Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Management Control”

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 1,297 records · Page 72

Modeling and Detection of Future Cyber-Enabled DSM Data Attacks

Demand-Side Management (DSM) is an essential tool to ensure power system reliability and stability. In future smart grids, certain portions of a customer’s load usage could be under the automatic control of a cyber-enabled DSM program, which selectively schedules loads as a function of electricity prices to improve power balance and grid stability. In this scenario, the security of DSM cyberinfrastructure will be critical as advanced metering infrastructure and communication systems are susceptible to cyber-attacks. Such attacks, in the form of false data injections, can manipulate customer load profiles and cause metering chaos and energy losses in the grid. The feedback mechanism between load management on the consumer side and dynamic price schemes employed by independent system operators can further exacerbate attacks. To study how this feedback mechanism may worsen attacks in future cyber-enabled DSM programs, we propose a novel mathematical framework for (i) modeling the nonlinear relationship between load management and real-time pricing, (ii) simulating residential load data and prices, (iii) creating cyber-attacks, and (iv) detecting said attacks. In this framework, we first develop time-series forecasts to model load demand and use them as inputs to an elasticity model for the price-demand relationship in the DSM loop. This work then investigates the behavior of such a feedback loop under intentional cyber-attacks. We simulate and examine load-price data under different DSM-participation levels with three types of random additive attacks: ramp, sudden, and point attacks. We conduct two investigations for the detection of DSM attacks. The first studies a supervised learning approach, with various classification models, and the second studies the performance of parametric and nonparametric change point detectors. Results conclude that higher amounts of DSM participation can exacerbate ramp and sudden attacks leading to better detection of such attacks, especially with supervised learning classifiers. We also find that nonparametric detection outperforms parametric for smaller user pools, and random point attacks are the hardest to detect with any method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Optimal Energy Storage Schedules for Load Leveling and Ramp Rate Control in Distribution Systems

Continued integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into the grid, such as solar PVs, at a large-scale, contributes into the famous Duck Curve. New DER management algorithms are therefore deemed necessary to alleviate rapid variations within net load profiles of distribution systems. Herein this paper proposes a process to determine the optimal energy storage schedules for leveling the distribution circuit feederhead net load. A series of sensitivity analyses shows how the proposed method can be used to determine the optimal energy storage schedules with different capacities, state of charge requirements, and net load ramp rate limitations.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Unlocking the Future of Aircraft Manufacturing: The Environmental Benefits of Laser Patterning for Surface Enhancement of Aircraft-Certified Alloys

Surface protection and functional modification of aircraft-certified aluminum alloys are essential for corrosion resistance, durability, and long-term airworthiness. At the same time, increasingly restrictive environmental regulations motivate the development of alternatives to legacy wet-chemical surface treatments. This study presents an integrated assessment of ultrafast femtosecond laser surface texturing as a surface functionalization approach for Aluminum 6061 alloys within an aerospace manufacturing and sustainability context. Ultrashort-pulse laser processing enables controlled micro- and nano-scale surface topographical modification with limited thermal impact, allowing adjustment of wettability and surface functionality while preserving bulk material integrity. As a dry and contactless process, femtosecond laser treatment eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals, reduces consumable inputs, and generates minimal secondary waste. A streamlined cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment conducted in accordance with ISO 14040/14044 indicates a lower global-warming potential per functional unit compared with conventional surface treatments, including anodization, plasma-assisted coatings, and organic coating systems. Complementary qualitative analyses addressing environmental health and safety, supply-chain risk, and ESG alignment indicate potential advantages related to occupational safety, regulatory compliance, waste management, and end-of-life recyclability. The investigation is performed on planar Aluminum 6061 reference surfaces with a treated area of 25 mm 2 , providing a controlled laboratory-scale basis for analyzing process behavior, functional surface modification, and associated environmental metrics. Within this defined scope, the results support further evaluation of femtosecond laser surface texturing as a surface engineering option for future aerospace manufacturing.

corrosion resistance↗

Model Package Report: Geoframework Model of the Hanford Site 100 Area

The purpose of the 100 Area Geoframework Model (GFM) is to provide a reasonable, consistent, and defensible three dimensional representation of the hydrostratigraphic units below the River Corridor at the Hanford Site to support contaminant fate and transport models. The GFM is a three dimensional representation of the subsurface geologic structure. From this, three dimensional geologic model-exported results, in the form of points or surfaces, are used as inputs to populate and assemble the various numerical model architectures. The objective of this report is to define the process used to produce a hydrostratigraphic model for the hydrostratigraphic units beneath the Hanford Site 100 Area. The GFM may support several other CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company project needs and objectives, including providing geologic information to support remedial investigations and actions and as a tool to present River Corridor geology and contaminant extents. The GFM was constructed based on information through 2019 available in the Integrated Data Management System, Hanford Environmental Information System, and the Hanford Site geologic contacts (GeoContacts) datasets. Revisions to the 100 Area GFM may occur to incorporate new data and information. Each version will be maintained in configuration control using date stamps for identifying supporting databases, figures, and interpretations. Supporting data include the final three dimensional geoframework surfaces, two dimensional structure and isopach maps, and all the geologic contact inputs and interpreted geologic log data. These final products provide a supporting set of geologic information that together allow the creation of the GFM. This information is managed, updated, and maintained via CH2M HILL Plateau Remediation Company under the Environmental Model Management Archive.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Nuclear Safety [Vol. 35, No. 1, January-June 1994]

Nuclear Safety is a review journal that covers significant developments in the field of nuclear safety. Its scope includes the analysis and control of hazards associated with nuclear energy, operations involving fissionable materials, and the products of nuclear fission and their effects on the environment. Primary emphasis is on safety in reactor design, construction, and operation; however, the safety aspects of the entire fuel cycle, including fuel fabrication, spent-fuel processing, nuclear waste disposal, handling of radioisotopes, and environmental effects of these operations, are also treated. Table of Contents for this issue follows. GENERAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT: 1 Chernobyl Accident Management Actions, A. R Sich 25 The IAEA-ASSET Approach to Avoiding Accidents is to Recognize the Precursors to Prevent Incidents, F. Reisch; ACCIDENT ANALYSIS: 36 A Review of the Available Information on the Triggering Stage of a Steam Explosion, D. F. Fletcher; 58 Analysis and Modeling of Flow-Blockage-Induced Steam Explosion Events in the High-Flux Isotope Reactor, R. P. Taleyarkhan, V. Georgevich, C. W. Nestor, U. Gat, B. L. Lepard, D. H. Cook, J. Freels, S. J. Chang, C. Luttrell, R. C. Gwaltney, and J. Kirkpatrick; 74 An Analysis of Disassembling the Radial Reflector of a Thermionic Space Nuclear Reactor Power System, M. S. El-Genk and D. V. Paramonov; CONTROL AND INSTRUMENTATION: 86 Standards for High-Integrity Software, D. R. Wallace, D. R. Kuhn, L M. Ippolito, and L. Beltracchi; DESIGN FEATURES: 98 Adoption of New Design Features for the Next Generation Nuclear Power Reactors, L. S. Tong; 114 Review of Nuclear Piping Seismic Design Requirements, G. C. Slagis and S. E. Moore; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS: 128 PC-Based Probabilistic Safety Assessment Study for a Geological Waste Repository Placed in a Bedded Salt Formation, S. A. Khan; OPERATING EXPERIENCES: 142 Managing Aging in Nuclear Power Plants: Insights from NRC’s Maintenance Team Inspection Reports, A. Fresco and M. Subudhi; 150 Reactor Shutdown Experience, Compiled by J. W. Cletcher; 153 Selected Safety-Related Events, Compiled by G. A. Murphy; RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: 158 Reports, Standards, and Safety Guides, D. S. Queener; 168 Proposed Rule Changes as of Dec. 31, 1993; ANNOUNCEMENTS: 177 Symposium on Radioactive and Mixed Waste—Risk as a Basis for Waste Classification; 177 1995 Incineration Conference 178 Ninth Power Plant Dynamics Control and Testing Symposium; 174 The Authors

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Extent-of-Condition Review of Electrical Events Fiscal Year 2019

Sandia National Laboratories has experienced a number of electrical events in recent years. A careful examination of data shows that for the third year in a row, two of the three most frequently categorized Occurrence Reporting and Processing System (ORPS)-reportable event types were unexpected or unintended personal contact with a hazardous energy source and a failure to follow a prescribed hazardous energy control process, as defined in the occurrence reporting criteria of DOE Order 232.2A, Occurrence Reporting and Processing of Operations Information, 2D(1) and 2D(2). Sandia policy CA001.2, Identify and Manage Issues, requires an extent-of-condition review for any high-level reportable occurrence, and the analysts were tasked to perform this EOC in light of high-level reportable occurrence NA-SS-SNL-1000-2019- 0007, Contact with Electrical Energy During Marx Capacitor Troubleshooting. This extent of condition not only evaluated the 10 reportable electrical occurrences for Fiscal Year 2019, but also looked at 11 other related events: those involving control of hazardous energy and electrical events associated with less than hazardous energy.1 This Extent-of-Condition report makes several observations, conclusions, and recommendations for improvement.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Prognostics and Health Management in Nuclear Power Plants: An Updated Method-Centric Review With Special Focus on Data-Driven Methods

In a carbon-constrained world, future uses of nuclear power technologies can contribute to climate change mitigation as the installed electricity generating capacity and range of applications could be much greater and more diverse than with the current plants. To preserve the nuclear industry competitiveness in the global energy market, prognostics and health management (PHM) of plant assets is expected to be important for supporting and sustaining improvements in the economics associated with operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) while maintaining their high availability. Of interest are long-term operation of the legacy fleet to 80 years through subsequent license renewals and economic operation of new builds of either light water reactors or advanced reactor designs. Recent advances in data-driven analysis methods—largely represented by those in artificial intelligence and machine learning—have enhanced applications ranging from robust anomaly detection to automated control and autonomous operation of complex systems. The NPP equipment PHM is one area where the application of these algorithmic advances can significantly improve the ability to perform asset management. This paper provides an updated method-centric review of the full PHM suite in NPPs focusing on data-driven methods and advances since the last major survey article was published in 2015. The main approaches and the state of practice are described, including those for the tasks of data acquisition, condition monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and planning and decision-making. Research advances in non-nuclear power applications are also included to assess findings that may be applicable to the nuclear industry, along with the opportunities and challenges when adapting these developments to NPPs. Finally, this paper identifies key research needs in regard to data availability and quality, verification and validation, and uncertainty quantification.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Integrating field observations and process-based modeling to predict watershed water quality under environmental perturbations

Watersheds play a critical role in supplying water resources needed for human use and ecosystem health. Understanding and predicting how, when, and where changes in the quantity and quality of water resources occur under different environmental stresses including extreme events is crucial for sustainable management of water resources under a changing environment. However, few studies have attempted to quantify or identify the factors and process interactions controlling the impact of extreme events across water-shed systems. Only few large-scale studies include coordinated monitoring and modeling efforts, which limits our ability to assess the large-scale impact of extreme events on water supply and quality. Methods are lacking to propagate uncertainty in process understanding through an integrated hydro-biogeochemical model framework and evaluate its importance, thus failing to take full advantage of the information potentially available through transformative advances in characterization technologies from high-resolution mass spectrometry to airborne and satellite-based remote sensing. There are consequent risks to our nations water security and to human and ecosystem health that may become exacerbated with the increasing frequency of extreme events that is projected for the coming decades. This paper reviews the current status of watershed science for both water quantity and quality and identifies critical gaps in our current knowledge and modeling capability in addressing the emergent needs in predicting watershed hydrologic and biogeochemical responses (i.e., water quantity and quality) under natural and anthropogenic perturbations. We highlight the need to (1) understand how environmental perturbations including extreme events like floods and droughts propagate through watershed systems and assess their short- and long-term impacts on watershed biogeochemistry, water quality and their recovery pathways; (2) develop and improve a watershed water quality model that reflects the state of scientific understanding gained from observations; and (3) construct a data-model fusion system for watershed characterization, process identification, and mechanistic model parameterization. A large base of modeling, monitoring and data capabilities have been built by various federal government agencies given the relevance of water to their critical missions. An emerging need is to build an integrated national capability for watershed water availability and quality that can address water-related missions across multiple federal agencies.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Data-based and secure switched cyber–physical systems

In this work, we develop a completely model-free moving target defense framework for the detection and mitigation of sensor and/or actuator attacks in cyber–physical systems with dynamics that evolve in discrete-time. We incorporate an intrusion detection mechanism based on an approximate dynamic programming technique that learns the policies for optimal regulation and optimal tracking while simultaneously defending against actuator and sensor attacks in a model-free fashion. Switching rules are leveraged to force proactive and reactive defense mechanisms as well as, guarantee the stability of the equilibrium point. Finally, as a case study, we apply the proposed moving target defense framework to a DC–DC converter that is used in electric vehicles.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multi-layered Energy Management Framework for Extreme Fast Charging Stations Considering Demand Charges, Battery Degradation, and Forecast Uncertainties

To achieve a cost-effective and expeditious charging experience for extreme fast charging station (XFCS) owners and electric vehicle (EV) users, the optimal operation of XFCS is crucial. It is however challenging to simultaneously manage the profit from energy arbitrage, the cost of demand charges, and the degradation of a battery energy storage system (BESS) under uncertainties. This paper, therefore, proposes a multi-layered multi-time scale energy flow management framework for an XFCS by considering long- and short-term forecast uncertainties, monthly demand charges reduction, and BESS life degradation. In the proposed approach, an upper scheduling layer (USL) ensures the overall operation economy and yields optimal scheduling of the energy resources on a rolling horizon basis, thereby considering the long-term forecast errors. A lower dispatch layer (LDL) takes the short-term forecast errors into account during the real-time operation of the XFCS. Per the latest research, monthly demand charges can be as high as 90% of the total monthly bills for EV fast charging stations; to this end, this paper takes the first attempt at the reduction of demand charges cost by considering the trade-off between the energy cost and monthly demand charges. Contrasting literature, this work allocates an energy reserve in the BESS stored energy to deal with the impact of short-term forecast errors on the optimized real-time operation of the XFCS. Moreover, degradation modeling considers the trade-off between short-term benefits and long-term BESS life degradation. As a result, case studies and a comparative analysis prove the efficacy of the proposed framework.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

evmc-supply-curves (Electric Vehicle Managed Charging Supply Curves) [SWR-25-69]

Data and a supporting lightweight Python package that describes possible costs for enabling EV managed charging from 2025 to 2050 for three dispatch mechanisms: Time-of-Use (TOU), Real Time Pricing (RTP), and direct load control (DLC) and four flexibility scenarios (Flat and Low, Mid, and High Flex).

Matsuda-Dunn, Reiko [National Renewable Energy Lab↗

BSSD 2019 Performance Metric – End-of-year summary report

The LANL Science Focus Area program in Terrestrial Microbial Carbon Cycling aims to inform climate modeling and enable carbon management in terrestrial ecosystems. To achieve these aims, the program develops and uses community genomics approaches to discover widespread biological processes that control carbon storage and release in temperate biome soils. The first nine years of the program focused on developing and applying community genomics approaches to examine the composition, spatiotemporal variability, and response of soil microbial communities in two biomes to environmental changes that alter carbon cycling (e.g., elevated atmospheric CO 2 , nitrogen fertilization, and drought). Owing to persistent inability to distinguish cosmetic from functionally consequential responses, the SFA recently shifted research strategy. The new research strategy focuses on soil microbial communities that drive differences in carbon cycling within the same environment. With this approach, there is an inherent cause-effect relationship between microbial community composition and ecosystem function. This approach is revealing core micro-organisms and interactions at different scales (molecular to ecosystem-level) that drive contrasting patterns of carbon cycling. Elaborating processes that shape the composition and function of soil microbial communities driving terrestrial carbon cycling will accelerate progress toward more accurate climate models and strategies for terrestrial carbon sequestration.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Time-Resolved Structural Measurement of Thermal Resistance across a Buried Semiconductor Heterostructure Interface

The precise control and understanding of heat flow in heterostructures is pivotal for advancements in thermoelectric energy conversion, thermal barrier coatings, and efficient heat management in electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this study, we employ high-angular-resolution time-resolved X-ray diffraction to structurally measure thermal resistance in a laser-excited AlGaAs/GaAs semiconductor heterostructure. Our methodology offers femtometer-scale spatial sensitivity and nanosecond time resolution, enabling us to directly observe heat transport across a buried interface. We corroborate established Thermal Boundary Resistance (TBR) values for AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures and demonstrate that TBR arises from material property discrepancies on either side of a nearly flawless atomic interface. This work not only sheds light on the fundamental mechanisms governing heat flow across buried interfaces but also presents a robust experimental framework that can be extended to other heterostructure systems, paving the way for optimized thermal management in next-generation devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Assessing the National Off-Cycle Benefits of 2-Layer HVAC Technology Using Dynamometer Testing and a National Simulation Framework

Some CO2-reducing technologies have real-world benefits not captured by regulatory testing methods. This paper documents a two-layer heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that facilitates faster engine warmup through strategic increased air recirculation. The performance of this technology was assessed on a 2020 Hyundai Sonata. Empirical performance of the technology was obtained through dynamometer tests at Argonne National Laboratory. Performance of the vehicle across multiple cycles and cell ambient temperatures with the two-layer technology active and inactive indicated fuel consumption reduction in nearly all cases. A thermally sensitive powertrain model, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's FASTSim Hot, was calibrated and validated against vehicle testing data. The developed model included the engine, cabin, and HVAC system controls. Validation of component thermal models and engine efficiency ensured accurate thermal dynamics, fuel consumption, and two-layer benefit. The real-world benefit of the two-layer technology was calculated by simulating the validated powertrain model across a representative test matrix comparing performance with and without the two-layer system. Simulation across the test matrix revealed a real-world representative benefit of 0.0835%. Analysis of test matrix results at the regional level revealed the most benefit in cold climates and rural regions. Mean results across cycle length sensitivity simulations revealed a larger real-world benefit of 0.0872%. These benefit values can be considered a more accurate assessment of real-world technology performance. Future work is planned to explore the requisite number of drive cycles to ensure the full technology benefit is captured.

2-layer↗

Fine Calcium Carbonate Production by CO2 Mineralization of Industrial Waste Brines

Calcium carbonate production via CO2 mineralization offers an attractive route for carbon capture and utilization. The process sequesters CO2 in a stable form of fine precipitated calcium carbonate, a high-value product with unit price in the range of $230-$280/t and a global market projected to reach 99 M tons in 2020. However, two critical barriers hinders CO2 mineralization—(i) the need for costly processes such as electrolysis or addition of alkali hydroxides to maintain alkalinity during mineralization, and (ii) the geographic location mismatch between Ca-rich solutions (or brines) CO2 generation sources (e.g. power plants) which often renders efficient integration of feedstocks impractical. To simultaneously address these challenges, a new process is developed to integrate CO2 mineralization-based carbonate production into the zero liquid discharge water (ZLD) treatment systems at coal-fired power plants. In this process, Ca-rich streams, such as produced water from oil and gas extraction or carbon storage operations, serves as the Ca-source. An H+/Na+ ion-exchange cycle is designed to provision alkalinity during mineralization and regenerate the ion-exchange reagent in solutions with high salinity. Ca-depleted streams are then treated within a centralized ZLD system. The process beneficially utilizes reject streams that are available at substantial quantities in the vicinity of coal power plants within several U.S regions. In addition, the process utilizes post-desulfurization flue gas from coal-fired power plants as is. The CO2 conversion reactions are performed in alkaline streams at ambient pressure, thereby minimizing the energy burden. By beneficiation of industrial waste streams with low energy input, this process offers significant technical advantages in energy and CO2 footprint over the current paradigm of precipitated calcium carbonate production. Overall, the new process provides a unique route to integrate CO2 emissions control and wastewater treatment for coal power plants, while producing high-value product to offset the economic burden associated with waste management.

Simonetti, Dante↗

Fine Calcium Carbonate Production by CO2 Mineralization of Industrial Waste Brines

Calcium carbonate production via CO2 mineralization offers an attractive route for carbon capture and utilization. The process sequesters CO2 in a stable form of fine precipitated calcium carbonate, a high-value product with unit price in the range of $230-$280/t and a global market projected to reach 99 M tons in 2020. However, two critical barriers hinders CO2 mineralization—(i) the need for costly processes such as electrolysis or addition of alkali hydroxides to maintain alkalinity during mineralization, and (ii) the geographic location mismatch between Ca-rich solutions (or brines) CO2 generation sources (e.g. power plants) which often renders efficient integration of feedstocks impractical. To simultaneously address these challenges, a new process is developed to integrate CO2 mineralization-based carbonate production into the zero liquid discharge water (ZLD) treatment systems at coal-fired power plants. In this process, Ca-rich streams, such as produced water from oil and gas extraction or carbon storage operations, serves as the Ca-source. An H+/Na+ ion-exchange cycle is designed to provision alkalinity during mineralization and regenerate the ion-exchange reagent in solutions with high salinity. Ca-depleted streams are then treated within a centralized ZLD system. The process beneficially utilizes reject streams that are available at substantial quantities in the vicinity of coal power plants within several U.S regions. In addition, the process utilizes post-desulfurization flue gas from coal-fired power plants as is. The CO2 conversion reactions are performed in alkaline streams at ambient pressure, thereby minimizing the energy burden. By beneficiation of industrial waste streams with low energy input, this process offers significant technical advantages in energy and CO2 footprint over the current paradigm of precipitated calcium carbonate production. Overall, the new process provides a unique route to integrate CO2 emissions control and wastewater treatment for coal power plants, while producing high-value product to offset the economic burden associated with waste management.

Simonetti, Dante↗

Fine Calcium Carbonate Production by CO 2 Mineralization of Industrial Waste Brines

Calcium carbonate production via CO 2 mineralization offers an attractive route for carbon capture and utilization. The process sequesters CO 2 in a stable form of fine precipitated calcium carbonate, a high-value product with unit price in the range of $230-$280/t and a global market projected to reach 99 M tons in 2020. However, two critical barriers hinders CO 2 mineralization—(i) the need for costly processes such as electrolysis or addition of alkali hydroxides to maintain alkalinity during mineralization, and (ii) the geographic location mismatch between Ca-rich solutions (or brines) CO 2 generation sources (e.g. power plants) which often renders efficient integration of feedstocks impractical. To simultaneously address these challenges, a new process is developed to integrate CO 2 mineralization-based carbonate production into the zero liquid discharge water (ZLD) treatment systems at coal-fired power plants. In this process, Ca-rich streams, such as produced water from oil and gas extraction or carbon storage operations, serves as the Ca-source. An H + /Na + ion-exchange cycle is designed to provision alkalinity during mineralization and regenerate the ion-exchange reagent in solutions with high salinity. Ca-depleted streams are then treated within a centralized ZLD system. The process beneficially utilizes reject streams that are available at substantial quantities in the vicinity of coal power plants within several U.S regions. In addition, the process utilizes post-desulfurization flue gas from coal-fired power plants as is. The CO 2 conversion reactions are performed in alkaline streams at ambient pressure, thereby minimizing the energy burden. By beneficiation of industrial waste streams with low energy input, this process offers significant technical advantages in energy and CO 2 footprint over the current paradigm of precipitated calcium carbonate production. Overall, the new process provides a unique route to integrate CO 2 emissions control and wastewater treatment for coal power plants, while producing high-value product to offset the economic burden associated with waste management

Simonetti, Dante↗

Fine Calcium Carbonate Production by CO 2 Mineralization of Industrial Waste Brines

Calcium carbonate production via CO 2 mineralization offers an attractive route for carbon capture and utilization. The process sequesters CO 2 in a stable form of fine precipitated calcium carbonate, a high-value product with unit price in the range of $230-$280/t and a global market projected to reach 99 M tons in 2020. However, two critical barriers hinders CO 2 mineralization—(i) the need for costly processes such as electrolysis or addition of alkali hydroxides to maintain alkalinity during mineralization, and (ii) the geographic location mismatch between Ca-rich solutions (or brines) CO 2 generation sources (e.g. power plants) which often renders efficient integration of feedstocks impractical. To simultaneously address these challenges, a new process is developed to integrate CO 2 mineralization-based carbonate production into the zero liquid discharge water (ZLD) treatment systems at coal-fired power plants. In this process, Ca-rich streams, such as produced water from oil and gas extraction or carbon storage operations, serves as the Ca-source. An H + /Na + ion-exchange cycle is designed to provision alkalinity during mineralization and regenerate the ion-exchange reagent in solutions with high salinity. Ca-depleted streams are then treated within a centralized ZLD system. The process beneficially utilizes reject streams that are available at substantial quantities in the vicinity of coal power plants within several U.S regions. In addition, the process utilizes post-desulfurization flue gas from coal-fired power plants as is. The CO 2 conversion reactions are performed in alkaline streams at ambient pressure, thereby minimizing the energy burden. By beneficiation of industrial waste streams with low energy input, this process offers significant technical advantages in energy and CO 2 footprint over the current paradigm of precipitated calcium carbonate production. Overall, the new process provides a unique route to integrate CO 2 emissions control and wastewater treatment for coal power plants, while producing high-value product to offset the economic burden associated with waste management.

Simonetti, Dante↗