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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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11 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Energy-efficient sorption-based gas clothes dryer systems

Standard electric resistance and fuel-driven dehydration technologies exhibit a maximum coefficient of performance of well below 1 mainly due to enthalpy losses associated with the air leaving the dehydration system. To improve energy efficiency, condensing dryer systems condense the moisture captured from a product in a closed-loop air circulation cycle. Existing condensing dehydration systems including heat pump dryers, however, need to significantly cool the air to achieve dehumidification. The added cooling and subsequent heating to return the air to a desired drying temperature consume substantial energy and thus reduce drying performance. Here, an innovative sorption-based gas dehydration system is proposed to overcome barriers deteriorating energy efficiency in existing gas, electric, or heat pump dryer systems. Decoupling latent and sensible loads, the system employs a liquid-desiccant solution to directly capture air humidity, thereby allowing circulation of the air in a closed loop to achieve high drying energy efficiency. In other words, the system captures waste latent heat from the moisture produced during the dehydration process and reuses it to improve energy efficiency. This study focuses on a comprehensive quasi-steady-state thermodynamic modeling of the proposed sorption-based dehydration concept employed for a gas clothes dryer application to predict transient response and overall drying performance (i.e., time and energy metrics). The analysis indicates the proposed sorption-based gas clothes dryer system can deliver a specific moisture extraction rate of 1.71 kg of water per kWh (i.e., a combined energy factor of 3.167 kg (6.98 lbm) of dry cloth per kWh) with a drying time of 44 min. This is a 112% energy improvement compared with state-of-the-art gas clothes dryers exhibiting a combined energy factor of 1.50 kg (3.3 lbm) of dry cloth per kWh. The technology pursued here can potentially be employed as a platform for many fuel-driven equipment to take advantage of available waste thermal energy in the environment instead of simply burning a fuel.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Next-Generation Desiccant-Based Gas Clothes Dryer Systems

The goal of the project is to develop an advanced gas clothes dryer system demonstrating significant improvements in fuel efficiency and drying performance compared to current gas clothes dryer technologies. The new system decouples latent and sensible loads to effectively utilize the latent heat associated with laundry moisture as an advantageous energy source. In other words, the system captures the waste latent heat from moisture produced during the fabric-drying process and reuses it to improve drying efficiency.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS2007

Radiolytic Gas-Driven Cryovolcanism in the Outer Solar System

Water ices in surface crusts of Europa, Enceladus, Saturn's main rings, and Kuiper Belt Objects can become heavily oxidized from radiolytic chemical alteration of near-surface water ice by space environment irradiation. Oxidant accumulations and gas production are manifested in part through observed H2O2 on Europa. tentatively also on Enceladus, and found elsewhere in gaseous or condensed phases at moons and rings of Jupiter and Saturn. On subsequent chemical contact in sub-surface environments with significant concentrations of primordially abundant reductants such as NH3 and CH4, oxidants of radiolytic origin can react exothermically to power gas-driven cryovolcanism. The gas-piston effect enormously amplifies the mass flow output in the case of gas formation at basal thermal margins of incompressible fluid reservoirs. Surface irradiation, H2O2 production, NH3 oxidation, and resultant heat, gas, and gas-driven mass flow rates are computed in the fluid reservoir case for selected bodies. At Enceladus the oxidant power inputs are comparable to limits on nonthermal kinetic power for the south polar plumes. Total heat output and plume gas abundance may be accounted for at Enceladus if plume activity is cyclic in high and low "Old Faithful" phases, so that oxidants can accumulate during low activity phases. Interior upwelling of primordially abundant NH3 and CH4 hydrates is assumed to resupply the reductant fuels. Much lower irradiation fluxes on Kuiper Belt Objects require correspondingly larger times for accumulation of oxidants to produce comparable resurfacing, but brightness and surface composition of some objects suggest that such activity may be ongoing.

Cooper, John F.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Deuterium transport and retention properties of representative fusion blanket structural materials

Reduced activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steels have been developed for decades for use as fusion blanket structural materials, and have advantages in both mechanical properties and irradiation resistance following careful engineering of the microstructure. However, the hydrogen isotope behavior in these proposed fusion structural materials is not well understood, but is important to assess since it impacts the fusion reactor safety and self-sufficient tritium fuel cycle. Here, we investigated deuterium transport and retention in representative advanced RAFM steels, including castable nanostructured alloys (CNAs), and oxide-dispersion-strengthened (ODS) steels. A gas-driven permeation (GDP) system was used to measure the permeability, diffusivity and solubility of the studied materials, covering the temperature range from 623 K to 873 K, and the loading pressures from 1.8 x 10 4 to 1.0 x 10 5 Pa. The results indicated that the deuterium permeability has little material dependence. In contrast, the deuterium diffusivity of the studied materials showed significant variation. The deuterium diffusivity in ODS steels is one order of magnitude lower than that in RAFM steels and CNAs, and correspondingly, have an effective solubility that is 2–10 times larger than RAFM steels and CNAs. In addition, thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) measurements were performed to assess the deuterium retention and desorption of these materials following a static thermal deuterium charging at 723 Kfor 1 hour under the deuterium pressure of 1.0 x 10 5 Pa. It was found that ODS steels exhibit the highest deuterium retention and have broader desorption peaks. Microstructural features contributing to deuterium retention and impacting deuterium transport are discussed to rationalize the observed deuterium behavior in the studied RAFM steels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Upgrading Biogas through in situ Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Biomethane in Anaerobic Digesters

Organic waste streams generated by wastewater treatment plants, agricultural operations, and food processing industries represent an important yet underutilized opportunity for renewable energy production in the United States. Through anaerobic digestion, these waste streams can produce biogas, a mixture primarily composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), that can be upgraded to pipeline-quality natural gas. However, most existing upgrading technologies remove CO2 from biogas rather than utilizing it, leaving a significant portion of the potential energy unused. This project investigates a novel biological upgrading approach that converts CO2 into additional CH4 by supplying hydrogen (H2) to specialized microorganisms capable of performing hydrogenotrophic methanation. The main challenges associated with biological biogas upgrading are related to hydrogen supply, gas-liquid mass transfer, and process stability. First, due to the high cost of hydrogen gas, it is preferable that H2 be produced on-site using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Second, hydrogen has low solubility in liquids, which limits its availability to microorganisms and requires strategies to improve gas dissolution and transfer within the reactor. Third, process inhibition may occur as a result of increased pH caused by CO2 consumption or elevated H2 partial pressure, both of which can negatively affect methanogenic activity. Although research in these areas has advanced during the course of this project, these challenges have not yet been fully resolved. To date, the biological systems that have achieved the highest methane concentrations are typically ex-situ reactors, where operational conditions can be more easily controlled. For this reason, the findings of the present project remain highly relevant. The project goal was to develop an innovative system that can accomplish biogas upgrading via biological conversion of CO2 to CH4, in a novel hybrid approach that combines the advantages of both in-situ and ex-situ systems. The proposed system employs a three-phase upflow anaerobic bioreactor with H2 delivery through a gas-permeable membrane, enabling efficient hydrogen transfer and microbial conversion. Under optimized operating conditions, the system achieved 99% H2 consumption and 90% CO2 conversion. A subsequent gas cleaning stage was implemented to further improve gas quality and meet target purity standards. The upgraded gas composition reached 97.7% CH4, 2.2% CO2, and 0.97% O2, while H2S concentrations remained below detection limits. In addition, a flue gas-driven inorganic thermoelectric generator (TEG) system was designed and experimentally validated as a potential source of electricity for H2 production. The system consisted of six TEG modules connected in series and achieved an open-circuit voltage of 4.5 V and a maximum power output of 224 mW at a temperature difference of approximately 53.5 °C, demonstrating effective conversion of waste heat into electrical power under simulated flue gas conditions. Finally, a comprehensive techno-economic analysis was completed to evaluate the capital and operating costs associated with the proposed system. The results provide important insights to guide future scale-up, optimization, and potential deployment of integrated biological biogas upgrading technologies.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Control Strategy for Turbine Electrified Energy Management

Hybrid electric propulsion architectures provide the infrastructure to enable additional benefits to the propulsion system that are otherwise unrealizable with the sole use of the current, state-of-the-art, gas-driven, turbine engines. The presence of electric machines (EMs) coupled to the shaft(s) of the turbine engine provide the ability to actively alter the operation of the engine to the benefit of the propulsion system and the aircraft it propels. This is the goal of the Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) concept, which at its broadest level addresses the management of energy across the electrified propulsion system. Prior work has demonstrated the use of this concept to alter steady-state operation and improve transient operability of a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The main benefits previously illustrated include the elimination of stability bleeds and expansion of the turbomachinery design space in order to enable more efficient designs. This paper focuses on the development of control strategies to implement the TEEM concept, and it explores several possible architecture variants for applying this concept. Comparison studies are conducted between a purely gas-driven turbofan (baseline engine configuration) and TEEM augmented variants of the baseline engine. The variants are distinguished by the shaft(s) that possess an EM. The configurations consider EMs on both shafts, an EM on the high pressure spool (HPS) only, and an EM on the low pressure spool (LPS) only. These configurations are referred to as the dual-spool configuration, the HPS configuration, and LPS configuration, respectively. The studies expose several options in configuring and controlling the system, including the use of a single EM coupled to a single shaft of a two-spool engine to positively impact the operability of both shafts. The studies also demonstrate the use of independently designed controllers for the electric machine(s) that allow for a decoupled control design process.

Electrified↗
NASA NTRS2019

A Control Strategy for Turbine Electrified Energy Management

Hybrid electric propulsion architectures provide the infrastructure to enable additional benefits to the propulsion system that are otherwise unrealizable with the sole use of the current, state-of-the-art, gas-driven, turbine engines. The presence of electric machines (EMs) coupled to the shaft(s) of the turbine engine provide the ability to actively alter the operation of the engine to the benefit of the propulsion system and the aircraft it propels. This is the goal of the Turbine Electrified Energy Management (TEEM) concept, which at its broadest level addresses the management of energy across the electrified propulsion system. Prior work has demonstrated the use of this concept to alter steady-state operation and improve transient operability of a hybrid-electric propulsion system. The main benefits previously illustrated include the elimination of stability bleeds and expansion of the turbomachinery design space in order to enable more efficient designs. This paper focuses on the development of control strategies to implement the TEEM concept, and it explores several possible architecture variants for applying this concept. Comparison studies are conducted between a purely gas-driven turbofan (baseline engine configuration) and TEEM augmented variants of the baseline engine. The variants are distinguished by the shaft(s) that possess an EM. The configurations consider EMs on both shafts, an EM on the high pressure spool (HPS) only, and an EM on the low pressure spool (LPS) only. These configurations are referred to as the dual-spool configuration, the HPS configuration, and LPS configuration, respectively. The studies expose several options in configuring and controlling the system, including the use of a single EM coupled to a single shaft of a two-spool engine to positively impact the operability of both shafts. The studies also demonstrate the use of independently designed controllers for the electric machine(s) that allow for a decoupled control design process.

Energy management↗
NASA NTRS1991

V/STOL gets a lift

The concept of a supersonic STOVL that could offer enhanced mission capability, survivability, operational flexibility, and utility over conventional aircraft is presented. Emphasis is currently on design studies, CFD work, small- and large-scale wind tunnel tests, simulation activities, flight experiments, and ground environment experiments. Propulsion system technology centers about the adaptation of existing or off-the-shelf engines. Concepts under study include separate flow in hover, gas-driven lift fan, and shaft-driven lift fan. NASA is examining generic valve and ducting configurations with airflow at ambient temperature and at temperatures up to 1000 F to gather pressure loss and heat transfer data. Advanced civil rotorcraft technologies examined include high-efficiency/dual-mode components such as torque converters; lightweight, quiet transmissions; and variable geometry power turbines; along with dual-function or convertible engines.

Biesiadny, Tom↗
DOE OSTI2026

Pressurized Gas-Driven Elemental Redistribution Enables Ultrastable PtNi Catalysts for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Gas-driven element redistribution, characterized by the preferential enrichment of one element at the surface relative to the bulk, is frequently observed in multicomponent alloys. Using L1 0 -ordered PtNi as a model system, we reveal that gas pressure plays a critical role in governing adsorption-driven surface composition during annealing in reducing gases: low pressure favors Pt surface segregation, while high pressure facilitates Ni surface enrichment. In this study, we developed a high-pressure nitriding (HPN) strategy that modulates the surface structure and composition of PtNi catalysts. The resulting HPN-PtNi exhibits enhanced performance and durability in membrane electrode assemblies for heavy-duty fuel cell applications, maintaining a high current density of 1.19 A cm −2 at 0.7 V after 90,000 voltage cycles. Through a combination of experimental and theoretical analyses, we reveal that the HPN process forms additional stabilizing Ni−N bonds and induces elemental redistribution with Ni surface enrichment and a Ni-deficient Pt subsurface. These modifications alter the atomic coordination environment of the ordered PtNi phase. This work presents a generalizable strategy to design robust and high-performing Pt-based catalysts by controlling gas-pressure-driven elemental redistribution and dopant incorporation.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
NASA NTRS2010

Distributed Propulsion Vehicles

Since the introduction of large jet-powered transport aircraft, the majority of these vehicles have been designed by placing thrust-generating engines either under the wings or on the fuselage to minimize aerodynamic interactions on the vehicle operation. However, advances in computational and experimental tools along with new technologies in materials, structures, and aircraft controls, etc. are enabling a high degree of integration of the airframe and propulsion system in aircraft design. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has been investigating a number of revolutionary distributed propulsion vehicle concepts to increase aircraft performance. The concept of distributed propulsion is to fully integrate a propulsion system within an airframe such that the aircraft takes full synergistic benefits of coupling of airframe aerodynamics and the propulsion thrust stream by distributing thrust using many propulsors on the airframe. Some of the concepts are based on the use of distributed jet flaps, distributed small multiple engines, gas-driven multi-fans, mechanically driven multifans, cross-flow fans, and electric fans driven by turboelectric generators. This paper describes some early concepts of the distributed propulsion vehicles and the current turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) vehicle concepts being studied under the NASA s Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) Project to drastically reduce aircraft-related fuel burn, emissions, and noise by the year 2030 to 2035.

Kim, Hyun Dae↗
NASA NTRS2011

A Low Mass for Mars from Jupiter's Early Gas-Driven Migration

Jupiter and Saturn formed in a few million years from a gas-dominated protoplanetary disk, and were susceptible to gas-driven migration of their orbits on timescales of only approximately 100,000 years. Hydrodynamic simulations show that these giant planets can undergo a two-stage, inward-then-outward, migration. The terrestrial planets finished accreting much later and their characteristics, including Mars' small mass, are best reproduced by starting from a planetesimal disk with an outer edge at about one astronomical unit from the Sun (1 AU is the Earth-Sun distance). Here we report simulations of the early Solar System that show how the inward migration of Jupiter to 1.5 AU, and its subsequent outward migration, lead to a planetesimal disk truncated at 1 AU; the terrestrial planets then form from this disk over the next 30-50 million years, with an Earth/Mars mass ratio consistent with observations. Scattering by Jupiter initially empties but then repopulates the asteroid belt, with inner-belt bodies originating between 1 and 3 AU and outer-belt bodies originating between and beyond the giant planets. This explains the significant compositional differences across the asteroid belt. The key aspect missing from previous models of terrestrial planet formation is the substantial radial migration of the giant planets, which suggests that their behaviour is more similar to that inferred for extrasolar planets than previously thought.

Walsh, Kevin J.↗