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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Separation of Lithium and Magnesium from Brines Using Zwitterionic Simulated Moving Beds: Cooperative Research and Development (Final Report)

The purpose of this work was to separate lithium and magnesium from lithium-containing brines by applying a zwitterionic simulated moving bed (zSMB) system that NLR developed. This work was needed to validate lithium and magnesium separation for future development at scale. Below is a summary of the tasks outlined in the Statement of Work and the results that were generated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Rapidly ramp cryogenic air separation unit without loss of O2 product purity—application for low-carbon fossil-fuel plants

The rapid integration of intermittent renewable sources into the electricity grid is driving the need for low-carbon, fossil-fuel power plant capable of rapid ramping. Therefore, a cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) as part of low-carbon, fossil-fuel power plant should be capable of rapid ramping. However, highly integrated and nonlinear processes of the ASU would significantly restrict this rapid ramping. To overcome this fundamental issue, we study the basic dynamic process of a state-of-the-art double-column ASU. A flow-driven dynamic model was established in Aspen Plus Dynamics, assuming perfect flow controls, to capture the basic dynamics of ramping ASU. We find the vapor-liquid counter-current flow structure in the low-pressure column is critical to the air separation when rapidly ramping the ASU. This flow structure is established based on a complicated heat integration process. It is simplified as an apparent counter-current heat transfer process in this work, which greatly reduces the complexity for studying the dynamics of ASU. For keeping this basic flow structure, the heat integration is maintained as its heat duty follows the ASU load, through several basic feed-forward and feed-back controllers on the critical stream flowrates. Moreover, we find a fundamental issue of mismatched dynamics in the low-pressure column, resulting in a significant loss of O2 product purity when rapidly ramping down the ASU and an obvious fluctuation of O2 product purity. Based on these explorations, we propose a basic control method for rapidly ramping the ASU without loss of O2 product purity. Results show the ASU basic dynamic process successfully ramps at a rate up to 10%/min (40-100% load) while maintaining the O2 product purity within 95.2-95.6 mol%.

Cheng, Mao↗
DOE OSTI2025

Aerodynamic Sensitivities over Separable Shape Tensors

Here, we present a comprehensive aerodynamic sensitivity analysis of airfoil parameterization informed by separable shape tensors. This parameterization approach uniquely benefits the design process by isolating various well-studied shape characteristics, such as airfoil thickness, and providing a well-regulated low-dimensional parameter domain for aerodynamic designs. Exploring the aerodynamic sensitivities of this novel parameterization can provide valuable insights for more robust designs and future manufacturing efforts. We construct a data-driven parameter space of airfoils using principal geodesic analysis of separable shape tensors informed by a curated database containing almost 20,000 suitable engineering airfoils. Analyzing the shape reconstruction error and the maximum mean discrepancy between joint distributions of aerodynamic quantities, we study the dimensionality of the learned parameter space. This simple numerical experiment demonstrates a dramatic dimension reduction that retains design effectiveness and promotes regularity of the shape representations. Finally, we generate new airfoils and use the HAM2D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver to predict lift, drag, and moment coefficients. We compute multiple sensitivity metrics to quantify and assert the consistency of parameter influence on the aerodynamic quantities. We also explore low-dimensional polynomial ridge approximations to motivate physical intuitions and offer explanations of the approximated sensitivities.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Real-time infrared spectroscopy coupled with blind source separation for nuclear waste process monitoring

On-line infrared absorbance spectroscopy enables rapid measurement of solution-phase molecular species. Many spectra-to-concentration models exist for spectral data, with some models able to handle overlapping spectral bands and nonlinearities. However, model accuracy is limited by the quality of training data used in model fitting. The process spectra of nuclear waste simulants at the Savannah River Site display incongruity between training and process spectra; the glycolate spectral signature in the training data does not match the glycolate signature in Savannah River National Laboratory process data. A novel blind source separation algorithm is proposed that preprocesses spectral data so that process spectra more closely resemble training spectra, thereby improving model quantification accuracy when unexpected sources of variation appear in process spectra. The novel blind source separation preprocessing algorithm is shown to improve nitrate quantification from an R 2 of 0.934 to 0.988 and from 0.267 to 0.978 in two instances analyzing nuclear waste simulants from the Slurry Receipt Adjustment Tank and Slurry Mix Evaporator cycle at the Savannah River Site.

Crouse, Steven H.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Recent Developments in High-Performance Membranes for CO 2 Separation

In this perspective article, we provide a detailed outlook on recent developments of high-performance membranes used in CO 2 separation applications. A wide range of membrane materials including polymers of intrinsic microporosity, thermally rearranged polymers, metal–organic framework membranes, poly ionic liquid membranes, and facilitated transport membranes were surveyed from the recent literature. In addition, mixed matrix and polymer blend membranes were covered. The CO 2 separation performance, as well as other membrane properties such as film flexibility, processibility, aging, and plasticization, were analyzed.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

First Detection of Orbital Motion for HD 106906 b: A Wide-separation Exoplanet on a Planet Nine–like Orbit

HD 106906 is a 15 Myr old short-period (49 days) spectroscopic binary that hosts a wide-separation (737 au) planetary-mass (∼11 M{sub Jup}) common proper motion companion, HD 106906 b. Additionally, a circumbinary debris disk is resolved at optical and near-infrared wavelengths that exhibits a significant asymmetry at wide separations that may be driven by gravitational perturbations from the planet. In this study we present the first detection of orbital motion of HD 106906 b using Hubble Space Telescope images spanning a 14 yr period. We achieve high astrometric precision by cross-registering the locations of background stars with the Gaia astrometric catalog, providing the subpixel location of HD 106906 that is either saturated or obscured by coronagraphic optical elements. We measure a statistically significant 31.8 ± 7.0 mas eastward motion of the planet between the two most constraining measurements taken in 2004 and 2017. This motion enables a measurement of the inclination between the orbit of the planet and the inner debris disk of either 36{sub −14}{sup +27} deg or 44{sub −14}{sup +27} deg, depending on the true orientation of the orbit of the planet. There is a strong negative correlation between periastron and mutual inclination; orbits with smaller periastra are more misaligned with the disk plane. With a periastron of 510{sub −320}{sup +480} au, HD 106906 b is likely detached from the planetary region within 100 au radius, showing that a Planet Nine–like architecture can be established very early in the evolution of a planetary system.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Phase Separation in Ultramassive White Dwarfs

We report ultramassive white dwarfs are extreme endpoints of stellar evolution. Recent findings, such as a missing multi-Gyr cooling delay for a number of ultramassive white dwarfs and a white dwarf with a quasi-Chandrasekhar mass, motivate a better understanding of their evolution. A key process still subject to important uncertainties is the crystallization of their dense cores, which are generally assumed to be constituted of 16 O, 20 Ne, and a mixture of several trace elements (most notably 23 Na and 24 Mg). In this work, we use our recently developed Clapeyron integration technique to compute accurate phase diagrams of three-component mixtures relevant to the modeling of O/Ne ultramassive white dwarfs. We show that, unlike the phase separation of 22 Ne impurities in C/O cores, the phase separation of 23 Na impurities in O/Ne white dwarfs cannot lead to the enrichment of their cores in 23 Na via a distillation process. This severely limits the prospect of transporting large quantities of 23 Na toward the center of the star, as needed in the white dwarf core-collapse mechanism recently proposed by Caiazzo et al. We also show that despite representing ≈10% of the ionic mixture, 23 Na and 24 Mg impurities only have a negligible impact on the O/Ne phase diagram, and the two-component O/Ne phase diagram can be safely used in white dwarf evolution codes. We provide analytic fits to our high-accuracy O/Ne phase diagram for implementation in white dwarf models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

COOL–LAMPS. III. Discovery of a 25."9 Separation Quasar Lensed by a Merging Galaxy Cluster*

In the third paper from the COOL–LAMPS Collaboration, we report the discovery of COOL J0542-2125, a gravitationally lensed quasar at z = 1.84, observed as three images due to an intervening massive galaxy cluster at z = 0.61. The lensed quasar images were identified in a search for lens systems in recent public optical imaging data and have separations on the sky up to 25farcs9, wider than any previously known lensed quasar. The galaxy cluster acting as a strong lens appears to be in the process of merging, with two subclusters separated by ~1 Mpc in the plane of the sky, and their central galaxies showing a radial velocity difference of ~1000 km s-1. Both cluster cores show strongly lensed images of an assortment of background sources, as does the region between them. A preliminary strong lens model implies masses of $M_{<250kpc} = 1.79^{+0.16}_{-0.01}$ x $10^{14} M_⊙$ and $M_{<250kpc} = 1.48^{+0.04}_{-0.10}$ x $10^{14} M_⊙$ for the east and west subclusters, respectively. This line of sight is also coincident with an ROSAT ALL-sky Survey source, centered between the two confirmed cluster halos reminiscent of other major cluster-scale mergers. Archival and new follow-up imaging show flux variability in the quasar images of up to 0.4 mag within ~1 yr, and new multicolor imaging data reveal a 2σ detection of the underlying quasar host. A lens system with this configuration offers rare opportunities for a range of future studies of both the lensed quasar and its host and the foreground cluster merger causing the lensing.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

BICEP/Keck. XX. Component-separated Maps of the Polarized Cosmic Microwave Background and Thermal Dust Emission Using Planck and BICEP/Keck Observations through the 2018 Observing Season

We present component-separated polarization maps of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and Galactic thermal dust emission, derived using data from the BICEP/Keck experiments through the 2018 observing season and Planck. By employing a maximum-likelihood method that utilizes observing matrices, we produce unbiased maps of the CMB and dust signals. We outline the computational challenges and demonstrate an efficient implementation of the component map estimator. We show methods to compute and characterize power spectra of these maps, opening up an alternative way to infer the tensor-to-scalar ratio from our data. We compare the results of this map-based separation method with the baseline BICEP/Keck analysis. Our analysis demonstrates consistency between the two methods, finding an 84% correlation between the pipelines.

cosmic inflation↗
DOE OSTI2020

Neon Cluster Formation and Phase Separation during White Dwarf Cooling

Recent observations of Galactic white dwarfs (WDs) with Gaia suggest there is a population of massive crystallizing WDs exhibiting anomalous cooling—the Q branch. While single-particle 22 Ne sedimentation has long been considered a possible heat source, recent work suggests that 22 Ne must separate into clusters, enhancing diffusion, in order for sedimentation to provide heating on the observed timescale. We show definitively that 22 Ne cannot separate to form clusters in C/O WDs using molecular dynamics simulations, and we further present a general C/O/Ne phase diagram showing that strong 22Ne enrichment is not achievable for 22 Ne abundance ≲30%. Here, we conclude that the anomalous heating cannot be due to 22Ne cluster sedimentation and that Q branch WDs may have an unusual composition, possibly rich with heavier elements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

22 Ne Phase Separation as a Solution to the Ultramassive White Dwarf Cooling Anomaly

The precise astrometric measurements of the Gaia Data Release 2 have opened the door to detailed tests of the predictions of white dwarf cooling models. Significant discrepancies between theory and observations have been identified, the most striking affecting ultramassive white dwarfs. Cheng et al. found that a small fraction of white dwarfs on the so-called Q branch must experience an extra cooling delay of ~8 Gyr not predicted by current models. 22 Ne phase separation in a crystallizing C/O white dwarf can lead to a distillation process that efficiently transports 22 Ne toward its center, thereby releasing a considerable amount of gravitational energy. Here, using state-of-the-art Monte Carlo simulations, we show that this mechanism can largely resolve the ultramassive cooling anomaly if the delayed population consists of white dwarfs with moderately above-average 22 Ne abundances. We also argue that 22 Ne phase separation can account for the smaller cooling delay currently missing for models of white dwarfs with more standard compositions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Extraction Chromatography Resins for Metal Ion Separations in Analytical Radiochemistry

Extraction chromatography resins are widely used in pretreatment for such as the analysis of radionuclides and metal ions, as well as the quantification of isotopes. These resins have been developed for the purpose of improving selectivity, reducing the generation amount of waste liquid, and performing simpler and faster separation compared with other separation methods such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, and coprecipitation. This paper explains, in an easy-to-understand manner, this extraction chromatography, including extractants, diluents, solid supports, etc. (A.O.)

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2020

Device for residue handling minimization with vacuum-assisted separations

A device for collection of residue from separation columns. A manifold provides for multiple sample ports that are fluidly connected to a vacuum port by at least one channel. Residue from the separation columns is pulled through the sample ports, into the channel, and then to the vacuum port. From the vacuum port the residue can be moved, under the force of the vacuum, directly to a drain or to a collection vessel connected with a drain.

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

Combined condensing direct-contact exchange and separations

Devices, systems, and methods for separating a vapor from a gas are disclosed. A gas is passed through a direct-contact exchanger. The exchanger using a contact liquid to cool the gas. The gas comprises a vapor. A portion of the vapor is condensed as the gas passes through the direct-contact exchanger, producing a product liquid and a vapor-depleted gas. The product liquid is immiscible in the contact liquid. The product liquid is gravity settled from the contact liquid such that the contact liquid and the product liquid separate in the direct-contact exchanger.

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

Water separation device for engine exhaust gas

A system includes an engine and an exhaust conduit in communication with the engine. A water separation device has exhaust gas passageways in communication with the exhaust conduit. The water separation device has a substrate and a membrane on the substrate. The substrate has inner walls surrounding the exhaust gas passageways with at least one of the inner walls being common to at least two of the exhaust gas passageways. The membrane is between the exhaust gas passageways and the substrate and has capillary condensation pores extending from the exhaust gas passageways to the substrate.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Methods for separating non-fibrous solids from liquids using a double-roller

A method for separating solids from liquids is disclosed. A double-roller system is provided. A process fluid is provided to the double-roller system. The process fluid comprises a suspended solid and a process liquid. The suspended solid comprises non-fibrous solid particles. A portion of the process fluid is compressed through the double-roller system to produce a compressed portion of the suspended solid. A product stream and a dilute fluid stream are separated. The product stream comprises a compressed portion of the suspended solid and a first portion of the process liquid. The dilute fluid stream comprises a second portion of the suspended solid and a second portion of the process liquid.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solar fuels generator with pH separation

A solar fuels generator includes an anolyte and a catholyte in contact with a separator. The separator is configured such that the pH of the anolyte and the pH of the catholyte are each held at a steady state pH level during operation of the solar fuels generator. The steady state pH level of the anolyte is different from the steady state pH level of the catholyte.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗