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At least 361 records · Page 20

Design and performance analysis of gas sorption compressors

Compressor kinetics based on gas adsorption and desorption processes by charcoal and for gas absorption and desorption processes by LaNi5 were analyzed using a two-phase model and a three-component model, respectively. The assumption of the modeling involved thermal and mechanical equilibria between phases or among the components. The analyses predicted performance well for compressors which have heaters located outside the adsorbent or the absorbent bed. For the rapidly-cycled compressor, where the heater was centrally located, only the transient pressure compared well with the experimental data.

Chan, C. K.↗

Atomic Processes in X-ray Photoioinzed Gas

It has long been known that photoionization and photoabsorption play a dominant role in determining the state of gas in nebulae surrounding hot stars and in active galaxies. Recent observations of X-ray spectra demonstrate that these processes are also dominant in highly ionized gas near compact objects, and also affect the transmission of X-rays from the majority of astronomical sources. This has led to new insights into the understanding of what is going on in these sources. It has also pointed out the need for accurate atomic cross sections for photoionization and absorption, notably for processes involving inner shells. The xstar code can be used for calculating the heating, ionization and reprocessing of X-rays by gas in a range of ionization states and temperatures. It has recently been updated to include an improved treatment of inner shell transitions in iron. I will review the capabilities of xstar, the atomic data, and illustrate some applications to recent X-ray spectral observations.

Kallman, Timothy↗

Investigation of N2O Production from 266 and 532 nm Laser Flash Photolysis of O3/N2/O2 Mixtures

Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy has been employed to measure the amount of N2O produced from laser flash photolysis of O3/N2/O2 mixtures at 266 and 532 nm. In the 532 nm photolysis experiments very little N2O is observed, thus allowing an upper limit yield of 7 x 10(exp -8) to be established for the process O3 + N2 yield N2O + O2, where O3 is nascent O3 that is newly formed via O(3P(sub J)) + O2 recombination (with vibrational excitation near the dissociation energy of O3). The measured upper limit yield is a factor of approx. 600 smaller than a previous literature value and is approximately a factor of 10 below the threshold for atmospheric importance. In the 266 nm photolysis experiments, significant N2O production is observed and the N2O quantum yield is found to increase linearly with pressure over the range 100 - 900 Torr in air bath gas. The source of N2O in the 266 nm photolysis experiments is believed to be the addition reaction O(1D(sub 2)) + N2 + M yields (k(sub sigma)) N2O + M, although reaction of (very short-lived) electronically excited O3 with N2 cannot be ruled out by the available data. Assuming that all observed N2O comes from the O(1D(sub 2)) + N2 + M reaction, the following expression describes the temperature dependence of k(sub sigma) (in its third-order low-pressure limit) that is consistent with the N2O yield data: k(sub sigma) = (2.8 +/- 0.1) x 10(exp -36)(T/300)(sup -(0-88+0.36)) cm(sup 6) molecule(sup -2)/s, where the uncertainties are 2(sigma) and represent precision only. The accuracy of the reported rate coefficients at the 95% confidence level is estimated to be 30 - 40% depending on the temperature. Model calculations suggest that gas phase processes initiated by ozone absorption of a UV photon represent about 1.4% of the currently estimated global source strength of atmospheric N2O. However, these processes could account for a significant fraction of the oxygen mass-independent enrichment observed in atmospheric N2O, and they appear to be the first suggested photochemical mechanism that is capable of explaining the altitude dependence of the observed mass -independent isotopic signature.

Estupinan, E. G.↗

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of Particle-Laden Temporal Mixing Layers

High-fidelity models of plume-regolith interaction are difficult to develop because of the widely disparate flow conditions that exist in this process. The gas in the core of a rocket plume can often be modeled as a time-dependent, high-temperature, turbulent, reacting continuum flow. However, due to the vacuum conditions on the lunar surface, the mean molecular path in the outer parts of the plume is too long for the continuum assumption to remain valid. Molecular methods are better suited to model this region of the flow. Finally, granular and multiphase flow models must be employed to describe the dust and debris that are displaced from the surface, as well as how a crater is formed in the regolith. At present, standard commercial CFD (computational fluid dynamics) software is not capable of coupling each of these flow regimes to provide an accurate representation of this flow process, necessitating the development of custom software. This software solves the fluid-flow-governing equations in an Eulerian framework, coupled with the particle transport equations that are solved in a Lagrangian framework. It uses a fourth-order explicit Runge-Kutta scheme for temporal integration, an eighth-order central finite differencing scheme for spatial discretization. The non-linear terms in the governing equations are recast in cubic skew symmetric form to reduce aliasing error. The second derivative viscous terms are computed using eighth-order narrow stencils that provide better diffusion for the highest resolved wave numbers. A fourth-order Lagrange interpolation procedure is used to obtain gas-phase variable values at the particle locations.

Bellan, Josette↗

Carbon Capture on Air Liquide United States Gulf Coast Steam Methane Reformer using the Cryocap TM Flue Gases Process

The objective of this DOE-funded project is to execute and complete a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) study for a commercial-scale carbon capture project for Air Liquide’s Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) located at La Porte, near Houston, Texas. The Host Site is one of Air Liquide’s largest SMR assets, and supplies hydrogen to the Air Liquide Gulf Coast Hydrogen System, which serves refiners and petrochemical manufacturers through an existing H2 pipeline spanning roughly 200 miles from Port Arthur, TX to Bay City, TX. The Host Site produces up to 116.5 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) of gaseous hydrogen and emits approximately 950 ktpy CO 2 at the nameplate capacity. The evolving importance of decarbonized H2 for both existing customers and new markets, as well as the availability and intent of prominent third-party partners to transport and sequester captured CO 2 in locally abundant geological sites for 45Q credits, make the AL US Gulf Coast SMR an ideal site for the proposed FEED study. The envisioned carbon capture system is based on Air Liquide’s proprietary Cryocap™ Flue Gas (FG) process. The integration of the Cryocap™ FG technology to the existing SMR would enable the capture of 900 ktpy of CO 2 , with a net carbon capture rate of >95% and with minimum impact on the levelized cost of hydrogen produced at 99.97% purity.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Water Atomization of Barium Fluoride: Calcium Fluoride for Enhanced Flow Characteristics of PS304 Feedstock Powder Blend

PS304 is a plasma spray deposited solid lubricant coating with feedstock composed of NiCr, Cr2O3, Ag, and BaF2-CaF2 powders. The effects of rounded BaF2-CaF2 particles on the gravity-fed flow characteristics of PS304 feedstock have been investigated. The BaF2-CaF2 powder was fabricated by water atomization using four sets of process parameters. Each of these powders was then characterized by microscopy and classified by screening to obtain 45 to 106 micron particles and added incrementally from 0 to 10 wt% to the other constituents of the PS304 feedstock, namely nichrome, chromia, and silver powders. The relationship between feedstock flow rate, measured with the Hall flowmeter, and concentration of fluorides was found to be linear in each case. The slopes of the lines were between those of the linear relationships previously reported using angular and spherical fluorides and were closer to the relationship predicted using the rule of mixtures. The results offer a fluoride fabrication technique potentially more cost-effective than gas atomization processes or traditional comminution processes.

Stanford, Malcolm K.↗

[LCA UP] Processing and Liquefaction of NG and Storage of LNG DY2020

This unit process includes pipeline gas input, energy requirements, emissions, and losses, associated with processing, liquefaction and storage of natural gas at six different U.S. liquefaction facilities before it is exported.

LCA Unit Process; Liquified Natural Gas; Natural G↗

Acetolysis for Epoxy-Amine Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Recycling

Carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are used in many applications in the global energy transition, including for lightweighting aircraft and vehicles and in wind turbine blades, shipping containers and gas storage vessels1,2,3,4. Given the high cost and energy-intensive manufacture of CFRPs5,6,7, recycling strategies are needed that recover intact carbon fibres and the epoxy-amine resin components. Here we show that acetic acid efficiently depolymerizes both aliphatic and aromatic epoxy-amine thermosets used in CFRPs to recoverable monomers, yielding pristine carbon fibres. Deconstruction of materials from multiple sectors demonstrates the broad applicability of this approach, providing clean fibres from 2 h reactions. The optimal conditions were scaled to 80.0 g of post-consumer CFRPs, and demonstrative composites were fabricated from the recycled carbon fibres, which were recycled two more times, maintaining their strength throughout. Process modelling and techno-economic analysis, with feedstock cost informed by wind turbine blade waste generation8, indicates this method is cost effective, with a minimum selling price of US$1.50 per kg for recycled carbon fibres whereas life cycle assessment shows process greenhouse gas emissions around 99% lower than virgin carbon fibre production. Overall, this approach could enable recycling of industrial CFRPs as it provides clean, mechanically viable recycled carbon fibres and recoverable resin monomers from the thermoset.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Experimental studies of circumstellar, interstellar and interplanetary refractory grain analogs

Experimental techniques for studying the processes which occur during the life cycle of a refractory grain are reviewed. Consideration is given to the construction of a differentially-pumped beam-mass spectrometer which is expected to determine the relative stability of small clusters in the Fe-Mg-Si-O and Ca-Ti-Al-O systems as a function of temperature and pressure. Also, a smoke generator has been constructed to produce gram quantities of amorphous grains for use in thermal annealing and hydrous alteration studies of smokes containing Fe-Mg-Al-Ti-Ca-Si-O and Cl. Topics of the studies include the properties of grains produced in a flow condensation apparatus, the sorption efficiency of Si2O3 smokes for AR gas, the processing of ices containing refractory precursors such as SiH4 or Fe(CO)5 plus water, and the residue from 1 MeV bombardment and warming of an amorphous Fe-SiO smoke.

Nuth, J. A.↗

Formation of carbon and oxygen rich surface layer on high purity magnesium by atmospheric carbon dioxide plasma

Carbon and oxygen-rich corrosion barrier layer formed on Mg by a simple and scalable CO 2 atmospheric plasma (CO 2 -AP) process. The reactive CO 2 -AP interacts with the Mg surface and forms a unique layered structure with the top MgCO 3 /MgO-intermixed particulates pillars and the bottom dense layer. The surface features were simultaneously formed on the nano-/micro-structured MgO layer by carbonate molecules, plasma-active CO 2 molecules, and/or other volatile organic compounds on the nano-/micro-structured MgO particle layer. The resulting surfaces after CO 2 -AP were either hydrophobic or hydrophilic and exhibited lower anodic current or high resistance for Mg corrosion. For the hydrophobic surfaces of CO 2 -AP treated Mg, molecular dynamic simulations were performed to understand the origin of hydrophobicity and identified that the amorphous carbon layers formed on the Mg surface are the source. The environmentally benign abundant-gas-based process enables the cost reduction associated with waste treatment, generation of by-product, and supply of raw material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Free-Radical Prompted Barrierless Gas-Phase Synthesis of Pentacene

A representative, low-temperature gas-phase reaction mechanism synthesizing polyacenes via ring annulation exemplified by the formation of pentacene (C 22 H 14 ) along with its benzo[ a ]tetracene isomer (C 22 H 14 ) is unraveled by probing the elementary reaction of the 2-tetracenyl radical (C 18 H 11 . ) with vinylacetylene (C 4 H 4 ). The pathway to pentacene—a prototype polyacene and a fundamental molecular building block in graphenes, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes—is facilitated by a barrierless, vinylacetylene mediated gas-phase process thus disputing conventional hypotheses that synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) solely proceeds at elevated temperatures. This low-temperature pathway can launch isomer-selective routes to aromatic structures through submerged reaction barriers, resonantly stabilized free-radical intermediates, and methodical ring annulation in deep space eventually changing our perception about the chemistry of carbon in our universe.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomic Processes in X-ray Photoionized Gas

It has long been known that photoionization and photoabsorption play a dominant role in determining the state of gas in nebulae surrounding hot stars and in active galaxies. Recent observations of X-ray spectra demonstrate that these processes are also dominant in highly ionized gas near compact objects, and also affect the transmission of X-rays from the majority of astronomical sources. This has led to new insights into the understanding of what is going on in these sources. It has also pointed out the need for a better atomic cross sections for photoionization and absorption, notably for processes involving inner shells. In this talk I will discuss these issues, what is known and where more work is needed.

Kallman, Timothy↗

An approach for spent nuclear fuel containment integrity verification using gas tagging

Verification of containment integrity is required for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) managed by the commercial nuclear industry and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), especially after extended storage. Certain SNF storage systems, such as the DOE road-ready dry storage system, hold several packaged containments within a welded over-canister. These packaged containments are called Department of Energy Standard Canisters (DOESCs). DOESC leakage identification is challenging because their containment boundary cannot be accessed for testing and their contents (i.e., SNF and fill gas) are often similar. There are concerns that this could result in costly characterization and repackaging operations of DOE road-ready dry storage systems if compromised DOESCs are suspected. Here, to address these concerns, this paper presents an approach for applying a gas tagging process using xenon to uniquely identify compromised inaccessible containments following extended storage. The containments considered for this application are seven DOESCs, each packaged within a single over-canister. Two different SNF loading configurations from the Advanced Test Reactor and Fort Saint Vrain nuclear power plant are considered. These configurations are used to represent research reactor aluminum-clad spent nuclear fuel (ASNF) and TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) SNF types. Results for this application show that for ASNF and TRISO type fuels for which the selected fuels are representative, the volume of taggant required at loading is determined primarily by the lower detection limit and leak rate of taggant from a compromised DOESC, rather than the amount of fission-generated xenon in the loaded fuel. While the application presented is suited for larger leaks, smaller leaks could be detected by modifying certain design parameters. This gas tagging approach can also be applied to other DOE containments and advanced reactor SNF storage systems.

07 - ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Synthesis and characterization of imidazolium-mediated Tröger's base containing poly(amide)-ionenes and composites with ionic liquids for CO 2 separation membranes

Considerable attention has been given to polymeric membranes either containing, or built from, ionic liquids (ILs) in gas separation processes due to their selective separation of CO 2 molecules. Achieving high-performance CO 2 separation membranes with enhanced permeability and selectivity relies mainly on rationally designing the molecular substructure and molecular composition of the polymer matrix. In this work, we have exclusively explored a facile synthetic route to incorporate aromatic amide linkages onto an ionene backbone derived from imidazolium-mediated Tröger's base moieties, yielding a novel rigid polyamide-ionene material (“Im-TB-PA ionene”). We have optimized two novel Im-TB-PA ionene polymers via Menshutkin reactions between N,N'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4-(chloromethyl)benzamide) and equimolar amounts of two isomeric diimidazole-functionalized Tröger's base monomers with ‘ortho’ or ‘para’ regiochemistry. The two resulting Im-TB(o&p)-PA ionenes exhibited high molecular weights and excellent solubilities in polar organic solvents, serving homogeneous and mechanically stable blend membranes with “free” ILs. The structural and physical properties, as well as the gas separation behaviors of both the Im-TB(o&p)-PA ionenes and their IL composite counterparts ([Im-TB(o&p)-PA] + [IL]), were further extensively investigated. The membrane with an optimal composition and polymer architecture ([Im-TB(o)-PA] + [IL]) exhibited outstanding permselectivites for CO 2 /CH 4 (46.73), CO 2 /N 2 (51.74), and CO 2 /H 2 (4.38) gas pairs together with the best CO 2 permeability of 47.2 barrer. Altogether, this study provides a promising strategy to explore the benefits of Im-TB-PA ionenes to separate CO 2 from flue gas, natural gas, and syngas streams, while opening new possibilities in polymer design with strong candidate materials for other practical applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of break geometry and orientation on helium-air mixing in simulated reactor cavities of high temperature gas reactors

Here, this study experimentally examined the spatial and temporal variations in air and helium concentrations and temperature fields within simulated reactor cavities of a High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) following helium discharge into an initially air-filled reactor cavity system. Detailed temperature maps were generated using a combination of fiber optics temperature sensor and multiple thermocouple probes within the simulated reactor cavities. The research scenario involved a hypothetical small pipe break in the Reactor Pressure Vessel, resulting in the release of high-temperature helium into the surrounding cavity. A scaled multi-compartment experimental facility, modeled after the General Atomics Modular High Temperature Gas Reactor (GA-MHTGR) design, was constructed for helium and air mixing experiments. Oxygen sensors and thermocouple probes were installed in all five cavities to measure the concentrations of oxygen (or helium) and the temperature distributions of the gas mixture. The experimental findings highlighted the significant impact of the injected helium jet velocity on the gas mixing process and demonstrated how the direction of the helium jet influences the air-helium temperature profiles within the cavities.

Air-ingress↗

What can be Learned from X-ray Spectroscopy Concerning Hot Gas in Local Bubble and Charge Exchange Processes?

What can be learned from x-ray spectroscopy in observing hot gas in local bubble and charge exchange processes depends on spectral resolution, instrumental grasp, instrumental energy band, signal-to-nose, field of view, angular resolution and observatory location. Early attempts at x-ray spectroscopy include ROSAT; more recently, astronomers have used diffuse x-ray spectrometers, XMM Newton, sounding rocket calorimeters, and Suzaku. Future observations are expected with calorimeters on the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma mission, and the Solar Wind Charge Exchange (SWCX). The Geospheric SWCX may provide remote sensing of the solar wind and magnetosheath and remote observations of solar CMEs moving outward from the sun.

Snowden, Steve↗

Converting 2D Nanofiber Membranes to 3D Hierarchical Assemblies with Structural and Compositional Gradients Regulates Cell Behavior

Abstract New methods are described for converting 2D electrospun nanofiber membranes to 3D hierarchical assemblies with structural and compositional gradients. Pore‐size gradients are generated by tuning the expansion of 2D membranes in different layers with incorporation of various amounts of a surfactant during the gas‐foaming process. The gradient in fiber organizations is formed by expanding 2D nanofiber membranes composed of multiple regions collected by varying rotating speeds of mandrel. A compositional gradient on 3D assemblies consisting of radially aligned nanofibers is prepared by dripping, diffusion, and crosslinking. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the 3D nanofiber assemblies with smaller pore size show significantly higher expression of hypoxia‐related markers and enhanced chondrogenic differentiation compared to BMSCs cultured on the assemblies with larger pore size. The basic fibroblast growth factor gradient can accelerate fibroblast migration from the surrounding area to the center in an in vitro wound healing model. Taken together, 3D nanofiber assemblies with gradients in pore sizes, fiber organizations, and contents of signaling molecules can be used to engineer tissue constructs for tissue repair and build biomimetic disease models for studying disease biology and screening drugs, in particular, for interface tissue engineering and modeling.

Chen, Shixuan↗

A Free‐Radical Prompted Barrierless Gas‐Phase Synthesis of Pentacene

Abstract A representative, low‐temperature gas‐phase reaction mechanism synthesizing polyacenes via ring annulation exemplified by the formation of pentacene (C 22 H 14 ) along with its benzo[ a ]tetracene isomer (C 22 H 14 ) is unraveled by probing the elementary reaction of the 2‐tetracenyl radical (C 18 H 11 . ) with vinylacetylene (C 4 H 4 ). The pathway to pentacene—a prototype polyacene and a fundamental molecular building block in graphenes, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes—is facilitated by a barrierless, vinylacetylene mediated gas‐phase process thus disputing conventional hypotheses that synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) solely proceeds at elevated temperatures. This low‐temperature pathway can launch isomer‐selective routes to aromatic structures through submerged reaction barriers, resonantly stabilized free‐radical intermediates, and methodical ring annulation in deep space eventually changing our perception about the chemistry of carbon in our universe.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗