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DOE OSTI2023

Disordered Au Nanoclusters for Efficient Ammonia Electrosynthesis

The electrochemical nitrogen (N 2 ) reduction reaction (N 2 RR) under mild conditions is a promising and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional Haber-Bosch process with high energy consumption and greenhouse emission for the synthesis of ammonia (NH 3 ), but high-yielding production is rendered challenging by the strong nonpolar N≡N bond in N 2 molecules, which hinders their dissociation or activation. In this study, disordered Au nanoclusters anchored on two-dimensional ultrathin Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene nanosheets are explored as highly active and selective electrocatalysts for efficient N 2 -to-NH 3 conversion, exhibiting exceptional activity with an NH 3 yield rate of 88.3±1.7 μg h –1 mg cat. –1 and a faradaic efficiency of 9.3±0.4 %. Further, a combination of in situ near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and operando X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy is employed to unveil the uniqueness of this catalyst for N 2 RR. The disordered structure is found to serve as the active site for N 2 chemisorption and activation during the N 2 RR process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2026

Effect of fiber sizing and glass fiber laminate hybridization on vibration damping and mechanical properties of banana fiber reinforced polypropylene composites

Modern automotive applications demand lightweight, multifunctional materials to reach mileage goals and natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs) are one of the classes of materials proposed as a solution. NFRCs exhibit good vibration damping properties and have low density, but are often limited by processing challenges, poor-fiber matrix compatibility and variable performance. Herein, we investigate non-woven wet-lay of comingled banana fiber (BF), recycled glass fiber (rGF), and polypropylene (PP) fibers to in situ sizing and preparation of composite feedstocks for compression molding. BF and rGF hybrids were prepared by stacking rGF layers during compression molding to produce composites with various fiber ratios. The effect of fiber content, in-situ sizing and ratio of BF to rGF on tensile, flexural and vibration damping performance are investigated. Key results are the significant increase in tensile strength by in situ sizing (40 % sized at 60 wt% BF) and in flexural modulus (+58 % sized at 60 wt% BF) and flexural strength (+41 % sized 60 wt% BF) compared to the unsized equivalent. For BF-rGF hybrid composites with40 wt% total fiber content, flexural strength and modulus were improved by 51 % and 231 % respectively for a 1:1 ratio BF:rGF compared to BF reinforced system. Lastly, identifying the cross-over point where damping and stiffness are optimized for a hybrid composite. These findings demonstrate that these composites can be used as alternative to synthetic fiber or mineral filled composites in automotive applications, particularly where weight reduction, vibration damping and stiffness are desired.

Banana fiber↗

DOE OSTI2025

Equilibrium Separation of Siloxanes in Metal–Organic Frameworks

We present an in silico assessment of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the equilibrium separation of linear and cyclic siloxanes. Using a combination of configurational bias/continuous fractional component Monte Carlo (CB/CFCMC) simulations and Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST), we investigated the adsorption of both equimolar and nonequimolar mixtures of linear and cyclic siloxanes in a selection of synthesizable MOFs with medium to large pore volumes. We showed that configurational entropy effects drive the preferential adsorption of linear siloxanes over cyclic siloxanes. Based on synthesizability metrics we identified ZIF-70 as a promising adsorbent for the separation of linear and cyclic siloxanes. Self-diffusivities of linear and cyclic siloxanes in ZIF-70 calculated from molecular dynamics simulations show that equilibrium can be reached on reasonable time scales. We explored vacuum-temperature swing adsorption (VTSA) as a potential method for the recovery of adsorbed linear siloxanes from ZIF-70, achieving a 75% reduction in adsorbed phase concentration. Additionally, we demonstrated that supercritical CO 2 offers an alternative desorption strategy by displacing adsorbed linear siloxanes in ZIF-70 at pressures above 200 bar driven by entropy effects.

Adsorption↗

DOE OSTI2023

Sterically attenuated electronic communication in cobalt complexes of meridional isoquinoline-derived ligands for applications in electrocatalysis

The ability to synthetically tune the ligand frameworks of redox-active molecules is of critical importance to the economy of solar fuels because manipulating their redox properties can afford control over the operating potentials of sustained electrocatalytic or photoelectrocatalytic processes. The electronic and steric properties of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (Terpy) ligand frameworks can be tuned by functional group substitution on ligand backbones, and these correlate strongly to their Hammett parameters. The synthesis of a new series of tridentate meridional ligands of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines that engineers the ability to finely tune the redox potentials of cobalt complexes to more positive potentials than that of their Terpy analogs is achieved by aryl-functionalizing at the four-position and by including isoquinoline at the two- and six-positions of pyridine (Aryl-DiQ). Their cobalt complex syntheses, their electronic properties, and their catalytic activity for carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction are reported and compared to their Terpy analogs. The cobalt derivatives generally experience a positive shift in their redox features relative to the Terpy-based analogs, covering a complementary potential range. Although those evaluated fail to produce any quantifiable products for the reduction of CO2 and suffer from long-term instability, these results suggest possible alternate strategies for stabilizing these compounds during catalysis. We speculate that lower equilibrium association constants to the cobalt center are intrinsic to these ligands, which originate from a steric interaction between protons on the pyridine and isoquinoline moieties. Nevertheless, the new Aryl-DiQ ligand framework has been engineered to selectively tune homoleptic cobalt complexes’ redox potentials.

Chemistry↗

DOE OSTI2026

Empirical scaling of the L–H threshold power for metal wall tokamaks using a multi-device database

The empirical scaling for the H-mode power threshold in tokamaks has been revisited using a database with threshold data from machines with a metallic first wall as part of International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) task TC-26. The database contains discharges from ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) (W), JET (Be/W) and Alcator C-Mod (Mo). This was motivated by reports that in like-for-like discharges the power threshold was reduced by approximately 30% after the change from carbon based to metallic first wall materials on AUG (Ryter et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 113003) and JET (Maggi et al 2014 Nucl. Fusion 54 023007). The database contains L–H transition data for all hydrogen isotopes and mixtures, including T and DT from the recent JET campaigns. Compared to the ITPA 2008 scaling (Martin et al 2008 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 123 012033), the metal wall scaling has a smaller magnetic field exponent but a larger density exponent. We present an additional parameter to capture the strong dependence of the L–H power threshold (approx. factor 2) on the magnetic configuration in the divertor on JET. The scaling recovers the approximate inverse isotope mass scaling of the threshold power. Alternative scalings involving the plasma current and poloidal magnetic field are explored. Despite the reduction in threshold observed earlier, the scalings based on the metal wall database do not necessarily extrapolate to a lower threshold for ITER compared to the ITPA 2008 scaling, especially at high density. The divertor configuration effect induces the largest uncertainty in the extrapolation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

WE-E-18A-10: Comparison of Patient Dose and Vessel Visibility Between Antiscatter Grid Removal and Lower Angiographic Radiation Dose Settings for Pediatric Imaging: A Preclinical Investigation

Purpose: To define an alternative to antiscatter grid (ASG) removal in angiographic systems which achieves similar patient dose reduction as ASG removal without degrading image quality during pediatric imaging. Methods: This study was approved by the local institution animal care and use committee (IACUC). Six different digital subtraction angiography settings were evaluated that altered the mAs, (100, 70, 50, 35, 25, 17.5% of reference mAs) with and without ASG. Three pigs of 5, 15, and 20 kg (9, 15, and 17 cm abdominal thickness; smaller than a newborn, average 3 yr old, and average 10 year old human abdomen respectively) were imaged using the six dose settings with and without ASG. Image quality was defined as the order of vessel branch that is visible relative to the injected vessel. Five interventional radiologists evaluated all images. Image quality and patient dose were statistically compared using analysis of variance and receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis to define the preferred dose level and use of ASG for a minimum visibility of 2nd or 3rd order branches of vessel visibility. Results: ASG grid removal reduces dose by 26% with reduced image quality. Only with the ASG present can 3rd order branches be visualized; 100% mAs is required for 9 cm pig while 70% mAs is adequate for the larger pigs. 2nd order branches can be visualized with ASG at 17.5% mAs for all three pig sizes. Without the ASG, 50%, 35% and 35% mAs is required for smallest to largest pig. Conclusion: Removing ASG reduces patient dose and image quality. Image quality can be improved with the ASG present while further reducing patient dose if an optimized radiographic technique is used. Rami Nachabe is an employee of Philips Health Care; Keith Strauss is a paid consultant of Philips Health Care.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

Porous media properties of reticulated shape memory polymer foams and mock embolic coils for aneurysm treatment

Background: Shape memory polymer (SMP) foams are being investigated as an alternative aneurysm treatment method to embolic coils. The goal of both techniques is the reduction of blood flow into the aneurysm and the subsequent formation of a stable thrombus, which prevents future aneurysm rupture. The purpose of this study is to experimentally determine the parameters, permeability and form factor, which are related to the flow resistance imposed by both media when subjected to a pressure gradient. Methods: The porous media properties—permeability and form factor—of SMP foams and mock embolic coils (MECs) were measured with a pressure gradient method by means of an in vitro closed flow loop. We implemented the Forchheimer-Hazen-Dupuit-Darcy equation to calculate these properties. Mechanically-reticulated SMP foams were fabricated with average cell sizes of 0.7E-3 and 1.1E-3 m, while the MECs were arranged with volumetric packing densities of 11-28%. Results: The permeability of the SMP foams was an order of magnitude lower than that of the MECs. The form factor differed by up to two orders of magnitude and was higher for the SMP foams in all cases. The maximum flow rate of all samples tested was within the inertial laminar flow regime, with Reynolds numbers ranging between 1 and 35. Conclusions: The SMP foams impose a greater resistance to fluid flow compared to MECs, which is a result of increased viscous and inertial losses. These results suggest that aneurysms treated with SMP foam will have flow conditions more favorable for blood stasis than those treated with embolic coils having packing densities ≤ 28%.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2012

Determination of the impact of glycolate on arp and mcu operations

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is evaluating an alternate flowsheet for the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) using glycolic acid as a reductant. An important aspect of the development of the glycolic acid flowsheet is determining if glycolate has any detrimental downstream impacts. Testing was performed to determine if there is any impact to the strontium and actinide sorption by monosodium titanate (MST) and modified monosodium titanate (mMST) or if there is an impact to the cesium removal at the Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Processing Unit (MCU). Sorption testing was performed using both MST and modified MST (mMST) in the presence of 5,000 and 10,000 ppm (mass basis) glycolate. 10,000 ppm is the estimated bounding concentration expected in the DWPF recycle stream based on DWPF melter flammable gas model results. The presence of glycolate was found to slow the removal of Sr and Pu by MST, while increasing the removal rate of Np. Results indicate that the impact is a kinetic effect, and the overall capacity of the material is not affected. There was no measurable effect on U removal at either glycolate concentration. The slower removal rates for Sr and Pu at 5,000 and 10,000 ppm glycolate could result in lower DF values for these sorbates in ARP based on the current (12 hours) and proposed (8 hours) contact times. For the highest glycolate concentration used in this study, the percentage of Sr removed at 6 hours of contact decreased by 1% and the percentage of Pu removed decreased by nearly 7%. The impact may prove insignificant if the concentration of glycolate that is returned to the tank farm is well below the concentrations tested in this study. The presence of glycolate also decreased the removal rates for all three sorbates (Sr, Pu, and Np) by mMST. Similarly to MST, the results for mMST indicate that the impact is a kinetic effect, and the overall capacity of the material is not affected. The presence of glycolate did not change the lack of affinity of mMST for U. Pre-contacting the MST or mMST with glycolate did not have a significant effect on the performance of the materials when compared to tests having the same concentration of glycolate present in the simulant. These findings suggest that the glycolate is likely influencing removal by sorbate complexation and not by depositing onto or forming a film on the surface of the MST solids. Since the DF values are salt batch dependent, it is not possible to a priori quantify the impacts of glycolate on future processing campaigns. However, we recommend that the impacts of glycolate be evaluated during each salt batch qualification when a final processing concentration is defined, and recommendations can then be made on how to mitigate negative impacts, if needed. Impacts to the performance of the MST or mMST could be mitigated by increasing contact time or increasing sorbent concentrations. In addition to the MST and mMST testing, testing was performed to determine if there is an impact to the cesium removal at Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Processing Unit (MCU). An Extraction-Scrub-Strip (ESS) test routine was used to simulate cesium removal at the MCU. For this, SRNL performed three ESS tests, using the same basic aqueous waste simulant and solvent. For one test, SRNL added 5,000 ppm (mass basis) of glycolate and added 10,000 ppm of glycolate to a second test. A control test contained no glycolate. The results of all three tests were virtually identical for all the extraction, scrub and strip tests. (A single data point in the 5,000 ppm test is physically impossible and SRNL is currently resolving this obvious error.) At this time, SRNL concludes that the presence of up to 10,000 ppm of glycolate does not affect cesium removal by the current solvent system used in the MCU. Although not tested, the impact of glycolate for the Next Generation Solvent - that replaces BOBCalixC6 with MaxCalix - is expected to be very similar to that for the baseline solvent. Testing is needed to confirm. Additional testing is recommended to both further examine the nature of the interaction of glycolate with MST and mMST and also to help address some postulated risks on ARP/MCU operations with implementation of the glycolate flowsheet. The additional testing includes FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to examine the surface of the MST and mMST particles, iodometric titrations to determine the peroxide content in the mMST before and after exposure to glycolate, particle size measurements of the MST and mMST from the experiments performed with glycolate, and measurements of soluble Ti in the supernate from these glycolate experiments. With regards to MCU impacts, the following tests are also recommended based on the premortem risk assessment.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2012

Operating Reserve Reductions from a Proposed Energy Imbalance Market with Wind and Solar Generation in the Western Interconnection

This paper considers several alternative forms of an energy imbalance market (EIM) proposed in the nonmarket areas of the Western Interconnection. The proposed EIM includes two changes in operating practices that independently reduce variability and increase access to responsive resources: balancing authority cooperation and sub-hourly dispatch. As the penetration of variable generation increaseson the power system, additional interest in coordination would likely occur. Several alternative approaches could be used, but consideration of any form of coordinated unit commitment is beyond the scope of this analysis. This report examines the benefits of several possible EIM implementations--both separately and in concert

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2012

Determination of the Impact of Glycolate on ARP and MCU Operations

Savannah River Remediation (SRR) is evaluating an alternate flowsheet for the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) using glycolic acid as a reductant. An important aspect of the development of the glycolic acid flowsheet is determining if glycolate has any detrimental downstream impacts. Testing was performed to determine if there is any impact to the strontium and actinide sorption by monosodium titanate (MST) and modified monosodium titanate (mMST) or if there is an impact to the cesium removal, phase separation, or coalescer performance at the Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Processing Unit (MCU). Sorption testing was performed using both MST and modified MST (mMST) in the presence of 5000 and 10,000 ppm (mass basis) glycolate. 10,000 ppm is the estimated bounding concentration expected in the DWPF recycle stream based on DWPF melter flammable gas model results. The presence of glycolate was found to slow the removal of Sr and Pu by MST, while increasing the removal rate of Np. Results indicate that the impact is a kinetic effect, and the overall capacity of the material is not affected. There was no measurable effect on U removal at either glycolate concentration. The slower removal rates for Sr and Pu at 5000 and 10,000 ppm glycolate could result in lower DF values for these sorbates in ARP based on the current (12 hours) and proposed (8 hours) contact times. For the highest glycolate concentration used in this study, the percentage of Sr removed at 6 hours of contact decreased by 1% and the percentage of Pu removed decreased by nearly 7%. The impact may prove insignificant if the concentration of glycolate that is returned to the tank farm is well below the concentrations tested in this study. The presence of glycolate also decreased the removal rates for all three sorbates (Sr, Pu, and Np) by mMST. Similar to MST, the results for mMST indicate that the impact is a kinetic effect, and the overall capacity of the material is not affected. The presence of glycolate did not change the lack of affinity of mMST for U. Pre-contacting the MST or mMST with glycolate did not have a significant effect on the performance of the materials when compared to tests having the same concentration of glycolate present in the simulant. These findings suggest that the glycolate is likely influencing removal by sorbate complexation and not by depositing onto or forming a film on the surface of the MST solids. Since the DF values are salt batch dependent, it is not possible to a priori quantify the impacts of glycolate on future processing campaigns. However, we recommend that the impacts of glycolate be evaluated during each salt batch qualification when a final processing concentration is defined, and recommendations can then be made on how to mitigate negative impacts, if needed. Impacts to the performance of the MST or mMST could be mitigated by increasing contact time or increasing sorbent concentrations. Testing was performed to determine if there is an impact to the cesium removal at Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Processing Unit (MCU). An Extraction-Scrub-Strip (ESS) test routine was used to simulate cesium removal at the MCU. For this, SRNL performed three ESS tests, using the same basic aqueous waste simulant and solvent. For one test, SRNL added 5000 ppm (mass basis) of glycolate and added 10,000 ppm of glycolate to a second test. A control test contained no glycolate. The results of all three tests were virtually identical for all the extraction, scrub and strip tests.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

Determination of the impact of glycolate on ARP and MCU operations

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2017

III-V/Active-Silicon Integration for Low-Cost High-Performance Concentrator Photovoltaics

This FPACE project was motivated by the need to establish the foundational pathway to achieve concentrator solar cell efficiencies greater than 50%. At such an efficiency, DOE modeling projected that a III-V CPV module cost of $0.50/W or better could be achieved. Therefore, the goal of this project was to investigate, develop and advance a III-V/Si mulitjunction (MJ) CPV technology that can simultaneously address the primary cost barrier for III-V MJ solar cells while enabling nearly ideal MJ bandgap profiles that can yield efficiencies in excess of 50% under concentrated sunlight. The proposed methodology was based on use of our recently developed GaAsP metamorphic graded buffer as a pathway to integrate unique GaAsP and Ga-rich GaInP middle and top junctions having bandgaps that are adjustable between 1.45 – 1.65 eV and 1.9 – 2.1 eV, respectively, with an underlying, 1.1 eV active Si subcell/substrate. With this design, the Si can be an active component sub-cell due to the semi-transparent nature of the GaAsP buffer with respect to Si as well as a low-cost alternative substrate that is amenable to scaling with existing Si foundry infrastructure, providing a reduction in materials cost and a low cost path to manufacturing at scale. By backside bonding of a SiGe, a path to exceed 50% efficiency is possible. Throughout the course of this effort, an expansive range of new understanding was achieved that has stimulated worldwide efforts in III-V/Si PV R&D that spanned materials development, metamorphic device optimization, and complete III-V/Si monolithic integration. Highlights include the demonstration of the first ideal GaP/Si interfaces grown by industry-standard MOCVD processes, the first high performance metamorphic tunnel junctions designed for III-V/Si integration, record performance of specific metamorphic sub-cell designs, the first fully integrated GaInP/GaAsP/Si double (1.7 eV/1.1 eV) and triple (1.95 eV/1.5 eV/1.1 eV) junction solar cells, the first high performance GaAsP/Si double junction cell, the demonstration of a new method that allow for rapid, quantitative and non-destructive characterization of dislocations (ECCI-electron channeling contrast imaging), the first observation, explanation and solution of the now commonly reported lifetime degradation and recovery phenomena in III-V/Si MOCVD growth, the first demonstration of a high performance SiGe cell with a bandgap of 0.9 eV, amongst other highlights. The impact of the program on the international community has been significant. At the start of our FPACE1 project and for the immediate prior years, 1-2 conference papers/annually were presented at IEEE PVSC. Once FPACE1 commenced in 2011, related efforts sprouted across the US, Europe and Asia and by 2015 there were 26 papers presented on III-V/Si multijunctions in the 2015 PVSC, demonstrating the excitement that was stimulated by the results of this FPACE1 effort.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Multifunctional cement for geothermal wells

This report compiles the work of BNL in support of Thermal Shock Resistant Cement evaluations (TSRC) by Schlumberger. BNL has worked on the formulation of thermal-shock resistant cement since 2011. All the materials on the blend including publications and presentations are in public domain and were sent to Schlumberger for review prior the beginning of the evaluations. Initial efforts focused on achieving long and controlled thickening time of TSRC at 85°C in thickening time tests in a pressurized consistometer. Since the results of BNL set control were not reproduced by Schlumberger technical feedback on Schlumberger testing was among the main efforts of the BNL team in the beginning of the collaboration. When it became clear that the main reason of results deviation was the difference in the mode of retarder addition (dry-blended at BNL and pre-dissolved at Schlumberger) the efforts shifted to the possible decrease in the cost of the formulation by changing concentrations and nature of the alkali activator as well as evaluating performance of more economical formulations with calcium-aluminate cement, Secar #51, Secar #71 and Ciment Fondu, suggested by Schlumberger based on communications with Kerneos (supplier of calcium aluminate cements). Another piece of information obtained by Schlumberger from Kerneos that prompted evaluations of different calcium-aluminate cements in the composition of TSRC was the fact that originally used Secar#80 contains some performance-improving additives that may interfere with the set control and rheological properties of the slurries. In summary, the report contains the following information: 1. Review of the setting behavior of TSRC slurries prepared by dry-blending TA powder or pre dissolving it in mix water in calorimetric tests at 85°C; 2. Results of evaluation of different alkali activators for improved compressive strength development and cost reduction; 3. Results of evaluation of Secar #51, 71 and cement Fondu as an alternative to Secar #80 in TSRC formulation – thermal shock tests and phases’ analyses of set cement; 4. A brief discussion of early-compressive-strength-development test conditions appropriate for geothermal wells.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2018

Multifunctional Cement for Geothermal Wells

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2025

A Percolating Path to Green Iron

About 1.9 gigatonnes of steel is produced every year emitting 7% (2.7 gigatonnes) of global CO 2 in the process. More than 50% of the CO 2 emissions come from a single step of steelmaking, known as ironmaking. Hydrogen based direct reduction (HyDR) of iron oxide to iron has emerged as an emissions free ironmaking alternative. However multi-scale phenomena ranging from nanometers to meters inside HyDR reactors exhibit detrimental microstructure evolution which resists gaseous transport of H 2 /H 2 O, slows reaction rates and disrupts continuous reactor operation. To resolve the conundrum between atomic and reactor scales, we devise a percolation-theory model to reconcile nanoscale porosity with macroscopic properties relevant to reactor design models. Using synchrotron nano X-ray computed-tomography, we quantify the evolution of pores in iron oxide pellets, and demonstrate how nano-scale pore networks influence micro and macro-scale flow properties such as permeability, diffusivity and tortuosity. Our new modeling framework bridges the gap between scales and offers the criteria to accelerate HyDR by at least 5x via feedstock-reactor synergies based on percolation.

Paul, Subhechchha↗

NASA NTRS1988

Space Shuttle Orbiter windshield bird impact analysis

The NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter's windshield employs three glass panes separated by air gaps. The brittleness of the glass offers much less birdstrike energy-absorption capability than the laminated polycarbonate windshields of more conventional aircraft; attention must accordingly be given to the risk of catastrophic bird impact, and to methods of strike prevention that address bird populations around landing sites rather than the modification of the window's design. Bird populations' direct reduction, as well as careful scheduling of Orbiter landing times, are suggested as viable alternatives. The question of birdstrike-resistant glass windshield design for hypersonic aerospacecraft is discussed.

Edelstein, Karen S.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Analysis of an algae-based CELSS. II - Options and weight analysis

Life support components are evaluated for application to an idealized closed life support system which includes an algal reactor for food production. Weight-based trade studies are reported as 'break-even' time for replacing food stores with a regenerative bioreactor. It is concluded that closure of the life support gases (oxygen recovery) depends on the carbon dioxide reduction chemistry and that an algae-based food production can provide an attractive alternative to re-supply for longer duration missions.

Holtzapple, Mark T.↗

NASA NTRS1998

The Aviation System Analysis Capability Noise Impact Model

To meet its objective of assisting the U.S. aviation industry with the technological challenges of the future, NASA must identify research areas that have the greatest potential for improving the operation of the air transportation system. To accomplish this, NASA is building an Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC). The Noise Impact Model (NIM) has been developed as part of the ASAC. Its primary purpose is to enable users to examine the impact that quieter aircraft technologies and/or operations might have on community noise impact and air carrier operating efficiency at any of 16 large- and medium-sized U.S. airports. The analyst chooses an airport and case year for study, selects a runway use configuration and set of flight tracks for the scenario, and has the option of reducing the noise of the aircraft that operate at the airport by 3, 6, or 10 decibels. NIM computes the resultant noise impact and estimates any airline operations improvements. Community noise impact is characterized in three ways: the size of the noise contour footprint, the number of people living within the.contours, and the number of homes located in the same contours. Distance and time savings are calculated by comparing the noise abatement flight path length to a less circuitous alternate routing. For a more efficient runway use configuration, the increase in capacity and reduction in delay are shown.

Wingrove, Earl R., III↗