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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 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Conformable, Composite Tank for Liquid Hydrogen Storage in Heavy-duty Ground Transportation

Raytheon Technologies Research Center (RTRC), with its partners, Argonne National Labs and University of Dayton Research Institute proposed to design and manufacture a conformable composite tank prototype to store liquid Hydrogen (LH2) for heavy-duty truck applications. A dual-wall tank concept was proposed where an outer shell covers and protects an inner pressure vessel that stores liquid hydrogen. The inner pressure vessel is liner-less and designed with a conformable concept, derived from prior RTRC ARPA-E program where multiple vessels are coalesced into one, maximizing space utilization and reducing surface area for heat leak. The gap between the dual wall is evacuated of air pressure, and filled with multi-layer insulation to minimize radiative heat transfer. Fiber reinforced composites were proposed for light-weighting and conformable shape manufacture. To minimize LH2 leakage, carbon nanotubes-infused composites were proposed, in addition to use of thin plies. The project was divided into two 18-month budget periods (BP), BP1 and BP2, separated by a Go/No-Go gate review. The high-level goal for BP1 was to demonstrate the feasibility of the overall approach, the tank design, material selection, and manufacturing methodology, build and test a prototype tank; and the goal for BP2 was to design and manufacture a conformal tank per DOE requirements (minimum 20 kg of LH2) and perform a successful test of the tank. The program was terminated about two-thirds of the way through BP1. The outcome of this program would have permitted long-haul trucks and construction vehicles to use liquid Hydrogen, reducing the emission of green-house gases. This technology is applicable to other transportation sectors as well.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Metal Organic Frameworks for Xenon Storage Applications

The demand for cheap and convenient xenon storage continues to rise due to its wide spectrum of applications. It is expected that solid-state adsorbents can provide significant advantages over the current isolated stainless-steel tank-based storage technologies. In this context, we investigated metal organic frameworks for use as adsorbents for xenon. Initially, three representative MOFs were synthesized and characterized in terms of Xe storage. The results were used to validate a computational modeling approach, which was later extended to a larger set of materials. The collected results allowed us to rationalize the key parameters (pore volume, surface area, void fraction etc.), which are important for good performance and selection of the best materials for xenon storage

Noble gas, Storage, MOFs↗
DOE OSTI2021

An Evaluation of the Impact of Glycolate and Glycolate Mitigation on the Defense Waste Processing Facility Recycle Diversion Project Flowsheet

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) processes radioactive High Level Waste (HLW) sludge solids from the Concentration, Storage, and Transfer Facilities (CSTF); which includes the SRS Tank Farm and Evaporator facilities, and a concentrated Cs-137 laden stream and a Monosodium Titanate (MST) and sludge solids stream from the SRS Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF). The waste is chemically adjusted with acids and reductant (currently with 50 wt.% nitric acid and ~90 wt.% formic acid, but eventually formic acid will be substituted with ~70 wt.% glycolic acid), and frit is added so that a durable, borosilicate glass waste form can be produced when the material is vitrified in the melter. As a result of the evaporation of water during both the melter feed preparation and the melter feed vitrification steps in DWPF, a recycle waste stream is generated, neutralized, and sent back to the CSTF. The recycle waste is a dilute aqueous stream originating from the collection of condensate liquids containing some minor sludge, MST, and frit solids and other waste components resulting from melter feed entrainment during foamover events and transfer of volatile species into the condensate. The recycle stream volume is significant and is expected to approach 3 million gallons per year once SWPF reaches full operation, requiring the use of multiple large CSTF tanks for storage. The recycle waste is currently collected in the SRS Tank Farm and periodically evaporated in the 242-16H (2H) Evaporator to conserve storage space.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dehumidification energy storage using a stratified liquid desiccant tank

Liquid desiccants can play an important role in reducing dehumidification energy requirements in the built environment. Because they are in a liquid state, the desiccant can be easily stored and then used to dehumidify buildings during peak energy consumption periods. By maintaining stratification between concentrated and diluted desiccant solutions, a single tank can be used to store liquid desiccant for energy storage purposes. Using a stratified tank instead of separate tanks for dilute and concentrated solutions will reduce storage costs and increase energy storage densities for liquid desiccant systems. This paper describes the experimental validation and one-dimensional modeling of a stratified liquid desiccant tank. The stratified tank prototype developed achieved 80 % of the theoretical energy storage density based on an imposed desiccant concentration change. Here, the stratified tank model was able to reasonably reproduce the experimental results. Using this model, the impact of varying operational conditions on the energy density of the stratified liquid desiccant energy storage was evaluated. Depending on the operating conditions, stratified liquid desiccant energy storage using aqueous LiCl up to 40 wt% can achieve energy storage densities in excess of 330 kWh/m 3 .

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Actively controlled coolant tank to increase thermal storage capacity of hybrid electric vehicles

An engine and cabin thermal management system for use with a vehicle having an engine, a cabin heating system configured to thermally heat a cabin of the vehicle, a coolant system operably coupled to the engine and to the cabin heating system to thermally manage a temperature of the engine and a temperature of the cabin. The coolant system having one or more coolant thermal storage units fluidly coupled with a radiator and heater core of the coolant system forming a coolant loop. The system further having a control system configured to monitor and maintain at least a predetermined coolant temperature at the cabin heating system even during a coolant temperature decrease at the engine stops.

Amini, Mohammad Reza↗
DOE OSTI2023

Scaling Outlooks on Integrated Energy Systems

The report provides research summaries of two developed theories: data projection to enable multi-scale facility digital interactions and introducing the Evaluation Model Development and Assessment Process (EMDAP) approach to Integrated Energy Systems (IES) design. For the data projection, a two-system scaling case including interactions between thermal storage and hydrogen production is provided. The corresponding facilities are the thermal energy distribution system (TEDS) facility and high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) facility at the Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) in Idaho National Laboratory (INL). For the EMDAP adaption to system design, a modified process of the EMDAP was developed and applied to indirect two-tank heat storage system design. System phenomena were identified, ranked, and scaled to discover helpful key relations that would determine the ideal component geometry.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Techno-Economic Analysis of Recuperated Joule-Brayton Pumped Thermal Energy Storage

This article describes a techno-economic model for pumped thermal energy storage systems based on recuperated Joule-Brayton cycles and two-tank liquid storage. Models have been developed for each component, with particular emphasis on the heat exchangers. Economic metrics such as the power and energy capital costs (i.e., per-kW and per-kWh capacity) and levelized cost of storage are evaluated by gathering numerous cost correlations from the literature, thereby enabling estimates of uncertainty. It is found that the use of heat exchangers with effectivenesses up to 0.95 is economically worthwhile, but higher values lead to rapidly escalating component size and system cost. Several hot storage fluids are considered; those operating at the highest temperatures (chloride salts) improve the round-trip efficiency but the benefit is marginal and may not warrant the additional material costs and risk when compared to lower-temperature nitrate salts. Cost-efficiency trade-offs are explored using a multi-objective optimization algorithm, yielding optimal designs with round-trip efficiencies in the range 59-72% and corresponding levelized storage costs of 0.12 0.03 and 0.38 0.10 $/kWhe. Lifetime costs are competitive with lithium-ion batteries for discharging durations greater than 6 h under current scenarios.

Carnot battery↗
DOE OSTI2022

Thermal Modeling and Simulation of the Packed-bed Thermal Energy Storage Combined with INL Thermal Energy Distribution System

Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Lab (DETAIL) at Idaho National Laboratory is to support experimental demonstration and validation research on Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy System [1]. The Thermal Energy Distribution System (TEDS) is a thermal-hydraulic flow loop in DETAIL with its own dedicated control system to support the integration of co-located multiple experimental systems, where a packed-bed thermal energy storage (TES) is installed as a thermal buffer and storage unit. Among various TES options, the packed-bed TES is adopted in TEDS because it offers a low-cost single-tank thermal storage option compared to the traditional two-tank TES. However, since the TES tank is filled with granular fillers having different thermophysical properties from those of TES tank wall, there is a potential thermo-mechanical issue to be carefully addressed like thermal ratcheting which may pose a significant design concern for the packed-bed TES tank. Thermal ratcheting is a thermomechanical process caused by the repeated rearrangement of granular filler inside a TES tank during continuous thermal cycling operation of the packed-bed TES system. If the thermally induced stress exceeds the yield strength of a TES tank wall, catastrophic consequences may happen like rupture of the TES tank. Thus, it is important to understand the phenomenon to ensure the robust operation of the packed-bed TES tank. Given that thermal ratcheting is caused by complex interaction of thermal transport in the porous bed and solid mechanics, the accurate prediction of transient thermal behavior of the packed-bed TES tank, which is the focus of this paper, is critical to the reliable thermal ratcheting analysis. This paper discusses the numerical modeling, simulation, and validation studies that are ongoing at INL to investigate the transient thermal behavior of the packed-bed TES. Of particular concern is the transient thermal process occurring in the packed-bed TES unit that is operated in conjunction with the INL TEDS. The main goal of this research is three-fold: (i) provide preliminary insights into the transient thermal behavior of the TEDS TES tank, (ii) support the thermal measurement and validation plan for TEDS experiment, and (iii) provide transient thermal boundary conditions to support the reliable thermal ratcheting analysis of the TEDS TES tank. For the transient thermal modeling and analysis, a CFD model was developed, and the validity of the modeling approach was examined via comparing the numerical simulation results with the experimental data obtained from various design characteristics of packed-bed TES tanks. Then, the present modeling method was applied for the transient thermal analysis of the TEDS TES tank, and the results are discussed along with the potential improvement of data acquisition strategy for the future TEDS experiments for more precise validation study.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Using Additives to Control the Decomposition Temperature of Sodium Borohydride

Hydrogen (H 2 ) shows great promise as zero-carbon emission fuel, but there are several challenges to overcome in regards to storage and transportation to make it a more universal energy solution. Gaseous hydrogen requires high pressures and large volume tanks while storage of liquid hydrogen requires cryogenic temperatures; neither option is ideal due to cost and the hazards involved. Storage in the solid state presents an attractive alternative, and can meet the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) constraints to find materials containing > 7 % H 2 (gravimetric weight) with a maximum H 2 release under 125 °C. While there are many candidate hydrogen storage materials, the vast majority are metal hydrides. Of the hydrides, this review focuses solely on sodium borohydride (NaBH 4 ), which is often not covered in other hydride reviews. However, as it contains 10.6% (by weight) H 2 that can release at 133 ± 3 JK -1 mol -1 , this inexpensive material has received renewed attention. NaBH 4 should decompose to H 2 (g), Na(s), and B(s), and could be recycled into its original form. Unfortunately, metal to ligand charge transfer in NaBH 4 induces high thermodynamic stability, creating a high decomposition temperature of 530 °C. In an effort make H 2 more accessible at lower temperatures, researchers have incorporated additives to destabilize the structure. This review highlights metal additives that have successfully reduced the decomposition temperature of NaBH 4 , with temperatures ranging from 522 °C (titanium (IV) fluoride) to 379 °C (niobium (V) fluoride). We describe synthetic methods employed, chemical pathways taken, and the challenges of boron derivative formation on H 2 cycling. Though no trends can be found across all additives, it is our hope that compiling the data here will enable researchers to gain a better understanding of the additives’ influence and to determine how a new system might be designed to make NaBH 4 a more viable H 2 fuel source.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Chemical compatibility of hollow ceramic cenospheres as thermal insulation for high-temperature thermal energy storage applications with molten nitrate salt

An effective insulation material that is both thermally and chemically stable in molten salts could transform the design of molten-salt-based thermal energy storage (TES) tanks. Most current molten salt TES tanks hold the metallic tank structure in direct contact with hot salt inventory, a design which leads to thermal expansion of the tank and triggers stresses that can lead to thermomechanical failures. With an internal insulation to lower the temperature at the tank structure, the extent of thermal expansion can be reduced, thereby reducing expansion-induced stresses and allowing for consideration of lower-cost tank structure materials. Conventional insulation materials are either 1) too porous and allow molten salts to permeate into the matrix, which significantly increases the thermal conductivity or 2) too dense and have a thermal conductivity that cannot provide sufficient thermal insulation. This paper presents an alternative thermal insulation concept using cenospheres which have an alumino-silicate structure. The cost analysis suggests that the low-density cenospheres can be one of the cheapest materials to provide cost-effective thermal insulation. The chemical compatibility of cenospheres is investigated in molten 60 wt% NaNO3/40 wt% KNO3 salt which is close to industrial-grade Solar Salt. This paper shows that diffusion of the sodium and potassium cations from the salt into the cenospheres occurs based on weight analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The cation diffusion breaks the bridging oxygen bonds and causes volume expansion of the microstructure which is responsible for the failure of the cenosphere particles. The chemical composition of the cenospheres is found to affect their compatibility with molten nitrate salt. A cenosphere product with low iron content showed the best compatibility with an average survival rate of 77.9% +/- 9.8% after 7 days of immersion in the molten nitrate salt. While even the low-iron cenospheres appear to require protection from direct molten salt contact, their slow degradation rate, closed-cell porosity, and low cost hold potential for effective use as internal tank insulation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Energy, economic, and environmental analysis of integration of thermal energy storage into district heating systems using waste heat from data centres

Data centres produce waste heat, which can be utilized in district heating systems. However, the mismatch between data centres’ heat supply and district heating systems’ heat demands limits its utilization. Further, high peak loads increase the operation cost of district heating systems. This study aimed to solve these problems by introducing thermal energy storages. A water tank and a borehole thermal energy storage system were selected as the short-term and long-term thermal energy storage, respectively. Energy, economic, and environmental indicators were introduced to evaluate different solutions. The case study was a campus district heating system in Norway. Results showed that the water tank could shave the peak load by 31% and save the annual energy cost by 5%. The payback period was lower than 15 years when the storage efficiency remained higher than 80%. However, it had no obvious benefits in terms of mismatch relieving and CO emissions reduction. In contrast, the borehole thermal energy storage increased the waste heat utilization rate to 96% and reduced the annual CO emissions by 8%. However, the payback period was more than 17 years. These results provide guidelines for the retrofit of district heating systems, where data centres’ waste heat is available.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Model-based Co-Simulation of Heat Pump Water Heater with Phase Change Materials Thermal Energy Storage

The study analysis the behavior of a new developed heat pump water heater technology which integrates a phase change materials storage with a standard heat pump water heater to maximize the performance parameters of the Unified Energy Factor (UEF) and First Hour Rating (FHR). A model-based control development co-simulation platform is developed to include equipment models, such as heat pump, standard water tank, phase change materials storage tank, and integrate them with control model to support controls design, analysis, verification, and validation. Simulation results are compared with lab test results to validate the accuracy of developed co-simulation platform

Sun, Jian↗
DOE OSTI2024

Improved Design Standard for High Temperature Molten Nitrate Salt Tank Design

The Preliminary Design Guide Outline is intended to create a first iteration of the sections of the future Molten Salt Design guide, with an emphasis on gaps in the current industry accepted standard base that already exists. This outline will be a skeleton for the standard moving forward. With this outline, gaps within the current knowledge base are outlined to guide research moving forward.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Long-Term Performance of Reference Electrodes in Alkaline Radioactive Waste Storage Environments

Accurate measurements of corrosion potential are important for assessing the likelihood of internal localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of carbon steel tanks used for storing radioactive wastes. Reference electrodes in underground radioactive waste storage tanks are challenging to deploy, and more difficult to extract and replace frequently due to radiological exposure and disposal constraints. Hence, electrodes that exhibit stable performance over long periods of immersion in these waste environments are desirable. The present study evaluates the stability of reference electrodes used in radioactive waste storage tanks over a much longer period than previously studied. Long-term tests on Ag/AgCl and Hg/HgO reference electrodes were performed in nonradioactive simulants formulated from wastes stored at the Hanford site. Electrode degradation, which was studied by various in situ and ex situ evaluation techniques, was correlated to changes in electrode fill chemistry from waste intrusion via the porous frit junction. An intentional contamination study was performed to better understand and predict contamination effects on electrode potential drift.

Materials Science↗
DOE OSTI2022

Delivery of Dynamic Thermal Energy Storage Models and Advanced Reactor Concept Models to the HYBRID Repository

This publication details newly created energy storage and reactor models developed within the HYBRID modeling repository as part of the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program, led by Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Model development to-date includes creation of dynamic systems-level models of a pebble bed high temperature gas reactor (HTGR), sodium fast reactor (SFR), compressed air energy storage (CAES), liquid air energy storage (LAES) and Modelica standard library based two-tank sensible heat storage (SHS) in the IES-based HYBRID repository. Models are developed using the latest publicly available data and incorporate the possibility of control strategy inclusion for use with the existing IES modeling, analysis, and optimization toolset. Simulations showcase the abilities of each technology to flexibly operate in ways consistent with IES operation expectations. When these models are available, they can be utilized within different integrated energy park concepts to understand optimal system operation, control, and dispatching. Moreover, given the generic nature of the models, industrial partner technologies can be quickly added to the repository using the existing models as a basis. Additional dynamic models for thermal energy storage concepts can be developed and added to the HYBRID repository as needed. Also detailed in this report are future development goals for the HYBRID repository including adding suites of steady-state models, economic costing information, and reduced-order models. By adding these models in addition to the physical transient models currently existing within HYBRID, HYBRID will be a fully integrable tool for FORCE users.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Gaseous hydrogen storage system with cryogenic supply

A gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution system with a cryogenic supply and a method for the cryogenic conversion of liquid hydrogen into high-pressure gaseous hydrogen are provided. The gaseous hydrogen storage and distribution system includes pressuring liquid hydrogen from a cryogenic tank using a low pressure liquid pump before vaporization within a relatively small vaporizer. The resulting high pressure gaseous hydrogen is transferred to a plurality of storage tanks at ambient temperature according to a desired fill sequence. The high pressure hydrogen gas is subsequently distributed from the storage tanks through a hydrogen fueling dispenser according to a desired dispensing sequence. The present system and method provide improvements in operational safety, eliminates the use of high pressure gas compressor, and minimizes boiling off and ventilation losses at a reduced cost when compared to existing thermal compression storage systems.

Feng, Zhili↗
DOE OSTI2025

SAM Two-Phase Flow Model Development and Applications for Operational Transients in Advanced Reactors

As advanced nuclear technologies continue to develop, the need for the flexible operation and generation of these advanced reactors becomes necessary to maximize economic potential. As large-scale experiments are not always feasible, modeling and simulations of advanced reactors play a crucial role in design optimization and analysis. The SAM (System Analysis Module) code developed at Argonne National Laboratory is a state-of-the-art system-level thermal-hydraulic code aimed at simulating advanced reactor systems. Recent code developments have implemented two-phase flow modeling using the homogeneous equilibrium model, and a new steam generator component has been developed to utilize the two-phase flow implementation. In addition to verification tests, a load-following simulation was performed to model a realistic load-following transient in a proposed integrated system consisting of a conceptual advanced reactor known as the Advanced Burner Test Reactor (ABTR) and thermal energy storage (TES) tanks. The integrated system model uses two large TES tanks designed for sodium and a model helical coil steam generator to simulate the operational load-following transient. The flow rates of the feedwater and secondary loops are regulated to meet a prescribed steam generator load consistent with the electricity demand over a 24-h period. In conclusion, the results found the ABTR system was able to maintain stable reactor conditions and primary- and secondary-side characteristics over the course of the load-following transient.

Advanced Burner Test Reactor (ABTR)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Integrated Modeling and Optimal Operation of Multi-Energy System for Coastal Community

Focusing on remote, isolated, and underserved communities, a multi-energy system is designed in this research which is capable of utilizing different energy sources in a more coordinated and energy-efficient way to support various demands, such as fresh water, electricity, hydrogen, thermal demand, etc. The energy sources considered are renewables (wind, solar, marine) and natural gas. The energy conversion process includes water desalination, gas combustion, water electrolyzation, and different types of storage (hydrogen tank, electricity, thermal, etc.) are designed to serve as buffers in supply-demand balancing. Sets of experiments are designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed operating model and investigate the impact of uncertainties from renewable generations and demands.

Chen, Yang↗