Sandia National Laboratories recently hosted representatives from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and Noble Thermodynamics Systems, Inc. (NTS) at the Sandia Livermore campus. The visit provided the CEC with an overview of how Sandia’s Heavy-Duty Fuel-Flexible Optical Engine Laboratory capabilities are leveraged to support NTS’ development of the Argon Power Cycle (APC).
NTS’ APC technology is a power generation solution designed to deliver clean process heat and electrical power for industrial applications. Unlike conventional thermal plants, NTS’ APC uses oxygen-argon mixtures instead of air as the working fluid to eliminate air polluting emissions and radically improve overall system efficiency. The project’s goal is to enable power plant operation across the full range of hydrogen-natural gas blends, from 0% to 100% hydrogen, without degrading emissions or performance metrics.
During the visit, CEC and NTS representatives toured Sandia’s optical engine facility, which has been modified for APC operation. The optical engine enables researchers to directly visualize in-cylinder processes; these data are used to optimize operating parameters and design metrics that maximize performance and reduce the risk for abnormal combustion. These capabilities showcase Sandia’s expertise in applying advanced diagnostics to reciprocating engines to solve complex engineering challenges and represent an unmatched capability within the United States.
This work, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, CEC, and private investors advances high-efficiency, low-emissions power generation technologies that support energy resilience, infrastructure modernization, and lower lifecycle energy costs.
For more information about how Sandia’s vehicle research supports electrification technologies, automation, and advanced combustion technologies for all transportation modes, visit our webpage.
March 4, 2026