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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Influences of shock imprinting on mix in a 3D-printed porous media

Mixing of materials in porous media can cause a significant impact on fusion yield as previously demonstrated by the National Ignition Facility (NIF) MARBLE Campaign. Initially, the reactants are separated, with deuterium in the lattice struts and a tritium gas fill in the voids. Lattice parameters such as the strut thickness and relative pitch, provide a control for the mix parameters in the experiment. Los Alamos National Laboratory’s (LANL) BOSQUE project looks to better understand how the mix of the reactants and shell materials impact the fusion burn and resultant yield on various laser platforms. xRAGE’s Eulerian hydrodynamics and adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) provide the unique ability to study the impacts of multiscale features of complex lattice structures. This modeling provides the ability to measure shock front variations as the wave progress’ through a given media. Initial conditions of the lattice are essential to accurately model mix and burn measured by experiment. By varying the initial orientation and densities of these lattice regions the early time dynamics of how the shock is launched into the system is changed and advocates for the study of resulting effects. In this work, we will study the sensitivities of shock effects in varying 3D printed geometric systems and how these shocks alter the structure and mix in the lattice. We will discuss both preliminary experimental results and simulations to help plan and constrain future experiments where we will study the impact of different lattice geometries and lattice bulk densities. This work concludes with the relative impacts of lattice geometries on shock speeds at different bulk densities and the resultant mix widths due to those shock interactions. We see agreement with theory at the higher end of our bulk density study, however, as we approach lower bulk density systems the dynamics of these interactions begin to change.

2 Photon Polymerization↗
NASA NTRS1973

Shear strength of lunar soil from Oceanus Procellarum.

Soil from the scoop of Surveyor 3, returned to earth by Apollo 12 astronauts, has been tested in a miniature shear box at five bulk densities, from 0.99 to 1.87 g/cu cm. Cohesion increased with bulk density from .03 to .3 N/sq cm; internal friction angle increased from 13 to 56 deg. Shear stress vs normal stress data fit a logarithmic relationship better than a linear one, at normal stresses of .003 to 3 N/sq cm. Results of these tests, in air, show no systematic differences from those for tests made elsewhere in vacuum and nitrogen. Results agree with those obtained in remotely controlled lunar surface operations with Surveyor 3 and other spacecraft provided that the bulk density was slightly underestimated for the on-surface measurements.

Jaffe, L. D.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Pilot-Scale Pelleting Tests on High-Moisture Pine, Switchgrass, and Their Blends: Impact on Pellet Physical Properties, Chemical Composition, and Heating Values

In this study, we evaluated the pelleting characteristics of southern yellow pine (SYP), switchgrass (SG), and their blends for thermochemical conversion processes, such as pyrolysis and gasification. Using a pilot-scale ring-die pellet mill, we specifically assessed the impact of blend moisture, length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio in the pellet die, and ratio of pine to SG on the physico-chemical properties of the resulting pellets. We found that an increase in pine content by 25–50% marginally affected the bulk density; however, it also led to an increase in calorific value by 7% and a decrease in ash content by 72%. A moisture content of 25% (wet basis) and an L/D ratio of 5 resulted in poor pellet durability at <90% and bulk density values of <500 kg/m 3 , but increasing the L/D ratio to 9 and lowering the moisture content to 20% (w.b.) improved the pellet durability to >90% and the bulk density to >500 kg/m 3 . Blends with ≥50% pine content resulted in lower energy consumption, while a lower L/D ratio resulted in higher pelleting energy. Based on these findings, we successfully demonstrated the high-moisture pelleting of 2.5 ton of pine top residues blended with SG at 60:40 and 50:50 ratios. The quality of the pellets was monitored off-line and at-line by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Multivariate models constructed by combining the NIR data and the pelleting process variables could successfully predict the pine content (R 2 = 0.99), higher heating value (R 2 = 0.98), ash (R 2 = 0.95), durability (R 2 = 0.94), and bulk density (R 2 = 0.86) of the pellets. Thus, we established how blending and densification of SYP and SG biomass could improve feedstock specifications and that NIR spectroscopy can effectively monitor the pellet properties during the high-moisture pelleting process.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS2021

Predicting near-saturated hydraulic conductivity in urban soils

Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) provide point predictions of soil hydraulic properties from more readily measured soil characteristics, yet uncertainties and biases in measurement methods, sampling distributions, and boundary conditions can limit accuracy when estimating near-saturated hydraulic conductivity (K(n)). These limitations may be particularly problematic in understudied urban landscapes that often contain altered hydraulic properties. To better treat deficiencies in PTF performance, we addressed three objectives, which were to: 1) develop PTFs to predict urban K(n), 2) assess bulk density and coarse fragments as explanatory variables; and 3) evaluate the predictive capability of these PTFs by comparing their output to measured hydraulic conductivity values from three other studies of urban soil hydraulics. We used artificial neural networks (ANN) and random forest (RF) approaches to predict urban K(n), with the training dataset including 307 tension infiltrometer tests and other measurements drawn from urban soil assessments in 11 U.S. cities. The PTFs utilized a hierarchy of inputs, starting with percentage sand, silt, clay, and then adding percentage coarse fragments and bulk density. The ANN models performed similar to the RF models, and all models exhibited similar or better predictive performance as models results collected from published articles. The inclusion of bulk density or coarse fragments did not improve accuracy over soil texture alone. Possible reasons for this result include low correlation between K(n) and bulk density and the exclusion of large voids during flow measurements with tension infiltrometers. The models have been made available as an open-source software package to encourage adoption by users working in urban systems.

Jinshi Jian↗
DOE OSTI2024

Energy-based break-even transportation distance of biomass feedstocks

The distance a solid biomass feedstock could be used to transport the feedstock when used as biobased fuel is critical information for transportation analysis. However, this information is not available. The break-even transportation distance (BTD) of various fuels from biomass feedstocks and fossil sources was analyzed for truck, rail, and ship transport modes based on bulk density, moisture content, and specific energy. Fourteen different biomass feedstocks, such as crop residues (e.g., corn stover), woody biomass (e.g., wood chips), including thermally pretreated (torrefied) and densified forms (pellets), cattle feedlot compost, and three standard fossil fuels, namely, coal, lignite, and diesel, were considered for BTD analysis and comparison. The BTD values were derived by comparing the energy content of biomass feedstocks with the energy expended in transporting the fuels through selected transportation modes. For ready reference, an alternative derivation of BTD equations and example calculations were also presented. Among the biomass feedstocks, torrefied pellets had the highest BTD (4.16 × 10 4 , 12.47 × 10 4 , and 54.14 × 10 4 km), and cattle feedlot compost had the lowest BTD (1.29 × 10 4 , 3.88 × 10 4 , and 9.23 × 10 4 km), respectively, for truck, rail, and ship. Higher bulk density and higher specific energy of the biomass feedstocks increased the BTD for all modes of transport. Transport is most efficient when mass-limited. Biomass feedstock bulk densities where transportation becomes mass-limited are 223, 1,480, and 656 kg/m 3 for truck, rail, and ship, respectively. Truck transport is typically mass-limited (payload limit restriction; increased BTD), whereas rail transport is entirely volume-limited (cargo space restriction; decreased BTD), and ship transport is mostly volume-limited for biomass feedstocks and mass-limited for densified biomass feedstocks. Ship transport is the most efficient, followed by rail and truck; on average for the materials (17) studied, rail is 3.1 times and ship is 9.2 times the truck's BTD. Based on the bulk density and higher specific energy of the biomass feedstocks, regardless of the refinery location, interstate truck transport of these feedstocks is not a limiting factor in the bio-refining process., with the studied biomass feedstock BTD per truckload representing between 0.89 and 2.88 times the US perimeter.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Theory for the Balance between Warm Rain and Ice Crystal Processes of Precipitation in Mixed-Phase Clouds

Abstract Mixed-phase clouds contain both supercooled cloud liquid and ice crystals. In principle, precipitation may be initiated either by the liquid phase or by the ice phase. Ice crystals may grow by vapor diffusion to become snow (“ice crystal process”), forming “cold” precipitation. Equally, cloud droplets, when large enough, coalesce to form “warm” precipitation by the “warm rain process.” Warm rain could be supercooled and freeze as “warm” graupel. In the present paper, a new simplified theoretical analysis is provided to examine the microphysical system consisting of three species of hydrometeor, namely, cloud liquid, “cold ice” (crystals, snow), and “warm rain” (frozen or supercooled). This is obtained by nondimensionalizing and simplifying the evolution equations for the mass of each species. Analytical formulas are given for equilibria. Feedback analysis shows that the sign of the feedback is linked to the abundance of precipitation, with a neutral surface in the 3D phase space. The system’s precipitation amount explodes while in the initial unstable regime, crossing the neutral surface and approaching the equilibrium point that is a stable attractor. Positive and negative feedbacks are elucidated. In a standard case, the cold ice mass is about 1000 times larger than the warm rain mass. To illustrate the physical behavior of the theory, sensitivity tests are performed with respect to environmental conditions (e.g., aerosol, updraft speed) and microphysical parameters (e.g., riming and sedimentation rates for cold ice). Cold ice prevails, especially in fast ascent, due to its low bulk density, favoring slow sedimentation and a wide cross-sectional area for riming. Significance Statement The theory elucidates how the ice phase can prevail in the precipitation from any mixed-phase clouds with supercooled cloud liquid and crystals. The ice phase radically suppresses cloud liquid by riming when active and “wins” the competition against coalescence. This prevalence of ice is shown to arise from the low bulk density of snow. The cloud is viewed as a system of negative and positive feedbacks that prevail in realms of stability and instability in a 3D phase space.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Airborne LiDAR to Improve Canopy Fuels Mapping for Wildfire Modeling

Increasing conflict between wildfire and the built environment has increased the need for more up-to-date and finer resolution canopy fuels data to improve wildfire modeling and associated risk forecasts. The US Forest Service and US Department of the Interior’s LANDFIRE product, which provides 30-m resolution canopy fuels data for the entire US, is one of the most widely used sources of fuels data. However, the last complete mapping effort for LANDFIRE is based on 2016 conditions, and subsequent updates reflect disturbances 1-2 years behind the release year. Airborne systems equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors can be deployed to actively sense canopy structure and estimate canopy fuels data (cover, height, base height, bulk density) at finer resolutions. Canopy base height (CBH) and canopy bulk density (CBD) are difficult to measure both in the field and in LiDAR point clouds. Still, they are important for accurately modeling crown fires, which are often intense and difficult to contain. Additionally, point cloud datasets are large, and calculations require efficient utilization of computational resources. To address these challenges, we are working on an approach that uses openly available National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) airborne LiDAR data, with calculations processed in the R programming language and parallelized through the lidR package. CBH and CBD are often derived from tree height, diameter at breast height, and species-specific allometries using the Fire and Fuels Extension of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FFE-FVS). We aim to test if airborne LiDAR can estimate CBH and CBD without the use of empirical equations. Reliable estimates of canopy fuels data directly from airborne LiDAR could streamline quick, fine-resolution updates for use in wildfire behavior models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2022

Regional Variations of Mercury's Crustal Density and Porosity From MESSENGER Gravity Data

A new solution of Mercury's gravity field to degree and order 160, named HgM009, is retrieved through a reprocessing of MESSENGER radio science measurements. By combining our latest gravity field with topography data, localized spectral admittance analyses are carried out to investigate Mercury's crustal and lithospheric properties across the northern hemisphere. The measured spectra are compared with admittances predicted by lithospheric flexure models. The localized gravity/topography admittance analyses yield key information on the lateral variations of the bulk density of the upper crust. Elastic and crustal thicknesses are also adjusted in our study, but the local admittance spectra allow us to constrain these parameters only over a few regions. The average bulk density across the observed areas in the northern hemisphere is 2540 ±60 kg m −3 . The crustal porosity is then constrained by using an estimate of the pore-free grain density of surface materials with our measured bulk density. Our estimate of the mean porosity is 14.7 ±1.6 %, which is comparable to, but slightly higher than, the average value measured on the Moon. Larger crustal porosities are observed over heavily cratered regions, suggesting that impact bombardment is the main cause of the crustal porosity.

Mercury's crust↗
DOE OSTI2025

Impact of Salinity on Ground Ice Distribution Across an Arctic Coastal Polygonal Tundra Environment

The heterogeneous distribution of ground ice in the Arctic is a key driver of uneven ground subsidence as permafrost thaws, significantly impacting infrastructure and surface/subsurface hydrology. These topographic and hydrological changes contribute to major uncertainties in energy and carbon fluxes and storage in a warming Arctic. This study aims to improve our understanding of the controls on ground ice and organic matter distribution within the top 3 m of permafrost in coastal polygonal tundra near Utqiagvik, Alaska. To this end, we apply a neural network approach to bulk density distributions derived from nondestructive X-ray tomography of soil cores, trained with laboratory analyses, to improve the resolution and spatial coverage of estimates of dry bulk density, ice content, and organic matter content. In addition, we use capacitively coupled geophysical imaging to map soil electrical conductivity and salinity variations. The results show that sedimentary deposits from ocean transgressions, along with subsequent ice wedge polygon geomorphological processes, jointly influence the distribution of ice content at various scales. The impact of the latter decreases with depth, whereas the influence of salinity and sedimentary history increases. Although the controls on the distribution of soil organic matter content (g/cm 3 ) remain unclear, the pronounced heterogeneity in bulk density strongly influences its calculation from laboratory mass fraction measurements (g/g). From a methodological perspective, the interdependencies among soil components and the need for increased data coverage underscore the value of high-resolution density measurements, such as using X-ray tomography. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of considering salinity constraints on ice content distribution in coastal permafrost regions. The results are expected to aid in the development of data products and process representations in geomorphological and ecosystem models.

Dafflon, Baptiste [Lawrence Berkeley National Labo↗
DOE OSTI2023

Determination of film thicknesses of metal oxides prepared by atomic layer deposition on SBA-15

ZrO 2 and CeO 2 films were grown in SBA-15 by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) to loadings of 0.92 g oxide/g SBA-15. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectra (EDS) showed that the oxides grew uniformly inside the mesopores. Film thicknesses were then analyzed as a function of the number of ALD cycles using three methods: 1) mass changes assuming bulk densities for the films; 2) changes in pore size from Barret-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) analysis with N 2 adsorption isotherms; and 3) small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Film thicknesses assuming bulk densities were between 6 and 8 times smaller than those obtained from BJH analysis. SAXS analysis gave film thicknesses that were approximately twice that obtained from bulk densities. Here, possible explanations of the discrepancies between these methods are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-moisture pelleting of corn stover using pilot- and commercial-scale systems: Impact of moisture content, L / D ratio and hammer mill screen size on pellet quality and energy consumption

Here, high-moisture pelleting of corn stover was tested in pilot- and commercial-scale systems. For the pilot-scale study, a 6.35 mm screen size hammer mill ground corn stover was reconditioned to moisture between 14 and 29.6% (w.b.), and 5, 7 and 9 L/D ratio pellet die were used. At 29% corn stover moisture content and L/D ratios of 5 and 9, the bulk density and durability of the pellets were ≤450 kg/m 3 and <90% and >540 kg/m 3 and >90%, respectively. Increasing the feedstock moisture and L/D ratio increased the pelleting energy. Increasing the hammer mill screen size to 11.11 mm reduced the bulk density but not the durability. The response surface models adequately described the pelleting process (R 2 ≥ 0.88), and analysis of variance showed a strong interaction between the process variables and pellet properties. Commercial-scale testing of high-moisture pelleting using 6.35 mm ground corn stover bales in the moisture range 24–26% (w.b.) produced pellets with a density of >675 kg/m 3 and durability of >98%, whereas increasing the hammer mill screen size to 11.11 mm reduced the bulk density by about 100 kg/m 3 but not the durability. The energy consumption of the commercial-scale unit operations for the high-moisture pelleting process was in the range 98–124 kW h/ton, which is 64–72% less energy than conventional pelleting that requires energy about 350 kW h/ton for biomass drying from 30% (w.b.) to 10% (w.b.) moisture content before pelleting. Pellets produced using high-moisture pelleting met International Organization for Standardization and Pellets Fuel Institute international standards. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS2010

Packing Optimization of an Intentionally Stratified Sorbent Bed Containing Dissimilar Media Types

The Fire Cartridge is a packed bed air filter with two different and separate layers of media designed to provide respiratory protection from combustion products after a fire event on the International Space Station (ISS). The first layer of media is a carbon monoxide catalyst made from gold nanoparticles dispersed on iron oxide. The second layer of media is universal carbon, commonly used in commercial respirator filters. Each layer must be optimally packed to effectively remove contaminants from the air. Optimal packing is achieved by vibratory agitations. However, if post-packing movement of the media within the cartridge occurs, mixing of the bed layers, air voids, and channeling could cause preferential air flow and allow contaminants to pass. Several iterations of prototype fire cartridges were developed to reduce post-packing movement of the media within each layer (settling), and to prevent mixing of the two media types. Both types of movement of the media contribute to decreased fire cartridge performance. Each iteration of the fire cartridge design was tested to demonstrate mechanical loads required to cause detrimental movement within the bed, and resulting level of functionality of the media beds after movement was detected. In order to optimally pack each layer, vertical, horizontal, and orbital agitations were tested and a final packed bulk density was calculated for each method. Packed bulk density must be calculated for each lot of catalyst to accommodate variations in particle size, shape, and density. In addition, a physical divider sheet between each type of media was added within the fire cartridge design to further inhibit intermixing of the bed layers.

Kidd, Jessica↗
NASA NTRS2011

Packing Optimization of Sorbent Bed Containing Dissimilar and Irregular Shaped Media

The Fire Cartridge is a packed bed air filter with two different and separate layers of media designed to provide respiratory protection from combustion products after a fire event on the International Space Station (ISS). The first layer of media is a carbon monoxide catalyst and the second layer of media is universal carbon. During development of Fire Cartridge prototypes, the two media beds were noticed to have shifted inside the cartridge. The movement of media within the cartridge can cause mixing of the bed layers, air voids, and channeling, which could cause preferential air flow and allow contaminants to pass through without removal. An optimally packed bed mitigates these risks and ensures effective removal of contaminants from the air. In order to optimally pack each layer, vertical, horizontal, and orbital agitations were investigated and a packed bulk density was calculated for each method. Packed bulk density must be calculated for each media type to accommodate variations in particle size, shape, and density. Additionally, the optimal vibration parameters must be re-evaluated for each batch of media due to variations in particle size distribution between batches. For this application it was determined that orbital vibrations achieve an optimal pack density and the two media layers can be packed by the same method. Another finding was media with a larger size distribution of particles achieve an optimal bed pack easier than media with a smaller size distribution of particles.

Holland, Nathan↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluation of a Geotechnical Compaction Model to Estimate Sediment Deformation

When surface ruts from vehicle activity occur above archeological deposits, there is a potential for an impact to the archeological record to occur. While impacts to the soil surface are relatively straightforward to describe, sub-surface disturbances are more difficult to quantify. In particular, disturbances to buried archeological materials can be difficult to characterize. Materials can be damaged by surface disturbances, but they can also be impacted even if they stay intact. Interpretation of intact materials relocated within the sediment column can be problematic. Traditional characterization methods (e.g. excavation) can also disturb archaeological materials. Here, we present a geotechnical compaction model that can be used to assist with sub-surface characterization under vehicle ruts formed during off-road travel. The model is based on a Boussinesq analysis of stress increase below a surface load. The change in bulk density resulting from compaction is assumed to be proportional to the stress increase. The model results were compared against pilot scale tests conducted with homogeneous sediment and field scale in-situ tests. The results indicate that the model generally agreed with measurements to within 20%, although only a single soil type was evaluated in these studies, with a narrow range of initial bulk densities and rut depths. While application of the model across a broader matrix of soil types, bulk densities and rut depths would increase confidence in the model, it appears that the model may be suitable for use in archeological field investigations. Potential uses include both compliance and research based field applications.

Fritz, Brad G.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Explore the Potential to Formulate Feedstock Blends from Diverse Biomass inputs for Improved Processing Performance at Lower Costs

This work aims to understand the pelleting characteristics of 2-inch top-pine residue blended with switchgrass at high moisture content. The process variables tested are blend moisture content, length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio in the pellet die, and the blend ratio. A flat-die pellet mill was also used in this study. The pine and switchgrass blend ratios that were tested include (1) 25% 2-inch top pine residue with 75% switchgrass; (2) 50% 2-inch top pine residue with 50% switchgrass; and (3) 75% 2-inch top pine residue with 25% switchgrass. The pelleting process conditions tested included the L/D ratio in the pellet die (i.e., 1.5 to 2.6) and the blend moisture content (20 to 30%, w.b.). Analysis of experimental data indicated that blending 25% switchgrass with 75% 2-inch top pine residue and 50% switchgrass with 50% 2-inch top pine residue resulted in pellets with a bulk density of >550 kg/m3 and durability of >95. Optimization of the response surface models developed for process conditions in terms of product properties indicated that a higher L/D ratio of 2.6 and a lower blend-moisture content of 20% (w.b.) maximized bulk density and durability. Higher pine in the blends improved the pellet durability and reduced energy consumption. Tests were also conducted on blends of pine and switchgrass using a pilot scale pellet mill by varying the blend moisture content and compression ratio of the pellet die. Pelleting tests on pure pine and switchgrass and their blends in a pilot scale ring die pellet mill with a throughput of 1 ton/h has indicated pellets with durability >500 kg/m3 and durability in the range of >90 and >95 %. The demonstration of high moisture pelleting of blends of 2- and 6-inch top pine residues and switchgrass blends indicated that good quality pellets with durability >90 % and bulk density of >500 kg/m3 can be produced.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1973

The relative density of lunar soil

The specific gravity and minimum and maximum bulk densities were determined for three one-gram lunar soil samples containing particles less than 1 mm in diameter: 14163,148; 14259,3; and 15601,82. The specific gravity varied from 2.90 to 2.93 for the Apollo 14 samples to 3.24 for the Apollo 15 sample. The difference is attributed to the higher proportion of agglutinates and breccias and fewer mineral fragments and basalts in the Apollo 14 soils. The minimum bulk densities varied from 0.87 to 1.10 g/cu cm, while the maximum densities varied from 1.51 to 1.89 g/cu cm. The ranges in values were due to differences in the specific gravity, re-entrant intragranular voids, particle shape, surface texture, and grain arrangements. The in situ lunar soil in the plains areas of the moon can have a low to medium relative density at the surface, increasing rapidly to a very high relative density at depths greater than 10 to 20 cm.

Carrier, W. D., III↗