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At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

EOS Microwave Limb Sounder Observations of 'Frozen-in' Anticyclonic Air in Arctic Summer

A previously unreported phenomenon, a 'frozen-in' anticyclone (FrIAC) after the 2005 Arctic spring vortex breakup, was discovered in Earth Observing System (EOS) Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) long-lived trace gas data. A tongue of low-latitude (high-N2O, low-H2O) air was drawn into high latitudes and confined in a tight anticyclone, then advected intact in the summer easterlies through late August. A similar feature in O3 disappeared by early April as a result of chemical processes. The FrIAC was initially advected upright at nearly the same speed at all levels from approx.660 to 1300 K (approx.25-45 km); increasing vertical wind shear after early June tilted the FrIAC and weakened it at higher levels. The associated feature in PV disappeared by early June; transport calculations fail to reproduce the remarkable persistence of the FrIAC, suggesting deficiencies in summer high-latitude winds. The historical PV record suggests that this phenomenon may have occurred several times before. The lack of a persistent signature in O3 or PV, along with its small size and rapid motion, make it unlikely that a FrIAC could have been reliably identified without hemispheric daily longlived trace gas profiles such as those from EOS MLS.

Arctic vortex↗
NASA NTRS2020

Mineralogy and Petrology of Fine-Grained Calcium-Aluminum-Rich Inclusions from the Reduced CV3 Chondrite Thiel Mountains 07007

Calcium-Aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) are among the oldest Solar System solids, and studies of these objects have played an essential role in developing an understanding of chemical and physical processes that initiated and characterized key events related to the Solar System’s formation and evolution. CAIs occur as μm- to cm-sized inclusions in chondritic meteorites, particularly in carbonaceous chondrites, and consist of various refractory silicate and oxide phases (e.g., melilite, spinel, Al-Ti-rich diopside, hibonite, and corundum) that are predicted by thermodynamic models to be among the first solids to con-dense from a cooling gas of solar composition. Fine grained CAIs (FGIs) are important samples to probe volatility-driven condensation processes in the solar nebula, because they have escaped thermal processes (e.g., melting) experienced by coarse-grained CAIs. In order to explore the primary nebular history of FGIs, a detailed mineralogical and petrologic study is necessary. In this research effort, we constrained the mineralogy and petrology of two CAIs 07-10 and -11 from the reduced CV3 chondrite Thiel Mountains (TIL) 07007, with the aim of evaluating their provenance as nebular condensates.

Anderkin, C. J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Projecting the Lasting Fate of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Eruption on the Stratosphere through Connecting Measurements to Models

On 15th Jan. 2022 the submarine volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) injected approximately 0.5 Tg of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, but more significantly added 150-170 Tg of water vapor to the stratospheric background (over a 10% perturbation) in a matter of several hours. The sulfur dioxide rapidly converted to sulfate aerosol and along with water vapor, was transported around the Southern Hemisphere sub-tropics into midlatitudes with some transport into the Northern Hemisphere. With a much longer lifetime than sulfate aerosol, measurable water vapor anomalies are likely to persist for the remainder of the decade. Satellite measurements from limb and nadir viewing observing instruments provide the information needed to reasonably initialize the HTHH eruption in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model using the “replay” framework coupled to the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) stratosphere-troposphere chemical mechanism for the recent past and continue the simulations into the future with the free running chemistry climate model (CCM). Using a number of model ensemble members together with the satellite observations, we are beginning to quantify how the HTHH eruption is perturbing stratospheric composition and climate and projecting the influences to come as the enhanced water vapor continues to spread globally with only very slow removal mechanisms. We will also discuss some of the future measurement needs to understand how the atmosphere is responding to events like the HTHH eruption, large wildfires, and a changing climate.

volcano↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Projecting the Lasting Fate of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Eruption on the Stratosphere through Connecting Measurements to Models

On 15th Jan. 2022 the submarine volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) injected approximately 0.5 Tg of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, but more significantly added 150-170 Tg of water vapor to the stratospheric background (over a 10% perturbation) in a matter of several hours. The sulfur dioxide rapidly converted to sulfate aerosol and along with water vapor, was transported around the Southern Hemisphere sub-tropics into midlatitudes with some transport into the Northern Hemisphere. With a much longer lifetime than sulfate aerosol, measurable water vapor mass anomalies have persisted with only small losses over the past almost 2 years and are likely to continue above background for the remainder of the decade. Satellite measurements from limb and nadir viewing observing instruments provide the information needed to reasonably initialize the HTHH eruption in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model using the “replay” framework coupled to the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) stratosphere-troposphere chemical mechanism for the recent past and continue the simulations into the future with the free running chemistry climate model (CCM). Using a number of model ensemble members together with the satellite observations, we quantify how the HTHH eruption is perturbing stratospheric composition and climate and projecting the influences to come as the enhanced water vapor continues in the stratosphere with only very slow removal mechanisms. HTHH eruption provides a useful test of chemistry climate models and an opportunity for observation-based process understanding, which we will highlight.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Observing and Projecting the Lasting Fate of the Hunga Eruption on Atmospheric Water Vapor and Hydroxyl Radical

On 15th Jan. 2022 the submarine Hunga volcano erupted injecting approximately 0.5 Tg of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, but more significantly added 150-170 Tg of water vapor to the stratospheric background (over a 10% perturbation) in a matter of several hours. The sulfur dioxide rapidly converted to sulfate aerosol and along with water vapor, was transported around the Southern Hemisphere sub-tropics into midlatitudes and beyond with some transport into the Northern Hemisphere. With a much longer lifetime than sulfate aerosol, measurable water vapor mass anomalies have persisted with only small losses over more than 2 years since the eruption and are likely to continue above background for the remainder of the decade. Satellite measurements from limb and nadir viewing observing instruments provide the information needed to reasonably initialize the Hunga eruption in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model using the “replay” framework coupled to the Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) stratosphere-troposphere chemical mechanism for the recent past and have continued the simulations into the future with the free running chemistry climate model (CCM). Using a number of model ensemble members together with the satellite observations, we quantify how the Hunga eruption is perturbing atmospheric composition and climate and projecting the influences to come as the enhanced water vapor continues in the stratosphere with only very slow removal mechanisms. Modeling suggests that the water rich eruption enhanced stratospheric hydroxyl radiacal (OH) and is supported by the speed of the observed conversion of SO2 into sulfate aerosol. These simulations also suggest a significant reduction in tropospheric OH over the mid-high latitude Southern Hemisphere, which has implications for numerous species that are impacted by this radical. The Hunga eruption provides a useful test of chemistry climate models and an opportunity for observation-based process understanding and in making new connections.

Hunga volcano↗
NASA NTRS1979

Computer predictions of photochemical oxidant levels for initial precursor concentrations characteristic of southeastern Virginia

A computer study was performed with a photochemical box model, using a contemporary chemical mechanism and procedure, and a range of initial input pollutant concentrations thought to encompass those characteristic of the Southeastern Virginia region before a photochemical oxidant episode. The model predictions are consistent with the expectation of high summer afternoon ozone levels when initial nonmethane hydrocarbon (NMHC) levels are in the range 0.30-0.40 ppmC and NOx levels are in the range 0.02-0.05 ppm. Calculations made with a Lagrangian model, for one of the previously calculated cases, which had produced intermediate afternoon ozone levels, suggest that urban source additions of NMHC and NOx exacerbate the photochemical oxidant condition.

Wakelyn, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Noncircular Cross Sections Could Enhance Mixing in Sprays

A computational study has shown that by injecting drops in jets of gas having square, elliptical, triangular, or other noncircular injection cross sections, it should be possible to increase (relative to comparable situations having circular cross section) the entrainment and dispersion of liquid drops. This finding has practical significance for a variety of applications in which it is desirable to increase dispersion of drops. For example, in chemical-process sprays, increased dispersion leads to increases in chemical- reaction rates; in diesel engines, increasing the dispersion of drops of sprayed fuel reduces the production of soot; and in household and paint sprays, increasing the dispersion of drops makes it possible to cover larger surfaces. It has been known for some years that single-phase fluid jets that enter flow fields through noncircular inlets entrain more fluid than do comparable jets entering through circular inlets. The computational study reported here was directed in part toward determining whether and how this superior mixing characteristic of noncircular single phase jets translates to a similar benefit in cases of two-phase jets (that is, sprays). The study involved direct numerical simulations of single- and two-phase free jets with circular, elliptical, rectangular, square, and triangular inlet cross sections. The two-phase jets consisted of gas laden with liquid drops randomly injected at the inlets. To address the more interesting case of evaporating drops, the carrier gas in the jets was specified to be initially unvitiated by the vapor of the liquid chemical species and the initial temperature of the drops was chosen to be smaller than that of the gas. The mathematical model used in the study was constructed from the conservation equations for the two-phase flow and included complete couplings of mass, momentum, and energy based on thermodynamically self-consistent specification of the enthalpy, internal energy, and latent heat of vaporization of the vapor.

Bellan, Josette↗
NASA NTRS1975

Some wear studies on aircraft brake systems

An initial investigation of worn surfaces in friction pads and steel rotors used in current aircraft brakes was carried out using electron microprobe and X-ray diffraction analysis. It consists of the topographical study and the analysis of chemical element distribution. Based upon this initial examination, two approaches, microscopic and macroscopic have been conducted to interpret and formulate the wear mechanism of the aircraft brake materials. Microscopically, the wear particles were examined. The initiation and growth of surface cracks and the oxidation were emphasized in this investigation. Macroscopically, it has been found that, for the current copper based brake material sliding against 17-22 AS steel in a caliper brake, the surface temperature raised due to frictional heat is nonlinearly proportional to the load applied and slide time with speed at 1750 rpm. The wear of brake materials is then proportional to this temperature and is also a function of the melting temperature for copper.

Ho, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Simplified Two-Time Step Method for Calculating Combustion Rates and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions for Hydrogen/Air and Hydorgen/Oxygen

A simplified single rate expression for hydrogen combustion and nitrogen oxide production was developed. Detailed kinetics are predicted for the chemical kinetic times using the complete chemical mechanism over the entire operating space. These times are then correlated to the reactor conditions using an exponential fit. Simple first order reaction expressions are then used to find the conversion in the reactor. The method uses a two-time step kinetic scheme. The first time averaged step is used at the initial times with smaller water concentrations. This gives the average chemical kinetic time as a function of initial overall fuel air ratio, temperature, and pressure. The second instantaneous step is used at higher water concentrations (> 1 x 10(exp -20) moles/cc) in the mixture which gives the chemical kinetic time as a function of the instantaneous fuel and water mole concentrations, pressure and temperature (T4). The simple correlations are then compared to the turbulent mixing times to determine the limiting properties of the reaction. The NASA Glenn GLSENS kinetics code calculates the reaction rates and rate constants for each species in a kinetic scheme for finite kinetic rates. These reaction rates are used to calculate the necessary chemical kinetic times. This time is regressed over the complete initial conditions using the Excel regression routine. Chemical kinetic time equations for H2 and NOx are obtained for H2/air fuel and for the H2/O2. A similar correlation is also developed using data from NASA s Chemical Equilibrium Applications (CEA) code to determine the equilibrium temperature (T4) as a function of overall fuel/air ratio, pressure and initial temperature (T3). High values of the regression coefficient R2 are obtained.

Molnar, Melissa↗
NASA NTRS1993

Greatly improved 3C-SiC p-n junction diodes grown by chemical vapor deposition

This paper reports the fabrication and initial electrical characterization of greatly improved 3C-SiC (beta-SiC) p-n junction diodes. These diodes, which were grown on commercially available 6H-SiC substrates by chemical vapor deposition, demonstrate rectification to -200 V at room temperature, representing a fourfold improvement in reported 3C-SiC diode blocking voltage. The reverse leakage currents and saturation current densities measured on these diodes also show significant improvement compared to previously reported 3C-SiC p-n junction diodes. When placed under sufficient forward bias, the diodes emit significantly bright green-yellow light. These results should lead to substantial advancements in 3C-SiC transistor performance.

Neudeck, Philip G.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Summary of Simplified Two Time Step Method for Calculating Combustion Rates and Nitrogen Oxide Emissions for Hydrogen/Air and Hydrogen/Oxygen

A simplified single rate expression for hydrogen combustion and nitrogen oxide production was developed. Detailed kinetics are predicted for the chemical kinetic times using the complete chemical mechanism over the entire operating space. These times are then correlated to the reactor conditions using an exponential fit. Simple first order reaction expressions are then used to find the conversion in the reactor. The method uses a two time step kinetic scheme. The first time averaged step is used at the initial times with smaller water concentrations. This gives the average chemical kinetic time as a function of initial overall fuel air ratio, temperature, and pressure. The second instantaneous step is used at higher water concentrations (greater than l x 10(exp -20)) moles per cc) in the mixture which gives the chemical kinetic time as a function of the instantaneous fuel and water mole concentrations, pressure and temperature (T(sub 4)). The simple correlations are then compared to the turbulent mixing times to determine the limiting properties of the reaction. The NASA Glenn GLSENS kinetics code calculates the reaction rates and rate constants for each species in a kinetic scheme for finite kinetic rates. These reaction rates are used to calculate the necessary chemical kinetic times. This time is regressed over the complete initial conditions using the Excel regression routine. Chemical kinetic time equations for H2 and NOx are obtained for H2/Air fuel and for H2/O2. A similar correlation is also developed using data from NASA's Chemical Equilibrium Applications (CEA) code to determine the equilibrium temperature (T(sub 4)) as a function of overall fuel/air ratio, pressure and initial temperature (T(sub 3)). High values of the regression coefficient R squared are obtained.

Marek, C. John↗
NASA NTRS1987

Chemical analysis of charged Li/SO(sub)2 cells

The initial focus of the program was to confirm that charging can indeed result in explosions and constitute a significant safety problem. Results of this initial effort clearly demonstrated that cells do indeed explode on charge and that charging does indeed constitute a real and severe safety problem. The results of the effort to identify the chemical reactions involved in and responsible for the observed behavior are described.

Subbarao, S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Chemistry in dynamically evolving clouds

A unified model of chemical and dynamical evolution of isolated, initially diffuse and quiescent interstellar clouds is presented. The model uses a semiempirically derived dependence of the observed cloud temperatures on the visual extinction and density. Even low-mass, low-density, diffuse clouds can collapse in this model, because the inward pressure gradient force assists gravitational contraction. In contrast, previous isothermal collapse models required the low-mass diffuse clouds to be unrealistically cold before gravitational contraction could start. Theoretically predicted dependences of the column densities of various atoms and molecules, such as C and CO, on visual extinction in diffuse clouds are in accord with observations. Similarly, the predicted dependences of the fractional abundances of various chemical species (e.g., CO, H2CO, HCN, HCO(+)) on the total hydrogen density in the core of the dense clouds also agree with observations reported to date in the literature. Compared with previous models of interstellar chemistry, the present model has the potential to explain the wide spectrum of chemical and physical properties of both diffuse and dense clouds with a common formalism employing only a few simple initial conditions.

Tarafdar, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Chemical-release mission of CRRES

The CRRES satellite was a dual-mission spacecraft to perform active experiments in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere and to study the natural space environment and its effects on spacecraft electronics. The NASA chemical-release mission experiments were motivated by the need to address scientific questions in the areas of coupling between the ionosphere and magnetosphere, response of the magnetosphere system to injections of artificial ion clouds, and instabilities and structuring of the ionosphere in response to perturbations. The initial science results from the chemical-release experiments performed to date are (1) demonstration of critical velocity ionization over a narrow range of parameter space; (2) production of diamagnetic cavities by barium and lithium releases over a wide range of parameters; (3) demonstration of the chemical-release technique to study magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling; (4) modification of energetic electron distribution functions with barium injections; (5) stimulation of magnetospheric waves with barium injections; and (6) possible inducement of enhanced auroral activity.

Reasoner, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Methods development for total organic carbon accountability

This report describes the efforts completed during the contract period beginning November 1, 1990 and ending April 30, 1991. Samples of product hygiene and potable water from WRT 3A were supplied by NASA/MSFC prior to contract award on July 24, 1990. Humidity condensate samples were supplied on August 3, 1990. During the course of this contract chemical analyses were performed on these samples to qualitatively determine specific components comprising, the measured organic carbon concentration. In addition, these samples and known standard solutions were used to identify and develop methodology useful to future comprehensive characterization of similar samples. Standard analyses including pH, conductivity, and total organic carbon (TOC) were conducted. Colorimetric and enzyme linked assays for total protein, bile acid, B-hydroxybutyric acid, methylene blue active substances (MBAS), urea nitrogen, ammonia, and glucose were also performed. Gas chromatographic procedures for non-volatile fatty acids and EPA priority pollutants were also performed. Liquid chromatography was used to screen for non-volatile, water soluble compounds not amenable to GC techniques. Methods development efforts were initiated to separate and quantitate certain chemical classes not classically analyzed in water and wastewater samples. These included carbohydrates, organic acids, and amino acids. Finally, efforts were initiated to identify useful concentration techniques to enhance detection limits and recovery of non-volatile, water soluble compounds.

Benson, Brian L.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Planetary Geophysics and Tectonics

Research supported by grant NAGW-1928 has addressed a variety of problems related to planetary evolution. One important focus has been on questions related to the role of chemical buoyancy in planetary evolution with application to both Venus and the Moon. We have developed a model for the evolution of the Moon (Hess and Parmentier, 1995) in which dense, highly radioactive, late stage magma ocean cumulates sink forming a core. This core heats the overlying, chemically layered mantle giving rise to a heated, chemically well-mixed layer that thickens with time. This Mixed layer eventually becomes hot enough and thick enough that its top begins to melt at a pressure low enough that melt is buoyant, thus creating mare basalts from a high pressure source of the correct composition and at an appropriate time in lunar evolution. In work completed during the last year, numerical experiments on convection in a chemically stably stratified fluid layer heated from below have been completed. These results show us how to calculate the evolution of a mixed layer in the Moon, depending on the heat production in the ilmenite- cumulate core and the chemical stratification of the overlying mantle. Chemical stratification of the mantle after its initial differentiation is would trap heat in the deep interior and prevent the rapid rise of plumes with accompanying volcanism. This trapping of heat in the interior can explain the thickness of the lunar lithosphere as a function of time as well as the magmatic evolution. We show that heat transported to the base of the lithosphere at a rate determined by current estimates of radioactivity in the Moon would not satisfy constraints on elastic lithosphere thickness from tectonic feature associated with basin loading. Trapping heat at depth by a chemically stratified mantle may also explain the absence of global compressional features on the surface that previous models predict for an initially hot lunar interior. For Venus, we developed a model in which the chemical buoyancy of crust and a depleted mantle layer stabilizes the lithosphere for long periods of time and provides a mechanism of episodic planetary evolution (Parmentier and Hess, 1992). Continued thickening of a residual depleted mantle layer eventually suppresses pressure release melting and the creation of depleted mantle. Continued cooling then allows the lithosphere to become heavier than the underlying hotter, undepleted mantle. This repeated instability can occur on time scales appropriate for episodic global resurfacing on Venus. We have also examined the role of the gabbro-eclogite phase transformation on crust and lithosphere stability and as a mechanism of crustal recycling in the absence of plate tectonics. Our work thus far concentrates on the scale of instability that would occur due to cooling or crustal thickening associated with horizontal shortening. Whether repeated overturn can explain the evolution of Venus depends in part on whether sufficient heat transfer can occur between overturns and on constraints provided by understanding observed surface features and evolution.

Parmentier, E. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Episodic large-scale overturn of two-layer mantles in terrestrial planets

It is usually assumed that the upper and lower mantles of a chemically stratified planet are arranged so that the upper mantle is chemically less dense and that these layers convect separately. Possible buoyant overturn of the two mantle layers has not previously been considered. Such overturn would initially occur when thermal expansion of a chemically denser lower mantle more than offsets the compositional density difference between the layers, reversing the relative sense of buoyancy. Once overturn has occurred, the chemically denser, but thermally less dense upper mantle cools more efficiently than the lower mantle and loses its relative thermal buoyancy. If mixing is slow, this leads to repeated overturns that result in thermal histories that differ radically from those obtained without this large-scale overturning. Thermal evolution calculations, for a two-layer mantle over a wide range of parameter space, show that large-scale overturn occurs cyclically with a well-defined period. This period depends most strongly on the viscosity of the lower mantle, to which it is approximately proportional. Geologically interesting overturn periods on the order of 10(exp 7) to 10(exp 9) years result for lower mantle viscosities of 10(exp 22) to 10(exp 24) Pa s for the Earth and Venus, and 10(exp 21) to 10(exp 23) Pa s for Mars. The mantles of Mercury and the Moon are too thin to permit two-layer convection, and therefore the model is not appropriate for them. Overturn cannot occur on Earth or Venus if the compositional density difference between the layers exceeds about 4%, or on Mars if it exceeds about 2%. Large-scale mantle overturn could have significant tectonic consequences such as the initiation of a new plate tectonic cycle on the Earth or a major resurfacing event on Mars or Venus. Such episodic events in the evolution of a planet are not easily explained by whole mantle thermal convection.

Herrick, David L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Polyimide-Silica Hybrids Containing Novel Phenylethynyl Imide Silanes as Coupling Agents for Surface-Treated Titanium Alloy

Polyimide-silica hybrids composed of an organic precursor containing a novel phenylethynyl imide silane and an inorganic precursor were evaluated as an adhesion-promoting interphase between surface-treated titanium alloy and a phenylethynyl-containing imide adhesive. The phenylethynyl groups present in the organic precursor, either as a pendent or end group, can bond chemically with a phenylethynyl-containing imide adhesive during processing, while the silane groups of the organic precursor would react chemically with the inorganic precursor. In addition, the inorganic precursor is able to react with the titanium alloy to form a stable bond with the metal oxide. Bond strength and durability were evaluated by single lap shear tests at various conditions. Lap shear specimens exhibited predominantly cohesive failure after a 3-d water boil with 92% retention of the initial room temperature strength. Morphology and chemical composition of the hybrid interphase were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Auger electron spectroscopy, which revealed development of a silicon-gradient, hybrid structure between the metal substrate and the adhesive.

Park, C.↗