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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 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2012

High Energy 2-Micron Solid-State Laser Transmitter for NASA's Airborne CO2 Measurements

A 2-micron pulsed, Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar instrument for ground and airborne atmospheric CO2 concentration measurements via direct detection method is being developed at NASA Langley Research Center. This instrument will provide an alternate approach to measure atmospheric CO2 concentrations with significant advantages. A high energy pulsed approach provides high-precision measurement capability by having high signal-to-noise level and unambiguously eliminates the contamination from aerosols and clouds that can bias the IPDA measurement.

Singh, Upendra N.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Infrared Absorption of Carbon Dioxide at High Densities With Application to the Atmosphere of Venus

Several new infrared absorptions were found in carbon dioxide. All are normally forbidden, and were collision-induced in an absorbing cell whose combination of pressure and path length has a unique sensitivity for induced absorptions. The new absorptions in the 2.3 micron region are attributed to transitions from ground to the 3(1)1 Fermi pair at 4248 and 4391/cm. Other absorptions are attributed to simultaneous CO2-N2 transitions and to the 00(0)0-00(0)2 transition in CO2 polarizability derivatives and regular progressions in strength versus increasing quantum number. The spectra were used to predict the radiative transfer in a dry CO2 model of the lower Venus atmosphere. The results indicate that the radiation balance in the lower atmosphere is adequately explained by a dry massive atmosphere of CO2 with a layer of infrared-opaque clouds. The absorptions in the 2.3 micron region are significant in accounting for the opacity to sustain Venus' 768 K surface temperature.

John Fitzallen Moore↗
NASA NTRS1987

CO2 DIAL measurements of water vapor

CO2 lidars have heretofore been used to measure water vapor concentrations primarily using the 10R(20) line at 10.247 microns, which has a strong overlap with a water vapor absorption line. This paper discusses the use of that line as well as other CO2 laser lines for which the absorption coefficients are weaker. The literature on measurement of water vapor absorption coefficients using CO2 lasers is reviewed, and the results from four laboratories are shown to be generally consistent with each other after they are normalized to the same partial pressure, temperature, and ethylene absorption coefficent for the 10P(14) CO2 laser line; however, the agreement with the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory's HITRAN and FASCOD 2 spectral data tapes is not good either for the water vapor absorption lines or for the water vapor continuum. Demonstration measurements of atmospheric water vapor have been conducted using the Mobile Atmospheric Pollutant Mapping System, a dual CO2 lidar system using heterodyne detection. Results are discussed for measurements using three sets of laser line pairs covering a wide range of water vapor partial pressures.

Grant, William B.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Double-Pulsed 2-Micrometer Lidar Validation for Atmospheric CO2 Measurements

A double-pulsed, 2-micron Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar instrument for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) measurements is successfully developed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Based on direct detection technique, the instrument can be operated on ground or onboard a small aircraft. Key features of this compact, rugged and reliable IPDA lidar includes high transmitted laser energy, wavelength tuning, switching and locking, and sensitive detection. As a proof of concept, the IPDA ground and airborne CO2 measurement and validation will be presented. IPDA lidar CO2 measurements ground validation were conducted at NASA LaRC using hard targets and a calibrated in-situ sensor. Airborne validation, conducted onboard the NASA B-200 aircraft, included CO2 plum detection from power stations incinerators, comparison to in-flight CO2 in-situ sensor and comparison to air sampling at different altitude conducted by NOAA at the same site. Airborne measurements, spanning for 20 hours, were obtained from different target conditions. Ground targets included soil, vegetation, sand, snow and ocean. In addition, cloud slicing was examined over the ocean. These flight validations were conducted at different altitudes, up to 7 km, with different wavelength controlled weighing functions. CO2 measurement results agree with modeling conducted through the different sensors, as will be discussed.

Singh, Upendra N.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Adapted Cell Design for the Operando X‑Ray Absorption Study of a Structurally Evolving Cu Nanoparticle Ensemble during the CO2 Electroconversion to Multicarbon Products

An improved understanding of the materials that will sustain the future of energy production, storage, and delivery calls for better characterization tools. Operando characterization methods have thus become essential for investigating electrocatalytic materials. Without their resulting insights, the study of highly performing catalysts post-mortem cannot viably facilitate the further development of functional catalysts. Herein, we present an operando electrochemical cell designed for hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and specifically adapted to the study of an electrocatalytically active Cu nanoparticle ensemble. So far, this nanocatalyst has proven to pose quite a challenge to characterize due to its unique structural dynamics. Adopting a design comparable to the H-cell employed for all activity testing, we report the satisfactory translation of the active site formation into an XAS-compatible cell. The simultaneous collection of CO2-derived products during XAS characterization enabled the operando characterization of this CO2-reducing active structure. We report a Cu–Cu coordination number of the first scattering path higher than suggested in our previous studies, highlighting the importance of monitoring metastable nanoelectrocatalysts in operando. This study illustrates important caveats for the electrocatalysis community when considering the application of operando XAS. Our results highlight that the sample size, homogeneity, and stability determine how to interpret the measured signal. Considering these parameters carefully, the operando EXAFS results confirm the exceptional undercoordinated character of the Cu nanoparticle ensemble during CO2 reduction to C2+ products.

Louisia, Sheena↗
DOE OSTI2024

Towards Energy–Efficient Direct Air Capture with Photochemically–Driven CO 2 Release and Solvent Regeneration

The intensive energy demands associated with solvent regeneration and CO 2 release in current direct air capture (DAC) technologies makes their deployment at the massive scales (GtCO 2 /year) required to positively impact the climate economically unfeasible. This challenge underscores the critical need to develop new DAC processes with significantly reduced energy costs. Recently, we developed a new approach to photochemically drive efficient release of CO 2 through an intermolecular proton transfer reaction by exploiting the unique properties of an indazole metastable-state photoacid (mPAH), opening a new avenue towards energy efficient on-demand CO 2 release and solvent regeneration using abundant solar energy instead of heat. In this Concept Article, we will describe the principle of our photochemically-driven CO 2 release approach for solvent-based DAC systems, discuss the essential prerequisites and conditions to realize this cyclable CO 2 release chemistry under ambient conditions. We outline the key findings of our approach, discuss the latest developments from other research laboratories, detail approaches used to monitor DAC systems in situ, and highlight experimental procedures for validating its feasibility. Finally, we conclude with a summary and outlook into the immediate challenges that must be addressed in order to fully exploit this novel photochemically-driven approach to DAC solvent regeneration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Bench scale development of a hybrid membrane-absorption CO 2 capture process (Final Report)

This final technical report describes work conducted for the Department of Energy (DOE) on the development of a bench-scale hybrid membrane-absorption carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture system for coal-fired power plant applications (Cooperative Agreement number DE-FE0013118). The work was conducted by Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. (MTR) with major support from the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) from April 1, 2013 through September 30, 2018. The overall goal of this project was to evaluate two variations of a hybrid membrane-absorption capture system combining the MTR air-swept PolarisTM membrane technology, which enriches flue gas to ~20% CO 2 , with UT Austin’s absorption-based advanced flash stripper (AFS) using piperazine (PZ), to determine the superior hybrid variant and to assess the potential of hybrid capture systems to achieve a lower cost-of-capture, compared to NETL’s reference amine-based capture plant. This project included the evaluation, development and testing of a hybrid membrane-absorption CO 2 capture system for coal-fired power plant applications using the MTR high-gas-flow, low-pressure-drop membrane contactor. The ability of the membrane contactor to enrich coal-fired flue gas from its normal content of ~13% CO 2 into a smaller volume of gas containing 20-25% CO 2 – with minimal energy input – could reduce the cost of the final concentration process, regardless of whether it is absorption, adsorption, cryogenic, or membrane-based. In this project, we are evaluating the feasibility of a hybrid system combining the MTR sweep membrane technology with the UT Austin piperazine-based advanced flash stripper (PZAS) capture system.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1983

Does Venus breathe?

It is speculated that the periodic absorption and desorption of CO2 by the soil of Venus may buffer daily temperature, pressure and wind variations in the lower atmosphere, effectively eliminating the net tidal torque on the atmosphere. The redistribution of mass would still generate a sizable torque, however, which may serve as a balance for that which is caused by the gravitationally induced tide. This novel tidal mechanism represents a somewhat weaker competitor to the atmospheric tides which have previously been studied.

Dobrovolskis, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Comparison of ERBE inferred and model computed clear-sky albedos

Over-ocean clear-sky albedos measured with instruments on the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) are compared with albedos simulated using a radiative transfer model (RTM). The comparison covers the monthly mean albedos for November 1984. The ERBS albedo was calculated with a scene identification algorithm. Techniques used to suppress cloud cover uncertainties are discussed. The plane-parallel delta-Eddington RTM accounted for O3, O2, CO2 and H2O gaseous absorption and background aerosol absorption.

Briegleb, B. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Spectroscopic observations of bright and dark emission features on the night side of Venus

Near-infrared spectra of a bright and a dark thermal emission feature on the night side of Venus have been obtained from 2.2 to 2.5 microns at a spectral resolution of 1200 to 1500. Both bright and dark features show numerous weak absorption bands produced by CO2, CO, water vapor, and other gases. The bright feature emits more radiation than the dark feature throughout this spectral region, but the largest contrasts occur between 2.21 s 2.32 microns, where H2SO4 clouds and a weak CO2 band provide the only known sources of extinction. The contrast decreases by 55 to 65 percent at wavelengths longer than 2.34 microns, where CO, clouds, and water vapor also absorb and scatter upwelling radiation. This contrast reduction may provide direct spectroscopic evidence for horizontal variations in the water vapor concentrations in the Venus atmosphere at levels below the cloud tops.

Bell, J. F., III↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surface vs. atmospheric origin of 2.1-2.5 micron absorption features in the Martian spectrum

For 20 years the origin of subtle absorption features in the spectrum of Mars near 2.3 micro-m ('K' band: 1.9-2.5 micro-m) has been debated. This spectral region contains gaseous absorption features predominantly from CO2 and CO on Mars and from telluric H2O and CO2. The authors have obtained new higher spectral resolution telescopic K band spectra of 10 surface regions using the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) at Mauna Kea during 1990. The goals were to confirm the existence of broad features seen at lower spectral resolution and to determine whether these bands are caused by atmospheric gases, surface (or airborne dust) minerals, or a combination of both.

Bell, James F., III↗
NASA NTRS2000

Infrared Observations of Hot Gas and Cold Ice Toward the Low Mass Protostar Elias 29

We have obtained the full 1-200 micrometer spectrum of the low luminosity (36 solar luminosity Class I protostar Elias 29 in the rho Ophiuchi molecular cloud. It provides a unique opportunity to study the origin and evolution of interstellar ice and the interrelationship of interstellar ice and hot core gases around low mass protostars. We see abundant hot CO and H2O gas, as well as the absorption bands of CO, CO2, H2O and "6.85 micrometer" ices. We compare the abundances and physical conditions of the gas and ices toward Elias 29 with the conditions around several well studied luminous, high mass protostars. The high gas temperature and gas/solid ratios resemble those of relatively evolved high mass objects (e.g. GL 2591). However, none of the ice band profiles shows evidence for significant thermal processing, and in this respect Elias 29 resembles the least evolved luminous protostars, such as NGC 7538 : IRS9. Thus we conclude that the heating of the envelope of the low mass object Elias 29 is qualitatively different from that of high mass protostars. This is possibly related to a different density gradient of the envelope or shielding of the ices in a circumstellar disk. This result is important for our understanding of the evolution of interstellar ices, and their relation to cometary ices.

Boogert, A. C. A.↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Sun's Impact on Climate

We provide an overview of the impact of the Sun on the Earth atmosphere and climate system, focused on heating of Earth's atmosphere and oceans. We emphasize the importance of the spectral measurements of SIM and SOLSTICE- that we must know how solar variations are distributed over ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths, since these have separate characteristic influences on Earth's ozone layer, clouds, and upper layers of the oceans. Emphasis is also given to understanding both direct and indirect influences of the Sun on the Earth, which involve feedbacks between Earth's stratosphere, troposphere, and oceans, each with unique time scales, dynamics, chemistry, and biology, interacting non-linearly. Especially crucial is the role of all three phases of water on Earth, water vapor being the primary greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, the importance of trace gases such as CO2 arising from their absorption in the "water vapor window" at 800 - 1250/cm (12.5 to 8 microns). Melting of polar ice is one major response to the post-industrial global warming, enhanced due to "ice-albedo" feedback. Finally, water in liquid form has a major influence due to cloud albedo feedback, and also due to the oceans' absorption of solar radiation, particularly at visible wavelengths, through the visible "liquid water window" that allows penetration of visible light deep into the mixed layer, while nearby ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths do not penetrate past the upper centimeter ocean surface skin layer. A large fraction of solar energy absorbed by the oceans goes into the latent heat of evaporation. Thus the solar heating of the atmosphere-ocean system is strongly coupled through the water cycle of evaporation, cloud formation, precipitation, surface runoff and ice formation, to Earth's energy budget and climate, each different climate component responding to variations in different solar spectral bands, at ultraviolet, visible and infrared wavelengths.

Cahalan, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2012

Near-Infrared Band Strengths of Molecules Diluted in N2 and H20 Ice Mixtures Relevant to Interstellar and Planetary Ices

In order to determine the column density of a component of an ice from its infrared absorption features, the strengths of these features must be known. The peak positions, widths, profiles, and strengths of a certain ice component's infrared absorption features are affected be the overall composition of the ice. Many satellites within the solar system have surfaces that are dominated by H2O or N2 and ices in the interstellar medium (ISM) are primarily composed of H2O. The experiments presented here focus on the near-infrared absorption features of CO, CO2, CH4, and NH3 (nu=10,000-4,000/cm, lambda=1-2.5 microns) and the effects of diluting these molecules in N2 or H2O ice (mixture ratio of 5:1). This is a continuation of previous results published by our research group.

Richey, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Single Object & Time Series Spectroscopy with JWST NIRCam

JWST will enable high signal-to-noise spectroscopic observations of the atmospheres of transiting planets with high sensitivity at wavelengths that are inaccessible with HST or other existing facilities. We plan to exploit this by measuring abundances, chemical compositions, cloud properties, and temperature-pressure parameters of a set of mostly warm (T 600 - 1200 K) and low mass (14 -200 Earth mass) planets in our guaranteed time program. These planets are expected to have significant molecular absorptions of H2O, CH4, CO2, CO, and other molecules that are key for determining these parameters and illuminating how and where the planets formed. We describe how we will use the NIRCam grisms to observe slitless transmission and emission spectra of these planets over 2.4 - 5.0 microns wavelength and how well these observations can measure our desired parameters. This will include how we set integration times, exposure parameters, and obtain simultaneous shorter wavelength images to track telescope pointing and stellar variability. We will illustrate this with specific examples showing model spectra, simulated observations, expected information retrieval results, completed Astronomer's Proposal Tools observing templates, target visibility, and other considerations.

NIRCam↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effect of interferogram smearing on atmospheric limb sounding by Fourier transform spectroscopy

An analytical method for the analysis of absorption spectra obtained from the interferograms of an interferometer operated in the solar occultation mode, in which an interferogram is smeared with individual interferogram components generated by the passage of rays at different tangent altitudes, is described. The creation of strong sidelobes on absorption lines by the interferogram smearing leads to the recommendation of a strong apodization on the interferogram for the solar occultation experiment. The application of these concepts to the simultaneous retrieval of temperature and pressure from CO2 4.3-micron band stratospheric absorption spectra includes the analysis of the continuum absorptions by the pressure-induced N2 fundamental bands and by far wings of the CO2 v3 band. Agreement is reported between observed and simulated spectra.

Park, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Foreign-gas-broadening effects in the 15-micron CO2 bands.

The effects of N2, O2, Ar, and He on the absorption of radiation by the 15-micron perpendicular CO2 bands are reported. The investigation was carried out at medium resolution and at gas pressures less than 1 atm. The results of the study are presented in the form of a band-averaged broadening coefficient for N2, band-averaged broadening factors for O2, Ar, and He, and wavelength dependent broadening coefficients for N2, O2, Ar, and He. Comparisons are made with other experimental and theoretical results. In addition transmittances were calculated for homogeneous paths using some of the molecular parameters determined in the study and compared with measured transmittances.

Reichle, H. G., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Airborne 2-Micron Double Pulsed Direct Detection IPDA Lidar for Atmospheric CO2 Measurement

An airborne 2-micron double-pulsed Integrated Path Differential Absorption (IPDA) lidar has been developed for atmospheric CO2 measurements. This new 2-miron pulsed IPDA lidar has been flown in spring of 2014 for total ten flights with 27 flight hours. It provides high precision measurement capability by unambiguously eliminating contamination from aerosols and clouds that can bias the IPDA measurement.

Yu, Jirong↗