Energy Technologies and CO2 Management: Thermal Management, Environmental and Energy Technologies
Sponsored by: TMS Extraction and Processing Division, TMS Light Metals Division, TMS: Energy Committee
Program Organizers: Shafiq Alam, University of Saskatchewan; Donna Guillen, Idaho National Laboratory; Fiseha Tesfaye, Metso Metals Oy, Åbo Akademi University; Lei Zhang, University of Alaska Fairbanks; Susanna Hockaday, Curtin University, WASM; Neale Neelameggham, IND LLC; Hong (Marco) Peng, University of Queensland; Nawshad Haque, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization; Liu Yan, Northeastern University
Tuesday 8:30 AM
March 21, 2023
Room: 33B
Location: SDCC
Session Chair: Nawshad Haque, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization; Joseph Hamuyuni, Metso Outotec
8:30 AM
Novel Thermal Conductivity Measurement Technique Utilizing a Transient Multilayer Analytical Model of a Line Heat Source Probe for Extreme Environments: Kati Wada1; Austin Fleming2; David Estrada1; 1Boise State University; 2Idaho National Laboratory
Advancements in thermal properties analysis is crucial for continual improvement of existing and next generation reactors, space exploration, and environmental safety. Extreme environments pose a great hurdle for instrumentation to measure real time thermal properties due to the extreme temperatures, high radiation, and variable electromagnetic environments. Nevertheless, measurement systems are tremendously important for the design, performance, and safety considerations of nuclear fuels, space crafts, and deep sea/deep earth drilling. Thermal properties may change significantly in these environments creating challenging problems for temperature and thermal conductivity measurement systems. A recent focus has surrounded improvements in such systems for accurate determination of temperature and thermal properties to increase efficiencies, reduce costs, calibrate models, and tackle problems previously unfulfilled. Here we report on the thermal quadrupoles method to develop analytical models, which have been verified using multiphysics finite element analysis, for thermal conductivity measurements conducted with a line heat source probe. A novel measurement technique was developed to monitor the temperature rise of the sample via the temperature dependent resistance of the probe’s heater wire. This innovative approach provides a feasible method for extracting thermal conductivity in extreme environments.
8:50 AM
The Effect of Reduced Flue Gas Suctioning on Superstructure and Gas Temperatures: Brandon Velasquez1; Sarah DiBenedetto1; Yonatan Tesfahunegn1; Marķa Gudjonsdottir1; Gudrun Saevarsdottir1; 1Reykjavik University
Reducing CO2 emissions from aluminum smelters is of great interest to reach the goal of carbon neutrality. One possible approach is to implement carbon capture and sequestration techniques (CCS). This is already being done within the geothermal sector in Iceland, where captured CO2 is sequestered through the Carbfix method of mineralization. Under the current smelter operation, the CO2 concentration in the exhaust gas is below 1%, which is too low for conventional up-concentration technology, but by adjusting the draft rate, the concentration can increase to the required 4% or higher. In order to determine the feasibility of retrofitting this method into existing smelters, a CFD model has been developed to predict the effects that the draft rate modifications would cause within the system. In this paper, the results from CFD modeling of the flue gas and superstructure of the cell are used to predict changes in flow and thermal conditions. Outlet temperature values are determined for the air passing through the system as well as the surface temperatures of the anode cover material (ACM), hood cover, and anode rods.
9:10 AM
Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Gold Production in Nevada: Ehsan Vahidi1; Saeede Kadivar1; 1University of Nevada-Reno
Throughout history, gold has always been regarded as a valuable commodity in high demand. Nevada is the leading producer of gold in the US, and gold mining contributes to a significant part of Nevada’s economy. Several beneficiation and extraction techniques for gold are available, depending on the types of gold ore and its mineralogical characteristics. Gold can be beneficiated by heap leaching, flotation, roasting, autoclave, or a combination of these techniques. Regardless of how rigorous the environmental management standards are, due to hazardous chemicals consumption, gold extraction routes can have a severe impact on the environment and human health. In this study, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the environmental performance of four main processes to produce one ounce of gold. Using the TRACI method, categories such as ozone depletion, global warming, smog, acidification, and fossil fuel depletion were evaluated for the processes used in gold extraction.
9:30 AM
Polymeric Composite Dense Membranes Applied for the Flue Gas Treatment: Dragutin Nedeljkovic1; 1American University of the Middle East
Control and reduction of the amount of carbon dioxide have emerged as one of the main tasks and problems in various fields of industry and production. Therefore, various techniques for treatment of waste gases have been developed. Membrane technology for flue gas treatment emerged as one of the most promising process for this purpose. Membrane procedures with different types of membranes have huge advantages in comparison with conventional methods. Treatment of gases with various amounts of carbon dioxides was tested in this experiment. Separation was performed based on dense membranes based on various types of polymers, and permeation properties of different polymeric materials were determined and compared. Also, the influence of the polymer microstructure and concentration of the carbon-dioxide in the feeding mixture to permeability and selectivity was measured and discussed.
9:50 AM Break
10:10 AM
Molten Salt Mg-air Battery Improvement and Recharging: Mahya Shahabi1; Nicholas Masse1; Amanda Lota1; Lucien Wallace1; Heath Bastow1; Adam Powell1; 1Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Decarbonization of the shipping industry along with other long-haul transportation is of the toughest and most important challenges to resolve toward greenhouse emission elimination. A molten salt magnesium-air battery shows promise toward meeting this challenge. This work presents the improvement achieved in long-run battery performance through solidifying the MgO reaction product from the molten salt electrolyte by using a cold finger. Moreover, preliminary result on Mg reduction at the battery anode is discussed which leads to the recharging of these batteries. Finally, a battery design in a 20-foot shipping container could deliver 60-90 MWh of energy, which is 20-30 times the energy of containerized lithium-ion batteries, at a fraction of the cost. Disadvantages include the inability to scale down due to high-temperature operation, and lower round-trip efficiency than Li-ion batteries.
10:30 AM Invited
Superconductor Busbar Systems in the Light of Increased Energy Costs: Wolfgang Reiser1; Till Reek2; Claus Hanebeck1; Peter Abrell1; 1Vision Electric Super Conductors Gmbh; 2Consultant Engineer
The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to a shortage and increase of energy costs. Every MWh that can be saved does not need to be generated. Direct current transmission with superconductors takes place without electrical resistance and without line losses. The potential use cases in the aluminum industry presented during TMS 2021 will be highlighted and re-evaluated on the new energy costs. The relations between conventional technologies and the innovative superconductor technology are shifting. Technologies previously considered unfeasible gain importance. In the paper, different variants of influencing the investment and operating costs by changes in the choice of superconductors and refrigeration technology are presented. Alternative variants are described technically and evaluated economically. Investment costs are indicated as well as costs for maintenance, operation and total cost of ownership for various timelines. A special chapter will describe the advantages of a combined pipeline for transfer of liquid hydrogen and superconductor electricity.
10:50 AM
Critical Metals for Clean Energy: Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Coal Ash: Sara Penney1; Shafiq Alam1; 1University of Saskatchewan
As the global community strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, green technologies are becoming a top priority, in turn increasing the demand for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) as they are crucial in the production of clean energy. This increase in demand has led to the search for alternative sources of REEs, hence the recovery from fly and bottom ash, a waste product from the burning of coal for energy. This paper will discuss the extraction of REEs from the coal ash of SaskPower's Poplar River Thermal Power Plants.