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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 19 records

Preliminary design of an auxiliary power unit for the space shuttle. Volume 5: Selected system cycle performance data

Detailed cycle steady-state performance data are presented for the final auxiliary power unit (APU) system configuration. The selection configuration is a hydrogen-oxygen APU incorporating a recuperator to utilize the exhaust energy and using the cycle hydrogen flow as a means of cooling the component heat loads. The data are given in the form of computer printouts and provide the following: (1) verification of the adequacy of the design to meet the problem statement for steady-state performance; (2) overall system performance data for the vehicle system analyst to determine propellant consumption and hydraulic fluid temperature as a function for varying mission profiles, propellant inlet conditions, etc.; and (3) detailed component performance and cycle state point data to show what is happening in the cycle as a function of the external forcing functions.

Hamilton, M. L.↗

Performance Cycle Analysis of a Two-Spool, Separate-Exhaust Turbofan With Interstage Turbine Burner

This paper presents the performance cycle analysis of a dual-spool, separate-exhaust turbofan engine, with an Interstage Turbine Burner serving as a secondary combustor. The ITB, which is located at the transition duct between the high- and the low-pressure turbines, is a relatively new concept for increasing specific thrust and lowering pollutant emissions in modern jet engine propulsion. A detailed performance analysis of this engine has been conducted for steady-state engine performance prediction. A code is written and is capable of predicting engine performances (i.e., thrust and thrust specific fuel consumption) at varying flight conditions and throttle settings. Two design-point engines were studied to reveal trends in performance at both full and partial throttle operations. A mission analysis is also presented to assure the advantage of saving fuel by adding ITB.

Liew, K. H.↗

Hypersonic ramjet experiment project. Phase 1: Computer program description, ramjet and scramjet cycle performance

A computer program was developed to describe the performance of ramjet and scramjet cycles. The program performs one dimensional calculations of the equilibrium, real-gas internal flow properties of the engine. The program can be used for the following: (1) preliminary design calculation and (2) design analysis of internal flow properties corresponding to stipulated flow areas. Only the combustion of hydrogen in air is considered in this case.

Jackson, R. J.↗

Improving Cycling Performance of Anode-Free Lithium Batteries by Pressure and Voltage Control

The anode-free lithium (Li) batteries (AFLBs) have great potential to provide higher energy density than most other batteries. However, the performance of AFLBs is very sensitive to pressure and other operating parameters, especially for coin cells widely used in AFLB investigations. Therefore, optimizing cell assembly parameters and test protocol is critical to get reliable and comparable results in this field. In this work, the operating voltage range of AFLBs using a localized high concentration electrolyte has been optimized. The morphology of the deposited Li in AFLBs is much more indicting to the pressure than other type of batteries due to the absence of anode active material (i.e. Li) as a pressure cushion layer in the as prepared cells. With an optimized cycling protocol, a thin layer of uniform nucleation sites can be formed in the initial cycle which will facilitate smooth Li desposition/stripping in the subsequent cycles of AFLBs. The solid electrolyte interphase layer formed under optimized pressure and uniform pressure distribution exhibits a good mechanical stability even after long-term cycling. In conclusion, with an optimized cell configuration, the internal pressure in the coin cells has been optimized to improve the cycling performance of AFLBs (Cu||NMC811) with 72% of capacity retention in 100 cycles.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Improving the Long-term Cycle Performance of xLi 2 MnO 3 ·(1-x)LiMeO 2 /Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 Cells via Prelithiation and Electrolyte Engineering

Toward the development of high energy density and long lifetime batteries for behind-the-meter storage (BTMS) applications, Li- and Mn-rich layered oxide cathode (xLi 2 MnO 3 ·(1-x)LiMeO 2 , Me = Ni, Mn, and etc., LMR-NM) and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) anode system was examined. To mitigate the major degradation mechanisms at each electrode (i.e., loss of Li inventory (LLI) at the anode and transition metal dissolution and oxygen release at the cathode), two approaches were taken—prelithiating the LTO electrode and varying the electrolyte solvent compositions. The effect of prelithiation and electrolyte engineering on the long-term cycle performance of LMR-NM/LTO cells were systematically evaluated via electrochemical analyses and post-mortem characterizations. By using a prelithiated LTO anode and supplying additional Li to the system, the capacity retention of LMR-NM/LTO system was improved. The degree of enhancement was dependent on the types of electrolytes used, as their decomposition products determined the level of LLI. With increased capacity retention, however, the cathode was utilized to a greater extent, resulting in more severe loss of the cathode active material. Thus, all degradation mechanisms should be considered comprehensively when designing high performance LMR-NM/LTO cells to account for their complex interplay.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Cycling Performance of the Iron-Chromium Redox Energy Storage System

Extended charge-discharge cycling of this electrochemical storage system at 65 C was performed on 14.5 sq cm single cells and a four cell, 867 sq cm bipolar stack. Both the anolyte and catholyte reactant fluids contained 1 molar concentrations of iron and chromium chlorides in hydrochloric acid and were separated by a low-selectivity, cation-exchange membrane. The effect of cycling on the chromium electrode and the cation-exchange membrane was determined. Bismuth and bismuth-lead catalyzed chromium electrodes and a radiation-grafted polyethylene membrane were evaluated by cycling between 5 and 85 percent state-of-charge at 80 mA/sq cm and by periodic charge-discharge polarization measurements to 140 mA/sq cm. Gradual performance losses were observed during cycling but were recoverable by completely discharging the system. Good scale-up to the 867 sq cm stack was achieved. The only difference appeared to be an unexplained resistive-type loss which resulted in a 75 percent W-hr efficiency (at 80 mA/sq cm versus 81 percent for the 14.5 sq cm cell). A new rebalance cell was developed to maintain reactant ionic balance. The cell successfully reduced ferric ions in the iron reactant stream to ferrous ions while chloride ions were oxidized to chlorine gas.

Gahn, R. F.↗

Cycling performance of the iron-chromium redox energy storage system

Extended charge-discharge cycling of this electrochemical storage system at 65 C was performed on 14.5 sq cm single cells and a four cell, 867 sq cm bipolar stack. Both the anolyte and catholyte reactant fluids contained 1 molar concentrations of iron and chromium chlorides in hydrochloric acid and were separated by a low-selectivity, cation-exchange membrane. The effect of cycling on the chromium electrode and the cation-exchange membrane was determined. Bismuth and bismuth-lead catalyzed chromium electrodes and a radiation-grafted polyethylene membrane were evaluated by cycling between 5 and 85 percent state-of-charge at 80 mA/sq cm and by periodic charge-discharge polarization measurements to 140 mA/sq cm. Gradual performance losses were observed during cycling but were recoverable by completely discharging the system. Good scale-up to the 867 sq cm stack was achieved. The only difference appeared to be an unexplained resistive-type loss which resulted in a 75 percent W-hr efficiency (at 80 mA/sq cm versus 81 percent for the 14.5 sq cm cell). A new rebalance cell was developed to maintain reactant ionic balance. The cell successfully reduced ferric ions in the iron reactant stream to ferrous ions while chloride ions were oxidized to chlorine gas.

Gahn, R. F.↗

Solid Electrolyte Bimodal Grain Structures for Improved Cycling Performance

Here, the application of solid-state electrolytes in Li batteries is hampered by the occurrence of Li-dendrite-caused short circuits. To avoid cell failure, the electrolytes can only be stressed with rather low current densities, severely restricting their performance. As grain size and pore distributions significantly affect dendrite growth in ceramic electrolytes such as Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 and its variants; here, a “detour and buffer” strategy to bring the superiority of both coarse and fine grains into play, is proposed. To validate the mechanism, a coarse/fine bimodal grain microstructure is obtained by seeding unpulverized large particles in the green body. The rearrangement of coarse grains and fine pores is fine-tuned by changing the ratio of pulverized and unpulverized powders. The optimized bimodal microstructure, obtained when the two powders are equally mixed, allows, without extra interface decoration, cycling for over 2000 h as the current density is increased from 1.0 mA·cm -2 , and gradually, up to 2.0 mA·cm -2 . The “detour and buffer” effects are confirmed from postmortem analysis. The complex grain boundaries formed by fine grains discourage the direct infiltration of Li. Simultaneously, the coarse grains further increase the tortuosity of the Li path. This study sheds light on the microstructure optimization for the polycrystalline solid-state electrolytes.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Effect of steam addition on cycle performance of simple and recuperated gas turbines

Results are presented for the cycle efficiency and specific power of simple and recuperated gas turbine cycles in which steam is generated and used to increase turbine flow. Calculations showed significant improvements in cycle efficiency and specific power by adding steam. The calculations were made using component efficiencies and loss assumptions typical of stationary powerplants. These results are presented for a range of operating temperatures and pressures. Relative heat exchanger size and the water use rate are also examined.

Boyle, R. J.↗

Validity of the two-level model for Viterbi decoder gap-cycle performance

A two-level model has previously been proposed for approximating the performance of a Viterbi decoder which encounters data received with periodically varying signal-to-noise ratio. Such cyclically gapped data is obtained from the Very Large Array (VLA), either operating as a stand-alone system or arrayed with Goldstone. This approximate model predicts that the decoder error rate will vary periodically between two discrete levels with the same period as the gap cycle. It further predicts that the length of the gapped portion of the decoder error cycle for a constraint length K decoder will be about K-1 bits shorter than the actual duration of the gap. The two-level model for Viterbi decoder performance with gapped data is subjected to detailed validation tests. Curves showing the cyclical behavior of the decoder error burst statistics are compared with the simple square-wave cycles predicted by the model. The validity of the model depends on a parameter often considered irrelevant in the analysis of Viterbi decoder performance, the overall scaling of the received signal or the decoder's branch-metrics. Three scaling alternatives are examined: optimum branch-metric scaling and constant branch-metric scaling combined with either constant noise-level scaling or constant signal-level scaling. The simulated decoder error cycle curves roughly verify the accuracy of the two-level model for both the case of optimum branch-metric scaling and the case of constant branch-metric scaling combined with constant noise-level scaling. However, the model is not accurate for the case of constant branch-metric scaling combined with constant signal-level scaling.

Dolinar, S.↗

Cycling Performance and Structure Evolution of Co-Free Lithium- and Manganese-Rich Layered Oxides in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium- and manganese-rich (LMR) layered oxides are high-capacity cathode materials that are being considered for electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we investigate the electrochemical cycling behavior of cells containing a cobalt-free LMR oxide, 0.3Li 2 MnO 3 ·0.7LiMn 0.5 Ni 0.5 O 2 , paired with either Li or graphite anodes. Two- and three-electrode cells are cycled under varying conditions to examine the effects of oxide activation, upper cutoff voltage, separator type, and electrolyte composition. Post-cycling characterization of harvested electrodes, with electrochemical, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and solid-state 6 Li nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques, are used to correlate cell performance changes with redox state evolution in the oxide and Li inventory shifts in the cell. Our results show that capacity fade and impedance rise primarily originate at the graphite anode and LMR cathode, respectively. Notably, while Ni undergoes reversible redox, Mn shows no evidence of bulk redox activity even in highly-aged electrodes: only relithiated LMR electrodes show some reduction of Mn. Graphite electrodes degrade due to particle isolation and SEI growth, exacerbated by Mn dissolution and deposition on graphite anodes. These findings highlight the coupled structural and electrochemical degradation mechanisms in LMR/graphite cells and underscore lithium inventory retention and electrode interfacial stability as critical factors for enhancing long-term performance.

Badami, Pavan P. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL↗

Elucidating the Effects of Temperature on Nonaqueous Redox Flow Cell Cycling Performance

The impact of cell temperature is a relatively underexplored area within the burgeoning field of nonaqueous redox flow batteries (NAqRFBs). Here, we investigate the effect of elevated temperature on the performance of nonaqueous redox electrolytes and associated flow cells. Using a model compound, N-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-ethyl)phenothiazine (MEEPT), in a propylene-carbonate-based electrolyte, we experimentally measure the temperature dependence of relevant physicochemical properties (i.e., electrolyte conductivity, viscosity, diffusivity) and electrochemical characteristics (i.e., chemical and electrochemical reversibility) across a temperature range of 30 °C to 70 °C. We then perform flow cell studies, finding that while ohmic and mass transport resistances decrease significantly with increases in temperature for the MEEPT/MEEPT +· redox couple, accessible electrolyte capacity gradually reduces at temperatures > 50 °C. Ex-situ, post-test characterization using microelectrode voltammetry suggests that this capacity fade is due to instability of the MEEPT radical cation. Finally, using MEEPT as a posolyte and a model viologen negolyte (bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)viologen), we assemble a full cell and perform polarization analyses, observing a 2× increase in the peak power density when the operating temperature is increased from 30 °C to 70 °C. Broadly, this work highlights opportunities for systematic engineering of nonaqueous electrolytes and flow cells for higher power operation at elevated temperatures.

Electrochemistry↗

Computerized systems analysis and optimization of aircraft engine performance, weight, and life cycle costs

The computational techniques are described which are utilized at Lewis Research Center to determine the optimum propulsion systems for future aircraft applications and to identify system tradeoffs and technology requirements. Cycle performance, and engine weight can be calculated along with costs and installation effects as opposed to fuel consumption alone. Almost any conceivable turbine engine cycle can be studied. These computer codes are: NNEP, WATE, LIFCYC, INSTAL, and POD DRG. Examples are given to illustrate how these computer techniques can be applied to analyze and optimize propulsion system fuel consumption, weight and cost for representative types of aircraft and missions.

Fishbach, L. H.↗

The influence of temperature on the cycle life performance of rechargeable Li-TiS2 cells

The authors report studies on the influence of low temperature on the properties and cycling performance of six selected electrolytes. The electrolytes investigated were 2-MeTHF, EC/2-MeTHF, THF, THF/2-MeTHF, EC/THF, and EC/THF/2-MeTHF. All the electrolytes contained 1.5M LiAsF6. Open circuit stand tests indicated that organic electrolytes exhibited improved stability towards lithium at 10 C. However, cycling of the cells at 10 C did not result in improved cycle life performance.

Shen, D. H.↗