Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “THERMODYNAMICS”

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 1,585 records · Page 88
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

A noncollinear density functional theory ansatz for the phononic and thermodynamic properties of α -Pu

Plutonium's phase diagram is host to complex structures and interactions that make the description of its ground state properties elusive. Using all-electron density functional theory calculations, we study the thermodynamic properties of α-Pu. To do this, we build on recent work in the literature by introducing a novel noncollinear magnetic ansatz for α-Pu's ground state. We show that the noncollinear ansatz improves the description of the experimental phonon density of states, heat capacity, and thermal expansion over previous results obtained with a collinear ansatz. Here, despite lacking a bond-equivalent picture of the bonding, these new results for α-Pu, along with recent results on δ-Pu, demonstrate the efficacy of noncollinear ansatzes for the description of plutonium.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Thermodynamic, kinetic and electrical switching studies on Si{sub 15}Te{sub 85-x}In{sub x} glasses: Observation of Boolchand intermediate phase

An interesting topic for quite some time is an intermediate phase observed in chalcogenide glasses, which is related to network connectivity and rigidity. This phenomenon is exhibited by Si-Te-In glasses also. It has been addressed here by carrying out detailed thermal investigations by using Alternating Differential Scanning Calorimetry technique. An effort has also been made to determine the stability of these glasses using the data obtained from different thermodynamic quantities and crystallization kinetics of these glasses. Electrical switching behavior by recording I-V characteristics and variation of switching voltages with indium composition have been studied in these glasses for phase change memory applications. - Graphical abstract: The variation of non-reversing heat flow ({Delta}H{sub NR}) of Si{sub 15}Te{sub 85-x}In{sub x} glasses with composition (x) and average coordination number (Left-Pointing-Angle-Bracket r Right-Pointing-Angle-Bracket). The Boolchand intermediate phase can be seen in the composition range 2{<=}x{<=}6. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Observation of Boolchand intermediate phase. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystallization kinetic studies. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Electrical switching studies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Thermodynamic properties of La{sub 1−x}A{sub x}CoO₃ (A=K, Cd, Pr and Nd)

We have calculated the thermal and allied properties of La{sub 1–x}A{sub x}CoO₃ (A=K, Cd, Pr, Nd and 0≤x≤1) as a function of temperature 1 K≤T≤300 K for the first time using Modified Rigid Ion Model (MRIM). The calculated bulk modulus, specific heat, thermal expansion and other thermodynamic properties obtained from MRIM have presented proper interpretation of the experimental data, for monovalent (K⁺), divalent (Cd₂⁺) and trivalent (Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺) ion-doped LaCoO₃. In addition, the results on the cohesive energy (Φ), molecular force constant (f), Reststrahlen frequency (υ), Debye temperature (θ}) and Gruneisen parameter (γ) are also discussed. - Graphical abstract: Substitution to trivalent La³⁺ site by K⁺ ions increase the thermal expansion (α) whereas Cd²⁺, Pr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ results in decrease of α in La{sub 1–x}A{sub x}CoO₃₋ (A=K, Cd, Pr, Nd). Highlights: • Probably the first report on the specific heat and thermal expansion in La{sub 1–x}A{sub x}CoO₃. • Thermal properties are computed using the MRIM probably for the first time. • Effect of lattice distortions on bulk modulus and thermal properties is presented. • The negative values of cohesive energy show the stability of these compounds.

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

Controlled growth, characterization and thermodynamic behavior of bismuth–tin nanostructures sheathed in carbon nanotubes

We report the controlled synthesis of bismuth–tin (Bi–Sn) nanostructures sheathed in graphitic shells that resemble carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Our approach is based on a simple catalytic chemical vapor deposition over a mixture of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SnO{sub 2} supplied as starting materials. Shape control of the nanostructures strongly relies on the weight ratio of Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} and SnO{sub 2}. Sheathed nanoparticles and nanorods are formed at SnO{sub 2} to Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} weight ratios of less than 4:1. They are composed of two separate crystals: rhombohedral Bi and tetragonal Sn{sub 19}Bi crystals. On the other hand, the sheathed nanowires are formed at SnO{sub 2} to Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3} weight ratios above 4:1. The nanowires have only tetragonal Sn{sub 19}Bi structure with a diameter of approximately 100 nm. Elementary analyses support the core/shell heterostructure of the resulting products. A favorable temperature for the Sn-rich Sn{sub 19}Bi nanowires is in the range of 700–800 °C, more specifically around 750 °C. Thermodynamic analysis reveals that the CNTs play a significant role in the protection of the Bi–Sn nanostructures during phase transition by temperature change. This simple and reproducible method may be extended to the fabrication of similar binary or ternary nanostructures. - Highlights: • Controlled growth of Bi–Sn nanostructures sheathed in CNTs relies on MSnO{sub 2}/MBi{sub 2}O{sub 3}. • Growth mechanism is based on catalytic reaction of C{sub 2}H{sub 2} over an oxide mixture. • Nanoparticles and nanorods consist of rhombohedral Bi and tetragonal Sn{sub 19}Bi. • A favorable temperature for the Sn{sub 19}Bi nanowires is in the range of 700–800 °C. • CNT acts as a protective barrier during phase change of the Bi–Sn nanostructures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies on the adsorption of phenol onto graphene

Graphical abstract: The effect of temperature on phenol adsorbed by graphene shows that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of phenol increases with the increase in temperature from 285 to 333 K. Increasing adsorption capacities with temperature indicates that the adsorption of phenol is controlled by an endothermic reaction. Highlights: ► The graphene has high phenol adsorption capacity. ► The graphene has a high specific surface area of 305 m{sup 2}/g. ► The adsorption capacity is high at acidic pH range. ► The graphene has rapid phenol adsorption rate. ► Phenol adsorption is a spontaneous and endothermic process. -- Abstract: Graphene, a new member of carbon family, has been prepared, characterized and used as adsorbent to remove phenol from aqueous solution. The effect parameters including pH, dosage, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption properties of phenol onto graphene were investigated. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity can reach 28.26 mg/g at the conditions of initial phenol concentration of 50 mg/L, pH 6.3 and 285 K. Adsorption data were well described by both Freundlich and Langmuir models. The kinetic study illustrated that the adsorption of phenol onto graphene fit the pseudo second-order model. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of phenol onto graphene was endothermic and spontaneous.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Thermodynamical properties of (Pr{sub 1−y}Sm{sub y}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} (0 ≤ y ≤ 1)

Graphical abstract: Computed specific heat of (Pr{sub 1−y}Sm{sub y}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) for the temperature range 1 K ≤ T ≤ 300 K. The curves of higher doping are shifted upward by 10 J each from the preceding curve for clarity. Highlights: ► The negative values of cohesive energy show the stability of (Pr{sub 1−y}Sm{sub y}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) compounds. ► Our results on specific heat are in good agreement with the experimental data. ► The stability of (Pr{sub 1−y}Sm{sub y}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) perovskite increases with the Sm substitution. - Abstract: The thermodynamical and allied properties of (Pr{sub 1−y}Sm{sub y}){sub 0.7}Ca{sub 0.3}CoO{sub 3} (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) were investigated in this paper by means of a modified rigid ion model (MRIM) with pair wise interatomic interaction potential. The calculated specific heat, bulk modulus, and other thermal properties reproduce well with the available experimental data, implying that MRIM represents properly the nature of the perovskite type cobaltates. The specific heats are found to increase with temperature and decrease with concentration (y) for the present cobaltates. The increase in Debye temperature (θ{sub D}) indicates an anomalous softening of the lattice specific heat due to increase in T{sup 3}-term in the specific heat occurs with the decrease of y.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Chemical beneficiation of cobaltiferous pyrite: a thermodynamic and parametric study

Despite ongoing efforts to identify substitute materials, cobalt remains indispensable for the production of rechargeable batteries essential to the global energy transition. Currently, most cobalt is sourced as a by-product of nickel and copper extraction from politically and ethically unstable regions. To address this vulnerability, certain primary cobalt deposits—where cobalt occurs within the crystal lattice of pyrite (FeS 2 )—have been identified as potential alternatives. Nonetheless, conventional beneficiation methods have proven largely ineffective for the potential processing of these minerals. This study investigated the thermal decomposition of cobaltiferous pyrite contained in flotation concentrates as a subsequent chemical beneficiation stage aimed at (i) selectively removing sulfur to further increase cobalt grades and (ii) producing a ferromagnetic product suitable for downstream magnetic separation. A thermodynamic analysis was first conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the decomposition reactions and the temperature-dependent evolution of sulfur species. A parametric experimental study then assessed the influence of temperature, residence time, and gas flow rate under N 2 and CO 2 atmospheres. Under the most favorable experimental conditions tested (650 °C, 15 min), cobalt grades increased by up to 15% with negligible cobalt losses and the co-production of high-purity sulfur (>95%). Magnetic separation of the resulting calcine yielded a final concentrate containing 2.09% cobalt at 82.5% recovery, representing a 16–74% improvement over previous baseline studies on similar feedstocks.

Beneficiation↗
DOE OSTI2021

Thermodynamic analysis of hydrogel swelling in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

Here, a comprehensive thermodynamic model is presented for swelling and salt partitioning of poly (n-isopropyl acrylamide) hydrogels in aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions at 298 K. Together with a Helmholtz energy expression for network elastic energy, a modified electrolyte Nonradom Two-Liquid activity coefficient model is used to represent both the long-range electrostatic interactions and the short-range van der Waals interactions present in the gel phase. The model parameters include one network parameter per hydrogel system plus two binary parameters per interaction pair in the polymer–solvent-salt systems. With semiquantitave agreement with experimental data for both hydrogel swelling and salt partitioning up to salt saturation, the analysis suggests the ion hydration between NaCl and water is the root cause for hydrogel deswelling in aqueous NaCl solution at high NaCl concentrations, i.e., NaCl weight fraction >0.03. On the other hand, the strong repulsive interaction between NaCl and hydrogel polymer is the dominant factor for salt partitioning.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electrochemical, thermodynamic, and physical properties of tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium ([P 6,6, 6,14 ] + ) and methyl-propyl piperidinium containing ionic liquids and their propylene carbonate solutions

Here, the viscosity, conductivity, electrochemical window and related thermodynamic properties such as excess volume and dynamic viscosity deviation of two phosphonium ionic liquids were measured and calculated for “as-supplied” and dried neat liquids and also v/v mixtures of 99/1, 95/5, 90/10, 75/25, and 50/50 of the ionic liquids with propylene carbonate (PC). Tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium dicyanamide ([P 6,6,6,14 ] + dicyanamide), Cyphos 105, and tetradecyltrihexylphosphonium bis(trifluororomethanesulfonyl)imide (called bistriflimide) ([P 6,6,6,14 ] + bistriflimide), Cyphos 109, ionic liquids were studied. Generally speaking, there were slight differences in the measured properties of the wet and dried IL solutions which were reflected in differences if the calculated properties. The measured and calculated properties were compared with those collected and derived from a piperidinium-based ionic liquid, methyl-propyl piperidinium bistriflimide. Arrhenius plots for both the viscosity and conductivity were linear, with the linearity of the Litovitz plots being slightly higher. The viscosity and conductivity of the phosphonium solutions yielded Walden Plots that differed from Walden plots of piperidinium solutions and other ionic liquid solutions. For the phosphonium based ionic liquids, the ionicity was found to increase with increasing dilution in propylene carbonate. The electrochemical windows of the ionic liquids were determined as a function of the concentration of the ionic liquid present in the solution. The size of the window generally initially decreased and then increased with the addition of PC for the [P 6,6,6,14 ] + dicyanamide ionic liquid increasing from 3.4 V in the 95/5 v/v (volume Cyphos 105) to volume of PC solvent) to 3.7 in the 50/50 dried IL case. The electrochemical windows of the dried liquids were slightly larger 3.5 V for the 95/5 v/v and 4.2 V for the 50/50 v/v Cyphos 105/PC solutions. The electrochemical window was larger and the conductivity was higher for the piperidinium IL solutions, but since the ionicity increases with dilution, the phosphonium based IL solutions may prove favorable for processes such as electrochemical reduction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

How do super concentrated electrolytes push the Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors beyond their thermodynamic and electrochemical limits?

Increasing the energy density of energy storage devices is currently the key target of many battery and supercapacitor research activities. For both types of devices, the electrochemical stability window (ESW) determines the effective energy density of the device. ESWs are defined by the effective oxidation and reduction potentials of the electrolyte, which are controlled by many various factors, including the HOMO/LUMO (highest/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energies of the electrolyte molecules, the nature of the electrode/electrolyte interphases, and other physicochemical properties. The concentration of the electrolyte would affect the HOMO/ LUMO levels thus also change the ESW. A higher concentration of salt induces specific arrangements among the anion, cation, and solvent molecules of an electrolyte, altering the bulk behavior of the electrolyte, resulting in drastic change in the electrode interfaces. These uniquely modified physicochemical properties extend the ESW in several different ways, including the enhancement in the kinetic stability of the electrodes, as well as the thermodynamic and Nernst shifts of the oxidation/reduction potentials of the electrolyte. For organic electrolytes, it is the reduced amount of free solvent molecules that plays the key role in such changes; whereas for aqueous electrolytes, it is the scarcity of free water molecules and the reduced water activity that control the key properties of the electrolyte. Here, we focus on elucidating the fundamental structural changes occurring within an electrolyte system with increasing salt concentrations. The underlying mechanisms which not only facilitates the extension of the ESW, but also enables higher rate capabilities and mitigates aluminum dissolution for batteries with organic electrolytes, are meticulously explained. Further, we thoroughly discuss the importance of high-voltage stability in aqueous battery systems by exploiting the changed properties observed with higher concentrations of salts. To finish, high-voltage supercapacitors enabled by superconcentrated electrolytes are also explored.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Dynamic mass accountancy modeling of a molten salt reactor using equilibrium thermodynamics

A mechanistic-based mass accountancy model in the context of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors was implemented in the dynamic systems modeling software library TRANSFORM by way of coupling with the equilibrium thermodynamics code Thermochimica. Liquid-fueled molten salt reactors present new challenges for mass accountancy because of the dissolution of fuel and evolved fission products, which may be soluble in the salt, off-gas, or precipitate. Two cases of mass loss from the molten salt were addressed: off-gassing and precipitation. The software implementation was tested through a series of increasingly complex demonstration problems, culminating in a model of the primary fuel and primary coolant loops of the molten salt demonstration reactor. Analysis shows that negligible mass was lost from the salt under normal operating conditions, but an overheating event caused by partial loss of fuel loop cooling resulted in release of measurable amounts of uranium (among other elements) via off-gassing. The tools developed here are primarily aimed at capability development but are readily available for use in further modeling of molten salt reactor concepts. As a result, these tools have not yet been validated, and future experimental work to perform this validation is recommended.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Lattice QCD thermodynamics up to the perturbative regime

We study the thermodynamics of the quark gluon plasma with lattice simulations in the continuum limit up to 1 GeV temperature where we show that a perturbative description already applies. We calculate the effect of the presence of charm quark in the equation of state and also describe the topological features of quantum chromodynamics. Thus, this conference contribution is based on Nature 539 (2016) no.7627, 69-71 and Phys.Rev. D92 (2015) no.11, 114505

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effects of detailed geometry and real fluid thermodynamics on Spray G atomization

We present recent results toward the quantification of spray characteristics at engine conditions for an eight-hole counter-bored (stepped) GDI injector-Spray G in the ECN denomination. This computational study is characterized by two novel features: the detailed description of a real injector's internal surfaces via tomographic reconstruction; and a general equation of state that represents the thermodynamic properties of homogeneous liquid-vapor mixtures. The combined level-set moment-of-fluid approach, coupled to an embedded boundary formulation for moving solid walls, makes it possible to seamlessly connect the injector's internal flow to the spray. The Large Eddy Simulation (LES) discussed here presents evidence of partial hydraulic flipping and, during the closing transient, string cavitation. Results are validated by measurements of spray density profiles and droplet size distribution.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Recent advances in constraint and machine learning-based metabolic modeling by leveraging stoichiometric balances, thermodynamic feasibility and kinetic law formalisms

Understanding the governing principles behind organisms’ metabolism and growth underpins their effective deployment as bioproduction chassis. A central objective of metabolic modeling is predicting how metabolism and growth are affected by both external environmental factors and internal genotypic perturbations. The fundamental concepts of reaction stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and mass action kinetics have emerged as the foundational principles of many modeling frameworks designed to describe how and why organisms allocate resources towards both growth and bioproduction. Furthermore, this review focuses on the latest algorithmic advancements that have integrated these foundational principles into increasingly sophisticated quantitative frameworks.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Magnetothermodynamics: measurements of the thermodynamic properties in a relaxed magnetohydrodynamic plasma

We have investigated the thermodynamics of compressed magnetized plasmas in laboratory experiments and we call these studies ‘magnetothermodynamics’. The experiments are carried out in the Swarthmore Spheromak eXperiment device. Here, a magnetized plasma source is located at one end and at the other end, a closed conducting can is installed. We generate parcels of magnetized plasma and observe their compression against the end wall of the conducting cylinder. The plasma parameters such as plasma density, temperature and magnetic field are measured during compression using HeNe laser interferometry, ion Doppler spectroscopy and a linear ${\dot{B}}$ probe array, respectively. To identify the instances of ion heating during compression, a PV diagram is constructed using measured density, temperature and a proxy for the volume of the magnetized plasma. Different equations of state are analysed to evaluate the adiabatic nature of the compressed plasma. A three-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic code (NIMROD) is employed to simulate the twisted Taylor states and shows stagnation against the end wall of the closed conducting can. The simulation findings are consistent to what we observe in our experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Transfer learning as a method to reproduce high-fidelity non-local thermodynamic equilibrium opacities in simulations

Simulations of high-energy density physics often need non-local thermodynamic equilibrium opacity data. These data, however, are expensive to produce at relatively low fidelity. It is even more so at high fidelity such that the opacity calculations can contribute 95 % of the total computation time. This proportion can even reach large proportions. Neural networks can be used to replace the standard calculations of low-fidelity data, and the neural networks can be trained to reproduce artificial, high-fidelity opacity spectra. In this work, it is demonstrated that a novel neural network architecture trained to reproduce high-fidelity krypton spectra through transfer learning can be used in simulations. Further, it is demonstrated that this can be done while achieving a relative per cent error of the peak radiative temperature of the hohlraum of approximately 1 % to 4 % while achieving a 19.4 $\times$ speed up.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermodynamics and collisionality in firehose-susceptible high- β plasmas

We study the evolution of collisionless plasmas that, due to their macroscopic evolution, are susceptible to the firehose instability, using both analytic theory and hybrid-kinetic particle-in-cell simulations. We establish that, depending on the relative magnitude of the plasma β, the characteristic time scale of macroscopic evolution and the ion-Larmor frequency, the saturation of the firehose instability in high-β plasmas can result in three qualitatively distinct thermodynamic (and electromagnetic) states. By contrast with the previously identified ‘ultra-high-beta’ and ‘Alfvén-inhibiting’ states, the newly identified ‘Alfvén-enabling’ state, which is realised when the macroscopic evolution time τ exceeds the ion-Larmor frequency by a β-dependent critical parameter, can support linear Alfvén waves and Alfvénic turbulence because the magnetic tension associated with the plasma’s macroscopic magnetic field is never completely negated by anisotropic pressure forces. We characterise these states in detail, including their saturated magnetic-energy spectra. The effective collision operator associated with the firehose fluctuations is also described; we find it to be well approximated in the Alfvén-enabling state by a simple quasi-linear pitch-angle scattering operator. The box-averaged collision frequency is ν eff ∼ β/τ, in agreement with previous results, but certain subpopulations of particles scatter at a much larger (or smaller) rate depending on their velocity in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Our findings are essential for understanding low-collisionality astrophysical plasmas including the solar wind, the intracluster medium of galaxy clusters and black hole accretion flows. We show that all three of these plasmas are in the Alfvén-enabling regime of firehose saturation and discuss the implications of this result.

astrophysical plasmas↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermodynamically Controlled Linker Installation in Flexible Zirconium Metal–Organic Frameworks

A series of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) (PCN-606-OH-TPDC, PCN-606-OMe-TPDC, PCN-606-OH-EDDB, and PCN-606-OMe-EDDB) are synthesized through linker installation onto open sites of 8-connected Zr6 clusters in PCN-606-R (where R =-OH or -OMe) parent frameworks of differing flexibilities. The two postsynthetically installed linear linkers possess slight differences in length and bulk, which result in a noticeable difference in the installation temperatures, reflective of a different thermodynamic barrier to incorporation into PCN-606-R. The X-ray crystallographic data as well as the N2 adsorption properties of these four newly produced MOFs are explored and compared to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the implications that this difference in linker size and bulk have during insertion into flexible MOFs.

membrane, carbon capture, materials and chemistry ↗