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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 1,567 records · Page 87
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Precious metals and rare earth elements in municipal solid waste – Sources and fate in a Swiss incineration plant

Highlights: ► We carefully addressed all the very valuable comments and suggestions of the reviewers. ► We also have shortened the size of the paper and tried simplify it substantially, as requested by the reviewers (introduction 25% reduced!). ► We have decided to take the chance and have replaced the data for the “additional” elements (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Sn, Cr, Ni, Fe, Al) of the earlier MFA (Morf, 2011) with data that belong to the samples of this study. ► We are convinced that with the revision the paper has significantly improved in quality and attractiveness. - Abstract: In Switzerland many kinds of waste, e.g. paper, metals, electrical and electronic equipment are separately collected and recycled to a large extent. The residual amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) has to be thermally treated before final disposal. Efforts to recover valuable metals from incineration residues have recently increased. However, the resource potential of critical elements in the waste input (sources) and their partitioning into recyclable fractions and residues (fate) is unknown. Therefore, a substance flow analysis (SFA) for 31 elements including precious metals (Au, Ag), platinum metal group elements (Pt, Rh) and rare earth elements (La, Ce, etc.) has been conducted in a solid waste incinerator (SWI) with a state-of-the-art bottom ash treatment according to the Thermo-Re® concept. The SFA allowed the determination of the element partitioning in the SWI, as well as the elemental composition of the MSW by indirect analysis. The results show that the waste-input contains substantial quantities of precious metals, such as 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/kg Au and 5.3 ± 0.7 mg/kg Ag. Many of the valuable substances, such as Au and Ag are enriched in specific outputs (e.g. non-ferrous metal fractions) and are therefore recoverable. As the precious metal content in MSW is expected to rise due to its increasing application in complex consumer products, the results of this study are essential for the improvement of resource recovery in the Thermo-Re® process.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2010

Display Sharing: An Alternative Paradigm

The current Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mission Control Center (MCC) Video Transport System (VTS) provides flight controllers and management the ability to meld raw video from various sources with telemetry to improve situational awareness. However, maintaining a separate infrastructure for video delivery and integration of video content with data adds significant complexity and cost to the system. When considering alternative architectures for a VTS, the current system's ability to share specific computer displays in their entirety to other locations, such as large projector systems, flight control rooms, and back supporting rooms throughout the facilities and centers must be incorporated into any new architecture. Internet Protocol (IP)-based systems also support video delivery and integration. IP-based systems generally have an advantage in terms of cost and maintainability. Although IP-based systems are versatile, the task of sharing a computer display from one workstation to another can be time consuming for an end-user and inconvenient to administer at a system level. The objective of this paper is to present a prototype display sharing enterprise solution. Display sharing is a system which delivers image sharing across the LAN while simultaneously managing bandwidth, supporting encryption, enabling recovery and resynchronization following a loss of signal, and, minimizing latency. Additional critical elements will include image scaling support, multi -sharing, ease of initial integration and configuration, integration with desktop window managers, collaboration tools, host and recipient controls. This goal of this paper is to summarize the various elements of an IP-based display sharing system that can be used in today's control center environment.

Brown, Michael A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

MPC-based double-layer real-time conditional cSelf-restoration for interconnected microgrids

In this report, we propose a novel model predictive control(MPC)-based real-time conditional self-restoration energy management system (CSR-EMS) for interconnected microgrids (IMGs) integrated with renewable energy sources (RESs) and energy storage systems (ESSs). Superior to the existing IMG self-restoration methods, the “conditionality” of the proposed CSR-EMS can economically realize self-restoration and grid-assisted restoration during energy deficiency or faults, in both islanded and grid-connected modes. Cost minimization is implemented as the objective function to judge in real-time which restoration mode is economically preferred. The proposed CSR-EMS comprises two layers–the lower layer operates locally to eliminate electricity fluctuations created by RESs and ensure economic effectiveness within an MG, whereas the upper layer oversees the real-time operational status of the IMG system and determines power exchange among microgrids (MGs) during abnormalities. In detail, when a microgrid inside the IMG system experiences an energy deficiency, the CSR-EMS, on an MPC basis, intelligently optimizes power production from each dispatchable distributed generator (DG), ESS, power imported from the main grid, and power exchange among the IMGs to maintain the demand–supply balance, while considering system recovery cost, state of charge (SoC) of ESSs and operation modes of the IMGs (i.e., grid-connected or islanded mode). Simulation results and comparisons with existing IMG self-healing EMSs demonstrate the economic efficacy of the proposed CSR-EMS strategy during normal and abnormal operations, which can be used as an energy control framework for modern power systems with multiple interconnected microgrids.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Quantification of methane emissions from 15 Danish landfills using the mobile tracer dispersion method

Highlights: • Quantification of whole landfill site methane emission at 15 landfills. • Multiple on-site source identification and quantification. • Quantified methane emission from shredder waste and composting. • Large difference between measured and reported methane emissions. - Abstract: Whole-site methane emissions from 15 Danish landfills were assessed using a mobile tracer dispersion method with either Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), using nitrous oxide as a tracer gas, or cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS), using acetylene as a tracer gas. The landfills were chosen to represent the different stages of the lifetime of a landfill, including open, active, and closed covered landfills, as well as those with and without gas extraction for utilisation or flaring. Measurements also included landfills with biocover for oxidizing any fugitive methane. Methane emission rates ranged from 2.6 to 60.8 kg h{sup −1}, corresponding to 0.7–13.2 g m{sup −2} d{sup −1}, with the largest emission rates per area coming from landfills with malfunctioning gas extraction systems installed, and the smallest emission rates from landfills closed decades ago and landfills with an engineered biocover installed. Landfills with gas collection and recovery systems had a recovery efficiency of 41–81%. Landfills where shredder waste was deposited showed significant methane emissions, with the largest emission from newly deposited shredder waste. The average methane emission from the landfills was 154 tons y{sup −1}. This average was obtained from a few measurement campaigns conducted at each of the 15 landfills and extrapolating to annual emissions requires more measurements. Assuming that these landfills are representative of the average Danish landfill, the total emission from Danish landfills were calculated at 20,600 tons y{sup −1}, which is significantly lower than the 33,300 tons y{sup −1} estimated for the national greenhouse gas inventory for 2011.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Off-Gas Adsorption Model Capabilities and Recommendations

Off-gas treatment is required to reduce emissions from aqueous fuel reprocessing. Evaluating the products of innovative gas adsorption research requires increased computational simulation capability to more effectively transition from fundamental research to operational design. Early modeling efforts produced the Off-Gas SeParation and REcoverY (OSPREY) model that, while efficient in terms of computation time, was of limited value for complex systems. However, the computational and programming lessons learned in development of the initial model were used to develop Discontinuous Galerkin OSPREY (DGOSPREY), a more effective model. Initial comparisons between OSPREY and DGOSPREY show that, while OSPREY does reasonably well to capture the initial breakthrough time, it displays far too much numerical dispersion to accurately capture the real shape of the breakthrough curves. DGOSPREY is a much better tool as it utilizes a more stable set of numerical methods. In addition, DGOSPREY has shown the capability to capture complex, multispecies adsorption behavior, while OSPREY currently only works for a single adsorbing species. This capability makes DGOSPREY ultimately a more practical tool for real world simulations involving many different gas species. While DGOSPREY has initially performed very well, there is still need for improvement. The current state of DGOSPREY does not include any micro-scale adsorption kinetics and therefore assumes instantaneous adsorption. This is a major source of error in predicting water vapor breakthrough because the kinetics of that adsorption mechanism is particularly slow. However, this deficiency can be remedied by building kinetic kernels into DGOSPREY. Another source of error in DGOSPREY stems from data gaps in single species, such as Kr and Xe, isotherms. Since isotherm data for each gas is currently available at a single temperature, the model is unable to predict adsorption at temperatures outside of the set of data currently available. Thus, in order to improve the predictive capabilities of the model, there is a need for more single-species adsorption isotherms at different temperatures, in addition to extending the model to include adsorption kinetics. This report provides background information about the modeling process and a path forward for further model improvement in terms of accuracy and user interface.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2010

Design and Preliminary Thermal Performance of the Mars Science Laboratory Rover Heat Exchangers

The challenging range of proposed landing sites for the Mars Science Laboratory Rover requires a rover thermal management system that is capable of keeping temperatures controlled across a wide variety of environmental conditions. On the Martian surface where temperatures can be as cold as -123 degrees Centigrade and as warm as 38 degrees Centigrade, the Rover relies upon a Mechanically Pumped Fluid Loop (MPFL) and external radiators to maintain the temperature of sensitive electronics and science instruments within a -40 degrees Centigrade to 50 degrees Centigrade range. The MPFL also manages significant waste heat generated from the Rover power source, known as the Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). The MMRTG produces 110 Watts of electrical power while generating waste heat equivalent to approximately 2000 Watts. Two similar Heat Exchanger (HX) assemblies were designed to both acquire the heat from the MMRTG and radiate waste heat from the onboard electronics to the surrounding Martian environment. Heat acquisition is accomplished on the interior surface of each HX while heat rejection is accomplished on the exterior surface of each HX. Since these two surfaces need to be at very different temperatures in order for the MPFL to perform efficiently, they need to be thermally isolated from one another. The HXs were therefore designed for high in-plane thermal conductivity and extremely low through-thickness thermal conductivity by using aerogel as an insulator inside composite honeycomb sandwich panels. A complex assembly of hand welded and uniquely bent aluminum tubes are bonded onto the HX panels and were specifically designed to be easily mated and demated to the rest of the Rover Heat Recovery and Rejection System (RHRS) in order to ease the integration effort. During the cruise phase to Mars, the HX assemblies serve the additional function of transferring heat from the Rover MPFL to the separate Cruise Stage MPFL so that heat generated deep inside the Rover can be dissipated via the Cruise Stage radiators. Significant fabrication challenges had to be overcome in order to make the HX design a reality. The cruise phase thermal performance of the Rover HXs was verified in the cruise phase system level thermal vacuum test that was performed at JPL in January of 2009. The Rover HXs were modeled in I-DEAS TMG and predictions are compared to actual data from the test.

Heat Rejection System↗
DOE OSTI2020

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Middle DP Road Recovery Effort, June 26, 2020

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP) that covers discharges of stormwater from construction sites. The 2017 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activity (Appendix D) includes the following requirements:(1) conduct a critical habitat and threatened/endangered species study; (2) develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with good engineering practices; (3) submit a Notice of Intent (NOI); (4) install and maintain erosion and stormwater controls; (5) perform and document storm water inspections during construction and site stabilization; (6) amend the SWPPP as necessary; and (7) submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) following project completion and final stabilization of disturbed areas. Authorization to discharge storm water is required under this Permit for both large and small construction projects disturbing more than one (1) acre or part of a larger common plan of development that collectively disturbs more than one (1) acre. All parties that meet the definition of Operator must be permitted. Each permittee is not required to develop and implement a separate SWPP Plan. It is required that there be at least one SWPP Plan for a site that incorporates the required elements for all Operators. The 2017 CGP number for New Mexico (Region 6) is NMR100000. This Plan, which has been developed for Triad National Security, LLC (Triad), describes the nature and sequencing of construction activities, potential sources of pollution, and identifies the Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize the potential for erosion and storm water pollution. The Plan was developed in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § §1251 et seq., as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, P.L. 100-4), and the regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for Storm Water Discharges From Construction Activities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Molybdenum Recovery from Filters Used in Large-scale Dissolution of Sintered Mo-disks

99 Mo production with linear accelerators can be achieved via the bremsstrahlung photonuclear reaction 100 Mo(γ,n) 99 Mo or the neutron capture reaction 98 Mo(n,γ) 99 Mo. For commercial producers, maximum recovery of enriched 98 Mo and 100 Mo target material is critical for sustaining an economic production cycle. During the peroxide dissolution of Mo metal disks and subsequent conversion to K 2 MoO 4 , several grams of Mo can be lost during filtration from solution when several hundred grams of sintered Mo disks are processed. This investigation shows that 5–8 g Mo is routinely retained on the filter units, but it can be almost fully recovered using aqueous washes. Washing can be done immediately and incorporated into the dissolution procedure, or it can occur several months after the initial filtration process to decrease processing time.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Economic viability of using thermal energy storage for flexible carbon capture on natural gas power plants

Fossil fuel-based power plants generate 80% of the electricity in the United States and provide a reliable generation source for both base and peak power demands. These plants are expected to adapt to changes in environmental policies that will require carbon management with carbon capture and storage (CCS) representing a possible solution. Current solvent-based CCS has a detrimental impact on a power plant's performance due to large heat loads required for carbon capture solvent regeneration. This parasitic load restricts the power plant's output and operation flexibility. Therefore, this study evaluates the feasibility of using thermal storage technologies for natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants coupled with CCS to minimize the impact of solvent regeneration and enable the plant to operate at peak power output. Thermal storage can minimize the impact of CCS on the power plant by providing the heat load required for solvent regeneration during times of peak demand which will allow the plant to operate unrestricted and at full power. In total, fifteen unique thermal storage configurations were evaluated from three thermal storage categories: Brayton cycle heat pump, vapor compression heat pump, and heat recovery steam generator steam extraction for storage. The viability of these systems was determined by evaluating each configuration on thousands of real-world Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP) profiles from the New York Independent System Operator and California Independent System Operator electricity markets using a techno-economic analysis. Afterwards, results were compared to the performance of a base power plant (NGCC with CCS and no thermal storage) to determine the impact of thermal storage on power plant economics. Overall, six of the thermal storage configurations performed better than base CCS enabled power plant on between 11.5% and 38.7% of the LMP signals evaluated. The best performing configuration was a vapor compression heat pump that used flue gas as the working fluid and had both hot and cold thermal storage units. This configuration performed better than the base CCS power plant on 38.7% of the LMP profiles. The results of this study show thermal storage can mitigate the economic impact of carbon capture solvent regeneration on NGCC power plants. Discussion focuses on the impact of electricity pricing on the optimal thermal storage system, the advantages and disadvantages of the systems evaluated, and identifies limitations with the study.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Postdisaster Routing of Movable Energy Resources for Enhanced Distribution System Resilience: A Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Approach

The deployment of movable energy resources (MERs) can be an effective strategy to restore critical loads to enhance power system resilience when no other energy sources are available after the occurrence of an extreme event. Since the optimal locations of MERs following an extreme event are dependent on system operating states (e.g., the loads at each node, on/off status of system branches, and so on), existing analytical and population-based approaches must repeat the entire analysis and calculation when the system operating states change. On the contrary, if deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based algorithms are sufficiently trained with a wide range of scenarios, they can quickly find optimal or near-optimal locations irrespective of changes in system states. A deep Q-learning-based approach is proposed for optimal MER deployment to enhance power system resilience. MERs can be also utilized to complement other types of resources, if available. The proposed approach operates in two stages after the occurrence of extreme events. In the first stage, the distribution network is represented as a graph, and the network is then reconfigured using tie switches by using Kruskal’s spanning forest search algorithm (KSFSA). To maximize critical load recovery, the optimal or near-optimal locations of MERs are chosen in the second stage. Further, case studies on a 33-node distribution system and a modified IEEE 123-node system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for postdisaster routing of MERs.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2020

Diazotrophs Show Signs of Restoration in Amazon Rain Forest Soils with Ecosystem Rehabilitation

Biological nitrogen fixation can be an important source of nitrogen in tropical forests that serve as a major CO 2 sink. Extensive deforestation of the Amazon is known to influence microbial communities and the biogeochemical cycles they mediate. However, it is unknown how diazotrophs (nitrogen-fixing microorganisms) respond to deforestation and subsequent ecosystem conversion to agriculture, as well as whether they can recover in secondary forests that are established after agriculture is abandoned. To address these knowledge gaps, here we combined a spatially explicit sampling approach with high-throughput sequencing of nifH genes. The main objectives were to assess the functional distance decay relationship of the diazotrophic bacterial community in a tropical forest ecosystem and to quantify the roles of various factors that drive the observed changes in the diazotrophic community structure. We observed an increase in local diazotrophic diversity (α-diversity) with a decrease in community turnover (β-diversity), associated with a shift in diazotrophic community structure as a result of the forest-to-pasture conversion. Both diazotrophic community turnover and structure showed signs of recovery in secondary forests. Changes in the diazotrophic community were primarily driven by the change in land use rather than differences in geochemical characteristics or geographic distances. The diazotroph communities in secondary forests resembled those in primary forests, suggesting that at least partial recovery of diazotrophs is possible following agricultural abandonment. IMPORTANCE The Amazon region is a major tropical forest region that is being deforested at an alarming rate to create space for cattle ranching and agriculture. Diazotrophs (nitrogen-fixing microorganisms) play an important role in supplying soil N for plant growth in tropical forests. It is unknown how diazotrophs respond to deforestation and whether they can recover in secondary forests that establish after agriculture is abandoned. Using high-throughput sequencing of nifH genes, we characterized the response of diazotrophs’ β-diversity and identified major drivers of changes in diazotrophs from forest-to-pasture and pasture-to-secondary-forest conversions. Studying the impact of land use change on diazotrophs is important for a better understanding of the impact of deforestation on tropical forest ecosystem functioning, and our results on the potential recovery of diazotrophs in secondary forests imply the possible restoration of ecosystem functions in secondary forests.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2012

Next Generation Life Support Project Status

Next Generation Life Support (NGLS) is one of several technology development projects sponsored by NASA s Game Changing Development Program. The NGLS Project is developing life support technologies (including water recovery and space suit life support technologies) needed for humans to live and work productively in space. NGLS has three project tasks: Variable Oxygen Regulator (VOR), Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) swing bed, and Alternative Water Processor (AWP). The RCA swing bed and VOR tasks are directed at key technology needs for the Portable Life Support System (PLSS) for an Advanced Extravehicular Mobility Unit, with focus on test article development and integrated testing in an Advanced PLSS in cooperation with the Advanced Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) Project. An RCA swing-bed provides integrated carbon dioxide removal and humidity control that can be regenerated in real time during an EVA. The VOR technology will significantly increase the number of pressure settings available to the space suit. Current space suit pressure regulators are limited to only two settings whereas the adjustability of the advanced regulator will be nearly continuous. The AWP effort, based on natural biological processes and membrane-based secondary treatment, will result in the development of a system capable of recycling wastewater from sources expected in future exploration missions, including hygiene and laundry water. This paper will provide a status of technology development activities and future plans.

Barta, Daniel J.↗
DOE OSTI2012

Kinetics of thermal de-chlorination of PVC under pyrolytic conditions

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Several tests were performed in DTA/TGA for understanding the thermal behavior of pure PVC. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We did a kinetic model for the de-chlorination of PVC molecule. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A temperature of 340 Degree-Sign C was defined as the optimum temperature for breaking the bond of chlorine in the PVC molecule. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The experimental validation of this temperature, led to a removal rate of 99.9% chlorine. - Abstract: Although PVC-containing wastes are an important potential source of energy they are frequently disposed in landfill. In thermal treatment processes such as pyrolysis and gasification, the presence of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), a compound with 56.7% of chlorine, may cause problems concerned with environmental protection, as consequence of the formation of hydrochloric acid, chlorine gas and dioxins, as well as corrosion phenomena of the reactor/equipment materials. Thus, a possible solution may involve a previous removal of the chlorine from PVC containing waste through a pyrolysis process at low temperatures before the material being submitted to a subsequent thermal treatment, for energetic valorization. In this work, a kinetic model for the thermal decomposition of PVC has been developed, in view of its de-chlorination. DTA/TGA testing at different temperatures indicated a first order reaction and an activation energy of 133,800 J/mol. An almost completed de-chlorination reaction was obtained at 340 Degree-Sign C under an inert atmosphere. The resulted material is a C{sub n}H{sub n} type polymer with potential to be used in an energy recovery process. Validation test performed at laboratory scale indicate that the temperature of 340 Degree-Sign C enables the removal of {approx}99.9% of the chlorine present in PVC. The chloride can be fixed in the form of an aqueous solution of HCl or calcium chloride, driving to an alternative full process with environmental benefits and reduction of the costs associated to the PCV - containing materials/wastes management.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

MEASUR - Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction

MEASUR your energy savings with the free DOE MEASUR software The Department of Energy (DOE), with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), released version 1.0 of their energy efficiency software tool MEASUR (Manufacturing Energy Assessment Software for Utility Reduction). MEASUR has been available for several years as a beta version, being tested by industry experts and real users, and will continue to be updated and improved in the coming years. It is an integrated suite of tools to aid manufacturers in improving the efficiency of energy systems and equipment within a plant, including motors, pumps, fans, process heating, steam, and compressed air. Additionally, there are modules for wastewater energy analysis and to help perform energy treasure hunts. Several calculators are also included, allowing users to independently perform smaller calculations and analyses (such as estimating pump head, performing a fan traverse analysis, estimating waste heat recovery potential, and cataloging compressed air leaks). The MEASUR modules are based on previous DOE software tools that have been used by industry since the early 2000s (such as MotorMaster, AirMaster+, PSAT, PHAST, and FSAT). The original tools only ran on Windows operating systems, and by Windows 10, most of them were inoperable. DOE started their energy efficiency software tool revitalization effort in 2016, first with PSAT (for pumps), then began to integrate the other tools and expand their functionality and utility. The new MEASUR suite provides an extensively more user-friendly, modern, and versatile set of tools. All the assessment modules and most of the calculators have several visual components and graphs and detailed help text for every user input. To help reach international users, the tool utilizes Google translate and users can easily change unit systems, even converting existing user inputs if desired. The assessment files can be organized within the internal file system and easily shared to other users, regardless of their operating system. The entire suite is free, open-source, and can be downloaded on Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems.

Accawi, Gina [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak ↗
DOE OSTI2011

Membrane Purification Cell for Aluminum Recycling

Recycling mixed aluminum scrap usually requires adding primary aluminum to the scrap stream as a diluent to reduce the concentration of non-aluminum constituents used in aluminum alloys. Since primary aluminum production requires approximately 10 times more energy than melting scrap, the bulk of the energy and carbon dioxide emissions for recycling are associated with using primary aluminum as a diluent. Eliminating the need for using primary aluminum as a diluent would dramatically reduce energy requirements, decrease carbon dioxide emissions, and increase scrap utilization in recycling. Electrorefining can be used to extract pure aluminum from mixed scrap. Some example applications include producing primary grade aluminum from specific scrap streams such as consumer packaging and mixed alloy saw chips, and recycling multi-alloy products such as brazing sheet. Electrorefining can also be used to extract valuable alloying elements such as Li from Al-Li mixed scrap. This project was aimed at developing an electrorefining process for purifying aluminum to reduce energy consumption and emissions by 75% compared to conventional technology. An electrolytic molten aluminum purification process, utilizing a horizontal membrane cell anode, was designed, constructed, operated and validated. The electrorefining technology could also be used to produce ultra-high purity aluminum for advanced materials applications. The technical objectives for this project were to: - Validate the membrane cell concept with a lab-scale electrorefining cell; - Determine if previously identified voltage increase issue for chloride electrolytes holds for a fluoride-based electrolyte system; - Assess the probability that voltage change issues can be solved; and - Conduct a market and economic analysis to assess commercial feasibility. The process was tested using three different binary alloy compositions (Al-2.0 wt.% Cu, Al-4.7 wt.% Si, Al-0.6 wt.% Fe) and a brazing sheet scrap composition (Al-2.8 wt.% Si-0.7 wt.% Fe-0.8 wt.% Mn),. Purification factors (defined as the initial impurity concentration divided by the final impurity concentration) of greater than 20 were achieved for silicon, iron, copper, and manganese. Cell performance was measured using its current and voltage characteristics and composition analysis of the anode, cathode, and electrolytes. The various cells were autopsied as part of the study. Three electrolyte systems tested were: LiCl-10 wt. % AlCl3, LiCl-10 wt. % AlCl3-5 wt.% AlF3 and LiF-10 wt.% AlF3. An extended four-day run with the LiCl-10 wt.% AlCl3-5 wt.% AlF3 electrolyte system was stable for the entire duration of the experiment, running at energy requirements about one third of the Hoopes and the conventional Hall-Heroult process. Three different anode membranes were investigated with respect to their purification performance and survivability: a woven graphite cloth with 0.05 cm nominal thickness & > 90 % porosity, a drilled rigid membrane with nominal porosity of 33%, and another drilled rigid graphite membrane with increased thickness. The latter rigid drilled graphite was selected as the most promising membrane design. The economic viability of the membrane cell to purify scrap is sensitive to primary & scrap aluminum prices, and the cost of electricity. In particular, it is sensitive to the differential between scrap and primary aluminum price which is highly variable and dependent on the scrap source. In order to be economically viable, any scrap post-processing technology in the U.S. market must have a total operating cost well below the scrap price differential of $0.20-$0.40 per lb to the London Metal Exchange (LME), a margin of 65%-85% of the LME price. The cost to operate the membrane cell is estimated to be < $0.24/lb of purified aluminum. The energy cost is estimated to be $0.05/lb of purified aluminum with the remaining costs being repair and maintenance, electrolyte, labor, taxes and depreciation. The bench-scale work on membrane purification cell process has demonstrated technological advantages and substantial energy and investment savings against other electrolytic processes. However, in order to realize commercial reality, the following items need to be fully investigated: 1. Further evaluation of a pure fluoride electrolyte. 2. Investigate alternative non conductive, more mechanically robust and chemically inert membrane candidates. 3. Optimized membrane cell design to understand contribution of fluid flow patterns and the mass transfer conditions. 4. Improve current efficiency and total metallic aluminum recovery from the cell. All Tasks and Milestones were completed successfully.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Middle DP Road Recovery Effort, June 26, 2020 (Copy for Informational Puproses Only)

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final 2017 Construction General Permit (CGP) that covers discharges of stormwater from construction sites. The 2017 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activity (Appendix D) includes the following requirements: (1) conduct a critical habitat and threatened/endangered species study; (2) develop and implement a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) in accordance with good engineering practices; (3) submit a Notice of Intent (NOI); (4) install and maintain erosion and stormwater controls; (5) perform and document storm water inspections during construction and site stabilization; (6) amend the SWPPP as necessary; and (7) submit a Notice of Termination (NOT) following project completion and final stabilization of disturbed areas. Authorization to discharge storm water is required under this Permit for both large and small construction projects disturbing more than one (1) acre or part of a larger common plan of development that collectively disturbs more than one (1) acre. All parties that meet the definition of Operator must be permitted. Each permittee is not required to develop and implement a separate SWPP Plan. It is required that there be at least one SWPP Plan for a site that incorporates the required elements for all Operators. The 2017 CGP number for New Mexico (Region 6) is NMR100000. This Plan, which has been developed for Triad National Security, LLC (Triad), describes the nature and sequencing of construction activities, potential sources of pollution, and identifies the Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize the potential for erosion and storm water pollution. The Plan was developed in accordance with the provisions of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § §1251 et seq., as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987, P.L. 100-4), and the regulations established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permits for Storm Water Discharges From Construction Activities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Twenty Years of Terra MODIS Spatial Performance Using the Spectro-Radiometric Calibration Assembly

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on-board the NASA’s Earth Observing System Terra satellite has continued successful Earth-sensing operations for over 20 years. To aid in its mission in providing calibrated science data to the worldwide user community, the MODIS instrument is equipped with several on-board calibrators designed to measure changes in the instrument response over time. One such calibrator is the Spectro-Radiometric Calibration Assembly (SRCA), which can provide a source signal for radiometric, spectral, or spatial characterization. When commanded into its spatial calibration mode, the SRCA is able to produce light across the MODIS band spectral range (0.412μm to 14.2μm) at a variety of signal levels thanks to several internal halogen lamps, an IR glow bar, and a neutral density filter. This signal, used in combination with commanded sub-sample measurements of the MODIS detectors, provides a basis for determining changes in the spatial performance of the MODIS spectral bands. This work summarizes the spatial calibration process using the SRCA and presents 20 years of Terra MODIS spatial performance characterized through co-registration between MODIS bands, detectors, and focal plane assemblies. Results from pre-launch testing using the Integration and Alignment Collimator and the SRCA are incorporated in the history of the Terra MODIS mission-long spatial performance. We also note modifications to the spatial characterization methodology brought on by changes to the SRCA’s operational configuration and changes to the MODIS spectral band performance, particularly after the recovery from the safe-mode event in February 2016. Results are compared against the MODIS design specifications.

MODIS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Distribution System Planning - State Examples by Topic

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently completed a study on how regulators in 16 states have dealt with questions related to distribution system planning (DSP) and distributed energy resource (DER) utilization. During the study, DOE and three of its national laboratories developed a significant amount of information on state-level activities including grid modernization planning; distribution planning; tools for integrating distributed energy resources (DERs) (e.g., hosting capacity analysis and tools for maximizing the value of DERs to the distribution system such as locational value analyses); and linkages between distribution planning and related processes such as cost recovery through general rate cases or rate surcharges. The Oregon Public Utility Commission (Commission) requested assistance from DOE on a list of specific questions related to DSP. The Commission was specifically interested in identifying guidance on the creation of comprehensive and transparent utility distribution system plans; on the linkages between such plans and other utility planning processes such as integrated resource planning; improved forecasting and representation of DERs in distribution system plans and other plans such as integrated resource planning; valuation of DERs; and a roadmap for optimized locational planning for DERs. In response to their interests, we have identified 1) specific topics from the original study that would be of assistance to the Commission and 2) states that could provide potential examples or templates to draw from. In this report, we have summarized and reorganized the pertinent original material by subject. We also developed a matrix that points to specific examples for each topic and provide one or two paragraph summaries of each possible template for each topic area with web links directly to the source documents. For some cases in which states have taken significant steps since the publication of the original DOE study, the original source information has been supplemented to ensure the information provided to the Commission remains current. Finally, we called out a small number of especially pertinent or immediately useful documents and have highlighted these in the introductory section. This report documents the material developed for the Oregon Commission by DOE.

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