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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

The Staged, Pressurized Oxy-Combustion Technology: Status and Application to Boiler Retrofits to Yield Carbon-Negative Power via Biomass

Recognizing the benefits of pressurization and fuel staging on the efficiency of oxy-combustion, the staged, pressurized oxy-combustion (SPOC) process was introduced in 2012. The combination of fuel staging and pressurized oxy-combustion results in a more compact plant, a higher plant efficiency and reduced costs for pollutant and greenhouse gas removal compared with plants equipped with conventional carbon capture. This approach to power generation enables a modular boiler design and optimizes the plant for flexible operation, which is essential to meet the demands of the modern grid when it contains intermittent power sources. Originally designed to burn coal, the SPOC process is well-suited for biomass because the combustion of biomass leads to a high moisture content in the flue gas and the SPOC process is able to recover the latent heat of this moisture, enhancing system performance over that of traditional biomass combustion at atmospheric pressure. The present work is focused on evaluating the potential for utilizing the SPOC process in retrofit applications wherein the boilers of an existing plant are replaced with the SPOC process, and woody biomass is used as the fuel to yield carbon-negative power. Two applications are considered: power generation and cogeneration (heat and power). Modeling these systems in Aspen Plus demonstrates that the SPOC process surpasses the performance of baseline plants with post-combustion capture (PCC) for both power generation and cogeneration. Specifically, compared to a PCC equipped plant, the SPOC power plant has 33% higher efficiency, and the SPOC cogeneration plant reaches 42% higher net energy. Experimentally, the existing SPOC facility was fired for the first time with 100% biomass and after minor improvements were made to the feeding system, the facility demonstrated excellent performance during startup, steady-state operation and turndown.

Carbon capture and storage↗
DOE OSTI2022

Retrofitting stoves with forced jets of primary air improves speed, emissions, and efficiency: Evidence from six types of biomass cookstoves

Incorporating jets of forced air into biomass cookstove combustion has been shown to potentially decrease harmful emissions, leading to a variety of designs in recent years. These have shown mixed success in terms of real-world performance, usability, and durability. The Jet-Flame forced draft retrofit accessory was recently developed to implement forced jets of primary air at a low cost into a wide range of types of cookstoves using a small 1.5-W fan housed in a low-cost cast iron body to be inserted beneath the fuel bed of a biomass cooking fire. This research sought to quantify the potential efficiency and emissions performance impacts of the Jet-Flame when installed in six different types of biomass cookstoves (three open or shielded fires and three rocket stoves) versus the natural draft performance of each. The effect of the operating fan voltage was also measured. A series of tests following a modified ISO 19867-1:2018 protocol were performed in the laboratory using the Aprovecho Laboratory Emissions Measurement System (LEMS) equipped with additional oxygen and temperature sensors. Results for each stove carefully tended with a single layer of sticks showed that the global average PM 2.5 reduction with the Jet-Flame was 89 % relative to the natural draft cases, with larger relative improvements seen in the most rudimentary stoves. CO was reduced by a global average of 74 %, reaching tier 4 or 5 for all stoves. Thermal efficiency was also improved by 34 % when calculated without taking into account the energy content of the remaining char (or 21 % with char), illustrating the value of burning char to provide cooking energy rather than leaving it unburned in the combustion chamber as is common in many natural draft stoves. Time to boil was also reduced by 8 %. In addition, adjusting the voltage of the jet-flame assisted in modulating firepower, improving the usability of the stove. These results indicate a strong potential for the Jet-Flame to help reduce emissions and fuel consumption in a wide range of cookstove designs at a relatively low cost or need for changes in behavior, fuel, or cooking device. The unit also provides enhanced usability in terms of ease of startup, cooking speed, low PM emissions at high power, and burning char. Additional studies are needed to measure performance in the field and under a variety of operational conditions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Insights from FEED studies for retrofitting existing fossil power plants with carbon capture technology

Recent United States Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored front-end engineering design (FEED) studies for retrofitting existing fossil-fueled power plants with state-of-the-art carbon capture technology contain previously overlooked real-world design considerations for near-term deployment of carbon capture. Insights from examining seven recently published FEED study reports are summarized in this paper. This includes a discussion of the design, performance, and cost implications associated with (1) location-specific considerations such as water availability, land availability, and accessibility; (2) host-plant-specific factors such as flue gas specifications, allowable degree of integration between the capture system and host plant, and operational mode; and (3) miscellaneous factors such as market conditions, permitting requirements, and business case incentives. In conclusion, this manuscript highlights (1) water availability as a key design and cost driver, with host plant steam extraction increasing capture system cooling water availability, (2) modularization and constructability impacts on the number of capture trains, (3) the impacts of host plant operational mode and capacity factor on the business case for installing capture, and (4) the merit of continued research, development, and demonstration efforts addressing steam extraction, host plant tie-in at the stack, solvent reclamation and air emissions control.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Thermal power plant upgrade via a rotating detonation combustor and retrofitted turbine with optimized endwalls

Over the past decade, pressure gain combustion research has promised over 10 percentage-points of increase in power plant thermal efficiency. Alas, to realize such potential gain, one must effectively couple the turbine with the detonation combustor, whose exhaust conditions differ substantially from current state of the art gas turbines. This paper presents a modeling approach that enables a superior thermodynamic cycle with a rotating detonation combustor and a retrofitted gas turbine by including a diffuser downstream of the combustor and by contouring the turbine endwall, while preserving the airfoil geometry. We propose a multi-step optimization strategy, parametrizing the endwall geometry with a few control points, without altering the airfoil geometry, and with the stage turbine efficiency as objective function. In a first step the turbine performance is assessed with steady inlet conditions by solving the steady three-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations. In a second step, the inlet conditions are unsteady, as predicted from a detonation combustor and a diffuser, and three-dimensional full unsteady simulations are performed with an unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver. By altering the vane endwall, the steady optimization yielded an efficiency increase of 12% relative to the baseline, while the unsteady optimization resulted in 21% increase compared to the datum turbine. Finally, a full engine analysis demonstrated the superiority of pressure gain combustion which included a realistic thermodynamic cycle of the combustor, the diffuser and the optimized turbine components.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cost-effective retrofit technology for reducing peak power demand in small and medium commercial buildings

We describe a cost-effective retrofit technology that uses collective control of multiple rooftop air conditioning units to reduce the peak power consumption of small and medium commercial buildings. The proposed control uses a model of the building and air conditioning units to select an operating schedule for the air conditioning units that maintains a temperature set point subject to a constraint on the number of units that may operate simultaneously. A prototype of this new control system was built and deployed in a large gymnasium to coordinate four rooftop air conditioning units. Based on data collected while operating this prototype, we estimate that the cost savings achieved by reducing peak power consumption is sufficient to repay the cost of the prototype within a year.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2018

BRICR v0.2.0 (BayREN Integrated Commercial Retrofits) [SWR 18-33]

BRICR is software for translating NREL's BuildingSync™ XML (BSXML) to OpenStudio® Workflow (OSW) files for simulation. Each BSXML contains information about a building as well as multiple possible energy efficiency upgrade options. An OSW file is created and run for each possible efficiency upgrade, the results of all simulations are stored in BSXML format. BRICR was jointly developed by NREL and LBNL for the San Francisco BayREN: Integrated Commercial Retrofits (BRICR) project funded under the DOE solicitation "Solutions to Improve the Energy Efficiency of U.S. Small and Medium Commercial Buildings (DE-FOA-0001385)": https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/downloads/san-francisco-bayren-integrated-commercial-retrofits

Macumber, Dan↗
DOE OSTI2018

Building Efficiency Targeting Tool for Energy Retrofits (BETTER) Analytical Engine

This is an open-source, empirical data-driven, virtual building energy analysis and retrofit targeting tool. The open-source tool will provide a fully-automated, "no-cost/no-touch" approach to screen large volumes of buildings for operational improvement and equipment upgrade opportunities and quantify associated potential energy and cost savings.

Szum, Carolyn↗
DOE OSTI2021

Building Efficiency Targeting Tool for Energy Retrofits (BETTER) Web Application (BETTER Web App) v1.0

The Building Efficiency Targeting Tool for Energy Retrofits (BETTER) V.1.0 web application identifies cost-saving energy and emissions reductions in buildings and portfolios, without site visits or complex modeling. With minimal data entry, BETTER benchmarks a building's or portfolio's energy use against peers; quantifies energy, cost, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential; and recommends energy efficiency measures for individual buildings or portfolios, targeting specific energy savings levels. The source code of BETTER's modular, cross-platform analytical engine has previously been disclosed (2019-001) and is available on GitHub and can be adopted, redeveloped, and redistributed freely under an open-source license, allowing users to incorporate BETTER's analytical capabilities into their own software platforms and tools. The BETTER V.1.0 web application, developed with the Django web-framework and the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture being disclosed here, provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for any user to view the software tutorials, download and upload a data entry template, configure and run the BETTER analyses, and view the final analytical reports.

Szum, Carolyn↗
DOE OSTI2025

Mapping ammonia-diesel combustion on a single-cylinder 107 mm bore diesel engine retrofitted for ammonia port-fuel injection

Ammonia is garnering significant interest from the international maritime sector as an alternative fuel. It is attractive as a hydrogen carrier and as a fuel because it has a higher volumetric energy density compared with gaseous or liquid hydrogen, making it easier to store and transport without requiring high pressures or cryogenic storage. Ammonia has significant toxicity concerns, but safe handling procedures have already been established because it is one of the most widely produced chemicals worldwide for use as a fertilizer. Barriers to consuming NH 3 as a fuel in engines include (1) less favorable ignition energy and flame speed compared with conventional fuels; (2) emissions challenges, including potentially high NH 3 , NO X , and N 2 O emissions; and (3) fuel delivery and handling challenges. Although NH 3 has been used to fuel compression-ignition marine engines in limited demonstration projects, technical barriers still exist. The use of NH 3 as a fuel in smaller-bore, high-speed auxiliary engines for large vessels and for smaller inland and coastal marine applications remains unaddressed. This work investigates a late-injection diesel pilot ignition dual-fuel NH 3 strategy using a single-cylinder, high-speed Cummins four-stroke diesel engine platform with a 107 mm bore and 1.1 L displacement per cylinder. The engine was modified for port fuel injection of heated gaseous anhydrous NH 3 . The diesel fuel injection system and the combustion geometry were unmodified to represent a retrofit application, which would minimize additional hardware to maximize diesel fuel displacement with NH 3 . Furthermore, the results show the applicability of a late injection diesel pilot strategy to overcome the challenging fuel properties of NH 3 over the engine operating envelope. Mapping results focusing on emissions are presented, and comparisons are made to a conventional diesel combustion baseline.

Ship engines↗
DOE OSTI2015

Seismic Retrofit for Electric Power Systems

Our paper develops a two-stage stochastic program and solution procedure to optimize the selection of seismic retrofit strategies to increase the resilience of electric power systems against earthquake hazards. The model explicitly considers the range of earthquake events that are possible and, for each, an approximation of the distribution of damage experienced. Furthermore, this is important because electric power systems are spatially distributed and so their performance is driven by the distribution of component damage. We also test this solution procedure against the nonlinear integer solver in LINGO 13 and apply the formulation and solution strategy to the Eastern Interconnection, where seismic hazard stems from the New Madrid seismic zone.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Project Report: School Retrofit Demonstration of Lighting and Outlet Controls with LED Upgrades

A technology demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was hosted by Boston Public Schools (BPS). This project evaluated wireless controls technology for lighting systems and plug loads (energy consumed by devices plugged into electrical outlets), implemented along with LED lighting retrofits in two classrooms. This study assesses technology readiness and effectiveness to determine the deployment potential of the technology in schools.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2026

A Central Plant Retrofit Assessment Guide for Owners

This document offers support to owners considering optimization upgrades, retrofits, or complete replacement of a central plant, with a particular focus on improving energy efficiency and reliability of the central plant, ultimately leading to reduced energy costs. It outlines recommended steps to prepare for and facilitate a thorough central plant assessment, empowering owners to move forward with the appropriate next steps. While the primary focus is on central plants serving commercial and institutional buildings, the principles and recommendations presented can also be adapted for use in other building types, such as industrial or manufacturing facilities.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2014

Retrofitting Inefficient Rooftop Air-Conditioning Units Reduces U.S. Navy Energy Use (Fact Sheet)

As part of the U.S. Navy's overall energy strategy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) partnered with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) to demonstrate market-ready energy efficiency measures, renewable energy generation, and energy systems integration. One such technology - retrofitting rooftop air-conditioning units with an advanced rooftop control system - was identified as a promising source for reducing energy use and costs, and can contribute to increasing energy security.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2014

RM12-2703 Advanced Rooftop Unit Control Retrofit Kit Field Demonstration: Hawaii and Guam Energy Improvement Technology Demonstration Project

As part of its overall strategy to meet its energy goals, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) partnered with U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to rapidly demonstrate and deploy cost-effective renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. This was one of several demonstrations of new and underutilized commercial energy efficiency technologies. The consistent year-round demand for air conditioning and dehumidification in Hawaii provides an advantageous demonstration location for advanced rooftop control (ARC) retrofit kits to packaged rooftop units (RTUs). This report summarizes the field demonstration of ARCs installed on nine RTUs serving a 70,000-ft 2 exchange store (large retail) and two RTUs, each serving small office buildings located on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH).

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Coal Direct Chemical Looping Retrofit to Pulverized Coal Power Plants for In-Situ CO2 Capture

A novel Coal Direct Chemical Looping (CDCL) system is proposed to effectively capture CO2 from existing PC power plants. The work during the past three years has led to an oxygen carrier particle with satisfactory performance. Moreover, successful laboratory, bench scale, and integrated demonstrations have been performed. The proposed project further advanced the novel CDCL technology to sub-pilot scale (25 kWth). To be more specific, the following objectives attained in the proposed project are: 1. to further improve the oxygen carrying capacity as well as the sulfur/ash tolerance of the current (working) particle; 2. to demonstrate continuous CDCL operations in an integrated mode with > 99% coal (bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite) conversion as well as the production of high temperature exhaust gas stream that is suitable for steam generation in existing PC boilers; 3. to identify, via demonstrations, the fate of sulfur and NOx; 4. to conduct thorough techno-economic analysis that validates the technical and economical attractiveness of the CDCL system. The objectives outlined above were achieved through collaborative efforts among all the participants. CONSOL Energy Inc. performed the techno-economic analysis of the CDCL process. Shell/CRI was able to perform feasibility and economic studies on the large scale particle synthesis and provide composite particles for the sub-pilot scale testing. The experience of B&W (with boilers) and Air Products (with handling gases) assisted the retrofit system design as well as the demonstration unit operations. The experience gained from the sub-pilot scale demonstration of the Syngas Chemical Looping (SCL) process at OSU was able to ensure the successful handling of the solids. Phase 1 focused on studies to improve the current particle to better suit the CDCL operations. The optimum operating conditions for the reducer reactor such as the temperature, char gasification enhancer type, and flow rate were identified. The modifications of the existing bench scale reactor were completed in order to use it in the next phase of the project. In Phase II, the optimum looping medium was selected, and bench scale demonstrations were completed using them. Different types of coal char such as those obtained from bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite were tested. Modifications were made on the existing sub-pilot scale unit for coal injection. Phase III focused on integrated CDCL demonstration in the sub-pilot scale unit. A comprehensive ASPEN® simulations and economic analysis was completed by CONSOL t is expected that the CDCL process will be ready for further demonstrations in a scale up unit upon completion of the proposed project.

Zeng, Liang↗
DOE OSTI2014

Performance Evaluation of Advanced Retrofit Roof Technologies Using Field-Test Data Phase Three Final Report, Volume 1

This article presents various metal roof configurations that were tested at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, U.S.A. between 2009 and 2013, and describes their potential for reducing the attic-generated space conditioning loads. These roofs contained different combinations of phase change material, rigid insulation, low emittance surface and above-sheathing ventilation, with standing-seam metal panels on top. These roofs were designed to be installed on existing roofs decks, or on top of asphalt shingles for retrofit construction. All the tested roofs showed the potential for substantial energy savings compared to an asphalt shingle roof, which was used as a control for comparison. The roofs were constructed on a series of adjacent attics separated at the gables using thick foam insulation. The attics were built on top of a conditioned room. All attics were vented at the soffit and ridge. The test roofs and attics were instrumented with an array of thermocouples. Heat flux transducers were installed in the roof deck and attic floor (ceiling) to measure the heat flows through the roof and between the attic and conditioned space below. Temperature and heat flux data were collected during the heating, cooling and swing seasons over a 3 year period. Data from previous years of testing have been published. Here, data from the latest roof configurations being tested in year 3 of the project are presented. All test roofs were highly effective in reducing the heat flows through the roof and ceiling, and in reducing the diurnal attic temperature fluctuations.

above sheating ventilation↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analysis of Pre-Retrofit Building and Utility Data

IBACOS analyzed pre-retrofit daily utility data to sort homes by energy consumption, allowing for better targeting of homes for physical audits. Following ASHRAE Guideline 14 normalization procedures, electricity consumption of 1,166 all electric production-built homes' was modeled. The homes were in two communities -- one built in the 1970s and the other in the mid-2000s.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗