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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,783 records · Page 99
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Virtual Pressure Sensor for Electronic Expansion Valve Control in a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

Virtual sensor technology, which uses simulation models/algorithms to calculate a value to represent an unmeasured variable or replace a directly measured reading, has attracted many studies in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry. However, most virtual sensor technologies are developed for fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) purposes, which generally compare the virtual sensor values with actual measured values to detect if any fault occurred and identify the causes that led to the fault. It is rare to see studies focus on control performance of virtual sensors after substituting an actual sensor. This is particularly important for the system with no redundant sensor since a virtual sensor is the most effective way to operate the system in the desirable region when any sensor failure occurs. To address this gap, this paper develops a new virtual pressure sensor technology to substitute the actual pressure measurement for electronic expansion valve (EXV) control in a vapor compression refrigeration system by integrating compressor and valve characteristics. The control performance of this proposed virtual pressure sensor technology under various operating conditions is validated with experimental data. Closed loop EXV control simulations with the proposed virtual pressure sensor are conducted, and the results are analyzed.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2023

Numerical Optimization of Spray-Guided Spark Assistance for Cold Idle Operation in a Heavy-Duty Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine

This article describes the results of a response surface model (RSM)-based numerical optimization campaign for spray-guided spark assistance at cold operations in a heavy-duty gasoline compression ignition (GCI) engine. On the basis of an earlier work on spark-assisted GCI cold combustion, a space-filling design of experiments (DoE) method was first undertaken to investigate a multitude of hardware design variables and engine operating parameters. The main design variables included the number of injector nozzles, fuel split quantities and injection timings, and spark timing. The objective variables were engine combustion efficiency (ŋ c ), maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR), and engine-out nitrogen oxide (NO x ) emissions. A total of 150 design candidates were automatically generated using the Sobol sequence method provided by the commercial software package, CAESES. Then, closed-cycle computational fluid dynamic (CFD) spark-assisted GCI simulations under cold idling operations were performed. The outcomes from the CFD-DoE design campaign were utilized to construct high-fidelity RSMs that allowed for further design optimization of the spark plug- and fuel injector-related design variables, along with fuel injection strategy parameters. A merit function with respect to objective variables was formulated with an appropriate weight assignment on each objective variable. Finally, the best design candidate was identified from the RSM-based optimization process and further validated in the CFD analysis. The best design candidate showed the potential to significantly improve combustion efficiency (ŋ c > 90%) over the baseline at cold idle while satisfying MPRR and NOx emissions constraints (MPRR < 5 bar/CAD and NO x < 4.5 g/kWh).

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Techno-Economic Analysis of a Thermally Integrated Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Compressed Air Energy Storage Hybrid System

Natural-gas-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems have the potential for high-efficiency conversion of carbon to power due to the underlying electrochemical conversion process while readily facilitating carbon capture through the separation of the fuel and oxidant sources. Compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology can potentially store significant quantities of energy for later use with a high round-trip efficiency and lower cost when compared with state-of-the-art battery technology. The base load generation capability of SOFC can be coupled with CAES technology to provide a potentially flexible, low-carbon solution to meet the fluctuating electricity demands imposed by the increasing share of intermittent variable renewable energy (VRE) production. SOFC and CAES can be hybridized through thermal integration to maximize power output during periods of high electrical demand and then store power when either demand is low or renewable generation reduces power prices. The techno-economics of a low-carbon hybrid SOFC and CAES system was developed and investigated in the present study. The proposed hybrid system was found to be cost-competitive with other power-generating base-load facilities when power availability was considered. The hybrid system shows increased resilience to changes in a high VRE grid market scenario.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

CFD-Guided Evaluation of Spark-Assisted Gasoline Compression Ignition for Cold Idle Operation

A closed-cycle, three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis campaign was conducted to evaluate the performance of using spark plugs to assist gasoline compression ignition (GCI) combustion during cold idle operations. A conventional spark plug using single-sided J-strap design was put at a location on the cylinder head to facilitate spray-guided spark assistance. Ignition was modeled with an L-type energy distribution to depict the breakdown and the arc-to-glow phases during the energy discharge process. Several key design parameters were investigated, including injector clocking, number of nozzle holes, spray inclusion angle, number of fuel injections, fuel split ratio, and fuel injection timings. The study emphasized the region around the spark gap, focusing on flame kernel formation and development and local equivalence ratio distribution. Flame kernel development and the ignition process were found to correlate strongly with the fuel stratification and the flow velocity near the spark gap. The analysis results showed that the flame kernel development followed the direction of the local flow field. In addition, the local fuel stratification notably influenced early-stage flame kernel development due to varying injection spray patterns and the fuel injection strategies. Among these design parameters, the number of nozzle holes and fuel injection timing had the most significant effects on the engine combustion performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

OPTICAL THERMONUCLEAR TRANSIENTS FROM TIDAL COMPRESSION OF WHITE DWARFS AS TRACERS OF THE LOW END OF THE MASSIVE BLACK HOLE MASS FUNCTION

In this paper, we model the observable signatures of tidal disruptions of white dwarf (WD) stars using massive black holes (MBHs) of moderate mass, ≈10{sup 3}–10{sup 5} M{sub ⊙}. When the WD passes deep enough within the MBH’s tidal field, these signatures include thermonuclear transients from burning during maximum compression. We combine a hydrodynamic simulation that includes nuclear burning of the disruption of a 0.6 M{sub ⊙} C/O WD with a Monte Carlo radiative transfer calculation to synthesize the properties of a representative transient. The transient’s emission emerges in the optical, with light curves and spectra reminiscent of Type I supernovae. The properties are strongly viewing angle dependent, and key spectral signatures are ≈10,000 km s{sup −1} doppler shifts, due to the orbital motion of the unbound ejecta. Disruptions of He WDs likely produce large quantities of intermediate-mass elements, offering a possible production mechanism for Ca-rich transients. Accompanying multi-wavelength transients are fueled by accretion and arise from the nascent accretion disk and relativistic jet. If MBHs of moderate mass exist with number densities similar to those of supermassive BHs, both high-energy wide-field monitors and upcoming optical surveys should detect tens to hundreds of WD tidal disruptions per year. The current best strategy for their detection may therefore be deep optical follow-up of high-energy transients of unusually long duration. The detection rate or the nondetection of these transients by current and upcoming surveys can thus be used to place meaningful constraints on the extrapolation of the MBH mass function to moderate masses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

An Improved Analytical Model of the Local Interstellar Magnetic Field: The Extension to Compressibility

A previously published analytical magnetohydrodynamic model for the local interstellar magnetic field in the vicinity of the heliopause (Röken et al. 2015) is extended from incompressible to compressible, yet predominantly subsonic flow, considering both isothermal and adiabatic equations of state. Exact expressions and suitable approximations for the density and the flow velocity are derived and discussed. In addition to the stationary induction equation, these expressions also satisfy the momentum balance equation along stream lines. The practical usefulness of the corresponding, still exact, analytical magnetic field solution is assessed by comparing it quantitatively to results from a fully self-consistent magnetohydrodynamic simulation of the interstellar magnetic field draping around the heliopause.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Kernelized approaches to streaming compression of scientific data

In this paper three algorithms are developed for the streaming compression of scientific data. The algorithms presented are reliant on the theory of vector-valued reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces and operator valued kernel. Further, the scientific data is modeled as a snapshot of time dependent vector field F(x, t) over a manifold M and the recovery of the data is framed as a learning problem. These processes are then appropriately modified and ana lyzed for the streaming scenario in which data is generated without the ability to revisit past entries.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fuel Property Effects of a Broad Range of Potential Biofuels on Mixing Control Compression Ignition Engine Performance and Emissions

Conventional diesel engines will continue to hold a vital role in the heavy- and medium-duty markets for the transportation of goods along with many other uses. The ability to offset traditional diesel fuels with low-net-carbon biofuels could have a significant impact on reducing the carbon footprint of these vehicles. A prior study screened several hundred candidate biofuel blendstocks based on required diesel blendstock properties and identified 12 as the most promising. Eight representative biofuel blendstocks were blended at a 30% volumetric concentration with EPA certification ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) and were investigated for emissions and fuel efficiency performance. This study used a single cylinder engine (based on the Ford 6.7L engine) using Conventional Diesel Combustion (CDC), also known as Mixing Control Compression Ignition (MCCI). The density, cetane number, distillation curve and sooting tendency (using the yield sooting index method) of the fuels were measured. Start of injection (SOI) timing and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) sweeps were conducted at three separate speed-load operating points to examine fuel effects on the NOX/soot and NOX/efficiency trade-offs as well as to evaluate EGR tolerance. The results show that the biofuel blends all reduced NOX and soot emissions without penalty to engine efficiency, even improving efficiency for some of the blends at certain points, with one particular blend of polyoxymethylene ethers (POMEs) improving efficiency at all points while drastically reducing soot by 79%.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

DME-to-Propane Mixture Effects on a Light Duty Compression Ignition Engine

Fuels that can be produced in a sustainable manner are of high interest because they can provide an essential step toward net zero emissions vehicles. This study examines the combustion of two such fuels, Dimethyl Ether (DME) and propane, in a compression ignition, 4-cylinder, 2.2L engine running with mixtures of DME-to-Propane ranging of 100%-0%, 85%-15%, 75%-25%, and 65%-35% by weight. Testing was conducted at 2000rpm - 100Nm, an important representative point in the FTP certification cycle. For each fuel mixture, conditions tested include sweeps of boost, EGR and injection pressure. Here, tests are mainly conducted at a constant combustion timing with CA10 of -1 deg with respect to TDC, with an engine controller combustion feedback system based on in-cylinder sampling of pressure. Trends of NOx, HC, and CO are similar for the range of DME-to-propane, from 100%-0% to 75%-25%. Boost and injection pressures had the most notable impact on the heat release traces. Higher boost, from stoichiometric to lean resulted in approximately a 3-5% increase on cycle efficiency. Fuel injection pressures resulted in about 1% gain per 200bar. Results also illustrated that EGR is effective in reducing NOx but causes notable degradation of cycle efficiency. The emissions for DME-propane mixtures with 65%-35% had a different trend, with CO and HC exceeding the runs with lower propane content by 2 to 3-fold. As propane content increases, the pressure rise rates become higher, and with 65%-35% mixtures, rates easily exceed 12bar/deg. The increased rise rates correlate with early injection timings but the rates can be reduced, with higher boost and lower injection pressures. The result of the approach, however, leads to lower thermal efficiencies, decreasing efficiency by over 5% between neat DME and the highest propane ratios.

Combustion and combustion processes↗
DOE OSTI2023

Validated CFD Model for Multimode Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine

A validated CFD model for the multimode combustion engine developed under the DOE funded project DE-EE0008478 (Co-optimized Mixed-Mode Engine and Fuel Demonstrator for Improved Fuel Economy while Meeting Emissions Requirements). It incorporates advanced physics-based fuel surrogate models for thermophysical properties and reaction kinetics. The combustion modes include spark ignition (SI), low temperature combustion (LTC), and compression ignition (CI). The real fuel model was validated for RON60, RON70, RON80, RON90, and two biofuel blends. The validation cases can be found in https://doi.org/10.2172/1887341.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2026

Performance Enhancement of the Transcritical CO2 Cycle with a Near-Isothermal Liquid Piston Compression by an Ejector

This study investigates the use of an ejector in a transcritical CO2 cycle employing a near-isothermal liquid piston compressor, with the objective of mitigating refrigerant degassing in mineral oil. While the liquid piston compressor demonstrated high isothermal efficiency (˜90%), overall cycle performance was limited by CO2 degassing during chamber pressure fluctuations. A thermodynamic model was developed to compare baseline and ejector-assisted cycles, incorporating solubility correlations, entrainment ratio characteristics, and a degassing correction factor. Results indicate that the ejector increased suction pressure and reduced CO2–oil solubility variation, which improved refrigerant intake and reduced degassing losses. Despite these benefits, the ejector-assisted cycle showed a lower coefficient of performance (COP) than the baseline. Possible contributing factors include the limited marginal benefit of pressure reduction in a highly efficient isothermal compressor, reduced effectiveness of the separator due to the use of a suction-line heat exchanger in both cycles, and uncertainties in the solubility data under transient conditions. These findings suggest that degassing mitigation is essential for realizing the potential of liquid piston compression, but ejector integration alone is unlikely to enhance COP. Future work should focus on ejector optimization, improved oil–refrigerant management, introducing less-soluble working liquids, and experimental validation under realistic operating conditions.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2010

Li+ alumino-silicate ion source development for the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment (NDCX)

We report results on lithium alumino-silicate ion source development in preparation for warmdense-matter heating experiments on the new Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment (NDCXII). The practical limit to the current density for a lithium alumino-silicate source is determined by the maximum operating temperature that the ion source can withstand before running into problems of heat transfer, melting of the alumino-silicate material, and emission lifetime. Using small prototype emitters, at a temperature of ~;;1275 oC, a space-charge-limited Li+ beam current density of J ~;;1 mA/cm2 was obtained. The lifetime of the ion source was ~;;50 hours while pulsing at a rate of 0.033 Hz with a pulse duration of 5-6 mu s.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Li+ alumino-silicate ion source development for the Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment (NDCX-II)

To heat targets to electron-volt temperatures for the study of warm dense matter with intense ion beams, low mass ions, such as lithium, have an energy loss peak (dE/dx) at a suitable kinetic energy. The Heavy Ion Fusion Sciences (HIFS) program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will carry out warm dense matter experiments using Li{sup +} ion beam with energy 1.2-4 MeV in order to achieve uniform heating up to 0.1-1 eV. The accelerator physics design of Neutralized Drift Compression Experiment (NDCX-II) has a pulse length at the ion source of about 0.5 {micro}s. Thus for producing 50 nC of beam charge, the required beam current is about 100 mA. Focusability requires a normalized (edge) emittance {approx}2 {pi}-mm-mrad. Here, lithium aluminosilicate ion sources, of {beta}-eucryptite, are being studied within the scope of NDCX-II construction. Several small (0.64 cm diameter) lithium aluminosilicate ion sources, on 70%-80% porous tungsten substrate, were operated in a pulsed mode. The distance between the source surface and the mid-plane of the extraction electrode (1 cm diameter aperture) was 1.48 cm. The source surface temperature was at 1220 C to 1300 C. A 5-6 {micro}s long beam pulsed was recorded by a Faraday cup (+300 V on the collector plate and -300 V on the suppressor ring). Figure 1 shows measured beam current density (J) vs. V{sup 3/2}. A space-charge limited beam density of {approx}1 mA/cm{sup 2} was measured at 1275 C temperature, after allowing a conditioning time of about {approx} 12 hours. Maximum emission limited beam current density of {ge} 1.8mA/cm{sup 2} was recorded at 1300 C with 10-kV extractions. Figure 2 shows the lifetime of two typical sources with space-charge limited beam current emission at a lower extraction voltage (1.75 kV) and at temperature of 1265 {+-} 7 C. These data demonstrate a constant, space-charge limited beam current for 20-50 hours. The lifetime of a source is determined by the loss of lithium from the alumino-silicate material either as ions or as neutral atoms. Our measurements suggest that for the low duty factor ({approx}10{sup -8}) required for NDCX-II, the lifetime of an emitter depends mostly on the duration that the emitter spends at elevated temperature, that is, at {ge} 1250 C. At this temperature, lithium loss is due mostly to neutral loss (not charged ion extraction). Extension of the lifetime of the source may be possible by lowering the temperature between beam pulses, when the idling time is sufficiently long between shots. The NDCX-II design seeks to operate the ion source at the maximum current density without running into heat management and lifetime problems. In preparation to fabricate a large (10.9 cm in diameter) source for the NDCXII experiment, recently a 7.6 cm diameter source has been fabricated. The method of fabrication of this larger source is similar to that of fabrication of a 6.3mm diameter source, except a longer furnace heating time was used due to mass differences. NDCX-II construction is in progress. Progress of lithium source study for NDCX-II is available in literature.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2010

PHELIX for flux compression studies

PHELIX (Precision High Energy-density Liner Implosion eXperiment) is a concept for studying electromagnetic implosions using proton radiography. This approach requires a portable pulsed power and liner implosion apparatus that can be operated in conjunction with an 800 MeV proton beam at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. The high resolution (< 100 micron) provided by proton radiography combined with similar precision of liner implosions driven electromagnetically can permit close comparisons of multi-frame experimental data and numerical simulations within a single dynamic event. To achieve a portable implosion system for use at high energy-density in a proton laboratory area requires sub-megajoule energies applied to implosions only a few cms in radial and axial dimension. The associated inductance changes are therefore relatively modest, so a current step-up transformer arrangement is employed to avoid excessive loss to parasitic inductances that are relatively large for low-energy banks comprising only several capacitors and switches. We describe the design, construction and operation of the PHELIX system and discuss application to liner-driven, magnetic flux compression experiments. For the latter, the ability of strong magnetic fields to deflect the proton beam may offer a novel technique for measurement of field distributions near perturbed surfaces.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2011

ALLOYING-DRIVEN PHASE STABILITY IN GROUP-VB TRANSITION METALS UNDER COMPRESSION

The change in phase stability of Group-VB (V, Nb, and Ta) transition metals due to pressure and alloying is explored by means of first-principles electronic-structure calculations. It is shown that under compression stabilization or destabilization of the ground-state body-centered cubic (bcc) phase of the metal is mainly dictated by the band-structure energy that correlates well with the position of the Kohn anomaly in the transverse acoustic phonon mode. The predicted position of the Kohn anomaly in V, Nb, and Ta is found to be in a good agreement with data from the inelastic x-ray or neutron scattering measurements. In the case of alloying the change in phase stability is defined by the interplay between the band-structure and Madelung energies. We show that band-structure effects determine phase stability when a particular Group-VB metal is alloyed with its nearest neighbors within the same d-transition series: the neighbor with less and more d electrons destabilize and stabilize the bcc phase, respectively. When V is alloyed with neighbors of a higher (4d- or 5d-) transition series, both electrostatic Madelung and band-structure energies stabilize the body-centered-cubic phase. The opposite effect (destabilization) happens when Nb or Ta is alloyed with neighbors of the 3d-transition series.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST CONTROL OF HYDROCARBON AEROSOLS FROM REACTIVITY CONTROLLED COMPRESSION IGNITION COMBUSTION

Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is a novel combustion process that utilizes two fuels with different reactivity to stage and control combustion and enable homogeneous combustion. The technique has been proven experimentally in previous work with diesel and gasoline fuels; low NOx emissions and high efficiencies were observed from RCCI in comparison to conventional combustion. In previous studies on a multi-cylinder engine, particulate matter (PM) emission measurements from RCCI suggested that hydrocarbons were a major component of the PM mass. Further studies were conducted on this multi-cylinder engine platform to characterize the PM emissions in more detail and understand the effect of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) on the hydrocarbon-dominated PM emissions. Results from the study show that the DOC can effectively reduce the hydrocarbon emissions as well as the overall PM from RCCI combustion. The bimodal size distribution of PM from RCCI is altered by the DOC which reduces the smaller mode 10 nm size particles.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2012

Simulating Study of Premixed Charge Compression Ignition on Light-Duty Diesel Fuel Economy and Emissions Control

We utilize the Powertrain Systems Analysis Toolkit (PSAT) combined with transient engine and aftertreatment component models to simulate the impact of premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) on the fuel economy and emissions of light-duty (LD) diesel-powered conventional and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Our simulated aftertreatment train consists of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), lean NOx trap (LNT), and catalyzed diesel particulate filter (DPF). The results indicate that utilizing PCCI combustion significantly reduces fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions for the conventional diesel-powered vehicle with NOx and particulate emissions controls. These benefits result from a favorable engine speed-load distribution over the cycle combined with a corresponding reduction in the need to regenerate the LNT and DPF. However, the current PCCI technology appears to offer less potential benefit for diesel HEVs equipped with similar emissions controls. This is because PCCI can only be activated over a relatively small part of the drive cycle. Thus we conclude that future utilization of PCCI in diesel HEVs will require significant extension of the available speed-load range for PCCI and revision of current HEV engine management strategies before significant benefits can be realized.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2010

Charged Diblock Copolymers at Interfaces: Micelle Dissociation Upon Compression

We use grazing incidence X-ray scattering to study the surface micellization of charged amphiphilic diblock copolymers poly(styrene-block-acrylic acid) at the air-water interface. Scattering interference peaks are consistent with the formation of hexagonally packed micelles. The remarkable increase of inter-micelle distance upon compression is explained by a dissociation of micelles into a brush. Hence, surface micelles reorganize, whereas micelles of the same copolymers in solutions are 'frozen'. We show indeed that the energetic cost of unimer extraction from micelles is much lower for surface than for solution. Finally, a model combining electrostatic interactions and micelle/brush equilibrium explains surface pressure vs. area without free parameters. keywords - soft matter, liquids and polymers, biological physics, chemical physics and physical chemistry.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗