Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ALKANE”

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 1,027 records · Page 57

Porting Fragmentation Methods to Graphical Processing Units Using an OpenMP Application Programming Interface: Offloading the Fock Build for Low Angular Momentum Functions

Here, a framework to offload four-index two-electron repulsion integrals to graphical processing units (GPUs) using OpenMP is discussed. The method has been applied to the Fock build for low angular momentum s and p functions in both the restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and in the effective fragment molecular orbital (EFMO) framework. Benchmark calculations for the GPU code for the pure RHF method show an increasing speedup relative to the existing OpenMP CPU code in GAMESS from 1.04 to 52× for clusters of 70–569 water molecules. The parallel efficiency on 24 NVIDIA V100 GPU boards also increases when increasing the system size: from 75 to 94% for water clusters that contain 303–1120 molecules. In the EFMO framework, the GPU Fock build shows a high linear scalability up to 4608 V100s with a parallel efficiency of 96% for calculations on a solvated mesoporous silica nanoparticle system with ~67,000 basis functions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS): Novel Methods on Novel Architectures

The primary focus of GAMESS over the last 5 years has been the development of new high-performance codes that are able to take effective and efficient advantage of the most advanced computer architectures, both CPU and accelerators. These efforts include employing density fitting and fragmentation methods to reduce the high scaling of well-correlated (e.g., coupled-cluster) methods as well as developing novel codes that can take optimal advantage of graphical processing units and other modern accelerators. Because accurate wave functions can be very complex, an important new functionality in GAMESS is the quasi-atomic orbital analysis, an unbiased approach to the understanding of covalent bonds embedded in the wave function. Finally, best practices for the maintenance and distribution of GAMESS are also discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Enabling Fortran Standard Parallelism in GAMESS for Accelerated Quantum Chemistry Calculations

The performance of Fortran 2008 DO CONCURRENT (DC) relative to OpenACC and OpenMP target offloading (OTO) with different compilers is studied for the GAMESS quantum chemistry application. Specifically, DC and OTO are used to offload the Fock build, which is a computational bottleneck in most quantum chemistry codes, to GPUs. The DC Fock build performance is studied on NVIDIA A100 and V100 accelerators and compared with the OTO versions compiled by the NVIDIA HPC, IBM XL, and Cray Fortran compilers. The results show that DC can speed up the Fock build by 3.0× compared with that of the OTO model. Finally, with similar offloading efforts, DC is a compelling programming model for offloading Fortran applications to GPUs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica-Supported Boron Oxide Catalysts for the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane

We report on the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) activity of silica-supported boron oxide prepared via incipient wetness impregnation. Characterization of pristine and spent catalysts with infrared, Raman, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy reveals the presence of both isolated and aggregated oxidized boron sites. The results of these investigations, in combination with our earlier work on bulk boron-containing ODH catalysts (e.g., h-BN, metal borides, and elemental boron), give direct evidence that oxidized boron species formed in situ on the surface of these materials are responsible for the exceptional catalytic behavior. Furthermore, we anticipate that investigation of supported boron materials can provide insight into the structural characteristics required for selective boron-containing ODH catalysts.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Diffusion-Limited Formation of Nonequilibrium Intermetallic Nanophase for Selective Dehydrogenation

In this work, nonequilibrium intermetallic phases in the nanoscale were realized by diffusion-controlled solid-state transformation, forming SiO 2 supported NPs with Pd core and a CsCl type Pd 1 M 1 shell, where M is Sn or Sb. The core–shell geometry is identified from scanning transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy and the crystal structure is confirmed from in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The highly symmetric Pd 1 M 1 intermetallic phase has not been reported previously and contains catalytic ensembles with high selectivity toward dehydrogenation of propane. The kinetically limited solid-state reaction is generally applicable to nanoparticle synthesis and could produce materials with desired structures and properties beyond conventional structural limits

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dehydrogenation of Propane and n -Butane Catalyzed by Isolated PtZn 4 Sites Supported on Self-Pillared Zeolite Pentasil Nanosheets

Propene and 1,3-butadiene are important building-block chemicals that can be produced by dehydrogenation of propane and butane over Pt catalysts. The challenge is to develop highly active and selective catalysts that are resistant to deactivation by Pt sintering and coke formation. We have recently shown that these objectives can be met for propane dehydrogenation using atomically dispersed Pt atoms anchored to neighboring ≡SiOZn-OH groups bonded to the framework dealuminated zeolite BEA. In the present study, we demonstrate that significantly superior performance can be achieved by using self-pillared pentasil (SPP) zeolite nanosheets. Following catalyst reduction in H 2 , atomic-resolution, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) indicate that Pt is stabilized in structures well approximated as (≡Si-O-Zn) 4-5 Pt. These species are highly active, selective, and stable for propane dehydrogenation (PDH) to give propene and for n-butane dehydrogenation (BDH) to give 1,3-butadiene. No catalyst deactivation was observed after 12 days of time on stream, and the selectivity remained at nearly 100% for PDH conducted at 823 K and a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 1,350 h -1 . The apparent rate coefficient for PDH over this catalyst is significantly higher than that reported previously for Pt-containing catalysts. For BDH at 823 K and a WHSV of 3560 h -1 , the selectivity to butene isomers and 1,3-butadiene is 98.9%, and the selectivity to 1,3-butadiene is 45%. Here, we propose that the high catalyst stability observed during PDH and BDH is a consequence of a large fraction of the Pt-containing centers being located on the external surface of the zeolite nanosheets, where nascent coke precursors can desorb before condensing to form coke.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Characterization of Isolated Ga 3+ Cations in Ga/H-MFI Prepared by Vapor-Phase Exchange of H-MFI Zeolite with GaCl 3

Ga/H-MFI was prepared by vapor-phase reaction of GaCl 3 with Brønsted acid O-H groups in dehydrated H-MFI zeolite. The resulting [GaCl 2 ] + cations in the as-exchanged zeolite are treated in H 2 at 823 K to stoichiometrically remove Cl ligands and form [GaH 2 ] + cations. Subsequent oxidation in O 2 and characterization by IR spectroscopy and NH 3 -temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) suggests that, for Ga/Al ratios ≤0.3, Ga 3+ exists predominantly as [Ga(OH) 2 ] + -H + cation pairs and to a lesser degree as [Ga(OH)] 2+ cations at low Ga/Al ratios (~0.1); while both species are associated with proximate cation-exchange sites, calculated free energies of formation suggest that [Ga(OH)] 2+ cations are more stable on cation-exchange sites associated with NNN (next-nearest neighbor) framework Al atoms than on those associated with NNNN (next-next-nearest neighbor) framework Al atoms. Ga K-edge X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) measurements indicate that, under oxidizing conditions and for all Ga/Al ratios, all Ga species are in the +3 oxidation state and are tetrahedrally coordinated to 4 O atoms. Fourier analysis of Ga K-edge Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) data supports the conclusion that Ga 3+ is present predominantly as [Ga(OH) 2 ] + cations (or [Ga(OH) 2 ] + -H + cation pairs). For Ga/Al ratios ≤0.3, wavelet analysis of EXAFS data provide evidence for backscattering from nearest neighboring O atoms and from next-nearest neighboring framework Al atoms. For Ga/Al > 0.3, backscattering from next-nearest neighboring Ga atoms is also evident, characteristic of GaO x species. Here, upon reduction in H 2 , the oxidized Ga 3+ species produce [Ga(OH)H] + -H + cation pairs, [GaH 2 ] + -H + cation pairs, and [GaH] 2+ cations. Computed phase diagrams indicate that the thermodynamic stability of the reduced Ga 3+ species depends sensitively on temperature, Al-Al interatomic distance, and H 2 and H 2 O partial pressures. For Ga/Al ratios ≤0.2, it is concluded that [GaH 2 ] + -H + cation pairs and [GaH] 2+ cations are the predominant species present in Ga/H-MFI reduced above 673 K in 10 5 Pa H 2 and in the absence of water vapor.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Understanding Diffusion in Hierarchical Zeolites with House-of-Cards Nanosheets

Introducing mesoporosity to conventional microporous sorbents or catalysts is often proposed as a solution to enhance their mass transport rates. Here, we show that diffusion in these hierarchical materials is more complex and exhibits non-monotonic dependence on sorbate loading. Our atomistic simulations of n-hexane in a model system containing microporous nanosheets and mesopore channels indicate that diffusivity can be smaller than in a conventional zeolite with the same micropore structure, and this observation holds true even if we confine the analysis to molecules completely inside the microporous nanosheets. Only at high sorbate loadings or elevated temperatures, when the mesopores begin to be sufficiently populated, does the overall diffusion in the hierarchical material exceed that in conventional microporous zeolites. Here, our model system is free of structural defects, such as pore blocking or surface disorder, that are typically invoked to explain slower-than-expected diffusion phenomena in experimental measurements. Examination of free energy profiles and visualization of molecular diffusion pathways demonstrates that the large free energy cost (mostly enthalpic in origin) for escaping from the microporous region into the mesopores leads to more tortuous diffusion paths and causes this unusual transport behavior in hierarchical nanoporous materials. This knowledge allows us to re-examine zero-length-column chromatography data and show that these experimental measurements are consistent with the simulation data when the crystallite size instead of the nanosheet thickness is used for the nominal diffusional length.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Leaf Wax Hydrogen Isotopes Reflect Storm Track Position Over Western North America

Proxy records of past climates have yielded powerful insights into regional hydroclimate dynamics. Novel insights may be gained by reconstructing spatiotemporal changes in precipitation isotopologues in past climate states that cannot be gleaned from individual site‐level studies. In this paper, we ask whether latitudinal gradients in the stable hydrogen isotopic composition of precipitation, as inferred from sedimentary leaf wax biomarkers, reflect aspects of large‐scale climate conditions in western North America (WNA). Modern coretop samples from offshore WNA show that leaf wax hydrogen isotopes broadly track the hydrogen isotopic composition of rainfall between 20 and 40N, but with an offset corresponding to a relatively constant “apparent fractionation” value. Poleward of 40N, the leaf wax signal may be complicated by fluvial transport of leaf waxes from the continental interior. Leaf wax‐inferred precipitation hydrogen isotopes show a shift to more negative values between 30 and 40N. We use modern observational data to show that this latitudinal range marks a major transition between the subtropical arid zone and the location of the midlatitude storm tracks over the northeast Pacific. Nudged water isotope‐enabled models capture the location of the arid to mesic climate transition with fidelity. This modern data set suggests that reconstructions of the latitudinal gradient of precipitation hydrogen isotopes can constrain the sensitivity of the storm tracks to shifts in climatic boundary conditions in past climate states. This approach can yield novel insights into past, present, and future hydroclimate variability in this arid region.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A robust benchmark for detection of germline large deletions and insertions

New technologies and analysis methods are enabling genomic structural variants (SVs) to be detected with ever-increasing accuracy, resolution and comprehensiveness. To help translate these methods to routine research and clinical practice, we developed a sequence-resolved benchmark set for identification of both false-negative and false-positive germline large insertions and deletions. To create this benchmark for a broadly consented son in a Personal Genome Project trio with broadly available cells and DNA, the Genome in a Bottle Consortium integrated 19 sequence-resolved variant calling methods from diverse technologies. The final benchmark set contains 12,745 isolated, sequence-resolved insertion (7,281) and deletion (5,464) calls ≥50 base pairs (bp). The Tier 1 benchmark regions, for which any extra calls are putative false positives, cover 2.51 Gbp and 5,262 insertions and 4,095 deletions supported by ≥1 diploid assembly. We demonstrate that the benchmark set reliably identifies false negatives and false positives in high-quality SV callsets from short-, linked- and long-read sequencing and optical mapping.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Methanol to high-octane gasoline within a market-responsive biorefinery concept enabled by catalysis

Biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass is hindered by high conversion costs in the generation of high-quality fuels, driving research towards the development of new pathways with less severe conditions, higher yields and higher-quality products. In this report, we present a market-responsive biorefinery concept based on methanol as the key intermediate, which generates high-octane gasoline (HOG) and jet fuel blendstocks from biomass. Process models and techno-economic analysis are linked with both fundamental and applied catalyst development research to quantify the impact of catalyst advancements on process economics. By facilitating reincorporation of C 4 by-products during dimethyl ether homologation, a Cu-modified beta zeolite catalyst enabled a 38% increase in yield of the HOG product and a 35% reduction in conversion cost compared to the benchmark beta zeolite catalyst. Alternatively, C 4 by-products were directed to a synthetic kerosene that met five specifications for a typical jet fuel, with a small increase in the fuel synthesis cost versus the HOG-only case.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Low-temperature aqueous-phase reforming of ethanol on bimetallic PdZn catalysts

Bimetallic PdZn catalysts supported on carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were found to be selective for CO-free H-2 production from ethanol at low temperature (250 degrees C). On Pd, the H-2 yield was low (similar to 0.3 mol H-2/mol ethanol reacted) and the CH4/CO2 ratio was high (similar to 1.7). Addition of Zn to Pd formed the intermetallic PdZn beta phase (atomic ratio of Zn to Pd is 1) with increased H-2 yield (similar to 1.9 mol H-2/mol ethanol reacted) and CH4/CO2 ratio of <1. The higher H-2 yield and low CH4 formation was related to the improved dehydrogenation activity of the L1(0) PdZn beta phase. The TOF increased with particle size and the CNTs provided the most active and selective catalysts, which may be ascribed to pore-confinement effects. Furthermore, no significant changes in either the supports or the PdZn beta particles was found after aqueous-phase reforming (APR) indicating that the metal nanoparticles and the carbon support are hydrothermally stable in the aqueous phase at elevated temperatures and pressures (>200 degrees C, 65 bar). No CO was detected for all the catalysts performed in aqueous-phase reaction, indicating that both monometallic Pd and bimetallic PdZn catalysts have high water-gas shift activity during APR. However, the yield of H-2 is considerably lower than the theoretical value of 6 H-2 per mole ethanol which is due to the presence of oxygenated products and methane on the PdZn catalysts.

ALKANES↗

Understanding plasmon coupling in nanoparticle dimers using molecular orbitals and configuration interaction

Here, we perform a theoretical investigation of the electronic structure and optical properties of atomic nanowire and nanorod dimers using DFT and TDDFT. In both systems at separation distances larger than 0.75 nm, optical spectra show a single feature that resembles the bonding dipole plasmon (BDP) mode. A configuration interaction (CI) analysis shows that the BDP mode arises from constructive coupling of transitions, whereas the destructive coupling does not produce significant oscillator strength for such separation distances. At shorter separation distances, both constructive and destructive coupling produce oscillator strength due to wave-function overlap, which results in multiple features in the calculated spectra. Our analysis shows that a charge-transfer plasmon (CTP) mode arises from destructive coupling of transitions, whereas the BDP results from constructive coupling of the same transitions at shorter separation distances. Furthermore, the coupling elements between these transitions are shown to depend heavily on the amount of exact Hartree–Fock exchange (HFX) in the functional, which affects the splitting of CTP and BDP modes. With 50% HFX or more, the CTP and BDP modes mainly merge into a single feature in the spectra. These findings suggest that the effects of exact exchange must be assessed during the prediction of CTP modes in plasmonic systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis of Pt 3 Zn 1 and Pt 1 Zn 1 intermetallic nanocatalysts for dehydrogenation of ethane

Pt 3 Zn 1 and Pt 1 Zn 1 intermetallic nanoparticles supported on SiO 2 were synthesized by combining atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO, incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) of Pt, and appropriate hydrogen reduction. Here, the formation of Pt 1 Zn 1 and Pt 3 Zn 1 intermetallic nanoparticles was observed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). STEM images showed that the 2–3 nm Pt-based intermetallic nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on a SiO 2 support. The relationships between Pt–Zn intermetallic phases and synthesis conditions were established. In situ XAS measurements at Pt L 3 and Zn K edges during hydrogen reduction provided a detailed image of surface species evolution. Owing to a combined electronic and geometric effect, Pt 1 Zn 1 exhibited much higher reactivity and stability than Pt 3 Zn 1 and Pt in both the direct dehydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗