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DOE OSTI2025

Combining Distributed Electrochemical Measurements with a Semi-Empirical Model to Identify Local Variations in Overpotentials for PEM Water Electrolyzers

Abstract A segmented cell and PCB approach was used to demonstrate an advanced technique for measuring and understanding the electrochemical behavior of PEM water electrolyzers. By employing a semi-empirical model, discrete modes of overpotential and their spatial distributions were identified in an operating cell. Distributed area-specific resistance (DASR measurements indicate that local dehydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane is the primary driver of increased polarization, behaving similarly to mass transport-limited currents at low flow rates due to ineffective gas-phase bubble removal. To improve quantification, the overall ohmic overpotential is divided into background (η Ohm,b ) and mass transport-coupled (η Ohm,mt ) components. Two types of anode diffusion media, a baseline PTL and a thin foil liquid/gas diffusion layer (LGDL), were examined. The results show significant variations in η Ohm,b and highlight that ineffective bubble removal leads to pronounced local dehydration. The effect of cell temperature on various overpotentials was also examined. Negligible differences in diffusion overpotential were observed when comparing PEWE performance using the PTL and LGDL, despite major differences in two-phase fluid transport within each diffusion media. This underscores the critical role of the catalyst layer's micro-porous structure in diffusion processes. The study highlights the complex nature and intricacies of mass transport limitations within PEWEs.

Roy, Anirban (ORCID:0000000163803386)↗

DOE OSTI2024

Code for the manuscript "Mori-Zwanzig Modal Decomposition"

We would like to create an open source repository in LANL's github on code written in Julia, in which we implement and extend the data-driven Mori-Zwanzig method for extracting large-scale spatio-temporal structures from data, which we call MZMD. This method is an extension of Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) in which Mori-Zwanzig memory kernels are included into the associated companion matrix. In the code we would like to release, we apply MZMD to a flow over a cylinder with Reynolds number 100 rather than the much larger data set used in the associated manuscript. DMD is used extensively in the fluid dynamics community mainly for extracting large scale spatio-temporal structures (patters) from flow data. This is useful for understanding the key mechanisms that generate certain complex dynamical process relevant in engineering design. In MZMD, we improve upon DMD by adding the Mori-Zwanzig memory kernels, and show this improvement is especially important in strongly nonlinear regions of the flow.

Woodward, Michael↗

DOE OSTI2019

Randomized methods to characterize large-scale vortical flow networks

We demonstrate the effective use of randomized methods for linear algebra to perform network-based analysis of complex vortical flows. Network theoretic approaches can reveal the connectivity structures among a set of vortical elements and analyze their collective dynamics. These approaches have recently been generalized to analyze high-dimensional turbulent flows, for which network computations can become prohibitively expensive. In this work, we propose efficient methods to approximate network quantities, such as the leading eigendecomposition of the adjacency matrix, using randomized methods. Specifically, we use the Nyström method to approximate the leading eigenvalues and eigenvectors, achieving significant computational savings and reduced memory requirements. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated on two high-dimensional flow fields: two-dimensional flow past an airfoil and two-dimensional turbulence. We find that quasi-uniform column sampling outperforms uniform column sampling, while both feature the same computational complexity.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2024

High-Temperature Oxidation Behavior of Wrought and Additive Manufactured H282 in Direct-Fired Supercritical CO2 Power Cycle Environments

Materials selection is a key concern for corrosion resistance in high temperature and pressure direct-fired supercritical CO2 power cycles. The effect of elevated pressure on corrosion resistance can be critical, as impurities within the supercritical fluid such as H2O and O2 can result in additional corrosion behaviors. Utilizing additive manufacturing (AM) methods for construction of power cycle components requiring both compact and complex designs could be advantageous. AM H282 produced by laser powder bed fusion was exposed to direct-fired conditions (95CO2 – 4H2O – 1 O2) at 750 °C at both atmospheric pressure and supercritical conditions (20 MPa) for up to 4,000 hours. Oxidation behavior, sub-surface carbide formation, and chromia scale volatilization was dependent upon AM preparation techniques and surface modifications. These results are discussed in terms of the potential compatibility issues that may arise when using AM alloys in high temperature regions of direct-fired sCO2 power cycles, particularly for thin-walled components.

Carney, Casey↗

DOE OSTI2024

Demonstration of a Continuous Motion Direct Air Capture System

Global Thermostat (GT) has developed a process that addresses the primary technical challenges associated with direct air capture (DAC): the ability to process enormous volumetric flowrates of air and provide the energy for regeneration at acceptable cost. However, at current, there is opportunity for improvement in overall capture costs and especially in capital costs. While GT has advanced its base technology to TRL levels supporting commercial deployments, its research strategy includes alternative technology embodiments that enable substantial reductions in the cost per tonne of CO 2 removed. The objective of this project is to advance the most promising of these embodiments, where a DAC plant is operated in a continuous fashion rather than a discrete stepwise fashion (GT’s commercial scale technology approach). The Continuous Motion Direct Air Capture (cDAC) System’s advantages over the GT baseline stepwise DAC platform have been proposed primarily as a reduction in the complexity required for starting and stopping a movement system, relaxing requirements for other components designed for a rapid switching application, and a flattening of the sharp instantaneous fluid flowrates into steady-state mass & energy flows to enable smoother operation and easier heat integration. These advantages can lead to shorter cycle times, greater plant reliability, and lower capital expense. The primary objective of this project is the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of a field-test unit (FTU) at a scale in the range of ~200 tons CO 2 per year. Data generated from the operation campaign would then be used in a prescreening techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA), allowing this process to be compared to other carbon capture technologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1992

Flow visualization in a single simulated brush seal

A method to visualize and characterize the complex flow fields in brush seals is presented. A configuration characteristic of the brush seal confined in a two-dimensional tunnel with water as the working fluid was studied. Visualization of the flow field revealed regions that are characteristically jetting, vortical, and crossflow and exist upstream, downstream or within the seal. Such flows are engendered by variations in fiber void that are spatial and temporal and affect changes in seal leakage and stability. While the effects of interface motion and cylindrical configuration have not been considered herein, it is believed that the observed flow fields characterize flow phenomenology in brush seals.

Braun, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Vortex tubes in turbulent flows: Identification, representation, reconstruction

In many cases the structure of a fluid flow is well-characterized by its vortices, especially for the purpose of visualization. In this paper we present a new algorithm for identifying vortices in complex flows. The algorithm produces a skeleton line along the center of a vortex by using a two-step predictor-corrector scheme. The vorticity vector field serves as the predictor and the pressure gradient (in the perpendicular plane) serves as the corrector. We describe an economical description of the vortex tube's cross-section: a 5-term truncated Fourier series is generally sufficient, and it compresses the representation of the flow by a factor of 4000 or more. We reconstruct the vortex tubes as generalized cylinders, providing a polygonal mesh suitable for display on a graphics workstation. We show how the reconstructed geometry of vortex tubes can be enhanced to help visualize helical motion in a static image.

Banks, David C.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Combining Comparison Functions and Finite Element Approximations in CFD

In a variety of potential flow applications, the modal element method has been shown to significantly reduce the numerical grid, employ a more precise grid termination boundary condition, and give theoretical insight to the flow physics. The method employs eigenfunctions to replace the numerical grid over significant portions of the flow field. Generally, a numerical grid is employed around obstacles with complex geometry while eigenfunctions are applied to regions in the flow field where the boundary conditions can easily be satisfied. To handle a wider class of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) problems, the present paper extends the modal element to include function approximations which do not satisfy the governing differential equation. To accomplish this task, a double modal series approximation and weighted residual constraints are developed to force the comparison functions to satisfy the governing differential equation and to interface properly with the finite element solution. As an example, the method is applied to the problem of potential flow in a channel with two-dimensional cylindrical like obstacles. The calculated flow fields are in excellent agreement with exact analytical solutions.

Baumeister, Kenneth J.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Effects of Prolonged Centrifugation on Orthostasis

A feasibility study conducted on the Ames 20-G Human Centrifuge examined how well humans can maintain orthostatic tolerance during and after prolonged exposures to hypergravity. Three adult males lived for periods of 22 hours in the centrifuge while it was at rest (1.00 G), and while it rotated at 9.38 RPM to provide 1.25 G-total at the mean radius of 7.62 m. Two participants also experienced 22-hour habitation sessions at 11.46 RPM, which provided 1.50 G-total. Both before and after each habitation session, the participants were given gradual onset rate (GOR) acceleration profiles at 0.067 G/sec to determine their Gz tolerance. In addition, cardiovascular responses were compared while subjects were supine, siting, and standing at various times during the habitation (stand test), and cardiovascular responsiveness was determined using a lower body negative pressure tilt table (LBNPTT) at the beginning of the experiment and after each session. Post-Pre changes in G tolerance were -0.33 (mean) +/- 0.11 (std. error) Gz for habitation at 1.00 G, -0.02 +/- 0.12 Gz for habitation at 1.25 G, and +0.41 +/- 0.13 Gz for habitation at 1.50 G. Performance on the stand test generally improved with duration of habitation in hypergravity. Our results suggest that habitation in a confined chamber at 1.00 G reduces G tolerance and leads to lowered LBNPTT tolerance. Exposure to increased G in the centrifuge leads to enhanced performance on the stand test, and to increased GOR acceleration tolerance, but only when fluid balance is maintained; when motion sickness and negative fluid balance were observed, G tolerance was reduced. The data indicate that enhanced G tolerance can result from prolonged exposure to hypergravity, but that these changes are complex and depend on multiple underlying physiological processes.

Cohen, Malcolm M..↗

NASA NTRS1994

Planetary Rings

Just over two decades ago, Jim Pollack made a critical contribution to our understanding of planetary ring particle properties, and resolved a major apparent paradox between radar reflection and radio emission observations. At the time, particle properties were about all there were to study about planetary rings, and the fundamental questions were, why is Saturn the only planet with rings, how big are the particles, and what are they made of? Since then, we have received an avalanche of observations of planetary ring systems, both from spacecraft and from Earth. Meanwhile, we have seen steady progress in our understanding of the myriad ways in which gravity, fluid and statistical mechanics, and electromagnetism can combine to shape the distribution of the submicron-to-several-meter size particles which comprise ring systems into the complex webs of structure that we now know them to display. Insights gained from studies of these giant dynamical analogs have carried over into improved understanding of the formation of the planets themselves from particle disks, a subject very close to Jim's heart. The now-complete reconnaissance of the gas giant planets by spacecraft has revealed that ring systems are invariably found in association with families of regular satellites, and there is ark emerging perspective that they are not only physically but causally linked. There is also mounting evidence that many features or aspects of all planetary ring systems, if not the ring systems themselves, are considerably younger than the solar system

Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.↗

NASA NTRS2007

Development of Hairpin Vortices in Turbulent Spots and End-Wall Transition

The end-stage phase of boundary layer transition is characterized by the development of hairpin-like vortices which evolve rapidly into patches of turbulent behavior. In general, the characteristics of the evolution form this hairpin stage to the turbulent stage is poorly understood, which has prompted the present experimental examination of hairpin vortex development and growth processes. Two topics of particular relevance to the workshop focus will be covered: 1) the growth of turbulent spots through the generatio and amalgamation of hairpin-like vortices, and 2) the development of hairpin vortices during transition in an end-wall junction flow. Brief summaries of these studies are described below. Using controlled generation of hairpin vortices by surface injection in a critical laminar boundary layer, detailed flow visualization studies have been done of the phases of growth of single hairpin vortices, from the initial hairgin generation, through the systematic generation of secondary hairpin-like flow structures, culminating in the evolution to a turbulent spot. The key to the growth process is strong vortex-surface interactions, which give rise to strong eruptive events adjacent to the surface, which results in the generation of subsequent hairpin vortex structures due to inviscid-viscuous interactions between the eruptive events and the free steam fluid. The general process of vortex-surface fluid interaction, coupled with subsequent interactions and amalgamation of the generated multiple hairpin-type vortices, is demonstrated as a physical mechanism for the growth and development of turbulent spots. When a boundary layer flow along a surface encounters a bluff body obstruction extending from the surface (such as cylinder or wing), the strong adverse pressure gradients generated by these types of flows result in the concentration of the impinging vorticity into a system of discrete vortices near the end-wall juncture of the obstruction, with the extensions of the vortices engirdling the obstruction to form "necklace" or "horseshoe" vortices. Recent hydrogen bubble and particle image visualization have shown that as Reynolds number is increased for a laminar approach flow, the flow will become critical, and a destabilization of the necklace vortices results in the development of an azimuthal waviness, or "kinks", in the vortices. These vortex kinks are accentuated by Biot-Savart effects, causing portions of a distorted necklace vortex to make a rapid approach to the surface, precipitating processes of localized, three-dimensional surface interactions. These interactions result in the rapid generation, focussing, and ejection of thin tongues of surface fluid, which rapidly roll-over and appear as hairpin vortices in the junction region. Subsequent amalgamation of these hairpin vortices with the necklace vortices produces a complex transitional-type flow. A presentation of key results from both these studies will be done, emphasizing both the ubiquity of such hairpin-type flow structures in manifold transitional-type flows, and the importance of vortex-surface interactions n the development of hairpin vortices.

Smith, Charles R.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Apparatus for electrohydrodynamically assembling patterned colloidal structures

A method apparatus is provided for electrophoretically depositing particles onto an electrode, and electrohydrodynamically assembling the particles into crystalline structures. Specifically, the present method and apparatus creates a current flowing through a solution to cause identically charged electrophoretically deposited colloidal particles to attract each other over very large distances (<5 particle diameters) on the surface of electrodes to form two-dimensional colloidal crystals. The attractive force can be created with both DC and AC fields and can modulated by adjusting either the field strength or frequency of the current. Modulating this lateral attraction between the particles causes the reversible formation of two-dimensional fluid and crystalline colloidal states on the electrode surface. Further manipulation allows for the formation of two or three-dimensional colloidal crystals, as well as more complex designed structures. Once the required structures are formed, these three-dimension colloidal crystals can be permanently frozen or glued by controlled coagulation induced by to the applied field to form a stable crystalline structure.

Trau, Mathias↗

NASA NTRS1999

Method for electrohydrodynamically assembling patterned colloidal structures

Trau, Mathias↗

NASA NTRS2011

A State-of-the-Art Experimental Laboratory for Cloud and Cloud-Aerosol Interaction Research

The state of the art for predicting climate changes due to increasing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere with high accuracy is problematic. Confidence intervals on current long-term predictions (on the order of 100 years) are so large that the ability to make informed decisions with regard to optimum strategies for mitigating both the causes of climate change and its effects is in doubt. There is ample evidence in the literature that large sources of uncertainty in current climate models are various aerosol effects. One approach to furthering discovery as well as modeling, and verification and validation (V&V) for cloud-aerosol interactions is use of a large "cloud chamber" in a complimentary role to in-situ and remote sensing measurement approaches. Reproducing all of the complex interactions is not feasible, but it is suggested that the physics of certain key processes can be established in a laboratory setting so that relevant fluid-dynamic and cloud-aerosol phenomena can be experimentally simulated and studied in a controlled environment. This report presents a high-level argument for significantly improved laboratory capability, and is meant to serve as a starting point for stimulating discussion within the climate science and other interested communities.

Fremaux, Charles M.↗

NASA NTRS2016

Loop Heat Pipe Startup Behaviors

A loop heat pipe must start successfully before it can commence its service. The startup transient represents one of the most complex phenomena in the loop heat pipe operation. This paper discusses various aspects of loop heat pipe startup behaviors. Topics include the four startup scenarios, the initial fluid distribution between the evaporator and reservoir that determines the startup scenario, factors that affect the fluid distribution between the evaporator and reservoir, difficulties encountered during the low power startup, and methods to enhance the startup success. Also addressed are the pressure spike and pressure surge during the startup transient, and repeated cycles of loop startup and shutdown under certain conditions.

Thermal Control Systems↗

NASA NTRS2016

Thermal Vacuum Testing of a Helium Loop Heat Pipe for Large Area Cryocooling

Thermal Control Systems↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Surface Systems and Interface Standardization

A key contribution to surface systems sustainability on Lunar and planetary surfaces is commonality between hardware and software interfaces. Generic interfaces for data, power, and fluids will reduce risk, promote interoperability, and define standard interfaces across surface exploration projects and programs. Standardized interfaces would be advantageous for improving efficiency and reducing overall complexity, which are critical considerations for future space exploration. Furthermore, it will provide cost reductions to NASA’s Artemis program over its life cycle (in Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and Logistics). Unique proprietary interfaces if considered or allowed would not only increase complexity but also add cost to the programs. Of course, understanding what will work and not work effectively in these unique environments such as the lunar surface is important. These unique environments require much needed intelligent design, prototyping, comprehensive testing, and field experience, utilizing consensus on common interface solutions.

Lunar↗

DOE OSTI2016

Lagrangian 3D CFD Simulation of Turbulent Aerosol Experiments

As a continuation of Year 2 of the Department of Energy's Nuclear Safety Research and Development (NSRD) project, high-fidelity computational tools developed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) were used to substantiate airborne release fraction and respirable fraction data in DOE-HDBK-3010. For this research, SNL's incompressible Fuego computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code was coupled onto thousands of Lagrangian aerosol particles that were individually tracked. Although Fuego does not currently have a particle interaction model (e.g., agglomeration), aerosol resuspension was implemented this year as a part of this project. The model improvement from exploratory simulations, as described in the previous year, will be discussed in this paper, along with other simulations for other aerosol experiments that use the resuspension model. In addition, key experiment turbulence parameters will be calculated, and various turbulence models will be examined for applicability towards complex geometries and dispersal conditions. (authors)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗