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Results for “pore size distribution”

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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental investigation of the effect of pore size distribution on nano-particle capture efficiency within ceramic particulate filters

The effect of the pore size distribution on size-resolved filtration efficiency was investigated for two ceramic particulate filters using particulate matter (PM) generated by a spark-ignition direct-injection engine fueled with gasoline. The cordierite filter tested had a porosity of 43%, a median pore diameter (d_50) of 12 µm, and a wide pore size distribution with a lognormal standard deviation (s’) of 0.3. The aluminum titanate filter had very similar porosity, d_50, and thickness, but significantly narrower pore size distribution (s’ = 0.1). The testing of two filters under identical experimental conditions enabled the impact of the pore size distribution on filtration performance to be evaluated. Filtration experiments were performed focusing on just the filter wall, starting from a clean filter until the transition to cake filtration (filtration efficiency > 99%). Time-resolved particle size distribution measurements were used to evaluate the progression of filtration performance and estimate trapped mass within the filter. The aluminum titanate filter, with a narrow pore size distribution, exhibited significantly better diffusion capture efficiency. The negative impact of higher flow velocity on diffusion capture efficiency was more pronounced for a narrower pore size distribution. Flow distributions measured using capillary-flow porometry were used to develop a cylindrical pore flow model to understand the impact of the differences in pore size distribution on observed trends in diffusion capture efficiency within a clean filter. The model helps demonstrate how large pores on the high end of a wider pore size distribution can carry a large fraction of the flow, with less efficient capture of small particles by diffusion. The experimental results and data demonstrate that the bubble point diameter and width of the pore size distribution significantly influence diffusion capture efficiencies for filters with very similar median pore diameter, porosity, and thickness.

aerosol filtration, Aftertreatment, ceramic exhaus↗
NASA NTRS1968

Computer program calculates and plots surface area and pore size distribution data

Computer program calculates surface area and pore size distribution of powders, metals, ceramics, and catalysts, and prints and plots the desired data directly. Surface area calculations are based on the gas adsorption technique of Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller, and pore size distribution calculations are based on the gas adsorption technique of Pierce.

Halpert, G.↗
DOE OSTI2025

A statistical and simulation-informed model for estimating permeability from pore size distribution in saturated geomaterials

Accurate permeability estimation is essential across subsurface engineering applications but remains challenging due to the complex pore structures of natural geomaterials. Traditional empirical methods and simplified theoretical models often inadequately capture the role of pore size distribution and connectivity. Here, this study develops a statistical and simulation-informed permeability model that collapses pore-scale complexity into a compact scaling of the form k = αϕμ d 2 , where ϕ is porosity, μ d is mean pore size, and α is a weakly varying coefficient. By combining pore network simulations with statistical analysis of unimodal and bimodal pore size distributions, we identify three key findings: (i) permeability is much more sensitive to mean pore size than to porosity; (ii) across extensive datasets, the ratio σ d /μ d (standard deviation to mean) clusters around a characteristic value ∼0.4, allowing the effects of the full pore size distribution to be represented by μ d and a narrowly varying α ≈ 0.05; and (iii) for bimodal systems, there exists a critical fraction of small pores ∼0.78 above which flow becomes small-pore dominated, enabling the definition of an effective flow-controlling pore population and facilitating simplified permeability estimation for such systems. The resulting model, which requires only porosity and a representative mean pore size as inputs, is validated against comprehensive experimental datasets (>1700 samples) spanning diverse soils and rocks and achieves good predictive accuracy. Overall, this work provides a physically grounded yet practically simple permeability estimator suitable for subsurface engineering, environmental protection, and resource management applications.

Permeability↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microfracture-pore structure characterization and water-rock interaction in three lithofacies of the Lower Eagle Ford Formation

The microfracture-pore structures and water-rock interactions of eight samples of three typical lithofacies (three limestone, three wackestone, and two mudstone) from the Lower Eagle Ford Formation have been investigated using an integrated methodology. The methods used were X-ray diffraction (XRD), total organic carbon (TOC) content, pyrolysis, thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), spontaneous water imbibition, and water vapor & nitrogen physisorption. Petrophysical properties such as organic richness, maturity, mineral composition, types and patterns of microfractures and pores, porosity, pore-throat size distribution, pore size distribution, pore connectivity, water adsorption and desorption behavior were determined from these methods, and the results compared among the three lithofacies. For example, the three limestone EAS samples and three wackestone DM samples show a low porosity range from 2.02–3.35%, whereas the two mudstone VRU samples exhibit a much large average porosity of 11.7% by MIP results. Nitrogen physisorption results show that pore size distributions have a good similarity in N2 adsorption volume for the samples with similar lithology. Microfractures are morphologically divided into seven types, with their definitions & pictorial examples presented and possible formation mechanisms proposed. In addition, the water vapor physisorption behavior and their controlling factors are discussed. Here, the water adsorption capacity shows a positive relationship (R 2 = 0.90) with clay content and a negative relationship (R 2 = 0.99) with carbonate content. In general, this integrated study of microfracture-pore structure characterization and water-rock interaction provides some insights of water vapor adsorption behavior in different lithofacies and whether microfractures could be an important pathway for fluid flow.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mesoscale simulation of granular materials under weak shock compaction–pore size distribution effects

This research established a systematic method to generate various pore-size distributions (PSDs) and studied the effect of PSDs on the shock compaction response of granular materials using two-dimensional mesoscale simulations under identical porosity. Simulations utilized various PSDs for three particle shapes (circle, ellipse, and square). Contacting particle configurations using three PSDs, characterized by spatially uniform distributed pores to heterogeneous distributed pores, and non-contacting particle configurations under a single case of PSD were tested. The PSD of generated particle sets was characterized using coordination number, mean diameter, and bimodality coefficient as statistical metrics. Mesoscale simulations showed that regardless of the conditions of pore distributions, shock compaction of granular materials consistently demonstrates a precursor, shock compaction front, and end. However, the shock compaction velocity of contacting particles was dependent on the PSDs despite the constant initial porosity. The compaction velocity was faster in particle configurations with relatively uniform pore distributions than in heterogeneous pore distributions, which our study demonstrated can be attributed to particle rearrangement during compaction. Circular-shaped particles had high sensitivity in shock compaction response to the various PSDs. Furthermore, a contacting particle configuration tended to propagate the shock compaction wave relatively faster than particles that were in a non-contact configuration. This study established the relative importance of considering PSD as a metric over the coordination number in studies of the shock compaction response of granular materials. Further, insights are provided on the evolving shock substructure to characterize the shock compaction response of granular materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Computational predictions of porosities, pore size distributions, and conductivities of aerosol deposited particulate films

The structure and resulting physical properties of aerosol deposited particulate films are governed by the size distribution and morphology of the depositing particles as well as the physics governing particle deposition. While particulate film deposition processes are qualitatively understood, the link between particle characteristics and deposition physics to film properties has not been probed systematically. Here we apply a combination of Langevin dynamics deposition simulations, Monte Carlo pore size distribution calculations, and predictions of thermal conductivities to better establish such process parameter-film property relationships. Furthermore, we account for partial coalescence, polydispersity, and aggregate deposition. We establish that the deposition of polydisperse and aggregated particles leads to broadening of the pore size distribution function and an increase in the mode pore size. Via a non-continuum gas conductivity model, we show that aerosol deposited films can achieve porosities and thermal conductivities similar to conventional aerogels.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Relating phase transitions to pore size distributions and mechanical mortar properties in CSA-OPC-C$ based systems – The potential impact of delayed straetlingite formation

The scope of this research is to investigate the performance evolution of five ternary CSA-OPC-Cs systems. Time resolved thermodynamic modeling was employed to gain insight into changes in the volume fractions of the hydrating pastes and link these changes to trends in the pore size distributions of the mortars. Pore solution analyses were performed to investigate which hydrates have the potential to exert high crystallization pressures. In three out of five blends the resulting tensile stress exceeded the tensile strength of the materials, resulting in the occurrence of coarse pores, which could be linked to the measured compressive strengths. Two damaging crystallization processes were identified in the investigated blends. One is the continuous precipitation of ettringite at high supersaturation in a system with high anhydrite addition. The other is the delayed crystallization of straetlingite at high supersaturation and crystallization pressure in the confined environment of mature pastes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modifying the pore size distribution in Fe-rich inorganic polymer mortars: An effective shrinkage mitigation strategy

Highlights: • Inorganic polymer mortar has mainly macropores and a drying shrinkage of 5.1 mm/m. • 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol acts as air entrainer in inorganic polymer mortars. • Optimal dosage 2 wt% 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol reduced drying shrinkage to 1.8 mm/m. • Heat curing inorganic polymer mortars reduced drying shrinkage more than 50%. • Blast Furnace slag addition increased drying shrinkage and reduced strength. Inorganic polymer (IP) binder is formed upon alkali-activation of Fe-rich (41 wt%) metallurgical slag leading to materials with mechanical properties comparable to ordinary Portland cement binders. Crack formation is reported in IPs, which can be related to volumetric stability, which is to date not thoroughly understood in IPs. This study determined the autogenous and drying shrinkage of IP mortars. Shrinkage mitigation strategies, such as the addition of 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (2MPL), blast furnace slag (GGBFS), and applying heat curing, were used separately or in combination. IP mortars exhibited autogenous expansion and high drying shrinkage. The addition of 2MPL led to a porosity increase, as air was entrained, decreasing the drying shrinkage with 64%. Additional heat curing had no effect on samples with 2MPL. Introducing GGBFS resulted in smaller pores, increasing drying shrinkage. Shrinkage in IP mortars is driven by its pore size distribution and higher shrinkage resulted in lower flexural strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pore2Chip: All-in-one python tool for soil microstructure analysis and micromodel design

The Pore2Chip Python package is designed to create 2D micromodels using extracted data from 3D X-ray computed tomography (XCT) images. This package helps analyze soil structure and function, allowing for the investigation of hydro-biogeochemical processes that impact mineral extraction and reactivity, oxygen concentrations, and nutrient availability in disturbed or managed soils. Key metrics encompass pore size distributions, pore throat size distributions, and connectivity (pore coordination numbers). The final output is a 2D scalable SVG design representing a core or aggregate. Designs can be fabricated with methods such as laser etching, 3D printing, and photolithography.

lab-on-chip↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterizing the Evolution of Trapped scCO 2 Curvature in Bentheimer and Nugget Sandstone Pore Geometry

During a Geologic Carbon Storage process, supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) is subjected to a series of dynamic and static conditions where the relationship between pore geometry and the trapped scCO 2 curvature remains to be established. To mimic the dynamic process, two sandstones, Bentheimer and Nugget, were subjected to two successive drainage and imbibition (D-I) cycles and X-ray computed tomography scanned at each residual state to capture the wettability evolution at static conditions in the same pore geometry. Both sandstones contain similar grain size distributions, pore size distributions, and pore interconnectivity but differ in that the Nugget formation contains approximately half the porosity of the Bentheimer sandstone, and the pore network contains dead-end pores. scCO 2 size distributions, strain calculations, and geometric contact angle measurements were used to characterize the curvature of scCO 2 in different pore types between cycles. An increase in geometric contact angle was the greatest when advancement along the pore network of the same ganglion occurred between cycles while strain increased the most with pore-filling trapping. Moreover, Nugget sandstone results in a greater aggregated residual saturation and shows a clear increase in scCO 2 sizes with an additional D-I cycle while scCO 2 in the Bentheimer core shows a more complex response with some ganglion increasing and some decreasing in size with an additional D-I cycle. From this work, we suspect the pore geometry is playing a role in scCO 2 size distributions and use this information to suggest using water pulses to enhance trapping capacity in lower porosity sandstones.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Are you using the right probe molecules for assessing the textural properties of metal–organic frameworks?

Textural properties—such as the surface area, pore size distribution, and pore volume—are at the forefront of characterization for porous materials. Therefore, it is essential to accurately and reproducibly report a material's textural properties as they could ultimately dictate its applicability. This work aims to provide insightful and comprehensive studies of textural properties for a set of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous materials, using various gases to equip researchers in the field with a helpful guide and reference. Here, we selected a series of nine MOFs with different surface areas, pore sizes, shapes, and chemical environments to represent a wide range of materials. We probed the textural properties of these MOFs using traditional and distinctive gases: N 2 , Kr and O 2 at 77 K, Ar at 87 K, and CO 2 at 195 and 273 K. With regard to surface area, we discuss the validity and challenges associated with the current BET method, the importance of utilizing the Rouquerol et al. consistency criteria to ensure accuracy and reproducibility, and the recommended gas probes for certain materials. For pore size distribution, we discuss the efficacy of each probe for determining the pore sizes within a porous material relative to the calculated distribution from its crystal structure, the limitations of current computational kernels used to calculate pore size distributions, and the need for advanced kernels to envelope the diversity of porous materials. Finally, for pore volume, we discuss the use of the Gurvich rule to obtain the total pore volume in comparison with calculated values from crystal structures and its consistency as a metric for porous materials. Ultimately, we hope that this article will aid researchers in characterizing the textural properties of porous materials and encourage the development of new kernels capable of encompassing the complexity of MOFs and other porous materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of Porous Transport Layer Morphology on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers with Ultra-Low Iridium Loadings

Reducing Ir loadings in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer anodes is critical for lowering capital expenses. Loading reduction could be achieved by improving the Ir activity via doping/alloying and/or the development of advanced microstructures. However, the anode porous transport layer (PTL) is a comparatively simple component whose properties also impact Ir utilization. Therefore, well-designed PTLs may also enable reduced Ir loadings. In this work, we survey eight PTLs from various manufacturers to observe their impact on cell performance at low (0.4 mg Ir cm -2 ) and ultralow (0.1 mg Ir cm -2 ) Ir loadings. The PTLs were characterized by their microstructural properties, including porosity, particle size distribution, and pore size distribution. Electrochemical cell performance was correlated to PTL morphology, and it was found that PTLs with lower porosities and smaller particle and pore radii enabled good performance even at ultralow Ir loadings. 1000-h durability testing indicated that using lower porosity PTLs can significantly improve durability behavior. A runaway voltage phenomenon was observed during durability testing of cells with ultralow Ir loadings, which was caused by increases in both anode and cathode overpotentials. Furthermore, we observed that the beginning of test performance of 0.1 mg Ir cm -2 cells correlates to the 1000-h degradation rates of 0.4 mg Ir cm -2 cells, suggesting that for the Ir catalyst used in this work, short-term testing at ultralow loadings can be used as an indicator of long-term degradation at higher loadings.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Effects of Supercritical CO 2 Injection on the Shale Pore Structures and Mass Transport Rates

Characterizing the pore structures and transport properties of low-permeability shales is critical for evaluating these formations as potential seals or storage sites for geological CO 2 sequestration. Here, we use low-pressure gas adsorption in conjunction with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to characterize the pore-size distribution of shales before and after injection of supercritical CO 2 . Nitrogen gas was used as the detecting phase for the adsorption experiments and pentane liquid was used for the NMR experiments. We also performed time-resolved NMR and gravimetric microbalance measurements to observe mass transport during desaturation. We use these data to estimate the self-diffusion coefficient of pentane and changes in the saturation state of the pore network. We analyzed samples with a range of compositions from the Wolfcamp shale before and after exposure to supercritical CO 2 for 3 days. Integrating the gas adsorption and NMR data shows how supercritical CO 2 injection alters the pore-size distribution for pore sizes <1 nm to 1 mm. Finally, our results provide insights on how the pore structure and mass transport properties of different shale lithologies may evolve during storage of supercritical CO 2 .

58 GEOSCIENCES↗