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DOE OSTI2023

Resource Characterization to Estimate Potential for Electricity Co-Production at Blackburn Oil Field, Nevada

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that an annual average of 25 billion barrels of hot water are produced from oil and gas wells within the United States. The thermal energy available in the co-produced water stream is usually discarded, as the produced waters are considered an inconvenience by the operators and are disposed of using injection wells. However, utilizing organic Rankine cycle (ORC) generators, a vast amount of thermal energy can be captured and converted into electricity (albeit at relatively low efficiency due to the low temperatures). The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in collaboration with Transitional Energy and Grant Canyon Oil & Gas, evaluated the feasibility of geothermal co-production of electricity by utilizing existing oil wells in Blackburn oil field in Nevada. The once prolific Blackburn oil field is located in Pine Valley, approximately 45 miles east-southeast of Elko, Nevada. Currently, the wells targeting the highly fractured Devonian Nevada dolomite reservoir are operating at a water cut ratio of more than 99%, with individual fluid (oil and water) production rates reaching 7.4 L/s (4,021 BBL/day). Analysis of publicly available data showed that the combination of the suitable wells' maximum historical production rates reached 22.90 L/s. The production from these wells occurs naturally and the wells are choked (and even shut down) by the operator to mitigate excessive water production, indicating a strong reservoir recharge and future opportunity to increase the water production for geothermal electricity generation. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the productivity of the existing wells, the performance of the reservoir, the surface network, and the operational constraints in order to achieve 1 MWe of electricity production from the field's water production. Utilizing the GEOPHIRES tool, we have determined that a twofold to threefold increase in the total fluid production, compared to the historical production under artificial restraint (choke), is required to reach a 1-MWe net target output for a low-temperature ORC system with air-cooled condensers. Lower flow rates would be required when utilizing water-based condensers instead of air-cooled condensers. However, that would require a constant supply of cold water, which may be challenging given the arid environment of the project site.

Blackburn↗

DOE OSTI2020

Assessment of Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide in Michigan Basin Silurian Pinnacle Reefs

The Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) has incorporated the work of geologic research teams (Geoteams) in its regional characterization, project planning and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) injection implementation work since the partnership was established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2003. Over this 16-year period, the cohort of Geoteams has grown from five to ten states and has contributed to the characterization of geologic sequestration opportunities, refinement of reservoir and seal data, and supported injection efforts through both predictive and post-injection assessments. The Michigan team at Western Michigan University has provided technical analysis and support of the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the Northern Michigan Silurian Pinnacle reefs. With Core Energy, LLC as the industry partner, this project has assessed the potential for EOR in known fields in the Michigan Pinnacle reefs and the capacity for CO2 storage in the reef reservoirs as they are depleted and after reservoir abandonment. This project managed by Core Energy, LLC, involves the only commercial CO 2 Enhanced Oil Recovery floods within the MRCSP region. The Silurian pinnacle reef trend shows significant potential for CO 2 -EOR: this play is relatively new, with approximately 60% of the wells in the largest Niagaran fields still accessible. Most wells have modern logs and there are many cores, core analyses, pressure tests and produced water analyses available for study from these fields. These carbonate reservoirs in Michigan have produced sufficient oil to warrant evaluation for additional recovery efforts. The role of the Michigan team was to collect and analyze all relevant data about reservoir properties, including lithologic and depositional characteristics of the reservoir formations and porosity and fluid flow properties through different compartments in the reservoir. The team has also developed models that represent the geological and physical characteristics of the reservoir and seal system.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

NASA NTRS1989

Quantitative characterization of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor flowfield using unified, laser-induced iodine fluorescence

A calibrated, nonintrusive optical technique, laser-induced iodine fluorescence (LIIF) was used to quantify the steady, compressible flowfield of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor. The combustor was configured with single and staged, transverse-air injection into a supersonic-air freestream behind a rearward-facing step. Pressure, temperature, two-velocity components, and injectant mole fraction were measured with high spatial resolution in the three-dimensional flowfields. These experimental results provide a benchmark set of data for validation of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes being developed to model supersonic combustor flowfields.

Fletcher, D. G.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Non-dimensional performance and safety parameters for heat pipes

The use of heat pipes in safety-critical systems such as nuclear microreactors dictates the development of generalized, practical, scalable performance and safety parameters. Traditional dimensional metrics, while informative, lack the universality required for comparative analysis across varying designs and operating regimes. Here, this work introduces a comprehensive set of non-dimensional parameters to characterize heat pipe performance and safety, including capillary performance, effective thermal conductivity, response time, exergetic efficiency, allowable temperature gradients, allowable rate of temperature change, priming coefficients, and factor of safety. A reference heat pipe design representative of microreactor applications was analyzed via the developed parameters using both traditional analytical models and Sockeye simulations under transient and steady-state conditions. Sodium, potassium, and water were evaluated as working fluids to demonstrate the applicability of the framework across a broad temperature range. The proposed non-dimensional parameters effectively captured key thermal-hydraulic behaviors and safety concerns, as was demonstrated via Sockeye simulations. This framework supports the development of design optimization strategies, operational protocols, and safety assurance practices for advanced reactor systems and other high-reliability applications.

42 - ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1976

Heat exchanger

An improved lightweight heat exchanger particularly suited for use in systems having low volume flow, high longitudinal gradient and high effectiveness requirements is described. The heat exchanger is characterized by a shell of an annular configuration, an endless plate of minimal thickness and of a substantially uniformly convoluted configuration disposed within the annular shell for defining a plurality of endless, juxtaposed passages, each having a low Reynold's number and being of an annular configuration. A pair of manifolds disposed 180 deg apart is mounted on the shell in communication with the passages through which counterflowing fluids are simultaneously introduced and extracted from the passageways for achieving a continuous transfer of heat through the convoluted plate.

Holmes, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS2022

Development of an Effective Finite-rate Oxidation Model for NuSil-coated Charred Carbon Preform Ablators

Recently, a detailed effective finite-rate surface chemistry model was developed for the oxidation of FiberForm [1] using the molecular beam experimental data of Poovathingal et al., [2]. FiberForm is the major building block of the thermal protection system (TPS) material Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA), commonly used by NASA. The surface chemistry model consists of detailed surface reaction mechanisms such as adsorption, desorption, and several types of Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) reactions to characterize the oxygen-carbon interactions at the surface. This model provides excellent agreement with the experimental data for oxidation product compositions and corresponding translational energy distributions. Further, an effective oxidation model was constructed that captures the equivalent interaction of oxygen inside the microstructure (including multiple surface collisions) via a modified reactivity for a smooth wall boundary condition. This enables the use of this model directly into Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes and Material Response (MR) codes to accurately simulate the gas–surface interactions within FiberForm without using the detailed micro-structure. However, this effective model is valid only for the virgin FiberForm. As the TPS material undergoes ablation, the preform carbon burns and turns into char. In addition, PICA is also coated with a protective silicon coating called NuSil for the purpose of mitigating the spread of phenolic dust, and limit contamination during clean room operations. Fig. 1 shows a X-ray microtomography image of a charred NuSil-coated PICA. The NuSil layer introduces species containing silicon into the product mixture. Further, the reactivity of the carbon within the char layer is different from the virgin FiberForm as shown in Fig. 2. Recently a new set of molecular beam experiments were performed on this NuSil-coated TPS material [3] with the same type of oxygen beam used in the previous experiments. Using the latest experimental data, the previously developed effective model will be extended to account for the charred carbon as well as the NuSil coating. Finally, this new effective model with three phases – preform carbon, char, and NuSil; will be compared and validated against the experimental product compositions.

K Swaminathan Gopalan↗

DOE OSTI2026

Modeling Marangoni Convection using a Velocity-Time Relationship

The Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Handford site is designed to treat 56 million gallons of radioactive waste through vitrification. The melting vessels physical and chemical integrity is essential to maintain, as failure has a high safety and financial penalty. Monofrax® K-3 refractory, the material widely used for the melting vessel, undergoes significant corrosion over time, concentrated at the triple-point junction between the gaseous atmosphere, refractory, and glass melt, producing a characteristic neck-like profile that significantly limits refractory service life. Accurate prediction of the corrosion within the melter can be used to prevent this and extend the lifetime of the melters. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was previously developed, and predicted subsurface refractory corrosion, but failed to predict the neck-line profile observed experimentally. To address this limitation, the glass-melt meniscus geometry at the glass-refractory interface was estimated from experimentally measured neck profiles and wettability experiments. A curve was fitted to the neck profile to identify the triple point location, and the meniscus shape was characterized by a contact angle of 1°. A velocity profile accounting for Marangoni convection-driven corrosion was derived from the estimated meniscus geometry. Surface tension measurements from LORPM14R1 glasses of varying composition were coupled with K-3 coupon dissolution rates to establish a surface tension–time relationship. This analytical velocity-time model was integrated into the existing CFD framework to improve prediction of the neck corrosion profile. Work was done in a computational setting with national collaboration, resulting in professional development through presentational and technical writing growth.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Borehole breakout modeling in arkose and granite rocks

The existence of a deep borehole in the Earth’s crust disturbs the local stresses and creates a stress concentration that may result in breakout and damage to the borehole. Maintaining wellbore integrity mitigates environmental impacts such as groundwater contamination, gas leakage to the atmosphere, and fluid spills and seepage at the surface. In this paper, the stability of deep boreholes (5 km) is examined by laboratory experiments and numerical models in the context of nuclear waste disposal in Israel. Two rock types in southern Israel are considered: the crystalline basement (granite) and the Zenifim Formation (arkose). A series of room-temperature triaxial rock deformation experiments were conducted at different confining pressures. This mechanical characterization was then used to parameterize the elastic properties and damage behavior of the rocks. This facilitated modeling the stability of the deep boreholes by two different formulations of damage rheology: a dynamic-oriented formulation used to model deformation immediately after the creation of the open hole and a quasi-static formulation used to model longer stress corrosion regime. The calibrated modeling results indicate greater stability with Zenifim arkose than the crystalline granite for deep borehole conditions despite the granite having a greater triaxial compressive strength. Dissipation associated with dilation and porous compaction in the arkose during deformation plays a significant stabilizing role in the borehole compared to crystalline rocks. These results suggest that common strength-based borehole stability assessment may lead to inaccurate predictions. Three-dimensional modeling of bottom-hole stress conditions and the effects of transient borehole geometry show conventional two-dimensional analysis may not be conservative when predicting borehole damage.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2025

Rheology improvement for silicon nitride and resin slurries for vat photopolymerization printing and sintering

This work presents the formulation, rheological characterization, and sintering of silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) slurries for vat photopolymerization (VPP) using digital light processing (DLP). Bimodal Si₃N₄ powder was dispersed into commercial photopolymer resin using two different dispersants with opposing effects on surface charge, resulting in varied slurry stability and flow behavior. Slurries were engineered to exhibit shear-thinning behavior suitable for VPP, and their flow properties were quantified using a power-law fluid model. The formulations achieved cure depths of approximately 40 µm and enabled printing of green bodies. Post-processing included thermal debinding and liquid-phase sintering, yielding primarily β-Si₃N₄ with a minor Y-Si-Al-O-N glass phase. The sintered parts reached ~85% of theoretical density and demonstrated a flexural strength of ~330 MPa. Microstructural analysis revealed closed porosity along with some defects related to powder agglomeration and interlayer adhesion. These findings provide insights into slurry formulation strategies for additive manufacturing of high-performance non-oxide ceramics.

Aerospace engineering↗

DOE OSTI2019

Nanoscale viscosity of confined polyethylene oxide

Complex fluids near interfaces or confined within nanoscale volumes can exhibit substantial shifts in physical properties compared to bulk, including glass transition temperature, phase separation, and crystallization. Because studies of these effects typically use thin film samples with one dimension of confinement, it is generally unclear how more extreme spatial confinement may influence these properties. In this work, we used x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy and gold nanoprobes to characterize polyethylene oxide confined by nanostructured gratings (<100nm width) and measured the viscosity in this nanoconfinement regime to be ~500 times the bulk viscosity. Here, this enhanced viscosity occurs even when the scale of confinement is several times the polymer's radius of gyration, consistent with previous reports of polymer viscosity near flat interfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Study of Propane Combustion in a Spark-Ignited Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) Engine

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), whose primary composition is propane, is a promising candidate for heavy-duty vehicle applications as a diesel fuel alternative due to its CO 2 reduction potential and high knock resistance. To realize diesel-like efficiencies, spark-ignited LPG engines are proposed to operate near knock-limit over a wide range of operating conditions, which necessitates an investigation of fuel-engine interactions that leads to end-gas autoignition with propane combustion. This work presents both experimental and numerical studies of stoichiometric propane combustion in a sparkignited (SI) cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine. Engine experiments are initially conducted at different compression ratio (CR) values, and the effects of CR on engine combustion are characterized. A three-pressure analysis (TPA) model based on the two-zone combustion concept is developed in GT-Power and validated using test results to estimate in-cylinder wall temperatures, residual gas fraction, etc. This model is further utilized to examine end-gas chemistry by enabling the SI turbulent flame combustion and unburned gas chemical kinetics modules. Finally, a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of the CFR engine is developed in CONVERGE, where the G-equation and SAGE detailed chemical kinetics models are implemented for combustion modeling. Here, a 153 species reduced chemical kinetics mechanism derived from the detailed NUIGMech1.1 mechanism based on the ignition delay and laminar flame speed (LFS) studies is used to generate an LFS lookup table and to describe end-gas autoignition chemistry. Multi-cycle Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are then performed for the tested CRs, and the numerical model is shown to be capable of predicting the propane combustion characteristics, particularly the end-gas autoignition behavior.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

NASA NTRS1992

Calorimetric thermal-vacuum performance characterization of the BAe 80 K space cryocooler

A comprehensive characterization program is underway at JPL to generate test data on long-life, miniature Stirling-cycle cryocoolers for space application. The key focus of this paper is on the thermal performance of the British Aerospace (BAe) 80 K split-Stirling-cycle cryocooler as measured in a unique calorimetric thermal-vacuum test chamber that accurately simulates the heat-transfer interfaces of space. Two separate cooling fluid loops provide precise individual control of the compressor and displacer heatsink temperatures. In addition, heatflow transducers enable calorimetric measurements of the heat rejected separately by the compressor and displacer. Cooler thermal performance has been mapped for coldtip temperatures ranging from below 45 K to above 150 K, for heatsink temperatures ranging from 280 K to 320 K, and for a wide variety of operational variables including compressor-displacer phase, compressor-displacer stroke, drive frequency, and piston-displacer dc offset.

Kotsubo, V. Y.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Fine-grained Goethite as a Precursor for Martian Gray Hematite

Several isolated deposits of gray, crystalline hematite on Mars were discovered using data returned from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) instrument aboard the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. Christensen et al. provided five testable hypotheses regarding the formation of crystalline hematite on Mars: 1) low-temperature precipitation of Fe oxides/hydroxides from standing, oxygenated, Fe-rich water, followed by subsequent alteration to gray hematite, 2) low-temperature leaching of iron-bearing silicates and other materials leaving a Fe-rich residue laterite-style weathering) which is subsequently altered to gray hematite, 3) direct precipitation of gray hematite from Fe-rich circulating fluids of hydrothermal or other origin, 4) formation of gray hematitic surface coatings during weathering, and 5) thermal oxidation of magnetite-rich lavas. Since this initial work, several authors have examined the hematite deposits to determine their formation mechanism. Lane et al. cited the absence of a 390/ cm absorption in the martian hematite spectrum as evidence for platy hematite grains. Their model for the formation of the deposits includes deposition of any of a variety of iron oxides or oxyhydroxides by aqueous or hydrothermal fluids, burial and metamorphosis to gray platy hematite grains, and exhumation in recent times. Based on a detailed geomorphic examination of the Sinus Meridiani region, Hynek et al. conclude that the most likely method of hematite formation was either emplacement by a hydrothermal fluid or oxidation of a magnetite-rich pyroclastic deposit. Similarly, Arvidson et al., favor a model involving the alteration of pyroclastic deposits by aqueous or hydrothermal fluids. Finally, based on geochemical modeling and an examination of Aram Chaos, Catling and Moore favor emplacement by hydrothermal fluids with a minimum temperature of 100 C. Comparison of the average martian hematite spectrum measured by TES to hematite emissivity spectra for a variety of naturally occurring hematites shows small but potentially important differences. In particular, band shapes, positions and relative band emissivities of hematite spectra vary over the range of samples. These differences imply that the natural variability of thermal infrared hematite spectra has not been fully characterized, especially with respect to the reaction pathway and crystal structure.

T D Glotch↗

NASA NTRS1999

Space Acceleration Measurement System for Free Flyers

Experimenters from the fluids, combustion, materials, and life science disciplines all use the microgravity environment of space to enhance their understanding of fundamental physical phenomena caused by disturbances from events such as spacecraft maneuvers, equipment operations, atmospheric drag, and (for manned flights) crew movement. Space conditions reduce gravity but do not eliminate it. To quantify the level of these disturbances, NASA developed the Space Acceleration Measurement System (SAMS) series to collect data characterizing the acceleration environment on the space shuttles. This information is provided to investigators so that they can evaluate how the microgravity environment affects their experiments. Knowledge of the microgravity environment also helps investigators to plan future experiments. The original SAMS system flew 20 missions on the shuttle as well as on the Russian space station Mir. Presently, Lewis is developing SAMS-II for the International Space Station; it will be a distributed system using digital output sensor heads. The latest operational version of SAMS, SAMS-FF, was originally designed for free flyer spacecraft and unmanned areas. SAMS-FF is a flexible, modular system, housed in a lightweight package, and it uses advances in technology to improve performance. The hardware package consists of a control and data acquisition module, three different types of sensors, data storage devices, and ground support equipment interfaces. Three different types of sensors are incorporated to measure both high- and low-frequency accelerations and the roll rate velocity. Small, low-power triaxial sensor heads (TSH's) offer high resolution and selectable bandwidth, and a special low-frequency accelerometer is available for high-resolution, low-frequency applications. A state-of-the-art, triaxial fiberoptic gyroscope that measures extremely low roll rates is housed in a compact package. The versatility of the SAMS-FF system is shown in the three different types of missions SAMS-FF has supported.

Kacpura, Thomas J.↗

NASA NTRS2014

Experimental Alteration of Basalt to Support Interpretation of Remote Sensing and In Situ Meausrements from Mars

Major occurrences of hydrous alteration minerals on Mars have been found in Noachian impact craters formed in basaltic targets and detected using visible/near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy. Until recently phyllosilicates were detected only in craters in the southern hemisphere [1, 2]. However, it has been reported that at least nine craters in the northern plains apparently excavated thick layers of lava and sediment to expose phyllosilicates [3] as well. The MER (Mars Exploration Rovers) rovers previously reported results of in situ measurement indicating the presence of alteration minerals on Mars [4,5] and it was recently reported that the Mars Curiosity rover has detected alteration phases in situ at Yellowknife Bay in Gale crater as well [6,7]. An important discovery for Mars geochronology is that the Chemistry and Mineralogy (CheMin) x-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument on Curiosity detected phyllosilicates indicating that phyllosilicate formation on Mars extended beyond the Noachian Epoch [8]. These discoveries indicate that Mars was globally altered by water in the past but does not constrain formation conditions for alteration phase occurrences, which have important implications for the evolution of the surface and the biological potential on Mars. Understanding the alteration assemblages produced by a range of conditions is vital for the interpretation of phyllosilicate spectral signatures as well as in situ measurements and to decipher the environment and evolution of early Mars. The martian surface has been intensely altered by meteorite impacts whose effects include brecciation and melting of target materials as well as the initiation of hydrothermal circulation in a hydrous target [9,10,11,12]. Impact effects may facilitate aqueous alteration of a basaltic target because the rate of silicate dissolution is a function of the degree of crystallinity, surface area, and temperature. The resultant alteration mineralogies from shocked basaltic target material are a function of the original mineral assemblage in the parent rocks, the chemistry of fluids that interacted with the rocks, and physico-chemical conditions (pH, temperatures, and pressure) during the time of mineral formation. Understanding the alteration assemblages produced by a range of conditions is vital for the interpretation of phyllosilicate spectral signatures and to decipher the environment and evolution of early Mars, and especially for identifying habitable niches in which life could be initiated and sustained. No experimentally controlled and well characterized analog materials that simulate martian shock metamorphism and alteration conditions currently exist for calibrating either remote sensing or in situ measurements of Mars. A series of experiments was initiated to assess the effects of systematic changes in the physico-chemical conditions on Mars analog materials thereby providing samples to ground-truth Mars remote sensing observations from CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars) and in situ measurements from Opportunity's Mössbauer and Curiosity's CHEMIN (Chemistry and Mineralogy X-Ray Diffraction/XRay Fluorescence) instruments. Results of initial experimental runs as analysed by SEM-EDS (Secondary Electron Microscopy -Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis are reported here and lay the foundation for comparison with shocked and altered samples that will be characterized in the next phase of this work.

Bell, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS2015

Optic Nerve Sheath Mechanics in VIIP Syndrome

Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome results in a loss of visual function and occurs in astronauts following long-duration spaceflight. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to the ocular changes involved in VIIP is of critical importance for space medicine research. Although the exact mechanisms of VIIP are not yet known, it is hypothesized that microgravity-induced increases in intracranial pressures (ICP) drive the remodeling of the optic nerve sheath, leading to compression of the optic nerve which in turn may reduce visual acuity. Some astronauts present with a kink in the optic nerve after return to earth, suggesting that tissue remodeling in response to ICP increases may be taking place. The goal of this work is to characterize the mechanical properties of the optic nerve sheath (dura mater) to better understand its biomechanical response to increased ICP.

microgravity↗

DOE OSTI2025

Validation of RANS Models for Predicting Bypass Flow in Prismatic VHTRs

In prismatic Very-High Temperature Reactors (VHTRs), gaps occur between neighboring fuel assemblies referred to as bypass gaps. This work aims to measure the flow distribution between the bypass gaps between neighboring assemblies and the coolant channels within the assemblies. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was done using Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) modeling in STAR-CCM+ to assess the ability of RANS models to accurately capture this phenomena. The RANS results were compared to experimental worked performed by Seoul National University (SNU) and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) for validation. The CFD results showed good comparison with the experimental data available from SNU and flow split was characterized for multiple configurations, inlet mass flow rates, and bypass gap sizes.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Simulations of Bypass Flow in Prismatic VHTRs

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗