Fuel Processing and Gasification
The U. S. Department of Energy is sponsoring the development of coal/biomass co-gasification technology to reduce the overall CO₂ emissions associated with Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants. Coal/biomass mixture gasification presents many unique challenges. Individually, coal and biomass gasifiers are not easily adapted to support the gasification of coal/biomass mixtures. Supporting research is required to identify compatible coal and biomass mixture materials and defining their physical and chemical behavior under such gasification conditions. NETL is conducting experiments with a small-scale, simple, readily operated and fuel flexible gasifier available to generate char, tar and syngas samples to test process concepts, validate computer models, develop diagnostic tools, and screen the relative behavior of coal/biomass mixture feedstocks.

The successful deployment of fuel cell technology for many market applications requires the use of hydrocarbon-based fuels. The U.S. Department of Energy is sponsoring development of high temperature fuel cell power systems based on solid oxide technology through its Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) program. The fuel processor is a critical component of these systems and must be able to provide a clean, tailored hydrogen-rich synthesis gas to the fuel cell stack for long-term operation. Much of the technology development thus far has focused on catalytic systems. Although widely used in high steam commercial processes, most known catalytic-only systems are not capable of sustained reforming operation in low steam concentration (dry) reforming conditions. Similar issues involving liquid & gaseous hydrocarbons are synergistic with "Coal-Based" processes. Coal-based systems can contain higher hydrocarbon compounds in the syngas effluent that cannot be tolerated in the fuel cell and must be processed. These reforming processes, as well as other potential system reactions such as WGS, methane reforming, and methanation can be readily poisoned by coal gas impurities. Use of alternative catalyst systems that are more tolerant usually results in compromising activity and/or requires higher temperatures to function.

The student internship will support gasification and fuel conversion projects. Initial efforts will involve development of reaction data and assessments of modified or new concepts. The intended purpose is subsequent incorporation of fuel cells into a coal-based power generation system.

Intern Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is a student in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, aspiring to pursue a graduate degree, or a beginning graduate student with aptitude in chemistry, chemical reaction engineering, catalysis, and fuel conversion. With the approval of the university research advisor, the work at NETL can also serve as the basis for a Ph.D. dissertation in chemistry, chemical engineering or environmental sciences. It is anticipated that the work done as a result of this appointment will lead to at least one presentation at a national meeting and one article submitted for publication in a refereed journal per year.

Location: Morgantown, WV

Solid State Lighting

Background:
The U.S. Department of Energy and its partners are working to accelerate advances in solid-state lighting (SSL). SSL is a pivotal emerging technology that promises to fundamentally alter lighting in the future. DOE has set aggressive and ambitious goals for SSL Research and Development:

“By 2015, develop advanced solid state lighting technologies that compared to conventional lighting technologies, are much more energy efficient, longer lasting, and cost competitive by targeting a product system efficiency of 50 percent with lighting that accurately reproduces sunlight spectrum.”

No other lighting technology offers the Department and our nation so much potential to save energy and enhance the quality of our building environments. Electricity consumed for lighting represents about 8.2 Quads or nearly 8.5 % of all the primary energy consumed annually by the Nation. Lighting also consumes 22% of all electricity in buildings.

The U.S. Department of Energy supports research, development, and demonstration of promising SSL technologies. SSL research partners and projects are selected based on such factors as energy savings potential, likelihood of success, and alignment with the SSL R&D plan. More information on the DOE’s SSL Program can be found at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/ssl/

Position:
This student will support SSL project managers on a variety of research and development (R&D) projects that address advanced concepts related to light emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) for general illumination. It is expected that this internship will enhance the student’s understanding of technical project management concepts. This student will assist SSL project managers overseeing contracts and cooperative agreements through the monitoring of project technical progress and cost compliance. Project Managers provide technical expertise in advanced technologies, techniques, and systems; participate in technology assessments and planning programmatic goals and objectives; and promote technology transfer.

Educational Requirements:
Graduate student in a MS or PhD Program in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Material Science with an emphasis in the field of solid-state lighting

Location: Morgantown

Proposed Geological Sequestration Project
This project will provide needed scientific knowledge and computational tools for assessing the capacity and the environmental safety of geological sequestration of CO₂. Specifically, the primary goal of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of CO₂ sequestration in brine-saturated fractured reservoirs using detailed experimental and computer simulation techniques. The other main goal is to develop computer simulation tools for assessing the capacity of fractured reservoirs for CO₂ sequestration, as well as for assessing CO₂ leakage and the associated environmental safety risks. Optical photography and image processing procedures will be used to provide the details of CO₂ flows in liquid-saturated laboratory‑scale fracture network systems. We will also adopt and upgrade use the NFFLOW computational model for predicting gas-liquid flows in the laboratory‑scale fracture network model.The upgraded NFFLOW computational model will then be applied for analyzing geological sequestration of carbon dioxide in fractured reservoirs. Comparison of the simulation results with the performed experimental data for the laboratory‑scale system and the available field data will be done for model verification. Availability of the proposed computational tool and the experimental data is the key to the further development of future plans for environmentally acceptable geological carbon sequestration for sustainable use of fossil energy, as envisioned in the DOE road map for carbon sequestration technology.

Breakthrough Concepts for CO₂ Capture
The emission of CO₂ from fossil-fuel combustion basically comes from three sectors of the economy: (1) the electrical power generation sector, (2) the industrial and domestic thermal generation sector, and (3) the transportation power sector. Roughly, about one third of the total CO₂ generation comes from each of these three sectors. The emissions of CO₂ from the industrial, domestic and transportation sectors are highly dispersed and generate relatively small quantities of CO₂ per unit, thus making impossible to collect for disposal. One of the major centrally located sources of CO₂ is electric-generating fossil-fuel-fired power plants. Thus, removal and recovery concentrate on fossil-fueled power plants has become an important challenge. A number of methods are available for removal and recovery of CO₂ from the fuel gas from power plant stacks. However, they are highly costly and this motives the search for innovative ideas to generate breakthrough concepts in CO₂ capture and sequestration. It is anticipated that several disciplines will have to be creatively integrated to significantly reduce the costs of CO₂ capture; innovation will be necessary, complemented with well planned and programmatic experimental research work. At the beginning of this project, simple mass and energy balances will be used to determine if the novel concept holds merit for further consideration and research. The research intern will also participate in laboratory work related to catalysis, electrochemistry, and CO₂ adsorption/desorption.

The ideal candidate is a senior in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, aspiring to pursue a graduate degree, or a beginning graduate student with aptitude in chemistry, chemical reaction engineering, catalysis, and electrochemistry. With the approval of the university research advisor, the work at NETL can also serve as the basis for a Ph.D. or Masters dissertation in chemistry, chemical engineering or environmental sciences. It is anticipated that the work done as a result of this appointment will lead to at least one presentation at a national meeting and one article submitted for publication in a refereed journal per year.

Mentor Information:
Maria D. Salazar-Villalpando is a Fulbright scholar. She holds a Ph.D. from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. She has 15 years of experience in fuel cells, fuel processing for hydrogen generation, environmental and energy policies, and catalysis. She has worked for the West Virginia University for two years and performed intensive experimental work for NETL in the last four years. Her publications include experimental and modeling work in polymer electrolyte fuel cells and fuel processing.

Educational Requirements:
A student in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Environmental sciences

Location: Morgantown

Computational Fluid Dynamics
A research intern with graduate school level experience in computational fluid dynamics is sought to assist in the development of user-defined functions (UDF) to evaluate the behavior of particles interacting with slag at the wall boundary of a slagging coal gasifier. The intern will have to incorporate physics of particles contacting and potentially adhering to the wall surface. The UDF will need to consider slag properties including changes in viscosity and oxidative state, particle reactions while in contact with the slag such as phase transformations, chemical reactions, and fluid transport. The intern will work with scientific experts as part of a Multiphase Flow Collaboratory to synthesize constitutive relationships from literature data and to program and update user-defined routines in existing platforms such as MFIX and Fluent. In conjunction with experimentalists and computer modelers, the intern will validate the UDF against existing data and data generated during through the Multiphase Flow Collaboratory.

The intern will exercise the code both in standalone form and within the appropriate platform, and analyze the results in a manner that will demonstrate the utility and validity of the constitutive laws applied and their implementation within that platform. The numerical accuracy and precision will be verified using standard tests such as grid independence. The performance for various particle size, composition, and trajectories will be evaluated in a coal gasification process and compared to bench-scale testing both in atmospheric and pressurized gasifiers.

Educational Requirements:
Given the complexities of the assignment, it is anticipated that this internship will be best met by a PhD candidate who, with the approval of their faculty advisor, can integrate this research into their dissertation research.

Mentor Information:
The research will be conducted in the Simulation, Analysis, and Computational Science Division in the Office of Research and Development (ORD). The mentors will be Larry Shadle and Gregory Sigley.

Preferred Location: Morgantown

Fluid Mechanics
Fluid mechanics and Physics courses in the curriculum of most Universities are textbook-based with emphasis on analytical solutions. The majority of real-world flow problems are solved via numerical methods using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) packages. Yet, the volume of material to be covered in a fixed amount of time leaves little time available at most institutions for learning the use of a CFD software such as Fluent or MFIX.

During the course of this project, the student will learn and work with Fluent or MFIX CFD software used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations. The student will be exposed to a real-world situation through the computer simulation of practical energy systems. The use of CFD packages is rapidly expanding worldwide and the student might find it in the workplace upon graduation.

It is anticipated that this internship will enhance the student's understanding of Fluid mechanics, Physics, Chemistry, and Programming course materials such as FORTRAN and C++. It will also develop valuable job skills.

Educational Requirements:

• Senior or graduate-level student in chemical or mechanical engineering.
• Completed college course work in fluid mechanics, chemistry, and computer programming language such as C++ or FORTRAN.

Mentor Information:
Isaac K. Gamwo, Ph.D., P.E.

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh , PA
  • Concentration: Numerical Simulation of Multiphase Flows
• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, IIT Chicago, Illinois
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) State of Pennsylvania
• 2000-Present: Chemical Engineer, NETL-OSTA/Simulation, Analysis and Computational Science Division, Pittsburgh, PA
• 1999-2000: Assistant Professor, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama
• 1997-1999: Assistant Professor, University of Akron , Ohio.

Multiphase Flow Research
NETL is developing computer models for simulating complex multiphase flows that are commonly encountered in advanced power systems. For example, in combustors and gasifiers multiphase flows exist because coal (solid phase) is reacted with air or steam (gas phase). Engineers use computer models to design and analyze the clean and efficient power plants of the future. In the proposed research the student will work to advance the state-of-the-art of the theory of polydisperse multiphase flow systems, or systems with a distribution in the particle size.

Polydisperse gas-solids flows occur in several fossil fuel processing systems of interest to NETL (e.g., coal gasifiers). Difficulties in solids process handling and equipment failure often result in industries operating below capacity. Polydisperse systems give rise to flow-induced mixing and/or segregation, both of which are complex phenomena of great importance to many industrial processes. Fundamental, mathematical models provide a means of understanding and predicting the different behaviors in particulate flow. For rapid particulate flows, the most successful fundamental models to date are based on an analogy with dense-gas kinetic theory. Most previous efforts, however, have focused on monodisperse systems, whereas polydisperse systems are ubiquitous in practical applications.

For binary systems, several kinetic-theory-based models are available. Differences in these models lay in the assumptions used in the derivation process. Two of these assumptions are a Maxwellian velocity distribution and an equipartition of energy between unlike particles. The overall goal of the proposed research is to gain a better understanding of the impact of these common assumptions, with a special emphasis on the phenomenon of species segregation (de-mixing). To help assess the impact of these assumptions on kinetic theory predictions Galvin, Dahl and Hrenya (2005) examined two different granular flows (flows in which the role of the fluid phase is negligible): flow without species segregation (namely, simple shear flow) and a segregating flow. The results from the simple shear flow system indicated that the incorporation of a non-Maxwellian velocity distribution is critical for reliable stress predictions, but the need to account for non-equipartition was less clear. A subsequent analysis of the diffusion velocity equation for a segregating flow indicated that the presence of a non-equipartition of energy gives rise to new driving forces associated with segregation. Further analysis using molecular-dynamics simulations showed that the non-equipartition effects are non-negligible for systems characterized by moderate values of mass differences and inelasticity. Thus, a new driving force for species segregation was identified, and shown to be non-negligible for practical values of input parameters.

Advancements made in the understanding and prediction of granular systems are anticipated to carryover to rapidly-flowing multiphase gas-solid systems, such as fluidized beds. Segregation is known to occur in multiphase gas-solid fluidized beds and experimental measurements clearly indicate that these systems exhibit a non-equipartition of energy. Therefore, non-equipartition may also play a significant, but as of yet, unknown role in segregation in these multiphase systems. The focus of the proposed research work is to answer this question for a multiphase system, specifically, gas-solid fluidized beds, via theoretical and simulation efforts. The study involves using and modifying MFIX (Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges), an open source computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model developed at NETL. CFD models are structured around the fundamental conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy which require constitutive relationships in order to form a closed set of equations. At best, the CFD predictions are only as good as the physics and chemistry embodied in these relationships. This research seeks to incorporate a fundamental model based on improved physics into MFIX, and then in turn, employ the code to help elucidate the mechanisms causing segregation.

Educational Requirements:

• Chemical or Mechanical Engineering graduate student
• Aptitude in mathematics, computational techniques, and fluid dynamics.
• Research experience in multiphase flow theory
• Research experience in monodisperse and polydisperse kinetic theory
• Proficiency in FORTRAN programming and familiarity with MFIX or other CFD codes are desirable.

Mentor Information:
Dr. Madhava Syamlal, Ph.D., General Engineer

• Over 20 years of experience in developing and applying computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models, multiphase flow and fluidization.
• Research included the formulation of constitutive equations and numerical methods, development of software, validation of CFD models, and application of the models to industrial problems.
• Has led the development of the multiphase flow code MFIX and the integration of commercial software FLUENT (CFD) and Aspen Plus (process simulation) for advanced power plant simulations, which won the R&D 100 award in 2004.
• Holds degrees in chemical engineering (B.Tech, Institute of Technology, B.H.U.; M.S. and Ph.D., Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago).

Location: Morgantown

Amp 005 Sensors to Detect Corrosion Under Ash Deposits
The goal of the research is to understand the mechanisms of corrosion of metal and alloy surfaces under corrosive environments. The corrosive environments used will be aqueous (acids, bases, slurries) or a combination of aqueous and gaseous, (such as simulated internal gas/liquid pipeline) environments at room temperature to boiling (>100 o C), or oxidizing and reducing environments at temperatures ranging from 300 o to 1000 o C. Oxidizing environments will consist primarily of mixtures of O 2 , H 2 O, and CO 2 . Reducing environments will consist primarily of mixtures of H 2 , CO, and CH 4 .

Electrochemical techniques will be used to study the fundamental properties of the corrosion process itself. There are a variety of electrochemical techniques that are used to measure the corrosion rates of metals in almost any process environment. The student will learn to perform electrochemical experiments.

In general, Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) and Potentiodanymic Polarization techniques use a potentiostat where a potential is applied and the resulting current is measured. The curve obtained is used to provide information on whether the corrosion is general or localized. If general, a corrosion rate is determined. If localized, a pitting potential and the tendency to pitting in the environment tested is determined.

Impedance spectroscopy is an extremely powerful experimental technique that compares the electrical response of a test system to a time varying electrical excitation to delineate interfacial and bulk material parameters. When applied to an electrochemical system, impedance spectroscopy can provide information on reaction parameters, corrosion rates, oxide integrity, surface porosity, coating integrity, inhibitor function, mass transport, and many other electrode/interface characteristics.

Eelectrochemical noise technique (EN) can differentiate general from localized corrosion and provide estimates of corrosion rates without external perturbation of the corroding system. EN measurements are based on fluctuations in electrochemical potential and corrosion current that occur naturally during corrosion. Electrochemical potential is related to the driving force (thermodynamics) of the reaction, while corrosion current is related to the rate of reaction (kinetics) of the reaction. Electrochemical events on the surface of a corroding metal will generate fluctuations (noise) in the overall potential and current signals. Each type of corrosion (for example general corrosion, pitting corrosion, crevice corrosion, cavitation attack, and stress corrosion cracking) will have a characteristic “fingerprint” or “signature” in the signal noise. This “fingerprint” can be used to predict the type and severity of corrosion that is occurring.

Mass Loss Test, a non electrochemical technique, where metal and alloy samples are tested by immersion in solutions for a select number of the days. The corrosion rate is calculated from the weight loss.

The student will assist with conducting a series of experiment.

Aqueous tests at room temperature will be performed in a standard three-electrode flat cell. Tests performed will include linear polarization resistance (LPR) and potentiodanymic polarization techniques similar to a test already performed as described here. The reference electrode used to measure the electrochemical potential was a saturated calomel electrode (SCE). The solutions used were 20% HCl and HCl containing 700 ppm ferric ions in the form of ferric chloride salt (FeCl3 · 6H2O). Each solution was purged with nitrogen gas for approximately thirty minutes before performing the test to deaerate the solution. An initial open-circuit-potential (OCP) test was performed before each of the LPR and potentiodynamic tests. The LPR measurements were conducted over an interval of ±15 mV, while the potentiodynamic polarization was started at –300 mV vs OCP to 1400 mV vs SCE. Both tests were run at a scan rate of 100 mV/min. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy will also be used in aqueous tests to provide information on reaction parameters and corrosion rates

High temperature research will focus on the interactions between metals, ash, and chloride- and sulfate-containing ash components in environments that simulate fossil energy power plants. Metals and alloys will be exposed to oxidizing and reducing environments at temperatures ranging from 300o to 1000 o C. Samples will be exposed both with and without a covering of either ash or a molten salt representative of that formed during hot corrosion. Analyses of the scale formed on metals and alloys both from the lab and from Power Plants will be analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analyses will yield information about the corrosion mechanisms of the metals and alloys. Changes in molten salt chemistry will be examined as part of corrosion mechanism investigations. This information will help in the selection of alloys for future tests. Corrosion rates will be determined as a function of time using electrochemical noise, linear polarization resistance, and potentiodanymic polarization techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Mass loss tests similar to a test already performed as described here. The alloy samples were tested by immersion in solutions of 20% hydrochloric acid (HCl) and 20% HCl plus 700 ppm ferric ions added in the form of ferric chloride salt (FeCl3 · 6H2O). During testing each solution was deaerated with nitrogen. The alloys were exposed to the solutions for 1, 7, and 14 days at a temperature of 30 ± 1oC. After each exposure interval the samples were weighed to determine the mass loss. The mass loss, surface area, exposure time, and alloy density were then used to calculate a corrosion penetration rate in units of mils per year (mpy) and millimeters per year (mmpy).

Typical student duties will include: setting up experiments, weighing samples, sample surface preparation, assist with conducting a series of experiments, collecting samples for analyses, and reducing data.

Educational Requirements:
A student in Chemistry OR Chemical Engineering OR Mechanical Engineering

Location: Albany

SOD – Nitrogen
In the recent past, the NETL required large volumes of nitrogen to be available for laboratory and demonstration unit operations. As NETL onsite operations have moved more to the bench scale size from the demonstration scale size, the need for the existing site wide nitrogen distribution system is in question.

The object of this project is to document the current system capabilities, document the laboratory's current needs for a nitrogen supply, and prepare a proposed course of action to address issues raised during the system documentation process. If approved, the proposed course of action will constitute the starting point for a construction, renovation or demolition project. If not approved, the proposed course of action will be revised or discarded.

The intern will be assign to review all existing documentation of the nitrogen distribution system. This will consist of the examination of existing system design engineering drawings and the review of existing acquisition specifications. After gaining an understanding of the reputed system design, the intern will verify through physical inspection and testing the actual system design which may vary from the engineering drawings. The intern will then reconcile any differences between the system engineering drawings and the actual physical system.

After reconciling the nitrogen system engineering drawings, the intern will conduct interviews with system users to determine current and future nitrogen distribution system needs. Interviews will be documented by the intern. At this point, the intern will prepare a brief written summary of the current system operations, current and future needs and suggested action such as replace, renovate or demolish. Any suggested course of action shall be supported by written technical and practical considerations.

The course of action selected shall be the next phase of this project. The intern shall prepare a detailed technical project plan which will include project scope, technical requirements, procurement requirements, service interruption dates, cost, projected cost savings from project implementation, ES&H benefits and risks, disposition plans, site plans, project milestones, and final project close-out dates.

Upon approval of the technical project plan, the intern shall prepare a detail project execution plan. This plan will include funding requirements, detail schedule, procurement plan, work breakdown schedule, ES&H plan, risk management plan, communications plan, quality control / quality assurance plan, and a project close-out plan.

Educational Requirements:
Junior, Senior, or Graduate-level student in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Location: Morgantown/Pittsburgh