The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that, in 2010, for all U.S. buildings (including Departm... more The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that, in 2010, for all U.S. buildings (including Department of Defense [DOD] Facilities), 15.6 quads of primary energy consumption was attributable to fenestration and opaque building envelope components, of which the wall-related primary energy consumption was about 21%, or 3.3 quads. For commercial facilities, primary energy consumption attributed to walls during heating cycles was 1.48 quads, or ~30% of total energy consumption due to building envelope components. Heat loss through walls during a heating cycle is a critical component of overall facility energy use and mitigation measures are important to reduce total facility energy consumption. This project demonstrated and validated the use of modified atmosphere insulation to reduce wall-related energy consumption in DOD facilities. By retrofitting walls and increasing their thermal resistance (Rvalue) by R10-20 (h-ft 2-°F/Btu), reductions of 30% or more over the baseline wall-generated space conditioning loads are possible. A combination of facility sensors and modeling activities were used to determine the effectiveness of the MAI.
A direct borohydride fuel cell stack with a novel integrated manifold, along with a control syste... more A direct borohydride fuel cell stack with a novel integrated manifold, along with a control system, was designed, manufactured and studied. Two fuel cell stacks were built and demonstrated. The main objective was to build these stacks to achieve a power level of 100 watts. The control system was designed to allow for fuel cell startup and to self-sustain the stack. One 12 cell stack was able to achieve 168 Watts at 14 W/cell or 140 mW/cm 2 , with the second 9 cell stack only able to achieve 5.6 W/cell , 56 mW/cm 2 , or 54 W. A design flaw was encountered which did not allow for extended operation of the stack. A quick "fix" solution to this problem was attempted in the second stack. The solution, however, introduced several new issues which resulted in degraded performance. Nevertheless, the control system showed the cell stack can operate independently. This study has provided valuable information about the cell stack and control system performance which will be extremely helpful in future designs.
Our recent gas loaded nanoparticle experiments are an outgrowth of several years’ study of ultra-... more Our recent gas loaded nanoparticle experiments are an outgrowth of several years’ study of ultra-high density regions (“clusters”) of Hydrogen (H2) or Deuterium (D2) found in voids or dislocation loops in the thin film electrodes. We extended these techniques to creation of clusters in pores in nanoparticles employed in gas loading nanoparticle experiments. The nanoparticles use various alloys ranging from Pd-rich to Ni-rich. D2 or H2 gas at pressures up to 100 psi is used, with the Pd-rich or Ni-rich nanoparticles, respectively. Pressurization creates LENRs among the cluster and host atoms. The energy obtained from LENRs is many magnitudes larger than any input energy such as the initial absorption energy. No detectable radiation has been observed outside of the pressure vessel containing the nanoparticles, but low energy beta particle emission as well as transmutated elements from “used” nanoparticles are under study. These results are the basis for design of a prototype power dev...
This work performed measurement and verification of installed, operational solar wall systems at ... more This work performed measurement and verification of installed, operational solar wall systems at Fort Drum, NY, and Forbes Field, Air National Guard, Topeka, KS. Actual annual savings were compared estimated savings generated by a solar wall modeling tool (RETScreen). A comparison with the RETScreen modeling tool shows that the measured actively heated air provided by the solar wall provides 57% more heat than the RETScreen tool predicted, after accounting for boiler efficiency. The solar wall at Fort Drum yields a net savings of $851/yr, for a simple payback of 146 years and a SIR of 0.16. RETScreen models indicate that the solar wall system at Forbes Field, Kansas Air National Guard, Topeka, KS saves $9,350/yr, for a simple payback of 58.8 years and a SIR of 0.34. Although results showed that, due to low natural gas prices, the Fort Drum system was not economically viable, it was recommended that the system still be used to meet renewable energy and fossil fuel reduction goals. Th...
The Army Installations of the Future Industry Day was held on 23 May 2019 at the Renaissance Capi... more The Army Installations of the Future Industry Day was held on 23 May 2019 at the Renaissance Capital View hotel in Arlington, VA to identify the availability and maturity of specific commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) “smart installation” capabilities, technologies, and products; and to seek interest from industry in exploring potential approaches, requirements, standards, and/or specifications for pilot demonstrations at Army installations focused on 10 use-case technology areas. The Industry Day event included approximately 336 participants comprised of Academia (5), Industry (226), and Government (105). This report presents “road maps” that outline the Army’s desired outcomes for the target technology areas and potential pilot technology demonstrations.
This work reviewed the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stock of buildings that has either been d... more This work reviewed the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stock of buildings that has either been declared historical or deemed eligible for historic building status. Six buildings at Fort Sill, OK, that represent commonly found buildings were selected to be studied for potential Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Three historic buildings at Fort Bliss were also included in the analysis. Computer models of the buildings energy use were developed and used to estimate the potential energy savings of the various EEMs. Costs for the EEMs were estimated, simple paybacks were calculated, and the results were extrapolated to the 15 U.S. climate zones and summarized. A list of EEMs that may be applicable to historic buildings and a general guide to their effectiveness in various climates was developed. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engine... more The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation's public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil.
The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that, in 2010, for all U.S. buildings (including Departm... more The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that, in 2010, for all U.S. buildings (including Department of Defense [DOD] Facilities), 15.6 quads of primary energy consumption was attributable to fenestration and opaque building envelope components, of which the wall-related primary energy consumption was about 21%, or 3.3 quads. For commercial facilities, primary energy consumption attributed to walls during heating cycles was 1.48 quads, or ~30% of total energy consumption due to building envelope components. Heat loss through walls during a heating cycle is a critical component of overall facility energy use and mitigation measures are important to reduce total facility energy consumption. This project demonstrated and validated the use of modified atmosphere insulation to reduce wall-related energy consumption in DOD facilities. By retrofitting walls and increasing their thermal resistance (Rvalue) by R10-20 (h-ft 2-°F/Btu), reductions of 30% or more over the baseline wall-generated space conditioning loads are possible. A combination of facility sensors and modeling activities were used to determine the effectiveness of the MAI.
A direct borohydride fuel cell stack with a novel integrated manifold, along with a control syste... more A direct borohydride fuel cell stack with a novel integrated manifold, along with a control system, was designed, manufactured and studied. Two fuel cell stacks were built and demonstrated. The main objective was to build these stacks to achieve a power level of 100 watts. The control system was designed to allow for fuel cell startup and to self-sustain the stack. One 12 cell stack was able to achieve 168 Watts at 14 W/cell or 140 mW/cm 2 , with the second 9 cell stack only able to achieve 5.6 W/cell , 56 mW/cm 2 , or 54 W. A design flaw was encountered which did not allow for extended operation of the stack. A quick "fix" solution to this problem was attempted in the second stack. The solution, however, introduced several new issues which resulted in degraded performance. Nevertheless, the control system showed the cell stack can operate independently. This study has provided valuable information about the cell stack and control system performance which will be extremely helpful in future designs.
Our recent gas loaded nanoparticle experiments are an outgrowth of several years’ study of ultra-... more Our recent gas loaded nanoparticle experiments are an outgrowth of several years’ study of ultra-high density regions (“clusters”) of Hydrogen (H2) or Deuterium (D2) found in voids or dislocation loops in the thin film electrodes. We extended these techniques to creation of clusters in pores in nanoparticles employed in gas loading nanoparticle experiments. The nanoparticles use various alloys ranging from Pd-rich to Ni-rich. D2 or H2 gas at pressures up to 100 psi is used, with the Pd-rich or Ni-rich nanoparticles, respectively. Pressurization creates LENRs among the cluster and host atoms. The energy obtained from LENRs is many magnitudes larger than any input energy such as the initial absorption energy. No detectable radiation has been observed outside of the pressure vessel containing the nanoparticles, but low energy beta particle emission as well as transmutated elements from “used” nanoparticles are under study. These results are the basis for design of a prototype power dev...
This work performed measurement and verification of installed, operational solar wall systems at ... more This work performed measurement and verification of installed, operational solar wall systems at Fort Drum, NY, and Forbes Field, Air National Guard, Topeka, KS. Actual annual savings were compared estimated savings generated by a solar wall modeling tool (RETScreen). A comparison with the RETScreen modeling tool shows that the measured actively heated air provided by the solar wall provides 57% more heat than the RETScreen tool predicted, after accounting for boiler efficiency. The solar wall at Fort Drum yields a net savings of $851/yr, for a simple payback of 146 years and a SIR of 0.16. RETScreen models indicate that the solar wall system at Forbes Field, Kansas Air National Guard, Topeka, KS saves $9,350/yr, for a simple payback of 58.8 years and a SIR of 0.34. Although results showed that, due to low natural gas prices, the Fort Drum system was not economically viable, it was recommended that the system still be used to meet renewable energy and fossil fuel reduction goals. Th...
The Army Installations of the Future Industry Day was held on 23 May 2019 at the Renaissance Capi... more The Army Installations of the Future Industry Day was held on 23 May 2019 at the Renaissance Capital View hotel in Arlington, VA to identify the availability and maturity of specific commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) “smart installation” capabilities, technologies, and products; and to seek interest from industry in exploring potential approaches, requirements, standards, and/or specifications for pilot demonstrations at Army installations focused on 10 use-case technology areas. The Industry Day event included approximately 336 participants comprised of Academia (5), Industry (226), and Government (105). This report presents “road maps” that outline the Army’s desired outcomes for the target technology areas and potential pilot technology demonstrations.
This work reviewed the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stock of buildings that has either been d... more This work reviewed the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) stock of buildings that has either been declared historical or deemed eligible for historic building status. Six buildings at Fort Sill, OK, that represent commonly found buildings were selected to be studied for potential Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Three historic buildings at Fort Bliss were also included in the analysis. Computer models of the buildings energy use were developed and used to estimate the potential energy savings of the various EEMs. Costs for the EEMs were estimated, simple paybacks were calculated, and the results were extrapolated to the 15 U.S. climate zones and summarized. A list of EEMs that may be applicable to historic buildings and a general guide to their effectiveness in various climates was developed. DISCLAIMER: The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. All product names and trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position unless so designated by other authorized documents.
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engine... more The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation's public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil.
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