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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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Photoreactive Capture and Conversion of Dilute Carbon Dioxide into Synthetic Natural Gas

This study introduces a photoreactive system that integrates the capture of dilute CO 2 streams with their catalytic conversion to synthetic natural gas (CH 4 ), utilizing a Ru nanoparticle (NP)-doped TiO 2 composite loaded with linear polyethylenimine (L-PEI) and enhanced with plasmonic titanium nitride (TiN). This light-driven approach mitigates challenges that have plagued traditional thermal reactive carbon capture (RCC) methods, such as CO 2 slip and amine degradation. We demonstrate that L-PEI enables stable CO 2 capture and conversion, achieving ~70% conversion of captured CO 2 to CH 4 across multiple reaction cycles using nonflammable forming gas (~5% H 2 ) as the reductant. In contrast, branched PEI (B-PEI)-loaded composites exhibited significant catalyst deactivation after several RCC cycles. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging confirms that significant sintering of the Ru NPs occur in the B-PEI sample under RCC conditions, whereas their size remains stable in more rigid L-PEI composites. Technoeconomic analysis (TEA) estimates that CH 4 production using this system could cost less than $\$$5/kg based on current electrocatalytic H 2 prices. These results represent one of the most promising demonstrations of amine-based RCC employing dilute CO 2 sources to date.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

BETO 2021 Peer Review - Feasibility Study of Utilizing Electricity to Produce Intermediates from CO2 and Biomass

Capturing and converting CO2 generated from bioethanol facilities into valuable products, leveraging renewable electricity as the primary energy input, could increase overall biorefinery carbon utilization by as much as 40% and provide a means to decarbonize fuels and chemicals production. However, significant uncertainty exists around the costs, carbon intensity, risks, and technical challenges associated with electron-driven CO2 reduction. Thus, the overarching objective of this project is to guide existing and future research and development efforts by addressing these knowledge gaps for utilizing renewable electricity and CO2 to improve biorefinery economics and carbon utilization. By September 2023, this project will develop and publish a comprehensive design report for the integration of CO2 utilization into two existing conceptual biorefinery designs, which will include conceptual process models, pioneer and nth plant economics, identification and quantification of technological risks, and projections for future cost reductions.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2024

CO 2 hydrogenation over rhodium cluster catalyst nucleated within a manganese oxide framework

Rhodium-based manganese oxide frameworks were explored as a prototype for carbon dioxide reactive capture and conversion. Three-dimensional frameworks of MnOx were utilized as support structures to isolate Rh metal centers. V, Na, and Zn were introduced as counterions to stabilize the structure and for their beneficial effect as promoters. Here, with this multicomponent catalyst, Rh active centers with MnOxs and varied counterions, we were able to selectively tune the catalytic performance of the material via the choice of counterion and structure of the host material. With cryptomelane-type tunnel manganese oxides octahedral molecular sieve (OMS2), we found that Rh-V-OMS2 was highly stable even after 48 hours on stream with a reaction rate of around 1.5x10 -4 mol CO 2 /g Rh /s, surpassing the net reactivity of other initially more active combinations. Furthermore, during CO 2 hydrogenation, in situ XAFS showed that single Rh atoms nucleated into nanoparticles/ sub-nanometer clusters with a coordination number of 5.5 or less. Our finding of the correlation between the reaction rate and particle size offers the potential for enhanced control over the reaction rate by tuning particle size. Our activity study with control experiments demonstrates that the activities of the catalysts are proved due to the unique metal support interaction offered by the Rh-X-MnO.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Assessment of Amine-Based CO2BOLs for Direct Air Capture

Direct air capture (DAC) technologies extract CO 2 from the atmosphere for CO 2 storage, or utilization. Capturing CO 2 from the air is the most expensive application of carbon capture because CO 2 in the atmosphere is very dilute. There are limited number of CO 2 capture technologies for DAC application. This project aims at developing an energy efficient technology for DAC, leveraging two PNNL’s chemistries (solid and liquid CO 2 capture). Three CO 2 capture sorbents consisting of amine based CO 2 BOLs immobilized in mesoporous silica were designed, synthesized, and tested. These sorbents had ~ 19-23 wt.% amine loadings which is lower than typical amine-based silica sorbents. The surface area and pore volumes of these solid supported CO 2 BOLs are lower compared to those of the pristine silica support. The CO 2 capture performance of these materials was significantly lower than the typical silica supported amines due to low amine loading and higher molecular weight with low amine density. These results show that immobilize CO 2 BOLs in silica are not viable materials for removing CO 2 from ambient air. This project also designed, synthesized at tested liquid solvents for DAC application. Solvent properties that is vapor pressure, CO 2 uptake capacity, kinetics, and viscosity for three novel solvents were evaluated. The CO 2 uptake capacity for one of the most promising amine-based solvent BEPBEGDA was the highest at 13.2 wt% corresponding to 97 mol%. The vapor pressure of the BEPBEGDA solvents were very low at 80 °C compared to other solvents making them suitable for DAC application. The effect of humidity on the CO 2 capture performance of these solvents was evaluated which shows that presence of moisture doesn’t have a negative effect on the CO 2 uptake performance but makes it slightly better. The performances of these solvents were slightly below that of the 0.1M NaOH solution tested under similar conditions. Despite of the slightly lower CO 2 uptake, it is expected that these liquid solvents will have lower regeneration temperature and minimum evaporative losses due their low vapor pressure. Future work will focus on optimization of the liquid solvents for DAC application to improve both CO 2 capture efficiency and capacity without viscosity and vapor pressure increase. Testing of these solvents under DAC conditions using a gas liquid contactor that mimic industrial applications is needed. Solvent cost projection, techno-economic analysis and life cycle analysis are required to evaluate economic viability of this technology.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ammonium Looping with Membrane Absorber and Distributed Stripper for Enhanced Algae Growth

The objective of this project is to conduct a comprehensive investigation to develop and demonstrate a practical, reliable, and cost-effective integrated carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture and biofixation process for algae production. This process utilizes a chemical hindered ammonium solution (NH 4 OH) as both a capture reagent and an algae nutrient. The membrane absorber employed in the system ensured minimal ammonia (NH 3 ) emissions in the treated flue gas. Additionally, distributed solar-energy powered strippers located near the bioreactor modules facilitate solvent regeneration and enable just-in-time delivery of CO 2 and NH 3 to the algae, thereby minimizing the pH swing for enhanced productivity. The proposed membrane CO 2 absorber and solar-powered stripper is designed and seamlessly integrated with the existing 0.1 MWth bench-scale CO 2 capture system (CCS) and open raceway ponds (ORPs) at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy (UK CAER) campus. The entire integrated process has undergone construction, operation, testing, and analysis. Furthermore, technology has been evaluated with a techno-economic analysis (TEA), technology gap analysis (TGA), life-cycle analysis (LCA), and a technology maturation plan (TMP). This project was performed within two budget periods, 54 months in duration. There are fourteen Project Tasks, twelve Milestones and four Success Criteria.

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

M2CT-22IN1202096 Design for Carbon Conversion Product Pathways with Nuclear Power Plant Integration

Coal is a globally abundant resource that historically has been used for power generation via combustion. As the power industry replaces coal with cleaner methods of generation, energy-rich coal could be used in other chemical and fuel applications. This study presents a coal utilization option in which coal combustion is replaced with a carbon-free nuclear power plant and the coal is upgraded to valuable products for a variety of markets. Coal is prepared for conversion first by the pyrolysis process, which will optimize solid, liquid, and gaseous products based on the market size and potential product value, maximizing the monetary value of coal. This process is designed using bituminous coal from the Appalachian region as a basis to provide a pathway to preserve or transition coal-related jobs and create new jobs associated with the clean energy transition. Process modeling in the AspenOne Suite will be used to determine each component’s sensitivities, costs, inputs, and outputs. Dispatch modeling in the FORCE toolset will optimize the entire system and calculate the NPV for the refinery lifetime. Advanced and light-water reactors are considerations to supply the heat, steam, and electricity to the process. This paper focuses on the technical and market analysis used to determine the optimal processes and product pathways for the carbon refinery. Product pathways are on activated carbon, formic acid synthesis, and methanol synthesis for further upgrading to marketable chemical and polymer products.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2022

M2CT-22IN1202096 Design for Carbon Conversion Product Pathways with Nuclear Power Plant Integration

Coal is a globally abundant resource that historically has been used for power generation via combustion. As the power industry replaces coal with cleaner methods of generation, energy-rich coal could be used in other chemical and fuel applications. This study presents a coal utilization option in which coal combustion is replaced with a carbon-free nuclear power plant and the coal is upgraded to valuable products for a variety of markets. Coal is prepared for conversion first by the pyrolysis process, which will optimize solid, liquid, and gaseous products based on the market size and potential product value, maximizing the monetary value of coal. This process is designed using bituminous coal from the Appalachian region as a basis to provide a pathway to preserve or transition coal-related jobs and create new jobs associated with the clean energy transition. Process modeling in the AspenOne Suite will be used to determine each component’s sensitivities, costs, inputs, and outputs. Dispatch modeling in the FORCE toolset will optimize the entire system and calculate the NPV for the refinery lifetime. Advanced and light-water reactors are considerations to supply the heat, steam, and electricity to the process. This paper focuses on the technical and market analysis used to determine the optimal processes and product pathways for the carbon refinery. Product pathways are on activated carbon, formic acid synthesis, and methanol synthesis for further upgrading to marketable chemical and polymer products.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrochemically Enhanced Carbonate Precipitation into Building Materials: A Scalable Carbon Sequestration Strategy

Decarbonization goals across hard-to-abate industries have prompted an urgent need for advanced carbon capture and storage technologies. Sequestering CO2 into carbonate minerals is a scalable method of carbon management with the ability to produce value-added carbon negative materials from waste streams for the construction industry. Waste streams rich in Ca and Mg such as nickel mine tailings, iron/steel slag, and reverse osmosis brines can store 7.6 Mt CO2/year as minerals. Additionally, CO2 mineralization in acid-neutralization processes currently present in industrial waste treatment can eliminate associated CO2 emissions of lime processing by improving process circularity. The carbonate minerals formed from these waste sources are valuable as components of carbon-negative concrete, which have the potential to sequester 1.8 billion Mt of CO2/year. Electrochemical means of CO2 mineralization improves the kinetics of the thermodynamically favorable mineralization process, lessening or eliminating the high energy requirements of traditional methods. Here, we investigate benchtop scale electrochemical CO2 mineralization of alkaline mining waste, highlighting the effects of key constituents in mining waste on the mineralization process.

carbon capture↗
NASA NTRS2011

Evaluation of Mars CO2 Capture and Gas Separation Technologies

Recent national policy statements have established that the ultimate destination of NASA's human exploration program is Mars. In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a key technology required to ,enable such missions and it is appropriate to review progress in this area and continue to advance the systems required to produce rocket propellant, oxygen, and other consumables on Mars using the carbon dioxide atmosphere and other potential resources. The Mars Atmospheric Capture and Gas separation project is selecting, developing, and demonstrating techniques to capture and purify Martian atmospheric gases for their utilization for the production of hydrocarbons, oxygen, and water in ISRU systems. Trace gases will be required to be separated from Martian atmospheric gases to provide pure CO2 to processing elements. In addition, other Martian gases, such as nitrogen and argon, occur in concentrations high enough to be useful as buffer gas and should be captured as well. To achieve these goals, highly efficient gas separation processes will be required. These gas separation techniques are also required across various areas within the ISRU project to support various consumable production processes. The development of innovative gas separation techniques will evaluate the current state-of-the-art for the gas separation required, with the objective to demonstrate and develop light-weight, low-power methods for gas separation. Gas separation requirements include, but are not limited to the selective separation of: (1) methane and water from unreacted carbon oxides (C02-CO) and hydrogen typical of a Sabatier-type process, (2) carbon oxides and water from unreacted hydrogen from a Reverse Water-Gas Shift process, (3)/carbon oxides from oxygen from a trash/waste processing reaction, and (4) helium from hydrogen or oxygen from a propellant scavenging process. Potential technologies for the separations include' freezers, selective membranes, selective solvents, polymeric sorbents, zeolites, and new technologies. This paper summarizes the results of an extensive literature review of candidate technologies for the capture and separation of CO2 and other relevant gases. This information will be used to prioritize the technologies to be developed further during this and other ISRU projects.

Muscatello, Anthony C.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Blue Bison ATR Advanced CCUS System (Final Report)

The objective of this project was to design a carbon capture system that could be installed on a 220 MMSCFD blue hydrogen (Blue H 2 ) facility (Blue H 2 Plant) utilizing auto-thermal reforming (ATR) technology and identify potential sequestration options for the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) produced from the Blue H 2 Plant.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Molecular-scale mechanisms of CO 2 mineralization in nanoscale interfacial water films

The calamitous impacts of untethered carbon emission from fossil-fuel-burning energy infrastructure calls for accelerated development of large-scale CO 2 capture, utilization, and storage technologies that are underpinned by fundamental understanding of molecular-level chemical processes. In the subsurface, rocks rich in divalent metals can react with CO 2 , permanently sequestering it in the form of stable metal carbonate minerals, with the CO 2 -H 2 O composition of the post-injection pore fluid acting as a primary control variable. Herein, we compare mechanistic reaction pathways for aqueous-mediated carbonation with carbon mineralization occurring in nanoscale adsorbed water films. In the extreme of pores filled with a CO 2 -dominant fluid, carbonation reactions are confined to nanometer-thick water films coating mineral surfaces, which enable metal cation release, transport, nucleation, and crystallization of metal carbonate minerals. Though seemingly counterintuitive, laboratory studies have demonstrated facile carbonation rates in these low water environments, which in recent years has begun to be better understood in mechanistic detail. The overarching objective of this review is to delineate the unique underlying molecular-scale reaction mechanisms that govern CO 2 mineralization in these reactive and dynamic quasi-2D interfaces. Here. we highlight the importance of understanding unique properties in thin water films, such as how water dielectric properties, and consequently ion solvation/hydration behavior, can change under nanoconfinement. We conclude by identifying important frontiers for future work and opportunities to exploit these fundamental chemical insights for decarbonization technologies in the 21st century.

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

Production of CO2-Negative Building Composites Development

This project will investigate and utilize the basicity and enhanced reactivity of CO2 chemically captured in PNNL’s CO2BOLs carbon capture solvents to perform the first direct carboxylation of the aromatic rings (substituted phenols) in lignin and lignite. This project aims to develop a deep decarbonization approach that can sequester millions of tonnes of CO2 annually by reacting with two large-volume products, lignin, and lignite, to enable their use as composite fillers. The goal is to demonstrate that CO2-containing composites have comparable properties to conventional synthetic materials, meeting international building codes (IBC) while being able to sequester millions of tonnes of CO2 per year.

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

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) (AGMT-1276)

Patent-pending chemisorption fiber sorbents (CHEFS) utilizing robust, patented basic immobilized amine sorbents (BIAS) are the newest innovation in carbon capture technology. This suite of fiber materials offers reliable and rapid removal of CO2 from both conventional post-combustion sources, like coal-fired power plants, and dilute air sources like those of newly recognized direct capture from air (DAC, 400 ppm CO2). Through this Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), NETL and GTRC aim to improve and refine the fiber formulations and synthesis methods, while pushing towards scaling fiber production and testing in a pilot/semi-pilot scale 1,000-fiber module adsorption system.

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

Moving beyond 90% Carbon Capture by Highly Selective Membrane Processes

A membrane-based system with a retentate recycle process in tandem with an enriching cascade was studied for >90% carbon capture from coal flue gas. A highly CO 2 -selective facilitated transport membrane (FTM) was utilized particularly to enhance the CO 2 separation efficiency from the CO 2 -lean gases for a high capture degree. A techno-economic analysis showed that the retentate recycle process was advantageous for ≤90% capture owing to the reduced parasitic energy consumption and membrane area. At >90% capture, the enriching cascade outperformed the retentate recycle process since a higher feed-to-permeate pressure ratio could be applied. An overall 99% capture degree could be achieved by combining the two processes, which yielded a low capture cost of USD47.2/tonne, whereas that would be USD 42.0/tonne for 90% capture. This FTM-based approach for deep carbon capture and storage can direct air capture for the mitigation of carbon emissions in the energy sector.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coupled Hydromechanical Modeling and Assessment of Induced Seismicity at FWU: Utilizing Time-Lapse VSP and Microseismic Data

The objective of this work is to utilize integrated geomechanics, field vertical seismic profile (VSP) and microseismic data to characterize the complex subsurface stress conditions at the Farnsworth Unit (FWU). The model is based on a five-spot sector model extracted from a primary geomechanical model. The five-spot well injection pattern is characterized by extensive reservoir characterization data, such well logs, extracted cores and borehole geophone data, to facilitate the detailed examination of stress changes and microseismic event occurrences. The study utilizes field vertical seismic volumes acquired from the injection well 13-10A. The seismic volumes successfully provided snapshots of the behavior of the reservoir at distinct times. The use of VSP and microseismic data provided direct and indirect estimates of the dynamic stress changes occurring in the overburden, reservoir and underburden rock formations. In order to illuminate the stress regions and identify rocks that have undergone inelastic failure, microseismic event occurrences were utilized. Microseismic activity has been detected at the FWU; further study of its locations, timing, and magnitude was needed to deduce the nature of the changing stress state. The results of the study revealed that microseismic events were successfully modeled within the Morrow B formation. Moment magnitudes of seismic events were within the same magnitudes for events in the reservoir, suggesting the suitability of the model. The results of the study showed that the computed moment magnitudes for seismic events were insignificant to warrant safety concerns. The study findings showed the usefulness of coupled hydromechanical models in predicting the subsurface stress changes associated with CO 2 injection. The knowledge gained from this study will serve as a guideline for industries planning to undertake underground CO 2 storage, and characterize the subsurface stress changes.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2023

An algal-bacterial symbiotic system of carbon fixation using formate as a carbon source

The commercial implementation of algal cultures for efficient capture of CO 2 from fossil-derived flue gases is not a reality yet due to several major challenges, particularly low gas-liquid mass transport efficiency along with loss of productivity due to pests. This study has explored an algal-bacterial symbiotic system to utilize formate as a carbon source. The algal-bacterial assemblage, after a 400-day adaptive evolution using the formate medium, has demonstrated a new capability to assimilate both formate and CO 2 to promote biomass production. The formate tolerant culture system also addresses CO 2 mass transfer limitation under high light conditions. Continuous cultivation of the assemblage on formate led to a carbon capture efficiency of 90 % with a biomass concentration of 0.92 g L -1 and biomass productivity of 0.31 g L -1 day -1 , and the system did not require CO 2 aeration. In addition, 13 C isotope tracing, proteomics, and microbial community analysis reveal a uniquely evolved community for formate utilizations and robust biomass synthesis, in which Chlorella sorokiniana is a dominant phototroph companying with highly diverse bacterial subpopulations. In the presence of formate, evidence has shown that Chlorella is able to form mutualism with formate utilizing bacteria in semi-continuous cultures, leading to a highly effective photomixotrophic metabolism. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a new route of using electrochemical-derived formate to support mutualistic algae-bacteria biorefinery while the formate as an alternative carbon source could repel pests for outdoor algal cultivations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Environmental, Health and Safety Assessment Application of a Heat Integrated, Post-combustion CO2 Capture System Using Monoethanolamine and Hitachi H3-1 Solvent at the E.W. Brown Coal-fired Power Plant

An Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Assessment was completed for operation of a pilot scale carbon dioxide (CO2) capture system (CCS) at the Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) Energy, LLC (LG&E-KU) E. W. Brown Generating Station in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. The pilot system was evaluated using two CO2 capture solvents, monoethanolamine (MEA) and Hitachi’s H3-1 solvent. The purpose of the EH&S Assessment was to determine if there were any unacceptable environmental, health or safety concerns that may prevent operation or environmental permitting of a larger scale pilot scale plant. The assessment included review of process flow diagrams, input and output flow rates for primary materials, literature describing similar processes and chemicals used or created during the process, actual air emission and wastewater test data and air emission calculations. The evaluation included identification of risks related to hazardous chemicals, air emissions, wastewater discharges, solid wastes generated and employee hazards. Most potential EH&S issues that were identified are commonly found and successfully managed at large industrial facilities. No risks were identified that could not be successfully managed or would likely prevent implementation or environmental permitting of the pilot or larger scale plant. Potential exposures and resulting health risks from exposure to low concentrations of nitrosamines generated from degradation of the Hitachi H3-1 and possibly MEA solvents may be a health concern for site workers, but additional investigation is needed to accurately assess this risk. Applying the information gained from operating the pilot plant, performing air emission testing and used solvent testing to a large-scale facility at a commercial coal-fired electric generating plant suggests additional air emission control measures may be necessary to reduce potential site worker health risks and possibly community risks. Depending upon the location and regional air quality, considerable effort may be required to obtain the necessary air permit for construction and operation of a similarly configured large-scale PCCCS facility.

gas separation↗