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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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DOE OSTI2024

Interparticle Characterization of Mechanical Biomass Particle-Particle and Particle-Wall Interactions

The biomass materials industry faces significant challenges in managing material variability and its impact on storage and handling systems. Physical properties such as moisture content, particle size, and density fluctuate considerably, leading to operational issues like bridging and ratholing that disrupt material flow. These variations create a complex cascade effect throughout the process chain, affecting transportation, storage, and conversion processes. The economic consequences of this variability manifest in increased operational costs, maintenance requirements, and system downtime. Environmental factors further complicate the situation, as weather conditions and seasonal availability influence material properties and system performance. Engineers employ specialized equipment design, material characterization protocols, and pre-processing steps like size reduction and homogenization to address these challenges. A critical knowledge gap exists between continuous-level constitutive models and particle-scale behavior. This project developed a novel device to quantify interparticle mechanics between biomass particles, measuring friction and adhesion forces between particles and wall materials. The research focused on corn stover and southern pine forest residue, creating a comprehensive database of particle interactions. This breakthrough enables direct application in particle-based computational modeling, advancing the field's understanding of biomass handling characteristics and supporting the development of more reliable and efficient storage and handling systems. The project's outcomes contribute significantly to understanding biomass's mechanical and flow characteristics, particularly how variability at the particle level affects larger-scale handling operations. This knowledge is crucial for engineering feedstock supply systems that consistently meet quality and cost specifications for various conversion processes. The innovative experimental setup developed through this research represents a significant advancement in biomass characterization methodology. Providing precise measurements of particle-level interactions establishes a foundation for more accurate predictive modeling of bulk material behavior. This enhanced understanding of fundamental particle mechanics enables engineers to anticipate better and address handling challenges before they manifest in full-scale operations. This research opens new avenues for optimizing biomass handling systems through data-driven design approaches. The comprehensive database of particle interactions serves as a valuable resource for future research and development efforts, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective biomass processing solutions. This advancement in particle-level mechanics could revolutionize how biomass handling systems are designed and operated, contributing to more sustainable and reliable renewable energy production.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

NASA NTRS1972

On multidisciplinary research on the application of remote sensing to water resources problems

This research is directed toward development of a practical, operational remote sensing water quality monitoring system. To accomplish this, five fundamental aspects of the problem have been under investigation during the past three years. These are: (1) development of practical and economical methods of obtaining, handling and analyzing remote sensing data; (2) determination of the correlation between remote sensed imagery and actual water quality parameters; (3) determination of the optimum technique for monitoring specific water pollution parameters and for evaluating the reliability with which this can be accomplished; (4) determination of the extent of masking due to depth of penetration, bottom effects, film development effects, and angle falloff, and development of techniques to eliminate or minimize them; and (5) development of operational procedures which might be employed by a municipal, state or federal agency for the application of remote sensing to water quality monitoring, including space-generated data.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Year-Round Energy-Efficient Fresh Air Handling System with Two-Stage Heat Pumps and Lake Water Pre-Treatment

Supplying fresh air is important for indoor air quality, but the energy consumption to treat fresh air is significant. The main problems in existing fresh air system include: supplying single-temperature water to treat fresh air and not applying natural energy sufficiently restrict the efficiency improvement of cooling and heat sources; unused air handling devices under most operating conditions throughout the year increase the fan energy consumption. Thus, this study proposes an efficient fresh air system that uses lake water to pre-treat fresh air and two-stage heat pumps for further treatment, and the unused air handling devices in the system are bypassed. A fresh air system in northern China is selected as a case to show the annual energy performance of the proposed system, and a comparative analysis is conducted between the proposed system and a traditional system. The results show that the annual energy-savings of the proposed system compared to the traditional system come from fans, and compressors, which are 56.5%, and 31.1%, respectively, with an entire system energy saving of 32.2%. The proposed system can achieve an annual system coefficient of performance (COP) of 5.5. This study provides potential for further improving the energy efficiency in fresh air treatment.

Liang, Chenjiyu↗

NASA NTRS1967

Improved head-controlled TV system produces high-quality remote image

Manipulator operator uses an improved resolution tv camera/monitor positioning system to view the remote handling and processing of reactive, flammable, explosive, or contaminated materials. The pan and tilt motions of the camera and monitor are slaved to follow the corresponding motions of the operators head.

Goertz, R.↗

DOE OSTI2023

A promising intersection of excited‐state‐specific methods from quantum chemistry and quantum Monte Carlo

Abstract We present a discussion of recent progress in excited‐state‐specific quantum chemistry and quantum Monte Carlo alongside a demonstration of how a combination of methods from these two fields can offer reliably accurate excited state predictions across singly excited, doubly excited, and charge transfer states. Both of these fields have seen important advances supporting excited state simulation in recent years, including the introduction of more effective excited‐state‐specific optimization methods, improved handling of complicated wave function forms, and ways of explicitly balancing the quality of wave functions for ground and excited states. To emphasize the promise that exists at this intersection, we provide demonstrations using a combination of excited‐state‐specific complete active space self‐consistent field theory, selected configuration interaction, and state‐specific variance minimization. These demonstrations show that combining excited‐state‐specific quantum chemistry and variational Monte Carlo can be more reliably accurate than either equation of motion coupled cluster theory or multi‐reference perturbation theory, and that it can offer new clarity in cases where existing high‐level methods do not agree. This article is categorized under: Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods Software > Quantum Chemistry

Otis, Leon↗

NASA NTRS1990

Imaging spectrophotometry of the nuclear outflow of NGC 1068

This observational program (in conjunction with R. B. Tully (IfA, Honolulu), and J. Bland (Rice U., Houston)) aims to constrain the kinematic organization and dominant excitation mechanisms of ionized gas in active galaxies. More generally, researchers are interested in the dynamics of radiative, supersonic flows in the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Imaging Fabry-Perot interferometers and low-noise Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) are used for complete spatial coverage of the complex gas distribution in circumnuclear narrow-line regions (NLRs). Extranuclear emission line widths in NLRs can exceed 3000 km s(-1), so to avoid inter-order confusion researchers use an etalon of 4000 km s(-1) free spectral range to map (N II) lambda lambda 6548, 6583 and H alpha. To maximize spatial resolution, researchers select nearby active systems independent of luminosity but known to possess interesting morphologies and/or high-velocity extranuclear ionized gas. Monochromatic images Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) approx. 65 km s(-1) have thus far been obtained in 1 second or better seeing at the U. Hawaii 2.2m, CFH 3.6m, and CTIO 4.0m telescopes. These are stacked into grids of line profiles, of spectrophotometric quality, at sub-arcsecond increments across a 3 second field. To handle the approx. 20,000 to 300,000 useful spectra that arise from a typical night's work, researchers have developed a complete analysis and reduction package for VAX and Sun image workstations. Reduction involves parametrization of approx. 10 to the 8th raw data points to a few maps (e.g., velocities of each kinematic subsystem, continuum-free line fluxes) containing approx. 10 to the 5th pixels. Researchers identify kinematic and structural symmetries by examining these maps and the point to point variations of the synthesized line profiles. The combination of monochromatic images and full spatial sampling of line profiles has allowed them to isolate such symmetries and has led to reliable kinematic deprojections.

Cecil, Gerald↗

NASA NTRS1997

Electron Beam Cured Epoxy Resin Composites for High Temperature Applications

Electron beam curing of Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC's) is a nonthermal, nonautoclave curing process that has been demonstrated to be a cost effective and advantageous alternative to conventional thermal curing. Advantages of electron beam curing include: reduced manufacturing costs; significantly reduced curing times; improvements in part quality and performance; reduced environmental and health concerns; and improvement in material handling. In 1994 a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), sponsored by the Department of Energy Defense Programs and 10 industrial partners, was established to advance the electron beam curing of PMC technology. Over the last several years a significant amount of effort within the CRADA has been devoted to the development and optimization of resin systems and PMCs that match the performance of thermal cured composites. This highly successful materials development effort has resulted in a board family of high performance, electron beam curable cationic epoxy resin systems possessing a wide range of excellent processing and property profiles. Hundreds of resin systems, both toughened and untoughened, offering unlimited formulation and processing flexibility have been developed and evaluated in the CRADA program.

Janke, Christopher J.↗

NASA NTRS2019

The Impacts of Cabin Atmosphere Quality Standards and Control Loads on Atmosphere Revitalization Process Design

Maintaining the cabin atmosphere’s pressure, composition, and quality within specified parameters is a necessity for successful crewed space exploration missions. A properly maintained environment minimizes health impacts on the occupants and maximizes their comfort. The challenge is to accomplish this outcome economically. The insight gained during the International Space Station’s (ISS) operational lifetime is driving toward more challenging cabin atmospheric quality standards for future exploration missions. At the same time, the metabolic loads are increasing to accommodate a broader crew body size range and more rigorous exercise protocols to mitigate health effects associated with long duration microgravity exposure. Compounding this situation is new process equipment for handling trash and waste that may vent contaminants into the cabin. The limits placed on the cabin atmospheric quality parameters combined with the contaminant load define the design space for the atmosphere revitalization (AR) subsystem technologies to be deployed aboard the spacecraft. The impacts of changes to cabin atmospheric quality standards and contamination loads are evaluated and implications to future crewed exploration missions are explored.

Perry, Jay L.↗

DOE OSTI2024

From Plastic Waste to Fuel: Pyrolysis and Gasification of Polyethylene for Hydrogen Production

Thermochemical conversion processes offer promising solutions to address the plastic pollution crisis by transforming plastic waste into valuable products, notably hydrogen. In this study, thermal pyrolysis and steam gasification of polyethylene (PE), the most abundantly produced plastic waste, are investigated in a drop tube reactor system. Various process parameters, namely temperature, residence time, and feedstock composition, are evaluated to establish their correlations with reaction performance. Coal refuse, obtained from discarded thickener underflow in coal processing, is introduced as a co-feedstock for gasification to enhance PE handling and examine synergistic effects on product distribution, particularly H2 yield and syngas quality. Furthermore, the potential of low-cost, environmentally friendly catalysts (i.e., iron oxides, coal ash) for tar reforming is explored.

Natesakhawat, Sittichai↗

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.↗

NASA NTRS1981

AD-1 oblique wing aircraft program

A NASA program for evaluation of the handling and flying characteristics of the AD-1 oblique wing aircraft is discussed. The vehicle was flown to compare wind tunnel predictions with aerodynamic data, explore the control system requirements, and obtain a preliminary assessment of the aeroelastic effects. The fiberglass sandwich skin aircraft is designed for 8 g positive and 4 g negative loading at 175 knots, while the wing pivot can withstand 25 g loading. Flight monitoring was accomplished with a 41 channel pulse code modulation system for telemetry and by averaging of pilot ratings. Maneuvering tests are outlined, noting that pilot ratings indicated acceptable handling at up to 50 deg sweep. It is concluded that acceptable flying qualities can be achieved with a 60 deg sweep, and that aeroelastic tailoring can be used to satisfy cruise design technology.

Mcmurtry, T. C.↗

NASA NTRS2012

Control Algorithms Charge Batteries Faster

On March 29, 2011, NASA s Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft beamed a milestone image to Earth: the first photo of Mercury taken from orbit around the solar system s innermost planet. (MESSENGER is also the first spacecraft to orbit Mercury.) Like most of NASA s deep space probes, MESSENGER is enabled by a complex power system that allows its science instruments and communications to function continuously as it travels millions of miles from Earth. "Typically, there isn't one particular power source that can support the entire mission," says Linda Taylor, electrical engineer in Glenn Research Center s Power Systems Analysis Branch. "If you have solar arrays and you are in orbit, at some point you re going to be in eclipse." Because of this, Taylor explains, spacecraft like MESSENGER feature hybrid power systems. MESSENGER is powered by a two-panel solar array coupled with a nickel hydrogen battery. The solar arrays provide energy to the probe and charge the battery; when the spacecraft s orbit carries it behind Mercury and out of the Sun s light, the spacecraft switches to battery power to continue operations. Typically, hybrid systems with multiple power inputs and a battery acting alternately as storage and a power source require multiple converters to handle the power flow between the devices, Taylor says. (Power converters change the qualities of electrical energy, such as from alternating current to direct current, or between different levels of voltage or frequency.) This contributes to a pair of major concerns for spacecraft design. "Weight and size are big drivers for any space application," Taylor says, noting that every pound added to a space vehicle incurs significant costs. For an innovative solution to managing power flows in a lightweight, cost-effective manner, NASA turned to a private industry partner.

Source record↗

DOE OSTI2022

Method for automatic correction of offset drift in online sensors

Abstract Successful operation and optimization of water treatment systems hinge on the availability of high-quality online sensor measurements. Ideally, the available measurements should be simultaneously accurate (i.e., unbiased and precise), representative, voluminous, and timely. This remains a pain-point in current water infrastructures, forming a barrier to a wider adoption of advanced and autonomous control systems. While short-lived symptoms, such as outliers and spikes, can be detected or corrected with state-of-the-art tools for fault detection and identification, it is much more difficult to detect, diagnose, and correct the symptoms of slow faults, such as changes in offset or sensitivity due to drift. The time scale of drift is often longer than the time scales of the system dynamics of interest. Moreover, sensor drift has been shown to occur at the same time and with similar rates when sensors are exposed to the same conditions. This challenges data quality management strategies based on redundancy. In this contribution, we develop a new method, including both a hands-off sensor calibration mechanism and an information-seeking control architecture that can handle the unique challenge of simultaneous and similar drift in online sensors.

Chowdhury, Dhrubajit↗

NASA NTRS1989

An image compression algorithm for a high-resolution digital still camera

The Electronic Still Camera (ESC) project will provide for the capture and transmission of high-quality images without the use of film. The image quality will be superior to video and will approach the quality of 35mm film. The camera, which will have the same general shape and handling as a 35mm camera, will be able to send images to earth in near real-time. Images will be stored in computer memory (RAM) in removable cartridges readable by a computer. To save storage space, the image will be compressed and reconstructed at the time of viewing. Both lossless and loss-y image compression algorithms are studied, described, and compared.

Nerheim, Rosalee↗

NASA NTRS1978

Air quality as a constraint to the use of coal in California

Low-NOx burners, wet scrubbing systems, baghouses and ammonia injection systems are feasible for use on large combustion sources such as utility boilers. These devices, used in combination with coal handling techniques which minimize fugitive dust and coal transportation related emissions, should enable new power plants and large industrial boilers to burn coal without the adverse air quality impacts for which coal became notorious.

Austin, T. C.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Herbaceous Feedstock 2020 (State of Technology Report)

The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 required a minimum supply of 36 million gallons of renewable fuels per year by 2022. In order to achieve these goals, the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has set cost and technology targets for producing advanced and cellulosic biofuels. One of the targets is to validate feedstock supply infrastructures and systems with 90% overall operating effectiveness and field-to-reactor throat delivered cost less than $85.51/dry ton (2016). As stated by the 2017 Multi-Year Program Plan (DOE 2017), the research and development focus of the Feedstock Technologies (FT) platform is reducing the cost, improving the supply chain logistic efficiency, improving biomass quality, and increasing the supply volume. In addition, BETO oversees annual State of Technology (SOT) report that assesses current technologies that are relevant to BETO’s targets based on actual data and experimental results. Feedstocks are essential to achieving BETO goals because the cost, quality, and quantity of feedstock available and accessible at any given time limit the maximum volume of biofuels that can be produced. In accordance with the 2016 Multi-Year Program Plan (DOE 2016a), FT focuses on (1) reducing the delivered cost of sustainably produced biomass, (2) preserving and improving the physical and chemical quality parameters of harvested biomass to meet the individual needs of biorefineries and other biomass users, and (3) expanding the quantity of feedstock materials accessible to the bioenergy industry. This is done by identifying, developing, demonstrating, and validating efficient and economical integrated systems for harvest and collection, storage, handling, transport, and preprocessing raw biomass from a variety of crops to reliably deliver the required supplies of high-quality, affordable feedstocks to biorefineries as the industry expands. The elements of cost, quality, and quantity are key considerations when developing advanced feedstock supply concepts and systems (DOE 2016a).

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Summary: SEE4GEO

The seismoelectric effects technique (SEE) is a new and innovative approach for geothermal subsurface imaging and monitoring at reservoir scale. The objective of this project is to assess SEE in terms of data acquisition, cost and quality, and to determine its capability in comparison with classical imaging and monitoring techniques, particularly decoupled seismic and electromagnetic methods. This will be achieved by (1) development of a fast, true 3D numerical package, handling SEE imaging and subsurface properties characterization, including resistivity and permeability, (2) laboratory experiments performed in a controlled environment to define optimal deployment design, data quality, and inform field deployment, and (3) field surveys to ultimately test and draw lessons for practical use of SEE technology. There is a relatively extensive body of work in the literature on SEE, and members of this consortium have been involved in theoretical and numerical development of SEE modeling as well as laboratory experiments. Nevertheless, to our knowledge few, if any, documented efforts have been specifically targeting the use of SEE for geothermal subsurface imaging and monitoring. The strength and originality of our proposal rely on an integrated approach leveraging numerical, laboratory and field experiments, to properly document the practical use of SEE. Through this process, SEE in-hand technology for the geothermal industry will be able to progress from a TRL 1 to TRL 3.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2022

Seismoelectric Effects for Geothermal Resources Assessment and Monitoring (SEE4GEO)

58 GEOSCIENCES↗