Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “desorption”

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 865 records · Page 48
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Field experiments of surface water to groundwater recharge to characterize the mobility of uranium and vanadium at a former mill tailing site

Characterizing the mobility of uranium and vanadium in groundwater with a hydraulic connection to surface water is important to inform the best management practices of former mill tailing sites. In this study, the recharge of river water to the unsaturated and saturated zones of a uranium-contaminated alluvial aquifer was simulated in a series of forced-gradient single- and multi-well injection-extraction tests. The injection fluid (river water) was traced with natural and artificial tracers that included halides, fluorobenzoates, lithium, and naphthalene sulfonate to characterize the potential mass transport mechanisms of uranium and vanadium. The extraction fluid (river water/groundwater mixture) was analyzed for the tracers, uranium, and vanadium. The results from the tracers indicated that matrix diffusion was likely negligible over the spatiotemporal scales of the tests as evident by nearly identical breakthrough curves of the halides and fluorobenzoates. In contrast, the breakthrough curves of lithium and naphthalene sulfonate indicated that sorption by cation exchange and sorption to organic matter, respectively, were potential mass transport mechanisms of uranium and vanadium. Uranium was mobilized in the saturated zone containing gypsum (gypsum-rich zone), the vadose zone (vadose-rich zone), and the saturated zone containing organic carbon (organic-rich zone) whereas vanadium was mobilized only in the saturated gypsum-rich zone. The mechanisms responsible for the mobilization of uranium and vanadium were likely dissolution of uranium- and vanadium-bearing minerals and/or desorption from the gypsum-rich zone, flushing of uranium from the vadose-rich zone, and desorption of uranium from the organic-rich zone due to the natural contrast in the geochemistry between the river water and groundwater. The experimental design of this study was unique in that it employed the use of multiple natural and artificial tracers coupled with a direct injection of native river water to groundwater. Here, these results demonstrated that natural recharge and flooding events at former mill tailing sites can mobilize uranium, and possibly vanadium, and contribute to persistent levels of groundwater contamination.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

High pressure decontamination of building materials during radiological incident recovery

The release of radiological material from a nuclear incident has the potential to cause extensive radiological contamination requiring rapid decontamination. A promising method for rapid remediation is the use of pressure washers to decontaminate building and street surfaces. Pressure washers utilize both physical removal through surface ablation and chemical removal through desorption of bonded radionuclides. To understand the extent that each removal mechanism is present, overall removals, depth profiles, and wash water were analyzed from the pressure washing of various surfaces contaminated with cesium, strontium, and europium. Removals were dependent on surface type with over 80% of the radionuclides removed from concrete, 50-80% from asphalt, and only 20-25% from brick. Generally, the closer the radionuclide was to the surface of the material, the higher the removal, with europium being removed most readily followed by cesium then strontium, though some exceptions were evident. Comparing these removals and depth profiles of radionuclides in non-decontaminated coupons revealed that cesium and europium are mostly removed through surface ablation. Strontium, on the other hand, is desorbed from the surface, especially from brick and asphalt surfaces. Correspondingly, cesium and europium were attached to the particulates that were likely removed with the pressurized water. Strontium was primarily dissolved in the wash water, supporting the observation that the radionuclide is desorbed from each surface. Finally, the faster the surfaces were brought through the high pressure spray, the lower the removals, arising from decreases in both the physical and desorption mechanisms. Overall, pressure washers were concluded to be a promising decontamination method during radiological incident relief. However, the surface and radionuclide identity must be considered when developing proper procedures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Chemical kinetics parameters and model validation for the gasification of PCEA nuclear graphite

A series of gasification experiments, using two right cylinder specimens (~ 12.7 x 25.4 mm and 25.4 x 25.4 mm) of PCEA nuclear graphite in ambient airflow, measured the total gasification flux at weight losses up to 41.5% and temperatures (893-1015 K) characteristics of those for in-pores gasification Mode (a) and in-pores diffusion-limited Mode (b). The chemical kinetics parameters for the gasification of PCEA graphite are determined using a multi-parameters optimization algorithm from the measurements of the total gasification rate and transient weight loss in experiments. These parameters are: (i) the pre-exponential rate coefficients and the Gaussian distributions and values of specific activation energies for adsorption of oxygen and desorption of CO gas; (ii) the specific activation energy and pre-exponential rate coefficient for the breakup of stable un-dissociated C(O2) oxygen radicals to form stable (CO) complexes; (iii) the specific activation energy and pre-exponential coefficient for desorption of CO2 gas and; (iv) the initial surface area of reactive free sites per unit mass. This area is consistently 13.5% higher than that for nuclear graphite grades of NBG-25 and IG-110 and decreases inversely proportional with the square root of the initial mass of the graphite specimens in the experiments. Experimental measurements successfully validate the chemical-reactions kinetics model that calculates continuous Arrhenius curves of the total gasification flux and the production rates of CO and CO2 gases. The model results at different total weight losses agree well with measurements and expand beyond the temperatures in the experiments to the diffusion-limited mode of gasification. Also calculated are the production rates of CO and CO2 gases and their relative contributions to the total gasification rate in the experiments as functions of temperature, for total weight losses of 5% and 10%.

kinetics↗
DOE OSTI2014

Deuterium retention and out-gassing from beryllium oxide on beryllium

We studied the desorption of D implanted into Be with a superficial oxide layer. We found that the different oxide thicknesses and implantation at different energies resulted in a strong variation of the fraction stopped within the oxide layer. Thermal desorption of D was subsequently performed, intermitted by nuclear reaction analysis for assessment of the D depth distributions and total retained amounts. Moreover, for the conditions, where part of the D was deposited in the Be substrate, a sharp decrease of the retained amount of D occurs around 200 °C. This is attributed to the release from metallic Be. Correspondingly, the D and O depth profiles show that above 200 °C the remaining D is only retained in the BeO layer. Apparently, the superficial BeO layer does not act as a diffusion barrier for D that is released from the metallic substrate. The retained amount of D deposited within the BeO layer decreases steadily and is not completely released at 350 °C, the foreseen bake-out temperature in ITER.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Layer-structured triple-conducting electrocatalyst for water-splitting in protonic ceramic electrolysis cells: Conductivities vs. activity

Electron, proton and oxygen-triple-conducting materials are becoming the dominant steam electrode candidate to break the rate limit on the water-splitting reaction that throttles the performance of protonic ceramic electrolysis cells (PCECs). In this study, based on Pr 2 NiO 4+δ Ruddlesden-Popper phase, we manipulate these conductivities by Pr-site Ba substitution to probe the correlation of each conductivity with the kinetics of the elementary reaction steps. It is found that the proton conductivity is vital to sustain an extended active surface area for faster adsorption of reactants and desorption of products. The effect of oxygen conductivity is surprisingly found insignificant in the water-splitting reaction. On the contrary, surface oxygen removal is discovered as the most rate-limiting process. The electronic conductivity is not a direct limiting factor. However, an electron transfer process between the current collector and the electrode junction could introduce extra resistance that is perceptible at a high operating temperature range. The best water-splitting activity is obtained on a proton conductivity/oxygen surface desorption capability well-balanced sample after Ba substitution. As a result, a water-splitting reaction resistance of 0.022 Ωcm 2 , a current density of 1.96 A/cm 2 at 700 °C is achieved on Pr 1.7 Ba 0.3 NiO 4+δ , one of the best performances for PCECs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of Mg substitution on crystal structure and hydrogenation of Ce{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}-type Pr{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}

The effect of Pr being substituted by Mg in Pr{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} with a Ce{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}-type structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and pressure−composition (P−C) isotherm measurements. The maximum hydrogen capacity of Pr{sub 2}Ni{sub 7} reached 1.24 H/M in the first absorption process. However, 0.61 H/M hydrogen remained in the sample after the first desorption and the reversible hydrogen capacity decreased to 0.63 H/M. Severe peak broadening was observed in the XRD profile of Pr{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}H{sub 5.4} after the first P−C isotherm cycle. The metal sublattice of Pr{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}H{sub 5.4} is deformed and changes from the Ce{sub 2}Ni{sub 7}-type structure to a lower symmetry during hydrogenation, with no detection of an amorphous phase. Pr{sub 1.5}Mg{sub 0.5}Ni{sub 7} consists of two phases: 80% Gd{sub 2}Co{sub 7}-type and 20% PuNi{sub 3}-type phases. Mg substitution leads to the relative stability of the Gd{sub 2}Co{sub 7}-type and PuNi{sub 3}-type structures. The Gd{sub 2}Co{sub 7}-type and PuNi{sub 3}-type structures are retained after the P-C isotherm. The reversible hydrogen capacity reached 1.05 H/M. The structural change during the hydrogen absorption−desorption cycle and the hydrogenation characteristics are changed by Mg atoms replacing Pr in the MgZn{sub 2}-type cell. - Graphical abstract: The maximum hydrogen capacity is 1.2 H/M in the first absorption process and the reversible capacity is 0.63 H/M.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis of mesoporous TS-1 using a hybrid SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} xerogel for catalytic oxidative desulfurization

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Meso-TS-1 catalyst was synthesized using a SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} xerogel with an organosilane precursor. ► Hierarchical pore structure was confirmed by characterization of the materials. ► Catalytic activity was tested using oxidative desulfurization of the model sulfur compounds. ► Meso-TS-1 demonstrated significantly improved catalytic activity than TS-1. -- Abstract: Mesoporous TS-1 (M-TS-1) was synthesized using a hybrid SiO{sub 2}–TiO{sub 2} xerogel combined with an organosilane precursor. Prepared samples were characterized by XRD, UV–vis spectroscopy, SEM, and N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption measurement. M-TS-1, prepared in 2 days, showed high crystallinity and the best textural properties among the samples. The N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption isotherms of M-TS-1 exhibited a hysteresis loop at pressure higher than P/P{sub 0} = 0.4, clearly indicating the existence of mesopores. M-TS-1 has significantly larger mesopore volume (0.48 cm{sup 3}/g) than that of conventional TS-1 (0.07 cm{sup 3}/g), and showed a narrow peak centered at ca. 6.3 nm. In the oxidative desulfurization reaction, M-TS-1 was more active than conventional TS-1 at the same Ti-loading; M-TS-1 produced a dibenzothiophene (DBT) conversion of 96%, whereas conventional TS-1 produced a final DBT conversion of 5.6% after a reaction time of 180 min. Oxidative desulfurization over TS-1 was influenced both by electron density and steric hindrance in the sulfur compounds tested.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Energy-Efficient and Water-Saving Sorbent Regeneration at Near Room Temperature for Direct Air Capture

Here this study reports energy-efficient and water-saving microwave-accelerated regeneration of sorbent (MARS) for dilute carbon capture from the ambient air. The experimental studies indicated that the CO 2 desorption rate from the chemisorbents increased with microwave output under near-isothermal conditions at near room temperature. The reduced activation energy of MARS, i.e., 20–28 kJ/mol, indicated enhanced CO 2 desorption kinetics by microwave-induced rotational–vibrational (rovibrational) coupling transitions, primarily due to the highly polarized feature of the carbamate (CO 2 -PEI). The instant and selective delivery of microwave energy to the targeted polarized C–N bonds at room temperature is particularly advantageous for energy-efficient direct air capture. The experimental results also demonstrated a good working capacity of 0.6–1.4 mmol of CO 2 /g and a promising rapid MARS-DAC process with microwave swing. As it does not require steam regeneration and heat exchanger, a simple MARS process is attractive for CO 2 capture in water-stressed regions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Surface chemistry of neutron irradiated tungsten in a high-temperature multi-material environment

Deuterium retention was measured on neutron irradiated tungsten samples where one side of the samples had a visually clean metallic luster and the opposite side appeared to have a reacted surface film. Deuterium plasma exposure and subsequent thermal desorption from the reacted surface side produced spectra with larger total deuterium desorption at lower temperatures than from the clean surface side. For neutron irradiation, these W disk samples were installed in an irradiation capsule in such a way that one side of W sample was in contact with the surface of another W sample, and the opposite side was in contact with a SiC temperature monitor. The composition of the reacted surface was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and showed that SiC had interdiffused into the W samples. Neutron enhanced diffusion likely contributed to this as SiC and W are stable at temperatures exceeding the irradiation temperature. Results highlight the need to consider the surface chemistry of samples in drawing conclusions on hydrogen isotope retention of W materials and also illustrate the complexity of multi-material nuclear environments expected in fusion devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Innovative laser-based methods for monitoring fuel retention in ITER

This paper addresses the challenge of tritium inventory management in ITER and future fusion reactors, highlighting the importance of accurate tritium measurement and its spatial distribution within the vacuum vessel. Given ITER’s operational constraints, especially the limit on tritium retention, precise measurement is essential for both safety and regulatory compliance. To tackle these questions, the paper presents the T-monitor diagnostic system developed by Forschungszentrum Jülich, which uses Laser-Induced Desorption (LID) in combination with Diagnostic Residual Gas Analysis (DRGA) to measure hydrogen isotope concentrations on the surface of divertor tiles. The system integrates a high-power laser, advanced optical components, and a Fast Scanning Mirror Unit (FSMU) for accurate laser spot positioning with rapid response. Designed to measure in situ tritium retention, the diagnostic provides high-resolution spatial mapping, vital for evaluating detritiation strategies. The laser heating process increases the divertor surface temperature to 1600 K within the laser spot, promoting hydrogen isotope desorption. Accurate measurements require the precise control of laser parameters, including pulse duration and spot size, with a target relative accuracy of 20%. The optical design includes both in-vessel and ex-vessel components, such as durable high-reflectivity mirrors made of gold and copper, selected not only for their infrared performance but also for their transmission of visible wavelengths for observation purposes. To protect optical components from contamination, a pneumatic shutter is used.

Hydrogen isotopes↗
DOE OSTI2014

Atomic and molecular adsorption on Au(111)

Periodic self-consistent density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations were used to study the adsorption of several atomic species, molecular species and molecular fragments on the Au(111) surface with a coverage of 1/4 monolayer (ML). Binding geometries, binding energies, and diffusion barriers were calculated for 27 species. Furthermore, we calculated the surface deformation energy associated with the binding events. The binding strength for all the analyzed species can be ordered as follows: NH 3 < NO < CO < CH 3 < HCO < NH 2 < COOH < OH < HCOO < CNH 2 < H < N < NH < NOH < COH < Cl,< HCO 3 < CH 2 < CN b HNO < O < F < S < C < CH. Although the atomic species preferred to bind at the three-fold fcc site, no tendency was observed in site preference for the molecular species and fragments. The intramolecular and adsorbate-surface vibrational frequencies were calculated for all the adsorbates on their most energetically stable adsorption site. Most of the theoretical binding energies and frequencies agreed with experimental values reported in the literature. In general, the values obtained with the PW91 functional are more accurate than RPBE in reproducing these experimental binding energies. The energies of the adsorbed species were used to calculate the thermochemical potential energy surfaces for decomposition of CO, NO, N 2 , NH 3 and CH 4 , oxidation of CO, and hydrogenation of CO, CO 2 and NO, giving insight into the thermochemistry of these reactions on gold nanoparticles. These potential energy surfaces demonstrated that: the decomposition of species is not energetically favorable on Au(111); the desorption of NH 3 , NO and CO are more favorable than their decomposition; the oxidation of CO and hydrogenation of CO and NO on Au(111) to form HCO and HNO, respectively, are also thermodynamically favorable.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Hydrogen and methoxy coadsorption in the computation of the catalytic conversion of methanol on the ceria (111) surface

Methanol decomposition to formaldehyde catalyzed by the ceria (111) surface has been investigated using the DFT + U method. Our results rationalize experimental temperature programmed desorption experiments on the fully oxidized surface. Particular attention has been paid to the model correctness of methoxy with coadsorbed hydrogen on the surface. This issue has been raised by the experimental observation of water desorption at low temperature removing hydrogen from the system. Our investigation also includes hydrogen diffusion as a means of hydrogen removal. We find that the presence of methoxy reduces the reaction energy for water formation considerably. In addition, the preference of the electron to locate at the methoxy oxygen results in a dehydrated surface that does not contain Ce 3+ ions, despite the existence of a vacancy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hydrogen Adsorption and Reaction on RuO2(110)

Ruthenium dioxide is used extensively as a co-catalyst in a wide range of photocatalytic water splitting systems. As such, understanding how it promotes the evolution of hydrogen and oxygen is of high importance. In this study, we employ scanning tunneling microscopy to study the adsorption and reaction of hydrogen on a model RuO2(110) surface. We find that at low coverages H2 dissociates heterolytically to hydride-hydroxyl pairs even at 5 K. The onset temperature for the low coverage H2 dissociation is surprising as it is not expected based on prior temperature programmed desorption studies. At higher coverages, H2 chemisorbs molecularly on bare ruthenium sites that are neighboring the hydride-hydroxyl pairs. Upon annealing, the chemisorbed H2 disappears by 120 K, primarily due to H2 desorption from the surface. Further annealing between 120 K and 295 K leads to the conversion of hydride species to bridging hydroxyls. The bridging hydroxyls ultimately recombine between 450 and 600 K to form water yielding clean RuO2(110) with oxygen vacancies.

Dahal, Arjun P.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Weakening the strength of CO binding on subsurface alloyed Pt(111)

The interaction of CO with Pt/3d/Pt(111) subsurface alloys (3d: Ni, Co, Fe) was investigated by combination of vibrational spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption. The binding strength of CO is significantly reduced on Pt/Fe/Pt(111) and Pt/Co/Pt(111) and is sorted in the following order: Pt>Ni>Co≈Fe. Our analysis shows that the 3d admetal is stable in the subsurface region and CO is linearly bonded to the atop sites of the Pt(111) surface. At high CO coverage, compressed structures are obtained. At low CO coverage, the desorption activation energy of CO (~143 kJ/mol for Pt(111)) drops to 124 kJ/mol for Pt/Ni/Pt(111), and goes further down to 111 and 110 kJ/mol for Pt/Co/Pt(111) and Pt/Fe/Pt(111), respectively. Here, the enhancement in the surface activity is attributed to the modified backdonation to the antibonding states of adsorbed CO due to the downshifted 5d-band center of Pt upon embedding 3d metals in the subsurface region.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

CO adsorption on MnO(100): Experimental benchmarks compared to DFT

In this study, CO adsorption on the MnO(100) surface was studied using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and density functional theory (DFT). TPD results show that CO is weakly-bound on MnO(100), with an experimental adsorption energy of -35.6 ± 2.1 kJ/mol at terrace sites in the low coverage limit. PBE simulations suggest that CO adsorption causes an implausible (2 × 2) surface reconstruction. PBE+U simulations show no signs of surface reconstruction, and provide an accurate estimate of the adsorption energy (-36.4 kJ/mol) when combined with the DFT-D3 method with Becke-Jonson damping to correct for van der Waals interactions. This simulation also shows that CO adsorbs C-down onto the Mn 2+ terrace site in a tilted geometry, which is also observed experimentally and computationally on the similarly-structured NiO(100) transition metal oxide surface. TPD results for large doses show a plateauing of the coverage at about 0.4 monolayers of CO at 85 K, with a defect coverage equivalent to 0.08 monolayers. Adsorption associated with defect sites is indicated by a high-temperature desorption tail which is not satisfactorily explained by DFT simulations of simple step or oxygen vacancy defects.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Immobilization of U(VI) from Oxic Groundwater by Hanford 300 Area Sediments and Effects of Columbia River Water

Regions within the U.S. Department of Energy Hanford 300 Area (300 A) site experience periodic hydrologic influences from the nearby Columbia River as a result of changing river stage, which causes changes in groundwater elevation, flow direction and water chemistry. An important question is the extent to which the mixing of Columbia River water and groundwater impacts the speciation and mobility of uranium (U). In this study, we designed experiments to mimic interactions among U, oxic groundwater or Columbia River water, and 300 A sediments in the subsurface environment of Hanford 300 A. The goals were to investigate mechanisms of: 1) U immobilization in 300 A sediments under bulk oxic conditions and 2) U remobilization from U-immobilized 300 A sediments exposed to oxic Columbia River water. Initially, 300 A sediments in column reactors were fed with U(VI)-containing oxic 1) synthetic groundwater (SGW), 2) organic-amended SGW (OA-SGW), and 3) de-ionized (DI) water to investigate U immobilization processes. After that, the sediments were exposed to oxic Columbia River water for U remobilization studies. The results reveal that U was immobilized by 300 A sediments predominantly through reduction (80-85%) when the column reactor was fed with oxic OA-SGW. However, U was immobilized by 300 A sediments through adsorption (100%) when the column reactors were fed with oxic SGW or DI water. The reduced U in the 300 A sediments fed with OA-SGW was relatively resistant to remobilization by oxic Columbia River water. Oxic Columbia River water resulted in U remobilization (~7%) through desorption, and most of the U that remained in the 300 A sediments fed with OA-SGW (~93%) was in the form of uraninite nanoparticles. These results reveal that: 1) the reductive immobilization of U through OA-SGW stimulation of indigenous 300 A sediment microorganisms may be viable in the relatively oxic Hanford 300 A subsurface environments and 2) with the intrusion of Columbia River water, desorption may be the primary process resulting in U remobilization from OA-SGW-stimulated 300 A sediments at the subsurface of the Hanford 300 A site.

Ahmed, B.↗
DOE OSTI2016

The adsorption of rare earth ions using carbonized polydopamine nano shells

Herein we report the structure effects of nano carbon shells prepared by carbonized polydopamine for rare earth elements (REEs) adsorption for the first time. The solid carbon sphere, 60 nm carbon shell and 500 nm carbon shell were prepared and investigated for adsorption and desorption of REEs. The adsorption of carbon shells for REEs was found to be better than the solid carbon sphere. The effect of acidities on the adsorption and desorption properties was discussed in this study. The good adsorption performance of carbon shells can be attributed to their porous structure, large specific surface area, amine group and carbonyl group of dopamine.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗