pure cultures of a single bacteria, a Cupriavidus (formerly Wautersia) species that has been shown to be resistant to metallic biocides. As part of the investigation into the cause and remediation of the bacterial contamination in these CWCs, ground studies were initiated to evaluate the resistance of the Cupriavidus species to the silver biocides used on ISS and to determine the minimum effective concentration for the different forms of silver present in the biocides. The initial findings from those experiments are discussed herein.

Gazda, Daniel B.↗

NASA NTRS2022

Evaluation of IMERG Satellite Precipitation Over the Land-Coast-Ocean Continuum – Part Ii: Quantification

To understand and manage water systems under a changing climate and meet an increasing demand for water, a quantitative understanding of precipitation is most important in coastal regions. The capabilities of the Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG) V06B product for precipitation quantification are examined over three coastal regions of the United States: the West Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and the East Coast, all of which are characterized by different topographies and precipitation climatologies. A novel uncertainty analysis of IMERG is proposed that considers environmental and physical parameters such as elevation and distance to the coastline. The IMERG performance is traced back to its components, i.e., passive microwave (PMW), infrared (IR), and morphing-based estimates. The analysis is performed using high-resolution, high-quality Ground Validation Multi-Radar/Multi-Sensor (GV-MRMS) rainfall estimates as ground reference at the native resolution of IMERG of 30 min and 0.1°. IMERG Final (IM-F) quantification performance heavily depends on the respective contribution of PMW, IR, and morph components. IM-F and its components overestimate the contribution of light rainfall (<1 mm h−1) and underestimate the contribution of high rainfall rates (>10 mm h−1) to the total rainfall volume. Strong regional dependencies are highlighted, especially over the West Coast, where the proximity of complex terrain to the coastline challenges precipitation estimates. Other major drivers are the distance from the coastline, elevation, and precipitation types, especially over the land and coast surface types, that highlight the impact of precipitation regimes.

Atmosphere↗

NASA NTRS2016

Development of the Continuous-Fill Brine Evaporation Bag (BEB) System

The existing water recovery system on the International Space Station (ISS) is limited to 70 percent reclamation; consequently, long duration space missions are currently unfeasible due to the large quantity of water necessary to sustain the crew. The Brine Evaporation Bag (BEB) is a proposed system to supplement the existing water recovery system aboard the ISS and future deep space missions that can increase water recovery to 99 percent. The BEB project previously focused on the development of only the bag portion of the system. This paper focuses on the development of the BEB Evaporator. It will discuss the work to understand, optimize, and improve the entire BEB system while implementing a continuous-fill process. The results of that development and the advantages and limitations of the continuous-fill process will be presented.

Water Recovery↗

NASA NTRS2016

Development of the Auto-Fill Brine Evaporation Bag (BEB) System

Delzeit, Lance↗

NASA NTRS1980

Test and evaluation of a solar-heating system

Report documents results of evaluation tests performed on components of commerical solar heating and hot water system. Subsystems tested include flat plate solar collector, energy transport module, and control panel. Tests conducted include snow and wind loads, flame spread, and smoke classification as well as solar heating operation.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1982

Solar-Heated Water at a Motel--Mobile, Alabama

Solar-assisted hot-water system for a new 122-unit motor inn in Mobile, Alabama, generates more than half the energy needed for hot-water heating at motel each year. System consists of 93 flat-plate collectors, 2,500 gallon (9,500 1) insulated storage tank located outdoors, heat exchangers and controls. Electronic thermometers, measuring the temperatures at 22 locations monitor system performance.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2025

PFAS Removal by Ion Exchange Resins: Background and Knowledge Gaps with Respect to the Hanford Site

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been a rising concern for the past two decades, with the United States Department of Defense and Environmental Protection Agency investing millions of dollars in research into remediation and clean-up technologies. Due to the environmental persistence, toxicity, biological uptake, and ongoing changes in both federal and state regulatory space, understanding the fate and transport of PFAS compounds has been of growing concern to the US Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE’s Hanford Site is investigating historical use of PFAS and will be doing site characterization for PFAS. Thus, PFAS have not yet been identified as a contaminant concern in regulatory documents. Based on historical records that mention the discharge of aqueous film-forming foam containing PFAS and having on-site fire stations (a risk factor for PFAS contamination), it seems likely that environmental releases of PFAS may have occurred. Pump and treat (P&T) remediation is the selected remedy for multiple groundwater contaminant plumes at Hanford. These P&T systems use ion exchange (IX) as a component of aboveground treatment, with the specific resins depending on the target contaminants. There is potential that these IX resins may be able to remove PFAS from groundwater, but investigation is needed to understand affinity/selectivity and removal capacity given the groundwater composition and the operating conditions. This report provides background on PFAS uses and chemistry, then provides a review of IX resin applications for PFAS, identifying knowledge gaps. Recommendations are provided regarding research needed to address knowledge gaps and acquire information needed to propose IX as a future PFAS remediation technology at the Hanford Site, as well as other U.S. Department of Energy sites. Generally, PFAS compounds are fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon – with a few noted exceptions, any chemical with at least a perfluorinated methyl group (–CF3) or a perfluorinated methylene group (–CF2–) is a PFAS. These chemical compounds are characterized as non-biodegradable, non-reactive, non-photolytic, and hydrolysis resistant. This makes them highly recalcitrant within the environment, however polyfluoroalkyl materials are less recalcitrant as the carbon chains contain C–H bonds which are more easily broken than carbon – fluorine (C–F) bonds. The backbone carbon structures are commonly punctuated with a head group, the most well-known of them are perfluorooctanesulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid, which possess a sulfonate and a carboxylate group, respectively. IX resins are marketed for the removal of PFAS from water systems and industrial water, however, the mechanism of removal is not as well understood as for anion or cation removal. A better understanding of the mechanism of removal would enable the development of IX resins that have improved specificity for PFAS removal. Four knowledge gaps were identified: 1) the effect of dissolved ions on the IX resin PFAS removal effectiveness, 2) the effect of additional primary contaminants of concern (PCOCs) or secondary contaminants of concern (SCOCs) on the effectiveness of PFAS via IX resin, 3) the mechanisms of PFAS removal from water, and 4) practical solutions to IX resin regeneration and waste disposal.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2025

Fitness For Service Assessment of a Corroded Heat Exchanger

Within the Fermi National Accelerator complex, there exist various water systems that support accelerator operations. One of these systems is extremely vital to the operation of the machine; that is the cooling system. The cooling system consists of nine relatively large heat exchangers that take untreated pond water and use it to cool the process fluid that further cools machine components. Over the 30 years these heat exchangers have been in operation, they have undergone significant material loss on the channels. This material loss, due to various forms of corrosion such as galvanic and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and possibly others, has deteriorated more than 80% of the nominal wall thickness of some of the exchangers and placed them in a questionable state. ASME FFS-1 (API 579) has been applied to address the condition of the heat exchangers due to their noncompliance with the governing code, BPVC Sec. VIII Div. 1. The assessments encompassed ASME FFS-1 parts 4: General Metal Loss and 9: Crack Like Flaw using level 1, 2, and 3 analysis techniques based on inspection data obtained by API 510 inspections. Level 1 and 2 assessments were deemed unfit for the corroded regions due to their location relative to a major structural discontinuity (channel to tube-sheet joint), so a level 3 analysis was conducted according to ASME Sec. VIII Div. 2 (design by analysis) rules for pressure vessels. Supplemental information included pond water tests to determine an accurate future corrosion allowance due to lacking inspection history. A leak before break (LBB) route was chosen to evaluate the possibility of leaking prior to the onset of failure. The analysis of one heat exchanger shows that the possibility the channel will develop a pinhole leak over 2.5 more years of operation should not be overlooked, but burst was unlikely from operation. The use of fracture mechanics show, that if a through-wall crack were to develop, it would not propagate further than the channel geometry and cause a leak not greater than 35 GPM. Using ASME Section XI Code Case N-705-1, allowing us to operate with a leak until the next outage given certain operating conditions and developing a leak mitigation procedure, this heat exchanger is deemed fit-for-service.

Humenik, Alex [Fermilab]↗

NASA NTRS1980

Advanced microbial check valve development

A flight certified assembly identified as a Microbial Check Valve (MCV) was developed and tested. The MCV is a canister packed with an iodinated anionic exchange resin. The device is used to destroy organisms in a water stream as the water passes through the device. The device is equally effective for fluid flow in either direction and its primary method of organism removal is killing rather than filtering. The MCV was successfully developed for the space shuttle to: disinfect fuel cell water; and prevent back contamination of the stored potable water supply. One version of the device consists of a high residual iodinated resin bed that imparts approximately 2 ppm of iodine to the fuel cell water as it flows to the potable water tanks. A second version of the device consists of a low residual iodinated resin bed. One of these low residual beds is located at each use port in the potable water system for the dual purpose of removing some iodine from the potable water as it is dispensed and also to prevent back contamination of the potable supply.

Colombo, G. V.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Technique for assessing vegetation-induced moisture flux, with implications for global climate modeling

The time between storms, the duration of storms, and the storm depths are studied in relation to vegetation controls on the disposition of rainfall. It is proposed that understanding the movement of water between the vegetation and soil (including evapotranspiration and infiltration) will be the gateway for modeling atmospheric flux and improving global climate models. The overall objective goal of the proposed research effort is to develop a field/lab methodology which will provide a better understanding of vegetation induced water movement. Water flow initiated from stem flow of wooded slopes feeds soil water pathways, which in turn feed the deeper ground water system and give rise to stream response. This is balanced by more water inputs via throughfall, where it percolates the soil matrix and allows much greater rates of evapotranspiration and atmospheric/soil moisture flux. This research study seeks to gain an understanding of the effect of vegetation on soil moisture, and the effect of this differential wetting on resulting evapotranspiration and atmospheric flux.

Macari, Emir Jose↗

DOE OSTI2025

Comparative study between experimental measurements and model predictions of bubble rise velocity in molten LiCl-KCl

This research investigated the shape and rise velocities of gas bubbles (helium, nitrogen, argon, and krypton) in molten LiCl-KCl at 500 °C using a specialized optical visualization apparatus. The apparatus features a custom quartz rectangular prism cell housed in a furnace, enabling the application of the shadowgraph measurement technique. Bubbles with diameters between 0.45 and 3.2 mm were produced via a capillary, and their equivalent diameters and rise velocities were analyzed using high-resolution imaging and centroid tracking algorithms. Important non-dimensional parameters were calculated to characterize behavior. Bubbles with 0.03 < Eo < 1.32, 17 < Re < 718, and Mo order of 10 -11 were generated in the molten LiCl-KCl, revealing that bubbles with diameters less than 1.46 mm remain spherical, whereas those with larger diameters are ellipsoidal. The transition and oscillation onset for bubble shape occurred at larger diameters than those previously observed in air–water systems. Comparative analysis of the gas-molten salt data against existing air–water bubble rise velocity correlations highlighted inaccuracies in predictions, particularly across the different bubble regimes. An existing correlation was calibrated to the molten salt data to improve the bubble velocity predictions. In conclusion, this study contributes essential experimental data for the design and safety evaluation of molten salt reactors and offers insights for the optimization of sparge systems for fission product removal.

Bubble rise velocity↗

NASA NTRS1991

Appendices B thru F, volume 3

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the intermodule ventilation (IMV) systems and water distribution systems of Space Station Freedom (SSF) modules and nodes should be connected as they are interfaced with those already in operation. It was concluded that the AC configuration and attached LAB and HAB modules and nodes should be interconnected. The H2O circuits should also be interconnected. Interconnecting the air and water provides flexibility of operation and safety comparable to the Assembly Complete (AC) configuration. This requires only only that valves and ducts be provided in the AC nodes. The AC node interfaces should also be scarred to provide for water transfer across these interfaces. Penalties for not connecting the Intermodular Ventilation (IMV) system and water circuits include an additional AR unit, possible increased water storage requirements, and considerable reduction in crew flexibility.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1981

Homemade Solar Systems

Through the use of NASA Tech Briefs, Peter Kask, was able to build a solarized domestic hot water system. Also by applying NASA's solar energy design information, he was able to build a swimming pool heating system with minimal outlay for materials.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mu2e Target Thermal Test Project

The Mu2e experiment requires a production target capable of operating under extreme thermal conditions caused by an 8 GeV proton beam. This project’s objective supports the development of the Mu2e Production Target by testing the Stickman model’s thermal behavior. To test this, Angel Flores Luviano has assisted Jonathan Williams in progressing this project by contributing to the development of a Radiative Cooling Test Fixture (RCTF) that will be used to evaluate the thermal behavior of the new production target model. Engineering calculations were performed to analyze thermal performance and pressure drop within the cold well and water cooling circuit, and determine optimal sizing for key components of the water system. An engineering note was made to document the calculations. CAD models of the water circuit piping, thermocouple mount, and radiator chimney were developed, and prototype test rig components were fabricated using 3D printing. Future work will focus on conti nued RCTF development which includes control system integration, heater hardware design, and interfaces that can be scaled up to increase thermal capacity.

Luviano, Angel Flores [Unlisted]↗

DOE OSTI2026

Mu2e Production Target Thermal Test Project

The Mu2e experiment requires a production target that is capable of operating under extreme thermal conditions caused by an 8 GeV proton beam. This project’s objective supports the development of the Mu2e Pro- duction Target by testing the Stickman model’s thermal behavior. Angel Flores Luviano has assisted Jonathan Williams in progressing this project by contributing to the development of a Radiative Cooling Test Fixture (RCTF) that will be used to evaluate the thermal behavior of the new production target model. Engineering calculations were performed to an- alyze thermal performance and pressure drop within the cold well and wa- ter cooling circuit. These calculations also determined the optimal sizing for key components of the water system. An engineering note was made to document these calculations. CAD models of the water circuit piping, thermocouple mounting bars, and radiator chimney were developed, and prototype test rig components were fabricated using 3D printing. Future work will focus on continued RCTF development which includes control system integration, heater hardware design, and interfaces that can be scaled up to increase thermal capacity.

Flores Luviano, Angel Augusto [Unlisted, US]↗

NASA NTRS1976

Water hyacinths for upgrading sewage lagoons to meet advanced wastewater treatment standards, part 2

Field tests using water hyacinths as biological filtration agents were conducted in the Mississippi gulf coast region. The plants were installed in one single cell and one multiple cell sewage lagoon systems. Water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to maintain BOD5 and total suspended solid (TSS) levels within the Environmental Protection Agency's prescribed limits of 30 mg/lBOD5 and 30 mg/l TSS. A multiple cell sewage lagoon system consisting of two aerated and one water hyacinth covered cell connected in series demonstrated the ability to maintain BOD5 and TSS levels below 30 mg/l year-round. A water hyacinth covered lagoon with a surface area of 0.28 hectare containing a total volume of 6.8 million liters demonstrated the capacity to treat 437,000 to 1,893,000 liters of sewage influent from 2.65 hectares of aerated lagoons daily and produce an effluent that met or exceeded standards year-round.

Wolverton, B. C.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Transfer Operator Framework for Earth System Predictability and Water Cycle Extremes

For chaotic dynamical systems, nonlinear instabilities lead to exponentially divergent trajectories in the evolution of system states. Unless a simulation is initialized with an infinite-precision snapshot of the state of the true system and all known physical effects that go into its evolution are directly computed, the future state predicted by the simulation will quickly diverge from that of the true system. Moreover, the Earth system is highly structured and contains localized coherent structures that are particularly important to predict. Predicting extreme events associated with coherent structures, like hurricanes and blocking events, is crucial for understanding the effects of global warming on the water cycle.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗