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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Induction Melter Processing Alternatives for High Level Radioactive Wastes – 26198

This work investigates the potential to vitrify nuclear fuel directly, as well as the vitrification potential associated with experimental dissolver solutions. Greater understanding of the exothermicity is needed to quantify processing risk, especially with respect to potential phase changes and associated explosion hazards present in some systems. Thermal analysis was carried out on various simulants to elucidate the exothermic reaction potential from solid metal dissolution in glass and from the drying of alternative process dissolver solutions. Results from experimental testing of simulants to demonstrate vitrification potential and compatibility indicate that alternative dissolver flowsheets suppress the heat released during processing and that common silicate- and phosphate- based glass systems are potential candidates for direct vitrification. Direct vitrification (conversion) of fuel simulants was assessed using laboratory scale glass melts to obtain qualitative information on dissolution rates and waste loadings. Initial tests were successful to dissolve and incorporate metal directly into glass, although the kinetics and limits of dissolution and incorporation into glass are not fully understood.

Amoroso, Jake [Savannah River National Laboratory ↗
NASA NTRS2015

3D Photocatalytic Air Processor for Dramatic Reduction of Life Support Mass and Complexity

To dramatically reduce the cost and risk of CO2 management systems in future extended missions, we have conducted preliminary studies on the materials and device development for advanced "artificial photosynthesis" reaction systems termed the High Tortuosity PhotoElectroChemical (HTPEC) system. Our Phase I studies have demonstrated that HTPEC operates in much the same way a tree would function, namely directly contacting the cabin air with a photocatalyst in the presence of light and water (as humidity) to immediately conduct the process of CO2 reduction to O2 and useful, "tunable" carbon products. This eliminates many of the inefficiencies associated with current ISS CO2 management systems. We have laid the solid foundation for Phase II work to employ novel and efficient reactor geometries, lighting approaches, 3D manufacturing methods and in-house grown novel catalytic materials.The primary objective of the proposed work is to demonstrate the scientific and engineering foundation for light-activated, compact devices capable of converting CO2 to O2 and mission-relevant carbon compounds. The proposed HTPEC CO2 management system will demonstrate a novel pathway with high efficiency and reliability in a compact, lightweight reactor architecture. The proposed HTPEC air processing concept can be developed in multiple architectures, such as centralized processing as well as "artificial leaves" distributed throughout the cabin that utilize pre-existing cabin ventilation (wind). Additionally, HTPEC can be deployed with spectrally tunable collection channels for selectable product generation. HTPEC employs light as its only energy source to remove and convert waste CO2 using a non-toxic composite catalyst.We have demonstrated in the Phase I studies the production, tunability and robustness of the novel composite catalysts following the preliminary work in the Chen laboratory. Additionally, we have designed, fabricated and tested all components of HTPEC device with active materials, including flow modeling to optimize flow mixing and pressure drop as well as the production of ethylene and other larger hydrocarbons. To best determine how this technology could be implemented, we also performed system integration optimization and trade studies. This includes parameters such as mass, volume, power in relation to selected mission configurations, CO2 delivery methods and light source/delivery approaches.

Artificial Photosynthesis↗
NASA NTRS2015

Analysis of Process Gases and Trace Contaminants in Membrane-Aerated Gaseous Effluent Streams.

In membrane-aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs), hollow fibers are used to supply oxygen to the biofilms and bulk fluid. A pressure and concentration gradient between the inner volume of the fibers and the reactor reservoir drives oxygen mass transport across the fibers toward the bulk solution, providing the fiber-adhered biofilm with oxygen. Conversely, bacterial metabolic gases from the bulk liquid, as well as from the biofilm, move opposite to the flow of oxygen, entering the hollow fiber and out of the reactor. Metabolic gases are excellent indicators of biofilm vitality, and can aid in microbial identification. Certain gases can be indicative of system perturbations and control anomalies, or potentially unwanted biological processes occurring within the reactor. In confined environments, such as those found during spaceflight, it is important to understand what compounds are being stripped from the reactor and potentially released into the crew cabin to determine the appropriateness or the requirement for additional mitigation factors. Reactor effluent gas analysis focused on samples provided from Kennedy Space Center's sub-scale MABRs, as well as Johnson Space Center's full-scale MABRs, using infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography techniques. Process gases, such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, nitrogen dioxide, and nitrous oxide, were quantified to monitor reactor operations. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) GC-MS analysis was used to identify trace volatile compounds. Compounds of interest were subsequently quantified. Reactor supply air was examined to establish target compound baseline concentrations. Concentration levels were compared to average ISS concentration values and/or Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) levels where appropriate. Based on a review of to-date results, current trace contaminant control systems (TCCS) currently on board the ISS should be able to handle the added load from bioreactor systems without the need for secondary mitigation.

Gaseous Effluent Streams↗
NASA NTRS2014

The Formation of Solid Particles from their Gas-Phase Molecular Precursors in Cosmic Environments with NASA Ames' COSmIC Facility

We present and discuss the unique characteristics and capabilities of the laboratory facility, COSmIC, that was developed at NASA Ames to generate, process and analyze interstellar, circumstellar and planetary analogs in the laboratory. COSmIC stands for Cosmic Simulation Chamber and is dedicated to the study of molecules and ions under the low temperature and high vacuum conditions that are required to simulate interstellar, circumstellar and planetary physical environments in space. COSmIC integrates a variety of state-of-the-art instruments that allow forming, processing and monitoring simulated space conditions for planetary, circumstellar and interstellar materials in the laboratory. COSmIC is composed of a Pulsed Discharge Nozzle (PDN) expansion that generates a free jet supersonic expansion coupled to two ultrahigh-sensitivity, complementary in situ diagnostics: a Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) system for photonic detection and a Reflectron Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (ReTOF-MS) for mass detection. Recent, unique, laboratory astrophysics results that were obtained using the capabilities of COSmIC will be discussed, in particular the progress that have been achieved in monitoring in the laboratory the formation of solid gains from their gas-phase molecular precursors in environments as varied as stellar/circumstellar outflow and planetary atmospheres. Plans for future, next generation, laboratory experiments on cosmic molecules and grains in the growing field of laboratory astrophysics will also be addressed as well as the implications of these studies for current and upcoming space missions.

COSmIC↗
NASA NTRS2001

ISRU Technologies for Mars Life Support

Life support systems can take advantage of elements in the atmosphere of Mars to provide for necessary consumables such as oxygen and buffer gas for makeup of leakage. In situ consumables production (ISCP) can be performed effectively in conjunction with in situ propellant production, in which oxygen and methane are manufactured for rocket fuel. This project considers ways of achieving the optimal system objectives from the two sometimes competing objectives of ISPP and ISCP. In previous years we worked on production of a nitrogen-argon buffer gas as a by- product of the CO2 acquisition and compression system. Recently we have been focusing on combined electrolysis of water vapor and carbon dioxide. Combined electrolysis of water vapor and carbon dioxide is essential for reducin,o the complexity of a combined ISPP/ISCP plant. Using a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) for this combined process would be most advantageous for it allows mainly gas phase reactions, O2 gas delivered from the electrolyzer is free of any H2O vapor, and SOE is already a proven technology for pure CO2 electrolysis. Combined SOEC testing is conducted at The University of Arizona in the Space Technologies Laboratory (STL) of the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department.

Finn, John E.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Method of producing superplastic alloys and superplastic alloys produced by the method

A method for producing new superplastic alloys by inducing in an alloy the formation of precipitates having a sufficient size and homogeneous distribution that a sufficiently refined grain structure to produce superplasticity is obtained after subsequent PSN processing. An age-hardenable alloy having at least one dispersoid phase is selected for processing. The alloy is solution heat-treated and cooled to form a supersaturated solid solution. The alloy is plastically deformed sufficiently to form a high-energy defect structure useful for the subsequent heterogeneous nucleation of precipitates. The alloy is then aged, preferably by a multi-stage low and high temperature process, and precipitates are formed at the defect sites. The alloy then is subjected to a PSN process comprising plastically deforming the alloy to provide sufficient strain energy in the alloy to ensure recrystallization, and statically recrystallizing the alloy. A grain structure exhibiting new, fine, equiaxed and uniform grains is produced in the alloy. An exemplary 6xxx alloy of the type capable of being produced by the present invention, and which is useful for aerospace, automotive and other applications, is disclosed and claimed. The process is also suitable for processing any age-hardenable aluminum or other alloy.

Troeger, Lillianne P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Low Temperature Formation of Carbonaceous Grains from Hydrocarbons and PAHs with the COSmIC Facility

Complex carbon molecules and ions are ubiquitous in space and form the building blocks of the carbonaceous components of cosmic dust grains, ultimately contributing to the formation of planets. We report experimental investigations of the low temperature chemical pathways leading to the formation of cosmic grain analogs from gas phase molecular precursors to better understand the evolution of cosmic carbon. The study of the formation of dust is essential to understand and to quantify the budget of extraterrestrial organic molecules. Although dust plays an important role in the evolution of interstellar chemistry and in the formation of organic molecules, little is known on the formation and destruction processes of carbonaceous dust. The experiments were performed using the Cosmic Simulation Chamber (COSmIC) to generate and characterize solid grains formed from gas phase precursors under controlled conditions representative of astrophysical environments [1]. Using COSmIC, it is possible to investigate the evolution of cosmic carbon from the formation of neutral and ionized hydrocarbons and PAHs in the gas phase [2], to solid carbon grains [3, 4, 5]. This is achieved by using a pulsed slit discharge nozzle to produce an adiabatic jet expansion and cool down Ar-hydrocarbon and PAH gas mixtures to astrophysically relevant temperature before inducing chemistry by generating a plasma discharge in the stream of the expansion. This plasma induced chemistry results in the formation of complex molecules and solid particles, analogs of cosmic grains in situ in the plasma expansion (i.e., without wall effects) that are carried by the accelerated gas in the expansion, and collected on substrates placed a few centimeters downstream of the electrodes. The results of a preliminary solid phase ex-situ analysis of cosmic grain analogs produced from a series of gas mixtures including hydrocarbons such as CH4 and C2H2 [3] and PAHs [4, 5] found in circumstellar ejecta of late C stars will be discussed. SEM imaging was used to provide insight on the impact of the precursors on the morphology and growth structure of the grains produced [3]. Laser desorption mass spectrometry was used to identify the molecules making up the main structures within the condensed grains [4] while X-ray irradiation and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy were used to investigate the impact the impact of stellar X-rays on cosmic dust.

Carbonaceous Grains↗
DOE OSTI2025

Aqueous Zr/Hf IV ‐Oxo Cluster Speciation and Separation

Abstract Many industrial separations of chemically‐similar elements are achieved by solvent extraction, exploiting differences in speciation and solubility across aqueous‐organic interfaces. We recently identified [OM 4 (OH) 6 (SCN) 12 ] 4− (OM 4 , M=Zr/Hf IV ) tetrahedral oxoclusters as the main species in industrial processes that produce nuclear‐grade Zr and Hf from crude ore. However, isostructural/isoelectronic OM 4 ‐oxoclusters do not explain selective extraction of Hf into the organic phase. Here we have characterized heterometal Hf−Zr clusters in solution and the solid‐state yielding key information about their fundamentally different chemistry that engenders separation. Clusters prepared with both ammonium (industrial process) and tetramethylammonium counter cations revealed that 1) heterometal clusters (instead of a mixture of homometal clusters) assemble, and 2) Hf‐rich OM 4 selectively precipitates over Zr‐rich OM 4 , providing a separation process that does not require an organic extractant. Mass spectrometry, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, solution‐state 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and solid‐state 17 O NMR evidence both mixed‐metal speciation and selective Hf‐precipitation. Raman spectroscopy suggests greater Zr‐ligand lability than Hf‐ligand lability, consistent with higher aqueous solubility of Zr‐rich clusters, enabling both extraction and precipitation‐based separation. Fundamentally, we also identify a key difference between these chemically similar elements that has enabled diversification of Zr‐polyoxocation chemistry over the last decade, while Hf‐polyoxocation chemistry lags.

Roseborough, Alexander [Department of Chemistry Or↗
NASA NTRS1993

Immiscible phase incorporation during directional solidification of hypermonotectics

Solidification processes in immiscible samples were investigated by directly observing the events taking place at the solid-liquid interface during directional solidification. Visualization of these events was made possible through the use of a transparent metal analog system and a temperature gradient stage assembly fitted to an optical microscope. The immiscible transparent analog system utilized was the succinonitrile-glycerol system. This system has been shown to exhibit the same morphological transitions as observed in metallic alloys of monotectic composition. Both monotectic and hypermonotectic composition samples were directionally solidified in order to gain an improved understanding of the manner in which the excess hypermonotectic liquid is incorporated into the solidifying structure. The processing conditions utilized prevented sedimentation of the excess hypermonotectic liquid by directionally solidifying the samples in very thin (13 microns), horizontally oriented cells. High thermal gradient to growth rate ratios (G/R) were used in an effort to prevent constitutional supercooling and the subsequent formation of L(sub 2) droplets in advance of the solidification front during the growth of fibrous composite structures. Results demonstrated that hypermonotectic composites could be produced in samples up to two weight percent off of the monotectic composition by using a G/R ratio greater than or equal to 4.6 x 10(exp 4) C(s)/mm(sup 2) to avoid constitutional supercooling. For hypermonotectic samples processed with G/R ratios below 4.6 x 10(exp 4) C(s)/mm(sup 2), constitutional supercooling occurred and resulted in slight interfacial instability. For these samples, two methods of incorporation of the hypermonotectic liquid were observed and are reported. The correlation between the phase spacing, lambda, and the growth rate, R, was examined and was found to obey a relationship generally associated with a diffusion controlled coupled growth process. For samples with compositions ranging from the monotectic composition up to 2 percent off of the monotectic composition, data indicated that the square of the phase spacing (lambda) varied linearly with the inverse of the growth rate (R).

Andrews, J. Barry↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Mineralogical Analysis of Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusions Provides Insight Into Post-Formation Processes

Introduction: Calcium-aluminum inclusions (CAIs) are cm- to mm-sized intergrowths of refractory phases found in chondritic meteorites [1]. Their mineral compositions closely match the compositions of the solids thought to condense from an extremely hot (>1500K) gas with a bulk solar composition [2-4], suggesting that CAIs were the earliest solids within the Solar System [2-4]. These inclusions provide invaluable insights into the conditions and dynamics of the early Solar System. CAIs must be transported from their formation region near the protosun to the chondrite parent-body accretion region. The nature of their journey could affect how, when, and where the secondary processes recorded in these CAIs occurred [4]. Did these secondary processes occur in the solar nebula or during accretion with the parent body, or both? How were the CAIs affected by varying thermochemical processes? To better answer these questions, we have undertaken an in-depth, textural study of the secondary alteration of select CAI samples. Methods: We chose three CAIs that experienced a range of post-formation processing to gain better understanding of secondary alteration based on previous preliminary examination [5]. Representative CAIs were chosen from NWA 5508 (CV3), NWA 12772 (CV3), and Coolidge (CL4) carbonaceous chondrites. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques for detailed chemical, mineralogical, and textural analysis of the CAIs. Backscattered electron (BSE) images and X-ray elemental maps were taken of Coolidge and NWA 5508 using the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) Phenom SEM. The JEOL 7900F SEM at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) was used to obtain energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) chemical maps of all samples. High resolution EBSD analysis identified the mineral phases and textures, providing key information on their nature. Based on the SEM and EBSD data, minerals of interest were selected for quantitative chemical electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) using the JEOL JXA-8530F at NASA JSC. Results and Discussion: The EDS maps show that the NWA 5508 and NWA 12772 CAIs designated “Saguaro” and “Hoopoe” respectively [5] are enriched in calcium while the Coolidge CAI designated “Cottonwood” is aluminum and magnesium rich. Saguaro. A ~1.5cm diameter igneous Type B CAI with a rounded shape. The dominant phases are melilite, spinel, and Al-Ti pyroxene with minor anorthite. Spinel is subhedral and occurs in clusters. Some of these clusters have a circular geometry which encloses other minerals, known as a palisade structure [6] (Fig. 1). Some palisades form near perfect circles while others are more irregular in shape. Melilite in Saguaro ranges in size from coarse (>250m) to fine-grained (5-7m) and forms intergrown laths. A third of the melilite grains exhibit simple twinning about their <001> axis. The spinel palisades and twinned melilite in Saguaro suggest an igneous history, and the lack of secondary minerals suggests minimal aqueous alteration. At some point in time after the initial condensation of the minerals and formation of the inclusion, the sample was remelted and quickly solidified. The formation of the palisades is still heavily debated. One hypothesis is that the palisades are the rims of smaller CAIs that accreted early on, essentially acting as xenoliths within the larger CAIs [7]. Another hypothesis suggests an igneous origin for palisade structures [6-8] wherein the melt traps gas bubbles, and the spinel nucleates on the surface of this bubble. Based on the WDS spot analyses of 41 melilite grains using EPMA, the data suggest that the composition inside and outside the palisades is nearly identical. This finding indicates that these palisades are likely not exogenous but rather formed from melt-vapor reactions. Our results are consistent with studies by Simon and Grossman,1997 [6] and Zhang et al. (2019) [8]. Hoopoe. A ~0.5cm compact Type A CAI with an irregular shape. The dominant mineral phases are melilite, spinel, and hibonite with minor amounts of anorthite, augite, and perovskite. The melilite ranges in size from ~500 to 50µm. The larger melilite grains have simple twinning along the <001> axis like melilite in Saguaro. Melilite in Hoopoe exhibits crystal-plastic strain with misorientation dominantly about the <010> and <110> axes. Spinel shows subhedral to euhedral morphology and appears in clusters. Hibonite grains are similar to spinel in habit and size but show more plastic strain. The two minerals are often found together with one appearing to replace the other. Perovskite appears in fine grained recrystallized regions alongside fine augite and spinel. The abundant strain and deformation features in the melilite and hibonite suggest that Hoopoe experienced shock. This shock could have occurred in the nebula [9] or from an impact of another body on the parent body asteroid. The appearance of fine-grained (<10m) areas of augite, perovskite, and spinel in the dominantly coarse-grained inclusion suggest recrystallization, possibly due to the sudden increase in pressure and temperature. Cottonwood. This ~0.5cm CAI exhibits distinct mineralogy and textures suggesting a high degree of alteration. It is irregular in shape. The dominant mineral phases are spinel and anorthite with minor amounts of augite and rutile. The two main texture types can be seen in Fig. 2. The first type consists of coarse euhedral to subhedral spinel and anorthite. The second includes fine grained spinel, anorthite, rutile, and iron sulfides. Within these fine-grained regions, the anorthite grains are clustered into domains exhibiting the same crystallographic orientation. Rutile exclusively occurs with fine anorthite indicating a potential relationship between the two. Cottonwood has a clear and unbroken Wark-Lovering [10] rim (Fig. 2) on one side that consists of a sequence of spinel followed by anorthite and an outer layer of augite. The abundance of the fine-grained regions containing iron oxides and iron sulfides, secondary phases such as rutile, and oriented anorthite grains is evidence for recrystallization associated with a high degree of thermal metamorphism. The EPMA analyses on both coarse- and fine-grained spinel show that the fine spinel grains are more enriched in Cr (1-2 wt. %) than their coarse counterparts (0.1-0.5 wt. %). The data suggest thermal metamorphism drove chemical exchange of the previously refractory inclusion, introducing chromium and iron as well as sulfur, which is moderately volatile. Conclusions: The three CAIs analyzed record distinct secondary nebular and parent body processes. Saguaro melted in the nebula as seen by the twinned melilite and spinel palisades. Hoopoe experienced intense shock which deformed its melilite and recrystallized perovskite, augite, and spinel in fine-grained regions. Cottonwood shows evidence of recrystallization and chemical changes consistent with thermal metamorphism occurring after accretion into the parent-body.

V E Burnette↗
DOE OSTI2025

Optical vibrational spectroscopic signatures of ammonium diuranate process parameters

Ammonium diuranate (ADU) is commonly encountered in the nuclear fuel cycle; however, previous investigations have shown that ADU is a complex mixture of distinct compounds. Moreover, production parameters are known to heavily influence the composition of the resulting ADU. Here, we examine four samples of ADU prepared at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and one sample of ADU made at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), with the goal of further characterizing and elucidating the effect of processing parameters such as stir rate, strike direction, and temperature on material composition. Process parameters during ADU precipitation at ORNL and PNNL were well documented, and we relate process variables to optical vibrational spectroscopic signatures observed using Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In addition, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) reveals differences in the solid-phase composition of ADU precipitates, but we find that the primary phase is similar to the uranyl oxyhydroxyhydrate mineral metaschoepite. Despite the significant phase contributions of a metaschoepite-like phase, spectroscopic evidence of both nitrate and ammonium are observed for all samples. To gain a more holistic understanding of spectroscopic features of process parameters in ADU, principal component analysis (PCA) is employed and results in observable signatures that relate to the stir rate used during synthesis. These results provide further information about the process-dependence of ADU precipitate composition.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1996

Fundamental Phenomena on Fuel Decomposition and Boundary-Layer Combustion Precesses with Applications to Hybrid Rocket Motors: Experimental Investigation - Part 1

This final report summarizes the major findings on the subject of 'Fundamental Phenomena on Fuel Decomposition and Boundary-Layer Combustion Processes with Applications to Hybrid Rocket Motors', performed from 1 April 1994 to 30 June 1996. Both experimental results from Task 1 and theoretical/numerical results from Task 2 are reported here in two parts. Part 1 covers the experimental work performed and describes the test facility setup, data reduction techniques employed, and results of the test firings, including effects of operating conditions and fuel additives on solid fuel regression rate and thermal profiles of the condensed phase. Part 2 concerns the theoretical/numerical work. It covers physical modeling of the combustion processes including gas/surface coupling, and radiation effect on regression rate. The numerical solution of the flowfield structure and condensed phase regression behavior are presented. Experimental data from the test firings were used for numerical model validation.

Kuo, Kenneth K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Integrated lunar materials manufacturing process

A manufacturing plant and process for production of oxygen on the moon uses lunar minerals as feed and a minimum of earth-imported, process materials. Lunar feed stocks are hydrogen-reducible minerals, ilmenite and lunar agglutinates occurring in numerous, explored locations mixed with other minerals in the pulverized surface layer of lunar soil known as regolith. Ilmenite (FeTiO.sub.3) and agglutinates contain ferrous (Fe.sup.+2) iron reducible by hydrogen to yield H.sub.2 O and metallic Fe at about 700.degree.-1,200.degree. C. The H.sub.2 O is electrolyzed in gas phase to yield H.sub.2 for recycle and O.sub.2 for storage and use. Hydrogen losses to lunar vacuum are minimized, with no net hydrogen (or any other earth-derived reagent) consumption except for small leaks. Feed minerals are surface-mined by front shovels and transported in trucks to the processing area. The machines are manned or robotic. Ilmenite and agglutinates occur mixed with silicate minerals which are not hydrogen-reducible at 700.degree.-1,200.degree. C. and consequently are separated and concentrated before feeding to the oxygen generation process. Solids rejected from the separation step and reduced solids from the oxygen process are returned to the mine area. The plant is powered by nuclear or solar power generators. Vapor-phase water electrolysis, a staged, countercurrent, fluidized bed reduction reactor and a radio-frequency-driven ceramic gas heater are used to improve thermal efficiency.

Gibson, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Advancements in Spacecraft Brine Water Recovery: Development of a Radial Vaned Capillary Drying Tray

Technology improvements in the recovery of water from brine are critical to establishing closedloop water recovery systems, enabling long duration missions, and achieving a sustained human presence in space. A genre of 'in-place drying' brine water recovery concepts, collectively referred to herein as Brine Residual In-Containment (BRIC), are under development which aim to increase the overall robustness and reliability of the brine recovery process by performing drying inside the container used for final disposal of the solid residual waste. Implementation of in-place drying techniques have been demonstrated for applications where gravity is present and phase separation occurs naturally by buoyancy induced effects. In this work, a microgravity compatible analogue of the gravity-driven phase separation process is considered by exploiting capillarity in the form of surface wetting, surface tension, and container geometry. The proposed design consists of a series of planar radial vanes aligned about a central slotted core. Preliminary testing of the fundamental geometry in a reduced gravity environment has shown the device to spontaneously fill and saturate rapidly creating a free surface from which evaporation and phase separation can occur similar to a 1-g like 'cylindrical pool' of fluid. Mathematical modeling and analysis of the design suggest predictable rates of filling and stability of fluid containment as a function of relevant system dimensions, e.g., number of vanes, vane length, width, and thickness. A description of the proposed capillary design solution is presented along with preliminary results from testing, modeling and analysis of the system.

Callahan, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Photolysis of Pure Solid O3 and O2 Films at 193nm

We studied quantitatively the photochemistry of solid O3 and O2 films at 193 nm and 22 K with infrared spectroscopy and microgravimetry. Photolysis of pure ozone destroyed O3, but a small amount of ozone remained in the film at high fluence. Photolysis of pure O2 produced O3 in an amount that increased with photon fluence to a stationary level. For both O2 and O3 films, the O3:O2 ratio at large fluences is ?0.07, about two orders of magnitude larger than those obtained in gas phase photolysis. This enhancement is attributed to the increased photodissociation of O2 due to photoabsorption by O2 dimers, a process significant at solid-state densities. We obtain initial quantum yield for ozone synthesis from solid oxygen, phi (O3) = 0.24 0.06, and quantum yields for destruction of O3 and O2 in their parent solids, phi(-O3) = 1.0 0.2 and phi(-O2) = 0.36 0.1. Combined with known photoabsorption cross sections, we estimate probabilities for geminate recombination of 0.5 0.1 for O3 fragments and 0.88 0.03 for oxygen atoms from O2 dissociation. Using a single parameter kinetic model, we deduce the ratio of reaction cross sections for an O atom with O2 vs. O3 to be 0.1 0.2. The general good agreement of the model with the data suggests the validity of the central assumption of efficient energy and spin relaxation of photofragments in the solid prior to their reactions with other species.

Raut, U.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Noncontact temperature pattern measuring device

This invention relates to a noncontact imagine pyrometer system for obtaining the true temperature image of a given substance in a contactless fashion without making assumptions about localized emissivity of the substance or the uniformity of the temperature distribution. Such a contactless temperature imaging system has particular application in the study and production of many materials where the physical contact required to make a conventional temperature measurement drastically effects or contaminates the physical process being observed. Two examples where accurate temperature profiles are of critical interest are: (1) the solid-liquid phase change interface in the production of electronic materials and (2) metastable materials in the undercooling region. The apparent novelty resides in the recognition that an active pyrometer system may be advantageously adapted to perform contactless temperature imaging so that an accurate temperature profile can be obtained.

Elleman, D. D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Orbital Processing of Eutectic Rod-Like Arrays

The eutectic is one of only three solidification classes that exist. The others are isostructural and peritectic-class reactions, respectively. Simplistically, in a binaryeutectic phase diagram, a single liquid phase isothermally decomposes to two solid phases in a cooperative manner. The melting point minimum at the eutectic composition, isothermal solidification temperature, near-isocompositional solidification and refined solidification microstructure lend themselves naturally to such applications as brazing and soldering; industries that eutectic alloys dominate. Interest in direct process control of microstructures has led, more recently, to in-situ eutectic directional solidification with applications in electro-magnetics and electro-optics. In these cases, controlled structural refinement and the high aspect ratio and regularity of the distributed eutectic phases is highly significant to the fabrication and application of these in-situ natural composites. The natural pattern formation and scaling of the dispersed phase on a sub-micron scale has enormous potential application, since fabricating bulk materials on this scale mechanically has proven to be particularly difficult. It is thus of obvious importance to understand the solidification of eutectic materials since they are of great commercial significance. The dominant theory that describes eutectic solidification was derived for diffusion-controlled growth of alloys where both solid eutectic phases solidify metallically, i.e. without faceting at the solidification interface. Both high volume fraction (lamellar) and low volume fraction (rod-like) regular metallic arrays are treated by this theory. Many of the useful solders and brazements, however, and most of the regular in-situ composites are characterized by solidification reactions that are faceted/non-faceted in nature, rather than doubly non-faceted (metallic). Further, diffusion-controlled growth conditions are atypical terrestrially since gravitationally-driven convection is pervasive. As a consequence, it is important to determine whether these faceted/non-faceted composites behave in the same manner as their doubly non-faceted counterparts, particularly in the presence of convection. Prior analytical convective sensitivity testing of this theory predicted insensitivity. Prior experimental testing of this theory offered broad-based agreement between theory and experiment, though most results were for high volume fraction lamellar eutectics that solidified without faceting at the solidification interface. Directional solidification experiments of low volume fraction rod eutectics under damped (microgravity or magnetic field) conditions, however, have demonstrated significant sensitivity, challenging this fundamental theory. More recent theories have been proposed which introduce kinetic undercooling, faceting, fluid shear of the solute redistribution zone and the possibility that the interface composition is not the same as the bulk liquid composition. This program tests the established and proposed analytical theories and addresses the origins of discrepancies between the experimental and analytical results.

Larson, David J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Advances in Spacecraft Brine Water Recovery: Development of a Radial Vaned Capillary Drying Tray

Technology improvements in the recovery of water from brine are critical to establishing closed-loop water recovery systems, enabling long-duration missions, and achieving a sustained human presence in space. A genre of 'in-place drying' brine water recovery concepts, collectively referred to herein as Brine Residual In-Containment, are under development. These brine water recovery concepts aim to increase the overall robustness and reliability of the brine recovery process by performing drying inside the container used for final disposal of the solid residual waste. Implementation of in-place drying techniques have been demonstrated for applications where gravity is present and phase separation occurs naturally by buoyancy-induced effects. In this work, a microgravity-compatible analogue of the gravity-driven phase separation process is considered by exploiting capillarity in the form of surface wetting, surface tension, and container geometry. The proposed design consists of a series of planar radial vanes aligned about a central slotted core. Preliminary testing of the fundamental geometry in a reduced gravity environment has shown the device to spontaneously fill and saturate rapidly, thereby creating a free surface from which evaporation and phase separation can occur similar to a terrestrial-like 'cylindrical pool' of fluid. Mathematical modeling and analysis of the design suggest predictable rates of filling and stability of fluid containment as a function of relevant system dimensions; e.g., number of vanes, vane length, width, and thickness. A description of the proposed capillary design solution is presented along with preliminary results from testing, modeling, and analysis of the system.

Callahan, Michael R.↗