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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Microbial Reduction of Manganese Oxides From AMD Solids for the Biomining of Critical Minerals / Rare Earth Elements

Abandoned Coal-Mine Drainage (AMD) is a source of critical minerals (CMs) that can be biomined to increase domestic CM production for the growing tech industry while mitigating current AMD hazardous waste. Pennsylvania has ~11,000 abandoned mines, ~500 of which are currently being treated with passive remediation systems (PRS), designed to increase the pH and precipitate AMD waste onsite. Manganese (Mn) that precipitates from AMD waste can co-precipitate with CMs, and the Mn and CMs will accumulate on the PRS solids over the treatment period. This results in high Mn/CM solids that could produce a valuable leachate if resolubilized. Mn reduction and solubilization can occur through microbial driven geochemical changes such as the acidification of the environment, and it is expected that Mn resolubilization will lead to a co-resolubilization of the CMs. Investigation and stimulation of this microbial resolubilization could result in an affordable CM release process that does not require chemical additives into the environment. However the microbial mechanisms that contribute to Mn resolubilization are poorly understood. Here, we have isolated bacteria capable of resolubilizing Mn from AMD PRS. Five of the bacteria isolates have been identified as Bacillus spp. and two as Corynebacterium spp. that ferment glucose to reduce/solubilize Mn MnO2 by acidogenesis. The bacterial isolates are also capable of solubilizing Mn and CMs (Y, Zr, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) from AMD PRS precipitated solids through their production of organic acids. Determining the microbial metabolism and genes involved in the resolubilization of manganese is crucial to optimize the biomining of CMs from AMD solid precipitants. This work addresses the growing need to develop novel CM recovery methods from domestic sources.

critical minerals↗
DOE OSTI2026

Bacterial Bioleaching and Biorecovery for Biomining Unconventional Rare Earth Element Feedstocks

Bacterial metabolic interactions with rare earth elements (REEs) can be harnessed for biomining unconventional feedstocks like abandoned coal-mine drainage (AMD). Pennsylvania has ~500 AMD passive remediation systems that can precipitate REE rich solids. REEs include yttrium and the lanthanide series that are used in modern energy and technology. Bacteria that metabolically interact with REEs can be used for biomining in an affordable efficient process that does not require hazardous chemical additives. Currently, the microbial metal mechanisms that contribute to REE biorelease and biorecovery are poorly understood. Our work shows acidogenic bacterial isolates (Bacillus mycoides JR07 and Bacillus pseudomycoides KB7) successfully bioleach a mixed REE solution from AMD solids by their organic acid production and biofilm formation. Further, our work shows the potential for bacterial lanthanide-dependent enzymes to recover lanthanides from a mixed REE solution; here we have bacterial isolate Methylobacterium sp. B3 that can recover soluble lanthanum. Whole genome sequencing of Methylobacterium sp. B3 predict lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase XoxF. Understanding the microbial metabolism and genes involved in the REE release and recovery is crucial to optimize the biomining of AMD solids. Our work addresses the growing need to develop novel REE mining methods from unconventional feedstocks.

biogeochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2022

Jobs, jobs, jobs: what’s an analyst to do?

Analysts and economists often face the task of using employment metrics to characterize industries of interest. Some key challenges can be understanding where to find employment metrics, the differences in various employment metrics, and when each metric should be used. This article analyzes a variety of publicly available employment data for the United States and compares these data. A detailed description of the intricacies of each data source is provided, which covers factors such as regionality, industry breakout, periodicity, and the types of jobs included. This article provides several case study examples, using the oil and gas extraction, coal mining, and chemical manufacturing sectors to portray challenges data users may face when developing employment estimates that suit their needs. Data users should be aware of a variety of data sources to understand alternative analysis options when data limitations are present and to determine which data source best meets their needs. Instances may occur in which information from one dataset may be used to help impute missing values.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mechanistic and Kinetic Analysis of Complete Methane Oxidation on a Practical PtPd/Al 2 O 3 Catalyst

A PtPd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst developed for the complete oxidation of methane from the ventilation air of underground coal mines is compared against a model PdO/Al 2 O 3 catalyst. Although the PtPd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst is substantially more active and stable than the model catalyst, the nature of active sites between the two catalysts is deemed to be fundamentally the same based on their response to different feed gas compositions and the evolution of surface CO adsorption complexes during time-resolved CO adsorption DRIFTS experiment. For both catalysts, coordinatively unsaturated Pd sites are considered the active centers for methane activation and the subsequent oxidation reaction. H 2 O competes with CH 4 for the same active sites, resulting in severe inhibition. Additionally, the CH 4 oxidation reaction also causes self-inhibition. Taking both inhibition effects into consideration, a relatively simple kinetic model is developed. The model provides a good fit of the 72 sets of kinetic data collected on the PtPd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst under practically relevant reaction conditions with CH 4 concentration in the range of 0.05–0.4%, H 2 O concentration of 1.0–5.0%, and reaction temperatures of 450–700 °C. Kinetic parameters based on the model suggest that the CH 4 activation energy on the PtPd/Al 2 O 3 catalyst is 96.7 kJ/mol, and the H 2 O adsorption energy is –31.0 kJ/mol. Both values are consistent with the parameters reported in the literature. The model can be used to develop catalyst sizing guidelines and be incorporated into the control algorithm of the catalytic system.

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

Aircraft-based inversions quantify the importance of wetlands and livestock for Upper Midwest methane emissions

Abstract. We apply airborne measurements across three seasons (summer, winter and spring 2017–2018) in a multi-inversion framework to quantify methane emissions from the US Corn Belt and Upper Midwest, a key agricultural and wetland source region. Combing our seasonal results with prior fall values we find that wetlands are the largest regional methane source (32 %, 20 [16–23] Gg/d), while livestock (enteric/manure; 25 %, 15 [14–17] Gg/d) are the largest anthropogenic source. Natural gas/petroleum, waste/landfills, and coal mines collectively make up the remainder. Optimized fluxes improve model agreement with independent datasets within and beyond the study timeframe. Inversions reveal coherent and seasonally dependent spatial errors in the WetCHARTs ensemble mean wetland emissions, with an underestimate for the Prairie Pothole region but an overestimate for Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Wetland extent and emission temperature dependence have the largest influence on prediction accuracy; better representation of coupled soil temperature–hydrology effects is therefore needed. Our optimized regional livestock emissions agree well with the Gridded EPA estimates during spring (to within 7 %) but are ∼ 25 % higher during summer and winter. Spatial analysis further shows good top-down and bottom-up agreement for beef facilities (with mainly enteric emissions) but larger (∼ 30 %) seasonal discrepancies for dairies and hog farms (with > 40 % manure emissions). Findings thus support bottom-up enteric emission estimates but suggest errors for manure; we propose that the latter reflects inadequate treatment of management factors including field application. Overall, our results confirm the importance of intensive animal agriculture for regional methane emissions, implying substantial mitigation opportunities through improved management.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1972

Two Phase Detonation Studies Conducted in 1971

The research covered by this third annual progress report represents a continuation of our efforts devoted to the study of detonation waves in liquid-gas systems. The motivation for the work is associated with liquid propellant rocket motor combustion instability although certainly the studies are also applicable to internal combustion engines, jet propulsion engines, safety aspects of spilled liquid fuel, coal mine explosions, and weaponry. The research has been divided into 5 phases, although all of them are intimately related. For the most part these phases are briefly summarized and the reader is referred to other publications for a more complete treatment. The exception to this is where the material herein represents the only printed information available on the particular facet of the problem. Phase A has been primarily concerned with the breakup and ignition of fuel drops by shock waves. The experimental portion of this study as well as a theoretical treatment of the ignition behavior was completed in the past year. The research is now concentrating on the passage of a shock wave over a burning drop. Phase B has been devoted to the assessment of the approximate energy release pattern in two phase detonations insofar as they affect the significant overpressures observed.

Nicholls, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

A chlorate candle/lithium hydroxide personal breathing apparatus

A portable coal mine rescue and survival equipment is reported that consists of a chlorate candle with a lithium hydroxide carbon-dioxide absorbent for oxygen generation, a breathing bag and tubing to conduct breathing to and from the man. A plastic hood incorporating a mouth piece for communication provides also eye protection and prevents inhalation through the nose. Manned testing of a prototype system demonstrated the feasibility of this closed circuit no-maintenance breathing apparatus that provides for good voice communication.

Martin, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Combustion detector

A device has been developed for generating a rapid response signal upon the radiation-emitting combustion reaction of certain gases in order to provide a means for the detection and identification of such reaction and concurrently discriminate against spurious signals. This combustion might be the first stage of a coal mine explosion process, and thereby this device could provide a warning of the impending explosion in time to initiate quenching action. This device has the capability of distinguishing between the light emitted from a combustion reaction and the light emitted by miners' lamps, electric lamps, welding sparks or other spurious events so that the quenching mechanism is triggered only when an explosion-initiating combustion occurs.

Trimpi, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Remote sensing applied to land-use studies in Wyoming

Impending development of Wyoming's vast fuel resources requires a quick and efficient method of land use inventory and evaluation. Preliminary evaluations of ERTS-1 imagery have shown that physiographic and land use inventory maps can be compiled by using a combination of visual and automated interpretation techniques. Test studies in the Powder River Basin showed that ERTS image interpretations can provide much of the needed physiographic and land use information. Water impoundments as small as one acre were detected and water bodies larger than five acres could be mapped and their acreage estimated. Flood plains and irrigated lands were successfully mapped, and some individual crops were identified and mapped. Coniferous and deciduous trees were mapped separately using color additive analysis on the ERTS multispectral imagery. Gross soil distinctions were made with the ERTS imagery, and were found to be closely related to the bedrock geology. Several broad unstable areas were identified. These were related to specific geologic and slope conditions and generally extended through large regions. Some new oil fields and all large open-cut coal mines were mapped. The most difficult task accomplished was that of mapping urban areas. Work in the urban areas provides a striking example of snow enhancement and the detail available from a snow enhanced image.

Breckenridge, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Readings in technology assessment

Papers are presented which reflect research in the following areas: development of the concept of technology assessment; institutionalization of technology assessment; the interface between law and technology assessment; and assessment case studies. Case studies include hazards of the medical use of X-rays, environmental noise effects in transportation planning, genetic technology, impact of underground coal mining, and aircraft/airport noise abatement.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1975

Case studies

The characteristics of the technology assessment process which were manifested in response to the hazardous effects of early medical uses of X-rays are considered. Other topics discussed include: controlling the potential hazards of government-sponsored technology, genetic technology, community level impacts of expanded underground coal mining, and an integrated strategy for aircraft/airport noise abatement.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1979

Improved nucleonic coal-thickness monitor

Design for coal-thickness-sensing instrument features independent hydropneumatic suspension of radiation source and detector. Monitor uses source and detector which are independently mounted, to follow contour of coal surface more closely and to eliminate errors caused by variations in airgap along radiation path. Device may help to bring fully-automated coal mining closer to reality.

Crouch, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nucleonic coal detector with independent, hydropneumatic suspension

The design of a nucleonic, coal interface detector which measures the depth of coal on the roof and floor of a coal mine is presented. The nucleonic source and the nucleonic detector are on independent hydropneumatic suspensions to reduce the measurement errors due to air gap.

Jones, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Application of LANDSAT data and digital image processing

The author has identified the following significant results. Based on LANDSAT 1 and 2 data, applications in the fields of coal mining, lignite exploration, and thematic mapping in geology are demonstrated. The hybrid image processing system, its software, and its utilization for educational purposes is described. A pre-operational European satellite is proposed.

Bodechtel, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Drilling side holes from a borehole

Machine takes long horizontal stratum samples from confines of 21 cm bore hole. Stacked interlocking half cylindrical shells mate to form rigid thrust tube. Drive shaft and core storage device is flexible and retractable. Entire machine fits in 10 meter length of steel tube. Machine could drill drainage or ventilation holes in coal mines, or provide important information for geological, oil, and geothermal surveys.

Collins, E. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Real-time image enhancement

Pipelined system with "vision" algorithm is implemented on LSI chip that processes input digital image data to produce image-edge map. System contains 3 input adder, difference and absolute value cells, and adder and comparator. Data store for 1 to 2 ms, and are easily transmitted or isolated; design has reduced package count and number of interconnections for increased reliability. Applications include locating objects on moving belt, deep-sea and coal mining, and control of robotic rovers.

Wong, V. S.↗