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At least 883 records · Page 49

The Co-Firing of Pine Biomass and Waste Coal in 100 and 600 MW Power Plants: A Sustainable Approach to Reduce GHG Emissions

Climate change is a global issue that has gained much attention recently. Co-firing biomass with coal/waste coal reduces the electricity sector’s GHG emissions sustainably. This study uses commercial software to model waste coal and biomass co-firing in 100 MW and 600 MW power plants. The objective is to assess the effects of fluid types (subcritical and supercritical), plant capacities (100 MW and 600 MW), boiler types (pulverized coal and circulating fluidized bed boilers), biomass and waste coal co-firing ratios (0:100, 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 80:20, and 100:0), and carbon capture and storage efficiencies (0%, 90%, 95%, and 97%) on performance parameters such as net plant efficiency, heat rate, net plant CO2 and SO2, and particulate matter emissions. The feedstocks selected for this investigation include anthracite waste coal and loblolly pine biomass. As the biomass fraction increases from 0% to 100%, co-fired power plants net efficiency increases by 3–8%. Supercritical plants had a 6% higher net plant efficiency than the subcritical plants. The study found that the biomass’s high heating value decreased the fuel flow rate and reduced plant CO2 emissions by 10–16%. With 100% biomass power plant feed and 90% carbon capture and storage efficiency, CO2 emissions drop by 83% and SO2 and PM emissions drop to zero.

Bhoi, Prakashbhai R. (ORCID:0000000333104888)↗

Understanding Structure in Line-Driven Stellar Winds Using Ultraviolet Spectropolarimetry in the Time Domain

The most massive stars are thought to lose a significant fraction of their mass in a steady wind during the main-sequence and blue supergiant phases. This in turn sets the stage for their further evolution and eventual supernova, and preconditions the surrounding medium for all following events, with consequences for ISM energization, chemical enrichment, and dust formation. Understanding these processes requires accurate observational constraints on the mass-loss rates of the most luminous stars, which can also be used to test theories of stellar wind driving. In the past, mass-loss rates have been characterized via collisional emission processes such as optical Hα and free-free radio emission, but these so-called “density squared” diagnostics require correction in the presence of widespread clumping. Recent observational and theoretical evidence points to the likelihood of a ubiquitously high level of such clumping in hot-star winds, but quantifying its effects requires a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of radiatively driven winds and their stochastic instabilities. Furthermore, large-scale structures initiating in surface anisotropies and propagating throughout the wind can also affect wind driving and alter mass-loss diagnostics. Time series spectroscopy of high resonance-line opacity in the UV, capable of high resolution and high signal-to-noise, are required to better understand these complex dynamics, and more accurately determine mass-loss rates. The proposed Polstar mission (Scowen et al. 2022, this volume) provides the necessary resolution at the Sobolev (∼10 km s −1 ) or sound-speed (∼20 km s −1 ) scale, for over three dozen bright galactic massive stars with signal-to noise an order of magnitude above that of the celebrated MEGA campaign (Massa et al. 1995) of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), via continuous observations that track propagating structures through the winds in real time. Supporting geometric constraints are provided by the polarimetric capabilities present in all the datasets of such a mission.

Polstar – NASA MIDEX↗

Selective Logging, Fire, and Biomass in Amazonia

Biomass and rates of disturbance are major factors in determining the net flux of carbon between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere, and neither of them is well known for most of the earth's surface. Satellite data over large areas are beginning to be used systematically to measure rates of two of the most important types of disturbance, deforestation and reforestation, but these are not the only types of disturbance that affect carbon storage. Other examples include selective logging and fire. In northern mid-latitude forests, logging and subsequent regrowth of forests have, in recent decades, contributed more to the net flux of carbon between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere than any other type of land use. In the tropics logging is also becoming increasingly important. According to the FAO/UNEP assessment of tropical forests, about 25% of total area of productive forests have been logged one or more times in the 60-80 years before 1980. The fraction must be considerably greater at present. Thus, deforestation by itself accounts for only a portion of the emissions carbon from land. Furthermore, as rates of deforestation become more accurately measured with satellites, uncertainty in biomass will become the major factor accounting for the remaining uncertainty in estimates of carbon flux. An approach is needed for determining the biomass of terrestrial ecosystems. 3 Selective logging is increasingly important in Amazonia, yet it has not been included in region-wide, satellite-based assessments of land-cover change, in part because it is not as striking as deforestation. Nevertheless, logging affects terrestrial carbon storage both directly and indirectly. Besides the losses of carbon directly associated with selective logging, logging also increases the likelihood of fire.

Houghton, R. A.↗

Tunable CW diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser operating at or near room temperature

A conversion efficiency of 42 percent and slope efficiency of 60 percent relative to absorbed pump power are obtained from a continuous wave diode-pumped Tm,Ho:YLiF4 laser at 2 microns with output power of 84mW at a crystal temperature of 275K. The emission spectrum is etalon tunable over a range of 7nm (16.3 cm(sup -1) centered on 2.067 microns with fine tuning capability of the transition frequency with crystal temperature at a measured rate of -0.03/(cm)K. The effective emission cross-section is measured to be 5 x 10(sup -21) cm squared. These and other aspects of the laser performance are disclosed in the context of calculated atmospheric absorption characteristics in this spectral region and potential use in remote sensing applications. Single frequency output and frequency stabilization are achieved using an intracavity etalon in conjunction with an external reference etalon.

Mcguckin, Brendan T.↗

Wintertime Overnight NOx Removal in a Southeastern United States Coal-Fired Power Plant Plume: A Model for Understanding Winter NOx Processing and Its Implications

Nitric oxide (NO) is emitted in large quantities from coal-burning power plants. During the day, the plumes from these sources are efficiently mixed into the boundary layer, while at night, they may remain concentrated due to limited vertical mixing during which they undergo horizontal fanning. At night, the degree to which NO is converted to HNO3 and therefore unable to participate in next-day ozone (O3) formation depends on the mixing rate of the plume, the composition of power plant emissions, and the composition of the background atmosphere. In this study, we use observed plume intercepts from the Wintertime INvestigation of Transport, Emissions and Reactivity (WINTER) campaign to test sensitivity of overnight NOx removal to the N2O5 loss rate constant, plume mixing rate, background O3, and background levels of volatile organic compounds using a 2-D box model of power plant plume transport and chemistry. The factor that exerted the greatest control over NOx removal was the loss rate constant of N2O5. At the lowest observed N2O5 loss rate constant, no other combination of conditions converts more than 10 percent of the initial NOx to HNO3. The other factors did not influence NOx removal to the same degree.

air quality↗

A Three-Dimensional Total Odd Nitrogen (NO(y)) Simulation During SONEX using a Stretched-Grid Chemical Transport Model

The relative importance of various odd nitrogen (NOy) sources including lightning, aircraft, and surface emissions on upper tropospheric total odd nitrogen is illustrated as a first application of the three-dimensional Stretched-Grid University of Maryland/Goddard Chemical-Transport Model (SG-GCTM). The SG-GCTM has been developed to look at the effect of localized sources and/or small scale mixing processes on the large-scale or global chemical balance. For this simulation, the stretched-arid was chosen so that its maximum resolution is located over eastern North America and the North Atlantic; a region that includes most of the SONEX (the SASS (Subsonic Assessment) Ozone and Nitrogen Oxides Experiment) flight paths. The SONEX period (October-November 1997) is simulated by driving the SG-GCTM with assimilated data from the GEOS-STRAT DAS (Goddard Earth Observing System-STRAT Data Assimilation System). A new algorithm is used to parameterize the lightning, flash rates that are needed to calculate emissions of NOy by lightning. Model-calculated upper tropospheric NOy and NOy measurements from the NASA DC-8 aircraft are compared. Spatial variations in NOy were well captured especially with the stretched-grid run; however, model-calculated concentrations were often too high in the upper troposphere, particularly during the first several flights. The lightning algorithm does a reasonably good job; however, the use of emissions from observed lightning, flashes significantly improves the simulation on a few occasions, especially November 3, 1997, indicating that significant uncertainty remains in parameterizing lightning in CTMS. Aircraft emissions play a relatively minor role (about 12%) in the upper tropospheric NOY budget averaged along SONEX flight paths; however, the contribution of such emmissions is as large as about 30% during portions of some flights.

Allen, Dale↗

Acoustic Insights into Flow Condensation Mechanisms

Two-phase thermal management systems, with both boiling and condensation processes, offer great potential and heat transfer coefficients that are orders of magnitude higher than traditional single-phase systems. However, two-phase flows can suffer from a wide range of interfacial instabilities leading to significant thermal performance degradation. In this study, we aim to detect regime transitions and characterize dominating physical mechanisms of flow condensation, such as turbulent diffusion in annular liquid film and interfacial waves, using an integrated system of acoustic, modal, and optical sensing techniques and thermofluidic characterizations. A wideband acoustic emissions sensor and high-sensitivity accelerometer are utilized to capture acoustic and vibrational signatures that signal the onset of liquid film formation and interfacial waves during flow pattern transitions. Compared to optical imaging, wideband acoustic emission sensing allows for higher sampling rates to capture high-frequency interface oscillations critical to the flow regime transitions and works well even for condensation in opaque tubes. Acoustic features (e.g., amplitude, frequency, energy, duration) are correlated with thermofluidic processes (e.g., capillary flows, turbulent flows, boiling, condensation). By relating thermal performance metrics with these dynamic signatures in acoustic and modal regimes, we explore the ability to probe and monitor critical flow regime transitions and transport efficiency in flow condensation.

Acoustic Modal Regimes↗

Reactive Ion Etching in a VHF Parallel Plate Reactor

VHF (very high frequency) capacitive plasma reactors may allow development of new RIE (reactive ion etching) systems with high etch rates, excellent uniformity and anisotropy and low damage. High ion and radical fluxes can be obtained by raising the RF (radio frequency) frequency which increases plasma density dramatically at a fixed voltage. The effects of variation in frequency (25-120 MHz), pressure (10-250 mTorr), and flow rate (1-100 sccm) in a CF4 discharge have been investigated. The RF current versus voltage characteristics and spatially resolved optical emission are used as diagnostics. Experiments on etch rates, etch uniformity and anisotropy in silicon, silicon dioxide and silicon nitride will be discussed. Results of fluid model simulations are used to interpret the experimental data.

Dahi, H.↗

Quantitative Evaluation of MODIS Fire Radiative Power Measurement for Global Smoke Emissions Assessment

Satellite remote sensing is providing us tremendous opportunities to measure the fire radiative energy (FRE) release rate or power (FRP) from open biomass burning, which affects many vegetated regions of the world on a seasonal basis. Knowledge of the biomass burning characteristics and emission source strengths of different (particulate and gaseous) smoke constituents is one of the principal ingredients upon which the assessment, modeling, and forecasting of their distribution and impacts depend. This knowledge can be gained through accurate measurement of FRP, which has been shown to have a direct relationship with the rates of biomass consumption and emissions of major smoke constituents. Over the last decade or so, FRP has been routinely measured from space by both the MODIS sensors aboard the polar orbiting Terra and Aqua satellites, and the SEVIRI sensor aboard the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) geostationary satellite. During the last few years, FRP has steadily gained increasing recognition as an important parameter for facilitating the development of various scientific studies and applications relating to the quantitative characterization of biomass burning and their emissions. To establish the scientific integrity of the FRP as a stable quantity that can be measured consistently across a variety of sensors and platforms, with the potential of being utilized to develop a unified long-term climate data record of fire activity and impacts, it needs to be thoroughly evaluated, calibrated, and validated. Therefore, we are conducting a detailed analysis of the FRP products from MODIS to evaluate the uncertainties associated with them, such as those due to the effects of satellite variable observation geometry and other factors, in order to establish their error budget for use in diverse scientific research and applications. In this presentation, we will show recent results of the MODIS FRP uncertainty analysis and error mitigation solutions, and demonstrate their implications for biomass burning emissions assessment.

Ichoku, Charles↗

Comet Halley O(1D) and H2O production rates

Ground-based dual-etalon Fabry-Perot spectrometer observations have been made of Comet Halley's forbidden O I 6300 A emission. The 0.2 A resolution of the spectral scans was sufficient to resolve the O I forbidden line emissions from both nearby cometary NH2 and telluric emissions. On the basis of these measurements, the production rate Q of O(1D) was determined; it is then found, by taking into account the photodissociation of H2O and OH as sources of O(1D), that the ratio of H2O/O(1D) production rates is of the order of 6.

Magee-Sauer, K.↗

Decarbonizing Medium- & Heavy-Duty On-Road Vehicles: Zero-Emission Vehicles Cost Analysis

We simulate adoption and energy consumption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the medium and heavy duty (MD/HD) sector. With continued improvement in ZEV technologies, total-cost-of-driving parity with conventional vehicles is achievable by 2035 for all MD/HD vehicle classes. Two technological solutions – battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are viable in multiple market segments, offering alternative pathways for decarbonization. In this scenario, ZEV sales reach 99+% by 2045 and 42% by 2030. 80% of the MD/HD stock transitions to ZEVs by 2050, reducing CO2 emissions by 69% from 2019. Disparities in adoption rate and vehicle usage between vehicle classes and between short and long-haul applications highlight opportunities for targeted policies (to reduce emissions it is critical to understand what vehicles transition to ZEV, not just how many vehicles). Results are highly sensitive to assumed fuel prices, technology improvement trajectories, adoption decision-making, and assumptions about future freight demand and vehicle use.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Ignition and Combustion of Bulk Metals in a Microgravity Environment

This annual report summarizes the latest results obtained in a NASA-supported project to investigate the effect of gravity on the ignition and combustion of bulk metals. The experimental arrangement used for this purpose consists of a 1000-W xenon lamp that irradiates the top surface of cylindrical titanium and magnesium specimens, 4 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height, in a quiescent, pure-oxygen environment at 1 atm. Reduced gravity is obtained from the NASA LeRC DC-9 aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. Values of critical and ignition temperatures are obtained from thermocouple records. Qualitative observations and propagation rates are extracted from high-speed cinematography. Emission spectra of gas-phase reactions are obtained with an imaging spectrograph/diode array system. It was found that high applied heating rates and large internal conduction losses generate critical and ignition temperatures that are several hundred degrees above the values obtained from isothermal experiments. Because of high conduction and radiation heat losses, no appreciable effect on ignition temperatures with reduced convection in low gravity is detected. Lower propagation rates of the molten interface on titanium and of ignition waves on magnesium are obtained at reduced gravity. These rates are compared to theoretical results from heat conduction analyses with a diffusion/convection controlled reaction. The close agreement found between experimental and theoretical values indicates the importance of the influence of natural convection-enhanced oxygen transport on combustion rates. Lower oxygen flux and lack of oxide product removal in the absence of convective currents appear to be responsible for longer burning times of magnesium diffusion flames at reduced gravity. The accumulation of condensed oxide particles in the flame front at low gravity produces a previously unreported unsteady explosion phenomenon in bulk magnesium flames. This spherically symmetric explosion phenomenon seems to be driven by increased radiation heat transfer from the flame front to an evaporating metal core covered by a porous, flexible oxide coating. These important results have revealed the significant role of gravity on the burning of metals, and are now being used as the database for future experiments to be conducted with different metals at various pressures, oxygen concentrations and gravity levels.

Branch, M. C.↗

Synchronous Machine Governor Upgrade

Conventional generation sources play a critical role in the stability and reliability of the electrical grid, particularly as we transition towards more renewable energy sources. To understand and accurately emulate their behavior for optimizing grid operations and ensuring seamless integration with renewable technologies, it is essential to better emulate the grid- and plant-level impacts of conventional generation sources, such as natural gas (NG) driven heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and combustion turbines (CTs). Therefore, a governor model is developed in a programmable logic controller (PLC) to investigate the performance of the conventional generator under various dynamic operating conditions and to identify the impact on grid stability in a controlled environment. The governor model aims to enable the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) based emulation of these conventional generation sources using the existing 2 MVA synchronous machine/generator that is driven by a flexible 2.5 MW variable speed drive. This setup will allow us to replicate the dynamic characteristics and response behaviors of NG-driven HRSGs and CTs. The controls for the emulated conventional plants follow the industry standard and are adjustable, ensuring they accurately reflect the operational capabilities and limitations of real-world systems. These controls include load-following capabilities, ramp rates, startup and shutdown sequences, and emissions characteristics. By incorporating these adjustable controls, we aim to capture the nuanced impacts of conventional generation, such as their ability to provide ancillary services like frequency regulation, voltage support, and spinning reserve. In this report, we simulate two types of dynamic operations: grid-connected and islanding. For each dynamic operation, representative starting sequences are tested, including turbine purge, ignition, speed ramping up, generator excitation and synchronizing, and breaker close. The HIL based tests provides insights for field deployment, specifically the high-fidelity governor model provides results to predict the potential stability and reliability risk and suggest possible integration measures (e.g., generation and load balancing, tuning of governor control parameters). Ultimately, this enhanced emulation capability will be integrated into our Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES), enabling us to conduct comprehensive studies on the interactions between conventional and renewable energy sources. By better understanding these interactions, we can develop strategies to optimize the overall performance and reliability of the grid. This will support the deployment of advanced grid management techniques, such as demand response, grid-forming inverters, and energy storage systems. The main contributions are summarized as follows: (1) This report introduces a PLC-based governor model for gas turbines. This model accurately simulates the dynamic behavior of conventional generation sources under various operational scenarios; (2) The model is integrated with an HIL testbed that includes a 2.5 MW variable speed drive and a 2 MVA synchronous machine. This setup enables realistic, real-time emulation of conventional power plants, particularly NG driven HRSGs and CTs; (3) The developed model is adaptable to various gas turbine configurations and allows for precise control over parameters such as MW ramp rates. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for future research and industry collaboration; and (4) By incorporating the model into the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems, the report lays the groundwork for future studies on interactions between conventional and renewable energy sources, enhancing the ability to develop advanced grid management strategies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

A GIS approach to conducting biogeochemical research in wetlands

A project was initiated to develop an environmental data base to address spatial aspects of both biogeochemical cycling and resource management in wetlands. Specific goals are to make regional methane flux estimates and site specific water level predictions based on man controlled water releases within a wetland study area. The project will contribute to the understanding of the Earth's biosphere through its examination of the spatial variability of methane emissions. Although wetlands are thought to be one of the primary sources for release of methane to the atmosphere, little is known about the spatial variability of methane flux. Only through a spatial analysis of methane flux rates and the environmental factors which influence such rates can reliable regional and global methane emissions be calculated. Data will be correlated and studied from Landsat 4 instruments, from a ground survey of water level recorders, precipitation recorders, evaporation pans, and supplemental gauges, and from flood gate water release; and regional methane flux estimates will be made.

Brannon, David P.↗

An indirect approach to optimize the reaction rates of thermal NO formation for diesel engines

With stringent emission regulations, it has become more important for modern diesel engine manufacturers to accurately predict engine-out nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions across a wide range of operating conditions. Thermal NO is the major source of engine-out NO x in modern diesel engines. For thermal NO formation, several earlier studies have recommended the forward and reverse reaction rate coefficients of the rate-limiting reaction (O + N 2 ⇌ NO + N). However, due to deficiencies in sub-models and inadequacies of reduced chemical mechanisms to represent diesel combustion, these recommended values more often than not need to be adjusted in reduced order combustion models to accurately predict engine-out NO x . Hence, in this work a systematic and computationally efficient approach has been proposed to streamline the process of determining the optimum reaction rate coefficients. Here, to develop the optimization approach, four different production diesel engines with different operating conditions in terms of speed, load, and exhaust-gas recirculation have been considered. Numerical simulations have been performed using a detailed zero-dimensional velocity-composition-frequency transported probability density function (0D-VCF-tPDF) model that uses hundreds of notional particles to capture in-cylinder stratification. Four different combinations of hydrocarbon and NO x chemical mechanisms were used to represent chemistry. It was found that for the rate-limiting reaction, the pre-exponent factors (A f1 , A r1 ) and activation energies (E A,f1 , E A,r1 ) of the forward and reverse reaction rates follow a linear band in A f1 - E A,f1 and A r1 - E A,r1 space where predicted engine-out NO x match the measured values closely. By encompassing such bands from different engines and considering constraints on activation energies, a reduced search domain of pre-exponent factors and activation energies was constructed that is expected to be applicable to any diesel engine. Eventually, computationally efficient three-line and one-line search approaches were proposed to determine the optimum values of the pre-exponent factors and activation energies that led to a minimum error between measured and predicted engine-out NO x . Finally, these three-line and one-line NO x optimization approaches were applied to a fifth production diesel engine for which the 0D-VCF-tPDF model showed a very good predictive performance in terms of predicting peak pressure, 50% burn rate, and engine-out NO x when compared to measured and 3D-CFD values.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Full Device Evaluation of Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells in Low Earth Orbit Aboard the International Space Station

This study investigates how sustained low Earth orbit (LEO) exposure affects metal halide perovskite (MHP) thin films and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). It examines samples deployed on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) 15 and 16 missions. Five methylammonium lead iodide (MAPI) thin films are deployed on MISSE-16, each with distinct UV filters to selectively attenuate AM0 spectral bands. While post-flight optical analysis reveals that the least UV-exposed film exhibits the highest emission and lowest non-radiative recombination rate, no clear correlation is observed among the rest, and all MAPI films maintained excellent integrity throughout the mission. MISSE-15 deployed eight PSCs with diverse structures, MHP compositions, and contact materials. Post-flight analysis reveals stable, highly emissive MHPs, but damaged contacts due to ion migration, which caused loss of electrical response. The MISSE missions demonstrate MHPs' suitability for space applications, while highlighting the need for improved interfacial layers and contact materials to enhance charge carrier mobility, prevent ion migration, and improve charge carrier extraction efficiency.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

White dwarfs in cataclysmic variables - Low state IUE observations of V794 Aquilae, MR Serpentis, and AN Ursae Majoris

IUE low-dispersion observations of one novalike system (V794 Aql) and two AM Her systems (MR Ser and AN UMa) during low or intermediate-low accretion-rate states are reported. The decreased UV emission during these times was used to place limits on the white dwarf temperatures. When these results are added to the existing data on white dwarf temperatures, it appears that the white dwarfs in systems with normal high accretion rates and only occasional low-accretion-rate states remain hotter than the white dwarfs in systems with low average accretion rates.

Szkody, Paula↗

Observations of gamma-ray line emission from the galactic center region

Balloon and HEAO-3 spacecraft instrumentation measurements of the .51 MeV gamma ray line arising from positron-electron annihilation near the galactic center are examined. The first balloon flights were made in 1970, and satellite data was collected in 1979. Subsequent spacecraft gamma ray spectroscopy of the region in the spring of 1980 revealed that the emission had undergone a factor of three decrease. The mean flux had displayed a value of within .19 of 1.04/1000 before the decrease was observed. The source has a luminosity of 10 to the 37th ergs/sec and an annihilation rate of 10 to the 43rd/sec. The emission region would stay within a temperature range of 100,000 K and have a diameter of 10 to the 18 cm, a mass less than 1 billion solar masses, and feature annihilations at least 10 to the 14 cm outward from the source. Further balloon flights are planned to verify the variability.

Jacobson, A. S.↗