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At least 1,477 records · Page 82
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Five Rules for Measuring Biomass Pyrolysis Rates: Pulse-Heated Analysis of Solid Reaction Kinetics of Lignocellulosic Biomass

Pyrolytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass utilizes high temperatures to thermally fragment biopolymers to volatile organic compounds. The complexity of the degradation process includes thousands of reactions through multiple phases occurring in less than a second. In this work, the requirements are established for measuring the reaction kinetics of high temperature (>400 °C) biomass pyrolysis in the absence of heat and mass transfer limitations. Additionally, experimental techniques must heat and cool biomass samples sufficiently fast to elucidate the evolution of reaction products with time while also eliminating a substantial reaction during the heating and cooling phases, preferably by measuring the temperature of the reacting biomass sample directly. Furthermore, these requirements are described with the PHASR (pulse-heated analysis of solid reactions) technique and demonstrated by measuring the time-resolved evolution of six major chemical products from loblolly pine pyrolysis over a temperature range of 400 to 500 °C. Differential kinetics of loblolly pine pyrolysis are measured to determine the apparent activation energy for the formation of six major product compounds including levoglucosan, furfural, and 2-methoxyphenol.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of fulvic acid surface coatings on plutonium sorption and desorption kinetics on goethite

The rates and extent of plutonium (Pu) sorption and desorption onto mineral surfaces are important parameters for predicting Pu mobility in subsurface environments. The presence of natural organic matter, such as fulvic acid (FA), may influence these parameters. We investigated the effects of FA on Pu(IV) sorption/desorption onto goethite in two scenarios: when FA was (1) initially present in solution or (2) found as organic coatings on the mineral surface. A low pH was used to maximize FA coatings on goethite. Experiments were combined with kinetic modeling and speciation calculations to interpret variations in Pu sorption rates in the presence of FA. Our results indicate that FA can change the rates and extent of Pu sorption onto goethite at pH 4. Differences in the kinetics of Pu sorption were observed as a function of the concentration and initial form of FA. The fraction of desorbed Pu decreased in the presence of FA, indicating that organic matter can stabilize sorbed Pu on goethite. These results suggest that ternary Pu–FA–mineral complexes could enhance colloid-facilitated Pu transport. In conclusion, more representative natural conditions need to be investigated to quantify the relevance of these findings.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2024

Node Distortions in UiO-66 Inform Negative Thermal Expansion Mechanisms: Kinetic Effects, Frustration, and Lattice Hysteresis

In metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) the interplay between the dynamics of individual components and how these are constrained by the extended lattice can yield unusual emergent phenomena. For the archetypal Zr-MOF, UiO-66, we explore the cooperative dynamics of a Zr-node transformation that gives rise to negative thermal expansion (NTE). Here, using in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, with powder diffraction and pair distribution function (PDF) analyses, we identify lattice hysteresis and a thermal ramp-rate-dependence of the thermal expansion. Specifically, kinetic trapping of distorted node states formed at high temperature, leads to broad variability in the apparent thermal expansion which ranges from large positive to large negative thermal expansion with coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) from +45 to –80 × 10 –6 K –1 . Time-resolved relaxation studies at selected temperatures suggest that when equilibrated UiO-66 is intrinsically NTE, with a CTE of –35 × 10 –6 K –1 . Kinetic trapping of the node-distorted state following high temperature activation has broad implications for characterization and applications of these Zr-MOFs; the nonequilibrium node state depends on the thermal history of the sample with quench vs slow cooling likely to impact gas binding, pore volume, and accessible catalytic sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Anisotropic hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr and Zircaloy predicted by accelerated kinetic Monte Carlo simulations

Here, this report presents an accelerated kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method to compute the diffusivity of hydrogen in hcp metals and alloys, considering both thermally activated hopping and quantum tunneling. The acceleration is achieved by replacing regular KMC jumps in trapping energy basins formed by neighboring tetrahedral interstitial sites, with analytical solutions for basin exiting time and probability. Parameterized by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the accelerated KMC method is shown to be capable of efficiently calculating hydrogen diffusivity in α-Zr and Zircaloy, without altering the kinetics of long-range diffusion. Above room temperature, hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr and Zircaloy is dominated by thermal hopping, with negligible contribution from quantum tunneling. The diffusivity predicted by this DFT + KMC approach agrees well with that from previous independent experiments and theories, without using any data fitting. The diffusivity along < c > is found to be slightly higher than that along < a >, with the anisotropy saturated at about 1.20 at high temperatures, resolving contradictory results in previous experiments. Demonstrated using hydrogen diffusion in α-Zr, the same method can be extended for on-lattice diffusion in hcp metals, or systems with similar trapping basins.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fast microflow kinetics and acid catalyst deactivation in glucose conversion to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural

5-Hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) is an important platform chemical because it can be upgraded to various drop-in and performance-advantaged products. The cascade reaction of HMF production from glucose over a Lewis acid (CrCl 3 ) and a Brønsted acid (HCl) catalyst in aqueous media is investigated in a microreactor at short residence times and high temperatures. We study the formation of various chromium species using UV-visible spectrophotometry and elucidate the Cr(III) speciation. The catalyst reactivity increases sharply at short residence times, and then drops at long times. This indicates that the catalyst treatment plays a vital role in getting optimal reactivity, and recording the catalyst history is necessary. We develop a kinetic model to describe the catalyst speciation as well as the Lewis and Brønsted acid-catalyzed reaction kinetics using a hierarchical approach. Here, the model is in good agreement with experiments. We demonstrate the benefits of tandem Lewis-external added Brønsted acid catalysis in processing time, productivity, and catalyst stability. We apply this model to optimize the HMF yield and obtain ~36% yield at 200 °C in 7 min and report the highest productivity of ~15% yield per min, demonstrating the opportunity of reaching high productivity at short residence times.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Kinetics of furfural electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis in acidic media on copper

Electrochemical processes can be implemented for the valorization of biomass-derived species such as furfural to generate fine chemicals and fuels. The electrochemical hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis (ECH) of furfural (FF) can produce furfuryl alcohol (FA) and 2-methylfuran (MF) as the major products over Cu catalysts in acidic conditions. The production of these species are in competition and the kinetics of these reactions should be studied so that the product distribution can be better controlled. In this work, the competing kinetics of furfural ECH to furfuryl alcohol and 2-methylfuran were studied on Cu in acidic media by using the applied cathodic potential, temperature, and initial concentration of furfural as probes. Furthermore, an increased temperature of the system was shown to promote the MF production in the range tested (15 °C and 45 °C), however the production of FA was decreased when the temperature was increased from 35 °C to 45 °C, due to significant promotion of side reactions. By varying the concentration of FF used in bulk electrolysis, we saw that the rates of reaction to FA and MF shift from positive order to zero order, suggesting a Langmuir–Hinshelwood or Eley–Rideal mechanism at –0.56 V vs. RHE and 25 °C. An analysis of the reaction mechanisms showed that a non-competitive Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism is likely occurring. In addition, we suggest the likely rate limiting steps based on the mechanisms are the first hydrogenation step of FF to C 4 H 3 O–CH 2 O to form FA, and the C–O cleavage of the C 4 H 3 O–CHOH intermediate to form MF.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Radiation-induced reaction kinetics of Zn 2+ with e S - and Cl 2 ˙ - in Molten LiCl–KCl eutectic at 400–600 °C

We report molten chloride salts are currently under consideration as combined coolant and liquid fuel for next-generation molten salt nuclear reactors. Unlike complementary light-water reactor technologies, the radiation science underpinning molten salts is in its infancy, and thus requires a fundamental mechanistic investigation to elucidate the radiation-driven chemistry within molten salt reactors. Here we present an electron pulse radiolysis kinetics study into the behaviour of the primary radiolytic species generated in molten chloride systems, i.e., the solvated electron (e S - ) and di-chlorine radical anion (Cl 2 ˙- ). We examine the reaction of e S - with Zn 2+ from 400–600 °C (E a = 30.31 ± 0.09 kJ mol -1 ), and the kinetics and decay mechanisms of Cl 2 ˙- in molten lithium chloride-potassium chloride (LiCl–KCl) eutectic. In the absence of Zn 2+ , the lifetime of e S - was found to be dictated by residual impurities in ostensibly “pure” salts, and thus the observed decay is dependent on sample history rather than being an intrinsic property of the salt. The decay of Cl 2 ˙- is complex, owing to the competition of Cl 2 ˙- disproportionation with several other chemical pathways, one of which involves reduction by radiolytically-produced Zn + species. Overall, the reported findings demonstrate the richness and complexity of chemistry involving the interactions of ionizing radiation with molten salts.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2022

Reaction mechanism and kinetics for N 2 reduction to ammonia on the Fe–Ru based dual-atom catalyst

Environmental and energy considerations demand that the Haber-Bosch process for reducing N 2 to NH 3 be replaced with electrochemical ammonia synthesis where the H atoms come from water instead of from H 2 . But a practical realization of electrochemical N 2 reduction reaction (NRR) requires the development of new generation electrocatalysts with low overpotential and high Faraday efficiency (FE). A major problem here is that the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) competes with NRR. Herein, we consider new generation dual-site catalysts involving two different metals incorporated into a novel two-dimensional C 3 N–C 2 N heterostructure that provides a high concentration of well-defined but isolated active sites that bind two distinct metal atoms in a framework that facilitates electron transfer. We report here the mechanism and predicted kinetics as a function of applied potential for both NRR and HER for the (Fe–Ru)/C 3 N–C 2 N dual atom catalyst. These calculations employ the grand canonical potential kinetics (GCP-K) methodology to predict reaction free energies and reaction barriers as a function of applied potential. The rates are then used in a microkinetic model to predict the turn-over-frequencies (TOF) as a function of applied potential. At U = 0 V, the FE for NRR is 93%, but the current is only 2.0 mA cm –2 . The onset potential (at 10 mA cm –2 ) for ammonia on Fe–Ru/C 3 N–C 2 N is –0.22 V RHE . This leads to a calculated TOF of 434 h –1 per Fe–Ru site. In conclusion, we expect that the mechanisms for NRR and HER developed here will help lead to new generations of NRR with high TOF and FE.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Preservation of kinetics parameters generated by Monte Carlo calculations in two-step deterministic calculations

The generation of accurate kinetic parameters such as mean generation time Λ and effective delayed neutron fraction β eff via Monte Carlo codes is established. Employing these in downstream deterministic codes warrants another step to ensure no additional error is introduced by the low-order transport operator when computing forward and adjoint fluxes for bilinear weighting of these parameters. Another complexity stems from applying superhomogenization (SPH) equivalence in non-fundamental mode approximations, where reference and low-order calculations rely on a 3D full core model. In these cases, SPH factors can optionally be computed for only part of the geometry while preserving reaction rates and K-effective, but the impact of such approximations on kinetics parameters has not been thoroughly studied. This paper aims at studying the preservation of bilinearly-weighted quantities in the Serpent–Griffin calculation procedure. Diffusion and transport evaluations of IPEN/MB-01, Godiva, and Flattop were carried out with the Griffin reactor physics code, testing available modeling options using Serpent-generated multigroup cross sections and equivalence data. Verifying Griffin against Serpent indicates sensitivities to multigroup energy grid selection and regional application of SPH equivalence, introducing significant errors; these were demonstrated to be reduced through the use of a transport method together with a finer energy grid.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Consistent description of kinetics and hydrodynamics of dusty plasma

A consistent statistical description of kinetics and hydrodynamics of dusty plasma is proposed based on the Zubarev nonequilibrium statistical operator method. For the case of partial dynamics, the nonequilibrium statistical operator and the generalized transport equations for a consistent description of kinetics of dust particles and hydrodynamics of electrons, ions, and neutral atoms are obtained. In the approximation of weakly nonequilibrium process, a spectrum of collective excitations of dusty plasma is investigated in the hydrodynamic limit.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Extension of the quantum-kinetic model to lunar and Mars return physics

The ability to compute rarefied, ionized hypersonic flows is becoming more important as missions such as Earth reentry, landing high-mass payloads on Mars, and the exploration of the outer planets and their satellites are being considered. A recently introduced molecular-level chemistry model, the quantum-kinetic, or Q-K, model that predicts reaction rates for gases in thermal equilibrium and non-equilibrium using only kinetic theory and fundamental molecular properties, is extended in the current work to include electronic energy level transitions and reactions involving charged particles. Like the Q-K procedures for neutral species chemical reactions, these new models are phenomenological procedures that aim to reproduce the reaction/transition rates but do not necessarily capture the exact physics. These engineering models are necessarily efficient due to the requirement to compute billions of simulated collisions in direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) simulations. The new models are shown to generally agree within the spread of reported transition and reaction rates from the literature for near equilibrium conditions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Enhanced von Weizsäcker Wang-Govind-Carter kinetic energy density functional for semiconductors

We propose a new form of orbital-free (OF) kinetic energy density functional (KEDF) for semiconductors that is based on the Wang-Govind-Carter (WGC99) nonlocal KEDF. We enhance within the latter the semi-local von Weizsäcker KEDF term, which is exact for a single orbital. The enhancement factor we introduce is related to the extent to which the electron density is localized. The accuracy of the new KEDF is benchmarked against Kohn-Sham density functional theory (KSDFT) by comparing predicted energy differences between phases, equilibrium volumes, and bulk moduli for various semiconductors, along with metal-insulator phase transition pressures. We also compare point defect and (100) surface energies in silicon for a broad test of its applicability. This new KEDF accurately reproduces the exact non-interacting kinetic energy of KSDFT with only one additional adjustable parameter beyond the three parameters in the WGC99 KEDF; it exhibits good transferability between semiconducting to metallic silicon phases and between various III-V semiconductors without parameter adjustment. Overall, this KEDF is more accurate than previously proposed OF KEDFs (e.g., the Huang-Carter (HC) KEDF) for semiconductors, while the computational efficiency remains at the level of the WGC99 KEDF (several hundred times faster than the HC KEDF). This accurate, fast, and transferable new KEDF holds considerable promise for large-scale OFDFT simulations of metallic through semiconducting materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Sequence-dependent theory of oligonucleotide hybridization kinetics

A theoretical approach to the prediction of the sequence and temperature-dependent rate constants for oligonucleotide hybridization reactions has been developed based on the theory of relaxation kinetics. One-sided and two-sided melting reaction mechanisms for oligonucleotide hybridization reactions have been considered, analyzed, modified, and compared to select a physically consistent as well as robust model for prediction of the relaxation times of DNA hybridization reactions that agrees with the experimental evidence. The temperature- and sequence-dependent parameters of the proposed model have been estimated using available experimental data. The relaxation time model that we developed has been combined with the nearest neighbor model of hybridization thermodynamics to estimate the temperature- and sequence-dependent rate constants of an oligonucleotide hybridization reaction. The model-predicted rate constants are compared to experimentally determined rate constants for the same oligonucleotide hybridization reactions. Finally, we consider a few important applications of kinetically controlled DNA hybridization reactions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Kinetics and thermodynamics of first-order Markov chain copolymerization

We report a theoretical study of stochastic processes modeling the growth of first-order Markov copolymers, as well as the reversed reaction of depolymerization. These processes are ruled by kinetic equations describing both the attachment and detachment of monomers. Exact solutions are obtained for these kinetic equations in the steady regimes of multicomponent copolymerization and depolymerization. Thermodynamic equilibrium is identified as the state at which the growth velocity is vanishing on average and where detailed balance is satisfied. Away from equilibrium, the analytical expression of the thermodynamic entropy production is deduced in terms of the Shannon disorder per monomer in the copolymer sequence. The Mayo-Lewis equation is recovered in the fully irreversible growth regime. The theory also applies to Bernoullian chains in the case where the attachment and detachment rates only depend on the reacting monomer.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Processes of aggression described by kinetic method

In the last decades many investigations have been devoted to theoretical models in new areas concerning description of different biological, sociological and historical processes. In the present paper we suggest a model of the Nazi Germany invasion of Poland, France and USSR based on the kinetic theory. We model this process with the Cauchy boundary problem for the two-element kinetic equations with spatial initial conditions. The solution of the problem is given in the form of traveling wave. The propagation velocity of a frontline depends on the quotient between initial forces concentrations. Moreover it is obtained that the general solution of the model can be expressed in terms of quadratures and elementary functions. Finally it is shown that the frontline velocities are complied with the historical data.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Thermal behavior in Se-Te chalcogenide system: Interplay of thermodynamics and kinetics

Heat capacity measurements were performed for Se, Se{sub 90}Te{sub 10}, Se{sub 80}Te{sub 20}, and Se{sub 70}Te{sub 30} materials in the 230–630 K temperature range. Both glassy and crystalline C{sub p} dependences were found to be identical within the experimental error. The compositional dependence of the N-type undercooled liquid C{sub p} evolution was explained on the basis of free-volume theory; vibrational and chemical contributions to heat capacity were found to be roughly similar for all Se-Te compositions. The thermal behavior in the Se-Te chalcogenide system was thoroughly studied: glass transition, cold crystallization, and melting were investigated in dependence on composition and various experimental conditions (heating rate, particle size, and pre-nucleation period). The kinetics of the structural relaxation and crystallization processes are described in terms of the Tool-Narayanaswamy-Moynihan and Johnson-Mehl-Avrami models. The complexity of these processes is thoroughly discussed with regard to the compositionally determined changes of molecular structures. The discussion is conducted in terms of the mutual interplay between the thermodynamics and kinetics in this system.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Charge state, angular distribution, and kinetic energy of ions from multicomponent-cathodes in vacuum arc devices

We present research results on vacuum arc plasma produced with multicomponent cathode made of several different elements. The ion mass-to-charge-state spectra of the plasmas were studied by time-of-flight spectrometry. The angular distributions of different ion species were measured, and the kinetic energy of their directed (streaming) motion was determined. It is shown that the fractional composition of ions of different cathode components in the plasma flow from the cathode spot closely matches the fractional content of these components in the composite cathode. The charge states of ions of the various cathode components are determined by the average electron temperature in the cathode spot plasma. The angular distribution of lower mass ions in the plasma from a multicomponent cathode is less isotropic and broader than for the plasma from a single-component cathode of the same light element. The directed kinetic energies of the ions of the different components for plasma from a multicomponent cathode are lower for lighter elements and greater for heavier elements compared to the ion directed energy for plasmas from single-component cathodes made of the same materials. The physical processes responsible for these changes in the ion charge states in multicomponent-cathode vacuum arc plasma are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Discontinuity of the exchange-correlation potential and the functional derivative of the noninteracting kinetic energy as the number of electrons crosses integer boundaries in Li, Be, and B

Accurate densities were determined from configuration interaction wave functions for atoms and ions of Li, Be, and B with up to four electrons. Exchange-correlation potentials, V{sub xc}(r), and functional derivatives of the noninteracting kinetic energy, δK[ρ]/δρ(r), obtained from these densities were used to examine their discontinuities as the number of electrons N increases across integer boundaries for N = 1, N = 2, and N = 3. These numerical results are consistent with conclusions that the discontinuities are characterized by a jump in the chemical potential while the shape of V{sub xc}(r) varies continuously as an integer boundary is crossed. The discontinuity of the V{sub xc}(r) is positive, depends on the ionization potential, electron affinity, and orbital energy differences, and the discontinuity in δK[ρ]/δρ(r) depends on the difference between the energies of the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied orbitals. The noninteracting kinetic energy and the exchange correlation energy have been computed for integer and noninteger values of N between 1 and 4.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗