Today, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy, in collaboration with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Science and NETL announced a request for information (RFI) about “enhanced weathering” research opportunities that could lead to advances in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). Weathering is nature’s process in which rocks are broken down and dissolved over time. The natural breakdown process releases calcium, which can bind to CO2 and remove it from the atmosphere.  Enhanced weathering uses technology or modified land-use approaches to accelerate the decomposition of calcium- and magnesium-rich silicate rocks and increase the rate of CO2 removal from the atmosphere.  It is, in effect, a technology with negative CO2 emissions.  In addition to its CO2 removal benefits, enhanced weathering can improve soil quality and fertility.

Representatives from alloy producers, original equipment manufacturers, end users and other industrial stakeholders will join NETL and other national laboratories to review research plans and progress during the virtual 2020 eXtremeMAT Industrial Stakeholder Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. Fossil energy transformational power technologies like ultra-supercritical steam plants and supercritical carbon-dioxide power systems have the potential to increase efficiencies and bolster clean coal efforts because they operate at higher temperatures and pressures. However, these technologies are subject to “extreme” operating environments – harsher and more corrosive conditions compared to those found in traditional power plants. Furthermore, today’s current fleet of fossil power plants are increasingly being subjected to cycling conditions due to the penetration of renewable energy sources into the electricity grid. Accelerating the development of improved steels, superalloys and other advanced alloys is of paramount importance in deploying materials solutions to address materials challenges associated with both the existing fleet and future power systems.

Game-changing technologies to use coal as a feedstock to manufacture high-value products and research that’s  transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) from a greenhouse gas into helpful chemical building blocks for industry will be discussed at next week’s DOE-NETL 2020 Virtual Integrated Project Review Meeting. Two days are dedicated to exploring the revolution that’s underway to develop new uses for coal. Scientists and engineers are opening doors to use coal, coal byproducts and coal waste to manufacture a variety of products. Someday soon, the roof above your head could be made of a coal composite. Down the road, carbon fiber and graphene manufactured from coal feedstock will be used to make stronger, lighter vehicles and more durable roads or manufacture superior materials for computer components.

Since beginning his federal service at NETL 11 years ago, Justin Weber has worked on projects that span both the computational and experimental research domains, with the study of multiphase flow as the thread that ties them all together. “Multiphase flows are observable throughout advanced energy systems,” Weber said. “Anywhere you have solids, liquids or gases interacting with each other, you will have a multiphase flow. Understanding this flow is key to designing and optimizing next generation power generation technologies.” After receiving his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 2009, Weber joined an NETL team assembled to work on just such a technology. He and his colleagues began work on designing a 50kWth pilot-scale chemical looping reactor (CLR) — a cutting-edge energy system that involves the combustion of fossil fuels with an oxygen carrier, rather than air, to create an opportunity to simplify carbon dioxide (CO2) capture in power plant applications.

NETL’s Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI), the Tri State Energy and Advanced Manufacturing (TEAM) Consortium and leadership from the Tri State Shale Coalition will explore what the future holds for workforce training during a special webinar from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. This event will feature a multi-panel online discussion on workforce issues related to energy and advanced manufacturing activities and programs, including discussions on strategy and activities in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic with respect to job recovery. “With the pandemic causing major economic disruptions in multiple sectors, we witnessed immense change throughout 2020 as industries adapted in response to the crisis,” said NETL’s RWFI Federal Coordinator Anthony Armaly. “We now have a chance to build upon lessons learned and share the latest in workforce training and best practices. We’re pleased TEAM and the Tri State Shale Coalition are joining NETL to host what promises to be a productive and engaging webinar as we work to support a key pillar of American prosperity.”

In an effort that could lead to accelerated design and deployment of advanced energy systems, NETL researchers have added a valuable new capability to the Lab’s world-renowned Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) modeling software suite. Rather than modeling particles as spheres, as is the case with most discrete element modeling (DEM) techniques, NETL researchers have developed and validated an algorithm to simulate non-spherical shapes that better approximates real-world particles, significantly increasing modeling accuracy. Real-life granular materials such as coal and biomass are non-spherical in nature. However, researchers have long used simple spheres in DEM simulations to represent various interacting particles found in multiphase flow systems like fluidized beds, gasifiers and chemical looping reactors. While this technique is computationally efficient and allows for the simulation of hundreds of millions of particles necessary to model industrial-scale systems, it fails to adequately account for the gas-solid interaction in the reactor. 

Photo Credit: Southern Company Photo The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) and NETL have renewed an agreement with Southern Company to operate the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC), setting the stage for expansion at the DOE-sponsored facility into new areas of research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based power plants, and to advance carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and direct air capture (DAC) solutions.

NETL will demonstrate how local business partners and educational institutions throughout the Mountain State can connect with the Lab’s various resources and programs during the 2020 West Virginia Governor’s Energy Summit, which has the theme of “Connecting Communities Through Energy.” Originally scheduled to take place during the summer at the Stonewall Resort, in Roanoke, W. Va., this free-to-attend conference has switched to a virtual format out of concern for the wellness and health of attendees. Taking place Oct. 14, the summit will feature energy efficiency speakers, presentations, and panels full of information discussing the future of energy in West Virginia. Merging the two events, the goal is to bring together a wide array of West Virginia elected officials, state and local government agencies, industry, research universities, technical and community colleges, and non-governmental organizations, along with regional and national experts.

NETL is marking National Energy Awareness Month this October by recognizing the Lab’s contributions to the critical role of energy production in national prosperity and security, especially during the national challenges this year. Electricity is a crucial element of the nation’s coronavirus pandemic response, fueling emergency medical care, sanitation and clean water systems, manufacturing sectors, intranet infrastructure and many other areas.   With millions working from home, affordable and reliable energy is crucial, and NETL met this challenge. NETL’s resilient and diligent workforce never lost sight of the mission to develop technology solutions that enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations. NETL employees adapted and continued to innovate the world’s most advanced energy technologies. A few examples include:

Next week’s DOE-NETL 2020 Virtual Integrated Project Review Meeting will feature the nation’s leading experts in the field of developing cost-effective carbon capture technologies for the fossil energy power-generation sector. Subject matter experts from the U.S. Department of Energy, national labs, including NETL, academia and industry are scheduled to participate in this event to be held Monday, Oct. 5, Tuesday, Oct. 6, and Wednesday, Oct. 7. Click here to review the agenda and list of presentations. Registration is free. Complete the online registration form to participate in one, two or three days of the event.