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At least 901 records · Page 50

Laser-assisted embedding of all-glass optical fiber sensors into bulk ceramics for high-temperature applications

We develop a laser-assisted sensor embedding process to embed all-glass optical fiber sensors into bulk ceramics for high-temperature applications. A specially designed two-step microchannel was fabricated on an Al 2 O 3 substrate for sensor embedment using a picosecond (ps) laser. An optical fiber Intrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (IFPI) sensor was embedded at the bottom of the microchannel and covered by Al 2 O 3 slurry which was subsequently sintered by a CO 2 laser. The sensor spectrum was in-situ monitored during the laser sintering process to ensure the survival of the sensor and optimize the laser sintering parameters. By testing in furnace through high temperature, the embedded optical fiber shows improved stability after CO 2 laser sealing, resulting in the linear temperature response of the embedded optical fiber IFPI sensor. To improve the embedded IFPI sensor for thermal strain measurement, a dummy fiber was co-embedded with the sensing fiber to improve the mechanical bonding between the sensing fiber and the ceramic substrate so that the thermal strain of the ceramic substrate can apply on the sensing fiber. The response sensitivity, measurement repeatability and high-temperature long-term stability of the embedded optical fiber IFPI sensor were evaluated in this work.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Particle-based high-temperature thermochemical energy storage reactors

Solar and other renewable energy driven gas-solid thermochemical energy storage (TCES) technology is a promising solution for the next generation energy storage systems due to its high operating temperature, efficient energy conversion, ultra-long storage duration, and potential high energy density. Experimental and theoretical studies suggest that the respective gravimetric and volumetric TCES energy storage densities vary from 200 to 3000 kJ kg –1 and 1–3 GJ m –3 . Solar radiation or heat generated from electric furnaces powered by renewable electricity can be stored in the form of chemical energy through endothermic reactions, while the stored chemical energy can be converted to thermal energy via an exothermic reaction when needed. The design of highly effective reactors requires a deep understanding of materials, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and transport phenomena. At time of writing, TCES reactors are yet to be deployed at commercially relevant scales, leaving a substantial gap between development efforts and commercial feasibility. Therefore, this review aims to examine the state-of-the-art design and performance of particle-based TCES reactors with different reactive materials. Fundamentals related to TCES reactive materials, reaction conditions, thermodynamics and kinetics, and transport phenomena are reviewed in detail to provide a comprehensive understanding of the reactor design and operation. Five major types of TCES reactors have been comprehensively reviewed and compared, including fixed, moving, rotary, fluidized, and entrained bed reactors. Most reported prototype reactors in the literature operate at lab scale with thermal inputs below 40 kW, and scaled TCES reactors (e.g., at megawatt level) are yet to be demonstrated. The nominal reactor operating temperatures range from 300 to 1500 °C, depending on the selected chemistry, reactive material, and heat sources. To evaluate their designs, the reactors are assessed in aspects of performance, cost, and durability. Discrepancies in performance indicators of energy storage density, extent of reaction, and various energy efficiencies are highlighted. The scale-up of reactors and power block integration, which hold the key to the successful commercialization of TCES systems, are critically analyzed. Furthermore, advanced materials (both reactive materials and ceramic reactor housing materials), effective particle flow control, advanced modeling tools, and novel system design may bring significant improvement to the energy efficiency, storage density and cost competitiveness of particle-based TCES reactors.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Tritium generation, release, and retention from in-core fluoride salt irradiations

Further understanding of tritium transport mechanisms in the combined molten fluoride salt and graphite environment is necessary for the design and licensing of a Fluoride-Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (FHR). The three in-core fluoride salt irradiations completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR) are a useful parallel for studying transport phenomena expected in a FHR environment. During the irradiations, evolution of tritium from the flibe salt was monitored and compared to the calculated total generation rate. A difference of 22 ± 10% between the integrated calculated tritium generation rate and the total release was measured for the third MITR irradiation (FS-3). The fraction of tritium which was not released from the salt could be explained by tritium retention in graphite. Additionally, for post irradiation examination, a thermal desorption furnace was used to heat nuclear graphite samples in order to release and measure retained tritium. The desorption analysis in this work utilized seven subsections of graphite from the second salt irradiation (FS-2); three from a disc of IG-110U and four from ARB matrix graphite. Observed desorption versus temperature as well as total tritium content in the samples after irradiation indicate that the graphites were not volumetrically saturated with tritium, but rather tritium retention was likely limited to the near-surface region. Measurements of the samples resulted in 2.90 ± 0.29 μCi/mm 2 of tritium retained by IG-110U and 1.83 ± 0.31 μCi/mm 2 for ARB during the 300 h FS-2 in-core irradiation. Based on the desorption measurements, the estimated total tritium retention in graphite from the FS-2 samples is consistent with the tritium release measurements from the FS-3 experiment.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Subsurface microbial communities as a tool for characterizing regional-scale groundwater flow

Subsurface microbial community distribution patterns are influenced by biogeochemical and groundwater fluxes and may inform hydraulic connections along groundwater-flow paths. This study examined the regional-scale microbial community of the Death Valley Regional Flow System and evaluated whether subsurface communities can be used to identify groundwater-flow paths between recharge and discharge areas. Samples were collected from 36 sites in three groundwater basins: Pahute Mesa–Oasis Valley (PMOV), Ash Meadows (AM), and Alkali Flat–Furnace Creek Ranch (AFFCR). Microbial diversity within and between communities varied by location, and communities were separated into two overall groups that affiliated with the AM and PMOV/AFFCR basins. Network analysis revealed patterns between clusters of common microbes that represented groundwaters with similar geochemical conditions and largely corroborated hydraulic connections between recharge and discharge areas. Null model analyses identified deterministic and stochastic ecological processes contributing to microbial community assemblages. Most communities were more different than expected and governed by dispersal limitation, geochemical differences, or undominating processes. However, certain communities from sites located within or near the Nevada National Security Site were more similar than expected and dominated by homogeneous dispersal or selection. Overall, the (dis)similarities between the microbial communities of DVRFS recharge and discharge areas supported previously documented hydraulic connections between: (1) Spring Mountains and Ash Meadows; (2) Frenchman and Yucca Flat and Amargosa Desert; and (3) Amargosa Desert and Death Valley. However, only a portion of the flow path between Pahute Mesa and Oasis Valley could be supported by microbial community analyses, likely due to well-associated artifacts in samples from the two Oasis Valley sites. This study demonstrates the utility of combining microbial data with hydrologic, geologic, and water-chemistry information to comprehensively characterize groundwater systems, highlighting both strengths and limitations of this approach.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

On the Arrhenius-like behavior of conductivity during flash sintering of 3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia ceramics

Here, we discuss the Arrhenius behavior of electrical conductivity σ during flash sintering of 3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (3YSZ). In situ x-ray diffraction is used to determine sample temperature. Sintering contribution to σ is excluded by investigating the flash event on a dense ceramic. We show that total conductivity follows an Arrhenius-like equation in both dense and green samples, even during Stage II of flash. The non-linearity often verified during flash sintering of 3YSZ is therefore related to the furnace temperature instead of the sample temperature when building the ln(σ) vs. 1/T plots. Furthermore, we verified a change in the activation energy for conduction prior to the ignition of the flash event and discussed the possible mechanisms. For instance, the decrease in activation energy from Stage I to II in the dense sample is attributed to a contribution from electronic carriers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nexus of electrification and energy efficiency retrofit of commercial buildings at the district scale

Rapid electrification of buildings at the district scale is needed for cities to achieve climate change mitigation goals. However, most electrification studies focus on either the single building level or the city/region building stock level, and depend on the slow and uncertain process of requesting personally identifiable customer energy usage data from utilities. To answer a key question facing local policymakers: “Where can electrification proceed at scale without first upgrading the grid?” this study aims to quantify and inform building electrification impacts at the district scale using detailed building energy modeling and based on public records datasets. We explore how energy efficiency retrofits can help mitigate increased peak electric demand, and quantify impacts to energy use and carbon emissions. Building energy models of a baseline, and scenarios of simple electrification, energy retrofits, and electrification in combination with retrofits were created and simulated for 54 commercial buildings in two contiguous districts of San Francisco. A simple electrification scenario increased annual electricity consumption but reduced annual site energy usage by 15% to 17%, mainly due to replacing inefficient gas furnaces and boilers with more efficient heat pumps. Peak demand increased 7.4% for Fisherman's Wharf (e.g. within the capacity of the existing power grid), while the Design District showed a marginal decrease. Annual carbon emissions were reduced by 46% and 37%. Combining electrification with efficiency upgrades reduced peak demand by 26% and 40%, and annual carbon emissions by 63% and 64% for the two districts. Furthermore, these results indicate that impacts of electrification depend on the mix of building uses within a district, and coupling electrification with energy efficiency upgrades is an effective strategy to decarbonize buildings while maintaining or reducing the peak electric demand.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Simulating a solar parabolic trough collector plant used for industrial process heat using an optimized operating scheme that utilizes flexible heat integration

This study focuses on the modeling and simulation of a novel design and operation of a solar industrial process heat (SIPH) plant that uses a parabolic trough collector system for generating process heat. The SIPH plant incorporates flexible heat integration (FHI) by having two options for heat sinks as well as a flexible collection temperature for the heat transfer fluid. Leveraging the degrees of freedom created by FHI allows an optimized operating scheme to be created which maximizes the solar heat delivered to the industrial processes. Yearly results for a 27 MW-t plant located in Salt Lake City, UT are simulated for a base case and a case utilizing optimized FHI. For the main process temperature case presented, FHI increases the total solar share by 13.0% and reduces the levelized cost of heat of the SIPH plant by 10.4% relative to the base case. Furthermore, three case study days are presented which highlight how FHI maximizes solar share, specifically during mornings, afternoons, and days with intermittent solar conditions. An environmental analysis is also performed showing that the SIPH plant can reduce harmful emissions by 15.4% for the base case and 17.4% for the FHI case compared to a plant that only utilizes a natural gas furnace for process heat. Overall, the work thoroughly explores an effective operating scheme for a SIPH plant, helping to make it more economical and environmentally beneficial.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Screen printable copper pastes for silicon solar cells

The current work demonstrates the successful metallization of a PERC silicon solar cell with screen-printable copper (Cu) paste that is sintered at elevated temperature in air atmosphere. The existing state of the art in Silicon (Si) solar cell metallization is silver (Ag) paste; Cu cost is 1/100th the cost of Ag and has a comparable conductivity. However, Cu undergoes rapid oxidation at elevated temperatures and the high diffusion of Cu into Si restricts its usage in the metallization of silicon solar cells. In this paper, a Cu paste containing a proprietary mixture of antioxidant additives and diffusion inhibitors was used to make front gridlines on PERC cells. The Cu-printed cells were fired in an IR belt furnace with a peak temperature of 576°C in air atmosphere. The solar cells discussed here reached an efficiency of 19%, which is 88% of the efficiency measured for a commercial Ag-printed cell. The working devices were further characterized using STEM, EDX, ToF-SIMS and long-term suns-V oc studies demonstrating an absence of Cu diffusion. Furthermore, thermally stressing the Cu-printed solar cells yielded a reduction of less than 1.9% of the initial pseudo fill factor (pFF) after 1000 hours at 200°C. Here, the shunt resistance of cells monitored over 3 years remained within 2.5% of its initial value, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the Cu diffusion barrier.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Innovative recycling of high purity silver from silicon solar cells by acid leaching and ultrasonication

Precious and scarce silver (Ag) is used as a front electrical contact in silicon solar panels. With massive amounts of solar panel waste coming to end-of-life, it is imperative to recover all the Ag from these modules. In this paper, we propose a novel method to easily reclaim Ag from end-of-life silicon solar cells using low concentration sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) leaching followed by ultrasonication. Our process simplifies the Ag recycling procedure by directly recovering the Ag contacts from solar cells, eliminating the need for secondary precipitation/electrodeposition. First, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the leaching and ultrasonication process on rejected solar wafers. Next, a solar panel from landfill was heated in a furnace to burn off the polymer encapsulant. The silicon wafers were then collected from the burning process and leached in 2 M H 2 SO 4 at two different shaking speeds for 48 hours at room temperature. Finally, the end-of-life silicon wafer pieces were collected, sonicated in water, and then the sonication water was centrifuged to show a proof-of-concept to recover the Ag contacts. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES) is used to monitor dissolved elements in the leachate as a function of time and shaking speed. XPS is used to evaluate the composition of the silicon cell wafer surface before and after H 2 SO 4 leaching. SEM is used to image the recovered Ag contacts morphology and EDX confirms the recovered particles contain high amounts of Ag. Furthermore, a proposed schematic illustrates the authors’ hypothesis for the peeling mechanism.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Type-II superconductivity at 9K in Pb–Bi alloy

In the present work, we report the synthesis of Pb–Bi alloy with enhanced Tc of up to 9K, which is higher than that of Pb. The alloy is synthesized via a solid-state reaction route in the vacuum-encapsulated quartz tube at 700°C in an automated furnace. The synthesized sample is characterized by X-ray Diffraction(XRD) and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDAX) for its phase purity and elemental composition. Rietveld refinement of XRD reveals that the end product is a majority hexagonal Pb 7 Bi 3 , with minor rhombohedral Bi. The electronic transport measurement shows metallic behavior with the Debye temperature of 108K and a superconductivity transition temperature (T c ) below 9K, which is the maximum to date for any reported Pb–Bi alloy, Pb or Bi at ambient pressure. Partial substitution of Bi at the Pb site may modify the free density of electronic states within the BCS model to attain the optimum T c , which is higher by around 2K from the reported T c of Pb. The superconductor phase diagram derived from magneto-transport measurements reveals that the synthesized alloy is a conventional superconductor with an upper critical field (H c2 ) of 3.9 T, which lies well within the Pauli paramagnetic limit. The magnetization measurements carried out following ZFC(Zero Field Cool) protocols infer that the synthesized alloy is a bulk superconductor below 9K. The isothermal M-H(Magnetization vs. Field) measurements performed below T c establish it as a type-II superconductor. Furthermore, the specific heat capacity measurements show that the Pb–Bi alloy is a strongly coupled bulk superconductor below around 9K with possibly two superconducting gaps.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The effect of bond coating surface modification on the performance of atmospheric plasma spray thermal barrier coatings

Asperities in atmospheric plasma sprayed (APS) CoNiCrAlY bond coatings were observed to rapidly form spinel-type oxides growing into the APS yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) top coating during isothermal exposures. To minimize these transient oxides, bond coatings were either lightly or heavily modified to remove asperities, prior to top coating deposition. After a 100 h isothermal exposure at 1100 °C in dry air, modified regions formed a thin, Al-rich thermally grown oxide (TGO) scale while unmodified regions formed Cr- and Ni-rich transient oxide. However, in 1-h furnace cycle testing (FCT) at 1100 °C, the modified bond coatings showed a reduced average lifetime compared to the specimens with unmodified bond coatings. The benefit of asperities may be to geometrically inhibit crack propagation, but the volume of transient oxide formed may also densify the adjacent YSZ and further inhibit cracking.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of substrate temperature on the growth of Nb 3 Sn film on Nb by multilayer sputtering

Here, we report on the fabrication of niobium tin (Nb 3 Sn) films by multilayer sequential sputtering on niobium at substrate temperatures ranging from room temperature to 250 °C. The multilayers were then annealed inside a separate vacuum furnace at 950 °C for 3 h. The material properties of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The superconducting properties of the films were studied by four-point probe resistivity measurements from room temperature to below the superconducting critical temperature T c . The highest film T c was 17.76 K, obtained when the multilayers were deposited at room temperature. When the deposition temperature was raised to 250 °C, a significant reduction in voids was achieved while the film's T c was 17.58 K.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Toward In Situ Synchrotron Mapping of Crystal Selection Processes during Crystal Growth

In this work, we present an automated and rapid method for non-destructive mapping of crystal grains in a rod-shaped sample. The approach was designed for application to in situ float-zone crystal growth experiments at an x-ray synchrotron source, but could be useful in other applications. The methods have been tested on a TiO 2 boule grown in an optical float zone furnace. The approach applies a statistical filter to polycrystalline diffraction patterns on 2D detectors to rapidly determine the degree of powder-quality 1of the signal. When larger crystals emerge in the growth, their position, size and shape can be tracked using an automated blob-tracking algorithm that follows individual Bragg peaks as a function of position in a grid-scan, even when multiple crystals are contributing spots to diffraction images. This method is found to be robust as the same crystal shape can be independently reconstructed using different sets of Bragg reflections. Image segmentation methods are then used to map out the polycrystalline grains. We also note that other information about crystal quality, such as mosaicity or strain state, may be inferred and mapped from the intensity variation of the Bragg peaks at different locations within the sample.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

In Situ Methods for Metal-Flux Synthesis in Inert Environments

Flux growth synthesis is an advantageous synthetic method as it allows for the growth of single crystals of both congruently melting and metastable phases. The determination of synthetic parameters for the flux growth of new crystalline phases is complex as many factors and parameters need to be considered, such as purity and morphology of starting material and heating profile variables including maximum temperature, dwell time, cooling rate and flux removal temperature. In situ monitoring of crystallite growth can lead to elucidation of reaction intermediates and growth mechanisms. The determination of pivotal reaction parameters can revolutionize the way growth parameters are selected. In this work, we report a new sample environment and furnace apparatus for synchrotron in situ synthesis of crystalline materials, including flux grown intermetallics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Beyond-the-Meter: Unaccounted Sources of Methane Emissions in the Natural Gas Distribution Sector

The United States Environmental Protection Agency maintains an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Methane (CH 4 ), a potent gas with a global warming potential 86–125× that of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) over a twenty-year period, is the main component of natural gas (NG). As NG becomes an increasingly larger percentage of the energy resources used in the United States, it is ever more important to evaluate the CH 4 emissions inventory. However, the inventory also does not account for all possible sources of CH 4 leaks, contributing to uncertainty in the national CH 4 inventory. Discrepancies between top-down and bottom-up inventories of CH 4 emissions imply that there are significant unaccounted-for sources of CH 4 leaks, especially over cities. Diffuse CH 4 plumes above cities that are not attributable to distribution pipelines or other NG infrastructure suggest many small beyond-the-meter leaks together contribute to large emissions. Here, we evaluate the distribution sector of the CH 4 emissions inventory and make suggestions to improve the inventory by analyzing end-user emissions. Preliminary research into beyond-the-meter emissions suggests that while individually small, the appliances and buildings that make up the residential sector could contribute significantly to national scale emissions. Furnaces are the most leak-prone of appliances, contributing to 0.14% of total CH 4 emissions from the NG sector in the United States. Combining measurements from whole house emissions and steady-state operation of appliances, we estimate that residential homes and appliances could release 9.1 Gg CH 4 yearly in the United States, totaling over 2% of the CH 4 released from the NG sector. Here, while factors such as appliance age and usage, climate, and residential setting could influence the emissions profile of individual appliances, these preliminary estimates justify further exploration of beyond-the-meter emissions.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Hybrid Grid-Renewable Strategies for Green Steel Production under Electricity Market Uncertainty

Volatility in grid spot prices is expected to rise with climate change-driven demand pressures and the intermittency of renewable generation. This volatility poses financial risks for green hydrogen-based steel production. The Direct Reduced Iron− Electric Arc Furnace (H 2 -DRI-EAF) is a promising pathway to decarbonize steel, which accounts for ∼8% of global GHG emissions. This study assesses how increased grid spot price volatility influences the optimal sizing and operation of H2-DRIEAF plants under three operational scenarios: grid-connected, fully behind-the-meter (islanded), and mixed-mode (semi-islanded). Our analysis identifies the semi-islanded configuration as the most cost-effective solution, achieving a Levelized Cost of Steel (LCOS) 10−35% lower than sourcing energy solely from the grid. Modeling also shows hydrogen storage or selective electricity purchases at high prices (>$1000/MWh) generally outperform battery storage, except under extreme volatility. Additionally, the study explores cost reduction strategies to strengthen the economic viability and sustainability of green steel production.

Batteries↗

Kinetics of Dechlorination of Molten Chloride Salt Using Protonated Ultrastable Y Zeolite

Investigation of the kinetics of the ion exchange between protonated ultrastable Y-type (USHY) and surrogate electrorefiner (ER) waste salt was performed to optimize the dechlorination process. The kinetics of the ion exchange reaction was investigated by measuring the amount of unreacted Cl. In theory, the kinetics of the ion exchange reaction in porous media will be limited by diffusion- or reaction-controlled mechanisms. Therefore, second order kinetics and diffusion-limited rate models have been derived and compared to experimental data to elucidate the rate-limiting step and develop a predictive model for the apparent rate of reaction. Ion exchange experiments were performed with varying zeolite particle sizes (up to 600 μm) at 625 °C. The experiments were performed with both unfluidized and continuously fluidized zeolite particles in static and rotating tube furnaces. Finally, it was concluded that the process is limited by reaction kinetics inside the zeolite crystals, and a second order kinetic model best fits the experimental data. Given that the zeolite is not stable at higher temperatures, further increase in the extent of dechlorination for a given batch reaction time requires an increase of the zeolite-to-salt ratio, which has the undesirable effect of increasing the volume of generated waste per amount of salt.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Unconventional Pathways to Carbide Phase Synthesis via Thermal Decomposition of UI 4 (1,4-dioxane) 2

UI4(1,4-dioxane) 2 was subjected to laser-based heating-a method that enables localized, fast heating (T > 2000 °C) and rapid cooling under controlled conditions (scan rate, power, atmosphere, etc.)-to understand its thermal decomposition. A predictive computational thermodynamic technique estimated the decomposition temperature of UI 4 (1,4-dioxane) 2 to uranium (U) metal to be 2236 °C, a temperature achievable under laser irradiation. Dictated by the presence of reactive, gaseous byproducts, the thermal decomposition of UI 4 (1,4-dioxane) 2 under furnace conditions up to 600 °C revealed the formation of UO 2 , UI x , and U(C 1–x O x ) y , while under laser irradiation, UI 4 (1,4-dioxane) 2 decomposed to UO 2 , U(C 1–x O x ) y , UC 2–z O z , and UC. Despite the fast dynamics associated with laser irradiation, the central uranium atom reacted with the thermal decomposition products of the ligand (1,4-dioxane = C 4 H 8 O 2 ) instead of producing pure U metal. In conclusion, the results highlight the potential to co-develop uranium precursors with specific irradiation procedures to advance nuclear materials research by finding new pathways to produce uranium carbide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗