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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 1,315 records · Page 73

Achieving Unprecedented CO 2 Utilization InCO 2 Concrete™: System Design, Product Development and Process Demonstration

Anthropogenic sources of carbon dioxide are generated from a number of sources, but the key among these are ordinary Portland cement (OPC) production and combustion of fossil fuels. Cement production is the largest global CO 2 source from the mineral decomposition of carbonates. This is due to the clinkering process whereby limestone (mainly consisting of CaCO 3 ) is decomposed into CaO and CO 2 , and combined with silica rich clays at high temperatures to form clinkers (i.e. the four key minerals that comprise cement). The high temperature range of 1400 – 1550°C required for this process accounts for up to 60% of the generated CO 2 from cement production. Combination of the limestone decomposition and thermal requirements of the clinkering process causes cement production to contribute 8-9% of annual global CO 2 emissions. Combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) was shown to contribute a much larger portion of global CO 2 emissions. As of 2018, combustion of fossil fuels accounted for 65% of global CO 2 , where 41% was derived from stationary sources for electricity and heat generation and the other 24% was related to transport. To reduce these contributions, key steps forward in CO 2 utilization technologies are required. Therefore, a CO 2 mineralization technology (CO 2 mineralization concrete) to reduce the OPC content in concrete, while utilizing flue gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion has been developed to address both areas simultaneously. This Reversa™ technology utilizes low-carbon cementation agents produced by in situ CO 2 mineralization (“mineral carbonation reactions”) to offer a promising alternative to OPC. CO 2 mineralization relies upon the reaction of dissolved CO 2 with inorganic alkaline reactants to precipitate mineral carbonates (e.g., CaCO 3 ), which bind proximate particles and achieve cementation. Herein, a concrete green body, which is composed of a mixture of binder, water, and mineral aggregates, is exposed to CO 2 borne in industrial flue gas streams. This manner of CO 2 mineralization allows the production of construction components that feature equivalent engineering attributes as their OPC-based counterparts while featuring a much smaller embodied carbon intensity (eCI). The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of the Reversa process evolving from a TRL-3 technology at the bench-scale up to TRL-6 technology at the pilot-scale. The reliability of the Reversa technology was tested to prove the effective production of three standard industrial concrete products selected during the course of the project. The results detailed herein will demonstrate the evolution of this technology to the industrial scale. The culmination of this work resulted in 9 production runs completed at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), Wilsonville, AL, using natural gas (NG) flue gas as the CO 2 source. Over the course of the production runs at NCCC, the CO 2 utilization as a function of time, 24-h CO 2 uptake, electricity usage, and 28-d net area compressive strength recorded for each run. Collection of this data will be used to determine the success of the demonstration goals: (1) achieving in excess of 0.2gCO 2 /g reactant , (2) achieving greater than 50% reduction in global warming potential compared to standard produced units, and (3) ensuring compliance of carbonated concrete with industry standard specifications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Success Path Method: Conformance with Safety Management Systems

All industrial facilities deal with safety hazards such as equipment failures, chemical and toxic releases, and fires and explosions just to name a few. A disciplined framework for managing the integrity of operating systems and processes that handle hazardous substances by applying good design principles, engineering, and operating practices is called process safety. The goal of such framewoks is to prevent the release of energy or material that could cause harm to people or damage to equipment and/or environment. Process safety covers all aspects of facility operation also including design, maintenance, and human and organizational factors that could possibly have effect on process safety. As it will be seen from the discussion below, process safety is just one of the pieces of the much bigger matter, a safety culture. Many industries have long recognized the importance of safety culture in their day-to-day operation. Although the definition of safety culture can slightly differ from organization to organization, in general, a safety culture is how things are done to demonstrate a commitment to safety by everyone involved. An organization acquires safety culture over time as the product of individual and group values, actions, and behaviors toward overall safety. It is important to note that safety culture should not be viewed as some static state that an organization wants to reach. It is more like a constantly evolving level of “how things are done when nobody is watching.” Safety culture is an inherent characteristic of an organization, it is always present, but the level can range on a continuum from undesirable to desirable or more commonly used, from negative to positive. An example for an undesirable, negative safety culture would be a company in which accidents resulting in harm (physical and/or emotional) of its employees, equipment or surrounding environment and community occur frequently. At the other end of the spectrum would be a company in which such accidents are rare or do not occur at all (desired or positive safety culture). Every company/industry exists somewhere within this spectrum.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A multiomics mass spectrometry workflow for fast and comprehensive strain optimization (Abstract CRADA 726 )

The Agile Biofoundry (ABF) is a multi-national lab consortium funded by the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office that has developed a biofoundry that enables the rapid deployment of bioproducts into the market. The ABF is a flexible platform that can adjust to the needs of numerous government, academic and industrial partners, thus enabling them to rapidly develop and optimize the production of a wide range of bioproducts. To enhance this capability, PNNL and Agilent Technologies are collaborating to expand and demonstrate a prototype system that processes hundreds of samples per day by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based untargeted and targeted methods, and artificial intelligence software for multiomics applications, including metabolomics, lipidomics and proteomics.

Bilbao, Aivett (ORCID:0000000329858249)↗

PPI DataHub Project Data Package: S. elongatus PCC 7942 Circadian Control Bioproduction Transcriptomics (PB-DP3)

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate how circadian clock regulation impacts carbon partitioning between storage, growth, and product synthesis in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in providing insights to strategies for enhanced bioproduction. Sample data was acquired using a Illumina HiSeq sequencer system and processed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) expression analysis. Transcriptomic differential expression analysis revealed coordinated circadian clock-driven adjustment of the cell cycle and rewiring of energy and carbon metabolism. Processed RNA-Seq datasets are openly accessible from the PNNL DataHub project dataset download page and contain secondary processed RNA-seq results files and supporting metadata materials linked to relevant source code information supporting data transparency and reuse.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Human Host Cellular Response to HCoV-229E Infection Transcriptomics (ACS-DP1)

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the human host cellular response to wild-type Human coronavirus strain 229E (HCoV-229E) infection. Sample data was obtained for mock and infected immortalized human lung epithelial cells (A549) (MOI 5), immortalized human lung fibroblasts cells (MRC5) (MOI5), and primary human airway epithelial (HAE) (MOI 3) cells from lung tissue. Sample data was acquired using an Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencer system and processed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) expression analysis.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Recent Progress in the Engineering of Polymeric Membranes for CO2 Capture from Flue Gas

CO2 capture from coal- or natural gas-derived flue gas has been widely considered as the next opportunity for the large-scale deployment of gas separation membranes. Despite the tremendous progress made in the synthesis of polymeric membranes with high CO2/N2 separation performance, only a few membrane technologies were advanced to the bench-scale study or above from a highly idealized laboratory setting. Therefore, the recent progress in polymeric membranes is reviewed in the perspectives of capture system energetics, process synthesis, membrane scale-up, modular fabrication, and field tests. These engineering considerations can provide a holistic approach to better guide membrane research and accelerate the commercialization of gas separation membranes for post-combustion carbon capture.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Stochastic gradient descent algorithm for stochastic optimization in solving analytic continuation problems

We propose a stochastic gradient descent based optimization algorithm to solve the analytic continuation problem in which we extract real frequency spectra from imaginary time Quantum Monte Carlo data. The procedure of analytic continuation is an ill-posed inverse problem which is usually solved by regularized optimization methods, such like the Maximum Entropy method, or stochastic optimization methods. The main contribution of this work is to improve the performance of stochastic optimization approaches by introducing a supervised stochastic gradient descent algorithm to solve a flipped inverse system which processes the random solutions obtained by a type of Fast and Efficient Stochastic Optimization Method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Environmental controls on observed spatial variability of soil pore water geochemistry in small headwater catchments underlain with permafrost

Abstract. Soil pore water (SPW) chemistry can vary substantially across multiple scales in Arctic permafrost landscapes. The magnitude of these variations and their relationship to scale are critical considerations for understanding current controls on geochemical cycling and for predicting future changes. These aspects are especially important for Arctic change modeling where accurate representation of sub-grid variability may be necessary to predict watershed-scale behaviors. Our research goal is to characterize intra- and inter-watershed soil water geochemical variations at two contrasting locations in the Seward Peninsula of Alaska, USA. We then attempt to identify the key factors controlling concentrations of important pore water solutes in these systems. The SPW geochemistry of 18 locations spanning two small Arctic catchments was examined for spatial variability and its dominant environmental controls. The primary environmental controls considered were vegetation, soil moisture and/or redox condition, water–soil interactions and hydrologic transport, and mineral solubility. The sampling locations varied in terms of vegetation type and canopy height, presence or absence of near-surface permafrost, soil moisture, and hillslope position. Vegetation was found to have a significant impact on SPW NO3- concentrations, associated with the localized presence of nitrogen-fixing alders and mineralization and nitrification of leaf litter from tall willow shrubs. The elevated NO3- concentrations were, however, frequently equipoised by increased microbial denitrification in regions with sufficient moisture to support it. Vegetation also had an observable impact on soil-moisture-sensitive constituents, but the effect was less significant. The redox conditions in both catchments were generally limited by Fe reduction, seemingly well-buffered by a cache of amorphous Fe hydroxides, with the most reducing conditions found at sampling locations with the highest soil moisture content. Non-redox-sensitive cations were affected by a wide variety of water–soil interactions that affect mineral solubility and transport. Identification of the dominant controls on current SPW hydrogeochemistry allows for qualitative prediction of future geochemical trends in small Arctic catchments that are likely to experience warming and permafrost thaw. As source areas for geochemical fluxes to the broader Arctic hydrologic system, geochemical processes occurring in these environments are particularly important to understand and predict with regards to such environmental changes.

Conroy, Nathan Alec (ORCID:0000000305973373)↗

Electrical diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration

An exhaust system that processes exhaust generated by an engine includes a diesel particulate filter (DPF) that is disposed downstream of the engine and that filters particulates from the exhaust. An electrical heater is disposed upstream of the DPF and selectively heats the exhaust to initiate combustion of the particulates within the exhaust as it passes therethrough. Heat generated by combustion of the particulates induces combustion of particulates within the DPF.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Building America Case Study: Project Overcoat: Airtightness Strategies and Impacts for 1-1/2 Story Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Fact Sheet)

In this second study on solutions to ice dams in 1-1/2 story homes, five test homes located in both cold and very cold climates were analyzed for air leakage reduction rates following modifications by independent contractors on owner-occupied homes. The reason for choosing this house type was they are very common in our area and very difficult to air seal and insulate effectively. Two projects followed a roof-only Exterior Thermal Moisture Management System (ETMMS) process. One project used an interior-only approach to roof air sealing and insulation. The remaining two projects used a deep energy retrofit approach for whole house (foundation wall, above grade wall, roof) air leakage and heat loss reduction. All were asked to provide information regarding project goals, process, and pre and post-blower door test results. Additional air leakage reduction data was provided by several NorthernSTAR Building America industry partners for interior-applied, roof-only modifications on 1-1/2 story homes. The data represents homes in the general market as well as homes that were part of the state of Minnesota weatherization program. A goal was to compare exterior air sealing methods with interior approaches. This pool of data enabled us to compare air tightness data from over 220 homes using similar air seal methods.

1 1/2 STORY BUNGALOW↗

Data Management Facility Operations Plan

The Data Management Facility (DMF) is the data center that houses several critical Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility services, including first-level data processing for the ARM Mobile Facilities (AMFs), Eastern North Atlantic (ENA), North Slope of Alaska (NSA), Southern Great Plains (SGP), and Tropical Western Pacific (TWP) sites, as well as Value-Added Product (VAP) processing, development systems, and other network services.

Keck, Nicole N↗

Integrated process of distillation with side reactors for synthesis of organic acid esters

An integrated process and system for synthesis of organic-acid esters is provided. The method of synthesizing combines reaction and distillation where an organic acid and alcohol composition are passed through a distillation chamber having a plurality of zones. Side reactors are used for drawing off portions of the composition and then recycling them to the distillation column for further purification. Water is removed from a pre-reactor prior to insertion into the distillation column. An integrated heat integration system is contained within the distillation column for further purification and optimizing efficiency in the obtaining of the final product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Method and apparatus for iterative lysis and extraction of algae

A method and system for processing algae involves the use of an ionic liquid-containing clarified cell lysate to lyse algae cells. The resulting crude cell lysate may be clarified and subsequently used to lyse algae cells. The process may be repeated a number of times before a clarified lysate is separated into lipid and aqueous phases for further processing and/or purification of desired products.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Computer systems for annotation of single molecule fragments

There are provided computer systems for visualizing and annotating single molecule images. Annotation systems in accordance with this disclosure allow a user to mark and annotate single molecules of interest and their restriction enzyme cut sites thereby determining the restriction fragments of single nucleic acid molecules. The markings and annotations may be automatically generated by the system in certain embodiments and they may be overlaid translucently onto the single molecule images. An image caching system may be implemented in the computer annotation systems to reduce image processing time. The annotation systems include one or more connectors connecting to one or more databases capable of storing single molecule data as well as other biomedical data. Such diverse array of data can be retrieved and used to validate the markings and annotations. The annotation systems may be implemented and deployed over a computer network. They may be ergonomically optimized to facilitate user interactions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

System and method for controlling depth of imaging in tissues using fluorescence microscopy under ultraviolet excitation following staining with fluorescing agents

The present disclosure relates to a method for analyzing tissue specimens. In one implementation the method involves obtaining a tissue sample and exposing the sample to one or more fluorophores as contrast agents to enhance contrast of subcellular compartments of the tissue sample. The tissue sample is illuminated by an ultraviolet (UV) light having a wavelength between about 200 nm to about 400 nm, with the wavelength being selected to result in penetration to only a specified depth below a surface of the tissue sample. Inter-image operations between images acquired under different imaging parameters allow for improvement of the image quality via removal of unwanted image components. A microscope may be used to image the tissue sample and provide the image to an image acquisition system that makes use of a camera. The image acquisition system may create a corresponding image that is transmitted to a display system for processing and display.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗