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At least 307 records · Page 17

Thermally Enhanced Acidity for Regeneration of Carbon Dioxide Sorbent

The thermal regeneration of CO2 sorbent is the most energy-consuming step in the CO2-capturing process. Although the addition of an acid can induce CO2 release, it does not regenerate the sorbent because the acid forms a salt with the basic sorbent and diminishes its capability for capturing CO2. In this work, a novel approach based on thermally enhanced acidity was studied. This approach utilizes an additive that does not affect the sorbent at room temperature, but its acidity significantly increases at elevated temperatures, which assists the thermal release of CO2. M-cresol was added to an aqueous solution of morpholine. The CO2 capture and release of the mixture were compared to those of a control solution without m-cresol. The amounts of carbamate, bicarbonate, and unreacted morpholine were quantitatively determined using 1H NMR and weight analysis. The results showed that m-cresol did not affect the reactivity of morpholine in the formation of carbamate with CO2 at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the acidity of m-cresol increased according to Van’t Hoff’s equation, which resulted in a significantly higher rate of CO2 release than that of the control. Given the low cost of m-cresol and its derivatives, this approach could lead to practical technology in the near future.

Energy & Fuels↗

Monel-shot and screen regenerators

Monel has been found to be ideal material for matrix of regenerators operating in temperature range of 325 K to 50 K. Two best shapes are as spheres or as wire mesh. For given size of regenerator, spherical shots are preferable for low-temperature operation. At high temperatures, mesh would be superior by virtue of its lower flow resistance.

Browning, C. W.↗

Enzymatic regeneration of adenosine triphosphate cofactor

Regenerating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by enzymatic process which utilizes carbamyl phosphate as phosphoryl donor is technique used to regenerate expensive cofactors. Process allows complex enzymatic reactions to be considered as candidates for large-scale continuous processes.

Marshall, D. L.↗

Contaminant removal from enclosed atmospheres by regenerable adsorbents

A system for removing contaminants from spacecraft atmospheres was studied, which utilizes catalyst-impregnated activated carbon followed by in-situ regeneration by low-temperature catalytic oxidation of the adsorbed contaminants. Platinum was deposited on activated carbon by liquid phase impregnation with chloroplatinic acid, followed by drying and high-temperature reduction. Results were obtained for the seven selected spacecraft contaminants by means of three experimental test systems. The results indicate that the contaminants could be removed by oxidation with very little loss in adsorptive capacity. The advantages of a catalyst-impregnated carbon for oxidative regeneration are found to be significant enough to warrent its use.

Goldsmith, R. L.↗

Fluidized bed regenerators for Brayton cycles

A recuperator consisting of two fluidized bed regenerators with circulating solid particles is considered for use in a Brayton cycle. These fluidized beds offer the possibility of high temperature operation if ceramic particles are used. Calculations of the efficiency and size of fluidized bed regenerators for typical values of operating parameters were made and compared to a shell and tube recuperator. The calculations indicate that the fluidized beds will be more compact than the shell and tube as well as offering a high temperature operating capability.

Nichols, L. D.↗

Fluidized bed regenerators for Brayton cycles

A recuperator consisting of two fluidized bed regenerators with circulating solid particles is considered for use in a Brayton cycle. These fluidized beds offer the possibility of high temperature operation if ceramic particles are used. Calculations of the efficiency and size of fluidized bed regenerators for typical values of operating parameters have been made and compared to a shell and tube recuperator. The calculations indicate that the fluidized beds will be more compact than the shell and tube as well as offering a high temperature operating capability.

Nichols, L. D.↗

Air regenerating and conditioning

Various physicochemical methods of regenerating and conditioning air for spacecraft are described with emphasis on conditions which affect efficiency of the system. Life support systems used in closed, hermetically sealed environments are discussed with references to actual application in the Soviet Soyuz and Voskhod manned spacecraft. Temperature and humidity control, removal of carbon dioxide, oxygen regeneration, and removal of bacteria and viruses are among the factors considered.

Grishayenkov, B. G.↗

Development of a prototype regenerable carbon dioxide absorber

Design information was obtained for a new, regenerable carbon dioxide control system for extravehicular activity life support systems. Solid potassium carbonate was supported in a thin porous sheet form and fabricated into carbon dioxide absorber units. Carbon dioxide and water in the life support system atmosphere react with the potassium carbonate and form potassium bicarbonate. The bicarbonate easily reverts to the carbonate by heating to 150 deg C. The methods of effectively packing the sorbent material into EVA-sized units and the effects of inlet concentrations, flowrate, and temperature upon performance were investigated. The cycle life of the sorbent upon the repeated thermal regenerations was demonstrated through 90 cycles.

Onischak, M.↗

A regenerable CO2 and humidity control system for Shuttle

A regenerable CO2 and humidity control system is presently being developed for potential use on Shuttle as an alternate to the baseline Lithium Hydroxide (LiOH) system. The system utilizes a sorbent material (designated 'HS-C') to adsorb CO2 and water vapor from the cabin atmosphere and desorb the CO2 and water vapor overboard when exposed to a space vacuum. Past development programs concentrated on material development and breadboard system fabrication and testing. The present program calls for the design of a flight prototype system capable of integration into the Shuttle vehicle and the development of major components. This paper will show that a regenerable system utilizing HS-C material trades even with the shuttle LiOH system for the baseline four-man, seven-day mission and offers increased savings up to 448 kg for a seven-man, 30-day mission.

Boehm, A. M.↗

Development of a prototype regeneration carbon dioxide absorber

A prototype regenerable carbon dioxide absorber was developed to maintain the environmental quality of the portable life support system. The absorber works on the alkali metal carbonate-bicarbonate solid-gas reaction to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The prototype sorber module was designed, fabricated, and tested at simulated extravehicular activity conditions to arrive at optimum design. The unit maintains sorber outlet concentration below 5 mm Hg. An optimization study was made with respect to heat transfer, temperature control, sorbent utilization, sorber life and regenerability, and final size of the module. Important parameters influencing the capacity of the final absorber unit were identified and recommendations for improvement were made.

Patel, P. S.↗

Ceramic regenerator systems development program

Ceramic regenerator cores are considered that can be used in passenger car gas turbine engines, Stirling engines, and industrial/truck gas turbine engines. Improved materials and design concepts aimed at reducing or eliminating chemical attack were placed on durability test in Ford 707 industrial gas turbine engines. The results of 19,600 hours of turbine engine durability testing are described. Two materials, aluminum silicate and magnesium aluminum silicate, continue to show promise toward achieving the durability objectives of this program. A regenerator core made from aluminum silicate showed minimal evidence of chemical attack damage after 6935 hours of engine test at 800 C and another showed little distress after 3510 hours at 982 C. Results obtained in ceramic material screening tests, aerothermodynamic performance tests, stress analysis, cost studies, and material specifications are also included.

Cook, J. A.↗

Ceramic regenerator systems development program

Ceramic regenerator cores are considered that can be used in passenger car gas turbine engines, Stirling engines, and industrial/truck gas turbine engines. Improved materials and design concepts aimed at reducing or eliminating chemical attack were placed on durability tests/in industrial gas turbine engines. A regenerator core made from aluminum silicate shows minimal evidence of chemical attack damage after 7804 hours of engine test at 800 C and another showed little distress after 4983 hours at 982 C. The results obtained in ceramic material screening tests, aerothermodynamic performance tests, stress analysis, cost studies, and material specifications are also included.

Cook, J. A.↗

Argon/UF6 plasma experiments: UF6 regeneration and product analysis

An experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to aid in developing some of the technology necessary for designing a self-critical fissioning uranium plasma core reactors (PCR). This technology is applicable to gaseous uranium hexafluoride nuclear-pumped laser systems. The principal equipment used included 1.2 MW RF induction heater, a d.c. plasma torch, a uranium tetrafluoride feeder system, and batch-type fluorine/UF6 regeneration systems. Overall objectives were to continue to develop and test materials and handling techniques suitable for use with high-temperature, high-pressure, gaseous UF6; and to continue development of complementary diagnostic instrumentation and measurement techniques to characterize the effluent exhaust gases and residue deposited on the test chamber and exhaust system components. Specific objectives include: a development of a batch-type UF6 regeneration system employing pure high-temperature fluorine; development of a ruggedized time-of-flight mass spectrometer and associated data acquisition system capable of making on-line concentration measurements of the volatile effluent exhaust gas species in a high RF environment and corrosive environment of UF6 and related halide compounds.

Roman, W. C.↗

Evaluation of ceramic packed-rod regenerator matrices

An extensive evaluation of a modified cryocooler with various regenerator matrices is reported. The matrices examined are 0.015 in. diam. Pb spheres and 0.008, 0.015, and 0.030 in. diam. rods of a 0.2% SnCl2 doped ceramic labelled LS-8A. Specific heat and thermal conductivity data on these rod materials are also reported. The chronic pulverization/dusting problem common to Pb spheres was investigated. During a 1000 hr life test with 0.0008 in. diam. rods there was no degradation of the refrigerator performance, and a subsequent examination of the rods themselves revealed no evidence of breakage or pulverization. The load temperature characteristics for the rod packed regenerators were inferior to that for the Pb spheres, the effect being to shift the Pb spheres load curve up in temperature. This temperature shift was 5.0, 7.4, and 11.6K for the 0.0008, 0.015, and 0.030 in. diam. rods, respectively.

Lawless, W. N.↗

Unconventional processes for food regeneration in space - An overview

Alternatives to conventional plant agriculture for the regeneration of food during space missions of extended duration are examined. The options considered, which may be used in combination with conventional agriculture, include the production of food from plant wastes, the chemical synthesis of food from carbon dioxide and other simple molecules or the substitution of edible chemicals, and the use of microrganisms for food and oxygen regeneration, with suitable processing. A comparison of solar energy conversion efficiencies is presented for nonphotosynthetic bacteria grown on hydrogen and algal systems photosynthetically, and it is shown that hydrogen bacteria are potentially more attractive than photosynthetic algae using artificial light. Weight-volume requirements for the conventional plant, algae and hydrogen bacteria systems are also compared to demonstrate the advantages of microbial systems.

Stokes, B. O.↗

Regenerable non-venting thermal control subsystem for extravehicular activity

Extravehicular Mobility Unit heat rejection requirements have been formulated for both Space Shuttle Orbiter and space station regenerable nonventing thermal sink (RNTS) applications, where the former involve nonventing extravehicular activity (EVA) missions and the latter both nonventing and regenerable EVA. The present conceptual study notes that while the exclusive use of thermal storage is suitable for the Space Shuttle mission, space station requirements are best satisfied by a hybrid system which combines thermal storage with radiator and heat pump. The Space Shuttle RNTS thermal control subsystem's thermal storage unit uses water as a phase change medium. It is noted that the same heat storage unit can satisfy the Space Shuttle and space station requirements.

Roebelen, G. J., Jr.↗

Fatigue failure of regenerator screens in a high frequency Stirling engine

Failure of Stirling Space Power Demonstrator Engine (SPDE) regenerator screens was investigated. After several hours of operation the SPDE was shut down for inspection and on removing the regenator screens, debris of unknown origin was discovered along with considerable cracking of the screens in localized areas. Metallurgical analysis of the debris determined it to be cracked-off-deformed pieces of the 41 micron thickness Type 304 stainless steel wire screen. Scanning electron microscopy of the cracked screens revealed failures occurring at wire crossovers and fatigue striations on the fracture surface of the wires. Thus, the screen failure can be characterized as a fatigue failure of the wires. The crossovers were determined to contain 30 percent reduction in wire thickness and a highly worked microstructure occurring from the manufacturing process of the wire screens. Later it was found that reduction in wire thickness occurred because the screen fabricator had subjected it to a light cold-roll process after weaving. Installation of this screen left a clearance in the regenerator allowing the screens to move. The combined effects of the reduction in wire thickness, stress concentration (caused by screen movement), and highly worked microstructure at the wire crossovers led to the fatigue failure of the screens.

Hull, David R.↗