Multidimensional, experimental and modeling evaluation of permeability evolution, the Caney Shale Field Lab, OK, USA
Multidimensional, experimental and modeling evaluation of permeability evolution, the Caney Shale Field Lab, OK, USA
Katende, A.↗
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Results for “flow-through”
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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NREL's HydroGEN Photoreactor Platform Design and Characterization
This technical report details the design, fabrication, and construction of a flow-through photoreactor developed at The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The photoreactor is designed to facilitate indoor or outdoor testing on photoelectrochemical or integrated solar water splitting devices. The photoreactor design described here is based on a previous demonstration. The photoreactor version described herein contains several advanced design features that include: 1) Chassis-chuck two-part design, 2) Separable counter electrode compartments (here, the counter electrodes are anodes), 3) Reduced electrode separation to reduce electrolyte resistance, 4) Improved flow pattern for bubble removal, 5) Mounting for spectroradiometer receptor, 6) Fresnel lens and collimating tube attachments. The photoreactor presented here was designed primarily to accommodate photocathode materials in an illuminated compartment and a dark anode as the oxygen evolution catalyst. The build materials were thus chosen to for acid electrolyte compatibility. Other embodiments could accommodate a photoanode with dark hydrogen evolution catalyst and other build materials for alkaline compatibility.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Strategies to Recover Easily-Extractable Rare Earth Elements and Other Critical Metals from Coal Waste Streams and Adjacent Rock Strata Using Citric Acid
Maximum rare earth element (REE) extractability from a sample of Middle Kittanning coal seam underclay was previously demonstrated at ~30% of the total REE content with a citric acid solution (Montross et al., 2020). This report further refines the mechanisms of citrate application for leaching of coal seam underclays using an organic acid lixiviant and evaluates strategies to begin to scale this process to industrially relevant volumes. This study evaluates the suitability of citrate leaching solutions for downstream recovery and separation of the REEs via oxalic acid precipitation. The applicability of citric acid solutions to recover ion-adsorbed metals from clay surfaces was evaluated by leaching a prepared sample of kaolinite with known amounts of ion-adsorbed lanthanum. Citrate systematics was further defined through experiments varying the solution pH. Up-scaling investigations proceeded with percolation leaching columns and stirred tank reactors. Two embodiments were run in percolation leaching: a continuous flow-through process and a multi-stage saturated process. The results showed that in certain limited scenarios, low pH citrate solutions could be used to target REEs mineralized within secondary calcium phosphate minerals. Results from the upscaling attempts encountered difficulties in extraction efficiencies. For the percolation columns, hydrodynamic flow was insufficient to recover the extractable REE content fully. For the stirred barrels, mixing inefficiencies likely inhibited the extractability of the REEs. Oxalic acid precipitation experiments also highlighted difficulties in downstream operations. The REEs were removed from the citrate solution with high efficiency, but were accompanied by equally efficient removal of calcium in orders of magnitude of greater amounts. Overall, for citrate leaching to be effective, future studies will have to: 1) carefully consider the feedstock application (i.e., likely better suited for secondary mineralization of calcium phosphate minerals), and 2) overcome the technical barriers of large-scale processing, such as inefficient hydrodynamic regimes due to small crush sizes needed and difficulties in downstream separation and purification. Alternatively, citrate solutions may be better recommended as leaching amendments to other leaching solutions to enhance REE complexation in the solution.
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
ZIPPER: Zonal isolation with plug and perf in enhanced reservoirs (Final Technical Report)
Modern multistage hydraulic stimulation treatments in cased wellbores require an effective method of isolating stages between treatments. A commonly used method in the oil and gas industry, plug and perf, is not currently viable for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) due to limitations of a critical component of the system – the ball drop (flow through) frac plug. Commercially available ball drop frac plugs do not meet the temperature or wellbore diameter requirements needed for use in EGS stimulations. For example, one particular drillable bridge and frac plug line from a large tool developer is only rated to 175 °C, while another is only available up to casing sizes of 5 ½” and rated up to 204 °C. We developed, prototyped, and field tested an upgraded ball drop frac plug to meet the requirements of EGS stimulations, including high-temperature (225+ °C), differential pressure (6000+ psi), and wellbore diameters ranging from 6 5/8” to 10 5/8”. We focused on designs and materials to optimize drillability, a key cost driver in plug and perf systems. The primary objective was to upgrade a drillable frac plug (currently rated to a temperature of 175°C and a pressure of 10,000 psi in 7” casing) to withstand temperatures of 225+°C. The upgraded frac plug was tested in the laboratory as well as in a field trial at a geothermal field. Engineering design and fabrication of the new plug was completed in 2019. Lab testing, validation, and qualification of the plug was completed in 2020. Ultimately the plug was successfully run during a multistage stimulation treatment in a fully horizontal EGS well in 2022. Prior to this project, a ball-drop, flow-through stimulation plug had never been used in a geothermal well. At the conclusion of this project, three different types of zonal isolation plugs were evaluated under full-scale operating conditions across 16 stimulation treatment stages in a first-of-a-kind EGS project called Project Red. This trial included the newly designed high-temperature, large-diameter plug. The plugs met all of 5 the technical requirements for commercial viability. Project Red has since been fully commissioned and is generating electricity on the Nevada grid - the first EGS project to successfully deliver power to the grid in the US.
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
Transforming Aeration Energy in Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) through Suboxic Nitrogen Removal (Final Report)
The objective of this project was to advance two key technological components—aeration control strategies and process design methodologies—to support the development and broader adoption of suboxic biological nitrogen removal (SBNR). The project focused on achieving the following three goals: • Enhance Model Predictive Control (MPC) Technology: Advance the DO/Nmaster MPC platform from its initial 2018 pilot deployment at the Chico Water Resource Recovery Facility in California to full-scale integration. This included partnering with a blower technology commercialization partner and incorporating machine learning (ML) capabilities to enable nationwide deployment. • Bridge Knowledge Gaps in SBNR Process Design: Address fundamental gaps in SBNR process understanding through controlled pilot-scale testing at a dedicated pilot facility. These efforts supported the development of robust kinetic models to inform reliable SBNR control, operational strategies, and design frameworks. • Demonstrate Full-Scale Implementation of Low DO/SBNR with ML: Transition low dissolved oxygen (DO)/SBNR coupled with ML from pilot-scale trials to full-scale demonstration in flow-through biological nutrient removal (BNR) systems, with the goal of enabling scalable, nationwide adoption in activated sludge treatment processes. The project included demonstration of SBNR at the pilot scale as performed by Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and at the full-scale as performed by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts' (LACSD) Pomona Water Reclamation Plant (POWRP).
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Scalable Fabrication of a Fibrous Amine-functionalized Matrix (FAM) Sorbent for Critical Mineral Recovery
We report a novel flat sheet Fibrous Amine-functionalized Matrix (FAM) sorbent platform designed for efficient and selective capture of CM from dilute solutions. The FAM sorbent features crosslinked amine microfilms coated onto/within a glass fiber matrix, providing fast mass transfer and excellent mechanical stability. Systematic batch and flow-through tests with FAM revealed rapid metal uptake kinetics and high capacity for representative species, achieving ~90 mg/g of Gallium, ~100 mg/g of Cobalt, and ~90 mg/g for Neodymium. Moreover, multiple eluents, including mineral acids and complexing agents, enabled highly effective desorption of adsorbed metals, demonstrating the feasibility of regenerating FAM sorbents. Importantly, tests with authentic coal ash leachate demonstrated strong selectivity toward U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-listed CM and rare earth elements over abundant base cations, confirming the robustness of FAM in realistic complex solutions. The flat sheet geometry was amenable to scaling into durable spiral wound modules, highlighting the potential for future regeneration and reuse. This work establishes FAM sorbents as a promising platform for the recovery of CM from wastewaters, advancing both resource sustainability and environmental stewardship.
critical mineral recovery↗
PNNL OS3700 Tritium Monitoring System Software and Hardware Operations Manual (Rev.2)
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) OS3700 Tritium Monitoring System Software and Hardware Operations Manual describes how to install and operate the software and hardware on a personal computer operating in conjunction with the Berthold Technologies LB110 flow-through proportional counter detector system. Included are operational details for the software functions, how to read and use the dropdown menus, how to understand readings and calculations, and how to access the database tables.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Hepatic transcriptome analyses of juvenile white bass ( Morone chrysops ) when fed diets where fish meal is partially or totally replaced by alternative protein sources
White bass (Morone chrysops) are a popular sportfish throughout the southern United States, and one parent of the commercially-successful hybrid striped bass (M. chrysops male x M. saxatilis female). Currently, white bass are cultured using diets formulated for other carnivorous fish, such as largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) or hybrid striped bass and contain a significant percentage of marine fish meal. Since there are no studies regarding the utilization of alternative proteins in this species, we evaluated the global gene expression of white bass fed diets in which fish meal was partially or totally replaced by various combinations of soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, canola meal, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, or a commercial protein blend (Pro Cision™). Six isonitrogenous (40% protein), isolipidic (11%), and isocaloric (17.1 kJ/g) diets were formulated to meet the known nutrient and energy requirements of largemouth bass and hybrid striped bass using nutrient availability data for most of the dietary ingredients. One of the test diets consisted exclusively of plant protein sources. Juvenile white bass (40.2 g initial weight) were stocked into a flow-through aquaculture system (three tanks/diet; 10 fish/tank) and fed the test diets twice daily to satiation for 60 days. RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses revealed significant differentially expressed genes between all test diets when compared to fish meal control. A total of 1,260 differentially expressed genes were identified, with major ontology relating to cell cycle and metabolic processes as well as immune gene functions. This data will be useful as a resource for future refinements to moronid diet formulation, as marine fish meal becomes limiting and plant ingredients are increasingly added as a reliable protein source
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Multi-Scale Microfluidics for Transport in Shale Fabric
We develop a microfluidic experimental platform to study solute transport in multi-scale fracture networks with a disparity of spatial scales ranging between two and five orders of magnitude. Using the experimental scaling relationship observed in Marcellus shales between fracture aperture and frequency, the microfluidic design of the fracture network spans all length scales from the micron (1 μ) to the dm (10 dm). This intentional `tyranny of scales’ in the design, a determining feature of shale fabric, introduces unique complexities during microchip fabrication, microfluidic flow-through experiments, imaging, data acquisition and interpretation. Here, we establish best practices to achieve a reliable experimental protocol, critical for reproducible studies involving multi-scale physical micromodels spanning from the Darcy- to the pore-scale (dm to μm). With this protocol, two fracture networks are created: a macrofracture network with fracture apertures between 5 and 500 μm and a microfracture network with fracture apertures between 1 and 500 μm. The latter includes the addition of 1 μm ‘microfractures’, at a bearing of 55°, to the backbone of the former. Comparative analysis of the breakthrough curves measured at corresponding locations along primary, secondary and tertiary fractures in both models allows one to assess the scale and the conditions at which microfractures may impact passive transport.
58 GEOSCIENCES↗
Control of Cement Timing, Mineralogy, and Texture on Hydro-chemo-mechanical Coupling from CO2 Injection into Sandstone: A Synthesis
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) has been widely applied to enhance oil recovery (CO2-EOR). A thorough investigation of the impact of injecting CO2 into a heterogeneous reservoir is critical to understanding the overall reservoir robustness and storage performance. We conducted fifteen flow-through tests on Morrow B sandstone that allowed for chemical reactions between a CO2-rich brackish solution and the sandstones, and four creep/flow-through tests that simultaneously allowed for chemical reactions and stress monitoring. From fluid chemistry and X-ray computed tomography, we found that the dissolution of disseminated cements and the precipitation of iron-rich clays did not significantly affect the permeability and geomechanical properties. Minor changes in mechanical properties from Brazilian and creep tests indicated that the matrix structure was well-supported by early diagenetic quartz overgrowth cement and the reservoir’s compaction history at deep burial depths. However, one sample experienced a dissolution of poikilotopic calcite, leading to a permeability increase and significant tensile strength degradation due to pore opening, which overcame the effect of the early diagenetic cements. We concluded that the Morrow B sandstone reservoir is robust for CO2 injection. Most importantly, cement timing, the abundance and texture of reactive minerals, and the reservoir’s burial history are critical in predicting reservoir robustness and storage capacity for CO2 injection.
Wu, Zhidi (ORCID:0000000338869492)↗
Real-Time Partitioning of Diurnal Stem CO 2 Efflux into Local Stem Respiration and Xylem Transport Processes
The apparent respiratory quotient (ARQ) of tree stems, defined as the ratio of net stem CO 2 efflux (E S_CO2 ) to net stem O 2 influx (E S_O2 ), offers insights into the balance between local respiratory CO 2 production and CO 2 transported via the xylem. Traditional static chamber methods for measuring ARQ can introduce artifacts and obscure natural diurnal variations. Here, we employed an open flow-through stem chamber with ambient air coupled with cavity ring-down spectrometry, which uses the molecular properties of CO 2 and O 2 molecules to continuously measure E S_CO2 , E S_O2 , and ARQ, at the base of a California cherry tree (Prunus ilicifolia) during the 2024 growing season. Measurements across three stem chambers over 3–11-day periods revealed strong correlations between E S_CO2 and E S_O2 and mean ARQ values ranging from 1.3 to 2.9, far exceeding previous reports. Two distinct diurnal ARQ patterns were observed: daytime suppression with nighttime recovery, and a morning peak followed by gradual decline. Partitioning E S_CO2 into local respiration and xylem-transported CO 2 indicated that the latter can dominate when ARQ exceeds 2.0. Furthermore, transported CO 2 exhibited a higher temperature sensitivity than local respiration, with both processes showing declining temperature sensitivity above 20 °C. These findings underscore the need to differentiate stem CO 2 flux components to improve our understanding of whole-tree carbon cycling.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Developing Enzyme Immobilization with Fibrous Membranes: Longevity and Characterization Considerations
Fibrous membranes offer broad opportunities to deploy immobilized enzymes in new reactor and application designs, including multiphase continuous flow-through reactions. Enzyme immobilization is a technology strategy that simplifies the separation of otherwise soluble catalytic proteins from liquid reaction media and imparts stabilization and performance enhancement. Flexible immobilization matrices made from fibers have versatile physical attributes, such as high surface area, light weight, and controllable porosity, which give them membrane-like characteristics, while simultaneously providing good mechanical properties for creating functional filters, sensors, scaffolds, and other interface-active biocatalytic materials. This review examines immobilization strategies for enzymes on fibrous membrane-like polymeric supports involving all three fundamental mechanisms of post-immobilization, incorporation, and coating. Post-immobilization offers an infinite selection of matrix materials, but may encounter loading and durability issues, while incorporation offers longevity but has more limited material options and may present mass transfer obstacles. Coating techniques on fibrous materials at different geometric scales are a growing trend in making membranes that integrate biocatalytic functionality with versatile physical supports. Biocatalytic performance parameters and characterization techniques for immobilized enzymes are described, including several emerging techniques of special relevance for fibrous immobilized enzymes. Diverse application examples from the literature, focusing on fibrous matrices, are summarized, and biocatalyst longevity is emphasized as a critical performance parameter that needs increased attention to advance concepts from lab scale to broader utilization. This consolidation of fabrication, performance measurement, and characterization techniques, with guiding examples highlighted, is intended to inspire future innovations in enzyme immobilization with fibrous membranes and expand their uses in novel reactors and processes.
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
Cold Climate Integrated Heat Pump
This paper introduces development of a residential air-source integrated heat pump for cold climates (CCIHP). The heat pump is multi-functional to meet all the home comfort demands, including space cooling, space heating, domestic water heating and energy storage. The CCIHP is an ideal solution to decarbonize northern homes via providing efficient space heating and water heating to replace natural gas. It uses a three-stage compressor and a single set of heat exchangers and valves to deliver all the functions, and thus achieve cost reduction. We developed an innovative system configuration and related controls to solve typical charge unbalance in heat pumps, accelerate charge migration and smoothen mode transition in integrated heat pumps. Laboratory investigations were conducted for individual modes and verified the control functions. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the unit delivered outstanding performance. It achieved 17.0 SEER (seasonal cooling energy efficiency rating) and 11.0 HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor). In the most efficient mode (combined space cooling and water heating mode), the unit reached a total energy efficiency of 35.0 EER and required only 25 minutes to heat a 50-gallon tank of water. The CCIHP can heat 1.7 GPM water from 58 to 125°F in a direct flow-through, when the ambient temperature is above 47°F. In a dedicated water heating mode using outdoor air source, the heat pump operated down to 17°F, achieving a COP > 2.6, and heated 50-gallon water within 1 hour.
Shen, Bo↗
ALD reactor for coating porous substrates
A system and method for improved atomic layer deposition. The system includes a top showerhead plate, a substrate and a bottom showerhead plate. The substrate includes a porous microchannel plate and a substrate holder is positioned in the system to insure flow-through of the gas precursor.
Mane, Anil U.↗
Lignin-First Biorefinery Development
Cost-effective biomass fractionation is an enabling, grand challenge for biorefining, especially when both carbohydrates and lignin are targeted for valorization. The advent of Reductive Catalytic Fractionation (RCF) - an active stabilization approach that solubilizes lignin from biomass and catalytically depolymerizes it into a narrow slate of monomers and oligomers - represents a potential step forward for this important goal. In the Lignin-First Biorefinery Development project, we are employing techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to guide bench-scale R&D efforts towards cost-effective RCF-based biorefining. This project is critical to lignin valorization efforts and could enable the use of woody feedstocks in a traditional biochemical conversion context. To date, we have conducted the first rigorous TEA and LCA study of the RCF process, developed a flow-through system to separate biomass and the chemical catalyst in RCF chemistry, developed models for solvolysis chemistry and transport phenomena for poplar, and co-led an international, authoritative perspective on guidelines for the research community on how to best practice lignin-first biorefining. The primary challenges for the lignin-first RCF process going forward are catalyst stability, the need to utilize, recover, and recycle high boiling point solvents to lower RCF reactor pressure, and the challenge of operating RCF continuously - all of which are being directly tackled by this project.
biomass↗
Self-contained, automated, long-term sensor system for monitoring of soil and water nutrients in fields
An automated, fieldable ion-selective sensor system for frequent detection of nutrients in soils or water is set forth. In one aspect, an integrated small form-factor housing includes a battery, processor, a fluid manipulation unit and reservoirs, and a chemical species detection cell. A flow-through sampling head can be connected to the detection cell and a waste reservoir by flexible tubing sealingly connected at opposite ends of the tube. In one aspect, improved performance of the ion-selective sensor includes adding an ion-to-electron transfer interlayer between an ion-selective membrane and its working electrode. In one aspect, the sensor is solid-state and uses printed polymeric composite of POT-MoS$_{2}$. The use of a porous tube for a sampling head and fluid connection at opposite ends allows not only fluid to be removed from the head to the detection cell for measurement but also flow in an opposite direction and out to a waste reservoir to clean and reset for a next sample measurement.
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
Alkaline cation enrichment and water electrolysis to provide CO 2 mineralization and global-scale carbon management
Provided herein are methods of removing carbon dioxide from an aqueous stream or gaseous stream by: contacting the gaseous stream comprising carbon dioxide, when present, with an aqueous solution comprising ions capable of forming an insoluble carbonate salt; contacting the aqueous solution comprising carbon dioxide with an electroactive mesh that induces its alkalinization thereby forcing the precipitation of a carbonate solid from the solution and thereby the removal of dissolved inorganic carbon by electrolysis; and removing the precipitated carbonate solids from the solution, or the surface of the mesh where they may deposit. Also provided herein are flow-through electrolytic reactors comprising an intake device in fluid connection with a rotating cylinder comprising an electroactive mesh, and a scraping device and/or liquid-spray based device for separating a solid from the mesh surface.
Sant, Gaurav↗
Real-time process monitoring for direct ink write additive manufacturing
Direct ink write (DIW) printing of reactive resins presents a unique challenge due to the time-dependent nature of the rheological and chemical properties of the ink. As a result, careful print optimization or process control is important to obtain consistent, high quality prints. The present invention uses a flow-through characterization cell for in situ chemical monitoring of a resin ink during DIW printing. Additionally, in-line extrusion force monitoring can be combined with off-line post inspection using machine vision. By combining in-line spectroscopy and force monitoring, it is possible to follow reaction kinetics (for example, curing of a reactive resin) and viscosity changes during printing, which can be used for a closed-loop process control. Additionally, the capability of machine vision to automatically identify and quantify print artifacts can be incorporated on the printing line to enable real-time, AI-assisted quality control of the printed products. Together, these techniques can form the building blocks of an optimized process control strategy when complex reactive ink must be used to produce printed hardware.
Cook, Adam W.↗