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At least 145 records · Page 8

Screening Analysis of Terrestrial Enhanced Rock Weathering of Igneous Rocks and Industrial Waste Materials

This poster, presented at the 17th Greenhouse Gas Control Technology Conference, reports on an NETL screening level techno-economic assessment of enhanced weathering (EW). EW is a promising emerging carbon dioxide removal approach that involves harnessing and accelerating the natural weathering process by which atmospheric CO2 passively reacts with exposed alkaline minerals and is removed from the atmosphere. Two primary cases utilizing different sources of alkaline material are considered: (1) utilizing naturally occurring mined igneous rocks, and (2) utilizing industrial waste materials. The analysis highlights that utilizing materials with high weathering potential in suitable locations may result in relatively low levelized cost of captured. NETL is publishing a detailed and transparent report titled “Enhanced Weathering: Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Screening Analysis” that includes more detail on the screening level techno-economic analysis and includes a life cycle analysis.

carbon dioxide removal↗

[Characterization of Black and Dichothrix Cyanobacteria Based on the 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequence]

My project focuses on characterizing different cyanobacteria in thrombolitic mats found on the island of Highborn Cay, Bahamas. Thrombolites are interesting ecosystems because of the ability of bacteria in these mats to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and mineralize it as calcium carbonate. In the future they may be used as models to develop carbon sequestration technologies, which could be used as part of regenerative life systems in space. These thrombolitic communities are also significant because of their similarities to early communities of life on Earth. I targeted two cyanobacteria in my research, Dichothrix spp. and whatever black is, since they are believed to be important to carbon sequestration in these thrombolitic mats. The goal of my summer research project was to molecularly identify these two cyanobacteria. DNA was isolated from each organism through mat dissections and DNA extractions. I ran Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) to amplify the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene in each cyanobacteria. This specific gene is found in almost all bacteria and is highly conserved, meaning any changes in the sequence are most likely due to evolution. As a result, the 16S rRNA gene can be used for bacterial identification of different species based on the sequence of their 16S rRNA gene. Since the exact sequence of the Dichothrix gene was unknown, I designed different primers that flanked the gene based on the known sequences from other taxonomically similar cyanobacteria. Once the 16S rRNA gene was amplified, I cloned the gene into specialized Escherichia coli cells and sent the gene products for sequencing. Once the sequence is obtained, it will be added to a genetic database for future reference to and classification of other Dichothrix sp.

Ortega, Maya↗

Sorbent Structural Impacts Due to Humidity on Carbon Dioxide Removal Sorbents for Advanced Exploration Systems

The Life Support Systems Project (LSSP) under the Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) program builds upon the work performed under the AES Atmosphere Resource Recovery and Environmental Monitoring (ARREM) project focusing on the numerous technology development areas. The CO2 removal and associated air drying development efforts are focused on improving the current state-of-the-art system on the International Space Station (ISS) utilizing fixed beds of sorbent pellets by seeking more robust pelletized sorbents, evaluating structured sorbents, and examining alternate bed configurations to improve system efficiency and reliability. A component of the CO2 removal effort encompasses structural stability testing of existing and emerging sorbents. Testing will be performed on dry sorbents and sorbents that have been conditioned to three humidity levels. This paper describes the sorbent structural stability screening efforts in support of the LSS Project within the AES Program.

Watson, David↗

Environmental trade-offs of direct air capture technologies in climate change mitigation toward 2100

Abstract Direct air capture (DAC) is critical for achieving stringent climate targets, yet the environmental implications of its large-scale deployment have not been evaluated in this context. Performing a prospective life cycle assessment for two promising technologies in a series of climate change mitigation scenarios, we find that electricity sector decarbonization and DAC technology improvements are both indispensable to avoid environmental problem-shifting. Decarbonizing the electricity sector improves the sequestration efficiency, but also increases the terrestrial ecotoxicity and metal depletion levels per tonne of CO 2 sequestered via DAC. These increases can be reduced by improvements in DAC material and energy use efficiencies. DAC exhibits regional environmental impact variations, highlighting the importance of smart siting related to energy system planning and integration. DAC deployment aids the achievement of long-term climate targets, its environmental and climate performance however depend on sectoral mitigation actions, and thus should not suggest a relaxation of sectoral decarbonization targets.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) test site needs: A joint PNNL-PMEL workshop report

This workshop report summarizes testing and capability needs for marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) research identified by researchers from DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) as essential to advancing the state of the science and technology. A one-day workshop was held for 36 hybrid participants on June 2, 2023 at PNNL’s Marine and Coastal Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, WA. The workshop began with DOE and NOAA leadership offering perspectives on the mission alignment and long-term implementation of mCDR research within NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR), DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), and DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM). As identified by the participants and by program leadership at both agencies, many mCDR strategies are in early stages of development making it difficult to reliably estimate their impact. The essential next step in proving the efficacy, safety, and sustainability of these solutions and identifying market potential requires studies under field-relevant conditions.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Developmental Efforts of an Electrochemical Oxygen Recovery System for Advanced Life Support

The current State of Art (SOA) Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) oxygen recovery system onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is complex, heavy, and power consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of the oxygen (O2) from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2). For future long-duration missions, O2 recovery systems will need to be highly reliable, efficient, and recover maximum metabolic CO2. A minimum of 75% O2 recovery is required for future O2 recovery systems. Investigations into various technologies to help meet these requirements for exploration are ongoing; however, most of these proposed technologies ultimately result in a more complex system. A Macrofluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) is one proposed technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) that has the potential to significantly reduce the complexity of ECLSS O2 recovery system. The MFECR operates at standard conditions, giving it an advantage over other technologies being investigated, which require high temperatures resulting in heavy reactors and high power consumption. The MFECR would replace three pieces of hardware for future ECLSS architectures: the current Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (Sabatier reactor), the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA), and the Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA). It is designed to interface directly with the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) and the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). This allows for a less complex system and higher reliability than the current SOA as well as reduced power, weight and H2O consumption of ECLSS. Here, we will discuss the current technology development efforts of the MFECR and how this technology may aide in the advancement of future long-duration life support systems.

Brown, Brittany R.↗

NASA Advanced Explorations Systems: Advancements in Life Support Systems

The NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS) project strives to develop reliable, energy-efficient, and low-mass spacecraft systems to provide environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) critical to enabling long duration human missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Highly reliable, closed-loop life support systems are among the capabilities required for the longer duration human space exploration missions assessed by NASA's Habitability Architecture Team (HAT). The LSS project is focused on four areas: architecture and systems engineering for life support systems, environmental monitoring, air revitalization, and wastewater processing and water management. Starting with the international space station (ISS) LSS systems as a point of departure (where applicable), the mission of the LSS project is three-fold: 1. Address discrete LSS technology gaps 2. Improve the reliability of LSS systems 3. Advance LSS systems towards integrated testing on the ISS. This paper summarized the work being done in the four areas listed above to meet these objectives. Details will be given on the following focus areas: Systems Engineering and Architecture- With so many complex systems comprising life support in space, it is important to understand the overall system requirements to define life support system architectures for different space mission classes, ensure that all the components integrate well together and verify that testing is as representative of destination environments as possible. Environmental Monitoring- In an enclosed spacecraft that is constantly operating complex machinery for its own basic functionality as well as science experiments and technology demonstrations, it's possible for the environment to become compromised. While current environmental monitors aboard the ISS will alert crew members and mission control if there is an emergency, long-duration environmental monitoring cannot be done in-orbit as current methodologies rely largely on sending environmental samples back to Earth. The LSS project is developing onboard analysis capabilities that will replace the need to return air and water samples from space for ground analysis. Air Revitalization- The air revitalization task is comprised of work in carbon dioxide removal, oxygen generation and recovery and trace contamination and particulate control. The CO2 Removal and associated air drying development efforts under the LSS project are focused both on improving the current SOA technology on the ISS and assessing and examining the viability of other sorbents and technologies available in academia and industry. The Oxygen Generation and Recovery technology development area encompasses several sub-tasks in an effort to supply O2 to the crew at the required conditions, to recover O2 from metabolic CO2, and to recycle recovered O2 back to the cabin environment. Current state-of-the-art oxygen generation systems aboard space station are capable of generating or recovering approximately 40% of required oxygen; for exploration missions this percentage needs to be greatly increased. A spacecraft cabin trace contaminant and particulate control system serves to keep the environment below the spacecraft maximum allowable concentration (SMAC) for chemicals and particulates. Both passive (filters) and active (scrubbers) methods contribute to the overall TC & PC design. Work in the area of trace contamination and particulate control under the LSS project is focused on making improvements to the SOA TC & PC systems on ISS to improve performance and reduce consumables. Wastewater Processing and Water Management- A major goal of the LSS project is the development of water recovery systems to support long duration human exploration beyond LEO. Current space station wastewater processing and water management systems distill urine and wastewater to recover water from urine and humidity condensate in the spacecraft at a approximately 74% recovery rate. For longer, farther missions into deep space, that recovery rate must be greatly increased so that astronauts can journey for months without resupply cargo ships from Earth.

Shull, Sarah A.↗

Abstract for CRADA between NETL and Eion Corp (AGMT-1287)

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Eion Carbon (Participant) will collaborate in the development of critical metals (CM) extraction from mafic feedstocks prior to carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) removal (CDR) strategies. Mafic/ultramafic feedstocks may provide a source of energy relevant CM (e.g. Co, Cu, Ni, REE) in addition to reducing atmospheric CO 2 through enhanced weathering and subsequent ocean alkalinity enhancement. This research will identify candidate feedstocks with salable CM and methods for CM extraction as value added byproducts for the principal intended use of these alkaline feedstocks by Eion as a permanent CDR approach on farmland.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Abstract for CRADA between National Energy Technology Laboratory and Eion Corp

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Eion Carbon (Participant) will collaborate on a lifecycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) of Eion Carbon’s carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) removal process. Eion Carbon’s process removes atmospheric CO 2 using high efficiency, fast-weathering minerals applied on farmland. Eion Carbon’s patented direct measurement process delivers permanent, verifiable carbon removal and diverse environmental co-benefits. This collaboration with NETL aims to produce corroborated assessment reports that will play an instrumental role in follow on funding applications and customer evaluations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Space Station EVA test bed overview

Current testing activities, testbed design goals, and future plans to support extravehicular activities (EVAs) of the Space Station are discussed. Developments include: (1) regenerative systems for carbon dioxide provision and removal; (2) increased space suit pressure to minimize prebreathe time; and (3) improved operational efficiencies for the extravehicular mobility units. Much novel technology will undergo integration to constitute the Space Station EVA System.

Stinson, Richard G.↗

Nanoporous Materials in Atmosphere Revitalization

Atmospheric Revitalization (AR) is the term the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses to encompass the engineered systems that maintain a safe, breathable gaseous atmosphere inside a habitable space cabin. An AR subsystem is a key part of the Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) system for habitable space cabins. The ultimate goal for AR subsystem designers is to 'close the loop', that is, to capture gaseous human metabolic products, specifically water vapor (H2O) and Carbon dioxide (CO2), for maximal Oxygen (o2) recovery and to make other useful resources from these products. The AR subsystem also removes trace chemical contaminants from the cabin atmosphere to preserve cabin atmospheric quality, provides O2 and may include instrumentation to monitor cabin atmospheric quality. Long duration crewed space exploration missions require advancements in AR process technologies in order to reduce power consumption and mass and to increase reliability compared to those used for shorter duration missions that are typically limited to Low Earth Orbit. For example, current AR subsystems include separate processors and process air flow loops for removing metabolic CO2 and volatile organic tract contaminants (TCs). Physical adsorbents contained in fixed, packed beds are employed in these processors. Still, isolated pockets of high carbon dioxide have been suggested as a trigger for crew headaches and concern persists about future cabin ammonia (NH3) levels as compared with historical flights. Developers are already focused on certain potential advancements. ECLS systems engineers envision improving the AR subsystem by combining the functions of TC control and CO2 removal into a single regenerable process and moving toward structured sorbents - monoliths - instead of granular material. Monoliths present a lower pressure drop and eliminate particle attrition problems that result from bed containment. New materials and configurations offer promise for lowering cabin levels of CO2 and NH3 as well as reducing power requirements and increasing reliability. This chapter summarizes the challenges faced by ECLS system engineers in pursuing these goals, and the promising materials developments that may be part of the technical solution for challenges of crewed space exploration beyond LEO.

Hernandez-Maldonado, J.↗

Energy Performance Validation of a Gaseous Air Cleaning Technology for Commercial Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office Commercial Building Integration group conducts evaluations of new energy efficiency technologies as part of the High Impact Technology Catalyst program. The subject of this field validation project is an air cleaning technology that removes gaseous contaminants from indoor air to reduce outdoor air ventilation requirements. Reducing the volume of outdoor air required reduces heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) loads and can provide significant energy savings for some buildings in certain climates. The technology, called the HLR (HVAC Load Reduction), was developed by enVerid. The technology uses a solid regenerable sorbent material that was developed by DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory and licensed to the vendor for this application. The sorbent material was originally developed to adsorb carbon dioxide (CO2); the vendor continued to develop the sorbent and the overall system so that it can also remove volatile organic compounds (including aldehydes), carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM2.5) from the air. This material has low regeneration temperature requirements, and its sorption properties are unaffected by humidity levels, both of which are beneficial for building applications.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Developmental Efforts of an Electrochemical Oxygen Recovery System for Advanced Life Support

The current State of Art (SOA) Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) oxygen recovery system onboard the International Space Station (ISS) is a complex, heavy, and power consuming system that recovers approximately 50% of the oxygen (O2) from metabolic carbon dioxide (CO2). For future long-duration missions, O2recovery systems will need to be highly reliable, efficient, and recover maximum metabolic CO2. Investigations into various technologies to help meet these requirements for exploration are ongoing; however, most of these proposed technologies ultimately result in a more complex system. A Macrofluidic Electrochemical Reactor (MFECR) is one proposed technology development effort currently underway at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) that has the potential to significantly reduce the complexity of ECLSSO2recovery system. The MFECR operates at standard conditions, giving it an advantage over other technologies being investigated, which require high temperatures resulting in heavy reactors and high power consumption. The MFECR would replace three pieces of hardware for future ECLSS architectures: the current Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (Sabatier reactor), the Plasma Pyrolysis Assembly (PPA), and the Oxygen Generation Assembly(OGA). It is designed to interface directly with the Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) and the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). This allows for a less complex system and higher reliability than the current SOA as well as reduced power, weight and H2Oconsumption of ECLSS. Here, we will discuss the current development efforts of the MFECR and how this technology may aide in the advancement of future long-duration life support systems.

Brittany R Brown↗

FEED Study of CarbonCapture Inc DAC and CarbonCure Utilization Technologies Using United States Steel’s Gary Works Plant Waste Heat (Final Report)

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) led this project to produce a front-end engineering design (FEED) study of an advanced Direct Air Capture and Utilization System (DACUS) system that can remove a minimum of 5,000 tonnes/yr net of carbon dioxide from air (based on cradle-to-gate LCA) and utilizing the CO 2 to produce low carbon intensity ready mix concrete. The designed system, if built, would be larger than any currently existing Direct Air Capture (DAC) collector in the U.S. Such carbon capture technologies are critical to meeting the goals of the DOE’s program to accelerate climate-critical technology. In addition to the power sector, industrial facilities for the manufacture of steel and cement/concrete are among the major sources of anthropogenic CO 2 . DAC is a promising new technology for reducing CO 2 , a potent greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere but is expensive, in part due to the energy required to adsorb and desorb captured CO 2 during cycles. By integrating CarbonCapture Inc. (CCI) DAC modules at United States Steel's Gary Works (USS) and utilizing the site's waste heat, energy, and location this project evaluates the feasibility of utilizing the captured CO 2 and the logistics of transportation. CarbonCapture Inc. has developed an innovative DAC system using novel adsorbents to cost-effectively capture CO 2 . The captured, liquified gas will be trucked to ready-mix concrete plants within the region, the closest of which is approximately 3.5 miles away, where CarbonCure will inject it into concrete during the mixing process at the facilities. The carbon dioxide reacts with concrete, mineralizing into calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ), permanently locking the greenhouse gas into the matrix of the building material. This FEED study demonstrated a full CO 2 value chain for DACUS from industrial facilities. It also provided a means for Visage Energy Corp. (Visage) to assess the impact of this holistic approach on job creation, regional economic impact, and environmental justice. The project team also included Sargent & Lundy (S&L) to provide the constructability review and costing of the integration of the DAC with the steel plant. Ecotek Engineering USA, LLC designed the outside battery limit (OSBL) infrastructure to connect the DAC and the plant. Activities performed during the project included: (1) Project Management Plan; (2) Technology Maturation Plan (TMP); (3) Initial Workforce Readiness Plan; (4) Workforce Readiness Plan; (5) Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Study; (6) Project Design Basis; (7) Hazards and Operability (HAZOP) Study; (8) Constructability Review; (9) Project Cost Assessment; (10) Logistics Analysis of CO 2 Transportation to the Utilization Site; (11) Business Case Analysis; (12) Life Cycle Analysis (LCA); (13) Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Analysis; (14) Environmental Justice Analysis; and (15) Economic Revitalization and Job Creation Outcomes Analysis. This report provides a summary of the outcomes and results of the project, which was performed between Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2024.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Abstract for CRADA between Mati Car bon PBC and NETL

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will assist Mati Carbon PBC (participant) in the design and execution of their community benefits plan (CBP) for scaling Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in Arkansas. ERW involves spreading finely crushed rocks in agricultural fields to speed up the dissolution and release of certain minerals that amend soil acidity, replenish soil nutrients, and simultaneously converting CO 2 from the atmosphere to Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC). ERW not only removes CO 2 from the atmosphere but also has the potential to generate co-benefits for famers through cost reductions and increased crop yields. The collaboration between NETL and Mati Carbon, PBC (participant) will entail a detailed review of the economic, environmental and community impact of ERW in agricultural settings. This review will guide all project related decisions. It will provide a better understanding of the scale of these potential co-benefits and quantify community needs that ERW can address.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Investigating Liquid CO2 as a Coolant for a MTSA Heat Exchanger Design

Metabolic heat regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) technology is being developed for thermal and carbon dioxide (CO 2) control for a future Portable Life Support System (PLSS), as well as water recycling. CO 2 removal and rejection is accomplished by driving a sorbent through a temperature swing of approximately 210 K to 280 K . The sorbent is cooled to these sub-freezing temperatures by a Sublimating Heat Exchanger (SHX) with liquid coolant expanded to sublimation temperatures. Water is the baseline coolant available on the moon, and if used, provides a competitive solution to the current baseline PLSS schematic. Liquid CO2 (LCO2) is another non-cryogenic coolant readily available from Martian resources which can be produced and stored using relatively low power and minimal infrastructure. LCO 2 expands from high pressure liquid (~5800 kPa) to Mars ambient (0.8 kPa) to produce a gas / solid mixture at temperatures as low as 156 K. Analysis and experimental work are presented to investigate factors that drive the design of a heat exchanger to effectively use this sink. Emphasis is given to enabling efficient use of the CO 2 cooling potential and mitigation of heat exchanger clogging due to solid formation. Minimizing mass and size as well as coolant delivery are also considered. The analysis and experimental work is specifically performed in an MTSA-like application to enable higher fidelity modeling for future optimization of a SHX design. In doing so, the work also demonstrates principles and concepts so that the design can be further optimized later in integrated applications (including Lunar application where water might be a choice of coolant).

Paul, Heather L.↗

Design and Assembly of an Integrated Metabolic Heat Regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) Subassembly Engineering Development Unit

Metabolic heat regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) technology is being developed for thermal and carbon dioxide (CO2) control for a Portable Life Support System (PLSS), as well as water recycling. The core of the MTSA technology is a sorbent bed that removes CO2 from the PLSS ventilation loop gas via a temperature swing. A Condensing Ice Heat eXchanger (CIHX) is used to warm the sorbent while also removing water from the ventilation loop gas. A Sublimation Heat eXchanger (SHX) is used to cool the sorbent. Research was performed to explore an MTSA designed for both lunar and Martian operations. Previously each the sorbent bed, CIHX, and SHX had been built and tested individually on a scale relevant to PLSS operations, but they had not been done so as an integrated subassembly. Design and analysis of an integrated subassembly was performed based on this prior experience and an updated transient system model. Focus was on optimizing the design for Martian operations, but the design can also be used in lunar operations. An Engineering Development Unit (EDU) of an integrated MTSA subassembly was assembled based on the design. Its fabrication is discussed. Some details on the differences between the as-assembled EDU to the future flight unit are considered.

Padilla, Sebastian A.↗

Design and Assembly of an Integrated Metabolic Heat Regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) Subassembly Engineering Development Unit

Metabolic heat regenerated Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTSA) technology is being developed for thermal and carbon dioxide (CO2) control for a Portable Life Support System (PLSS), as well as water recycling. The core of the MTSA technology is a sorbent bed that removes CO2 from the PLSS ventilation loop gas via a temperature swing. A Condensing Icing Heat eXchanger (CIHX) is used to warm the sorbent while also removing water from the ventilation loop gas. A Sublimation Heat eXchanger (SHX) is used to cool the sorbent. Research was performed to explore an MTSA designed for both lunar and Martian operations. Previously the sorbent bed, CIHX, and SHX had been built and tested individually on a scale relevant to PLSS operations, but they had not been done so as an integrated subassembly. Design and analysis of an integrated subassembly was performed based on this prior experience and an updated transient system model. Focus was on optimizing the design for Martian operations, but the design can also be used in lunar operations. An Engineering Development Unit (EDU) of an integrated MTSA subassembly was assembled based on the design. Its fabrication is discussed. Some details on the differences between the as-assembled EDU and the future flight unit are considered.

Padilla, Sebastian A.↗