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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 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1971

Reward and uncertainty in exploration programs

A set of variables which are crucial to the economic outcome of petroleum exploration are discussed. These are treated as random variables; the values they assume indicate the number of successes that occur in a drilling program and determine, for a particular discovery, the unit production cost and net economic return if that reservoir is developed. In specifying the joint probability law for those variables, extreme and probably unrealistic assumptions are made. In particular, the different random variables are assumed to be independently distributed. Using postulated probability functions and specified parameters, values are generated for selected random variables, such as reservoir size. From this set of values the economic magnitudes of interest, net return and unit production cost are computed. This constitutes a single trial, and the procedure is repeated many times. The resulting histograms approximate the probability density functions of the variables which describe the economic outcomes of an exploratory drilling program.

Kaufman, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Economic evaluation of flying-qualities design criteria for a transport configured with relaxed static stability

Direct constrained parameter optimization was used to optimally size a medium range transport for minimum direct operating cost. Several stability and control constraints were varied to study the sensitivity of the configuration to specifying the unaugmented flying qualities of transports designed to take maximum advantage of relaxed static stability augmentation systems. Additionally, a number of handling qualities related design constants were studied with respect to their impact on the design.

Sliwa, S. M.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Influence of the air-cooled supercritical carbon dioxide recompression cycle design-point on molten salt power tower techno-economic performance

Here, this paper investigates the techno-economic performance of a molten salt power tower integrated with an air-cooled supercritical carbon dioxide recompression cycle. Prior research into the cycle design point showed trade-offs between efficiency, cost, and temperature difference across the heat input, resulting in trade-offs between the design-point generation of the molten salt power tower system and the cost of sensible-heat thermal energy storage. Prior research into cycle off-design showed that colder ambient temperature designs have higher efficiencies on cold days but lower efficiency and capacity degradation on hot days. We present a framework to evaluate how cycle design, cost, and corresponding off-design performance affect the techno-economic performance of the molten salt power tower system. We use a steady-state off-design cycle model assuming fixed shaft speeds, inventory control, and air-cooler fan power control and integrate the cycle model with the molten salt power tower model from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's System Advisor Model. First, we present a surrogate model that uses a heuristic approach to correct the interpolation when the cycle reaches capacity limitations at ambient temperatures hotter than design. Next, we evaluate how the recompression cycle design-point ambient temperature, air-cooler approach temperature, air-cooler fan power, and recuperator conductance influence cycle and system design metrics. Finally, we complete annual simulations using an hourly "duck curve" pricing schedule and present annual performance metrics to evaluate the cumulative effects of the cycle design parameters and corresponding off-design performance on molten salt power tower techno-economics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Survey on stochastic distribution systems: A full probability density function control theory with potential applications

Complex systems seen either in general engineering practice or economics are subjected to ever increased uncertainties that are mostly represented as random variables or parameters, and the characteristics of random variables are represented by their probability density functions (PDFs). Controlling their PDFs means to shape their stochastic distributions and in general it would provide a full treatment for system analysis and operational control and optimization. This leads to the development of stochastic distribution control (SDC) systems theory in the past decades, where the original aim of the controller design is to realize a shape control of the distributions of certain random variables in their PDFs sense for some engineering processes. Indeed, once the PDFs of these random variables or parameters are used to describe their distribution characters, the control task is to obtain control signals so that the output PDFs of stochastic systems are made to follow their target PDFs. The subject of SDC was initially originated for non-Gaussian stochastic control systems design but has found a wide spectrum of applications in general systems in terms of data-driven modeling, analysis, signal processing (filtering), data mining via multivariable statistics, decision-making (optimization) for systems subjected to uncertainties and even in economics. In this context, SDC constitutes an effective primer tool for complex system analysis, control and operational optimizations. In this review paper, a detailed survey of the developments on the research of SDC systems will be made together with their wide spectrum applications and future perspectives.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1972

Methods of determining electron concentrations in the magnetosphere from nose whistlers

Whistler propagation in the magnetosphere was studied in detail to find accurate and economical means of determining the path latitude and the electron concentration along the path from whistler parameters of nose frequency and travel time at the nose. Longitudinal propagation in field aligned whistler ducts of cold plasma was assumed, and the earth's magnetic field was approximated by a centered dipole. The effects of whistler propagation in the earth-ionosphere waveguide and through the conjugate ionospheres were treated as small perturbations. Several alternative methods are described so that the most economical method may be chosen depending on the desired accuracy and the availability of a computer or a calculator.

Park, C. G.↗
NASA NTRS2015

An Integrated Economics Model for ISRU in Support of a Mars Colony - Initial Status Report

The aim of this effort is to develop an integrated set of risk-based financial and technical models to evaluate multiple Off-Earth Mining (OEM) scenarios. This quantitative, scenario- and simulation-based tool will help identify combinations of market variables, technical parameters, and policy levers that will enable the expansion of the global economy into the solar system and return economic benefits. Human ventures in space are entering a new phase in which missions formerly driven by government agencies are now being replaced by those led by commercial enterprises - in launch, satellite deployment, resupply of the International Space Station, and space tourism. In the not-too-distant future, commercial opportunities will also include the mining of asteroids, the Moon, and Mars. This investigation will examine the role of OEM in a growing space economy. (In this investigation, the term 'mining' is taken to embrace minerals, ice/water, and other in situ resources.) OEM can be the engine that drives the space economy, so it would be useful to understand what OEM market conditions and technology requirements are needed for that economy to prosper. These specific elements will be studied in the wider context of creating an economy that could ultimately support a sustainable Mars Colony. Such a colony will need in situ resources not only for its own survival, but to prosper and grow, it must create viable business ventures, essentially by fulfilling the demand for in situ resources from and on Mars. This investigation will focus on understanding the role and economic prospect for OEM associated with the Human Colonization of Mars (HCM).

architecture framework↗
DOE OSTI2023

Catalytic Upgrading of Carbohydrates in Waste Streams to Hydrocarbons: Paper Sludge to Fuel Project (PStF)

This research, funded by the Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (DOE BETO), aims to understand the barriers and assess opportunities for transforming carbohydrates in paper sludge, a solid lignocellulosic residue from the pulp and paper industry. The goal is to turn the paper sludge into a liquid hydrocarbon product that can be blended into jet fuel, both economically and sustainably. Research groups at North Carolina State University, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Yale University collaborated synergistically, leveraging their expertise in pulp and paper operations, biomass deconstruction, and catalytic upgrading to propose a pathway that efficiently captures the energy in paper sludge. Findings from this study could potentially contribute to advancing biomass conversion technologies, aligning with the efforts of the U.S. DOE BETO. This report documents the experimental and simulation results of a biochemical and catalytic pathway designed to transform paper sludge into a liquid hydrocarbon product. The process involves a sequence of seven steps, including ash removal, carbohydrate enzymatic hydrolysis, sugar dehydration, solvent recovery, aldol-condensation between furans and ketone, hydrogenation, and hydrodeoxygenation to obtain a hydrocarbon blend in the ~C10 range. The experimental efforts from the initiation of the project were guided by techno-economic analysis (TEA) and sensitivity analysis results including around seventy-eight operational parameters. This methodology facilitated the efficient use of resources over time. This study relies on detailed process simulations and TEA to determine the minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) for the hydrocarbon fuel product. Preliminary TEA results led to the evaluation of eight case studies considering alternative dehydration co-solvents, operational settings, and biorefinery layouts. Finally, the life cycle assessment of twenty-eight scenarios, comparing various dehydration co-solvents, fuel sources, chemical feedstock sources, side product utilization, and other process settings, was conducted. Landfilling scenarios with and without landfill gas recovery were also estimated, analyzed, and compared.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Assessment of an analytical procedure for predicting supersonic ejector nozzle performance

The ability of analysis to predict ejector nozzle characteristics over a wide range of conditions and to study the relation between design parameters and performance is assessed. The analytical method investigated provided an accurate and economical method for predicting the performance of supersonic ejector nozzles. The factors which had the greatest influence over ejector nozzle behavior were those which influenced the initial expansion and recompression process.

Anderson, B. H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A unifying strain criterion for fracture of fibrous composite laminates

Fibrous composite materials, such as graphite/epoxy, are light, stiff, and strong. They have great potential for reducing weight in aircraft structures. However, for a realization of this potential, designers will have to know the fracture toughness of composite laminates in order to design damage tolerant structures. In connection with the development of an economical testing procedure, there is a great need for a single fracture toughness parameter which can be used to predict the stress-intensity factor (K(Q)) for all laminates of interest to the designer. Poe and Sova (1980) have derived a general fracture toughness parameter (Qc), which is a material constant. It defines the critical level of strains in the principal load-carryng plies. The present investigation is concerned with the calculation of values for the ratio of Qc and the ultimate tensile strain of the fibers. The obtained data indicate that this ratio is reasonably constant for layups which fail largely by self-similar crack extension.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Use of Operating Agreements and Energy Storage to Reduce Photovoltaic Interconnection Costs: Technical and Economic Analysis

This report presents an analytical methodology to identify alternative options to manage interconnection costs and streamline interconnection timelines for distribution system-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems not co-located with load. Specifically, the report details the methodology and results of an analysis that: 1. Identifies potential grid violations that would be induced by a PV system requesting interconnection to a distribution circuit; 2. Identifies multiple technically viable options for mitigating the potential violations, including infrastructure upgrades, downsizing the PV system size, curtailment of PV, and addition of battery energy storage; 3. Defines the required technical operating parameters of the system in order to mitigate all potential violations (the "Operating Envelope"); 4. Compares the economics of each option, from the PV developer's perspective. The analysis supports the ongoing evolution of interconnection standards for combined PV and energy storage systems by providing a methodology to define allowable maximum export limits during each hour. The methodology presented could be used by utilities as part of the interconnection study process, to inform negotiations with DER developers and the drafting of mutually acceptable interconnection agreements. The resulting technical operating parameters could be included as part of the interconnection service agreement (ISA) between the system owner and the utility company. The companion report to this analysis, Gill et al. (2022), details the envisioned framework for the implementation of the technical operating parameters.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

NX Fuels H2 Shot Incubator Phase I (CRADA Final Report)

NX Fuels will work with NREL to perform Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) for NX Fuels' solar H 2 system. TEA/LCA modeling developed early on will provide insight on the most critical parameters related to the green H 2 cost and environmental impacts and help us create the business case at scale. This project will advance the Nation’s decarbonization goals by demonstrating the economic feasibility of NX Fuels clean hydrogen production pathway and evaluate its impact on CO 2 emissions.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Profitability, Scalability and Optimized Siting for Waste-to-Energy Supply Chains: A Case Study on Hydrothermal Liquefaction

Waste-to-Energy (WtE) conversion technologies have the potential to simultaneously reduce waste volumes, treatment-related emissions, and carbon intensity while producing valuable energy services. However, questions remain regarding under which conditions emerging WtE technologies are feasible to deploy. In this project, we develop an optimized siting method for WtE technologies to assess cost-effective WtE processor locations, throughput scales, and profitability. We apply the model using Hydrothermal Liquefaction (HTL) as an example WtE technology. We develop calibrated capital and operating expense cost curves based on literature data to study the techno-economic characteristics of WtE supply chains. Prior to solving the siting optimization, we analyze the model parameters to describe organic waste management system behavior under four different HTL deployment configurations: Co-Processing, where HTL plants send biocrude to existing conventional refineries via assumed pipelines; Co-Location, where biorefineries are co-located with HTL plants; and two alternative Standalone Biorefining cases, where distributed HTL plants transport biocrude intermediate via either assumed pipelines or trucking to centralized biorefineries. We also define and apply several feedstock gate fee calculations, representing different revenue distribution options, to investigate how bioproduct value could impact WtE supply chain economics in terms of waste producer and processor profit or cost reduction.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating advanced nuclear fission technologies for future decarbonized power grids

Advanced nuclear fission, which encompasses various innovative nuclear reactor designs, could contribute to the decarbonization of the United States electricity sector. However, little is known about how cost-competitive these reactors would be compared to other technologies, or about which aspects of their designs offer the most value to a decarbonized power grid. We employ an electricity system optimization model and a case study of a decarbonized U.S. Eastern Interconnection circa 2050 to generate initial indicators of future economic value for advanced reactors and the sensitivity of future value to various design parameters, the availability of competing technologies, and the underlying policy environment. These results can inform long-term cost targets and guide near-term innovation priorities, investments, and reactor design decisions. We find that advanced reactors should cost $\$5.7$–$\$7.3$/W to gain an initial market share (assuming 30 year asset life and 3.5 %–6.5 % real weighted average cost of capital), while those that include thermal storage in their designs can cost up to $\$6.0$/W–$\$7.7$/W (not including cost of storage). Since the marginal value of advanced fission reactors declines as market penetration increases, break-even costs fall ~32 % at 100 GW of cumulative capacity and ~51 % at 300 GW. Additionally, policies that provide investment tax credits for nuclear energy create the most favorable environment for advanced nuclear fission. In conclusion, these findings can inform near-term resource allocation decisions by stakeholders, innovators and investors working in the energy technology sector.

Capacity expansion↗
NASA NTRS1977

Value of Landsat in urban water resources planning

The reported investigation had the objective to evaluate the utility of satellite multispectral remote sensing in urban water resources planning. The results are presented of a study which was conducted to determine the economic impact of Landsat data. The use of Landsat data to estimate hydrologic model parameters employed in urban water resources planning is discussed. A decision regarding an employment of the Landsat data has to consider the tradeoff between data accuracy and cost. Bayesian decision theory is used in this connection. It is concluded that computer-aided interpretation of Landsat data is a highly cost-effective method of estimating the percentage of impervious area.

Jackson, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

On designing for quality

The problem of ensuring the required quality of products and/or technological processes often becomes more difficult due to the fact that there is not general theory of determining the optimal sets of value of the primary factors, i.e., of the output parameters of the parts and units comprising an object and ensuring the correspondence of the object's parameters to the quality requirements. This is the main reason for the amount of time taken to finish complex vital article. To create this theory, one has to overcome a number of difficulties and to solve the following tasks: the creation of reliable and stable mathematical models showing the influence of the primary factors on the output parameters; finding a new technique of assigning tolerances for primary factors with regard to economical, technological, and other criteria, the technique being based on the solution of the main problem; well reasoned assignment of nominal values for primary factors which serve as the basis for creating tolerances. Each of the above listed tasks is of independent importance. An attempt is made to give solutions for this problem. The above problem dealing with quality ensuring an mathematically formalized aspect is called the multiple inverse problem.

Vajingortin, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Report of the Horizontal Launch Study

A study of horizontal launch concepts has been conducted. This study, jointly sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was tasked to estimate the economic and technical viability of horizontal launch approaches. The study team identified the key parameters and critical technologies which determine mission viability and reported on the state of the art of critical technologies, along with objectives for technology development.

Wilhite, Alan W.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Oilwell Conversion (Well API 121913310501) to Geothermal Heat Storage Well for Flexible Electricity Storage

Geothermal growth is limited by a lack of geographically dispersed high-temperature thermal resources and high initial upfront investment in characterization and well construction. This project intended to address the challenges of energy supply intermittency and enhance grid resilience, reliability, and energy security by storing energy provided from currently available renewable resources in the subsurface to harvest it a later time during at-peak energy demand. This project intended to improve geothermal adoption, reduce initial project risk, and improve price competitiveness through utilizing existing oil and gas infrastructure such as non-productive wells, non-economic fields, dry holes, and orphaned wells. The project also intended to address the lack of geographically dispersed thermal resources and enhance grid resilience, reliability, and energy security by introducing an economical method for storing energy from currently available renewable resources in the subsurface for usage during at-peak energy demand. During this research, the project furthered the understanding of the feasibility of utilizing abandoned oil and gas wells as geothermal heat storage wells. The project team investigated the heat storage and hydrogeological characteristics of subsurface reservoirs in the Illinois Basin to evaluate their response to heat injection for determining the evolution of temperature profiles and heat losses over time using existing and available data sets. The project team then performed modeling and simulation to evaluate the heat losses of returning fluids during heat extraction. The outputs were used to select an optimal candidate reservoir and location in Southern Illinois. The team designed and performed a small-scale field test in an existing oil well to refine the model and to demonstrate the permitting and regulatory pathways necessary for the conversion of oil and gas assets to geothermal use. The field test also serves as a proof of concept and can guide the procedures for future research and implementation. Additionally, the project team, conducted initial market research and customer discovery to develop a go to market strategy for an Advanced Geothermal Energy Storage (AGES) system. The project team in this research also identified the parameters to be refined in future research, to improve the current go to market strategy economic model. To this end several subject matter experts were also identified to assist in future research with geothermal infrastructure setup, energy storage policy and law, energy storage market demand, potential siting based on demand etc. Future research will involve further sophistication of the site commercial modeling, implementing a larger-scale test, and further refinement of the thermodynamic modeling/simulation process. The output will be lifecycle costs and economics suitable for comparison to alternative approaches from a validated full-scale demonstration for venture capital investment into this technology. The project successfully demonstrated the ability to leverage existing oilfield infrastructure, permits, and land access and leasing agreements, to enable geothermal storage projects to come online faster and cheaper than a greenfield development could. This technology could allow for greater energy independence and security through long-term energy storage solutions. The longer duration allows for greater storage for renewables currently limited by hours-long storage durations of lithium-ion. The AGES system would support the growth of renewable energy farms, and provide greater opportunities for a cleaner energy infrastructure.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1993

Preliminary analysis of the benefits derived to US Air Force spacecraft from on-orbit refueling

This analysis was undertaken during FY-91 as a preliminary step to identify potential benefits from refueling Air Force satellites on orbit. Both economic and operational benefits were included. Operational benefits were related in economic terms to allow evaluation. All economic comparisons were made using FY-91 costs. An additional purpose of the effort was to identify the preferred mission parameters, for an on-orbit refueling system. A companion study was being concurrently conducted by SSD/XRP and NASA/JPL to develop a hardware concept for an on-orbit refueling system. The mass estimates for refueling missions obtained from the companion study were used in conducting the economic analyses of this benefits study. For this study, on-orbit refueling was based on the concept developed in the companion JPL study. The concept involves launching an S/C carrying fuel that would be transferred to another 'target' S/C which is already in orbit. The two S/C would then rendezvous, dock, and transfer fuel. Another fluid, such as a cryogenic, might be included if needed by the target S/C. The hardware concept for refueling was intended to minimize costs. The re-fueler S/C was designated to be expendable and would contain only the minimal capabilities. It would be launched into the orbit plane and altitude of the target S/C(s). The re-fueler S/C would rendezvous and dock with the target S/C and the fluid transfer would occur. When the refueling mission was completed, the re-fueler S/C would be ejected from the orbit. In order to optimize launch costs, some missions involved launching two re-fueler S/C on the LV. In this case the second re-fueler S/C would be placed in a storage orbit until needed.

Smith, Scott↗