CROSS-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ADVANCING FLUID AND THERMAL SCIENCES

The CRAFTS project supports the collaboration, on a consulting basis, of Dr. Alan Kerstein, USA (formerly Sandia National Laboratories; employed for 35 years) with research groups at SINTEF and NTNU on a variety of topics under the broad umbrella of thermal sciences. In particular, Dr. Kerstein interacts closely with scientists working within the FME's BIGCCS and CenBio, with a special focus to promote international collaboration. The collaborative approach is cross-disciplinary and engages a world-class scientist with the capability of in-depth insight into a multitude of disciplines relating to environmentally friendly technologies for energy conversion. The collaboration emphasizes the development of mutually beneficial ties between Norwegian researchers and researchers elsewhere, especially in the US. Progress highlights during the project are listed in two categories: Science and technology o Collaborated on the first coupling of a new advanced combustion formulation to a commonly used fluid-dynamics code, demonstrating new capabilities that will be useful for developing combustion systems that allow efficient CO2 capture. o Formulated a computational approach for predicting excessively rapid flame propagation leading to hazardous conditions in combustion systems. Improved prediction capability will enable better optimization of systems designed to use H2 and other renewables-based fuels. o Proposed a technical approach for improving the computational treatment of the flow of CO2 through a pipe fracture. o Proposed a model that represents the heat transfer mechanisms determining the possible occurrence of an explosion resulting from a spill of LNG onto water o Proposed strategies for particle-laden-flow modeling for application to CLS. o Proposed strategies for applying computational fluid dynamics methods to chemical looping combustion. o Proposed a modeling approach for municipal waste incineration (biomass utilization). o A pathway to detonation of floating LNG has been identified Program development and outreach - Proposed a fast-track strategy for the development and deployment of CCS systems that has been adopted as a central theme of a new FME proposal. - Proposed two disruptive concepts for inclusion in the upcoming bioenergy FME proposal: 1. Bio-feedstock cultivation systems that enable gathering and concentration of the biomass by natural processes (wind, water flow, gravity), and 2. Continuous growth of an ever-deepening layer of biomass that eventually gasifies due to the increasing overpressure, with pre-emplacement of in-situ gas-harvesting infrastructure. - Proposed research themes and technical approaches for a proposed NTNU center for fundamental studies of turbulent flow. - Introduced Norwegian researchers working on the possible fracture of CO2-carrying pipelines to a US group. - Identified and contacted a potential U.S. partner for a planned research project on nanomaterials for CCS. - Initiated and coordinated meetings between SINTEF and two leading US bioenergy groups (Advanced Fuel Research and Niksa Energy Associates) that have led to detailed plans for cooperative research. - Coordinated mutual visits between SINTEF and Sandia National Labs power-grid research groups. The visits have led to active research cooperation between the power-grid research groups. - Initiated an information exchange on the development of refrigeration strategies for carbon capture in Norway and the US. - Proposed a computational approach for evaluating the safety of hydrogen-enriched fuel use in gas turbine combustors. - Proposed mixing strategies to be evaluated during a project on argon engine development that has been proposed in collaboration with UC Berkeley. - Formulated a computational modeling approach for evaluating a flow instability arising in coil-wound heat exchangers for natural gas liquefaction. - Proposed a novel approach for modeling LNG tanker instability due to wave action, and contacted a potential US research partner with relevant expertise. - Contributed to the formulation of a research idea related to LNG explosions leading to a project proposal. - Proposed a novel process concept for in situ thermal conversion of hydrocarbon resources to obtain useful thermal output while keeping all carbon sequestered. - Participated in discussions on a future US-Norwegian research initiative on computational modeling of fundamental processes governing biomass gasification, involving cooperation between SINTEF, NTNU, Sandia National Labs, and Stanford University. - Arranged a cooperative effort with a UC Berkeley professor - Presentation of an overview and assessment of the global bioenergy enterprise at a CenBio review - Participation in discussions and meetings on strategies for international cooperation.

The CRAFTS project is a proposal for funding of a world-class scientist, Dr. Alan Kerstein, to work and collaborate very closely with research groups at NTNU and SINTEF. The project is intended broadly to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of transc ending disciplinary and institutional structure through a novel collaborative approach. The approach is cross-disciplinary in nature through the engagement of a scientist with the capability of in-depth insight into a multitude of disciplines related to e nvironmentally friendly technologies for energy conversion. Dr. Kerstein, presently Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, USA, has an outstanding scientific career with important contributions in combust ion, thermal-fluid flow, multi-phase phenomena, pipe flow, biofuel, atmospheric flow, and CO2 storage. Through CRAFTS, Dr. Kerstein will interact and collaborate with research scientists working within the FMEs CENBIO and BIGCCS and other projects funded by the RCN, such as the Knowledge-building Projects for Industry GasBio, KRAV, StableWood, STOP, BIGCO2, BIGH2, and OXYGT. He will also interact with scientists associated with the EUFP7 projects DECARBit and ECCO, in addition to the NORDICCS project, a N ordic Centre of Excellence within CCS. This will be beneficial for the quality of work and the research directions to be taken within these projects. Dr. Kersteins role is based on a 25% part-time engagement, highlighted by extended visits to Norway for o n-site interaction and collaboration with NTNU faculty and SINTEF staff and management. The general aim of the project is to promote extended international collaboration between Norwegian research groups and institutions in the US and Europe, to contribu te to important competence building for Norwegian scientists, and to boost ongoing research activities within RCN-funded FMEs and Knowledge-building Projects for Industry.