Rare Earth Element Harvesting from Seawater RO Brine
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Hannon, Charles↗
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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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Lithium metal—seawater battery cells having protected lithium electrodes
Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.
Visco, Steven J.↗
Influence of dissolved salts and impurities on seawater on heat transfer and fluid flow through fuel channels and debris bed
This project aims to better understand this mechanism and its effect on heat transfer. Specifically, experimental research was conducted to investigate the long term coolability issues in scaled test setups. Advanced diagnostic and measurement techniques were investigated and incorporated into an annular test facility and a debris bed test facility. The diagnostic techniques investigated included: radioactively tagged salt solution, Frisch collar radiation detector array, neutron and x-ray imaging systems, and a Rayleigh backscatter-based fiber-optic temperature system. Models were checked against the in-situ experimental data and recommendations were made for modeling purposes.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
Crevice Corrosion in Seawater Using CFRP Composite as Part of a Novel Crevice Former.
Abstract not provided.
Persuel-Moreno, Francisco↗
Hydrophilically Reinforced Amidoxime Based Fiber for Selective Uranium Recovery from Seawater
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Wan, Shun↗
Renewable Ocean Thermal Energy for Low-Pressure Desalination of Seawater with Co-Production of Ammonia (Final Report)
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25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
Making lithium metal—seawater battery cells having protected lithium electrodes
Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.
Visco, Steven J.↗
Seawater electrolysis enables Mg(OH) 2 production and CO 2 mineralization
A method for producing one or more hydroxide solids includes providing a catholyte comprising an electrolyte solution; contacting the catholyte with an electroactive mesh cathode to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions, thereby precipitating the one or more hydroxide solid(s); and removing the one or more hydroxide solids from the surface of the mesh where they may deposit.
Chen, Xin↗
The Brachiopod δ 11 B Record Across the Carboniferous-Permian Climate Transition
In this work, we present the δ 11 B of well-preserved brachiopod fossils coupled with geochemical modeling to examine how seawater boron responded to abrupt and dynamic climate changes in the Late Paleozoic. The Late Carboniferous, a time of major coal formation and glacioeustatic sea level changes, is characterized by relatively stable brachiopod δ11B of 15–17‰, similar to values seen in modern brachiopods. Brachiopod δ 11 B dropped by ~5‰ in the early Permian and then restabilized at a new value of 10‰ within a few million years. Mass balance models of seawater δ 11 B reproduced the overall trends in our brachiopod data but failed to capture the large drop in δ11B in the early Permian. Published seawater 87 Sr/ 86 Sr and δ 44 / 40 Ca data based on brachiopod shells also shift to lower values in the early Permian, suggesting a common control on all three seawater isotope systems. The Permian terrestrial record of evaporites and eolian deposits suggests a prolonged reduced delivery of dissolved weathering products to the ocean, accounting for the change in seawater 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. This reduced weathering, in turn, led to increased atmospheric CO 2 and lowered seawater pH, which may have significantly decreased major removal mechanisms for seawater calcium and boron leading to declines in both isotope systems. We propose that boron removal via coprecipitation in carbonates and adsorption onto clay minerals was significantly diminished due to a reduction in the availability of the borate aqueous species caused by lowered seawater pH.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
Application of Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron to Marine Environments
Contamination of marine waters and sediments with heavy metals and dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) including chlorinated solvents, pesticides and PCBs pose ecological and human health risks through the contaminant's potential bioaccumulation in fish, shellfish and avian populations. The contaminants enter marine environments through improper disposal techniques and storm water run-off. Current remediation technologies for application to marine environments include costly dredging and off-site treatment of the contaminated media. Emulsified zero-valent iron (EZVI) has been proven to effectively degrade dissolved-phase and DNAPL-phase contaminants in freshwater environments on both the laboratory and field-scale level. However, the application to marine environments is only just being explored. This paper discusses the potential use of EZVI in brackish and saltwater environments, with supporting laboratory data detailed. Laboratory studies were performed in 2005 to establish the effectiveness of EZVI to degrade trichloroethylene (TCE) in saltwater. Headspace vials were setup to determine the kinetic rate of TCE degradation using EZVI in seawater. The reaction vials were analyzed by Gas Chromatographic/Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID) for ethene production after a 48 day period using a GC/FID Purge and Trap system. Analytical results showed that EZVI was very effective at degrading TCE. The reaction by-products (ethene, acetylene and ethane) were produced at 71% of the rate in seawater as in the fresh water controls. Additionally, iron within the EZVI particles was protected from oxidation of the corrosive seawater, allowing EZVI to perform in an environment where zero-valent iron alone could not compete. Laboratory studies were also performed to establish the effectiveness of emulsified zero-valent metal (EZVM) to remove dissolved-phase cadmium and lead found in seawater. EZVM is comprised of a combination of magnesium and iron metal surrounded by the same oil/surfactant membrane used in EZVI. The removal of cadmium and lead from a seawater matrix is a unique challenge. It requires a system that is resistant to the corrosive nature of seawater while removing specific ions that are in a relatively low concentration compared to naturally occurring seawater salts. Laboratory studies conducted show greater than 99% removal of lead and 96% removal of cadmium from a seawater solution spiked at 5 mg/L that was treated with an Emulsified Zero-Valent Metal (EZVM). The cadmium and lead are removed from the solution as they transport across the emulsion membrane and plate out onto the zero-valent metal surface.
Brooks, Kathleen B.↗
Impacts of Sea‐Level Rise on Coastal Groundwater Table Simulated by an Earth System Model With a Land‐Ocean Coupling Scheme
Abstract Sea‐level rise (SLR) poses a severe threat to the coastal environment through seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. The rising groundwater table also exacerbates the risk of pluvial, fluvial, and groundwater flooding in coastal regions. However, current Earth system models (ESMs) commonly ignore the exchanges of water at the land‐ocean interface. To address this gap, we developed a novel land‐ocean hydrologic coupling scheme in a state‐of‐the‐science ESM, the Energy Exascale Earth System Model version 2 (E3SMv2). The new scheme includes the lateral exchange between seawater and groundwater and the vertical infiltration of seawater driven by the SLR‐induced inundation. Simulations were performed with the updated E3SMv2 for the global land‐ocean interface to assess the impacts of SLR on coastal groundwater under a high CO 2 emission scenario. By the middle of this century, seawater infiltration on the inundated areas will be the dominant component in the land‐ocean coupling process, while the lateral subsurface flow exchange will be much smaller. The SLR‐induced seawater infiltration will raise the groundwater levels, enhance evapotranspiration, and increase runoff with distinct spatial patterns globally in the future. Although the coupling process is induced by SLR, we found topography and warming temperature have more control on the coupling impacts, probably due to the relatively modest magnitude of SLR during the selected future period. Overall, our study suggests significant groundwater and seawater exchange at the land‐ocean interface, which needs to be considered in ESMs.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
An assessment of ocean alkalinity enhancement using aqueous hydroxides: kinetics, efficiency, and precipitation thresholds
Abstract. Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) is a promising approach to marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) that leverages the large surface area and carbon storage capacity of the oceans to sequester atmospheric CO2 as dissolved bicarbonate (HCO3-). One OAE method involves the conversion of salt in seawater into aqueous alkalinity (NaOH), which is returned to the ocean. The resulting increase in seawater pH and alkalinity causes a shift in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) speciation toward carbonate and a decrease in the surface ocean pCO2. The shift in the pCO2 results in enhanced uptake of atmospheric CO2 by the seawater due to gas exchange. In this study, we systematically test the efficiency of CO2 uptake in seawater treated with NaOH at aquarium (15 L) and tank (6000 L) scales to establish operational boundaries for safety and efficiency in advance of scaling up to field experiments. CO2 equilibration occurred on the order of weeks to months, depending on circulation, air forcing, and air bubbling conditions within the test tanks. An increase of ∼0.7–0.9 mol DIC per mol added alkalinity (in the form of NaOH) was observed through analysis of seawater bottle samples and pH sensor data, consistent with the value expected given the values of the carbonate system equilibrium calculations for the range of salinities and temperatures tested. Mineral precipitation occurred when the bulk seawater pH exceeded 10.0 and Ωaragonite exceeded 30.0. This precipitation was dominated by Mg(OH)2 over hours to 1 d before shifting to CaCO3,aragonite precipitation. These data, combined with models of the dilution and advection of alkaline plumes, will allow the estimation of the amount of carbon dioxide removal expected from OAE pilot studies. Future experiments should better approximate field conditions including sediment interactions, biological activity, ocean circulation, air–sea gas exchange rates, and mixing zone dynamics.
Ringham, Mallory C. (ORCID:0000000348020185)↗
Effect of the nonlinearity of the carbonate system on partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the oceans
Partial pressure of CO2 is a nonlinear function of several seawater properties. Due to the nonlinearity in this relationship, the partial pressure of a uniform ocean would be different from that of a nonuniform ocean with the same bulk seawater properties. Assuming uniformity of seawater properties at some temporal and spatial scales in carbon models leads to systematic errors in partial pressure of CO2. In this paper we evaluate the magnitude of these errors. We partition the Geochemical Ocean Sections Study and Transient Tracers in the Oceans data according to the horizontal structure of several box models from the literature. Our results suggest that assumption of uniformity at large scales leads to understanding of underestimation of global surface ocean partial pressure of CO2 by at least 3 - 12 microatm. Nonlinear effects also introduce systematic errors in the buffer factor estimated from bulk seawater properties. We find the standard deviation of partial pressure of CO2 to be an indicator of the magnitude of the nonlinear effects. We discuss the implications of these errors for some conclusions drawn from carbon models. Biogeochemical processes, such as mixing, gas exchange, or biological activity, influence the distribution of the seawater properties. A shift in spatial or temporal patterns of these processes can modify the nonuniformity of the seawater properties and thus alter the partial pressure of the surface waters, even if the mean intensities of the processes remain constant.
Trela, Piotr↗
Mining waste-driven carbon capture via ocean alkalinity enhancement
Ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) has emerged as a promising strategy to mitigate ocean acidification and reduce global warming. Traditional metal (e.g., critical materials) mining industries release alkaline waste via mining tailings with high concentrations (99.2%) of calcium and magnesium oxide (CaO, MgO). Incorporating mining waste into OAE processes is less energy intensive than processes relying on calcination of limestone for CaO production. The solubility limit of simulated mining waste in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) seawater is 75 mg⋅L -1 , which can sequester 118 mg of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The solubility in seawater retrieved from Sunset Beach, FL was 25 mg⋅L -1 . Changes in pH, total alkalinity, and total inorganic carbon were analyzed to confirm the successful addition of simulated alkaline mining waste without the formation of secondary precipitation. This study proposes a new OAE strategy where a facility is developed nearby ocean waters that mixes alkaline waste with seawater. Subsequently, the seawater is met with previously captured, pure CO 2 to bring the pH back to 8.2 and eliminate the risks of pH shock and secondary precipitation. Technoeconomic analysis estimated an energy requirement of 1.4 GJ per ton of CO 2 stored that resulted in a processing cost of $\$$266 per ton of CO 2 sequestered (4.2 GJ per ton, $\$$807 per ton of CO 2 for real seawater). Results from this study underscore the potential for utilizing mining waste in OAE processes and provide a pathway for practical deployment.
Absorption↗
CFD modeling of crystallization fouling with CO 2 desorption incorporated for a falling-film evaporator in thermal desalination
Seawater flowing around horizontal tubes in falling-film evaporators is a common configuration for thermal desalination. Heat is transferred from in-tube steam condensation to the shell-side seawater by conduction through the tube wall and scaling layer, and conduction and convection to the evaporating liquid film. CO 2 is simultaneously released from seawater and mixed with the produced vapor. Fouling coupled with CO 2 desorption has deleterious impacts on both evaporation and condensation. The evaluation of spatiotemporal dependent crystallization fouling and CO 2 desorption is vital to selecting optimal operating conditions. Here, in this work, a CO 2 desorption model is integrated into CFD modeling for predictions of coupled heat and mass transfer, to understand and predict scale formation and CO 2 desorption with local and transient profiles of temperature, carbonate species concentrations, pH, and total alkalinity. The porosity of the scale layer is experimentally determined as 67.7% and invoked in the calculation of effective thermal conductivity. The simulation results reveal that high steam temperatures increase seawater total alkalinity and accelerate scale formation. The scale thickness on the bottom tube reaches 0.30 μm and 5.24 μm for steam temperatures of 60 °C and 80 °C, respectively. High salinity leads to a large CO 2 desorption rates. The CO 2 desorption rate increases 43% when the seawater salinity increases from 35 to 55 g/kg. The effects of operating conditions on carbonate speciation and pH have been compared and analyzed. This model can serve as a comprehensive tool for the design of thermal desalination systems and optimal operation.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Prediction of the Inter-Tube Flow Mode Transitions in the Evaporators of Multi-Effect Thermal Desalination Plants
Water is one of the most stressed resources on the planet. The limited availability of fresh water and the high cost of transportation have led to an increased interest in water desalination technologies. The two main categories of desalination techniques are membrane desalination and thermal desalination. Membrane technologies include pressure driven and electrical driven membranes. On the other hand, thermal desalination includes: multi-effect desalination (MED), multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination, and mechanical vapor compression desalination. Multi-effect desalination plants are usually made of a series of evaporators (also known as effects). In each effect, hot steam flows inside the tubes and evaporates the seawater that falls on the outside of the tubes. The vapor formed at each effect flows to the next effect and acts as the heating medium for the falling seawater. The prevailing flow mode of the falling seawater (i.e. droplet, jet, or sheet) influences heat and mass transfer as well as dry out in the evaporators of Multi-Effect Desalination (MED) plants. The objective of this paper is to predict and discuss the prevailing falling film flow modes in the evaporators of MED plants, under different operating conditions. The paper demonstrates the transitional Reynolds numbers between the main falling film modes for seawater. This closes a gap in the literature where there is a dearth of mode transition data for seawater. The effect of fluid properties and tube geometry on the transitions is discussed in details. As a result, the accuracy of the predicted transitional Reynolds numbers is evaluated via uncertainty quantification techniques.
availability↗
Co-Located Wave Energy Converter (WEC) and Aquaculture System Annotated Bibliography
This annotated bibliography includes references that could aid in the design of a co-located WEC and aquaculture system off the coast of Guam. The breadth of this work covers multiple co-location archetypes such as: 1. WEC seawater desalination system a) Nearshore and deepwater WEC deployment b) Onshore and offshore aquaculture 2. WEC powering an offshore aquaculture platform a) Nearshore or deepwater WEC deployment 3. WEC powering an onshore aquaculture system a) Nearshore WEC deployment 4. Wave powered seawater pump a) Nearshore WEC deployment b) Onshore aquaculture There are two archetypes that may be of immediate interest to the community in Guam are to service the existing Fadian Hatchery (Mangilao) and to support freshwater aquaculture activities. First, the seawater pump at the hatchery that fills the facility’s seawater storage unit is broken. A nearshore seawater pumping WEC could be a solution to this issue. In addition, due to the high frequency of typhoons/extreme conditions and the island’s bathymetry, the likelihood of community support for an offshore aquaculture platform or WEC deployed in deepwater is low. Proactive and resilient solutions not just for power, but for freshwater are of interest as well to support any freshwater aquaculture activities. Therefore, a nearshore WEC desalination system is another archetype to consider.
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
Godzilla mineral dust and La Soufrière volcanic ash fallout immediately stimulate marine microbial phosphate uptake
During the “Godzilla” dust storm of June 2020, unusually high fluxes of mineral dust traveled across the Atlantic from the Sahara Desert, reaching the Caribbean Basin, Gulf Coast, and southeastern United States. Additionally, an eruption of the La Soufrière volcano on St. Vincent in April 2021 generated substantial ashfall in the southeastern Caribbean. While many studies have analyzed mineral dust’s ability to relieve nutrient limitation of phosphorus (P) in the P-stressed North Atlantic, less is known about the impact of extreme events and other natural aerosols on fluxes of P into seawater and from seawater into marine microbial cells. We quantified P and iron (Fe) content in mineral dust from the Godzilla dust storm and volcanic ash from the La Soufrière eruption collected at Ragged Point, Barbados. We also performed seawater incubations to assess the marine microbial response to aerosol deposition. Using environmentally-relevant concentrations of atmospheric particles for within the ocean’s mixed layer allowed us to draw realistic conclusions about how these deposition events impacted P cycling in situ. Volcanic ash has lower P content than mineral dust, and P in volcanic ash is far less soluble (~1%) than assumed in current atmospheric deposition models. Adding mineral dust and the volcanic ash leachate in concentrations representing different deposition scenarios increased soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations in coastal seawater by ~7-32 nM. Phosphate uptake rate was stimulated in coastal seawater after either mineral dust or volcanic ash deposition at aerosol concentrations relevant to the Godzilla dust event, with ash eliciting the fastest uptake rate. Furthermore, high concentrations of both the mineral dust and volcanic ash led to slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) compared to the relevant controls, indicating higher potential for use of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) as a P source. Quantifying these aerosols’ impacts on P cycling is a significant step towards achieving a better understanding of their potential roles in relieving nutrient limitation and fueling the biological carbon pump.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗