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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Post-Flight Sampling and Loading Characterization of Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly Charcoal

Trace chemical contaminants produced by equipment offgassing and human metabolic processes are removed from the atmosphere of the International Space Station s U.S. Segment by a trace contaminant control subassembly (TCCS). The TCCS employs a combination of physical adsorption, thermal catalytic oxidation, and chemical adsorption processes to accomplish its task. A large bed of granular activated charcoal is a primary component of the TCCS. The charcoal contained in this bed, known as the charcoal bed assembly (CBA), is expendable and must be replaced periodically. Pre-flight engineering analyses based upon TCCS performance testing results established a service life estimate of 1 year. After nearly 1 year of cumulative in-flight operations, the first CBA was returned for refurbishment. Charcoal samples were collected and analyzed for loading to determine the best estimate for the CBAs service life. A history of in-flight TCCS operations is presented as well as a discussion of the charcoal sampling procedures and chemical analysis results. A projected service life derived from the observed charcoal loading is provided. Recommendations for better managing TCCS resources are presented.

Perry, J. L.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Functionalized Cellular Magmatics

We are pioneering the development of fundamental and applied research related to engineered cellular magmatics (ECM) technology. Over the course of our first year, we developed the methodology and measured the effects of various additives on ECM properties. We demonstrated the ability to control the phase and morphology of post-process secondary minerals on ECMs based on starting conditions and compositions. Both achievements are critical to advancing the use of ECMs for applications such as water filtration and runoff remediation. We established the ability to grow various microbiologic consortia on ECM surfaces as well as a process that allows industrial scaling of the technology for rapid field deployment in applications such as the cleanup of fossil fuel contamination. Furthermore, this biotechnology also has potential application in the nascent fields of biomining of precious metals and bioremediation of toxic heavy metals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1977

Materials and manufacturing processes for increased life/reliability

Improvements in both quality and durability of disk raw material for both military and commercial engines necessitated an entirely new concept in raw material process control which imposes careful selection, screening and sampling of the basic alloy ingredients, followed by careful monitoring of the melting parameters in all phases of the vacuum melting sequence. Special care is taken to preclude solidification conditions that produce adverse levels of segregation. Melt furnaces are routinely cleaned and inspected for contamination. Ingots are also cleaned and inspected before entering the final melt step.

Duttweiler, R. E.↗
DOE OSTI2017

What Lies Beneath Can Be Imaged

The Hanford Site was quickly established to help end World War II, making history for producing the plutonium used in the world’s first nuclear weapons. Throughout the Cold War years, Hanford employees produced plutonium for most of the more than 60,000 weapons in the U.S. nuclear arsenal stockpile. Today, the once highly active nuclear reactors are shut down. And the mission at Hanford turned full-circle as scientists, engineers and specialists work to clean up our nation’s most contaminated nuclear site. PNNL Computational Geophysicist Tim Johnson is helping decision-makers understand the complexity and breadth of the contamination in soils at Hanford. Tim and others are applying remote, high-resolution geophysical imaging to determine the extent of contamination in the soil below the surface and understand the processes controlling its movement. They also provide real-time imaging of remediation processes that are working to limit the movement of contaminants below the surface and toward water resources. Geophysical imaging simply means that PNNL scientists are combining the techniques of geology, physics, mathematics and chemistry with supercomputer modeling to create three-dimensional images of the waste and its movement. These real-time, remote images are essential in reducing the uncertainty associated with cleanup costs and remediation technologies.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS2004

Robotic Subsurface Analyzer and Sample Handler for Resource Reconnaissance and Preliminary Site Assessment for ISRU Activities at the Lunar Cold Traps

Since the 1960s, claims have been made that water ice deposits should exist in permanently shadowed craters near both lunar poles. Recent interpretations of data from the Lunar Prospector-Neutron Spectrometer (LP- NS) confirm that significant concentrations of hydrogen exist, probably in the form of water ice, in the permanently shadowed polar cold traps. Yet, due to the large spatial resolution (45-60 Ian) of the LP-NS measurements relative to these shadowed craters (approx.5-25 km), these data offer little certainty regarding the precise location, form or distribution of these deposits. Even less is known about how such deposits of water ice might effect lunar regolith physical properties relevant to mining, excavation, water extraction and construction. These uncertainties will need to be addressed in order to validate fundamental lunar In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) precepts by 2011. Given the importance of the in situ utilization of water and other resources to the future of space exploration a need arises for the advanced deployment of a robotic and reconfigurable system for physical properties and resource reconnaissance. Based on a collection of high-TRL. designs, the Subsurface Analyzer and Sample Handler (SASH) addresses these needs, particularly determining the location and form of water ice and the physical properties of regolith. SASH would be capable of: (1) subsurface access via drilling, on the order of 3-10 meters into both competent targets (ice, rock) and regolith, (2) down-hole analysis through drill string embedded instrumentation and sensors (Neutron Spectrometer and Microscopic Imager), enabling water ice identification and physical properties measurements; (3) core and unconsolidated sample acquisition from rock and regolith; (4) sample handling and processing, with minimized contamination, sample containerization and delivery to a modular instrument payload. This system would be designed with three mission enabling goals, including: (1) a self-contained, low power, low mass, "black box'' configuration for operations from a lander, various classes of rovers or a surface-based platform with human assistance or robotic anchoring mechanisms; (2) reconfigurable and scalable sample handling for delivery to various types of instrumentation, depending on mission requirements; and (3) the use of advanced automation control and diagnostic techniques that will afford local human deployed, remote teleoperation and fully autonomous intelligent operations. Though a great deal of technology has been advanced toward these objectives, the SASH system faces significant design challenges, including the low gravity environment, various levels of autonomy in operations, radiation exposure, dust contamination, and temperature extremes and deltas. Significant input from the scientific and engineering communities, as well as a significant environmental testing program, will be required to guide the design process.

Gorevan, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Application of trajectory optimization techniques to upper atmosphere sampling flights using the F4-C Phantom aircraft

Altitude potential of an off-the-shelf F4-C aircraft is examined. It is shown that the standard F4-C has a maximum altitude capability in the region from 85000 to 95000 ft, depending on the minimum dynamic pressures deemed acceptable for adequate flight control. By using engine overspeed capability and by making use of prevailing winds in the stratosphere, it is suggested that the maximum altitude achievable by an F4-C should be in the vicinity of 95000 ft for routine flight operation. This altitude is well in excess of the minimum altitudes which must be achieved for monitoring the possible growth of suspected aerosol contaminants.

Hague, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Research and technology

As the NASA center responsible for assembly, checkout, servicing, launch, recovery, and operational support of Space Transportation System elements and payloads, Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is placing increasing emphasis on KSC's research and technology program. In addition to strengthening those areas of engineering and operations technology that contribute to safer, more efficient, and more economical execution of the current mission, the technological tools needed to execute KSC's mission relative to future programs are being developed. The Engineering Development Directorate encompasses most of the laboratories and other KSC resources that are key elements of research and technology program implementation and is responsible for implementation of the majority of the projects in this KSC 1990 annual report. Projects under the following topics are covered: (1) materials science; (2) hazardous emissions and contamination monitoring; (3) biosciences; (4) autonomous systems; (5) communications and control; (6) meteorology; (7) technology utilization; and (8) mechanics, structures, and cryogenics.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2017

Contamination Knowledge Strategy for the Mars 2020 Sample-Collecting Rover

The Mars 2020 rover will collect carefully selected samples of rock and regolith as it explores a potentially habitable ancient environment on Mars. Using the drill, rock cores and regolith will be collected directly into ultraclean sample tubes that are hermetically sealed and, later, deposited on the surface of Mars for potential return to Earth by a subsequent mission. Thorough characterization of any contamination of the samples at the time of their analysis will be essential for achieving the objectives of Mars returned sample science (RSS). We refer to this characterization as contamination knowledge (CK), which is distinct from contamination control (CC). CC is the set of activities that limits the input of contaminating species into a sample, and is specified by requirement thresholds. CK consists of identifying and characterizing both potential and realized contamination to better inform scientific investigations of the returned samples. Based on lessons learned by other sample return missions with contamination-sensitive scientific objectives, CC needs to be "owned" by engineering, but CK needs to be "owned" by science. Contamination present at the time of sample analysis will reflect the sum of contributions from all contamination vectors up to that point in time. For this reason, understanding the integrated history of contamination may be crucial for deciphering potentially confusing contaminant-sensitive observations. Thus, CK collected during the Mars sample return (MSR) campaign must cover the time period from the initiation of hardware construction through analysis of returned samples in labs on Earth. Because of the disciplinary breadth of the scientific objectives of MSR, CK must include a broad spectrum of contaminants covering inorganic (i.e., major, minor, and trace elements), organic, and biological molecules and materials.

Farley, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS2006

MSFC Analysis of Thermal Control Materials on MISSE

Many different passive thermal control materials were flown as part of the Materials on International Space Station Experiment, including coatings, anodizes, and multi-layer insulation materials. Engineers and scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center have analyzed a number of these materials, including: Zinc oxide/potassium silicate coating, Zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate coating, Sulfuric acid anodized aluminum, Various coatings for part marking, automated rendezvous and capture, and astronaut visual aids, FEP Teflon with silver/Inconel backing, and Beta cloth with and without aluminization. These and other material samples were exposed to the low Earth orbital environment of atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, thermal cycling, and hard vacuum, though atomic oxygen exposure was very limited for some samples. Solar absorptance, infrared emittance, and mass measurements indicate the durability of these materials to withstand the space environment. The effect of contamination from an active space station on the performance of white thermal control coatings is discussed.

Finckenor, Miria↗
NASA NTRS2024

Lessons Learned in Designing A Proposed Ultraviolet Sterilization System for Space

This paper presents a number of lessons learned while designing a proposed sterilization system for Mars Sample Return. This sterilization system is needed to inactivate any potentially hazardous Mars material on the exterior surface of the vessel containing sealed sample tubes filled with Mars rock cores, regolith and atmosphere. These returned samples would provide information on the geologic history of Mars, the evolution of its climate and the potential for ancient life. Mars Sample Return is categorized at Planetary Protection Category V Restricted Earth Return, so it is required to protect the Earth–Moon system from the biological impact of returning samples from Mars to Earth. This article reviews lessons learned in the development of a particular engineering implementation to support the protection of the Earth–Moon biosphere: the use of in situ ultraviolet LED illumination. The details of the biological efficacy of this approach or the policy-related impacts are outside of the scope of this manuscript. The lessons learned presented here include establishing design requirements for the system, the selection of a light source, optical design options, contamination control and approaches to thermal and power management.

Planetary Protection↗
DOE OSTI2013

Challenges in Obtaining Property Access: The FUSRAP Maywood Site Experience - 13433

The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) is the US government program started in 1974 to identify, investigate and clean up or control sites that became contaminated as a result of the nation's early atomic programs. Many of these sites are not owned by the federal government and therefore require owner permission to enter. The experience in pursuing such access at the FUSRAP Maywood Superfund Site (the Maywood Site or the Site) in Bergen County, New Jersey, is extensive. Since the US Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) assumed responsibility for the Maywood Site from the US Department of Energy in 1997, at least 186 separate property access agreements (known in FUSRAP as a Real Estate Right-of- Entry or ROE) have been executed between the Corps and approximately 55 different land owners and tenant occupants at the Maywood Site (agreement renewals with the same owners over time account for the difference). Maywood's experience during the Corps' tenure, reflected here in three case studies of representative property access efforts, offers some lessons and best practices that may apply to other remedial programs. While the Site Community Relations Manager (the author of this paper) managed the property access task, multi-disciplinary support from across the project was also critical to success in this endeavor. (authors)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Port Hope Are Initiative Port Granby Project - Water Management in Extreme Weather Conditions - 19257

The Port Granby Project is part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) through which Canadian Nuclear Laboratory (CNL) is managing long-term historic low level radioactive waste (LLRW) resulting from 60 years of uranium and radium processing operations in the urban setting of Port Hope, Ontario. Port Granby remediation scope includes 1) constructing a new, secure long-term waste management facility (LTWMF) and supporting infrastructure, and 2) excavating and relocating LLRW and marginally contaminated soil from the Port Granby Waste Management Facility (PGWMF), which accepted waste until the 1980's, to the newly constructed LTWMF. This paper provides an overview of the challenges of water management (control of storm and groundwater at the LTWMF and PGWMF) on a large-scale construction project with changing and unpredictable weather patterns. Consistent with increased observations of extreme weather events, over two consecutive construction seasons, weather changed from one of the driest on record (high temperatures, dry conditions and strong wind) to one of the wettest on record (short duration high-intensity rainfall that flooded the LTWMF, excavations and on-site PGWMF and LTWMF retention ponds). This paper describes the collaborative approach among Wood (Constructor), AECOM (Engineer of Record), and CNL to adjust to extremes in weather to control dust and excessive water during construction. The summer of 2016, one of the driest summers on record in southern Ontario, was followed by one of the wettest in 2017. In 2016, the project team used water from the uncontaminated on-site storm water ponds, applied a polymer product for dust control across the site to augment water applications, obtained a Permit to Take Water from the provincial government to pump water from Lake Ontario, procured large tanks for storage of Lake Ontario water to meet peak demand, and retained additional water trucks/operators for day to day site operations. In stark contrast, to accommodate heavy rains in 2017 the project team installed ∼6 million liter aboveground storage tanks with secondary containment for contaminated water storage; procured 100+ mobile water storage tanks to supplement the on-site storage, utilized LTWMF cells sumps, excavations and retention ponds to store and manage onsite water; and adjusted additional staff resources (more staff and longer shifts) during anticipated periods of high-intensity rainfall, at times managing water around the clock. Recognizing the need to minimize the release of contaminated soil and water from the construction site at all times, these efforts illustrate the importance of anticipating and reacting to extreme weather events on a more regular basis. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ex-situ Heat Treatment of TEM Foils in a Custom Titanium Fixture: A Case Study on Ni-based Superalloy

The advancement of microstructural characterization at the nanoscale is critical to understanding the microstructural evolution and performance of engineering materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) plays a vital role in such investigations, particularly when coupled with controlled ex- and in-situ experiments. In this study, we introduce a novel method for ex-situ heat treatment (HT) of TEM foils using a custom-designed fixture, made from pure titanium, and vacuum furnace to inhibit oxidation. This approach ensures precise temperature control and minimal sample contamination during HT, critical for substructural characterization and analysis of metallic materials. The fixture consists of a titanium base with three slits, for three sample foils, and a titanium cap for closure. The entire assembly is placed in a vacuum heat treatment furnace with high vacuum capability to prevent oxidation. To validate the effectiveness of the setup, precipitation behavior and microstructural changes were studied in an IN725 variant heat-treated at 500°C for 1 hour and 282 variant heat-treated at 700°C for 1 hour, as case studies.

electron microscopy↗
NASA NTRS1990

A review of nuclear electric propulsion spacecraft system concepts

The last 25-30 years of system concepts and design philosophies for spacecraft employing nuclear-electric propulsion (NEP) are reviewed. NEP spacecraft-system design constraints and criteria are identified, including radiation exposure of humans and electronics, thermal control requirements, effluent contamination of spacecraft surfaces, surface erosion, launch-vehicle integration, operations and safety requirements, attitude control, EM interference, and power control and distribution. The impact on spacecraft design philosophy of these constraints and criteria is explored. Several NEP spacecraft are characterized and discussed with respect to the propulsion system used. The electric propulsion system catagories are electrothermal (arcjet), EM (magnetoplasmadynamic and pulsed-inductive thruster) and electrostatic (ion engine). A brief summary of the mission, nuclear power source, electric propulsion system, and spacecraft configuration are provided for each NEP spacecraft concept.

Deininger, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Catalyst Substrates Remove Contaminants, Produce Fuel

A spacecraft is the ultimate tight building. We don t want any leaks, and there is very little fresh air coming in, says Jay Perry, an aerospace engineer at Marshall Space Flight Center. As a result, there is a huge potential for a buildup of contaminants from a host of sources. Inside a spacecraft, contaminants can be introduced from the materials that make spacecraft components, electronics boxes, or activities by the crew such as food preparation or cleaning. Humans also generate contaminants by breathing and through the body s natural metabolic processes. As part of the sophisticated Environmental Control and Life Support System on the International Space Station (ISS), a trace contaminant control system removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from the cabin atmosphere. To maintain healthy levels, the system uses adsorbent media to filter chemical contaminant molecules and a high-temperature catalytic oxidizer to change the chemical structure of the contaminants to something more benign, usually carbon dioxide and water. In the 1990s, while researching air quality control technology for extended spaceflight travel, Perry and others at Marshall were looking for a regenerable process for the continuous removal of carbon dioxide and trace chemical contaminants on long-duration manned space flights. At the time, the existing technology used on U.S. spacecraft could only be used once, which meant that a spacecraft had to carry additional spare parts for use in case the first one was depleted, or the spacecraft would have to return to Earth to exchange the components.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2014

Bench-Scale Silicone Process for Low-Cost CO 2 Capture

GE Global Research is developing technology to remove carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the flue gas of coal-fired power plants. A mixture of 3-aminopropyl end-capped polydimethylsiloxane (GAP-1m) and triethylene glycol (TEG) is the preferred CO 2 capture solvent. GE Global Research was contracted by the Department of Energy to test a bench-scale continuous CO 2 absorption/desorption system using a GAP-1m/TEG mixture as the solvent. SiVance LLC was sub-contracted to provide the GAP-1m material and conduct an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) assessment for a 550 MW coal-fired power plant. Five components of the solvent, CAS#2469-55-8 (GAP-0), CAS#106214-84-0 (GAP-1-4), TEG, and methanol and xylene (minor contaminants from the aminosilicone) are included in this assessment. One by-product, GAP-1m/SOX salt, and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DDBSA) were also identified for analysis. All of the solvent components and DDBSA are listed on the EPA’s TSCA Inventory allowing companies to manufacture and use the chemicals commercially. The toxicological effects of each component were defined, and control mechanisms necessary to comply with U.S. EH&S regulations are summarized. An engineering and control system, including environmental abatement, was described for minimizing exposure and release of the chemical components. Proper handling and storage recommendations are made for each chemical to minimize risk to workers and the surrounding community.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS2017

OSIRIS-REx Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation

OSIRIS-REx will return pristine samples of carbonaceous asteroid Bennu. This article describes how pristine was defined based on expectations of Bennu and on a realistic understanding of what is achievable with a constrained schedule and budget, and how that definition flowed to requirements and implementation. To return a pristine sample, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft sampling hardware was maintained at level 100 A/2 and less than 180 ng/cm(exp 2) of amino acids and hydrazine on the sampler head through precision cleaning, control of materials, and vigilance. Contamination is further characterized via witness material exposed to the spacecraft assembly and testing environment as well as in space. This characterization provided knowledge of the expected background and will be used in conjunction with archived spacecraft components for comparison with the samples when they are delivered to Earth for analysis. Most of all, the cleanliness of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was achieved through communication among scientists, engineers, managers, and technicians.

OSIRIS-RE↗
NASA NTRS2017

OSIRIS-REx Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation

OSIRIS-REx will return pristine samples of carbonaceous asteroid Bennu. This manuscript describes how pristine was defined based on expectations of Bennu and on a realistic understanding of what is achievable with a constrained schedule and budget, and how that definition flowed to requirements and implementation. To return a pristine sample, the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft sampling hardware was maintained at Level 100 A/2 and less than 180 nanograms per square centimeter of amino acids and hydrazine on the sampler head through precision cleaning, control of materials, and vigilance. Contamination is further characterized via witness material exposed to the spacecraft assembly and testing environment as well as in space. This characterization provided knowledge of the expected background and will be used in conjunction with archived spacecraft components for comparison with the samples when they are delivered to Earth for analysis. Most of all, the cleanliness of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft was achieved through communication between scientists, engineers, managers, and technicians.

Dworkin, J. P.↗