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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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At least 1,243 records · Page 69
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Ultrahigh temperature vapor core reactor-MHD system for space nuclear electric power

The conceptual design of a nuclear space power system based on the ultrahigh temperature vapor core reactor with MHD energy conversion is presented. This UF4 fueled gas core cavity reactor operates at 4000 K maximum core temperature and 40 atm. Materials experiments, conducted with UF4 up to 2200 K, demonstrate acceptable compatibility with tungsten-molybdenum-, and carbon-based materials. The supporting nuclear, heat transfer, fluid flow and MHD analysis, and fissioning plasma physics experiments are also discussed.

Maya, Isaac↗
NASA NTRS1994

Simplex turbopump design

Turbomachinery used in liquid rocket engines typically are composed of complex geometries made from high strength-to-weight super alloys and have long design and fabrication cycle times (3 to 5 years). A simple, low-cost turbopump is being designed in-house to demonstrate the ability to reduce the overall cost to $500K and compress life cycle time to 18 months. The simplex turbopump was designed to provide a discharge pressure of 1500 psia of liquid oxygen at 90 lbm/s. The turbine will be powered by gaseous oxygen. This eliminates the need for an inter-propellant seal typically required to separate the fuel-rich turbine gases from the liquid oxygen pump components. Materials used in the turbine flow paths will utilize existing characterized metals at 800 deg R that are compatible with a warm oxygen environment. This turbopump design would be suitable for integration with a 40 K pound thrust hybrid motor that provides warm oxygen from a tapped-off location to power the turbine. The preliminary and detailed analysis was completed in a year by a multiple discipline, concurrent engineering team. Manpower, schedule, and cost data were tracked during the process for a comparison to the initial goal. The Simplex hardware is the procurement cycle with the expectation of the first test to occur approximately 1.5 months behind the original schedule goal.

Marsh, Matt↗
NASA NTRS2011

The J-2X Fuel Turbopump - Design, Development, and Test

Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR), a NASA subcontractor, is executing the design, development, test, and evaluation (DDT&E) of a liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen two hundred ninety four thousand pound thrust rocket engine initially intended for the Upper Stage (US) and Earth Departure Stage (EDS) of the Constellation Program Ares-I Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV). A key element of the design approach was to base the new J-2X engine on the heritage J-2S engine with the intent of uprating the engine and incorporating SSME and RS-68 lessons learned. The J-2S engine was a design upgrade of the flight proven J-2 configuration used to put American astronauts on the moon. The J-2S Fuel Turbopump (FTP) was the first Rocketdyne-designed liquid hydrogen centrifugal pump and provided many of the early lessons learned for the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Fuel Turbopumps. This paper will discuss the design trades and analyses performed for the current J-2X FTP to increase turbine life; increase structural margins, facilitate component fabrication; expedite turbopump assembly; and increase rotordynamic stability margins. Risk mitigation tests including inducer water tests, whirligig turbine blade tests, turbine air rig tests, and workhorse gas generator tests characterized operating environments, drove design modifications, or identified performance impact. Engineering design, fabrication, analysis, and assembly activities support FTP readiness for the first J-2X engine test scheduled for July 2011.

Tellier, James G.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Irradiation creep measurement and microstructural analysis of chromium nitride–coated zirconium alloy using pressurized tubes

Environmental barrier coatings for Zr-based materials are currently under development to reduce oxidation and embrittlement in light-water reactors. Chromium nitride is one such candidate for this application, particularly as accident-tolerant fuel cladding. However, quantifying the impact of coatings on the irradiation-induced creep of zircaloy (Zry) is critical as this mechanism often exceeds thermal creep rates under light-water reactor operating conditions and can be a limiting design characteristic. Additionally, examining irradiation effects in the microstructure at the coating interface is key to understanding the compatibility of the material system. Here, to accelerate the experimental measurement of irradiation creep and microstructure evolution in CrN-Zry, compact, pressurized creep tubes were fabricated and irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Miniature, thin-walled rodlets fabricated from annealed Zr-Sn barstock were coated with CrN using physical vapor deposition (PVD) to nominal thicknesses of 4 and 8 μm. Coated and uncoated rodlet specimens were internally pressurized and welded, generating nominal circumferential hoop stresses of 0, 90, or 180 MPa under 300°C irradiation conditions. Twelve specimens were measured diametrically prior to irradiation using a low-cost, automated, contactless laser profilometer developed for this work. Specimens were irradiated in sealed capsules for one 25-day HFIR cycle, accumulating approximately 1.8 $\times$ 10 21 n/cm 2 fast fluence (E n > 10 MeV). The irradiated samples were retrieved and remeasured using the same profilometry system in a shielded hot cell facility. Irradiation creep between specimens was compared using standard statistical tests and showed that both thicknesses of CrN coating had a negligible effect on the irradiation creep strain of the Zry material. Microstructure characterization of pre- and post-irradiated CrN-Zry specimens showed minimal changes due to irradiation but did show a substantial O-rich region at the Zry-CrN interface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2015

Additively Manufactured Main Fuel Valve Housing

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) was utilized to fabricate a liquid hydrogen valve housing typical of those found in rocket engines and main propulsion systems. The SLM process allowed for a valve geometry that would be difficult, if not impossible to fabricate by traditional means. Several valve bodies were built by different SLM suppliers and assembled with valve internals. The assemblies were then tested with liquid nitrogen and operated as desired. One unit was also burst tested and sectioned for materials analysis. The design, test results, and planned testing are presented herein.

Eddleman, David↗
DOE OSTI2025

Post-irradiation examination of AGR-3/4 TRISO fuel compacts using three-dimensional X-ray computed tomography

The AGR-3/4 irradiation tests combined the third and fourth planned irradiation experiments in the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) testing campaign of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel compacts. In this article, we present post-irradiation examination (PIE) using X-ray computed tomography (XCT) of two unirradiated and two irradiated compacts from the AGR-3/4 irradiation tests. The irradiated compacts studied (compact 7–1 and compact 12–4) represent the upper and lower limit of burnup within the AGR-3/4 irradiation experiment. This article presents a detailed quantitative analysis on the post-irradiation structure of TRISO fuel compacts. Various quantitative parameters including shape, size, and packing of kernels, and their spatial distribution, were utilized to gain insights into the structural changes caused by irradiation. The equivalent diameter and sphericity were found to increase and decrease, respectively, in irradiated compact 7–1 due to its higher burnup. Nearest neighbor distance between fuel kernels decreased after irradiation, suggesting irradiation-induced shrinkage of graphitic matrix. Furthermore, each compact in AGR-3/4 irradiation tests contained 20 designed-to-fail (DTF) fuel particles that were meant to act as a source of fission product release to the experiment test train. Furthermore, in the present work, all DTF fuel particles in the four compacts studied were identified, and it was found that they exhibited larger kernel swelling in compact 12–4 and smaller kernel swelling in compact 7–1, compared to the driver particles.

11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2018

Dynamic Analysis of the hFan, a Parallel Hybrid Electric Turbofan Engine

NASA and a variety of aerospace industry stakeholders are investing in conceptual studies of electrified aircraft, including parallel hybrid electric aircraft such as the Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research (SUGAR) Volt. At this point, little of the work published in the literature has examined the transient behavior of the turbomachinery in these systems. This paper describes a control system built around the hFan, the parallel hybrid electric turbofan engine designed for the SUGAR Volt concept aircraft. This control system is used to show that the hFan, running with its baseline concept of operations, is capable of transient operation throughout the envelope. The design parameters of this controller are varied to assess the amount of operability margin built into the engine design, and whether this margin can be reduced to enable more aggressive designs, that may feature better fuel economy. Further, studies are performed as parameters for the hFan electric motor are varied to determine how the motor impacts the engine's need for transient operability margin. The studies suggest that the engine may be redesigned with as much as a 3% reduction in high pressure compressor stall margin. It was also demonstrated that appropriate design and control of the electric motor may be able to buy an additional 0.5% stall margin reduction or a turbine inlet temperature reduction of 35 R, as tested at the sea-level static condition.

SUGAR Volt↗
NASA NTRS1993

CCARES: A computer algorithm for the reliability analysis of laminated CMC components

Structural components produced from laminated CMC (ceramic matrix composite) materials are being considered for a broad range of aerospace applications that include various structural components for the national aerospace plane, the space shuttle main engine, and advanced gas turbines. Specifically, these applications include segmented engine liners, small missile engine turbine rotors, and exhaust nozzles. Use of these materials allows for improvements in fuel efficiency due to increased engine temperatures and pressures, which in turn generate more power and thrust. Furthermore, this class of materials offers significant potential for raising the thrust-to-weight ratio of gas turbine engines by tailoring directions of high specific reliability. The emerging composite systems, particularly those with silicon nitride or silicon carbide matrix, can compete with metals in many demanding applications. Laminated CMC prototypes have already demonstrated functional capabilities at temperatures approaching 1400 C, which is well beyond the operational limits of most metallic materials. Laminated CMC material systems have several mechanical characteristics which must be carefully considered in the design process. Test bed software programs are needed that incorporate stochastic design concepts that are user friendly, computationally efficient, and have flexible architectures that readily incorporate changes in design philosophy. The CCARES (Composite Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures) program is representative of an effort to fill this need. CCARES is a public domain computer algorithm, coupled to a general purpose finite element program, which predicts the fast fracture reliability of a structural component under multiaxial loading conditions.

Duffy, Stephen F.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fork Experiments in the Hot Cell Using Spent Fuel Rods for International Nuclear Safeguards

This work leveraged the rare availability of 25 full-length pressurized water reactor spent fuel rods and 1 irradiated mixed-oxide rod at an Oak Ridge National Laboratory hot cell. This was done to collect measurement data with two Fork detectors to assess the detectors’ capability of verifying operator declaration data and detecting partial defects in spent fuel, which are the two primary goals of international safeguards on spent nuclear fuel. The data can also be used to benchmark the ORIGEN module, which has been adopted in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s)/European Atomic Energy Community’s (Euratom’s) Integrated Review and Analysis Program to predict the Fork detector count rates in real time. In this project, the authors first calibrated two Fork detectors—a standard one and a modified one—by using known strong neutron and gamma sources. Then, the authors measured all 26 fuel rods at multiple locations along the length. The fuel rods were then assembled into three arrays—2 × 2, 3 × 3, and 5 × 5—by using specially designed support grids to mimic fuel assemblies and measure the arrays with both detectors. For the 5 × 5 array, 4 and 8 fuel rods of the array were replaced in two separate cases with short stainless-steel rods to mimic two partial defect scenarios, and the arrays were measured before and after the replacements. Polyethylene blocks were used in this experiment to mimic water. The results show that the Fork detectors were able to verify operator declarations and detect partial defects in spent fuel, and the authors were the first to demonstrate this through experiments. A discovery was also made that determined the root cause of the nonlinear response to gamma dose in the ion chambers used in IAEA and Euratom’s Fork detectors. After the experiments, both detectors were retrieved from the hot cell for future use. The data collected in this project will be used in a parallel International Nuclear Safeguards Engagement Program (INSEP) project to enhance the safeguards in the Finnish spent fuel encapsulation plant, and the data will be useful to other projects in the future given the increased safeguards needs due to spent fuel transfer and disposal activities worldwide.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Predicting Switchgrass Biomass Yields Using a Spectral Vegetation Index Derived from Multispectral Satellite Imagery

Successful scaling of perennial bioenergy crop production requires a landscape design that optimizes the benefits of finite lands for people, communities, and environments. Utilizing marginal areas is the key to sustainable bioenergy crop production (Ssegane et al., 2015, 2016). Marginal areas are often small-sized lands and unevenly distributed across the agricultural landscape (Ssegane et al., 2016); thus, a systematic, semi-automated remote sensing method is needed as an effective means of estimating bioenergy crop yields across landscapes. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) is currently developing a tool, Scaling Up Perennial Bioenergy Economics and Ecosystem Services Tool (SUPERBEEST), to identify marginal agricultural lands and quantify environmental and economic effects of perennial bioenergy crop production systems. The tool aims to provide users a path to foster the sustainable and productive integration of bioenergy crops in the Midwestern agricultural landscape. Reliable, cost-effective, and timely estimation of bioenergy crop yields using remote sensing would help calculate and track the success of integrated bioenergy crops in the landscape for those communities. Argonne previously conducted feasibility studies for estimating biomass yields for bioenergy feedstock, corn and perennial grass using spectral vegetation indices (SVIs)1 derived from optical imagery (Hamada et al., 2015, 2021). In both studies, SVIs, more specifically those sensitive to plant chlorophyll or nitrogen contents, showed potential for estimating or predicting biomass yields with a correlation of determination (R2) ranging from 0.54 to 0.96, indicating a value for further investigation as a viable means of quantifying bioenergy feedstock production across large landscapes. Thus, the goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of use of SVIs as a means of estimating or predicting switchgrass biomass yields at harvest using publicly available multispectral satellite imagery. The feasibility analysis was performed using four study areas of mature switchgrass located in Virginia. Objectives are to (1) examine the SVIs and establish their relationships with switchgrass biomass yields at harvest, (2) develop a parsimonious image processing model for predicting at-harvest yields by applying the relationships with the most promising spectral index and (3) map switchgrass yields predicted by the image processing model across the study sites. The calibration to field data will rely on switchgrass biomass yields determined by the baling method, representing a potential challenge to the analysis but an important practical aspect for future applications. With this research design, the study aimed to gain insights into enabling remote sensing-based estimation of bioenergy crop yields in a reliable, cost- effective, and timely manner across large, heterogeneous landscapes.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Full-scale Demonstration of Pressurized Water Reactor Core Design Optimization using Multi-Cycle Optimization Methodology

The U.S. nuclear sector encounters a difficulty in upholding essential safety standards while also securing economic viability for continued operation. Safety stands as a pivotal factor across all facets of operations within light-water reactor nuclear power plants. Achieving economic feasibility alongside safety can be facilitated through the utilization of a risk-informed framework, exemplified by the ongoing development within the Risk-Informed Systems Analysis Pathway under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy's LWRS Program. This initiative advocates for a diverse array of research and development endeavors aimed at optimizing both safety and economic efficacy within nuclear power plants, particularly pertinent as many plants contemplate second license renewals. The Risk-Informed Systems Analysis Pathway has two main goals: deploy methodologies and technologies that better represent safety margins and cost and safety factors and develop advanced applications that enable cost-effective plant operation. This report assesses the potential for resolving multi-cycle plant reload challenges through real-world scenarios utilizing the Plant ReLoad Optimization (PRLO) framework. This framework offers reactor core design developers analytic tools of reactor safety and fuel performance with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance core design solutions. Multi-objective genetic algorithm alongside acceleration techniques is explored as an enabling technology for improving fuel efficiency while upholding safety thresholds. The demonstration of multi-cycle core design optimization is performed. This report investigates the practical application of the PRLO platform in addressing real-world core design challenges, supporting AI efforts, and contrasting outcomes with those derived from heuristic or conventional algorithms.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhancement of PyARC for Westinghouse Electric Company’s Lead Fast Reactor Design and Modeling (Final TCF Report)

Westinghouse Electric Company is a nuclear reactor vendor headquartered in the U.S. that is developing advanced reactor technology for the U.S. and global markets. Westinghouse has been relying on the neutronics Argonne Reactor Codes (ARC) executed through the NEAMS Workbench and its PyARC module that are developed under the DOE-NE Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) and Advanced Reactor Technology (ART) – Fast Reactor programs. Through this user experience, Westinghouse identified several enhancements that would benefit the ARC codes’ usability by the US industry and therefore its commercialization potential. The enhancements were proposed to deliver both improvements in workflow and analysis capabilities to better support effective fast reactor core design and analysis to the nuclear industry. The PyARC workflow was extended in this project by integrating non-neutronic ARC codes DASSH and NUBOW-3D. The Ducted Assembly Steady-State Heat equation (DASSH) code is developed at ANL to perform steady-state thermal hydraulic sub-channel analysis in liquid metal fast reactor assemblies to determine optimized coolant flow and temperature distributions, which in this project was updated and validated for lead fast reactor (LFR) applications. The interface between REBUS and NUBOW-3D were improved in this project to assess the impact of the core restraint design and thermal induced expansion effects on the reactivity of the core, and to model the deformations of the fuel assemblies induced by temperature and irradiation. Finally, the ARC models that were extensively verified and validated through various SFR-based modeling benchmarks are extended in this project through code-to-code comparison on relevant LFR-specific neutronics benchmarks against Monte-Carlo neutronic solutions. Overall, this work enables verification of the capability of the ARC codes for a wide range of Generation-IV reactor designs. The outcome of this project is the release of a comprehensive modeling toolkit of validated, robust and efficient codes, as well as their user interface, that enables industry to perform a wide range of fast reactor analyses for design and licensing of their concepts.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Space processing applications payload equipment study. Volume 2B: Payload interface analysis (power/thermal/electromagnetic compatibility)

As a part of the task of performing preliminary engineering analysis of modular payload subelement/host vehicle interfaces, a subsystem interface analysis was performed to establish the integrity of the modular approach to the equipment design and integration. Salient areas that were selected for analysis were power and power conditioning, heat rejection and electromagnetic capability (EMC). The equipment and load profiles for twelve representative experiments were identified. Two of the twelve experiments were chosen as being representative of the group and have been described in greater detail to illustrate the evaluations used in the analysis. The shuttle orbiter will provide electrical power from its three fuel cells in support of the orbiter and the Spacelab operations. One of the three shuttle orbiter fuel cells will be dedicated to the Spacelab electrical power requirements during normal shuttle operation. This power supplies the Spacelab subsystems and the excess will be available to the payload. The current Spacelab sybsystem requirements result in a payload allocation of 4.0 to 4.8 kW average (24 hour/day) and 9.0 kW peak for 15 minutes.

Hammel, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Application of Weibull analysis to SSME hardware

Generally, it has been documented that the wearing of engine parts forms a failure distribution which can be approximated by a function developed by Weibull. The purpose here is to examine to what extent the Weibull distribution approximates failure data for designated engine parts of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). The current testing certification requirements will be examined in order to establish confidence levels. An examination of the failure history of SSME parts/assemblies (turbine blades, main combustion chamber, or high pressure fuel pump first stage impellers) which are limited in usage by time or starts will be done by using updated Weibull techniques. Efforts will be made by the investigator to predict failure trends by using Weibull techniques for SSME parts (turbine temperature sensors, chamber pressure transducers, actuators, and controllers) which are not severely limited by time or starts.

Gray, L. A. B.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Incorporation of Electrical Systems Models Into an Existing Thermodynamic Cycle Code

Integration of entire system includes: Fuel cells, motors, propulsors, thermal/power management, compressors, etc. Use of existing, pre-developed NPSS capabilities includes: 1) Optimization tools; 2) Gas turbine models for hybrid systems; 3) Increased interplay between subsystems; 4) Off-design modeling capabilities; 5) Altitude effects; and 6) Existing transient modeling architecture. Other factors inclde: 1) Easier transfer between users and groups of users; 2) General aerospace industry acceptance and familiarity; and 3) Flexible analysis tool that can also be used for ground power applications.

Freeh, Josh↗
NASA NTRS1995

1025:1 Area Ratio Nozzle Evaluated at High Combustion Chamber Pressure

A recently completed experimental test program obtained performance data on an optimally contoured nozzle with an exit-to-throat area ratio of 1025:1 and on a truncated version of this nozzle with an area ratio of 440:1. The nozzles were tested with gaseous hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants at combustion chamber pressures of 12.4 to 16.5 mPa (1800 to 2400 psia). Testing was conducted in the altitude test capsule at the NASA Lewis Research Center's Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF), and results were compared with analytical performance predictions. This testing builds on previous work with this nozzle at Lewis, where testing was completed at nominal chamber pressure of 350 psia. High-area-ratio nozzles have long been sought as a means to increase the performance of spacebased rocket engines. However, as the area ratio increases, the physical size and weight of the nozzle also increase. As a result, engine and vehicle designers must make tradeoffs between nozzle size and performance enhancement. Until this test program, very little experimental data existed on the performance of the high-area-ratio nozzles used in rocket engine designs. The computer codes being used by rocket engine designers rely on data extrapolated from tests of low-area-ratio nozzles, and these extrapolations do not always provide the accuracy needed for a reliable design assessment. Therefore, we conducted this high-area-ratio nozzle testing program to provide performance data for use in rocket engine design and analysis computer codes. The nozzle had a nominal 2.54-cm- (1-in.-) diameter throat, an exit diameter of 81.3-cm (32.0-in.) at an exit-to-throat area ratio of 1025, and a length of 128.6 cm (50.6 in.). Testing was conducted in an altitude test capsule to simulate the static pressure at altitude by vacuum pumping. Data such as propellant mass flow, oxidizer-to-fuel mixture, and thrust were measured. These measurements were then used to calculate performance factors such as the thrust coefficient, the characteristic exhaust velocity efficiency, and the vacuum specific impulse. In addition, the nozzle temperature was measured to calculate the amount of heat transferred from the combustion gases to the nozzle.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2005

Numerical Simulation of the RTA Combustion Rig

The Revolutionary Turbine Accelerator (RTA)/Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) project is investigating turbine-based propulsion systems for access to space. NASA Glenn Research Center and GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) planned to develop a ground demonstrator engine for validation testing. The demonstrator (RTA-1) is a variable cycle, turbofan ramjet designed to transition from an augmented turbofan to a ramjet that produces the thrust required to accelerate the vehicle from Sea Level Static (SLS) to Mach 4. The RTA-1 is designed to accommodate a large variation in bypass ratios from sea level static to Mach 4 conditions. Key components of this engine are new, such as a nickel alloy fan, advanced trapped vortex combustor, a Variable Area Bypass Injector (VABI), radial flameholders, and multiple fueling zones. A means to mitigate risks to the RTA development program was the use of extensive component rig tests and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

Davoudzadeh, Farhad↗
DOE OSTI2021

Feedstock and Catalyst Impact on Bio-Oil Production and FCC Co-Processing to Fuels

NREL’s thermochemical biomass conversion research is focused on ex-situ upgrading of biomass fast-pyrolysis (FP) vapors as an efficient and economical route to completely biogenic pyrolysis-based fuel precursors, potential fuels, and value-added chemicals depending on catalyst choice and process conditions. In this approach, biomass vapors are generated via fast pyrolysis with destabilizing vapor components (char, inorganics, tar aerosols) removed by hot gas filtration to produce conditioned vapors more responsive to catalytic upgrading. A Davison Circulating Riser (DCR), a petroleum industry standard for fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst evaluation, was coupled with a custom pyrolyzer system designed to produce consistent composition pyrolysis vapors as feed to the DCR. The coupled system is shown below (Figure 1). Pyrolysis vapors, derived from pure hardwood and softwood, were upgraded using commercially available and laboratory modified zeolite-based catalysts. Upgraded oils were analyzed via 31P and 13C NMR spectroscopy, GCxGC-TOF/MS, carbonyl and ultimate analysis (CHNO), and micro distillation to assess both oil chemistry and distillation behavior as they relate to catalyst and feedstock type for producing fungible hydrocarbon product liquids. Measured process parameters identified from technoeconomic process analysis included achieving oil oxygenate contents of 20% or less, carbon-conversion efficiencies of 30% or more, and catalyst coking rates of 10% or less. A proprietary modified zeolite catalyst from Johnson Matthey produced oils that met these requirements. Using the DCR equipped with a proprietary nozzle system, a second approach focused on reducing the carbon intensity of petroleum-derived hydrocarbon fuels by FCC co-processing these CFP oils with petroleum vacuum gas oil (VGO) to produce biogenic carbon containing fuels. The vapor-phase upgrading results demonstrated for the first time the feasibility of producing refinery-compatible hydrocarbon fuel intermediates entirely from biomass-derived fast-pyrolysis vapors using an industry-accepted DCR system for catalytic upgrading. The co-processing results demonstrated the feasibility of using CFP oils with VGO feeds in FCC refinery operations to produce biogenic carbon containing fuels.

bio-oil↗