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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Quantum distillation of Hilbert spaces, semi-classics and anomaly matching

A symmetry-twisted boundary condition of the path integral provides a suitable framework for the semi-classical analysis of nonperturbative quantum field theories (QFTs), and we reinterpret it from the viewpoint of the Hilbert space. An appropriate twist with the unbroken symmetry can potentially produce huge cancellations among excited states in the state-sum, without affecting the ground states; we call this effect “quantum distillation”. Quantum distillation can provide the underlying mechanism for adiabatic continuity, by preventing a phase transition under S 1 compactification. We revisit this point via the ’t Hooft anomaly matching condition when it constrains the vacuum structure of the theory on $\mathbb{R} $ d and upon compactification. We show that there is a precise relation between the persistence of the anomaly upon compactification, the Hilbert space quantum distillation, and the semi-classical analysis of the corresponding symmetry-twisted path integrals. We motivate quantum distillation in quantum mechanical examples, and then study its non-trivial action in QFT, with the example of the 2D Grassmannian sigma model Gr(N, M). We also discuss the connection of quantum distillation with large-N volume independence and flavor-momentum transmutation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Evaluation of Biomass-Derived Distillate Fuel as Renewable Heating Oil

The utilization of advanced biofuels in stationary applications, such as home heating, is considered as an early entry point for biomass-derived fuels into the distillate fuel market sector. Two renewable fuels produced by a biomass fluidized catalytic cracking (BFCC) process, followed by hydroprocessing and fractionation, were tested. The evaluation was performed on a pure (100%) distillate fraction, 50% blend of the distillate fraction with petroleum-based heating oil, and 20% blend of a heavier gas oil fraction. Combustion experiments were carried out in a transparent quartz chamber and a typical oil-fired residential boiler. The flame stability, size, and shape produced by the fuels were examined. The flue gas was analyzed for O 2 , CO, NO x , and smoke. The elastomer compatibility test was performed with nitrile slabs at 43 °C for 1 month. Fuel stability was examined at 80 °C for 1 week. The results from the combustion studies suggest that the distillate fuel blends could be used as alternative fuels to No. 2 heating oil, even up to 100% without any operational issues. The distillate fuels were found to be stable. and the nitrile slab volume swell (~10%) suggests that the fuel could be compatible to legacy elastomers.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Efficiency of fermionic quantum distillation

Here, we present a time-dependent density-matrix renormalization group investigation of the quantum distillation process within the Fermi-Hubbard model on a quasi-one-dimensional ladder geometry. The term distillation refers to the dynamical, spatial separation of singlons and doublons in the sudden expansion of interacting particles in an optical lattice, i.e., the release of a cloud of atoms from a trapping potential. Remarkably, quantum distillation can lead to a contraction of the doublon cloud, resulting in an increased density of the doublons in the core region compared to the initial state. As a main result, we show that this phenomenon is not limited to chains that were previously studied. Interestingly, there are additional dynamical processes on the two-leg ladder such as density oscillations and self-trapping of defects that lead to a less efficient distillation process. An investigation of the time evolution starting from product states provides an explanation for this behavior. Initial product states are also considered since in optical lattice experiments, such states are often used as the initial setup. We propose configurations that lead to a fast and efficient quantum distillation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Energy and exergy analysis of a novel multiple-effect vapor chamber distillation system for high-salinity wastewater treatment

A novel modular thermally-driven multiple-effect vapor chamber distillation (MVCD) system is presented for compact and portable desalination applications. The MVCD system consists of several vapor chambers connected in series with the condenser section of the upstream vapor chambers serving as the evaporator section of the following effect. A heat transfer model accounting for the major thermal resistances was developed to predict the heat transfer and distilled water production rates. A mass transfer analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of the accumulation of the non-condensable gasses within the chambers. An exergy analysis was also conducted to quantify the efficiency of the system from the viewpoint of the second law of thermodynamics. It was found that for a fixed number of effects, increasing the hot-end temperature increased the distillation rate and decreased the second law efficiency. On the other hand, increasing the number of effects at a fixed hot-end temperature resulted in increased distillation rate and second law efficiency. The increased salinity of the feed water resulted in smaller distillation rates and greater second law efficiency. For all the cases, it was found that sensible heat recovery from the discharging fluids could improve the gained output ratio (GOR) and the second law efficiency by about 10%. Here, the quantitatively, at a hot-end temperature of 70°C, feed water salinity of 35 ppt and recovery ratio of 36%, the MVCD system with six effects and energy recovery from the discharging fluids yielded a GOR of 5.0 and a second law efficiency of 3.8%.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2015

Development of an Exploration-Class Cascade Distillation System: Flight Like Prototype Preliminary Design

The ability to recover and purify water through physiochemical processes is crucial for realizing long-term human space missions, including both planetary habitation and space travel. Because of their robust nature, distillation systems have been actively pursued as one of the technologies for water recovery. One such technology is the Cascade Distillation System (CDS) a multi-stage vacuum rotary distiller system designed to recover water in a microgravity environment. Its rotating cascading distiller operates similarly to the state of the art (SOA) vapor compressor distiller (VCD), but its control scheme and ancillary components are judged to be straightforward and simpler to implement into a successful design. Through the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) Project, the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in collaboration with Honeywell International is developing a second generation flight forward prototype (CDS 2.0). The key objectives for the CDS 2.0 design task is to provide a flight forward ground prototype that demonstrates improvements over the SOA system in the areas of increased reliability and robustness, and reduced mass, power and volume. It will also incorporate exploration-class automation. The products of this task are a preliminary flight system design and a high fidelity prototype of an exploration class CDS. These products will inform the design and development of the third generation CDS which is targeted for on-orbit DTO. This paper details the preliminary design of the CDS 2.0.

Callahan, Michael R.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Integrated process of distillation with side reactors for synthesis of organic acid esters

An integrated process and system for synthesis of organic-acid esters is provided. The method of synthesizing combines reaction and distillation where an organic acid and alcohol composition are passed through a distillation chamber having a plurality of zones. Side reactors are used for drawing off portions of the composition and then recycling them to the distillation column for further purification. Water is removed from a pre-reactor prior to insertion into the distillation column. An integrated heat integration system is contained within the distillation column for further purification and optimizing efficiency in the obtaining of the final product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Efficient Solar‐Thermal Distillation Desalination Device by Light Absorptive Carbon Composite Porous Foam

Abstract Solar‐thermal driven desalination based on porous carbon materials has promise for fresh water production. Exploration of high‐efficiency solar desalination devices has not solved issues for practical application, namely complicated fabrication, cost‐effectiveness, and scalability. Here, direct solar‐thermal carbon distillation (DS‐CD) tubular devices are introduced that have a facile fabrication process, are scalable, and use an inexpensive but efficient microporous graphite foam coated with carbon nanoparticle and superhydrophobic materials. The “black” composite foam serving as a solar light absorber heats up salt water effectively to produce fresh water vapor, and the superhydrophobic surface of the foam traps the liquid feed in the device. Two proof‐of‐principle distillation systems are adopted, i.e., solar still and membrane distillation and the fabricated devices are evaluated for direct solar desalination efficiency. For the solar still, nanoparticle and fluorosilane coatings on the porous surface increase the solar energy absorbance, resulting in a solar‐steam generation efficiency of 64% from simulated seawater at 1 sun. The membrane distillation demonstrates excellent vapor production (≈6.6 kg m ‐2 h ‐1 ) with >99.5% salt rejection under simulated 3 sun solar‐thermal irradiation. Unlike traditional solar desalination, the adaptable DS‐CD can easily be scaled up to larger systems such as high‐temperature tubular modules, presenting a promising solution for solar‐energy‐driven desalination.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Biomass pretreatment with distillable ionic liquids for an effective recycling and recovery approach

Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment methods show incredible promise for the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks to fuels and chemicals. Given their low vapor pressures, distillation-based methods of extracting ionic liquids out of biomass post-pretreatment have historically been ignored in favor of alternative methods. We demonstrate a process to distill four acetate-based ionic liquids ([EthA][OAc], [PropA][OAc], [MAEthA][OAc], and [DMAEthA][OAc]) at low pressure and high purity that overcome some disadvantages of “water washing” and “one pot” recovery methods. Out of four tested ILs, ethanolamine acetate ([EthA][OAc]) is shown to have the most agreeable conversion metrics for commercial bioconversion processes achieving 73.6% and 51.4% of theoretical glucose and xylose yields respectively and >85 % recovery rates. Our process metrics are factored into a techno-economic analysis where [EthA][OAc] distillation is compared to other recovery methods as well as ethanolamine pretreatment at both milliliter and liter scales. In conclusion, although our TEA shows [EthA][OAc] distillation underperforming against other processes, we show a step-by-step avenue to reduce sugar production cost below the wholesale dextrose price at scale.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Combined electrocoagulation-microfiltration-membrane distillation for treatment of hydraulic fracturing produced water

Hydraulic fracturing flowback and produced water is a highly impaired wastewater containing dissolved salts polar and non-polar organic compounds, oil and surfactants. Here a combined electrocoagulation - microfiltration – membrane distillation process has been used to treat this wastewater. Electrocoagulation followed by microfiltration was used to pretreat the wastewater prior membrane distillation. The initial total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration was extremely high being 245,300 mg L -1 . After electrocoagulation, the total organic carbon (TOC) was reduced from 120 mg L -1 to 64 mg L -1 . Tangential flow microfiltration using a 0.1 μm pore size polyethersulfone membrane was used to separate the particulate matter after electrocoagulation and to further reduce the TOC to 44 mg L -1 . Membrane distillation was used to desalinate the pretreated produced water resulting in a high quality treated water (TDS of 56 mg L -1 and TOC 1 mg L -1 ). Three membranes with very different surface morphology were used: commercially available polyvinylidene fluoride, electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanofibers and multiwalled carbon nanotube coated polytetrafluoroethylene. The TDS in the retentate increased to over 350,000 mg L -1 . During membrane distillation, the temperature of the feed tank was maintained at 36 °C while the feed entered the module at 60 °C in order to minimize scaling on the membrane. The surface properties of an ideal membrane that is resistant to wetting and provides high flux is likely to depend on the TDS and properties of the wastewater.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Integrated Electrocoagulation, Ultrafiltration, Membrane Distillation, and Crystallization for Treating Produced Water

Produced water (PW) generated from hydraulic fracturing operations was treated using an integrated electrocoagulation, ultrafiltration, membrane distillation, and crystallization process (EC UF MDC). The aim was to determine the viability of this integrated process for maximizing water recovery. The results obtained here indicate that optimizing the various unit operations could lead to increased recovery of PW. Membrane fouling limits all membrane separation processes. A pretreatment step to suppress fouling is essential. Here, removal of total suspended solids (TSS) and total organic carbon (TOC) was achieved by electrocoagulation (EC) followed by ultrafiltration (UF). The hydrophobic membrane used in membrane distillation may be fouled by dissolved organic compounds. Reducing membrane fouling is essential to increase the long-term durability of the membrane distillation (MD) system. In addition, combining membrane distillation with crystallization (MDC) can help reduce scale formation. By inducing crystallization in the feed tank, scale formation on the MD membrane was suppressed. The integrated EC UF MDC process can impact Water Resources/Oil & Gas Companies. Conservation of surface and groundwater is possible by treating and reusing PW. Additionally, treating PW reduces the amount of PW disposed in Class II disposal wells and promotes more environmentally sustainable operations.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

A heat & mass integration approach to reduce capital and operating costs of a distillation configuration

We propose a general method to consolidate distillation columns of a distillation configuration using heat and mass integration. The proposed method encompasses all heat and mass integrations known till date, and includes many more. Each heat and mass integration eliminates a distillation column, a condenser, a reboiler and the heat duty associated with a reboiler. Thus, heat and mass integration can potentially offer significant capital and operating cost benefits. In this talk, we will study the various possible heat and mass integrations in detail, and demonstrate their benefits using case studies. This work will lay out a framework to synthesize an entire new class of useful configurations based on heat and mass integration of distillation columns.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2016

Distillation of Americium from Plutonium Americium Oxide

Understanding the changes that fuel undergoes inside a reactor and understanding the properties of recycled fuel to provide a foundation for the development of a sustainable nuclear fuel cycles are two of the main objectives of Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD). Research on transmutation fuel aims to develop technologies needed to transmute the long-lived transuranic actinide isotopes contained in spent nuclear fuel into shorter-lived fission products, thereby decreasing both the volume of material requiring disposal and the long-term radiotoxicity of the waste. Since there is no recycled nuclear fuel available for study within the United States, studies of this type of fuel must be conducted on fabricated fuel. Americium is an important component of recycled fuel and, thus, is a vital additive in the fabrication process. Unfortunately, the supplies of pure americium metal are dwindling. Idaho National laboratory (INL) has acquired a stockpile of americium- bearing material from around the DOE complex which can be purified to supply the needs of the fuel fabrication process. In order to make this material usable, it must be distilled (or, in some cases, reduced from an oxide) to a material pure enough to be used in the fuel fabrication process. The americium distillation experiments were set up to develop a process to convert the available americium bearing material into pure americium metal. This work gives important insight into the best parameters to use in future americium distillation runs. Since future starting material is likely to contain significantly more oxide, it will be necessary to add a reducing agent such as lanthanum in order to reduce the oxide material prior to distillation. Early experiments show that the addition of lanthanum does not significantly change the purity of the end product. Soak time was found to be beneficial in producing a higher quantity of pure material. All experiments show that the material preferentially deposits on the walls of the crucible rather than on the cold finger as was originally intended. Future experiments will aim to deposit material on the cold finger rather than the crucible walls in order to make material retrieval easier as well as to increase yield. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Simultaneous optimization of simulated moving bed adsorption and distillation for 2,3‐butanediol recovery

Abstract A combined simulated moving bed (SMB) and distillation separation scheme is developed to recover 2,3‐butanediol (BDO) from a dilute fermentation broth. The scheme was integrated into a lignocellulosic biorefinery that produces hydrocarbon fuels from corn stover with BDO as an intermediate. BDO recovery is one of the most challenging processes in this biorefinery; and given the high associated energy duties, direct distillation is considered cost‐prohibitive. An alternative separation is SMB adsorption in nanoporous materials, which can reject 90% of the water and reduce subsequent distillation costs. Rigorous models were used to optimize the SMB and distillation simultaneously. The separation can be added to the biorefinery while keeping the projected minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) below $0.66 USD (US dollars) per liter gasoline‐equivalent ($2.50/GGE, gallon gasoline equivalent). Finally, sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the effects of cost and lifetime of the adsorbent, titer concentration, and BDO purity.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Membrane Distillation Modeling Progress Report Fiscal Year 2016

Membrane distillation is a water purification technology which uses a porous hydrophobic membrane. Liquid water cannot penetrate the membrane at operational pressures but vapor flows through the membrane if there is a vapor pressure difference across the membrane. Many configurations for membrane distillation have been investigated over the last several decades. In this modeling effort, two successful direct contact membrane model development using steady-state control volume balances on energy and mass are presented. Verification and validation of the models is applied to the extent necessary to use the models for comparative design purposes. Significant errors between modeling and experimental membrane distillation data are argued to be due to uncertainty in membrane material property measurements. A second effort to model a vacuum membrane distillation system designed by Memsys® is still progressing. Two efforts have not yet produced output mass flow comparable to the literature. Even so, much of the framework needed to model the Memsys® system is complete.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Controlling Excited-State Contributions to Nucleon Isovector Charges using Distillation

Reliable calculations in Lattice QCD must confront excited-state contamination and statistical precision, where attempts to reduce excited-state effects are often handled with various "smearing" algorithms. Distillation, a particularly powerful form of smearing, has seen extensive use in spectroscopy calculations, yet, until now, has not seen use in calculations of hadronic structure. We find that distillation, and an extended basis of distilled interpolators facilitated by the variational method, applied to calculations of the scalar, axial and tensor isovector charges of the nucleon, lead to a dramatic reduction in statistical uncertainty and excited-state contamination when compared to conventional methods, thereby making a strong case for distillation in future, more elaborate, structure calculations.

Egerer, Colin↗
NASA NTRS1983

Performance simulation of the JPL solar-powered distiller. Part 1: Quasi-steady-state conditions

A 37.85 cu m (10,000 gallons) per year (nominal) passive solar powered water distillation system was installed and is operational in the Venus Deep Space Station. The system replaced an old, electrically powered water distiller. The distilled water produced with its high electrical resistivity is used to cool the sensitive microwave equipment. A detailed thermal model was developed to simulate the performance of the distiller and study its sensitivity under varying environment and load conditions. The quasi-steady state portion of the model is presented together with the formulas for heat and mass transfer coefficients used. Initial results indicated that a daily water evaporation efficiency of 30% can be achieved. A comparison made between a full day performance simulation and the actual field measurements gave good agreement between theory and experiment, which verified the model.

Yung, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Vapor compression distiller and membrane technology for water revitalization

Water revitalization for a space station can consist of membrane filtration processes and a distillation process. Water recycling equipment using membrane filtration processes was manufactured for ground testing. It was assembled using commercially available components. Two systems for the distillation are studied: one is absorption type thermopervaporation cell and the other is a vapor compression distiller. Absorption type thermopervaporation, able to easily produce condensed water under zero gravity, was investigated experimentally and through simulated calculation. The vapor compression distiller was studied experimentally and it offers significant energy savings for evaporation of water.

Ashida, A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Development of an Exploration-Class Cascade Distillation System: Flight Like Prototype Design Status

The ability to recover and purify water through physiochemical processes is crucial for realizing long-term human space missions, including both planetary habitation and space travel. Because of their robust nature, distillation systems have been actively pursued as one of the technologies for water recovery. One such technology is the Cascade Distillation System (CDS) a multi-stage vacuum rotary distiller system designed to recover water in a microgravity environment. The CDS provides a similar function to the state of the art (SOA) vapor compressor distiller (VCD) currently employed on the International Space Station, but its control scheme and ancillary components are judged to be more straightforward and simpler to implement into a more reliable and efficient system. Through the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) Project, the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in collaboration with Honeywell International is developing a second generation flight forward prototype (CDS 2.0). A preliminary design fo the CDS 2.0 was presented to the project in September 2014. Following this review, detailed design of the system continued. The existing ground test prototype was used as a platform to demonstrate key 2.0 design and operational concepts to support this effort and mitigate design risk. A volumetric prototype was also developed to evaluate the packaging design for operability and maintainability. The updated system design was reviewed by the AES LSS Project and other key stakeholders in September 2015. This paper details the status of the CDS 2.0 design.

Sargusingh, Miriam C.↗