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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 73 records · Page 4

A Comparative Evaluation and Selection of High-Temperature Heat Exchangers for Application to Integrated Energy Systems

The following report aims to create a refined and well-structured method for comparatively evaluating heat exchanger technologies for integrated energy systems that caters customers’ specific needs while meeting engineering requirements. For the evaluation, this study elevates previous evaluation metrics, enhances the knowledge base via literature and market surveys, and identifies the figures of merit with robust rationales to enhance the quality of decisions made throughout the proposed heat exchanger evaluation process. The heat exchanger designs evaluated as part of the case study are shell and tube heat exchangers, printed circuit heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, spiral heat exchangers, and heat pipe heat exchangers. The information presented in this report is meant for industries interested in making a preliminary screening process to identify the most suitable heat exchanger design for their application of interest.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Comparative Evaluation and Selection of High-Temperature Heat Exchangers for Application to Integrated Energy Systems

The following report aims to create a refined and well-structured method for comparatively evaluating heat exchanger technologies for integrated energy systems that caters customers’ specific needs while meeting engineering requirements. For the evaluation, this study elevates previous evaluation metrics, enhances the knowledge base via literature and market surveys, and identifies the figures of merit with robust rationales to enhance the quality of decisions made throughout the proposed heat exchanger evaluation process. The heat exchanger designs evaluated as part of the case study are shell and tube heat exchangers, printed circuit heat exchangers, plate heat exchangers, spiral heat exchangers, and heat pipe heat exchangers. The information presented in this report is meant for industries interested in making a preliminary screening process to identify the most suitable heat exchanger design for their application of interest.

42 - ENGINEERING↗

Development of large-scale, 3D Printed high temperature ceramic material

Through this collaborative effort, a new 3D printing platform for ceramics called laser-induced slip casting (LIS) was explored and developed for improving the processing and manufacture of silicon carbide (SiC), a high temperature ceramic material. This method prints layers of ceramic slips/slurries with subsequent selective-laser heating to dry each layer to build a 3D structure. The completed and dried part is then sintered. This manufacturing process is inherently lower cost than alternative ceramic printing methods such as binder jet technology or stereolithography when it comes to the feedstock material but is more expensive than robocasting or direct ink writing. However, it has the potential to make more controlled parts with less defects compared to robocasting. The largest cost is the heating source for the printer. With this technique, there is potential to make large ceramic parts in a near-net shape. Further, there is no known commercial manufacturing of 3D printed ceramics that creates a large range of different high-density ceramics at large scale. The goals and outcomes for the development of the new printing technology were: 1) assessing the technology with alumina by characterizing coupons, 2) printing and sintering of silicon carbide (SiC), and 3) characterization and properties testing of materials printed and a scale-up of SiC part(s). Through this collaborative project, it was sought to provide the best solution to achieving highly dense and near-net shaped ceramic parts at large scale and reduced cost. The goal was to produce high density sintered materials for applications in defense, energy generating systems, armor, and wear parts using 3D printing methods. Variables including powder particle sizes, dispersant molecular weights (MWs), binders, printing parameters, and post processing were explored as well as the characterization of the physical properties (add specifics here).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Refrigerants for a Sustainable Future

Worldwide use of high global warming potential (GWP) hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants for space conditioning and food storage results in significant equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This is further exacerbated in developed countries by the current transition from hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants to HFC refrigerants. Under the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the proposed phase-out of currently used HFC and HCFC refrigerants has initiated a re-evaluation of some pre-existing refrigerants as well as the development and evaluation of new refrigerants. Making the ideal refrigerant selections for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) applications is thereby difficult in an already overabundant refrigerants market. In this paper, a study of key parameters required of a good refrigerant is conducted, followed by the analysis of refrigerants desired and refrigerants used in two major sectors of the HVAC&R industry, namely commercial refrigeration and residential air-conditioning and heat pumps. Finally, keeping in consideration the global environmental regulations and safety standards, a recommendation of the most suitable refrigerants in both sectors has been made.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Nanofibrous electrocatalyst including nanofibrous continuous network of graphitic nanofibers having embedded catalytically active metal moieties

A nanofibrous catalyst and method of manufacture. A precursor solution of a transition metal based material is formed into a plurality of interconnected nanofibers by electro-spinning the precursor solution with the nanofibers converted to a catalytically active material by a heat treatment. Selected subsequent treatments can enhance catalytic activity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Molten fluid electrode apparatus

A battery includes negative electrode material and positive electrode material where the materials are in a solid phase except for selected portions that are heated to transform the selected portions into a fluid. The fluid portion of negative electrode material is directed to a negative electrode region of a reaction chamber and the fluid portion of positive electrode material is directed to a positive electrode region of the reaction chamber where a solid electrolyte containing ions of the negative electrode separates the positive electrode region from the negative electrode region.

Vissers, Daniel R.↗

Selective Thermal Emission with Radiation and Adsorption in Annuli (STERADIAN): An Advanced Heat Exchanger Concept for Supercritical CO 2 Power Cycles

One of the key limitations affecting ability to achieve the efficiency and cost saving advantages of a supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) power cycle resides with the primary heat exchanger where costs can exceed 50% of the plant capital budget depending on design. This project established the foundational groundwork for a new type of heat exchanger optimized to take advantage of radiative heat transfer to scCO 2 . Selective thermal emission coatings were designed and tested that radiated more light tuned to the 4.2 µm infrared absorption band of CO 2 . Coating design utilized principles of nanophotonic bandgap theory to design a selective emitter that has: 1) low emissivity in the visible band, 2) near 100% effective emissivity in the mid-IR wavelength between 4 and 4.5 µm wavelength, and 3) strong suppression of far-IR light emission that will maximize radiative heat transfer efficiency to scCO 2 . Computational fluid dynamics simulations show that an advanced heat exchanger implementing this selective thermal emitter coating is 25 to as much as 40% smaller than conventional heat exchanger designs.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Thermal Integration of DETAIL Systems

A thermal connection between the Microreactor AGile Non-nuclear Experimental Testbed (MAGNET) and the thermal energy distribution system (TEDS) has been a key part of the Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) plan since the development of the Integrated Energy Systems Roadmap in 2020. This connection provides an expanding demonstration capability for integrated system operations. The thermal connection between MAGNET and TEDS required the selection of a heat exchanger and valves to isolate flow. Research staff within the NEET Crosscutting Technology Development program selected equipment after receiving proposals from multiple vendors. A helical coil heat exchanger from Graham Corporation was selected for its small volume relative to its heat transfer surface area to fit in the limited space available. Triple offset butterfly valves with pneumatic actuators from Flowserve were selected to isolate and/or control flow of the hot gas through the heat exchanger. Staff from Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) Facilities and Site Services Engineering department designed the piping and structural support. A mechanical construction firm was contracted to install the system. This report documents the design and construction of this thermal connection.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Numerical study to predict the effect of surface roughness on the thermal and hydraulic performance of additively manufactured heat exchangers

Heat exchangers are used in many industries to transfer thermal energy between two or more objects with an associated thermal and hydraulic performance indicated by thermal effectiveness and pressure drop respectively. Many investigations have aimed to enhance the thermal effectiveness of heat exchangers by introducing turbulent flow inducers that increase the heat transfer rate at the expense of increasing pressure drop. Flow inducers like surface roughness can be controlled with advanced manufacturing methods like additive manufacturing for heat exchanger production. Selecting and manufacturing an optimal surface roughness for heat exchangers requires a more comprehensive approach that accounts for the surface roughness effect on the thermal and hydraulic performance of a sample. Since fabricating samples with additive manufacturing to a desired surface roughness can be an extensive experimental process, this study will fundamentally investigate the effect of surface roughness on the thermal and velocity boundary layers for various surface roughness profiles with physics-based computational modeling. To accurately model the surface roughness effect on thermohydraulic performance, correlations like roughness ratio, friction factor, and Nusselt number are investigated. This study expects to indicate correlations for different flow regimes which can successfully predict the effect of surface roughness on thermohydraulic performance. Results generated from modeling surface roughness effect with unique correlations are then compared to experimental data obtained from literature for validation. The results of this study will provide insight to understand the thermal fluid physics associated with surface roughness and design guidelines for heat exchangers produced with additive manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Selectable inlet for aircraft propulsion system heat exchanger

A propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propulsor rotor, an engine core, a housing, a flowpath and a heat exchange system. The engine core is configured to power rotation of the propulsor rotor. The housing includes an inner structure and an outer structure. The outer structure is radially outboard of and axially overlaps the inner structure. The flowpath is downstream of the propulsor rotor and radially between the inner structure and the outer structure. The heat exchange system includes a duct, an exterior orifice, an interior orifice, a flow regulator and a heat exchanger disposed within the duct. The exterior orifice is formed by the outer structure and disposed along an exterior of the housing. The interior orifice is formed by the outer structure and disposed along the flowpath. The flow regulator is configured to selectively fluidly couple the exterior orifice and the interior orifice to the duct.

Sobanski, Jon E.↗

Microwave-Assisted Conversion of 1,6-Hexanediol into Polycarbonate

The conversion of carbon dioxide into higher value chemicals is a viable way to support sustainability and net-zero economy goals. Of the different CO2 conversion routes, direct conversion offers a simplified process, lower reaction temperatures, and thus low energy input. Alcohols can be directly combined with CO2 to produce polycarbonates, e.g., DMC (dimethyl carbonate) formation from methanol and CO2. Recently CO2 and 1,6-hexanediol were shown to convert into poly(hexamethylene carbonate)diol using an atmospheric flow based process in single step. For these conversions, CeO2-based catalysts are widely used due to the abundance of oxygen vacancies that are believed to be the active sites for this reaction. Microwave (MW) heating is a unique approach that can provide selective volume-based heating and enhanced reaction rates and/or selectivities. For the current work, CO2 and diol conversion into polymers were investigated on different CeO2 catalysts under microwave heating and the performance was compared against conventional heating. The reaction products were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Preliminary results showed microwaves irradiation produced faster rates of polycarbonate production as evidenced by IR data.

Kanitkar, Swarom↗

The Viability of Selected Vacuum Furnace Quench Methods for Heat Treatment of Uranium

Recent developments in high-pressure gas-quench furnaces have allowed them, in many applications, to achieve heat transfer coefficients similar to those of oil-quench furnaces. Simultaneously, high-pressure gas quench furnaces offer many attractive qualities including a smaller footprint, limited waste generation, and a more consistent quench rate across a range of temperatures. With these benefits in mind, an experimental matrix was developed to assess the feasibility of implementing a high-pressure gas quenching furnace in the Sigma facility for processing of uranium alloys. The details of this experimental matrix, as well experimental results gathered during FY21 and FY22, will be presented.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Overcoming Fundamental Limitations in Adsorbent Design: Alkene Adsorption by Non‐porous Copper(I) Complexes

Abstract Purifying alkenes from alkanes requires cryogenic distillation. This consumes energy equivalent to countries of ca. 5 million people. Replacing distillation with adsorption processes would significantly increase energy efficiency. Trade‐offs between kinetics, selectivity, capacity, and heat of adsorption have prevented production of an optimal adsorbent. We report adsorbents that overcome these trade‐offs. [Cu‐Br] 3 and [Cu‐H] 3 are air‐stable trinuclear complexes that undergo reversible solid‐state inter‐molecular rearrangements to produce dinuclear [Cu‐Br⋅(alkene)] 2 and [Cu‐H⋅(alkene)] 2 . The reversible solid‐state rearrangement, confirmed in situ using powder X‐ray diffraction, allows adsorbent design trade‐offs to be overcome, coupling low heat of adsorption (−10 to −17 kJ mol −1 alkene ), high alkene:alkane selectivity (47; 29), and uptake capacity (>2.5 mol alkene mol −1 Cu3 ). Most remarkably, [Cu‐H] 3 displays fast uptake and regenerates capacity within 10 minutes.

Parasar, Devaborniny↗

Overcoming Fundamental Limitations in Adsorbent Design: Alkene Adsorption by Non-porous Copper(I) Complexes

Purifying alkenes from alkanes requires cryogenic distillation. This consumes energy equivalent to countries of ca. 5 million people. Replacing distillation with adsorption processes would significantly increase energy efficiency. Trade-offs between kinetics, selectivity, capacity, and heat of adsorption have prevented production of an optimal adsorbent. Here, we report adsorbents that overcome these trade-offs. [Cu-Br] 3 and [Cu-H] 3 are air-stable trinuclear complexes that undergo reversible solid-state inter-molecular rearrangements to produce dinuclear [Cu-Br∙(alkene)] 2 and [Cu-H∙(alkene)] 2 . The reversible solid-state rearrangement, confirmed in situ using powder X-ray diffraction, allows adsorbent design trade-offs to be overcome, coupling low heat of adsorption (-10 to -17 kJ mol -1 alkene ), high alkene:alkane selectivity (47; 29), and uptake capacity (>2.5 molalkene mol -1 Cu3 ). Most remarkably, [Cu-H] 3 displays fast uptake and regenerates capacity within 10 minutes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of heat treatment on the tensile behavior of selective laser melted Ti-6Al-4V by in situ X-ray characterization

Selective Laser Melted Ti-6Al-4V (as-SLMed) exhibits decreased yield strength, increased work hardening, and increased ductility after heat treatment at 730 degrees C (HT-730) or 900 degrees C (HT-900) for 2 h. To understand the change of mechanical properties, in situ high energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) is used to examine the phase composition, load partitioning, slip system activity, and dislocation density evolution in all three specimens. The as-SLMed specimen is dominated by martensitic α'. After heat treatment, α' partly or fully decomposes into α+β, reducing the yield strength. In HT-730, beta precipitates with confined size show much higher lattice strain than the α'/α matrix during deformation; in HT-900, the lattice strain difference is mostly eliminated. This is a key reason for the increased ductility in HT-900. From the anisotropic lattice strain development, basal slip is identified as the easiest slip system in α'/α. Using an elasto-plastic self-consistent (EPSC) model, the critical resolved shear stress ratio between prismatic slip and basal slip (CRSS prism /CRSS basal ) is estimated to be 1.31 and 1.16 in the as -SLMed and the HT-900 specimens, respectively. Further, the alpha phase in HT-900 is able to activate multiple slip systems and accumulate more dislocations during plastic deformation. This explains why HT-900 has better ductility and higher work hardening rate than the other two specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Selective material recovery from solution

Embodiments relate to methods for generating selected materials from a natural brine, where the natural brine is sea water, saline water, fresh water, synthetic solutions, or industrial liquid wastes. A natural brine comprising at least a portion of a selected material is heated. CO 2 is added and mixes with the natural brine forming a mixture such that the CO 2 /P is a first predetermined value. The mixture is held so that impurities in the natural brine precipitate as solids leaving a second brine substantially comprising the selected material. The second brine is heated. CO 2 gas is injected into the second brine, mixing so that the CO 2 /P is a second predetermined value. The mixture is held so that the selected material precipitates out and are removed.

Nakano, Jinichiro↗

Decarbonizing Building Thermal Systems: A How-to Guide for Heat Pump Systems and Beyond

Buildings account for a substantial portion of carbon emissions, primarily due to the widespread use of fossil fuels in heating systems. Decarbonization of heating is essential to meet climate targets and reduce the environmental impact of buildings. Heat pumps are capable of leveraging renewable energy sources and can provide heating and cooling in an energy-efficient manner. By leveraging heat pump technology, buildings can significantly reduce their carbon footprint, minimize energy consumption, and decrease their reliance on fossil fuels. The design and construction community plays a pivotal role in facilitating the transition to heat pump systems for heating and cooling. However, this transition requires specialized knowledge and expertise. This resource was developed for architects, engineers, and contractors in response to an industry need for a comprehensive technical resource that guides them through the intricacies of heat pump system design, installation, and maintenance. This resource provides detailed information on system sizing, selection of appropriate heat systems, heat sources, and integration with existing building systems. Moreover, it emphasizes best practices for ensuring operational efficiency, system longevity, and reliability. The development of this recourse was a collaborative effort between NREL/DOE Better Buildings Design and Construction Allies and ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization. This resource is composed of two complimentary portions that will be completed and released on separate time frames. The first portion will be completed and released in 2023, while the second portion will be released in 2024.

building thermal systems↗

The Application of Differential Scanning Calorimetry to Investigate Precipitation Behavior in Nickel-Base Superalloys Under Continuous Cooling and Heating Conditions

In this study, a suite of experimental tools and fast-acting, numerical-simulation techniques was used to quantify the precipitation behavior of three nickel-base superalloys: IN-100, LSHR, and 718. Experimental methods comprised differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to establish the specific heat as a function of temperature and selected direct-resistance heating trials (using a Gleeble ® machine) to obtain samples for microstructural analysis. For the DSC experiments, each alloy was cooled at a prescribed constant rate (between 5 and 20 K/min) after an initial soak/equilibration in the high-temperature, single-phase (supersolvus) temperature regime. On-heating DSC trials beginning at ambient temperature were also performed on alloy 718 in three different starting conditions: super- δ -solvus solution treated and water quenched (denoted as ST), solution treated and aged (STA), and solution treated and overaged (STOA). DSC results, revealing the thermal signatures associated with the kinetics of precipitation of γ ' (IN-100, LSHR) or γ ' and γ " (718), were interpreted using a previously-developed fast-acting routine that treats concurrent nucleation, growth, coarsening, and dissolution. For these simulations, special attention was paid to various thermo-kinetic input parameters including equilibrium solvus-approach curves, bulk free energies of transformation, matrix-precipitate interface energies, and effective diffusivities. For the γ - γ ' superalloys (IN-100 and LSHR), estimates of precipitate volume fraction as a function of temperature from the specific-heat data revealed semi-quantitative agreement with simulation predictions. For the γ - γ '- γ " superalloy (718), simulation predictions of precipitate volume fractions were converted to specific heat as a function of temperature and showed semi-quantitative agreement with the direct measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗