Results for “embodied energy” — Page 4

DOE OSTI2022

A Scalable Method for Decarbonizing Modular Building Solutions: Preprint

The decarbonization movement emphasizes the shift in focus from energy efficiency to directly reducing global-warming impact. Blokable, LLC, a vertically integrated modular builder with an all-electric portfolio, worked with NREL on a roadmap to decarbonize its high-performance building product at a relative cost advantage by utilizing the learning curves of mass production. Previous decarbonization literature focused on either i) lifecycle assessments, or ii) efficiency measures. These decarbonization exercises were bespoke to individual building projects and did not consider positive feedback loops of builder experience or process repetition. Vertically integrated, prefab builders possess the unique ability to leverage learning and repetition to decarbonize their design-build-operate process. This collaboration between Blokable and NREL resulted in a decarbonization strategy utilizing the company's scaling and production efficiencies, on-site renewable energy and storage, and the projected evolution of building components over time based on trends and emerging legislation. The method developed here encompasses a growing business model, lifecycle carbon assessment, and projected changes in product and grid emissions over time due to existing trends and emerging legislation. This methodology incorporates learning-curve efficiencies gleaned from scaled manufacturing, as well as open-source tools integration for energy and carbon accounting. The output projects and compares cost and carbon savings per modular unit as production increases to 10,000 dwelling units annually over 15 years. The resulting roadmap illustrates a path to roughly 60% carbon savings and beyond-net-zero-energy performance at no incremental cost by 2030. The methodology can be mapped to other integrated or productized builders for methodical decarbonization.

affordable housing↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Scalable Method for Decarbonizing Modular Building Solutions

The decarbonization movement emphasizes the shift in focus from energy efficiency to directly reducing global-warming impact. Blokable, LLC, a vertically integrated modular builder with an all-electric portfolio, worked with NREL on a roadmap to decarbonize its high-performance building product at a relative cost advantage by utilizing the learning curves of mass production. Previous decarbonization literature focused on either i) lifecycle assessments, or ii) efficiency measures. These decarbonization exercises were bespoke to individual building projects and did not consider positive feedback loops of builder experience or process repetition. Vertically integrated, prefab builders possess the unique ability to leverage learning and repetition to decarbonize their design-build-operate process. This collaboration between Blokable and NREL resulted in a decarbonization strategy utilizing the company's scaling and production efficiencies, on-site renewable energy and storage, and the projected evolution of building components over time based on trends and emerging legislation. The method developed here encompasses a growing business model, lifecycle carbon assessment, and projected changes in product and grid emissions over time due to existing trends and emerging legislation. This methodology incorporates learning-curve efficiencies gleaned from scaled manufacturing, as well as open-source tools integration for energy and carbon accounting. The output projects and compares cost and carbon savings per modular unit as production increases to 10,000 dwelling units annually over 15 years. The resulting roadmap illustrates a path to roughly 60% carbon savings and beyond-net-zero-energy performance at no incremental cost by 2030. The methodology can be mapped to other integrated or productized builders for methodical decarbonization.

affordable housing↗

DOE OSTI2020

Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) with limestone calcined clay cement (LC 3 )

Recent research have recognized that coupled use of calcined clay, limestone and cement clinker in concrete is viable to reduce environmental footprints at manufacture and to enhance material durability. In this study, a novel application of the limestone calcined clay cement (LC 3 ) is demonstrated by substituting the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC). The composite mechanical properties including σ-δ and σ-ε relationships and residual crack widths were evaluated to 28 days under uniaxial tension. Matrix chemistry was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction, while the pore structure of matrices and composites was analyzed using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The LC 3 -based ECC showed more rapid early strength development but lower 28-day strength (~32 MPa) due to a 20% higher water-to-solid ratio for attaining adequate workability and fiber dispersion. Nevertheless, the tensile strain capacity of LC 3 -based ECC achieved over 6% with an average residual crack width less than 50 μm. Additionally, the composite pore structure exhibited a decreasing volume fraction of large pores and voids (>100 nm) after substituting LC 3 for OPC. Here, the use of LC 3 marginally decreased the embodied material energy and cost, but led to about 32% and 28% reductions in CO 2 emissions compared to traditional OPC-based ECC and concrete, respectively. As a preliminary study, LC 3 -based ECC shows promise as a greener ductile concrete compared with OPC-based ECC.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Universal crossed beam imaging studies of polyatomic reaction dynamics

The marriage between high level quantum calculations and experimental advances in laser technology, quantum state control, and detection techniques have opened the door to the study of molecular collision dynamics at a new level of detail. However, one current challenge lies in adapting these powerful strategies to address questions beyond the scope of the small ground state systems that have largely been the focus of reaction dynamics investigations to-date. For molecules with intermediate or large size (more than 6 atoms), lack of spectroscopic information and spectral congestion limit quantum state preparation, control and detection for experiment, and the large number of degrees of freedom of the system makes accurate quantum dynamics calculations prohibitively expensive. Nevertheless, studies of the chemical dynamics of such systems can reveal novel aspects of reactivity not anticipated based upon the behavior of smaller model systems. This Perspective will highlight applications of soft vacuum ultraviolet photoionization at 157 nm as a universal probe in combination with crossed beams and DC slice velocity map ion imaging to study bimolecular reaction dynamics of molecules of intermediate or large size, illuminated with support of high-level ab initio calculations. In this work, we report on the chemical dynamics of atomic oxygen or chlorine reactions with organic compounds: propanol isomers, alkylamines (N(CH 3 ) 3 and NH(CH 3 ) 2 ), and isobutene ((CH 3 ) 2 CCH 2 ) studied using this approach. The polyatomic radical products from the hydrogen abstraction process have been detected by 157 nm photoionization and their slice ion images embody translational energy and angular information that directly reflect the underlying collision dynamics. Various reaction mechanisms (such as direct abstraction and addition–elimination) along with the involvement of roaming dynamics and novel intersystem crossing pathways are presented. These demonstrate the power of this technique to reveal fundamentally new aspects of reaction dynamics that arise in larger reaction systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Considerations for Electrochemical Phosphorus Precipitation: A Figures of Merit Approach

Electrochemical phosphorus precipitation (EPP) from wastewater is a promising emerging technology for recovering valuable nutrients. While there are significant advantages of EPP compared to traditional phosphorus recovery, large gaps in reported performance exist between EPP methods and between EPP and industrial methods. Herein we discuss Figures of Merit (FOM) to normalize and report EPP performance at low-to-intermediate technology readiness levels (TRLs). Here, the appropriate use of FOM in electrochemical engineering enables better comparison between technologies, enhanced understanding of electrochemical and mass transport phenomena, and faster scale-up and adoption of nascent technologies.¬ FOM specific to EPP are discussed along with important considerations and adaptations from traditional electrochemical engineering FOM. Importantly, this FOM approach may be adapted for many different electrochemical processes and technologies, aiding in the push toward and adoption of electrification in chemical processing.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

High temperature selective emitters via critical coupling of weak absorbers

Tailoring the emission spectra of a solar thermophotovoltaic emitter away from that of a blackbody, thereby minimizing transmission and thermalization loss in the energy receiver, is a viable approach to circumventing the Shockley-Queisser limit to single junction solar energy conversion. Embodiments allow for radically tuned selective thermal emission that leverages the interplay between two resonant phenomena in a simple planar structure—absorption in weakly-absorbing thin films and reflection in multi-layer dielectric stacks. A virtual screening approach is employed based on Pareto optimality to identify a small number of promising structures for a selective thermal emitter from a search space of millions, several of which approach the ideal values of a step-function selective thermal emitter.

Martinson, Alex B.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Wireless acoustic-electric feed-through for power and signal transmission

An embodiment provides electrical energy from a source on one side of a medium to a load on the other side of the medium, the embodiment including a first piezoelectric to generate acoustic energy in response to electrical energy from the source, and a second piezoelectric to convert the received acoustic energy to electrical energy used by the load. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Sherrit, Stewart↗

DOE OSTI2022

Solar receivers and methods for capturing solar energy

Thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a plurality of heat absorption bodies for conversion into thermal energy. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture. The receiver design enables a high penetration of concentrated sunlight deep into the thermal receiver to increase light trapping and reduce thermal losses. The thermal receiver is integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) receiver platform that converts some of the incident light to electricity while passing the remaining light to the thermal receiver. In another embodiment, other thermal receivers, systems, and methods are disclosed that efficiently capture concentrated solar energy into a sheet of falling particles. In an embodiment, the thermal receivers, systems, and methods enable simultaneous electricity conversion and thermal energy capture.

Ho, Clifford K.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Submerged wave energy converter for deep water operations

A submergible wave energy converter and method for using the same are described. Such a wave energy converter may be used for deep water operations. In one embodiment, the wave energy converter apparatus comprises an absorber having a body with an upper surface and a bottom surface and at least one power take-off (PTO) unit coupled to the absorber and configured to displace movement of the absorber body relative to a reference, where the power take-off unit is operable to perform motion energy conversion based on displacement of the absorber body relative to the reference in response to wave excitation, and where the power take-off unit is operable to return the absorber body from a displaced position to a predefined equilibrium position and to provide a force acting on the absorber body for energy extraction.

Lehmann, Marcus↗

DOE OSTI2021

Electrostatic generator electrode-centering and seismic-isolation system for flywheel-based energy storage modules

Robust electro-static (ES) device embodiments, with application to energy storage flywheels as an example, are described that provide reliable, high-efficiency operation in the presence of thermal and mechanical perturbations, as well as seismic events. Electro-static generators and motors, when augmented with magnetic bearings, passive three-dimensional stabilization techniques and dynamic touch-down bearings, enable robust performance in the face of these environmental concerns, as well as efficient operation during typical operational sequences, including spin-up and steady-state modalities.

Post, Richard F.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and methods

Methods, systems, and device for thermal energy storage are provided. For example, some embodiments include a thermal energy storage device that may include: a first casing wall; a second casing wall; and/or multiple support structures located between the first casing wall and the second casing wall. The multiple support structures may provide continuous thermal paths and/or continuous mechanical paths between the first casing wall and the second casing wall. The thermal energy storage device may be fabricated utilizing an additive manufacturing technique, such as direct laser metal sintering. Some embodiments may be manufactured utilizing printed metals, such as an aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, a phase-change material is charged between the first casing wall and the second casing wall. The phase-change material may include paraffin.

Isaacs, Steven↗

DOE OSTI2023

(Invited) Utilization of Bio-CO 2 and Bio-Methane for Fuel Production: Integration Solid Oxide Electrolyzer, Low Energy Plasma Reformer with Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis

Transition to renewable energy is essential to achieve climate protection objectives. Besides storing electricity for later use, fuel production using renewable energy is an essential part of reducing fossil dependance. The highest value application in current markets is the production of liquid transportation fuels such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) from sustainable, ideally biogenic carbon resources. A system is presented for processing anaerobic digester gas for liquid hydrocarbon production. Bio-CO 2 is processed through a solid oxide electrolysis cell and bio-CH 4 through a low energy plasma reformer. The combined synthesis gas is supplied to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor for the production of liquid hydrocarbons. The combination of technologies nearly doubles the yield of biofuel by utilizing the bio-CO 2 in addition to the bio-CH 4 . Here, the product fuel is all bio-carbon but it also embodies renewable electric energy in a high-value, storable and transportable liquid hydrocarbon.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2022

System and method for making fuels

Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed for obtaining high-energy fuels. In some embodiments, the system and method produces one or more fused cyclic compounds that can include one or more bridging points. The fused cyclic compounds are suitable for use as a high-energy fuels, and may be derived from biomass.

Sutton, Andrew D.↗

DOE OSTI2023

System and method for making fuels

Embodiments of a system and method are disclosed for obtaining high-energy fuels. In some embodiments, the system and method produces one or more fused cyclic compounds that can include one or more bridging points. The fused cyclic compounds are suitable for use as a high-energy fuels, and may be derived from biomass.

Sutton, Andrew D.↗

NASA NTRS1973

Metal shearing energy absorber

A metal shearing energy absorber is described. The absorber is composed of a flat thin strip of metal which is pulled through a slot in a cutter member of a metal, harder than the metal of the strip. The slot's length, in the direction perpendicular to the pull direction, is less than the strip's width so that as the strip is pulled through the slot, its edges are sheared off, thereby absorbing some of the pulling energy. In one embodiment the cutter member is a flat plate of steel, while in another embodiment the cutter member is U-shaped with the slot at its base.

Fay, R. J.↗

DOE OSTI2021

Biological and algae harvesting and cultivation systems and methods

Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, an algae harvesting method is provided for performing dead-end filtration in an algae harvesting system having at least one treatment tank defining a plurality of filtration stages including at least a first filtration stage and a second filtration stage. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.

Hazlebeck, David A.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Biological and algae harvesting and cultivation systems and methods

Algae harvesting and cultivating systems and methods for producing high concentrations of algae product with minimal energy. In an embodiment, a dead-end filtration system and method includes at least one tank and a plurality hollow fiber membranes positioned in the at least one tank. An algae medium is pulled through the hollow fiber membranes such that a retentate and a permeate are produced.

Hazlebeck, David A.↗

DOE OSTI2023

Distributed reinforcement learning and consensus control of energy systems

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for utilizing distributed reinforcement learning and consensus control to most effectively generate and utilize energy. In some embodiments, individual turbines within a wind farm may communicate to reach a consensus as to the desired yaw angle based on the wind conditions.

King, Jennifer Rose Rose↗