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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 271 records · Page 15

Preliminary Evaluation of Joint Electricity-Hydrogen Concept of Operations

An initial thermal power dispatch (TPD) concept of operations was evaluated that couples a nuclear power plant to a nearby hydrogen production plant. GSE Systems’ generic pressurized water reactor full-scope simulator was modified with a TPD model comprised of a thermal power extraction and delivery system. A prototype human-system interface (HSI) was developed to interact with the TPD model and allow participants to execute the basic operating scenarios for normal operations. Four retired operators performed the evaluation, and due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the original in-person experimental design was restructured to support a remote participator evaluation using a web meeting platform. Data from operator feedback, observations from the research team, and quantitative survey responses revealed that the initial TPD concept of operations is feasible. The operators were comfortable with the engineered system and HSI and could manage it without adverse impacts to reactor power, plant safety, or equipment. Findings are discussed in terms of both the TPD system design and HSI performance.

human factors↗

Three-dimensional fracture continuum characterization aided by surface time-domain electromagnetics and hydrogeophysical joint inversion—proof-of-concept

Efficient and safe production of hydraulically fractured reservoirs benefits from the prediction of their geometrical attributes. Geophysical methods have the potential to provide data that are sensitive to fracture geometries, alleviating the typically sparse nature of in situ reservoir observations. Moreover, surface-based methods can be logistically and economically attractive since they avoid operational interference with the injection well infrastructure. Here, we investigate the potential of the surface-based time-domain electromagnetic (EM) method. EM methods can play an important role owing to their sensitivity to injection-induced fluid property changes. Two other advantageous factors are the EM signal-enhancing effect of vertical steel-cased wells and the fact that injected proppants can be enhanced to produce a stronger electrical conductivity contrast with the reservoir’s connate fluid. Nevertheless, an optimal fracture characterization will no doubt require the integration of EM and reservoir injection and production data. We hence carry out our investigations within a hydrogeophysical parameter estimation framework where EM data and injection flow rates are combined in a fully coupled way. Given the interdisciplinary nature of coupled hydrogeophysical inverse modeling, we dedicate one section to laying out key aspects in a didactic manner.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Estimation of soil classes and their relationship to grapevine vigor in a Bordeaux vineyard: advancing the practical joint use of electromagnetic induction (EMI) and NDVI datasets for precision viticulture

Working within a vineyard in the Pessac Léognan Appellation of Bordeaux, France, this study documents the potential of using simple statistical methods with spatially-resolved and increasingly available electromagnetic induction (EMI) geophysical and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) datasets to accurately estimate Bordeaux vineyard soil classes and to quantitatively explore the relationship between vineyard soil types and grapevine vigor. First, co-located electrical tomographic tomography (ERT) and EMI datasets were compared to gain confidence about how the EMI method averaged soil properties over the grapevine rooting depth. Then, EMI data were used with core soil texture and soil-pit based interpretations of Bordeaux soil types (Brunisol, Redoxisol, Colluviosol and Calcosol) to estimate the spatial distribution of geophysically-identified Bordeaux soil classes. A strong relationship (r = 0.75, p < 0.01) was revealed between the geophysically-identified Bordeaux soil classes and NDVI (both 2 m resolution), showing that the highest grapevine vigor was associated with the Bordeaux soil classes having the largest clay fraction. The results suggest that within-block variability of grapevine vigor was largely controlled by variability in soil classes, and that carefully collected EMI and NDVI datasets can be exceedingly helpful for providing quantitative estimates of vineyard soil and vigor variability, as well as their covariation. The method is expected to be transferable to other viticultural regions, providing an approach to use easy-to-acquire, high resolution datasets to guide viticultural practices, including routine management and replanting.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

On the Structural Transformation of Ni/BaH 2 During a N 2 -H 2 Chemical Looping Process for Ammonia Synthesis: A Joint In Situ Inelastic Neutron Scattering and First-Principles Simulation Study

The demand for decarbonizing the ammonia industry by using renewable energy has invoked increasing research interests into catalyst development for effective N 2 reduction under mild conditions. Hydride-based materials are among some of the emerging catalysts for ammonia synthesis at ambient pressure and low temperatures (< 673 K). A recent chemical looping process based on Ni/BaH 2 showed the most promise as it can realize ammonia production at a temperature as low as 373 K and under ambient pressure. However, the chemical transformation of the hydride catalyst at the molecular level remains unclear in this process. Here, we report detailed in situ neutron spectroscopy and diffraction investigations along with first-principles simulations on the structural transformation of Ni/BaH 2 during the nitridation and hydrogenation steps in the chemical looping process for ammonia synthesis. It was shown that a ball-milling process of the starting Ni/BaH 2 could significantly decrease the size of BaH 2 and increase the density of defects, thus potentially enhancing the reactivity of the hydride. The evolution from BaH 2 to barium imide (BaNH) was evidenced in the inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and neutron diffraction results during the N 2 reaction step. During the hydrogenation study, in addition to the recovery of BaH 2 , a possible intermediate species, N-deficient barium imide, was also detected. In comparing the N 2 and H 2 reaction steps, the neutron results indicate that the hydrogenation step appears more difficult than the nitridation step, confirming the facile N 2 fixation property of Ni/BaH 2 catalyst in ammonia synthesis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Implementation of the riding hydrogen model in CCTBX to support the next generation of X-ray and neutron joint refinement in Phenix

A fundamental prerequisite for implementing new procedures of atomic model refinement against neutron diffraction data is the efficient handling of hydrogen atoms. The riding hydrogen model, which constrains hydrogen atom parameters to those of the non-hydrogen atoms, is a plausible parameterization for refinements. This work describes the implementation of the riding hydrogen model in the Computational Crystallography Toolbox and in Phenix. Riding hydrogen atoms can be found in several different configurations that are characterized by specific geometries. For each configuration, the hydrogen atom parameterization and the expressions for the gradients of refinement target function with respect to non-hydrogen parameters are described.

H atom parameterization↗

An agent-based approach to study the diffusion rate and the effect of policies on joint placement of photovoltaic panels and green roof under climate change uncertainty

As two of the highest trending green technologies, photovoltaic panels and green roofs are proven to be effective practices for energy generation and energy saving. The achievable impact from the widespread installation of such technologies is, however, not clearly established. This is mainly because the degree of this impact highly depends on the inherently uncertain environmental and climate factors, as well as the unknown adoption rates of these technologies, which in turn depend on different characteristics of decision makers and interactions among them. To that end, this study aims to investigate the diffusion rate of these green technologies under uncertainties caused by climate change, characteristics of adopters, and their interactions. An integrated framework is developed to capture the interplay between financial and attitudinal aspects, as well as the uncertainties due to both the stochastic nature of system parameters and the interactions among agents involving human beings. Specifically, this framework consists of a integer programming model to optimize the green roof and/or photovoltaic panel installation settings for a given building under climate change uncertainty, and an agent-based model to factor in the role of human behavior and interactions. A case study for the city of Knoxville, TN, is presented to evaluate the effects of different policies on the diffusion rate of the green technologies of interest. The results show that the affordability of green technologies and public awareness are the key drivers of the adoption of these technologies, which highlight the important role of the decision makers in impacting the diffusion rate.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗