SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “COMBUSTION PROPERTIES”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,045 records · Page 58

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2015

Processing and properties of a solid energy fuel from municipal solid waste (MSW) and recycled plastics

Highlights: • Briquetting was used to produce solid fuels from municipal solid waste and recycled plastics. • Optimal drying, processing temperature and pressure were found to produce stable briquettes. • Addition of waste plastics yielded heating values comparable with typical coal feedstocks. • This processing method improves utilization of paper and plastic diverted from landfills. - Abstract: Diversion of waste streams such as plastics, woods, papers and other solid trash from municipal landfills and extraction of useful materials from landfills is an area of increasing interest especially in densely populated areas. One promising technology for recycling municipal solid waste (MSW) is to burn the high-energy-content components in standard coal power plant. This research aims to reform wastes into briquettes that are compatible with typical coal combustion processes. In order to comply with the standards of coal-fired power plants, the feedstock must be mechanically robust, free of hazardous contaminants, and moisture resistant, while retaining high fuel value. This study aims to investigate the effects of processing conditions and added recyclable plastics on the properties of MSW solid fuels. A well-sorted waste stream high in paper and fiber content was combined with controlled levels of recyclable plastics PE, PP, PET and PS and formed into briquettes using a compression molding technique. The effect of added plastics and moisture content on binding attraction and energy efficiency were investigated. The stability of the briquettes to moisture exposure, the fuel composition by proximate analysis, briquette mechanical strength, and burning efficiency were evaluated. It was found that high processing temperature ensures better properties of the product addition of milled mixed plastic waste leads to better encapsulation as well as to greater calorific value. Also some moisture removal (but not complete) improves the compacting process and results in higher heating value. Analysis of the post-processing water uptake and compressive strength showed a correlation between density and stability to both mechanical stress and humid environment. Proximate analysis indicated heating values comparable to coal. The results showed that mechanical and moisture uptake stability were improved when the moisture and air contents were optimized. Moreover, the briquette sample composition was similar to biomass fuels but had significant advantages due to addition of waste plastics that have high energy content compared to other waste types. Addition of PP and HDPE presented better benefits than addition of PET due to lower softening temperature and lower oxygen content. It should be noted that while harmful emissions such as dioxins, furans and mercury can result from burning plastics, WTE facilities have been able to control these emissions to meet US EPA standards. This research provides a drop-in coal replacement that reduces demand on landfill space and replaces a significant fraction of fossil-derived fuel with a renewable alternative.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2014

Addition of gaseous olefin to produce boiler fuel and stability studies

As a renewable liquid fuel, bio‐oil produced from fast pyrolysis of biomass is receiving increasing attention. However, bio‐oil has some negative properties, such as polymerization over time, high water content, high viscosity, and low energy value. It must be upgraded to be used as a fuel. The objective of this study was to develop an upgrading method by esterification and olefination reactions to produce bio‐oil with lower water content and higher energy value for combustion as a boiler fuel. Loblolly pine wood was pyrolyzed at a feed rate of ∼7 kg/h in a Mississippi State University proprietary auger reactor to produce bio‐oil with 65% yield. Upgrading reactions were performed in a high‐pressure batch autoclave. Bio‐oil was reacted with alcohols and gaseous olefins in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to produce upgraded bio‐oil. The influence of reaction conditions such as reaction time, reaction temperature, and catalyst content were evaluated. Physical and chemical properties such as acid value, higher heating value, water content, and optimal conditions were identified. The result of olefination shows improved bio‐oil quality and increased energy density. Accelerated aging tests were also performed. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2014 34: 933–941, 2015

Tao, Jingming↗

DOE OSTI2023

From electronic structure to model application of key reactions for gasoline/alcohol combustion: Hydrogen-atom abstractions by $CH_3\dot{O}$ radical

H-atom abstraction by methoxy radical ($CH_3\dot{O}$) plays an important role in capturing the kinetics of reactions between gasoline components and alcohols. This study focuses on determining the reaction rates and thermodynamic properties of methoxy radical reactions with five gasoline fuel components: n-heptane, iso-octane, 1-hexene, cyclopentane and toluene. Electronic structure calculations were per-formed for all the stationary points with M06-2X/6 -311 ++ g(d,p) method. G3 composite method with atomization method is used for determining Δ f H 0 of all the closed shell and radical species, using which the necessary thermodynamic data of all the species was determined. Coupled cluster theory QCISD(T)/cc-pVXZ (where X = D and T) and Møller-Plesset perturbation theory MP2/cc-pVXZ (where X = D, T and Q) were used to calculate single point energies. Subsequently, rate constants for all hydrogen atom ab-straction channels have been performed using conventional transition state theory with unsymmetric tunneling corrections. A systematic comparison of rates for abstraction from different sites within the same species and same site from different species is done in order to get insights into this reaction class. Here, the computed thermodynamic properties and rate constants were incorporated into a recent gasoline mechanism to investigate the impact of the calculations performed in this work. A shift in predicted NTC (negative temperature coefficient) behavior and significant reduction in model reactivity is observed upon incorporating the rates calculated herein.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Structural and Magnetic Characteristics of Ferroxplana Co{sub 2}Y Nanoferrites Synthesized via Two Chemical Routes

Barium Y-type hexaferrite Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} nanopowders have been purposefully tailored using two different chemical wet methods, namely sol-gel auto-combustion (SGA) and co-precipitation (CP) routes. The impact of the pre-annealing and the annealing temperature of the formed precursors synthesized using two strategies on the structural, microstructure, and magnetic properties was investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopic (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). For instance, well-defined Ba{sub 2}Co{sub 2}Fe{sub 12}O{sub 22} hexagonal plate-like particles was observed using SGA and CP routes for the precursors pre-annealed at 600 {sup ∘}C for 4 h and then annealed at low temperature 1000 {sup ∘}C for 2 h. The magnetic properties measured at room temperature evinced that hexaferrite Co{sub 2}Y particles have ferromagnetic characteristics. Good magnetic properties involving saturation magnetization (M{sub s}) of 23.64 and 24.37 emu/g and the coercivity (H{sub c}) of 417.76 and 280.92 Oe were accomplished for the samples pre-annealed at 600 {sup ∘}C for 4 h and then annealed at 1000 {sup ∘}C for 2 h for SGA and CP methods, respectively.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2024

Learning Nonlinear Reduced Models from Data with Operator Inference

This review discusses Operator Inference, a nonintrusive reduced modeling approach that incorporates physical governing equations by defining a structured polynomial form for the reduced model, and then learns the corresponding reduced operators from simulated training data. The polynomial model form of Operator Inference is sufficiently expressive to cover a wide range of nonlinear dynamics found in fluid mechanics and other fields of science and engineering, while still providing efficient reduced model computations. The learning steps of Operator Inference are rooted in classical projection-based model reduction; thus, some of the rich theory of model reduction can be applied to models learned with Operator Inference. This connection to projection-based model reduction theory offers a pathway toward deriving error estimates and gaining insights to improve predictions. Furthermore, through formulations of Operator Inference that preserve Hamiltonian and other structures, important physical properties such as energy conservation can be guaranteed in the predictions of the reduced model beyond the training horizon. This review illustrates key computational steps of Operator Inference through a large-scale combustion example.

Mechanics↗

NASA NTRS1992

Low thrust chemical rocket technology

A technology program aimed at improving the performance of low thrust chemical rockets for spacecraft onboard applications is reviewed. Navier-Stokes analyses of low Reynolds number rocket flows have been compared with local flow property measurements obtained using Rayleigh and Raman diagnostics in a 100 N gaseous hydrogen/gaseous oxygen rocket. It is indicated that computational domain should include the near injector flow and that the shear layer combustion model needs improvement. The system analyses and technical efforts intended to develop a technology base for higher performance propellants are presented. A LOX/hydrazine engine is demonstrated to have a 95 percent theoretical c-star which translates into a projected vacuum specific impulse of 345 seconds at an area ratio of 204:1.

Schneider, Steven J.↗

DOE OSTI2013

Biochar production method and composition therefrom

The invention is directed to a method for producing an oxygenated biochar material possessing a cation-exchanging property, wherein a biochar source is reacted with one or more oxygenating compounds in such a manner that the biochar source homogeneously acquires oxygen-containing cation-exchanging groups in an incomplete combustion process. The invention is also directed to oxygenated biochar compositions and soil formulations containing the oxygenated biochar material.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

DOE OSTI2014

Biochar production method and composition therefrom

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2018

The effect of non-axisymmetric fuel staging on flame structure in a multiple-nozzle model gas turbine combustor

Fuel staging is often used to suppress combustion instabilities in a gas turbine engine. This strategy is accomplished by applying differing flow rates of fuel to different nozzles of a multinozzle combustor. As such, the mixture composition and critical flame properties like flame speed and heat release may vary from nozzle to nozzle. In this experiment, five identical nozzles are arranged with a central nozzle surrounded symmetrically by four others; this is commonly referred to as a “four-around-one” configuration. The fuel is staged by adding more fuel through the middle and one outer nozzle, where staging through the middle nozzle will be referred to as axisymmetric staging, and staging through an outer nozzle is non-axisymmetric staging. This staging is analyzed through the use of tomographic image reconstruction. Images are taken in 5 degree increments over a 180 degree span around the flame for each staging condition. We compare three cases: one without staging, one with axisymmetric staging, and another with non-axisymmetric staging. Fuel staging can cause deviations in the flame structure where neighboring flames meet each other. Nonaxisymmetric versus axisymmetric staging are found to result in different flame shapes and stabilization methods due to the difference in the number of flames that are interacting with the staged nozzle.

Sekulich, Olivia↗

DOE OSTI2018

Solution combustion synthesis of LaxSm1−xMn2O5 nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic performances for Al-air batteries

Highlights: • Pure-phase La{sub x}Sm{sub 1−x}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} were firstly achieved through one step calcined solution combustion synthesis with high yield. • The main impact of La/Sm is the amount of surface adsorbed oxygen and surface Mn{sup 4+} ions as revealed by XPS results. • The La{sub 0.1}Sm{sub 0.9}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} exhibited the highest activity, which has an appropriate ratio between oxygen vacancies and Mn{sup 3+}. • The cell produced with La{sub 0.1}Sm{sub 0.9}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} exhibits flat discharge curves in 40 h above 1.5 V. - Abstract: Compared the most reported synthesis methods, a series of La{sub x}Sm{sub 1−x}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) catalysts were first synthesized through sol-gel solution combustion synthesis with a short cycle and high yield. The main impact of different La/Sm molar ratios is the amount of surface adsorbed oxygen (O{sub ads}) and surface Mn{sup 4+} ions as revealed by XPS results. Electrochemical properties are characterized by rotating disk electrode (RDE) and the full dischargeable Al-air battery with 4 M NaOH electrolyte. The measurements of RDE reveal that the electron transfer number of La{sub x}Sm{sub 1−x}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) are all closed to 4, and the sample prepared with x = 0.1 possesses the most excellent electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and good discharge performance in alkaline medium. All of the above results indicate that the La{sub x}Sm{sub 1−x}Mn{sub 2}O{sub 5} (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) are promising catalysts with a high catalytic activity toward ORR.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2016

Improving of the electrical and magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} by doping with yttrium

Bismuth ferrite is one of the most promising multiferroic materials, and the main barriers for exploiting all of its specific properties are difficulties in obtaining pure, high resistive material with nanosized grains. Doping of BiFeO{sub 3} with different transition metals and rare earth elements is often used way for overcoming these obstacles. Yttrium doped bismuth ferrite, Bi{sub 1−x}Y{sub x}FeO{sub 3} (x = 0; 0.01; 0.03; 0.05; 0.1), was prepared by auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman results showed that partial phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic structure took place at around 10 mol% of Y. Effect of Y doping on microstructure was studied from SEM micrographies, showing the reduction of grain size in doped samples. Electrical measurements showed continuous improvement of resistivity with Y doping, whereas the values of saturation and remnant polarizations exhibit maximums at around 5 mol% of Y. Yttrium doping also enhanced magnetic properties, leading to weak ferromagnetism.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Tunable photoluminescence properties of Ca{sub 8}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}F{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+},Mn{sup 2+} phosphor under UV excitation

Highlights: • Ca{sub 8}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}F{sub 2}:Eu{sup 2+},Mn{sup 2+} was prepared by a combustion-assisted synthesis method. • The phosphor presents blue and yellow double color emissions. • Efficient energy transfer from Eu{sup 2+} to Mn{sup 2+} in this phosphor is observed obviously. • White emitting was realized in Ca{sub 8}NaGd(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}F{sub 2}:0.10Eu{sup 2+},0.32Mn{sup 2+},0.10B phosphor. - Abstract: A series of Eu{sup 2+} and Mn{sup 2+} coactivated Ca{sub 8}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}F{sub 2} (CNLF) phosphors have been synthesized by a combustion-assisted synthesis method. The investigation revealed that Ca{sub 8}NaLa(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}F{sub 2} crystallized in a hexagonal crystal system with the space group P6{sub 3}/m (176). The Eu{sup 2+} activated phosphors can be efficiently excited in the range of 270–400 nm and give intense blue emission peaking at 451 nm. By codoping the Eu{sup 2+} and Mn{sup 2+} ions into the CNLF host and singly varying the doping content of the Mn{sup 2+} ion, tunable colors from blue to white and eventually to yellow are obtained in CNLF:Eu{sup 2+},Mn{sup 2+} phosphors under the irradiation of 330 nm. The energy transfer from Eu{sup 2+} to Mn{sup 2+} in CNLF:Eu{sup 2+},Mn{sup 2+} has been demonstrated to be a resonant type via a dipole–dipole mechanism and the critical distance of energy transfer from Eu{sup 2+} to Mn{sup 2+} was estimated to be about 11.9 Å. The investigation indicates that the obtained samples might have potential application in white LEDs.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2013

Intrinsic magnetic, structural and resistivity properties of ferromagnetic Mn{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Al{sub x}Fe{sub 2−x}O{sub 4} nanoparticles

Highlights: ► Al{sup 3+} ion substituted Mn–Zn ferrite nanoparticles. ► Single phase cubic spinel structure changes with Al{sup 3+} substitution. ► Magnetization and coercivity decreased with increasing Al{sup 3+}. ► Resistivity increased with Al{sup 3+} substitution. - Abstract: In this work the nano-structural, magnetic and resistivity properties of Al{sup 3+} substituted Mn–Zn ferrites powders were investigated. Mn{sub 0.5}Zn{sub 0.5}Al{sub x}Fe{sub 2−x}O{sub 4} powders, where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 were obtained by the sol–gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction data indicate that, after substitution, all the samples consisted of the main spinel phase in combination with a small amount of a foreign Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase. The addition of Al{sup 3+} resulted in a reduction of particle size and density of the prepared samples. Cation distribution in the present study was estimated by using X-ray diffraction data. The tetrahedral site radii initially increased with Al{sup 3+} content while the octahedral site radii decreased with the Al{sup 3+} substitution. FTIR spectra show two strong absorption bands at 529–548 cm{sup −1} and 445–452 cm{sup −1} which are the typical bands for the cubic spinel crystal structure. The magnetic properties were measured by employing a vibrating sample magnetometer. It was observed that the saturation magnetization, coercivity and anisotropy field decreased with the increase of Al{sup 3+} substitution. Introduction of Al{sup 3+} ions into the Mn–Zn ferrite increased the values of the resistivity, especially in the lower temperature range.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Numerical and experimental studies on effects of moisture content on combustion characteristics of simulated municipal solid wastes in a fixed bed

Highlights: • The effects of moisture content on the burning process of MSW are investigated. • A two-dimensional mathematical model was built to simulate the combustion process. • Temperature distributions, process rates, gas species were measured and simulated. • The The conversion ratio of C/CO and N/NO in MSW are inverse to moisture content. - Abstract: In order to reveal the features of the combustion process in the porous bed of a waste incinerator, a two-dimensional unsteady state model and experimental study were employed to investigate the combustion process in a fixed bed of municipal solid waste (MSW) on the combustion process in a fixed bed reactor. Conservation equations of the waste bed were implemented to describe the incineration process. The gas phase turbulence was modeled using the k–ε turbulent model and the particle phase was modeled using the kinetic theory of granular flow. The rate of moisture evaporation, devolatilization rate, and char burnout was calculated according to the waste property characters. The simulation results were then compared with experimental data for different moisture content of MSW, which shows that the incineration process of waste in the fixed bed is reasonably simulated. The simulation results of solid temperature, gas species and process rate in the bed are accordant with experimental data. Due to the high moisture content of fuel, moisture evaporation consumes a vast amount of heat, and the evaporation takes up most of the combustion time (about 2/3 of the whole combustion process). The whole bed combustion process reduces greatly as MSW moisture content increases. The experimental and simulation results provide direction for design and optimization of the fixed bed of MSW.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Coal polymer composites prepared by fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing

Coal is a vital energy resource worldwide, but pollutants and greenhouse gases from its combustion cause environmental problems. To explore the non-combustion approach to use and valorize coal, anthracite and lignite were blended with polyamide 12 (PA 12) through FDM printing in this work and compared in the composites. By adding lignite, Young’s modulus improved with increasing loading to 50 wt% while tensile strength leveled off among the composites, compared to that of PA 12. By contrast, the addition of anthracite decreased the tensile performance at all loadings. Rheology tests and morphology analyses suggested that the interactions between fillers (anthracite and lignite) and PA 12 may cause differences in tensile properties. In addition, the printed lignite composites showed improved thermal conductivity (~ twofold), indicating lignite demonstrates the potential to build functional composites. This work provides a strategy to use lignite in composites by 3D printing for value-added products and reduces the demand for petroleum-based polymers. Overall, our approach diverts lignite from combustion processes and alleviates the negative impact of lignite use on the environment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Experimental Investigation of Spark-Ignited Combustion with High-Octane Biofuels and EGR. 2. Fuel and EGR Effects on Knock-Limited Load and Speed

The present study experimentally investigates spark-ignited combustion with 87 AKI E0 gasoline in its neat form and in midlevel alcohol–gasoline blends with 24% vol/vol isobutanol–gasoline (IB24) and 30% vol/vol ethanol–gasoline (E30). A single-cylinder research engine is used with an 11.85:1 compression ratio, hydraulically actuated valves, laboratory intake air, and was capable of external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Experiments were conducted with all fuels to full-load conditions with λ = 1, using both 0% and 15% external-cooled EGR. Higher octane number biofuel blends exhibited increased stoichiometric torque capability at this compression ratio, where the unique properties of ethanol enabled a doubling of the stoichiometric torque capability with E30 as compared to that of 87AKI, up to 20 bar IMEPg (indicating mean effective pressure gross) at λ = 1. The results demonstrate that for all fuels, EGR is a key enabler for increasing engine efficiency but is less useful for knock mitigation with E30 than for 87AKI gasoline or IB24. Under knocking conditions, 15% EGR is found to offer 1°CA of CA50 timing advance with E30, whereas up to 5°CA of CA50 advance is possible with knock-limited 87AKI gasoline. Compared to 87AKI, both E30 and IB24 are found to have reduced adiabatic flame temperature and shorter combustion durations, which reduce knocking propensity beyond that indicated by the octane number. However, E30+0% EGR is found to exhibit the better antiknock properties than either 87AKI+15% EGR or IB24+15% EGR, expanding the knock limited operating range and engine stoichiometric torque capability at high compression ratio. Furthermore, the fuel sensitivity (S) of E30 was attributed to reduced speed sensitivity of E30, expanding the low-speed stoichiometric torque capability at high compression ratio. The results illustrate that intermediate alcohol–gasoline blends exhibit exceptional antiknock properties and performance beyond that indicated by the octane number tests, particularly E30.

Splitter, Derek↗

DOE OSTI2021

Numerical simulation of a methane-oxygen rotating detonation rocket engine

Not provided.

Energy & Fuels↗

DOE OSTI2014

Interband Cascade Photovoltaic Cells

In this project, we are performing basic and applied research to systematically investigate our newly proposed interband cascade (IC) photovoltaic (PV) cells [1]. These cells follow from the great success of infrared IC lasers [2-3] that pioneered the use of quantum-engineered IC structures. This quantum-engineered approach will enable PV cells to efficiently convert infrared radiation from the sun or other heat source, to electricity. Such cells will have important applications for more efficient use of solar energy, waste-heat recovery, and power beaming in combination with mid-infrared lasers. The objectives of our investigations are to: achieve extensive understanding of the fundamental aspects of the proposed PV structures, develop the necessary knowledge for making such IC PV cells, and demonstrate prototype working PV cells. This research will focus on IC PV structures and their segments for utilizing infrared radiation with wavelengths from 2 to 5 μm, a range well suited for emission by heat sources (1,000-2,000 K) that are widely available from combustion systems. The long-term goal of this project is to push PV technology to longer wavelengths, allowing for relatively low-temperature thermal sources. Our investigations address material quality, electrical and optical properties, and their interplay for the different regions of an IC PV structure. The tasks involve: design, modeling and optimization of IC PV structures, molecular beam epitaxial growth of PV structures and relevant segments, material characterization, prototype device fabrication and testing. At the end of this program, we expect to generate new cutting-edge knowledge in the design and understanding of quantum-engineered semiconductor structures, and demonstrate the concepts for IC PV devices with high conversion efficiencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗