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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Modular Chemical Process Intensification: A Review

Modular chemical process intensification can dramatically improve energy and process efficiencies of chemical processes through enhanced mass and heat transfer, application of external force fields, enhanced driving forces, and combinations of different unit operations, such as reaction and separation, in single-process equipment. Dramatic improvements such as these lead to several benefits such as compactness or small footprint, energy and cost savings, enhanced safety, less waste production, and higher product quality. Because of these benefits, process intensification can play a major role in industrial and manufacturing sectors, including chemical, pulp and paper, energy, critical materials, and water treatment, among others. This article provides an overview of process intensification, including definitions, principles, tools, and possible applications, with the objective to contribute to the future development and potential applications of modular chemical process intensification in industrial and manufacturing sectors. Drivers and barriers contributing to the advancement of process intensification technologies are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Imprinting high-gradient topographical structures onto optical surfaces using magnetorheological finishing: Manufacturing corrective optical elements for high-power laser applications

Corrective optical elements form an important part of high-precision optical systems. We have developed a method to manufacture high-gradient corrective optical elements for high-power laser systems using deterministic magnetorheological finishing (MRF) imprinting technology. Several process factors need to be considered for polishing ultraprecise topographical structures onto optical surfaces using MRF. They include proper selection of MRF removal function and wheel sizes, detailed MRF tool and interferometry alignment, and optimized MRF polishing schedules. Dependable interferometry also is a key factor in high-gradient component manufacture. A wavefront attenuating cell, which enables reliable measurement of gradients beyond what is attainable using conventional interferometry, is discussed. The results of MRF imprinting a 23 μm deep structure containing gradients over 1.6 μm / mm onto a fused-silica window are presented as an example of the technique’s capabilities. As a result, this high-gradient element serves as a thermal correction plate in the high-repetition-rate advanced petawatt laser system currently being built at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Noble gas ion beams in materials science for future applications and devices

Helium ion microscopy (HIM), enabled by a gas field ion source (GFIS), is an emerging imaging and nanofabrication technique compatible with many applications in materials science. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has become ubiquitous in materials science for high-resolution imaging of materials. However, due to the fundamental limitation in focusing of electron beams, ion-beam microscopy is now being developed (e.g., at 20 kV the SEM beam diameter ranges from 0.5 to 1 nm, whereas the HIM offers 0.35 nm). The key technological advantage of the HIM is in its multipurpose design that excels in a variety of disciplines. The HIM offers higher resolution than the best available SEMs as well as the traditional gallium liquid-metal ion source (LMISs) focused ion beams (FIBs), and is capable of imaging untreated biological or other insulating samples with unprecedented resolution, depth of field, materials contrast, and image quality. GFIS FIBs also offer a direct path to defect engineering via ion implantation, three-dimensional direct write using gaseous and liquid precursors, and chemical-imaging options with secondary ion mass spectrometry. HIM covers a wide range of tasks that otherwise would require multiple tools or specialized sample preparation. In this paper, we describe the underlying technology, present materials, relevant applications, and offer an outlook for the potential of FIB technology in processing materials.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling of flash sintering of ionic ceramics

A fundamental understanding of the influence of defects in ionic ceramics at the atomic, microstructural, and macroscopic levels, before, during, and after the flash sintering event is key to the development of ceramic processing operations that lead to fast, low cost, and environmentally safe fabrication of materials. The observed phenomenology of the flash process encompasses multiple time and length scales and have resulted on a wide variety of what sometimes appears to be contradictory explanations. Here, this article summarizes the latest developments on the modeling and simulation of flash sintering, specifically those related to the understanding of the equilibrium and kinetic properties and the corresponding microstructural evolution of ionic ceramics. Challenges and opportunities in the development of theoretical analyses that include unidentified multiphysical effects are discussed, as they pertain to the processing of technologically relevant ceramic materials for advanced structures and devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Zone Freezing Study for Pyrochemical Process Waste Minimization

Pyroprocessing technology is a non-aqueous separation process for treatment of used nuclear fuel. At the heart of pyroprocessing lies the electrorefiner, which electrochemically dissolves uranium from the used fuel at the anode and deposits it onto a cathode. During this operation, sodium, transuranics, and fission product chlorides accumulate in the electrolyte salt (LiCl-KCl). These contaminates change the characteristics of the salt overtime and as a result, large volumes of contaminated salt are being removed, reprocessed and stored as radioactive waste. To reduce the storage volumes and improve recycling process for cost minimization, a salt purification method called zone freezing has been proposed at Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Pecos Valley Biomass Energy Project – Summary

The goal of this study was to identify and select the best manure treatment technology to process manure form the 22 PVBC member dairies. It was determined that combustion of manure solids has potential, but it will be difficult to underwrite as the process has not been commercially proven.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Experimental Studies for CPF and SCR Model, Control System, and OBD Development for Engines Using Diesel and Biodiesel Fuels

The research carried out on this project developed experimentally validated Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) high-fidelity models that served as the basis for the reduced order models used for internal state estimation. The high-fidelity and reduced order/estimator codes were evaluated by the industrial partners with feedback to MTU that improved the codes. Ammonia, particulate matter (PM) mass retained, PM concentration, and NOX sensors were evaluated and used in conjunction with the estimator codes. The data collected from PM experiments were used to develop the PM kinetics using the high-fidelity DPF code for both NO2 assisted oxidation and thermal oxidation for Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel (ULSF), and B10 and B20 biodiesel fuels. Nine SAE papers were presented and this technology transfer process should provide the basis for industry to improve the OBD and control of urea injection and fuel injection for active regeneration of the PM in the DPF using the computational techniques developed. This knowledge will provide industry the ability to reduce the emissions and fuel consumption from vehicles in the field. Four MS and three PhD Mechanical Engineering students were supported on this project and their thesis research provided them with expertise in experimental, modeling, and controls in aftertreatment systems.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Development of Novel Carbon Sorbents for CO 2 Capture

An innovative, low-cost, and low-energy-consuming carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture technology was developed, based on CO 2 adsorption on a high-capacity and durable carbon sorbent. This report describes the (1) performance of the concept on a bench-scale system; (2) results of parametric tests to determine the optimum operating conditions; (3) results of the testing with a flue gas from coal-fired boilers; and (4) evaluation of the technical and economic viability of the technology. The process uses a falling bed of carbon sorbent microbeads to separate the flue gas into two streams: a CO 2 -lean flue gas stream from which > 90% of the CP 2 is removed and a pure stream of CO 2 that is ready for compression and sequestration. The carbo sorbent microbeads have several unique properties such as high CO 2 capacity, low heat of adsorption and desorption (25 to 28 kJ/mole), mechanically robust, and rapid adsorption and desorption rates.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Path Scan Operational Data-Based Test Report

The TTP program is managed by DHS S&T Cyber Division and facilitates the transition of technology from the research lab to the Homeland Security Enterprise. It serves as a connection point for cyber security researchers, the Federal Government, and the private sector. Technologies targeted are those that are likely to transition successfully to the commercial market and expected to have notable impact on the cyber security of our Nation’s networks or systems. The test element of the TTP program aids in the technology transfer process and is not intended to be adversarial. Additional information on the TTP program and the iterative process used can be found in Appendix A - TTP Program Overview.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Gas generation during waste treatment of acidic solutions from the dissolution of irradiated LEU targets for 99 Mo production

The goal of the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors Program is to limit the use of high-enriched uranium (HEU) in research and test reactors by substituting low-enriched uranium (LEU) wherever possible. The work reported here documents our work to develop the calcining technologies and processes that will be needed for 99 Mo production using LEU foil targets and the Modified Cintichem Process. The primary concern with the conversion to LEU from HEU targets is that it would result in a five- to six-fold increase in the total uranium. This increase results in more liquid waste from the process. We have been working to minimize the increase in liquid waste and to minimize the impact of any change in liquid waste. Direct calcination of uranium-rich nitric acid solutions generates NO 2 gas and UO 3 solid. We have proposed two processes for treating the liquid waste from a Modified Cintichem Process with a LEU foil. One is an optimized direct calcination process that is similar to the process currently in use. The other is a uranyl oxalate precipitation process. The specific goal of the work reported here was to characterize and compare the chemical reactions that occur during these two processes. In particular, the amounts and compositions of the gaseous and solid products were of interest. A series of experiments was carried out to show the effects of temperature and the redox potential of the reaction atmosphere. The primary products of the direct calcination process were mixtures of U 3 O 8 and UO 3 solids and NO 2 gas. The primary products of the oxalate precipitation process were mixtures of U 3 O 8 and UO 2 solid and CO 2 gas. Higher temperature and a reducing atmosphere tended to favor quadrivalent over hexavalent uranium in the solid product. These data will help producers to decide between the two processes. In addition, the data can be used to design appropriate off-gas systems for pilot and production facilities.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evaluation of the US Department of Energy Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (2010-2014)

This report contains results from analysis conducted on each of the Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program (WIPP) grants awarded to 16 organizations by the US Department of Energy (DOE) in 2010. The purpose of WIPP was to explore the potential adoptability or replicability of innovative processes or technologies for the enhancement of DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). DOE initiated the WIPP grant to accelerate effective innovations in home energy efficiency and other WAP mission-related goals for income-qualifying households of low socioeconomic status. This study was performed alongside a broader, national evaluation of WAP conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for DOE.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

LDRD Final Report 15-ERD-037 Matthews

The physics and materials science involved in laser materials processing of metals was studied experimentally using custom-built test beds and in situ diagnostics. Special attention was given to laser-based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing processes, a technology critically important to the stockpile stewardship program in NNSA. New light has been shed on several phenomena such as laser-driven spatter, material displacement and morphology changes. The results presented here and in publications generated by this work have proven impactful and useful to both internal and external communities. New directions in additive manufacturing research at LLNL have been enabled, along with new scientific capabilities that can serve future program needs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Low-Activity Waste Pretreatment System Additional Engineering-Scale Integrated Test Report

Washington River Protections Solutions, LLC’s (WRPS) Low Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) Project provides for the early production of immobilized low-activity waste (ILAW) by feeding LAW directly from Tank Farms to the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) LAW Facility, bypassing the WTP Pretreatment Facility. Prior to the transfer of feed to the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility, tank supernatant waste will be pretreated in the LAWPS to meet the WTP LAW waste acceptance criteria (WAC). Full-scale and engineering-scale testing of critical technology elements, as part of the technology maturation process, are components of the overall LAWPS Project. WRPS awarded the engineering-scale integrated testing scope to AECOM via WRPS Subcontract 58349. This report is deliverable MSR-008 of the subcontract.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2019

Particle Flow Solarthermal Redox Process to Split Water

The aim of this project is to develop novel solarthermal water splitting (STWS) materials and a STWS reactor capable of producing hydrogen gas in an economic (<2/gge H 2 ) and efficient manner (>26% solar to hydrogen efficiency) at commercial scales (>50,000 kg of H 2 /day). To meet these targets, new materials must be developed with high intrinsic STWS efficiencies and then fabricated into a robust, long-lived “reactor ready” form. Additionally, scalable novel reactors are necessary to efficiently deliver the solar heat to the reacting materials while minimizing parasitic efficiency losses such as unnecessary heating and cooling, electrical work and heat losses from the reactor (such as radiation, or conduction). In this project we will: 1) develop new materials capable of meeting the targets outlined above; 2) develop particle formulation capable of producing attrition resistant, long lived, “reactor ready” particles; 3) evaluate and refine the individual reactor components of our Particle Flow Solarthermal Reactor design; 4) develop an overall system model to be used for reactor design improvement and economic analysis; and 5) produce at least three liters of H 2 on-sun in an eight hour day using our developed materials and reactor design principles. Overall, we will move our STWS process from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 2 to TRL3.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nuclear Materials Production [Slides]

This presentation covers the basics of the nuclear fuel cycle, mining and milling, enrichment technologies and processes, uranium fabrication, plutonium production, and basics of nuclear reactors.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Enterprise Credentialing Service Statement of Work (SOW)

The scope of this project includes providing professional services in support of the development and deployment of an Enterprise Credentialing Service for the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which will be used for issuing and managing credentials used for authentication, digital signature, and encryption functions by users, applications, and devices in a closed computing environment. The Seller shall provide subject matter expertise for the design and deployment of the technologies and processes that comprise the Enterprise Credentialing Service, which will include a public key infrastructure (PKI) and a credential management system (CMS) that issues and manages PKI-based smartcard credentials. The Enterprise Credentialing Service will support approximately 17,000 users at 15 DOE NNSA sites and laboratories located across the continental United States.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Status Report on the Electroreduction of Metal Oxides

SRNL is working with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to adapt and demonstrate the electroreduction technology. SRNL will also draw on the extensive work cited in the literature and the experience gained at Y-12. Since most of the development efforts have focused on irradiated UO 2 fuel pellets, several noteworthy gaps exist in the technology for processing purified U 3 O 8 powder. SRNL research efforts will address some of those gaps. This report focuses on two activities. Task 1 is to establish an electrochemical reduction test capability at SRNL. Task 2 is to evaluate potential alternate anode materials.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Flexible Siting Criteria and Staff Minimization for Micro-Reactors

The economic potential of micro-reactors is vast and underestimated. Commonly-emphasized applications include niche markets such as remote communities, mines and military bases. However, micro-reactors could be used as flexible energy generators also for larger markets, such as mobile and containerized agriculture and manufacturing facilities, district heating, micro-grids for data centers, sea ports, airports and hospitals. The implication is that micro-reactors may have to be deployed also in non-remote locations. Successful implementation of micro-reactors needs a navigable and predictable licensing process, technology-appropriate siting restrictions, risk-informed emergency and safety requirements, and practical operating and maintenance requirements. The primary goal of this project was to develop siting criteria that are tailored to micro-reactors deployable in densely-populated areas, e.g., urban environments. To achieve that goal, we compared the characteristics of the MIT research reactor (MITR) with those of leading micro-reactor concepts (e.g., eVinci, USNC, Aurora), and evaluated whether and how the MITR design basis (e.g., inherent safety features, engineered safety systems, source term, emergency planning and emergency operating procedures) and associated regulations may be applicable to these new micro-reactors as well. What makes MITR a unique analogue in this context is its small power rating (6 MWt) and physical size, mode of operations (24/7 with a somewhat more commercial flavor than typical university reactors), and especially its urban location. Of course significant differences exist, such as mission (power production vs. research) and the reactor design itself. Leveraging the MITR experience, this project was able to generate criteria that will allow micro-reactors to realize their full economic potential as flexible heat and electricity generators for a diverse portfolio of applications in non-remote locations. As such, the outcome of this project might encourage investment in and use of micro-reactors. A second goal of the project was to conceptualize a model of operations for micro-reactors that would minimize the staffing requirements, and thus reduce the cost of electricity and heat generated by these systems. Here too our approach was to systematically review the MITR experience and requirements, as well as survey the innovations in autonomous control technologies and monitoring (e.g., advanced sensors, drones, robotics, AI) that would permit a dramatic reduction in staffing at future micro-reactor installations. The scope of work was expanded after the start date to include also an evaluation of micro-reactor security, using the so-called consequence-based analysis, and the development of a methodology to perform dynamic risk assessment for micro-reactors, using system theory and modeling and simulation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗