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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Recovery of materials from electrode scraps and spent lithium-ion batteries via a green solvent-based separation process

A method for recycling lithium-ion battery materials is provided. The method includes isolating a composite electrode comprising an electrode material adhered to a current collector with a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) binder. The composite electrode is combined with triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a solvent to form a mixture. The electrode material is delaminated from the current collector in the mixture to give a free electrode material and a free current collector. Each of the free electrode material and the free current collector is recovered from the mixture. The free electrode material may be reused to prepare another composite electrode, as well as a lithium-ion battery comprising the same, which are also disclosed.

Belharouak, Ilias↗
DOE OSTI2024

Buffer-IPyC separation process in TRISO fuel particles simulated with Bison code

During High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) operation, tristructural isotropic (TRISO) coated-particle fuel undergoes irradiation-induced changes in morphology and thermomechanical properties. Experimental results from the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) Fuel Development and Qualification Program show, among other things, the mechanism of gap formation between the buffer and inner pyrolytic carbon (IPyC) layers, which could be explored further via computational simulations using the Bison code. Two simulation models were developed, the debonding restricted model, where no gap formation between buffer and IPyC layers is permitted, and the debonding enabled model, where the gap between those layers is created. The inputs of the simulated models are based on the irradiation conditions from the AGR-1 experiment. The research included simulations on spherical and aspherical fuel types. Under the specific temperatures and fluences of the AGR-1 irradiation experiment, and the Bison simulations, it was concluded that the most common scenario is a gap formation along the buffer-IPyC interface, while the least possible scenario is the situation where there is no gap formation at the buffer-IPyC junction. The computational results confirmed that the sphericity of the fuel influences the thickness of the gap that occurs at the buffer-IPyC junction, in a way that with increasing aspect ratio the gap thickness increases. The results obtained for spherical and aspherical fuel are nearly identical. Finally, performed simulations match conclusions observed from the AGR-1 experiment, which as such shows that the Bison code is a good computational method for simulating the TRISO fuel. Future simulations will include the validation of performed research and comparison of the results between Bison and PARFUME codes.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Process for separating carbon dioxide from flue gas using sweep-based membrane separation and absorption steps

A gas separation process for treating flue gases from combustion processes, and combustion processes including such gas separation. The invention involves routing a first portion of the flue gas stream to be treated to an absorption-based carbon dioxide capture step, while simultaneously flowing a second portion of the flue gas across the feed side of a membrane, flowing a sweep gas stream, usually air, across the permeate side, then passing the permeate/sweep gas to the combustor.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Methodology for assessing the maximum potential impact of separations opportunities in industrial processes

Separation technologies currently used in U.S. manufacturing industries are estimated to account for more than 20% of plant energy consumption. However, accurately determining the impact of new separation technology solutions can sometimes be difficult, especially when evaluating a slate of new candidate separation technologies, each of which has its own separation performance, energy demand, and capital cost. In these cases, a typical approach is to assess each new separation technology by collecting performance and cost information and then using that information to develop a techno-economic analysis to identify overall benefits. While this approach is thorough, it can be time consuming and can hinder reaching a critical understanding of the potential of a given separation challenge, especially when there is no known solution. To address these issues, we developed an assessment methodology, using industrial screening processes, that can be used to better understand the potential impacts of addressing a given separation challenge. This paper presents an overview of our separation challenge stream assessment methodology. The methodology involves defining an “ideal” separator and deriving the associated minimum separation energy. The “ideal” separator represents the most optimistic outlook of a given opportunity so the maximum impact from existing and not-yet-developed solutions can be assessed. Using established biorefinery models, we applied the methodology to 10 different separation challenge streams from two different biomass conversion platforms to identify the type of information that can be obtained. Three of the ten challenge streams assessed had maximum possible cost savings predictions >20%, and associated reductions in process energy carbon intensity ranging from 0 to 54%. Two streams had cost and energy savings potential that were < 5%. Some of the opportunity drivers from the various assessments include higher product yields, reduction or elimination of downstream equipment, new co-products, and cost savings associated with raw materials and energy consumption. The information from these assessments can help guide the selection or development of new separation technology solutions based on the various potential factors that drive the projected benefits.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A parametric approach to identify synergistic domains of process intensification for reactive separation

Process intensification aims to combine multiple tasks within multi-functional units to drastically improve economic, energy or sustainability metrics of a chemical process. Limited work exists to systematically identify the synergistic domains where intensification outperforms its nonintensified counterpart. In this work, we computationally derive the synergistic domains of a reactive separation system. Specifically, we first postulate general models for both intensified and nonintensified systems. We use these models to generate data to train a ReLU-type artifical neural network (ANN). Further, the trained ReLU-NN model is formulated as a multi-parametric mixed-integer linear program (mp-MILP), and the critical regions of this mp-MILP define the synergistic feasible domains of intensification. We have derived these synergistic domains of vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE)-based reactive separation for several industrial applications. These synergistic domains enable quick screening of properties that favor intensification.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling Isotope Separation in Electrochemical Lithium Deposition

Naturally occurring Li consists of two stable isotopes, 6 Li with an abundance of about 7.5%, and 7 Li making up the remainder with 92.5%. The development of a 6 Li enrichment technique, in terms of technical reliability and environmental safety to reach 6 Li future requirements, represents a key step in the roadmap for nuclear fusion energy supply worldwide. This paper uses finite element analysis-based models to simulate electrochemical Li isotope separation, which is an attractive method in terms of simplicity, safety, and scalability. In the model, we quantitatively analyze how different electrochemical factors including thermodynamics, charge-transfer kinetics, and diffusivities affect the separation process (separation factor), together with cell parameters, such as cell length and current density. The maximum separation factor of 1.128 could be obtained with the cell under the optimal thermodynamic, kinetic, and diffusive conditions, which is among the highest separation factors ever reported. Furthermore, these results will assist in designing the actual isotope separation setup with large separation factor and appropriate timing for sample collection.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Advanced Nanostructured Molecular Sieves for Energy Efficient Industrial Separations

Due to the very small relative volatility difference between propane and propylene, current propane/propylene separation by distillation requires very tall distillation towers (150-250 theoretical plates) and large reflux ratios (up to 15), which is considered to be the most energy consuming large-scale separation process. Adsorptive separation processes are widely considered to be more energy-efficient alternatives to distillation. However, slow diffusion kinetics/mass transport rate through the adsorbent bed often limits the performance of such processes, so further improvements are possible if intra-particle mass transfer rates can be improved. Rive Technology, Inc. is developing and commercializing its proprietary mesoporous zeolite technology for catalysis and separation. With well-controlled intracrystalline mesoporosity, diffusion kinetics through such mesoporous zeolite based catalysts is much improved relative to conventional zeolites, leading to significantly better product selectivity. This 'proof-of-principle' project (DE-EE0003470) is intended to demonstrate that Rive mesoporous zeolite technology can be extended and applied in adsorptive propane/propylene separation and lead to significant energy saving compared to the current distillation process. In this project, the mesoporous zeolite Y synthesis technology was successfully extended to X and A zeolites that are more relevant to adsorbent applications. Mesoporosity was introduced to zeolite X and A for the first time while maintaining adequate adsorption capacity. Zeolite adsorbents were tested for liquid phase separation performance using a pulse flow test unit and the test results show that the separation selectivity of the mesoporous zeolite adsorbent is much closer to optimal for a Simulated Moving Bed (SMB) separation process and the enhanced mesoporosity lead to >100% increase of overall mass transport rate for propane and propylene. These improvements will significantly improve the performance of an adsorptive separation unit for propane/propylene separation compared with traditional zeolite adsorbents. The enhanced transport will allow for more efficient utilization of a given adsorbent inventory by reducing process cycle time, allowing a faster production rate with a fixed amount of adsorbent or smaller adsorbent inventory at a fixed production rate. Smaller adsorbent inventory would also lead to significant savings in the capital cost due to smaller footprint of the equipment. Energy consumption calculation, based on the pulse test results for rived NaX zeolite adsorbent, of a hypothetical moderate-scale SMB propane/propylene separation plant that processes 6000 BPSD refinery grade propylene (70% propylene) will consume about 60-80% less energy (both re-boiler and condenser duties) compared to a C3 splitter that process the same amount of feed. This energy saving also translates to a reduction of 30,000-35,000 tons of CO 2 emission per year at this moderate processing rate. The enhancement of mass transport achievable by introduction of controlled mesoporosity to the zeolite also opens the door for the technology to be applied to several other adsorption separation processes such as the separation of xylene isomers by SMB, small- and large scale production of O 2 /N 2 from air by pressure swing adsorption, the separation of CO 2 from natural gas at natural gas wellheads, and the purification of ultra-high purity H 2 from the off gas produced by steam-methane-reforming.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Reprocessing system with nuclide separation based on chromatography in hydrochloric acid solution

We have proposed the reprocessing system with nuclide separation processes based on the chromatographic technique in the hydrochloric acid solution system. Our proposed system consists of the dissolution process, the reprocessing process, the minor actinide separation process, and nuclide separation processes. In the reprocessing and separation processes, the pyridine resin is used as a main separation media. It was confirmed that the dissolution in the hydrochloric acid solution is easily achieved by the plasma voloxidation and by the addition of oxygen peroxide into the hydrochloric acid solution.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Actinide-rich and Actinide-poor r -process-enhanced Metal-poor Stars Do Not Require Separate r -process Progenitors

The astrophysical production site of the heaviest elements in the universe remains a mystery. Incorporating heavy-element signatures of metal-poor, $r$-process-enhanced stars into theoretical studies of $r$-process production can offer crucial constraints on the origin of heavy elements. In this study, we introduce and apply the "actinide-dilution with matching" model to a variety of stellar groups, ranging from actinide-deficient to actinide-enhanced, to empirically characterize r-process ejecta mass as a function of electron fraction. We find that actinide-boost stars do not indicate the need for a unique and separate $r$-process progenitor. Rather, small variations of neutron richness within the same type of $r$-process event can account for all observed levels of actinide enhancements. The very low-$Y_e$ , fission-cycling ejecta of an $r$-process event need only constitute 10%–30% of the total ejecta mass to accommodate most actinide abundances of metal-poor stars. We find that our empirical $Y_e$ distributions of ejecta are similar to those inferred from studies of GW170817 mass ejecta ratios, which is consistent with neutron-star mergers being a source of the heavy elements in metal-poor, $r$-process-enhanced stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Apparatus and process for separating hydrogen isotopes

The apparatus and process for separating hydrogen isotopes is provided using dual columns, each column having an opposite hydrogen isotopic effect such that when a hydrogen isotope mixture feedstock is cycled between the two respective columns, two different hydrogen isotopes are separated from the feedstock.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Municipal solid waste processing and separation employing wet torrefaction for alternative fuel production and aluminum reclamation

Highlights: • The MSW treatment and separation based on wet torrefaction process are proposed. • The organic and plastic fraction of MSW can be separated at a low temperature. • The process can detach the aluminum and plastics layer of laminated aluminum waste. • The addition of acid in the wet torrefaction process enhances aluminum yields. • The calorific values of the both organic and plastics products are increased. - Abstract: This study employs wet torrefaction process (also known as hydrothermal) at low temperature. This process simultaneously acts as waste processing and separation of mixed waste, for subsequent utilization as an alternative fuel. The process is also applied for the delamination and separation of non-recyclable laminated aluminum waste into separable aluminum and plastic. A 2.5-L reactor was used to examine the wet torrefaction process at temperatures below 200 °C. It was observed that the processed mixed waste was converted into two different products: a mushy organic part and a bulky plastic part. Using mechanical separation, the two products can be separated into a granular organic product and a plastic bulk for further treatment. TGA analysis showed that no changes in the plastic composition and no intrusion from plastic fraction to the organic fraction. It can be proclaimed that both fractions have been completely separated by wet torrefaction. The separated plastic fraction product obtained from the wet torrefaction treatment also contained relatively high calorific value (approximately 44 MJ/kg), therefore, justifying its use as an alternative fuel. The non-recyclable plastic fraction of laminated aluminum was observed to be delaminated and separated from its aluminum counterpart at a temperature of 170 °C using an additional acetic acid concentration of 3%, leaving less than 25% of the plastic content in the aluminum part. Plastic products from both samples had high calorific values of more than 30 MJ/kg, which is sufficient to be converted and used as a fuel.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Separation and processing of plastic films

A successful flexible plastic packaging (FPP) recycling process will require the best of technological development, conscientious industry strategy, an environmentally aware community and likely, governmental support and legislation. FPP is used in almost every industry and can have a wide range of physical and chemical characteristics that lead to the series of challenges encountered at current recycling facilities. FPP is typically a one-time use product, and makes up about 30% of municipal waste plastics (Davis, 2016). Due to its versatility and light weight nature, plastics are the second most commonly used packaging material next to corrugated board (WPO, 2008). Furthermore, FPP and glass are the most detrimental of recyclables to the success of recycling processes. While glass is known to jam conveyors and melt in some separations at recovery facilities, FPP is far more burdensome and challenges the separation processes at recycling facilities. In the U.S. over 250 M tons of solid trash is generated each year, about 32 M tons consisting of plastic (Sandford, 2016; EPA, 2015b). 8.7 M tons of FPP was produced in 2013 in the U.S. (Sandford, 2016) with only 7.5% of FPP being recycled currently (EPA, 2015a). Of the material that is being recycled, 83% originated from commercial sources with 51% of it being clear polyethylene (PE) stretch wrap and poly bags, 20% consisting of mixed color PE stretch wrap films and 12% PE agricultural films (Moore Recycling Associates, 2017). Of the remaining recycled films, 16% originated from consumer sources as PE retail bags, sacks and wraps collected at store and consumer drop off centers. Only 1% of recycled PE films were obtained from curbside recycling programs and processed through material recovery facilities (MRFs). Other types of films such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP) are essentially not recycled. Only 43% of the recycled FPP is truly recycled back into films/sheets, 44% is down-gauged into plastic composite lumber and the remaining material goes to uses such as marine and agricultural products, crates, buckets and pallets (Moore Recycling associations, 2017).

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Recycling of waste automotive laminated glass and valorization of polyvinyl butyral through mechanochemical separation

Due to strong binding, optical clarity, adhesion to many surfaces, toughness and flexibility polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin films are commonly used in the automotive and architectural application as a protective interlayer in the laminated glass. Worldwide million tons of PVB waste generated from end-of-life automotive associated with various environmental issues. Stringent environmental directive, higher land cost eliminates land filling option, needs a study, we have developed a mechanochemical separation process to separate PVB resins from glass and characterized the separated PVB through various techniques, i.e., scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Commercial nonionic surfactants D201 used for the mechanochemical separation purpose. Through parameter optimization following conditions are considered to be the optimum condition; 30 vol% D201, stirring speed of 400 rpm, 35 °C temperature, operation time 1 h, and dilute D201 volume to waste automotive laminated glass weight ratio of ≈25. The technology developed in our laboratory is sustainable, environmentally friendly, techno-economical feasible process, capable of mass production (recycling). - Highlights: • Waste automotive laminated glass and polyvinyl butyral mechanochemically separated. • An economical total recovery and environment-friendly process has been developed. • It is a global problem rather than regional environmental issue has been addressed. • Without using hazardous chemical wastes are being converted to a wealth.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Toward sustainable electrochemically mediated separations driven by renewable energy

Environmental pollution, water scarcity, resource shortage, and fossil fuel reliance have all represented threats to a sustainable future. Separation processes play a pivotal role in improving sustainability in fields such as industrial processes, resource recycling, wastewater treatment, and water desalination, among others. Electrochemical systems have gained increased attention as effective separation platforms, not only in performance but also as a potentially energy-efficient approach. However, the reliance on non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, for electricity generation limits the advancement toward a fully sustainable separation process. Integration of separation processes with eco-friendly renewable energy sources can increase overall sustainability and decrease carbon footprint. Here, in this review, we provide an overview of electrochemical separations and recent efforts to integrate them with renewable energy sources such as heat and solar energy. We discuss electrochemical separations, including electrosorption and electrodialysis, and research to transition these processes to thermoelectrochemical (TEC) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) platforms. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future prospects in direct integration of renewable energy sources with separation processes.

electrochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2013

Pressure Swing Absorption Device and Process for Separating CO 2 from Shifted Syngas and its Capture for Subsequent Storage

Using the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([bmim][DCA]) as the absorbent on the shell side of a membrane module containing either a porous hydrophobized ceramic tubule or porous hydrophobized polyether ether ketone (PEEK) hollow fiber membranes, studies for CO 2 removal from hot simulated pre-combustion shifted syngas were carried out by a novel pressure swing membrane absorption (PSMAB) process. Helium was used as a surrogate for H 2 in a simulated shifted syngas with CO 2 around 40% (dry gas basis). In this cyclic separation process, the membrane module was used to achieve non-dispersive gas absorption from a high-pressure feed gas (689-1724 kPag; 100-250 psig) at temperatures between 25-100°C into a stationary absorbent liquid on the module shell side during a certain part of the cycle followed by among other cycle steps controlled desorption of the absorbed gases from the liquid in the rest of the cycle. Two product streams were obtained, one He-rich and the other CO 2 -rich. Addition of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer of generation 0 to IL [bmim][DCA] improved the system performance at higher temperatures. The solubilities of CO 2 and He were determined in the ionic liquid with or without the dendrimer in solution as well as in the presence or absence of moisture; polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 was also studied as a replacement for the IL. The solubility selectivity of the ionic liquid containing the dendrimer for CO 2 over helium was considerably larger than that for the pure ionic liquid. The solubility of CO 2 and CO 2 -He solubility selectivity of PEG 400 and a solution of the dendrimer in PEG 400 were higher than the corresponding ones in the IL, [bmim][DCA]. A mathematical model was developed to describe the PSMAB process; a numerical solution of the governing equations described successfully the observed performance of the PSMAB process for the pure ionic liquid-based system.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2018

Spontaneous Charge Separation and Sublimation Processes are Ubiquitous in Nature and in Ionization Processes in Mass Spectrometry

Ionization processes have been discovered by which small and large as well as volatile and nonvolatile compounds are converted to gas-phase ions when associated with a matrix and exposed to sub-atmospheric pressure. Here, we discuss experiments further defining these simple and unexpected processes. Charge separation is found to be a common process for small molecule chemicals, solids and liquids, passed through an inlet tube from a higher to a lower pressure region, with and without heat applied. This charge separation process produces positively- and negatively-charged particles with widely different efficiencies depending on the compound and its physical state. Circumstantial evidence is presented suggesting that in the new ionization process, charged particles carry analyte into the gas phase, and desolvation of these particles produce the bare ions similar to electrospray ionization, except that solid particles appear likely to be involved. This mechanistic proposition is in agreement with previous theoretical work related to ion emission from ice. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗