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Rodriguez, Salvador B.

Publications and source records attributed to Rodriguez, Salvador B..

14 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Techno‐Economic Analysis of Additively‐Manufactured Wind Turbine Blade Tips That Enable Technology Integration

The Additively‐Manufactured, System‐Integrated Tip (AMSIT) project is leveraging the flexibility of 3D printing to integrate several technologies in a wind turbine blade tip, while reducing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) produced. The design integration is demonstrated for a 200‐kW–scale turbine with 13‐m blades, with the outer 15% of the blade replaced with a 3D‐printed design. Aerodynamic performance is enhanced without increasing swept area through inclusion of a winglet and surface texturing, both challenging for traditional manufacturing. Longevity and durability are improved through integrated lightning and leading edge erosion protection. Increased power, reduced repair frequency, and ease of repair through blade modularity all contribute to reduced LCOE. The analysis is also extended to modern MW‐scale designs to estimate the impact of the technology at scale, demonstrating the potential to reduce LCOE significantly for modern onshore turbines, with even higher potential savings offshore.

3D printing↗
DOE OSTI2023

Refractory high entropy alloy compact heat exchanger

Several innovative technologies, including pressure-drop minimization, advanced refractory high entropy alloys, and advanced manufacturing can provide a compact heat exchanger that extends the state-of-the-art heat-exchanger operating range. The compact heat exchanger can reduce pressure drop losses by 100 to 500%, while retaining most of the heat transfer. The compact heat exchanger can be fabricated from refractory high entropy alloys that have favorable corrosion, thermal fatigue, and creep properties at high temperatures and pressures. Therefore, the compact heat exchanger using high entropy alloys can operate at >800° C. and 80 bars.

Kustas, Andrew↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hotel Room Computational Fluid Dynamics to Investigate Airborne Pathogen Dispersal Patterns

A hotel room unit consisting of a bedroom and bathroom was modelled using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate airborne pathogen dispersal patterns. The full-scale model includes a ‘typical’ hotel room configuration, furniture, and vents. The air sources and sinks include a bathroom vent, a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) unit located in the bedroom, and a ½” gap at the bottom of the entry door. In addition, the entry door and window can be opened or closed, as desired. Three key configuration simulations were conducted: 1) both the bathroom vent and HVAC were on, 2) only the HVAC was on, and 3) only the bathroom vent was on. If the HVAC air is from a fresh, clean source, or passes through a high-efficiency filter/UV device, then the first configuration is the safest, as contaminated air is highly reduced. The second configuration is also safe, but does not benefit from the outsourcing of potentially-infected air, such as contaminated air flowing through an ineffective filter. The third configuration should be avoided, as the bathroom vent causes air to flow from the hallway, which can be of dubious origin. The CFD simulations also showed that recirculation and swirling regions tend to accumulate the largest concentrations of heavier airborne particles, pathogens, dust, etc. These regions are associated with the largest turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) , and tend to occur in areas with flow recirculation and corners. Therefore, TKE presents a reasonable metric to guide the strategic location of pathogen mitigation devices. The simulations show complex flow patterns with distinct upper and lower flow regions, swirling flow, and significant levels of turbulent mixing. These simulations provide intriguing insights that can be applied to help mitigate pathogen aerosol dispersal, generate building design guidelines, as well as provide insights for the strategic placement of mitigation devices, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, supplemental fans, and filters.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Metal Alloy and RHEA Additive Manufacturing for Nuclear Energy and Aerospace Applications

An open-literature search was conducted to consider the current status of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry with respect to metal alloys and refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs). Key areas of interest include methodologies and applications that are suitable for the nuclear and aerospace industries, as well as other industrial applications. We investigated various promising 3D metal technologies, with emphasis on cost, operation, throughput, maintenance, and output volume size. In addition, technical issues and the current status of the metal printing market are summarized. The project scope also included the manufacturing of open-literature RHEA test coupons at Sandia's laser engineered net shape (LENS) machine.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Low pressure drop advanced swirl technology gas filter

A media-free filter device for a supercritical fluid process is disclosed. The media-free filter device includes a first pipe section connected in flow communication with a closed-loop system for a supercritical fluid. A y-pipe segment intersects the first pipe section at an intersection joint. The intersection joint intersects at a descending obtuse angle with respect to the first pipe section flow direction. The y-pipe segment is open at the intersection joint and closed opposite the intersection joint, in flow communication with the first pipe section. The y-pipe section induces an eddy current turbulence zone adjacent the intersection joint to remove substantially all contaminants suspended in the supercritical fluid; and the contaminants are deposited in the descending y-pipe segment. An SCO2 process incorporating the media-free filter device is also disclosed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗