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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Opportunities and Challenges for Hydrotreating of Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Oil to Fuels

Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) provides a versatile platform for producing fuels to combat climate change and meet decarbonizing targets. In this contribution, we will discuss the hydroprocessing of CFP oils to a variety of fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), diesel, and marine fuel. Both standalone and co-hydroprocessing with petroleum streams will be covered. Hydrotreating CFP oil at temperatures around 400 Degrees Celsius can produce a highly deoxygenated product with oxygen contents below the detection limit. However, the quality of fuel fractions produced has been a problem, manifesting as low octane numbers for the gasoline-range fraction and low cetane numbers for the diesel-range fraction. Incorporating an initial transition zone for hydrogenation during hydrotreating was shown to dramatically increase the diesel fraction cetane number from 24 to 45. A similar approach enabled the production of a cycloalkane-rich SAF fraction meeting key ASTM 4054 guidelines with respect to density, viscosity, heating value, volatility, freeze and flash point. Over 400 hours of hydrotreating for SAF was demonstrated with no signs of catalyst bed fouling, measured by pressure drop over the catalyst bed. Compared to other fuels, marine fuel is unique in that it does not require complete deoxygenation. We investigated the minimum hydrotreating requirements to produce fuel compatible with very low sulfur fuel oil, and the results suggested 30% reduction in hydrotreating costs for this approach. Co-hydroprocessing offers an opportunity to take advantage of refinery infrastructure and economies of scale although the operation is less flexible with respect to operating conditions. Co-hydroprocessing CFP oil with petroleum streams gave efficient deoxygenation at milder conditions (e.g. at temperatures of 320 Degrees Celsius) than required for standalone hydrotreating. Over 90% incorporation of biogenic carbon in the CFP oil was confirmed by carbon-14 analysis. Hydrotreating of CFP oil, whether by standalone or co-processing, can produce a variety of fuel cuts, whose quality can be tailored by changing process conditions. Challenges remain, including long-term catalyst performance and determining CFP oil quality requirements.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Arabidopsis ATP-BINDING CASSETTE Transporter ABCB21 Regulates Auxin Levels in Cotyledons, the Root Pericycle, and Leaves

The phytohormone auxin plays significant roles in regulating plant growth and development. In Arabidopsis, a subset of ATP-BINDING CASSETTE subfamily B (ABCB) transporters participate in polar movement of auxin by exclusion from and prevention of reuptake at the plasma membrane. A previous analysis identified ABCB21 as a conditional auxin uptake/efflux transporter that regulates cellular auxin levels, but clear physiological roles for ABCB21 in planta remain unknown. Here we show that ABCB21 maintains the acropetal auxin transport stream by regulating auxin levels in the pericycle. Loss of ABCB21 reduces rootward auxin transport and delays lateral root emergence. In seedling shoots, ABCB21 regulates mobilization of auxin from the photosynthetic cotyledons that is important for phototropic bending. In rosette leaves ABCB21 contributes to lateral auxin distribution. These results support a primary role for ABCB21 in regulating auxin distribution supplementary to the primary ABCB auxin transporters ABCB1 and 19.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Mapping of a Novel Zero-Liquid Discharge Desalination System Based on Humidification–Dehumidification onto the Field of Existing Desalination Technologies

It is well-established that increasing demands for fresh water are paving the way for desalination technologies. However, this correlates with an increase in brine production whose treatment and disposal can be complicated and expensive. This paper presents a thermodynamic model to bound the operation and development of a novel Humidification–Dehumidification-based system featuring Zero-Liquid Discharge and off-grid capabilities. The model employs conservation laws to find feasible state points to meet a baseline operation of 10 kg/h of product water separated from a hypersaline feed stream with 100 g/kg salt concentration. The system incurs in a 1039 kWh/m3 energy intensity that can be supplied completely by an electric source or in combination with heating steam. Follow-up sensitivity analysis highlights the robustness of the system in handling variations of 25% in product flowrate and 75% in feed salinity, practically without incurring any additional energy demands. The proposed system operating costs between 72 USD/m3 and 96 USD/m3 are comparable to those of existing brine disposal techniques. Furthermore, an operational map of existing desalination technologies suggests a niche characterized by high recovery rates and high feed salinities that are generally unfulfilled by conventional desalination methods. Overall, the proposed system shows potential for off-grid hypersaline brine treatment. This study sets the stage for future development of physics-based and data-driven predictive models as the proposed system iterates into a pilot plant deployment.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1977

Integrated source and channel encoded digital communication system design study

The analysis of the forward link signal structure for the shuttle orbiter Ku-band communication system was carried out, based on the assumptions of a 3.03 Mcps PN code. It is shown that acquisition requirements for the forward link can be met at the acquisition threshold C/N0 sub 0 value of about 60 dB-Hz, which corresponds to a bit error rate (BER) of about 0.001. It is also shown that the tracking threshold for the forward link is at about 57 dB-Hz. The analysis of the bent pipe concept for the orbiter was carried out, along with the comparative analysis of the empirical data. The complexity of the analytical approach warrants further investigation to reconcile the empirical and theoretical results. Techniques for incorporating a text and graphics capability into the forward link data stream are considered and a baseline configuration is described.

Udalov, S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A simple method for obtaining a three-dimensional proton distribution function from Voyager plasma data

The main sensor of the Vogager plasma experiment consists of a cluster of three, modulated-grid Faraday cups whose normals are arranged symmetrically about the symmetry axis of the cluster at an angle of 20 degrees to that axis. In interplanetary space, each cup explores the positive ion distribution by accepting particles from contiguous slices in velocity space. The slices are narrow in the direction of the normal to the modulating grid but are broad in planes parallel to that grid. The resulting three sets of measurements can be combined to yield the three-dimensional distribution function in the following way: the distribution function is assumed to be gyrotropic. For each value of speed in a frame of reference moving with the bulk velocity of the solar wind, the variation of the distribution function with angle from the field direction is represented by a series of Legendre polynomials. Effects such as double-streaming and heat flow can be well represented by using only the first three terms of the series which are fully specified by the measurements. Examples of the use of this method in the analysis of Voyager data are shown.

Olbert, S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Computational unsteady aerodynamics for lifting surfaces

Two dimensional problems are solved using numerical techniques. Navier-Stokes equations are studied both in the vorticity-stream function formulation which appears to be the optimal choice for two dimensional problems, using a storage approach, and in the velocity pressure formulation which minimizes the number of unknowns in three dimensional problems. Analysis shows that compact centered conservative second order schemes for the vorticity equation are the most robust for high Reynolds number flows. Serious difficulties remain in the choice of turbulent models, to keep reasonable CPU efficiency.

Edwards, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Development of Tripropellant CFD Design Code

A tripropellant, such as GO2/H2/RP-1, CFD design code has been developed to predict the local mixing of multiple propellant streams as they are injected into a rocket motor. The code utilizes real fluid properties to account for the mixing and finite-rate combustion processes which occur near an injector faceplate, thus the analysis serves as a multi-phase homogeneous spray combustion model. Proper accounting of the combustion allows accurate gas-side temperature predictions which are essential for accurate wall heating analyses. The complex secondary flows which are predicted to occur near a faceplate cannot be quantitatively predicted by less accurate methodology. Test cases have been simulated to describe an axisymmetric tripropellant coaxial injector and a 3-dimensional RP-1/LO2 impinger injector system. The analysis has been shown to realistically describe such injector combustion flowfields. The code is also valuable to design meaningful future experiments by determining the critical location and type of measurements needed.

Farmer, Richard C.↗
NASA NTRS1959

Slender-Body Theory Based On Approximate Solution of the Transonic Flow Equation

Approximate solution of the nonlinear equations of the small disturbance theory of transonic flow are found for the pressure distribution on pointed slender bodies of revolution for flows with free-stream, Mach number 1, and for flows that are either purely subsonic or purely supersonic. These results are obtained by application of a method based on local linearization that was introduced recently in the analysis of similar problems in two-dimensional flows. The theory is developed for bodies of arbitrary shape, and specific results are given for cone-cylinders and for parabolic-arc bodies at zero angle of attack. All results are compared either with existing theoretical results or with experimental data.

Spreiter, John R.↗
NASA NTRS1998

High Pressure Water Stripping Using Multi-Orifice Nozzles

The use of multi-orifice rotary nozzles not only increases the speed and stripping effectiveness of high pressure water blasting systems, but also greatly increases the complexity of selecting and optimizing the operating parameters. The rotational speed of the nozzle must be coupled with the transverse velocity of the nozzle as it passes across the surface of the substrate being stripped. The radial and angular positions of each orifice must be included in the analysis of the nozzle configuration. Since orifices at the outer edge of the nozzle head move at a faster rate than the orifice located near the center, the energy impact force of the water stream from the outer orifice is spread over a larger area than the water streams from the inner orifice. Utilizing a larger diameter orifice in the outer radial positions increases the energy impact to compensate for its wider force distribution. The total flow rate from the combination of orifices must be monitored and kept below the pump capacity while choosing an orifice to insert in each position. The energy distribution from the orifice pattern is further complicated since the rotary path of all orifices in the nozzle head pass through the center section, contributing to the stripping in this area while only the outer most orifice contributes to the stripping in the shell area at the extreme outside edge of the nozzle. From t he outer most shell to the center section, more orifices contribute to the stripping in each progressively reduced diameter shell. With all these parameters to configure and each parameter change affecting the others, a computer model was developed to track and coordinate these parameters. The computer simulation responds by graphically indicating the cumulative affect from each parameter selected. The results from the proper choices in parameters is a well designed, highly efficient stripping system. A poorly chosen set of parameters will cause the nozzle to strip aggressively in some areas while leaving the coating untouched in adjacent sections. The high pressure water stripping system can be set to extremely aggressive conditions allowing stripping of hard to remove adhesives, paint systems, cladding and chromate conversion coatings. The energy force can be reduced to strip coatings from thin aluminum substrates without causing damage or deterioration to the substrate's surface. High pressure water stripping of aerospace components have thus proven to be an efficient and cost effective method for cleaning and removing coatings.

Hoppe, David T.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Gravitational Physics Research

Gravitational physics research at ISPAE is connected with NASA's Relativity Mission (Gravity Probe B (GP-B)) which will perform a test of Einstein's General Relativity Theory. GP-B will measure the geodetic and motional effect predicted by General Relativity Theory with extremely stable and sensitive gyroscopes in an earth orbiting satellite. Both effects cause a very small precession of the gyroscope spin axis. The goal of the GP-B experiment is the measurement of the gyroscope precession with very high precision. GP-B is being developed by a team at Stanford University and is scheduled for launch in the year 2001. The related UAH research is a collaboration with Stanford University and MSFC. This research is focussed primarily on the error analysis and data reduction methods of the experiment but includes other topics concerned with experiment systems and their performance affecting the science measurements. The hydrogen maser is the most accurate and stable clock available. It will be used in future gravitational physics missions to measure relativistic effects such as the second order Doppler effect. The HMC experiment, currently under development at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), will test the performance and capability of the hydrogen maser clock for gravitational physics measurements. UAH in collaboration with the SAO science team will study methods to evaluate the behavior and performance of the HMC. The GP-B data analysis developed by the Stanford group involves complicated mathematical operations. This situation led to the idea to investigate alternate and possibly simpler mathematical procedures to extract the GP-B measurements form the data stream. Comparison of different methods would increase the confidence in the selected scheme.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Embedded Wing Propulsion Conceptual Study

As a part of distributed propulsion work under NASA's Revolutionary Aeropropulsion Concepts or RAC project, a new propulsion-airframe integrated vehicle concept called Embedded Wing Propulsion (EWP) is developed and examined through system and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies. The idea behind the concept is to fully integrate a propulsion system within a wing structure so that the aircraft takes full benefits of coupling of wing aerodynamics and the propulsion thrust stream. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of the EWP concept applied to large transport aircraft such as the Blended-Wing-Body aircraft. In this paper, some of early analysis and current status of the study are presented. In addition, other current activities of distributed propulsion under the RAC project are briefly discussed.

Kim, Hyun D.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Hybrid Large-Eddy/Reynolds-Averaged Simulation of a Supersonic Cavity Using VULCAN

Simulations of a supersonic recessed-cavity flow are performed using a hybrid large-eddy/Reynolds-averaged simulation approach utilizing an inflow turbulence recycling procedure and hybridized inviscid flux scheme. Calorically perfect air enters a three-dimensional domain at a free stream Mach number of 2.92. Simulations are performed to assess grid sensitivity of the solution, efficacy of the turbulence recycling, and the effect of the shock sensor used with the hybridized inviscid flux scheme. Analysis of the turbulent boundary layer upstream of the rearward-facing step for each case indicates excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. Mean velocity and pressure results are compared to Reynolds-averaged simulations and experimental data for each case and indicate good agreement on the finest grid. Simulations are repeated on a coarsened grid, and results indicate strong grid density sensitivity. Simulations are performed with and without inflow turbulence recycling on the coarse grid to isolate the effect of the recycling procedure, which is demonstrably critical to capturing the relevant shear layer dynamics. Shock sensor formulations of Ducros and Larsson are found to predict mean flow statistics equally well.

Quinlan, Jesse↗
DOE OSTI2016

Analysis of dpa rates in the HFIR reactor vessel using a hybrid Monte Carlo/deterministic method

The Oak Ridge High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), which began full-power operation in 1966, provides one of the highest steady-state neutron flux levels of any research reactor in the world. An ongoing vessel integrity analysis program to assess radiation-induced embrittlement of the HFIR reactor vessel requires the calculation of neutron and gamma displacements per atom (dpa), particularly at locations near the beam tube nozzles, where radiation streaming effects are most pronounced. In this study we apply the Forward-Weighted Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (FW-CADIS) technique in the ADVANTG code to develop variance reduction parameters for use in the MCNP radiation transport code. We initially evaluated dpa rates for dosimetry capsule locations, regions in the vicinity of the HB-2 beamline, and the vessel beltline region. We then extended the study to provide dpa rate maps using three-dimensional cylindrical mesh tallies that extend from approximately 12 below to approximately 12 above the axial extent of the core. The mesh tally structures contain over 15,000 mesh cells, providing a detailed spatial map of neutron and photon dpa rates at all locations of interest. Relative errors in the mesh tally cells are typically less than 1%.

Blakeman, Edward↗
NASA NTRS1990

A study of extended zodiacal structures

Observations of cometary dust trails and zodiacal dust bands, discovered by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) were analyzed in a continuing effort to understand their nature and relationship to comets, asteroids, and processes effecting those bodies. A survey of all trails observed by IRAS has been completed, and analysis of this phenomenon continues. A total of 8 trails have been associated with known short-period comets (Churyumov-Gerasimenko, Encke, Gunn, Kopff, Pons-Winnecke, Schwassmann-Wachmann 1, Tempel 1, and Tempel 2), and a few faint trails have been detected which are not associated with any known comet. It is inferred that all short-period comets may have trails, and that the trails detected were seen as a consequence of observational selection effects. Were IRAS launched today, it would likely observe a largely different set of trails. The Tempel 2 trail exhibits a small but significant excess in color temperature relative to a blackbody at the same heliocentric distance. This excess may be due to the presence of a population of small, low-beta particles deriving from large particles within the trail, or a temperature gradient over the surface of large trail particles. Trails represent the very first stage in the formation and evolution of a meteor stream, and may also be the primary mechanism by which comets contribute to the interplanetary dust complex. A mathematical model of the spatial distribution of orbitally evolved collisional debris was developed which reproduces the zodiacal dust band phenomena and was used in the analysis of dust band observations made by IRAS. This has resulted in the principal zodiacal dust bands being firmly related to the principal Hirayama asteroid families. In addition, evidence for the collisional diffusion of the orbital elements of the dust particles has been found in the case of dust generated in the Eos asteroid family.

Sykes, Mark V.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Integrated gasification and plasma cleaning for waste treatment: A life cycle perspective

Highlights: • A life cycle assessment of an advanced two-stage process is undertaken. • A comparison of the impacts of the process when fed with 7 feedstock is presented. • Sensitivity analysis on the system is performed. • The treatment of RDF shows the lowest impact in terms of both GWP and AP. • The plasma shows a small contribution to the overall impact of the plant. - Abstract: In the past, almost all residual municipal waste in the UK was landfilled without treatment. Recent European waste management directives have promoted the uptake of more sustainable treatment technologies, especially for biodegradable waste. Local authorities have started considering other options for dealing with residual waste. In this study, a life cycle assessment of a future 20 MWe plant using an advanced two-stage gasification and plasma technology is undertaken. This plant can thermally treat waste feedstocks with different composition and heating value to produce electricity, steam and a vitrified product. The objective of the study is to analyse the environmental impacts of the process when fed with seven different feedstocks (including municipal solid waste, solid refuse fuel, reuse-derived fuel, wood biomass and commercial & industrial waste) and identify the process steps which contribute more to the environmental burden. A scenario analysis on key processes, such as oxygen production technology, metal recovery and the appropriate choice for the secondary market aggregate material, is performed. The influence of accounting for the biogenic carbon content in the waste from the calculations of the global warming potential is also shown. Results show that the treatment of the refuse-derived fuel has the lowest impact in terms of both global warming potential and acidification potential because of its high heating value. For all the other impact categories analysed, the two-stage gasification and plasma process shows a negative impact for all the waste streams considered, mainly due to the avoided burdens associated with the production of electricity from the plant. The plasma convertor, key characteristic of the thermal process investigated, although utilising electricity shows a relatively small contribution to the overall environmental impact of the plant. The results do not significantly vary in the scenario analysis. Accounting for biogenic carbon enhanced the performance of biomass and refuse-derived fuel in terms of global warming potential. The main analysis of this study has been performed from a waste management perspective, using 1 ton of waste as functional unit. A comparison of the results when 1 kWhe of electricity produced is used as functional unit shows similar trends for the environmental impact categories considered.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Cs-137 Body-burdens in Wild Pigs on the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site: Determination of an Appropriate Framework for Spatiotemporal Analysis of Hunter Dose Tracking System Data

The Savannah River Site (SRS) is a U.S. Department of Energy facility with an area of 310 square miles. Since its opening in 1951, SRS has produced and processed nuclear materials for national defense and industrial purposes. These activities have resulted in the release of radiocesium (Cs-137) which has led to contamination of associated streams, floodplains, man-made reservoirs, soil and vegetation. Contamination is spread to wild pigs as they move about SRS, consume vegetation, drink water and wallow in soil. SRS provides annual deer hunts open to the public in which wild pigs may be taken as well. The Cs-137 concentration of each animal is determined before it is released to the hunter for consumption and a cumulative dose is retained for each individual hunter. These tasks are accomplished using the Hunter Dose Tracking System (HDTS). The data collected on SRS by the HDTS for White-Tailed deer has been extensively analyzed. A repeatable method for calculating the background radiocesium body burden for the SRS deer population was established by Gaines and Novak (2009,2016). This model was framed using Cs-137 contamination obtained via gamma over-flight data, the decay rate of radiocesium and the historical behavior observed in the SRS deer population. These parameters were used in a spatiotemporal analysis to estimate background Cs-137 body burdens (from global fallout, etc.), as well as the effect SRS activities may have. The purpose of this project is to modify the framework to represent the behavior of the wild pig population on SRS such that HDTS data collected may be analyzed similarly. The 2018 data were collected via the HDTS in the field to screen wild pigs dispatched by Forest Service - Savannah River. These data will provide insight for an analysis of seasonal variance in the body burdens of the SRS wild pig population. The HDTS quickly provided Cs-137 concentrations in the field, as well as automatically updated the electronic database. Space: Historically, the average home range of wild pigs on the Savannah River Site has been reported at approximately six square miles. This range was confirmed accurate as of July 2018, with the observed minimum and maximum at one and ten square miles respectively. This range was geoprocessed using ArcMap to project buffers based on 1991 gamma over-flight data. The buffers were constructed to originate at all Cs-137 contamination point coordinates and protrude outward in all directions for 1.5, 2.45 and 6 square miles. While the 2.45 mile buffer is theoretically representative of potential hog exposure based on the average home range, it does not consider the possibility of home ranges not uniform in shape. Therefore, the 1.5 and 6 mile buffers were also constructed as visual aids for determining the appropriate hunt compartments for background level considerations. The SRS is divided into numbered hunt compartments of varying size and shape. These compartment numbers are used during sponsored hunts to record the location in which a wild pig was dispatched. Time: The Gaines report determined deer analysis should be carried out at the half-decade level for the best representation of true body burdens. This is due to the impact natural factors, such as drought or flood, can have on the bioaccumulation of Cs-137. To determine the appropriate time scale for hog analysis, all available data was totaled and averaged at 1, 2, 3 and 7 year increments. The annual averages and running average are provided. The appropriate compartments for the determination of the SRS hog population background level should be: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 14 and 15. Hogs dispatched within other compartments are most likely exposed to Cs-137 contamination and should not be included in the background level. The current dataset is small, but was still able to demonstrate the relationship between where hogs on SRS and the Cs-137 body burdens they incur. Geoprocessing the data using the average home range of wild pigs highlighted the importance of collecting additional samples from areas surrounding SRS if an accurate background is to be determined. When the average concentration of Cs-137 in pigs from background compartments is compared against that of pigs from contaminated compartments, a significant difference can be seen. A Table provides a summary of the analyzed data from the 15 years processed thus far.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Numerical modeling and performance analysis of a membrane-based air dehumidifier using ionic liquid desiccant

Membrane-based Liquid Desiccant Air Dehumidifier (MLDAD) has the potential to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional open-tower liquid desiccant air dehumidifier. The MLDAD uses membranes with high water vapor permeability to separate air stream from the liquid desiccant and thus eliminates carry-over and the resulting corrosion issues. Recently, the ionic liquid desiccant becomes a promising alternative to conventional liquid desiccant. The ionic liquid desiccant has a large potential of dehumidification, which is also non-corrosive to metals and non-crystallizable. A two-dimensional numerical heat and mass transfer model of the MLDAD using a recently identified ionic liquid desiccant, [EMIM]OAc, is presented in this paper. We report this model can simulate the performance of the MLDAD with various designs, including different selections of liquid desiccant and membrane materials, dimensions of the MLDAD, and flow patterns. For porous membranes, this model accounts for several micro-scale mass transfer mechanisms of vapor transportation across the membrane. It can also model the mass transfer performance of dehumidifiers using non-porous membranes based on the experimentally measured membrane permeance. The numerical model was validated against the performance data available from literature and experimental tests. The maximum discrepancy of the latent effectiveness between the measured and the model-predicted results was about 6% when porous membranes were used. A parametric study was conducted with the numerical model. The results indicated that the membrane permeability, air path height, and solution to air mass ratio were the most critical parameters, determining the dehumidification performance of the MLDAD.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Numerical modeling and performance analysis of a membrane-based air dehumidifier using ionic liquid desiccant

Membrane-based Liquid Desiccant Air Dehumidifier (MLDAD) has the potential to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional open-tower liquid desiccant air dehumidifier. The MLDAD uses membranes with high water vapor permeability to separate air stream from the liquid desiccant and thus eliminates carry-over and the resulting corrosion issues. Recently, the ionic liquid desiccant becomes a promising alternative to conventional liquid desiccant. The ionic liquid desiccant has a large potential of dehumidification, which is also non-corrosive to metals and non-crystallizable. A two-dimensional numerical heat and mass transfer model of the MLDAD using a recently identified ionic liquid desiccant, [EMIM]OAc, is presented here. This model can simulate the performance of the MLDAD with various designs, including different selections of liquid desiccant and membrane materials, dimensions of the MLDAD, and flow patterns. For porous membranes, this model accounts for several micro-scale mass transfer mechanisms of vapor transportation across the membrane. It can also model the mass transfer performance of dehumidifiers using non-porous membranes based on the experimentally measured membrane permeance. The numerical model was validated against the performance data available from literature and experimental tests. The maximum discrepancy of the latent effectiveness between the measured and the model-predicted results was about 6% when porous membranes were used. A parametric study was conducted with the numerical model. Finally, the results indicated that the membrane permeability, air path height, and solution to air mass ratio were the most critical parameters, determining the dehumidification performance of the MLDAD.

42 ENGINEERING↗