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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 757 records · Page 42
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

In situ measurement of velocity-stress sensitivity using crosswell continuous active-source seismic monitoring

The ability to characterize time-varying reservoir properties, such as the state of stress, has fundamental implications in subsurface engineering, relevant to geologic sequestration of CO 2 . Stress variation, here in the form of changes in pore fluid pressure, is one factor known to affect seismic velocity. Induced variations in velocity have been used in seismic studies to determine and monitor changes in the stress state. Previous studies conducted to determine velocity-stress sensitivity at reservoir conditions rely primarily on laboratory measurements of core samples or theoretical relationships. In this paper, we have developed a novel field-scale experiment designed to study the in situ relationship between pore-fluid pressure and seismic velocity using a crosswell continuous active-source seismic monitoring (CASSM) system. At the Cranfield, Mississippi, CO 2 sequestration field site, we actively monitored seismic response for five days with a temporal resolution of 5 min; the target was a 26 m thick injection zone at approximately 3.2 km depth in a fluvial sandstone formation (lower Tuscaloosa Formation). The variation of pore fluid pressure was obtained during discrete events of fluid withdrawal from one of the two wells and monitored with downhole pressure sensors. The results indicate a correlation between decreasing CASSM time delay (i.e., velocity change for a raypath in the reservoir) and periods of reduced fluid pore pressure. The correlation is interpreted as the velocity-stress sensitivity measured in the reservoir. This observation is consistent with published laboratory studies documenting a velocity ( V ) increase with an effective stress increase. A traveltime change ( d t ) of 0.036 ms is measured as the consequence of a change in pressure of approximately 2.55 MPa ( d P e ). For T = 13 ms total traveltime, the velocity-stress sensitivity is d V / V / d P e = d t / T / d P e = 10.9 × 10 - 4 / MPa . Finally, the overall results suggest that CASSM measurements represent a valid technique for in situ determination of velocity-stress sensitivity in field-scale monitoring studies.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Addressing wellbore integrity and thief zone permeability using microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP): A field demonstration

Microbially-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an emerging biotechnology for wellbore integrity applications including sealing defects in wellbore cement and modifying the permeability of rock formations. The goal of this field demonstration was to characterize a failed waterflood injection well and provide proof of principle that MICP can reduce permeability in the presence of oil using conventional oilfield fluid delivery methods. Here we compared well logs performed at the time the well was drilled with ultrasonic logs, sonic cement evaluation, and temperature logs conducted after the well failed. Analysis of these logs suggested that, rather than entering the target waterflood formation, injectate was traveling through defects in the well cement to a higher permeability sandstone layer above the target formation. Sporosarcina pasteurii cultures and urea-calcium media were delivered 2290 ft (698 m) below ground surface using a 3.75 gal (14.2 L) slickline dump bailer to promote mineralization in the undesired flow paths. By Day 6 and after 25 inoculum and 49 calcium media injections, the injectivity [gpm/psi] had decreased by approximately 70%. This demonstration shows that 1) common well logs can be used to identify scenarios where MICP can be employed to reduce system permeability, remediate leakage pathways, and improve waterflood efficiency, and 2) MICP can occur in the presence of hydrocarbons.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Imaging and quantification of spreading and trapping of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers using meter-scale laboratory experiments

The role of capillary forces during buoyant migration of CO 2 is critical toward plume immobilization within the postinjection phase of a geological carbon sequestration operation. However, the inherent heterogeneity of the subsurface makes it very challenging to evaluate the effects of capillary forces on the storage capacity of these formations and to assess in situ plume evolution. To overcome the lack of accurate and continuous observations at the field scale and to mimic vertical migration and entrapment of realistic CO 2 plumes in the presence of a background hydraulic gradient, we conducted two unique long-term experiments in a 2.44 m × 0.5 m tank. X-ray attenuation allowed measuring the evolution of a CO 2 -surrogate fluid saturation, thus providing direct insight into capillarity-dominated and buoyancy-dominated flow processes occurring under successive drainage and imbibition conditions. The comparison of saturation distributions between two experimental campaigns suggests that layered-type heterogeneity plays an important role on nonwetting phase (NWP) migration and trapping, because it leads to (i) longer displacement times (3.6 months versus 24 days) to reach stable trapping conditions, (ii) limited vertical migration of the plume (with center of mass at 39% versus 55% of aquifer thickness), and (iii) immobilization of a larger fraction of injected NWP mass (67.2% versus 51.5% of injected volume) as compared to the homogenous scenario. Finally, while these observations confirm once more the role of geological heterogeneity in controlling buoyant flows in the subsurface, they also highlight the importance of characterizing it at scales that are below seismic resolution (1–10 m).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Development of Geomechanical Screening Tools to Identify Risk: An Experimental and Modeling Approach for Secure CO 2 Storage Final Technical Report

CO 2 injection in the subsurface introduces additional complexity in terms of interactions of the reservoir host pore fluid with natural heterogeneity of hydro-mechanical properties of the rock. Natural heterogeneity of the reservoir rock and caprock formations includes spatial variation of hydro-mechanical properties as well as the presence of natural fractures. We developed a coupled mathematical modeling and experimental framework that takes into account the effect of rock heterogeneity on effective mechanical properties of the rock in contact with CO 2 . We performed accurate laboratory experiments to determine the changes in rock mechanical properties due to mineral dissolution in the presence of carbonic acid generated by CO 2 injection. A two-scale adaptive homogenization framework was then developed to consistently upscale petrophysical and geomechanical properties to the field scale. Further, we also developed high-fidelity, numerical solution schemes, non-linear and linear solvers and preconditioners to solve the coupled flow, reactive transport and geomechanical system. The numerical model was then used to study field scale CO 2 sequestration problems for the two selected field sites: (1) Frio formation and (2) Cranfield site. We also developed robust schemes for field data assimilation, model calibration such that the residual uncertainty at the end of the data assimilation procedures can be faithfully represented while taking into account the coupled geochemical and geomechanical processes.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

CarbonSafe II Project: Dryfork Station UW PRB 1 Well Core, Fluid, and Well Logs datasets

This dataset contains the raw data sets of thee UW PRB 1 well's geophysical well logs, core measurements and fluid analysis for the CarbonSafe II project at the Dryfork Station in Gillette, WY. Focus was placed on the Lakota, Hulett and Minnelusa Formations and their overlying seals. Also included are well logs from legacy wells from the surrounding area.

CarbonSafe 2↗
DOE OSTI2021

Numerical Simulations of Cryogenic Hydrogen Cooling in Vortex Tubes with Smooth Transitions

Improving efficiency of hydrogen cooling in cryogenic conditions is important for the wider applications of hydrogen energy systems. The approach investigated in this study is based on a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube (RHVT) that generates temperature separation in a working fluid. The simplicity of RHVT is also a valuable characteristic for cryogenic systems. In the present work, novel shapes of RHVT are computationally investigated with the goal to raise efficiency of the cooling process. Specifically, a smooth transition is arranged between a vortex chamber, where compressed gas is injected, and the main tube with two exit ports at the tube ends. Flow simulations have been carried out using STAR-CCM+ software with the real-gas Redlich-Kwong model for hydrogen at temperatures near 70 K. It is determined that a vortex tube with a smooth transition of moderate size manifests about 7% improvement of the cooling efficiency when compared vortex tubes that use traditional vortex chambers with stepped transitions and a no-chamber setup with direct gas injection.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2014

GEOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF CO₂-BRINE-ROCK INTERACTIONS OF THE KNOX GROUP IN THE ILLINOIS BASIN

Increased output of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), into the atmosphere from anthropogenic sources is of great concern. A potential technology to reduce CO₂ emissions is geologic carbon sequestration. This technology is currently being evaluated in the United States and throughout the world. The geology of the Illinois Basin exhibits outstanding potential as a carbon sequestration target, as demonstrated by the ongoing Illinois Basin – Decatur Project that is using the Mt. Simon Sandstone reservoir and Eau Claire Shale seal system to store and contain 1 million tonnes of CO₂. The Knox Group-Maquoketa Shale reservoir and seal system, located stratigraphically above the Mt. Simon Sandstone-Eau Claire Shale reservoir and seal system, has little economic value as a resource for fossil fuels or as a potable water source, making it ideal as a potential carbon sequestration target. In order for a reservoir-seal system to be effective, it must be able to contain the injected CO₂ without the potential for the release of harmful contaminants liberated by the reaction between CO₂-formation fluids and reservoir and seal rocks. This study examines portions of the Knox Group (Potosi Dolomite, Gunter Sandstone, New Richmond Sandstone) and St. Peter Sandstone, and Maquoketa Shale from various locations around the Illinois Basin. A total of 14 rock and fluid samples were exposed to simulated sequestration conditions (9101–9860 kPa [1320–1430 psi] and 32°–42°C [90°– 108°F]) for varying amounts of time (6 hours to 4 months). Knox Group reservoir rocks exhibited dissolution of dolomite in the presence of CO₂ as indicated by petrographic examination, X-ray diffraction analysis, and fluid chemistry analysis. These reactions equilibrated rapidly, and geochemical modeling confirmed that these reactions reached equilibrium within the time frames of the experiments. Pre-reaction sample mineralogy and postreaction fluid geochemistry from this study suggests only limited potential for the release of United States Environmental Protection Agency regulated inorganic contaminants into potable water sources. Short-term core flood experiments further verify that the carbonate reactions occurring in Knox Group reservoir samples reach equilibrium rapidly. The core flood experiments also lend insight to pressure changes that may occur during CO₂ injection. The Maquoketa Shale experiments reveal that this rock is initially chemically reactive when in contact with CO₂ and brine. However, due to the conservative nature of silicate and clay reaction kinetics and the rapid equilibration of carbonate reactions that occur in the shale, these reactions would not present a significant risk to the competency of the shale as an effective seal rock.

Yoksoulian, Lois↗
DOE OSTI2018

GAPDH-targeted therapy – A new approach for secondary damage after traumatic brain injury on rats

Highlights: • Exogenous GAPDH interact with SH-SY5Y cells and penetrate them. • Exogenous GAPDH induce death of SH-SY5Y cells. • Hydrocortysone-21-hemisuccinate reduced cytotoxic effect of exogenous GAPDH. • Hydrocortisone derivative rescue motor function of rats after traumatic brain injure. Massive neuronal death caused by a neurodegenerative pathology or damage due to ischaemia or traumatic brain injury leads to the appearance of cytosolic proteins in the extracellular space. We found that one of the most abundant cellular polypeptides, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), appearing in the medium of dying cells or body fluids is able to form aggregates that are cytotoxic to adjacent cells. Since we previously showed that the hydrocortisone derivative RX624 can inhibit the ability of GAPDH to transport the enzyme complex with polyglutamine and reduce the cytotoxicity of the complex, we explored the effects of GAPDH on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. We found that the latter treated with particular forms of GAPDH molecules die with a high efficiency, suggesting that the exogenous enzyme does kill adjacent cells. RX624 prevented the interaction of exogenous GAPDH with the cell membrane and reduced the level of death by more than 10%. We also demonstrated the efficiency of RX624 treatment in a rat model of traumatic brain injury. The chemical blocked the formation of GAPDH aggregates in the brain, inhibited the cytotoxic effects of cerebrospinal fluid and rescued the motor function of injured rats. Importantly, RX624 treatment of rats had a similar effect as the intracranial injection of anti-GAPDH antibodies.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Oil/water/rock wettability: Influencing factors and implications for low salinity water flooding in carbonate reservoirs

Wettability of the oil/brine/rock system is an essential petro-physical parameter which governs subsurface multiphase flow behaviour and the distribution of fluids, thus directly affecting oil recovery. Recent studies [1–3] show that manipulation of injected brine composition can enhance oil recovery by shifting wettability from oil-wet to water-wet. However, what factor(s) control system wettability has not been completely elucidated due to incomplete understanding of the geochemical system. To isolate and identify the key factors at play we used in this paper SO 4 2 —free solutions to examine the effect of salinity (formation brine/FB, 10 times diluted formation brine/10 dFB, and 100 times diluted formation brine/100 dFB) on the contact angle of oil droplets at the surface of calcite. We then compared contact angle results with predictions of surface complexation by low salinity water using PHREEQC software. We demonstrate that the conventional dilution approach likely triggers an oil-wet system at low pH, which may explain why the low salinity water EOR-effect is not always observed by injecting low salinity water in carbonated reservoirs. pH plays a fundamental role in the surface chemistry of oil/brine interfaces, and wettability. Our contact angle results show that formation brine triggered a strong water-wet system (35°) at pH 2.55, yet 100 times diluted formation brine led to a strongly oil-wet system (contact angle = 175°) at pH 5.68. Surface complexation modelling correctly predicted the wettability trend with salinity; the bond product sum ([>CaOH 2 + ][–COO - ] + [>CO 3 - ][–NH + ] + [>CO 3 - ][–COOCa + ]) increased with decreasing salinity. Finally, at pH < 6 dilution likely makes the calcite surface oil-wet, particularly for crude oils with high base number. Yet, dilution probably causes water wetness at pH > 7 for crude oils with high acid number.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2022

Aero-thermal numerical characterization of blunt fin-induced shock wave–boundary layer interaction and its control through leading-edge cooling injection

This study represents a novel evaluation of active flow control to alleviate the aerothermal penalties created by the blunt fin-induced shock wave–boundary layer interaction. The manuscript analyzes the effect of flow injection on a blunt fin-induced shock wave–boundary layer interaction via computational fluid dynamics simulations with various degrees of resolution. The impact on the mean flow topology and wall variables was investigated utilizing Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations. Detached-eddy simulations revealed the low-frequency shock motion, shock wave–boundary layer, and horseshoe vortex interaction. The test article was exposed to two different incoming boundary layer thicknesses; the thicker boundary layer led to the appearance of larger turbulent scales. The Detached-eddy simulations revealed the time history of the shock wave–boundary layer interaction, focusing on the inception and development of the recirculated flow regions. Ultimately, spectral proper orthogonal decomposition was employed to identify the structures associated with the low-frequency shock motion caused by the shock wave–boundary layer interaction.

Lozano, Francisco (ORCID:0000000277871125)↗
DOE OSTI2019

EGS Collab Experiment 1: Common Discrete Fracture Network

This package includes data and models that support hydraulic fracture stimulation and fluid circulation experiments in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). A paper by Schwering et al. (2020) describes the deterministic basis for developing a "common" discrete fracture network (CDFN) model of significant natural fractures in EGS Collab Testbed 1 on the 4850-Level of SURF. The ReadMe for this model shows drift, wells, scanlines, fracture data, interpreted fractures, and geophysical visualizations. There is also a summary of the data that was used in this experiment and includes results from reviewing core, televiewer (TV) logs, core-TV depth/feature registration, and from mapping weeps in the 4850-Level drift. The CDFN is intended to be a baseline model of the pre-stimulated testbed (though some observations from stimulation helped inform the model).

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermal Energy Storage for Dispatchable Geothermal Power

Dispatchable generation refers to sources of electricity that can be turned on or off, or can adjust their power output accordingly to an order. Geothermal plants are usually used for base-load power rather than dispatchable power. Flexibility is a challenge for a geothermal plant because the heat source does not naturally respond quickly to changes in demand. The current state-of-the-art approach to address this challenge is to maintain the geothermal fluid flows at relatively steady rates while providing a bypass around the generation equipment as needed. Under part load, some of the geothermal fluid is pumped to the surface, bypasses the generation equipment, and is re-injected to the ground without extracting any useful enthalpy. This approach is robust but necessarily incurs high parasitic power draws at part load due to the constant, full-flow pumping power requirements. There are even more challenges and unknowns for steam and flash geothermal plants, which were the focus for this project. As a process improvement to this existing configuration of a dispatchable geothermal plant, we examined the use of a phase-change thermal-energy storage (TES) unit that will provide some “inertia” against temperature fluctuations. The TES phase change material (PCM) could be in the form of eutectic molten nitrate salts, organic sugar alcohols, or the like based on the required temperature. This configuration allowed the power plant to meet the ramp rate requirements while allowing the geothermal resource to drawn down at the duty-cycle-averaged extraction rate rather than the full-rated-output extraction rate. The project team performed an experimental and computational evaluation of a peak shaving technical approach that used thermal storage to switch between two nominal operating points: full rated power and 50% power. In the initial requirements definition phase, the team decided to examine the PCM/TES-enhanced geothermal plant in the context of a 40-MW two-stage flash plant operating in mid-Southern California. Steady-state process simulations were used to understand the equipment sizing and the energetics. Dynamic process simulations were used to understand the response rate of the system to changes in requested power output from the utility. The technical approach was also guided by a techno-economic analysis (TEA) and a high-level analysis of the reservoir. Recognizing that performance of the thermal storage was a key risk element, high-fidelity finite-element simulations of the PCM-TES heat exchanger were performed to better understand its performance and temporal response. These simulations were validated with a subscale PCM-TES experimental apparatus that mimicked the geometry of the full-scale system. The key outcomes of this Phase I project were that: 1) the PCM-TES heat exchanger met the target for gravimetric energy storage density, 2) the dispatchable geothermal plant met its target for response rate, 3) the peak shaving approach reduces the number of production wells and does not disturb the wellfield, and 4) the incentives for properly remunerating dispatchable operation were identified.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Lamination cooling system formation method

An electric motor, transformer or inductor having a cooling system. A stack of laminations have apertures at least partially coincident with apertures of adjacent laminations. The apertures define straight or angled cooling-fluid passageways through the lamination stack. Gaps between the adjacent laminations are sealed by injecting a heat-cured sealant into the passageways, expelling excess sealant, and heat-curing the lamination stack. Manifold members adjoin opposite ends of the lamination stack, and each is configured with one or more cavities to act as a manifold to adjacent passageway ends. Complex manifold arrangements can create bidirectional flow in a variety of patterns.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Spray–Wall Interactions in a Small-Bore, Multicylinder Engine Operating With Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition

Experimental work on reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) in a small-bore, multicylinder engine operating on premixed iso-octane, and direct-injected n-heptane has shown an unexpected combustion phasing advance at early injection timings, which has not been observed in large-bore engines operating under RCCI at similar conditions. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to investigate whether spray–wall interactions could be responsible for this result. Comparison of the spray penetration, fuel film mass, and in-cylinder visualization of the spray from the CFD results to the experimentally measured combustion phasing and emissions provided compelling evidence of strong fuel impingement at injection timings earlier than -90 crank angle degrees (deg CA) after top dead center (aTDC), and transition from partial to full impingement between -65 and -90 deg CA aTDC. Finally, based on this evidence, explanations for the combustion phasing advance at early injection timings are proposed along with potential verification experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Numerical Simulation of Recirculating Flow and Physical Model of Slag–Metal Behavior in an RH Reactor: Application to Desulfurization

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques and a 1:7.5 physical model of an RH degasser have been used to evaluate the flow of gas and metal inside an RH reactor for vacuum degassing of liquid steel. The effect of gas injection on the gas spatial distribution, steel circulation rate and flow field inside the ladle, snorkels and vacuum chamber have been assessed. N-pentane oil was employed to evaluate the average residence time as well as the slag droplet size distribution. The predicted radial gas distribution and liquid circulation rate have been validated against experimental data from a physical model. The results with incorporation of the virtual mass force coefficient of 0.25 and the turbulence dispersion force showed better predictions of gas distribution in the up-snorkel as well as circulation rate. Full-scale simulations were performed, and the predicted circulation rate was significantly affected by the argon bubble expansion. Data from these simulations were used to analyze the degree of desulfurization performed by the addition of desulfurizing agents inside the vacuum chamber. A model of the kinetics of desulfurization based on the results from the physical model and CFD simulation and on slag dispersion inside liquid steel yields degrees of desulfurization similar to the industrial trials reported in the literature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Integrated modeling of boron powder injection for real-time plasma-facing component conditioning

An integrated modeling framework for investigating the application of solid boron (B) powder injection for real-time surface conditioning of plasma-facing components (PFCs) in tokamak environments is presented. Utilizing the DIII-D impurity powder dropper (IPD) setup, this study simulates B powder injection scenarios ranging from milligrams to tens of milligrams per second, corresponding to boron flux rates of 10 20 –10 21 B/s in standard L-mode conditions. The comprehensive modeling approach combines EMC3-EIRENE for simulating the deuterium plasma background and the Dust Injection Simulator (DIS) for the ablation and transport of the boron powder particles. EMC3 trace impurity fluid modeling results show substantial boron transport to the inboard lower divertor, predominantly influenced by the main ion plasma flow. The dependency on powder particle size (5-250 µm) was found to be insignificant for the scenario considered. The effects of erosion and redeposition were considered to reconcile the discrepancies with experimental observations, which saw substantial deposition on the outer divertor plasma-facing components. For this purpose, the WallDYN3D code was updated to include boron sources within the plasma domain and integrated into the modeling framework. The mixed-material migration modeling shows evolving boron deposition patterns, suggesting the formation of mixed B-C layers or predominantly B coverage depending on the powder mass flow rate. While the modeling outcomes at lower B injection rates tend to align with DIII-D experimental observations, the prediction of near-pure boron layers at higher rates has yet to be experimentally verified in the carbon environment of the DIII-D tokamak. The extensive reach of boron layers found in the modeling suggests the need for modeling that encompasses the entire wall geometry for more accurate experimental correlations. This integrated approach sets a precedent for analyzing and applying real-time in-situ boron coating techniques in advanced tokamak scenarios, potentially extendable to ITER.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Multimode turbulent flow measurements using magnetic resonance imaging- and laser-based techniques and computational fluid dynamics simulations

We studied the flow field characteristics of a turbulent flow over a regularized cube array with a perpendicular injection flow through the floor between the second and third cubical elements, representing the complex flow interactions of a 3D jet and the wake flows behind cubical obstacles. Four different experimental measurements were performed: two magnetic resonance imaging-based measurements for three-dimensional three-component velocity (MRV) and concentration (MRC) and two laser-based techniques, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), for two-dimensional two-component velocity and concentration measurement, respectively. The mainstream Reynolds number is Re = 15 000⁠, based on the primary inlet velocity U m and channel height D H ⁠, whereas the injector Reynolds number is Re j = 3400⁠, based on the injector velocity U j and the injector's exit width D j ⁠. Numerical simulations were performed for the studied flow configuration of turbulent flow over a regularized cube array using Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and large-eddy simulation (LES) approaches. Results obtained from experimental measurements—including MRV, MRC, PIV, and PLIF—as well as RANS and LES simulations are discussed and compared along several horizontal and vertical planes of the studied configuration. In addition, 3D turbulent flow structures, such as leading-edge vortex, horseshoe vortex, and jet shear-layer vortex, and the isosurfaces of scalar concentration successfully revealed by MRV and MRC techniques were found to be in very good agreement with those 3D features extracted from RANS and LES simulations. In conclusion, the high-resolution experimental and numerical database obtained from this study could be useful for validation and verification of numerical codes.

Computational fluid dynamics↗