Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PROCESSING”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,711 records · Page 95
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

The Application of an Evolutionary Programming Process to a Simulation of the ETEX Large-Scale Airborne Dispersion Experiment

Abstract Airborne tracer simulations are typically performed using a dispersion model driven by a high-resolution meteorological model. Besides solving the dynamic equations of momentum, heat, and moisture on the resolved model grid, mesoscale models must account for subgrid-scale fluxes and other unresolved processes. These are estimated through parameterization schemes of eddy diffusion, convection, and surface interactions, and they make use of prescribed parameters set by the user. Such “free” model parameters are often poorly constrained, and a range of plausible values exists for each. Evolutionary programming (EP) is a process to improve the selection of the parameters. A population of simulations is first run with a different set of parameter values for each member, and the member judged most accurate is selected as the “parent” of a new “generation.” After a number of iterations, the simulations should approach a configuration that is best adapted to the atmospheric conditions. We apply the EP process to simulate the first release of the 1994 European Tracer Experiment (ETEX) project, which comprised two experiments in which a tracer was released in western France and sampled by an observing network. The EP process is used to improve a simulation of the RAMS mesoscale weather model, with weather data collected during ETEX being used to “score” the individual members according to how well each simulation matches the observations. The meteorological simulations from before and after application of the EP process are each used to force a dispersion model to create a simulation of the ETEX release, and substantial improvement is observed when these are validated against sampled tracer concentrations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Confocal Raman Microscopy as a Probe of Material Deconstruction in Processed Low-Density Polyethylene Particles

Confocal Raman microscopy was applied to detect structural change within individual particles of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) following chemical and electrochemical processing steps that aimed to facilitate material decomposition. A high numerical aperture (NA) oil-immersion objective enabled depth-profiling through the near surface region (20 μm–40 μm) of irregularly shaped particles with an axial spatial resolution < 2 μm estimated from measurements of instrument detection efficiency profiles. Changes in vibrational bands sensitive to polyethylene crystallinity were evident following treatments and linked to the release of low molecular weight compounds present as additives and products of processing. Effects of processing were probed by monitoring the rise of Raman scattering intensity in vibrational modes associated with polyethylene chains in a zig-zag (trans) conformation near 1128 cm –1 , 1294 cm –1 , and 1418 cm –1 , signaling chain clustering and development of organized, crystalline-like assemblies. Pristine LDPE particles displayed a uniform structure across the near surface region, while particles treated initially with chemical extractant and then further processed displayed increasingly enhanced crystallinity up to the maximum depth probed (40 μm). As a step toward measurements on ensembles of particles, least squares modeling was adapted to derive pure component spectra reflecting crystallinity change within spectral datasets. The work demonstrates high spatial resolution Raman depth-profiling for the characterization of processed polymers using a high NA immersion objective to overcome the limitations of air-objectives often used for confocal Raman microscopy.

Wahiduzzaman, Md. [Department of Chemistry and Bio↗
DOE OSTI2023

Partial wet oxidation of dairy manure as a pretreatment process to produce acetic acid ‘a Source Growth of Methanogens’

Wet oxidation can be an effective process for the pretreatment of complex biomass such as lignocellulose. However, studies on the use of wet oxidation for treating solid waste such as dairy manure are limited. The use of partial wet oxidation to convert dairy manure into low molecular weight carboxylic acids as final products were investigated. This work focuses on the performance of the sub-critical wet oxidation treatment of dairy cattle manure as a conversion/pretreatment process to release matter from the lignocellulosic fraction rather than a destructive process. The operating conditions were controlled at the short residence time and optimal temperature in the presence of oxygen under a pressure of 120 psi. The thermal hydrolysis under wet oxidation significantly affected conversion manure slurry into organic acids. The concentration of acetic acid reached 1778 mg L –1 , achieved at 190°C (60 minutes reaction time) as the reaction temperature increased within the range of 150°C–200°C, total organic carbon was reduced and monomers in the process liquids decreased. On the other hand, soluble COD in process liquids increased with an increment in reaction temperature. The results provide insights into technical options to pretreat dairy manure to improve biochemical conversion yield.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thermobifida fusca Cel6B moves bidirectionally while processively degrading cellulose

Abstract Background Cellulose, an abundant biopolymer, has great potential to be utilized as a renewable fuel feedstock through its enzymatic degradation into soluble sugars followed by sugar fermentation into liquid biofuels. However, crystalline cellulose is highly resistant to hydrolysis, thus industrial-scale production of cellulosic biofuels has been cost-prohibitive to date. Mechanistic studies of enzymes that break down cellulose, called cellulases, are necessary to improve and adapt such biocatalysts for implementation in biofuel production processes. Thermobifida fusca Cel6B ( Tf Cel6B) is a promising candidate for industrial use due to its thermostability and insensitivity to pH changes. However, mechanistic studies probing Tf Cel6B hydrolytic activity have been limited to ensemble-scale measurements. Results We utilized optical tweezers to perform single-molecule, nanometer-scale measurements of enzyme displacement during cellulose hydrolysis by Tf Cel6B. Records featured forward motility on the order of 0.17 nm s −1 interrupted by backward motions and long pauses. Processive run lengths were on the order of 5 nm in both forward and backward directions. Motility records also showed rapid bidirectional displacements greater than 5 nm. Single-enzyme velocity and bulk ensemble activity were assayed on multiple crystalline cellulose allomorphs revealing that the degree of crystallinity and hydrogen bonding have disparate effects on the single-molecule level compared to the bulk scale. Additionally, we isolated and monitored the catalytic domain of Tf Cel6B and observed a reduction in velocity compared to the full-length enzyme that includes the carbohydrate-binding module. Applied force has little impact on enzyme velocity yet it readily facilitates dissociation from cellulose. Preliminary measurements at elevated temperatures indicated enzyme velocity strongly increases with temperature. Conclusions The unexpected motility patterns of Tf Cel6B are likely due to previously unknown mechanisms of processive cellulase motility implicating irregularities in cellulose substrate ultrastructure. While Tf Cel6B is processive, it has low motility at room temperature. Factors that most dramatically impact enzyme velocity are temperature and the presence of its native carbohydrate-binding module and linker. In contrast, substrate ultrastructure and applied force did not greatly impact velocity. These findings motivate further study of Tf Cel6B for its engineering and potential implementation in industrial processes.

Johnson, Madeline M. (ORCID:000000029518293X)↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data for Physiological Controls on Carbon Fluxes and Biomass Production in Miscanthus: Insights From a Process- Based Agroecosystem Model

Biomass crops serve as essential feedstocks for renewable energy and bioproducts and play a critical role in achieving lower emissions in the transportation sector. However, dedicated perennial biomass crops such as Miscanthus × giganteus (Miscanthus) remain underrepresented in process- based agroecosystem models, limiting robust evaluation of their economic and environmental performance. In this study, we developed a data- constrained representation of the sterile triploid Miscanthus (IL clone) within the process- based model ecosys, integrating global sensitivity analysis, ensemble simulation, and parameter calibration. Planting, harvesting, and fertilization practices consistent with field management were incorporated, and phenology was constrained using PhenoCam- derived Green Chromatic Coordinate (GCC) data. Using the Morris global sensitivity analysis method, we identified 11 key physiological parameters governing plant carbon, water, and nutrient relations, particularly processes associated with CO2 assimilation. We then conducted ensemble simulations by perturbing these parameters and calibrated the model against eddy covariance fluxes and field- measured biomass. Building on the calibrated operating state, parameter- response analyses show that different photosynthetic processes influence productivity in different ways. Protein allocation determines whether productivity increases toward a higher level, whereas electron transport capacity controls additional gains once protein allocation approaches saturation. These findings demonstrate that parameter importance depends on physiological context and on which photosynthetic processes remain limiting. Calibration and validation against observations show that ecosys can reliably reproduce carbon and water fluxes, as well as both above- and belowground biomass, with post- calibration GPP R2 improving from 0.67 to 0.95 during the calibration period and remaining high during validation (R2 = 0.95). These results provide a mechanistic foundation for regional simulations and sustainable bioenergy assessments.

Carbon↗
DOE OSTI2026

Paradigm for universal quantum information processing with integrated acousto-optic frequency beamsplitters

Frequency-bin encoding offers tremendous potential in quantum photonic information processing, in which a single waveguide can support hundreds of lightpaths in a naturally phase-stable fashion. This stability, however, comes at a cost: arbitrary unitary operations can be realized by cascaded electro-optic phase modulators and pulse shapers, but require nontrivial numerical optimization for design and have thus far been limited to discrete tabletop components. In this article, we propose, formalize, and computationally evaluate a new paradigm for universal frequency-bin quantum information processing using acousto-optic scattering processes between distinct transverse modes. We show that controllable phase matching in intermodal processes enables 2 × 2 frequency beamsplitters and transverse-mode-dependent phase shifters, which together comprise cascadable FRequency-transverse-mODe Operations (FRODOs) that can synthesize any unitary via analytical decomposition procedures. Modeling the performance of both random gates and discrete Fourier transforms, we demonstrate the feasibility of high-fidelity quantum operations with existing integrated photonics technology, highlighting prospects of parallelizable operations achieving 100% bandwidth utilization. Our approach is realizable with CMOS technology, opening the door to scalable on-chip quantum information processing in the frequency domain.

Lukens, Joseph M. [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, I↗
DOE OSTI2018

Equal channel angular extrusion for bulk processing of Fe–Co–2V soft magnetic alloys, part II: Texture analysis and magnetic properties

In Part I, equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) was demonstrated as a novel, simple-shear deformation process for producing bulk forms of the low ductility Fe–Co–2V (Hiperco 50A®) soft ferromagnetic alloy with refined grain sizes. Microstructures and mechanical properties were discussed. In this Part II contribution, the crystallographic textures and quasi-static magnetic properties of ECAE-processed Hiperco were characterized. The textures were of a simple-shear character defined by partial {110} and <111> fibers inclined relative to the extrusion direction, in agreement with the expectations for simple-shear deformation textures of BCC metals. These textures were observed throughout all processing conditions and only slightly reduced in intensity by subsequent recrystallization heat treatments. Characterization of the magnetic properties revealed a lower coercivity and higher permeability for ECAE-processed Hiperco specimens relative to the conventionally processed and annealed Hiperco bar. In conclusion, the effects of the resultant microstructure and texture on the coercivity and permeability magnetic properties are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Critical parameters in the faculty application process: A data-driven analysis

We report the process of applying for science and engineering faculty positions requires a significant time investment for both the applicant and hiring committees. Applicants face the daunting task of sifting through a seemingly endless amount of information related to crafting their application packages in preparation for a review process that is inherently highly subjective. Furthermore, while scientific supervisors are often the most valuable resource during this stage of career development, many years may have passed since they went through this process themselves, and they may not have experience with recent developments in the application process. Because expectations and job responsibilities of new faculty members are rapidly evolving, certain guidelines are often not clearly specified, and it is therefore becoming difficult for applicants to most effectively prepare their application documents. Without access to adequate information and assistance, early-career researchers in particular can be placed at a significant disadvantage in the hiring process. Several recent articles can help prospective applicants in materials science and engineering land a faculty position,1,2,3 but there is nevertheless a need for clarification on expectations for different aspects of the faculty application materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Commissioning of JLab Vertical Cavity Processing System for SRF Nb Single Cell and Multicell Cavity With HF-Free Pulse-Reverse Electopolishing

Pulse reversed electropolishing of niobium SRF cavities, using a dilute aqueous H2SO4 electrolyte without HF yields equivalent RF performance with traditional EP. Comparing with present EP process for Nb SRF cavity which uses 1:10 volume ratio of HF (49%) and H2SO4 (98%), pulse reverse EP (also known as bipolar EP (BPEP)) is ecologically friendly and uses relatively benign electrolyte options for cavity processing. In this study, we report the commissioning of a new vertical cavity processing system for SRF Nb single cell and multi-cell cavities with HF-free pulse-reverse electropolishing at Jefferson Lab, together with RF test of cavities being processed. We report the scale-up challenges and interpretations from process R&D to implementation.

Tian, Hui↗
DOE OSTI2022

Parametric Testing and Evaluation of a Novel Biphasic Absorption Process for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture

A novel biphasic CO2 absorption process (BiCAP) is being developed at the University of Illinois. BiCAP is enabled by using a new class of biphasic solvents developed based on multi-property criteria for postcombustion carbon capture. The process was previously demonstrated at the lab-scale, including in 10 kWe absorption and desorption column systems. In the current study, the process has been scaled up by building and testing a 40 kWe integrated capture skid at a power plant. Parametric tests for two biphasic solvents were conducted with the synthetic flue gas made of bottle CO2 gas and air to validate the performance and operational flexibility of the unit with respect to varying process or operating conditions. Operation of the phase separator, which is unique equipment to BiCAP, was verified to be stable and efficient. Two liquid phases could be separated via static settlement based on a density difference and >90% of the CO2 absorbed was concentrated in the separated CO2-rich phase. Results of parametric tests showed that the minimum heat duty appeared at the optimal stripping pressure. A higher stripping temperature was more favourable to improve overall energy performance. Introducing a secondary cold solvent feed stream to the top of the stripper via bypassing the cross heat exchanger helped reduce the heat loss carried with water vapour. Test results also revealed that the heat duty requirement was comparable when the CO2 concentration in flue gas decreased from ~11 to 4 vol.% as the phase separation decoupled the absorption and desorption steps in BiCAP. Under typical steady-state conditions, both biphasic solvents lowered the process heat duty by >40% compared with the reference 30 wt.% monoethanolamine solvent.

Absorption↗
DOE OSTI2016

Enhanced Mixed Feedstock Processing Using Ionic Liquids

Biomass pretreatment using certain ionic liquids (ILs) is very efficient, generally producing a substrate that is amenable to saccharification with fermentable sugar yields approaching theoretical limits. Although promising, several challenges must be addressed before IL pretreatment technology becomes commercially viable. Once of the most significant challenges is the affordable and scalable recovery and recycle or the IL itself. Pervaporation is a highly selective and scalable membrane separation process for quantitatively recovering volatile solutes or solvents directly from non-volatile solvents that could prove more versatile for IL dehydration than traditional solvent extraction processes, as well as efficient and energetically more advantageous than standard evaporative techniques. In this study we evaluated a commercially available pervaporation system for IL dehydration and recycling as part of an integrated IL pretreatment process using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C2C1Im][OAc]) that has been proven to be very effective as a biomass pretreatment solvent. We demonstrate that >99.9 wt% [C2C1Im][OAc] can be recovered from aqueous solution and recycled at least five times. A preliminary techno-economic analysis validated the promising role of pervaporation in improving overall biorefinery process economics, especially in the case where other IL recovery technologies might lead to significant losses. These findings establish the foundation for further development of pervaporation as an effective method of recovering and recycling ILs using a commercially viable process technology.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2017

CO 2 capture from IGCC gas streams using the AC-ABC process

The objective of this project was to develop a novel, low-cost CO 2 capture process from pre-combustion gas streams. The bench-scale work was conducted at the SRI International. A 0.15-MWe integrated pilot plant was constructed and operated for over 700 hours at the National Carbon Capture Center, Wilsonville, AL. The AC-ABC (ammonium carbonate-ammonium bicarbonate) process for capture of CO 2 and H 2 S from the pre-combustion gas stream offers many advantages over Selexol-based technology. The process relies on the simple chemistry of the NH 3 -CO 2 -H 2 O-H 2 S system and on the ability of the aqueous ammoniated solution to absorb CO 2 at near ambient temperatures and to release it as a high-purity, high-pressure gas at a moderately elevated regeneration temperature. It is estimated the increase in cost of electricity (COE) with the AC-ABC process will be ~ 30%, and the cost of CO 2 captured is projected to be less than $27/metric ton of CO 2 while meeting 90% CO 2 capture goal. The Bechtel Pressure Swing Claus (BPSC) is a complementary technology offered by Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc. BPSC is a high-pressure, sub-dew-point Claus process that allows for nearly complete removal of H 2 S from a gas stream. It operates at gasifier pressures and moderate temperatures and does not affect CO 2 content. When coupled with AC-ABC, the combined technologies allow a nearly pure CO 2 stream to be captured at high pressure, something which Selexol and other solvent-based technologies cannot achieve.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2016

Advanced Drying Process for Lower Manufacturing Cost of Electrodes

For this Vehicle Technologies Incubator/Energy Storage R&D topic, Lambda Technologies teamed with Navitas Systems and proposed a new advanced drying process that promised a 5X reduction in electrode drying time and significant reduction in the cost of large format lithium batteries used in PEV's. The operating principle of the proposed process was to use penetrating radiant energy source Variable Frequency Microwaves (VFM), that are selectively absorbed by the polar water or solvent molecules instantly in the entire volume of the electrode. The solvent molecules are thus driven out of the electrode thickness making the process more efficient and much faster than convective drying method. To evaluate the Advanced Drying Process (ADP) a hybrid prototype system utilizing VFM and hot air flow was designed and fabricated. While VFM drives the solvent out of the electrode thickness, the hot air flow exhausts the solvent vapors out of the chamber. The drying results from this prototype were very encouraging. For water based anodes there is a 5X drying advantage (time & length of oven) in using ADP over standard drying system and for the NMP based cathodes the reduction in drying time has 3X benefit. For energy savings the power consumption measurements were performed to ADP prototype and compared with the convection standard drying oven. The data collected demonstrated over 40% saving in power consumption with ADP as compared to the convection drying systems. The energy savings are one of the operational cost benefits possible with ADP. To further speed up the drying process, the ADP prototype was explored as a booster module before the convection oven and for the electrode material being evaluated it was possible to increase the drying speed by a factor of 4, which could not be accomplished with the standard dryer without surface defects and cracks. The instantaneous penetration of microwave in the entire slurry thickness showed a major advantage in rapid drying of the electrode materials. For the existing electrode materials, the material analysis and cell characterization data from ADP dried electrodes showed equivalent (or slightly better) performance. However, for high loading and thicker electrode materials (for high energy densities) the ADP advantages are more prominent. There was less binder migration, the resistance was lower hence the current capacities and retention of the battery cells were higher. The success of the project has enabled credible communications with commercial end users as well as battery coating line integrators. Goal is to scale ADP up for high volume manufacturing of Li-ion battery electrodes. The implementation of ADP in high volume manufacturing will reduce a high cost production step to bring the overall price of Li-ion batteries down. This will ultimately have a positive impact on the public by making electric and hybrid vehicles more affordable.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Final Report: Superconducting Joints Between (RE)Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7-x Coated Conductors via Electric Field Assisted Processing

Here we report the results from a project aimed at developing a fully superconducting joint between two REBCO coated conductors using electric field processing (EFP). Due to a reduction in the budget and time period of this contract, we reduced the project scope and focused first on the key scientific issues for forming a strong bond between conductors, and subsequently focused on improving through-the-joint transport. A modified timeline and task list is shown in Table 1, summarizing accomplishments to date. In the first period, we accomplished initial surface characterization as well as rounds of EFP experiments to begin to understand processing parameters which produce well-bonded tapes. In the second phase, we explored the effects of two fundamental EFP parameters, voltage and pressure, and the limitations they place on the process. In the third phase, we achieved superconducting joints and established base characteristics of both the bonding process and the types of tapes best suited to this process. Finally, we investigated some of the parameters related to kinetics which appeared inhibit joint quality and performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Pilot-Scale Silicone Process for Low-Cost Carbon Dioxide Capture. Final Scientific/Technical Report

GE Global Research has developed, over the last 8 years, a platform of cost effective CO 2 capture technologies based on a non-aqueous aminosilicone solvent (GAP-1m). As demonstrated in a previous funded DOE project (DE-FE0007502), the GAP-1m solvent has increased CO 2 working capacity, lower volatility and corrosivity than the benchmark aqueous amine technology. The current report describes the cooperative program between GE Global Research (GE GRC), and the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) to design, construct, and operate a pilot-scale process using GAP-1m solvent to demonstrate its performance at 0.5 MWe. (i) Performance of the GAP-1m solvent was demonstrated in a 0.5 MWe pilot with real flue gas for over 900 hrs. of operation using two alternative desorption designs: a Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR), and a Steam Stripper Column (SSC). The CSTR is a one-stage separation unit with reduced space requirements, and capital cost. The alternative is a multi-stage separation column, with improved desorption efficiency. Testing the two desorber options allowed us to identify the most cost effective, and space efficient desorber solution. (ii) CSTR Campaign: The CSTR desorber unit was designed, fabricated and integrated with the pilot solvent test unit (PSTU), replacing the PSTU Steam Stripper Column at NCCC. Solvent management and waste water special procedures were implemented to accommodate operation of the non-aqueous solvent in the PSTU. Performance of the GAP-1m solvent with the CSTR was demonstrated for over 500 hrs. while varying temperature of the desorption (230 – 265 oF), solvent circulation rate (GAP-1m : CO 2 (molar) = 1.5 – 4), and flue gas flow rates (0.2 – 0.5 MWe). Solvent carry-over in the CO 2 product was minimized by maintaining water content below 5 wt.%, and desorption pressure at 7 psig. CO 2 capture efficiency achieved was 95% at 0.25 MWe (GAP-1m : CO 2 = 4 (molar), 230 oF desorption), and 65% at 0.5 MWe (GAP-1m : CO 2 (molar) = 1.5, 248 oF). Solvent loss was dominated by thermal degradation of the rich solvent. (iii) Steam Stripper Column Campaign: Higher expected cost of the solvent vs. aqueous amines makes solvent management a top priority to maintain the low cost for the process. During the testing of the GAP-1m solvent with the CSTR, thermal degradation of the rich solvent was found to be the main mechanism in solvent loss. Small amounts of water in the working solution were found to be an effective way to enable steam stripping, thereby lowering desorption temperature, and hence reducing thermal degradation. Steam stripping also increased working capacity by 30% due to a more efficient desorption. The concept was first tested in a glass stripping column (lab scale, GE GRC), optimized in a continuous bench scale system (2 kWe, GE GRC), and demonstrated in a 0.5 MWe PSTU at NCCC. No special system modifications were required to the PSTU to accommodate the testing of the non-aqueous GAP-1 solvent with the regenerator column. SSC was found to be more robust towards solvent entrainment (H 2 O < 35 wt.%). 90 – 95% CO 2 capture efficiency was achieved under stoichiometric conditions at 0.5 MWe (235 oF desorption, 2 psig and 19 wt. % H 2 O). Both CO 2 capture efficiency and specific duty reached optimum conditions at 18 wt.% H 2 O. Low amine degradation (< 0.05 wt.%/day) was recorded over 350 hrs. of operation. Controlled water addition to GAP-1m solvent decreased the desorption temperature, thermal degradation, and improved the CO 2 working capacity due to more efficient absorption and desorption processes. Under these conditions, the GAP-1m solvent exhibited a 25% increased working capacity, and 10% reduction in specific steam duty vs. MEA, at 10 oF lower desorption temperature. (iv) Techno-economic Analysis: The pilot-scale PSTU engineering data were used to update the capture system process models, and the techno-economic analysis was performed for a 550 MW coal fired power plant. The 1st year CO 2 removal cost for the aminosilicone-based carbon-capture process was evaluated at $48/ton CO 2 using the steam stripper column. This is a 20% reduction compared to MEA, primarily due to lower overall capital cost. CO 2 cost using the CSTR desorber is dominated by the economics of the solvent make-up. The steam stripper desorber is the preferred unit operation due to a more efficient desorption, and reduced solvent make-up rate. Further reduction in CO 2 capture cost is expected by lowering the manufacturing cost of the solvent, implementing flowsheet optimization and/or implementing the next generation aminosilicone solvent with improved stability and increased CO 2 working capacity.

0.5 MW Pilot↗
DOE OSTI2017

Improvement of Alstom's Limestone-Based Chemical Looping Combustion Process for Higher Purity Flue Gas Production

Alstom Power Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company (GE), is developing Limestone-based Chemical Looping (LCL™) Processes, utilizing limestone derived calcium sulfate as an oxygen carrier to transport oxygen from air to the fuel. The LCL™ process is a breakthrough technology with the potential to capture CO 2 and SO 2 from new and existing coal-fired power plants at reduced costs while maintaining high plant power generation efficiency. Chemical looping is a next generation advancement to oxy-combustion which would not require the significant investment in a cryogenic distillation type oxygen production plant. Instead of the energy-consuming oxygen plant, chemical looping uses a benign material to directly remove oxygen from the air and bring that oxygen into contact with the fuel. This "game changing" technology is the lowest cost-of-electricity technical approach that GE Power has identified to date for coal power with carbon capture. The technology has significantly lower capital costs compared to a conventional steam power plant with first generation carbon capture technologies. This new power plant concept is based on a hybrid combustion-gasification process utilizing high temperature chemical and thermal looping technology. In the air reactor, a solid oxygen carrier picks up oxygen from air through an oxidation reaction and leaves nitrogen behind. The hot oxygen-carrying solid carrier is then transported to a fuel reactor, where it releases oxygen. The released oxygen then converts the coal in the fuel reactor into combustion gases. The solid carrier is recycled back to the air reactor for regeneration completing the “chemical loop.” The regeneration step produces heat from which steam is produced for power generation while the process results in a concentrated carbon dioxide stream in which the carbon is captured for use or sequestration (CCUS). Limestone as a precursor for the oxygen carrier is abundant, benign, low cost, and is used in CFB and PC boilers for sulfur control. Challenges associated with this carrier include a complex reaction mechanism with possible side reactions leading to the release of SO 2 . The present project (DOE/NETL Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FE0025073) report focuses on coal-fired Limestone Chemical Looping Combustion (LCL-C™) processes that can produce a higher purity flue gas stream and achieve an improved overall performance that will meet the stated DOE goal of generating power from coal while achieving greater than 90% CO2 removal at less than 35% increase in the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). It builds on the concurrent and synergistic limestone-based chemical looping combustion (LCL-C™) and gasification (LCL-G™) projects with the Department of Energy, that were executed in parallel with the present project. In this report, the LCL-C™ experimental testing from the electrically-heated, once-through, 100 kW Pilot-Scale Test Facility (PSTF) is analysed and reviewed. The PSTF Oxidizer is a 50-foot tall, 100-mm diameter transport reactor, while the PSTF Reducer reactor is based upon a bubbling-bed design. The experimental data from designated test periods (denoted “Weeks”) are reviewed and discussed. The application of high sulfur release in the Reducer (with proper sulfur management) exceeded the LCL-CTM performance targets. Furthermore, the ilmenite blend came within 1 percentage point of meeting all of the performance targets.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2018

Enhancing Reliability of the Weapons Material Waste Disposition Process in the Assembly/Disassembly Operations Facility

High quality weapons material waste dispositioning at Y-12 is crucial to the overall public perception of meeting the CNS government missions. Weapons material waste disposition requirements are an after-thought as perceived by Production personnel. Building waste dispositioning activities in the production system at the point of generation will increase the reliability of meeting requirements daily. The ultimate goal is to build in easy to understand processes at the point of generation in the production work without negatively impacting schedules. Measurements to evaluate sustainability of production processes and ensure reliable information will be suggested. Ultimately, this project is an effort to protect the environment by creating highly reliable weapons material waste dispositioning processes at the point of generation. Defining the process at the point of generation ultimately decreases variation and increases reliability of correctly dispositioning waste. Utilization of an effective and improved weapons material waste dispositioning process will ensure decrease in defective product dispositioning, decrease incorrect disposition of waste, increase set-up times for disposition work, decrease cost of production due to less down time and increase the percentage of waste dispositioning jobs completed in a timely manner.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Evaluating the Role of Pre-Application Reports in Improving Distributed Generation Interconnection Processes

Several tools have emerged in recent years to increase data exchange and transparency in the distributed generation interconnection process with the goal of reducing interconnection costs. One example is pre-application reports. These reports are generated by a utility at the request of prospective interconnection applicants to provide technical information about a specific point of interconnection. Formal pre-application report processes have been established in 12 states at the distribution system level as well as at the transmission level by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. These reports are a relatively low-cost method of informing applicants of grid conditions and potential interconnection limitations early in the interconnection process. Thus, this information may encourage interconnection in locations with little to no detrimental impact to the grid and low interconnection costs. Increasing transparency of these grid conditions may also enable applicants to better plan for interconnection costs and requirements, such as system modifications and complex engineering studies. By providing these benefits, pre-application reports are expected to reduce the number of canceled interconnection applications. This report evaluates this hypothesis by quantifying the impact pre-application report processes have on application approval rate. To evaluate this hypothesis this analysis uses utility-reported distributed generation interconnection data from four utilities in Massachusetts. The analysis considers a four-year time period before and a five-year period after pre-application report process were implemented. The results indicate that once pre-application reports were required for projects 500 kilowatts and larger the approval rate of applications increased by 24%. This suggests that pre-application reports may decrease the percentage of canceled projects. However, due to data and other limitations, these results do not necessarily connote causation. This analysis is an important first step and a prerequisite for future analyses regarding the impact of pre-application reports. Other potential impacts also recognized during this analysis included reducing sunk costs and reducing the number of projects requiring a complex review. Collection of additional data would allow for forming more robust conclusions about these impacts in the future. Such data include circuit-level data, interconnection cost data, policy and regulatory background, national-level data, and utility and developer attributes. These data provide necessary context to account for interrelated factors while evaluating pre-application reports. Filling such knowledge gaps ultimately aids regulators in applying best practices within the industry. As more and more distributed energy resources are interconnected, these best practices will become an integral aspect of efficiently transitioning to an electric grid capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗