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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

The Potential and Cost of Carbon Dioxide Removal Using Direct Air Capture with Land-Based Wind and Utility-Scale Photovoltaics

The rapid deployment of direct air capture and storage (DACS) is critical for achieving emission targets, necessitating precise evaluation of the scale and cost of carbon dioxide removal. This study examines the availability of land, electricity generation, and geologic CO 2 storage within the United States, estimating a technical potential for low-temperature, adsorbent-based DACS to remove approximately 9 gigatonnes of CO 2 annually. By 2050, a substantial portion of this removal could be achieved at net-removed costs below $\$$300/tonneCO 2 , though costs are highly variable depending on factors such as facility scale, construction expenses, climate-dependent productivity and heating efficiency, and geologic storage conditions. In the short term, DACS deployment will help identify key research priorities for advancing technology and reducing removal costs. Concurrently, there is an urgent need for scientifically robust and standardized frameworks for monitoring, reporting, and verifying DACS performance across both established and emerging technologies and energy sources.

Carbon capture↗
DOE OSTI2021

Conversion of CO 2 into Synthetic Graphite

Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) can be utilized as a source for producing synthetic graphite. Our method converts CO 2 into solid carbon. These CO 2 -sourced solid carbon have an anisotropic property that allow them to be graphitized into synthetic graphite. Our patented thermal catalytic process uses carbon dioxide and hydrogen as the feedstocks for the reaction, producing solid carbon material, with distilled water as the sole byproduct. The process is designed as a closed loop, where all feedstock gases entering the reactor are converted into durable bulk carbons and water, with no emissions. These carbons materials can be sintered into a solid structure and then thermally annealed, taking the carbon atoms from a disordered state to a highly ordered state of graphitic material – producing synthetic graphite structures. Phase 1 will prove that these bulk carbons can be sintered into a machinable solid carbon structure, which will then be annealed into a fully graphitic solid structure. Standard analytics will be done to verify the extent of graphitization (Raman, XRD). Proving this CO 2 -sourced carbon pathway to synthetic graphite structures will give the US a domestic supply route for this critical material and remove reliance on foreign sources. In addition, since the synthetic graphite structure is made from CO 2 -sourced carbon, this is also a method to mitigate CO 2 . Graphite structures are used in high temperature and high friction applications, for example, as anodes for steel refining, for brake pad linings, as neutron reflectors in nuclear reactors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership (SECARB-USA): Initial Inventory of Non-Technical Challenges to CCUS Deployment

The “Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership” (SECARBUSA) project supports the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy's (FE) mission to help the United States meet its need for secure, affordable, and environmentally sound fossil energy supplies by utilizing the advancements made by the current Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (RCSP) Initiative to continue to identify and address knowledge gaps. The primary project objective is to identify and address regional onshore storage and transport challenges facing commercial deployment of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. The Research Partners and a selected industry network of experienced CCUS project developers and operators will coordinate their capabilities to accelerate CCUS deployment by achieving four primary research objectives: 1) address key technical challenges; 2) facilitate data collection, sharing and analysis; 3) assess transportation and distribution infrastructure; and 4) promote regional technology transfer and dissemination of knowledge. The SECARB-USA Region includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia and portions of Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia. Under subtask 5.2: Non-Technical Challenges to CCUS Deployment, the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) will define and identify An Inventory of Non-Technical Challenges to CCUS Deployment. As an initial step, SSEB organized an Industry and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Working Group comprised of knowledgeable market participants to assist in the development of an initial list of non-technical challenges to CCUS development.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2000

Separation of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide for Mars ISRU-Concepts

Solid oxide electrolyzers, such as electrolysis cells utilizing yttria-stabilized zirconia, can produce oxygen from Mars atmospheric carbon dioxide and reject carbon monoxide and unreacted carbon dioxide in a separate stream. The oxygen-production process has been shown to be far more efficient if the high-pressure, unreacted carbon dioxide can be separated and recycled back into the feed stream. Additionally, the mass of the adsorption compressor can be reduced. Also, the carbon monoxide by-product is a valuable fuel for space exploration and habitation, with applications from fuel cells to production of hydrocarbons and plastics. In our research, we will design, construct, and test an innovative, robust, low mass, low power separation device that can recover carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide for Mars ISRU. Such fundamental process technology, involving gas-solid phase separation in a reduced gravitational environment, will help to enable Human Exploration and Development of Space. The separation device will be scaled to operate with a CO2 sorption compressor and a zirconia electrolysis device built at the NASA Ames Research Center and the University of Arizona, respectively. In our research, we will design, construct, and test an innovative, robust, low mass, low power separation device that can recover carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide for Mars ISRU, Such fundamental process technology, involving gas-solid phase separation in a reduced gravitational environment, will help to enable Human Exploration and Development of Space. The separation device will be scaled to operate with a CO2 sorption compressor and a zirconia electrolysis device built at the NASA Ames Research Center and the University of Arizona, The separation device will be scaled to operate with a CO2 sorption compressor and a zirconia electrolysis device built at the NASA Ames Research Center and the University of Arizona, Research needs for the design shown are as follows: (1) The best adsorbent for the process must be determined. (2) Adsorption isotherms must be measured, both for pure components and mixtures. (3) Mathematical modeling must be performed to provide a solid framework for design. (4) The separation system must be constructed and tested. (5) System integration must be studied.

LeVan, M. Douglas↗
DOE OSTI2020

Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership (SECARB-USA): A Sub-Basin Framework for Future CO 2 Infrastructure Development (Task 4.1.a)

The “Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership” (SECARB-USA) project supports the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy's (FE) mission to help the United States meet its need for secure, affordable, and environmentally sound fossil energy supplies by utilizing the advancements made since 2003 by the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (RCSP) Initiative to continue to identify and address knowledge gaps. The SECARB-USA regional initiative encompasses the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and portions of Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia as noted in Figure 1.1. The primary objective of the project is to identify and address regional onshore storage and transport challenges facing commercial deployment of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1993

The 1992-1993 advanced design program. Part 1: The Mars methane engine project. Part 2: The Mars oxygen processor new furnace

Three constituents of the Martian atmosphere, methane, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, can be used for internal combustion in engines utilized for future space exploration on Mars. These three gases, considered as the test case in this research, will be examined to determine required flow rates needed for combustion and optimization of engine performance. Results of the test case are examined in relation to a base case of methane and air for comparative purposes. Testing of exhaust temperatures, cylinder pressure, and exhaust gas analysis were performed for the base case and test case. Also described is a study utilizing a zirconia cell to convert carbon dioxide into usable oxygen to help support future Mars missions.

Lauer, Stephen↗
DOE OSTI2022

Initial Risk Inventory for Commercial Scale Storage Sites

The “Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership” (SECARB-USA) project supports the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy's (FE) mission to help the United States meet its need for secure, affordable, and environmentally sound fossil energy supplies by utilizing the advancements made since 2003 by the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (RCSP) Initiative to continue to identify and address knowledge gaps. The SECARB-USA regional initiative encompasses the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and portions of Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia. The primary objective of the project is to identify and address regional onshore storage and transport challenges facing commercial deployment of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. This document provides an overview of risks relevant to commercial CCUS projects.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2021

Integrated Capture and Conversion of CO 2 to Methane Using a Water-lean, Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture Solvent

Integrated Carbon Capture and Conversion of CO 2 into materials (IC3M) is an attractive solution to meet the global energy demand, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and lower CO 2 emissions. In this work, using a water-lean post combustion capture solvent, (N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine) (2-EEMPA), >90% conversion of captured CO2 to hydrocarbons, mostly methane, is achieved in the presence of a heterogenous Ru catalysts under relatively mild reaction conditions (170 °C and <15 bar H 2 pressure). The catalytic performance was better in 2-EEMPA than aqueous 5M monoethanol amine (MEA). Operando NMR study showed in-situ formation of N-formamide intermediate, which underwent further hydrogenation to form methane and other higher hydrocarbons. The technoeconomic analyses (TEA) showed that the proposed integrated process can potentially improve the thermal efficiency by 5% and reduce the total capital investment and minimum synthetic natural gas (SNG) selling price by 32% and 12% respectively compared to conventional Sabatier process, highlighting the energetic and economic benefits of integrated capture and conversion. Methane derived from CO 2 and renewable H 2 source is an attractive fuel, and it has a great potential as a renewable hydrogen carrier as an environmentally responsible carbon capture and utilization approach.

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

MgO Nanostructures on Cu(111): Understanding Size- and Morphology-Dependent CO 2 Binding and Hydrogenation

To design and optimize cost-effective technologies for the capture, utilization, and storage of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), we need a fundamental knowledge and control of chemical interactions associated with the capture and conversion of the molecule into high-value chemicals, minerals, and all kinds of materials. Bulk magnesium oxide (MgO) is frequently used for the trapping and storage of CO 2 by generation of magnesium carbonates. In this study, the growth and reactivity of MgO nanostructures on a Cu 2 O/Cu(111) substrate were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and synchrotron-based ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS). For extremely small concentrations of Mg (~ 0.01 monolayer (ML)), a well-ordered film of copper oxide with small clusters (0.2-0.5 nm in width, 0.4-0.6 Å in height) of embedded MgO was seen. At a coverage of 0.1 ML, MgO nanoparticles with a width of 0.4 to 1 nm and a height of ~ 1.5 Å were randomly distributed on the copper oxide. Further, random distribution was also observed when the MgO coverage was raised to 0.25 ML, with the width of the MgO particles increasing to 2-2.5 nm and the height reaching 2 Å. These oxide nanostructures displayed a high reactivity towards CO 2 and H 2 that is not seen for bulk MgO. Dissociation of H 2 was observed at room temperature with reaction of the H adatoms with CuO x and C-containing groups. On the small MgO nanostructures (< 1 nm in width), instead of plain carbonate formation, there was dissociation of CO 2 into CO and C species, opening reaction channels for the conversion of this harmful molecule into oxygenates and light alkanes.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Biogas Utilization in Refuse Power Plants (BURP 2 )

The BURP 2 project investigated the technical and financial viability of co firing biogas with waste coal for power generation while using carbon capture and sequestration to achieve net negative emissions. A comparative assessment integrating geospatial mapping, technoeconomic analysis, and life cycle analysis was carried out to evaluate retrofitting an existing coal fired facility in West Virginia, versus developing a new greenfield power plant in Kentucky located near a low quality coal resource. The study found that CO 2 capture rates of 90% or higher, in combination with biogas feedstocks such as animal manure, could significantly reduce global warming potential compared to plants using neither biogas nor CO 2 capture systems. Economic feasibility depended heavily on federal tax credits and proximity to fuel sources. In both greenfield and retrofit scenarios, access to biogas played a key role. Because the retrofit site was located close to existing biogas resources, it represented a feasible option, whereas the greenfield site, being far from pipelines or biogas sources, would require prohibitively expensive biogas transport infrastructure. Overall, the research showed that repurposing waste or low-quality coal with renewable biogas and CO 2 capture systems could provide a viable approach for reducing carbon emissions in power production, if biogas resources are easily accessible and available in sufficient quantities.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
NASA NTRS2017

Novel Liquid Sorbent C02 Removal System for Microgravity Applications

Removing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from a spacecraft environment for deep space exploration requires a robust system that is low in weight, power, and volume. Current state-of-the-art microgravity compatible CO2 removal systems, such as the carbon dioxide removal assembly (CDRA), utilize solid sorbents that demand high power usage due to high desorption temperatures and a large volume to accommodate for their comparatively low capacity for CO2. Additionally, solid sorbent systems contain several mechanical components that significantly reduce reliability and contribute to a large overall mass. A liquid sorbent based system has been evaluated as an alternative is proposed to consume 65% less power, weight, and volume than solid based CO2 scrubbers. This paper presents the design of a liquid sorbent CO2 removal system for microgravity applications.

Rogers, Tanya↗
NASA NTRS2022

Plasma Activated Water for Crewed Transit and Planetary Habitation: A Study of Gas Type, Electrode Material, and Power Supply Selection and the Impact on the Final Frontier - FY21 CIF

An in-depth study of plasma activated water (PAW) generation was conducted to link changes in power supply, electrode material, input gas, and treatment time to the resulting reaction chemistry. These changes in chemistry can help tailor PAW for different space applications. An AC, DC, and nanosecond (ns) pulsed power supply were each used to generate PAW with stainless steel, copper, tungsten, or platinum (Pt) electrodes while utilizing air, nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), helium (He), or argon (Ar) as the feed gas. Tap or deionized (DI) water was treated for 1 to 15 minutes, and the generated PAW was tested for changes in pH, conductivity, oxidation reduction potential, nitrates (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+), and peroxide. Calculations showed that the production of reactive nitrogen species was the leading cause of pH and conductivity changes. The DC generated air plasma was able to reduce the pH of DI water and generate NO3‑. The pulsed supply, operating at 20% of the input power of the DC supply, lowered the pH generated NO3‑. When a simulated Martian gas mixture of 95% CO2 and 5% N2 was used as the feed gas, NO3‑ was generated with the DC and pulsed supplies, respectively. Mixing PAW with plasma generated ash from inedible biomass allowed pH control, thus enhancing PAW’s potential use for sanitation applications. The large shift in pH was used to study sanitation effects of Escherichia coli (E. coli) reduction and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), in which log reductions were found to be negligible. Additionally, the plasma generated ash in combination with PAW was also implemented in 10-day microgreen growth trials, in which PAW and ash resulted in quicker emergence of the microgreens compared to the standard growth conditions and comparable dry masses to Hoagland’s nutrient solution treated samples.

plasma activated water (PAW)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Assessing feasible H2–CO2 sources in the US as Feedstocks for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Precursors: Acetic Acid and Ethanol Production via Hydrogenotrophic Pathways

The environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions is significant, and research is focused on mitigating these emissions and developing eco-friendly technologies in line with green chemistry principles. Waste-to-energy technologies play a crucial role in converting waste into renewable energy and valuable biofuels and bioproducts. This study specifically explores the utilization of waste gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, from various sources in the United States for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) precursors, such as ethanol and acetic acid. The study categorizes and quantifies the volumes of carbon dioxide emissions into three types: non-biogenic, biogenic, and biogenic emissions from ethanol production facilities. Stoichiometric calculations are applied to compare the amounts of carbon dioxide from each category with the available hydrogen production capacity, determining if sufficient hydrogen is present for converting carbon dioxide into SAF precursors. The study reveals two key findings. Firstly, there is a significant reserve of carbon dioxide, approximately 1648 million metric tons per year (MMTy), combining all three categories, which would require a substantial increase of approximately 35–40 times in the existing hydrogen production capacity of 4.988 MMTy. This increased hydrogen production has the potential to yield approximately 1067.82 MMTy of acetic acid and 189.19 MMTy of ethanol annually. Secondly, upon analyzing the quality and application of the three sources of carbon dioxide with the currently available hydrogen production capacity, it is found that biogenic carbon dioxide from ethanol plants is the most suitable choice for immediate production of SAF precursors. This would theoretically result in an annual production of 1.36 MMTy of ethanol and 1.772 MMTy of acetic acid. The other two sources of carbon dioxide can be considered potential reserves for future utilization when additional hydrogen production facilities are established. The study provides a foundation for assessing the aggregation potential required for acetic acid and ethanol production. By optimizing the use of waste gases as raw materials, the study not only enables the production of SAF precursors but also contributes to the passive reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Dioxide↗
NASA NTRS1999

Fabrication and Performance of Zirconia Electrolysis Cells for Cabon Dioxide Reduction for Mars In Situ Resource Utilization Applications

Use of the Martian atmosphere (95% CO2) to produce oxygen (for propellant and life support) can significantly lower the required launch mass and dramatically reduce the total cost for Mars missions. Zirconia electrolysis cells are one of the technologies being considered for oxygen generation from carbon dioxide in Mars In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) production plants. The attractive features of the zirconia cell for this application include simple operation and lightweight, low volume system. A zirconia electrolysis cell is an all-solid state device, based on oxygen-ion conducting zirconia electrolytes, that electrochemically reduces carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbon monoxide. The cell consists of two porous electrodes (the anode and cathode) separated by a dense zirconia electrolyte. Typical zirconia cells contain an electrolyte layer which is 200 to 400 micrometer thick. The electrical conductivity requirement for the electrolyte necessitates an operating temperature of 9000 to 10000C. Recently, the fabrication of zirconia cells by the tape calendering has been evaluated. This fabrication process provides a simple means of making cells having very thin electrolytes (5 to 30 micrometers). Thin zirconia electrolytes reduce cell ohmic losses, permitting efficient operation at lower temperatures (8000C or below). Thus, tape-calendered cells provides not only the potential of low temperature operation but also the flexibility in operating temperatures. This paper describes the fabrication of zirconia cells by the tape calendering method and discusses the performance results obtained to date.

Minh, N. Q.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Performance and Cost Potential for Exemplar Direct Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Natural Gas Plants

This report presents the techno-economic analysis (TEA) optimization results of natural gas-fired utility-scale power plants based on the direct supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ) power cycle. To identify optimum plant configuration, the study also considered three different cases (Case A, Case B, Case C) with varying levels of thermal integration with the plant air separation unit (ASU). A fourth case (Case D), which is based on a patent from 8 Rivers, was also considered and includes thermal integration with the ASU as well as compressed recycle carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas. The four direct sCO 2 power plants offered similar or slightly higher plant efficiencies than the reference NGCC plants based on an F-class gas turbine with carbon capture and storage (CCS). LCOE of the direct sCO 2 plants is 13.5–17.2 percent higher than the reference NGCC plants with CCS due to higher capital costs associated with the ASU and sCO 2 power block. Recuperators make up over 50 percent of the power cycle costs. Consequently, any research and development (R&D) efforts to reduce the recuperator capital costs will be beneficial for the technology commercialization. The study also investigated the impact of co-firing landfill gas (LFG) and natural gas on plant efficiency, LCOE, and CO 2 emissions. Increasing the LFG co-firing from 0 percent to 50 percent (mass basis), decreased the plant efficiency by 0.3 percentage points and increased the LCOE by 3 percent. Due to high inherent CO 2 capture rates, direct sCO 2 plants have strong potential to achieve net-zero CO 2 emissions with LFG and natural gas co-firing.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bosch Carbon Catalyst Regeneration in Water I: Bosch Carbon Removal from Reacted Beads Utilizing Mechanical Agitation

The ability to recover oxygen from metabolic carbon dioxide is crucial for crewed long duration missions in which the atmosphere must be recycled. Two physiochemical methods are primarily employed for this purpose: the Bosch process and the Sabatier reaction. This paper focuses on the Bosch process. It utilizes hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to form water and solid carbon out of metabolic carbon dioxide. The solid carbon product deposits onto the catalyst and eventually causes reactor over pressurization issues. Multiple methods are currently being investigated to regenerate the catalyst’s surface and break up the pressure causing carbon clogs. This paper explores whether water and mechanical abrasion would work to remove Bosch carbon by testing multiple washing conditions. The different washing conditions involved agitation intensity, heating, duration, and volume of water. It was found that it is possible to break up the clumps of carbon formed in the reactor through agitation with room temperature water in one hour and shows promise for completely cleaning the carbon off the beads’ surface.

Agitation↗