Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Gas sample analysis”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2006

Development of Analytical Protocols For Organics and Isotopes Analysis on the 2009 MARS Science Laboratory.

The Mars Science Laboratory, under development for launch in 2009, is designed explore and quantitatively asses a local region on Mars as a potential habitat for present or past life. Its ambitious goals are to (1) assess the past or present biological potential of the target environment, (2) to characterize the geology and geochemistry at the MSL landing site, and (3) to investigate planetary processes that influence habitability. The planned capabilities of the rover payload will enable a comprehensive search for organic molecules, a determination of definitive mineralogy of sampled rocks and fines, chemical and isotopic analysis of both atmospheric and solid samples, and precision isotope measurements of several volatile elements. A range of contact and remote surface and subsurface survey tools will establish context for these measurements and will facilitate sample identification and selection. The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) suite of MSL addresses several of the mission's core measurement goals. It includes a gas chromatograph, a mass spectrometer, and a tunable laser spectrometer. These instruments will be designed to analyze either atmospheric samples or gases extracted from solid phase samples such as rocks and fines. We will describe the range of measurement protocols under development and study by the SAM engineering and science teams for use on the surface of Mars.

Mahaffy, P. R.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Carbon and Sulfur Isotopic Composition of Rocknest Soil as Determined with the Sample Analysis at Mars(SAM) Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover got its first taste of solid Mars in the form of loose, unconsolidated materials (soil) acquired from an aeolian bedform designated Rocknest. Evolved gas analysis (EGA) revealed the presence of H2O as well as O-, C- and S-bearing phases in these samples. CheMin did not detect crystalline phases containing these gaseous species but did detect the presence of X-ray amorphous materials. In the absence of definitive mineralogical identification by CheMin, SAM EGA data can provide clues to the nature and/or mineralogy of volatile-bearing phases through examination of temperatures at which gases are evolved from solid samples. In addition, the isotopic composition of these gases, particularly when multiple sources contribute to a given EGA curve, may be used to identify possible formation scenarios and relationships between phases. Here we report C and S isotope ratios for CO2 and SO2 evolved from Rocknest soil samples as measured with SAM's quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS).

Franz, H. B.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Characterizing Pore-Scale Geochemical Alterations in Eagle Ford and Barnett Shale from Exposure to Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid and CO 2 /H 2 O

As demand increases for an affordable energy source that is tied to an environmental obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, there is a growing consideration in shale production utilizing processes such as 1) enhancing hydrocarbon recovery via carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) flooding, 2) using CO 2 as a fracturing agent to minimize water use, and 3) storing CO 2 in depleted shale formations to mitigate emissions to the atmosphere. Understanding the geochemical reactions and alterations that occur as shale is exposed to fluids and CO 2 is necessary to develop and optimize each of these processes for field applications. While the majority of shale formations are stimulated using traditional fracturing fluid, some may be fractured using CO 2 or other non-traditional means. We examine the effect fracturing fluid has on shale and how it behaves with secondary exposure to dry CO 2 or CO 2 -saturated water using in situ Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), feature relocation scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface area and pore size analysis using volumetric gas sorption. These techniques were performed on Eagle Ford and Barnett shale samples that were exposed to fracturing fluid and unexposed (as received). Shales that have been exposed to traditional fracturing fluid experienced two reaction fronts. The first reaction front was formed during exposure to the fracturing fluid (pH of ~1.4). A secondary reaction front was formed as a result of CO 2 -saturated fluid exposure in the form of carbonic acid (pH ~5.6). These two different reaction mechanisms drove multiple dissolution and precipitation cycles which altered petrophysical properties of the shale and could lead to a significant impact on flow pathways. FTIR showed that equilibration of carbonate dissolution and precipitation cycles could take as long as 35 days. Samples exposed to fracturing fluid showed significantly less carbonate reactivity compared to those exposed to water. Pore size analysis results indicate exposure to fracturing fluid blocked small nanopores (10-15 nm) reducing BET surface area and total pore volume. SEM results show barite precipitated heavily during exposure to fracturing fluid. It appeared that carbonic acid was able to extract sulfur from organic matter to form gypsum evaporites. The mineralogical (barite precipitation and calcite dissolution/precipitation) and pore-scale alterations observed in these samples may lead to enhancement of flow pathways for injected CO 2 or produced hydrocarbons.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Toward reducing uncertainty quantification costs in DEM models of particulate flow: Testing simple, sensitivity-based, forward uncertainty propagation techniques

The performance of two conceptually-simple uncertainty quantification techniques are tested against the rigorous nested-loop sampling technique of Roy and Oberkampf (Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng, 200: 2131–2144, 2011) (herein called full-sampling) using two very small-scale DEM-based models of particulate flow (one gas-solid flow and one granular flow). The first simplified forward uncertainty propagation technique, reduced-sampling, uses a sensitivity analysis to eliminate uncertain inputs that have little impact on the model output prior to nested-loop sampling. The second technique, boundary-sampling, uses a sensitivity analysis to inform the selection of two bounding cases for each key model output. In conclusion, the uncertainties in the model outputs obtained via the reduced- and boundary-sampling methods agree well with those from full-sampling for both the gas-solid and granular flow models while yielding computational savings of 65–75% (reduced sampling) and 94–97% (boundary sampling).

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mount St. Helens aerosol evolution

Stratospheric aerosol samples were collected using a wire impactor during the year following the eruption of Mount St. Helens. Analysis of samples shows that aerosol volume increased for 6 months due to gas-to-particle conversion and then decreased to background levels in the following 6 months.

Oberbeck, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Mount Saint Helens aerosol evolution

Stratospheric aerosol samples were collected using a wire impactor during the year following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Analysis of samples shows that aerosol volume increased for 6 months due to gas-to-particle conversion and then decreased to background levels in the following 6 months.

Oberbeck, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Isolating Gas Sensor From Pressure And Temperature Effects

Two-stage flow system enables oxygen sensor in system to measure oxygen content of low-pressure, possibly-high-temperature atmosphere in test environment while protecting sensor against possibly high temperature and fluctuations in pressure of atmosphere. Sensor for which flow system designed is zirconium oxide oxygen sensor sampling atmospheres in high-temperature wind tunnels. Also adapted to other gas-analysis instruments that must be isolated from pressure and temperature effects of test environments.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗
NASA NTRS2011

A CFD Analysis of Hydrogen Leakage During On-Pad Purge in the ORION/ARES I Shared Volume

A common open volume is created by the stacking of the Orion vehicle onto the Ares I Upper Stage. Called the Shared Volume, both vehicles contribute to its gas, fluid, and thermal environment. One of these environments is related to hazardous hydrogen gas. While both vehicles use inert purge gas to mitigate any hazardous gas buildup, there are concerns that hydrogen gas may still accumulate and that the Ares I Hazardous Gas Detection System will not be sufficient for monitoring the integrated volume. This Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis has been performed to examine these topics. Results of the analysis conclude that the Ares I Hazardous Gas Detection System will be able to sample the vent effluent containing the highest hydrogen concentrations. A second conclusion is that hydrogen does not accumulate under the Orion Service Module (SM) avionics ring as diffusion and purge flow mixing sufficiently dilute the hydrogen to safe concentrations. Finally the hydrogen concentrations within the Orion SM engine nozzle may slightly exceed the 1 percent volume fraction when the entire worse case maximum full leak is directed vertically into the engine nozzle.

Ajmani, Kumud↗
NASA NTRS2015

The Investigation of Perchlorate/Iron Phase Mixtures as A Possible Source of Oxygen Detected by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument in Gale Crater, Mars

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument onboard the Curiosity rover detected O2 and HCl gas releases from the Rocknest (RN) eolian bedform and the John Klein (JK) and Cumberland (CB) drill hole materials in Gale Crater. Chlorinated hydrocarbons have also been detected by the SAM quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GCMS). These detections along with the detection of perchlorate (ClO4-) by the Mars Phoenix Lander's Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL) suggesting perchlorate is a possible candidate for evolved O2 and chlorine species. Laboratory thermal analysis of individual per-chlorates has yet to provide an unequivocal temperature match to the SAM O2 and HCl release data. These detections along with the detection of perchlorate (ClO4-) by the Mars Phoenix Lander's Wet Chemistry Laboratory suggested perchlorate is a possible candidate for evolved O2 and chlorine species. Laboratory thermal analysis of pure perchlorates has yet to provide an unequivocal temperature match to the SAM O2 and HCl release data. Analog laboratory analysis of iron mineralogy detected in Gale materials that was physically mixed with Ca- and Mg-perchlorate has been shown to catalyze lower O2 release temperatures and approach some SAM O2 release data. Instead of physical mixtures used in previous work, the work presented here utilized perchlorate solutions added to Fe phases. This technique allowed for perchlorate to come in closer contact with the Fe-phase and may more closely mimic Mars conditions where humidity can increase enough to cause deliquescence of the highly hygroscopic perchlorate phases. The objective of this work is to: 1) Utilize a laboratory SAM analog instrument to evaluate the O2 release temperatures from Mg- and Ca-perchlorates solutions applied to Fephases detetected in Gale Crate; and 2) Determine if perchlorate solutions can provide improved matches with the SAM O2 temperature release profiles.

Sutter, B.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Quantitation of Trace Water in ISS Atmosphere Samples Recovered from CO2-Removal Systems

As crewed spaceflight continues to push the limits of exploration, instruments and hardware used to maintain and monitor crew and vehicle health, must become more integrated, reliable, and efficient. By combining a carbon dioxide (CO2) removal system with a resource recovery system like a Sabatier or Bosch reactor, the waste gas from the removal system can be converted into valuable resources that help reduce reliance on ground resupply. Due to the high-pressure nature of the Sabatier and Bosch reactions, the vent gas from most CO2 removal systems will need to be compressed before it can be processed. In order to prevent condensation in the compressor of the recovery system, it is critical to ensure that the vent stream from the CO2 removal system does not contain an excess of water. There are currently two different CO2 removal systems that are being developed as candidates for exploration missions. Each of these systems will be evaluated as a technology demonstration on ISS, and vent gas samples will be collected in Summa sampling canisters fitted with Entech valves for ground analysis. Due to the need to measure low levels of water in these samples, it was not possible to use the current ISS mini-grab sample containers (m-GSC) to collect these samples. The Summa containers, which were used to collect archive samples during Shuttle missions, have a different surface treatment that makes it possible to measure the low levels of water in samples collected in these containers. This paper will provide some background on the CO2 removal systems being evaluated for exploration missions as well as results from ground-based testing of the Summa canisters. Details on the development of the analytical method and the plan for preparing the canisters that will be used for in-flight sampling are also discussed.

William M. King↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Variable Pressure - Scanning Electron Microscopy (VP-SEM)

Variable Pressure (or Environmental) Scanning Electron Microscopy (VP-SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) is one of the most powerful methods for characterizing the sub-micron topography and chemical composition of uncoated samples. Terrestrially, VP-SEM is extensively used to non-destructively study geologic and manufactured materials with high spatial resolution (tens of nanometers) and large depth-of-field. An SEM offers a geologist a first survey of microscopic mineral phases via secondary electron imaging (SEI), which provides a topographic look at a sample, as well as backscattered electron (BEI) imaging, which contrasts the phases present based on their geochemistry (atomic number). A VP-SEM utilizes a gas in the sample chamber as a charge dissipation and signal amplification method, allowing analysis of a sample without preparation in the form of a conductive coating. A miniaturized VP-SEM operating in-situ on a lander or rover would be able to use the CO2-rich Martian atmosphere (e.g., Nier et al., 1976; Williams 2016) as an imaging medium for this purpose. Adaptation of a VP-SEM for in-situ Mars surface studies will provide a new imaging capability (via SEI) that is at least an order of magnitude higher resolution than the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the Mars Science Laboratory (Williams et al., 2015), and equal to or better than the achieved resolution of the Atomic Force Microscope on the Phoenix Mars lander (Pike et al., 2011). In addition, the MVP-SEM is capable of BSI and simultaneous chemical analysis of the imaged region. In this sense, the MVP-SEM can be regarded as an instrument suite that will provide a new set of information not achievable by any other instrument. The Miniaturized Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (MVP-SEM) was designed, built, and benchtop tested by a team at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Jacobs Space Exploration Group, Applied Physics Technologies, Inc. (AP-Tech), and Creare LLC, working with a team of technical and science collaborators. Benchtop testing was successful, proving concept feasibility. To date, the MVP-SEM has achieved an imaging resolution of <100 nm in the lab, and with continued optimization, even better performance (~50 nm resolution) is possible. Use in-situ on the lunar or other planetary surfaces would require some redesign to optimize instrument performance, but such an instrument would be equally useful.

Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Miniature Variable Pressure - Scanning Electron Microscopy (MVP-SEM)

Variable Pressure (or Environmental) Scanning Electron Microscopy (VP-SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) is one of the most powerful methods for characterizing the sub-micron topography and chemical composition of uncoated samples. Terrestrially, VP-SEM is extensively used to non-destructively study geologic and manufactured materials with high spatial resolution (tens of nanometers) and large depth-of-field. An SEM offers a geologist a first survey of microscopic mineral phases via secondary electron imaging (SEI), which provides a topographic look at a sample, as well as backscattered electron (BEI) imaging, which contrasts the phases present based on their geochemistry (atomic number). A VP-SEM utilizes a gas in the sample chamber as a charge dissipation and signal amplification method, allowing analysis of a sample without preparation in the form of a conductive coating. A miniaturized VP-SEM operating in-situ on a lander or rover would be able to use the CO2-rich Martian atmosphere (e.g., Nier et al., 1976; Williams 2016) as an imaging medium for this purpose. Adaptation of a VP-SEM for in-situ Mars surface studies will provide a new imaging capability (via SEI) that is at least an order of magnitude higher resolution than the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) on the Mars Science Laboratory (Williams et al., 2015), and equal to or better than the achieved resolution of the Atomic Force Microscope on the Phoenix Mars lander (Pike et al., 2011). In addition, the MVP-SEM is capable of BSI and simultaneous chemical analysis of the imaged region. In this sense, the MVP-SEM can be regarded as an instrument suite that will provide a new set of information not achievable by any other instrument. The Miniaturized Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (MVP-SEM) was designed, built, and benchtop tested by a team at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Jacobs Space Exploration Group, Applied Physics Technologies, Inc. (AP-Tech), and Creare LLC, working with a team of technical and science collaborators. Benchtop testing was successful, proving concept feasibility. To date, the MVP-SEM has achieved an imaging resolution of <100 nm in the lab, and with continued optimization, even better performance (~50 nm resolution) is possible. Use in-situ on the lunar or other planetary surfaces would require some redesign to optimize instrument performance, but such an instrument would be equally useful.

Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscopy↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of an effusive sampling device for analysis of boundary layer gases

The effect of suction, through an opening in a surface, upon a stream of flowing gas is determined. The quantity of interest is the maximum distance, Y, from the surface that the main stream is affected by the applied suction. The fraction of this distance Y of the boundary layer thickness sigma is determined as a function of tubing radius and length, gas pressure, temperature and stream velocity. The shape of the flow in the high velocity stream is assumed to be determined by means of a parameter which is an unknown function of the distance from the leading edge of the surface.

Brown, K. G.↗
NASA NTRS2023

The Nature of Insoluble Organic Matter in Sutter’s Mill and Murchison Carbonaceous Chondrites: Testing the Effect of X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and Exploring Parent Body Organic Molecular Evolution

This study analyzed samples of the Murchison and Sutter’s Mill carbonaceous chondrite meteorites in support of the future analysis of samples returned from the asteroid (10155) Bennu by the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security–Regolith Explorer) mission. Focusing specifically on the insoluble organic matter (IOM), this study establishes that a total of 1.3 g of bulk sample from a single chondritic meteorite is sufficient to obtain a wide range of cosmochemical information, including light element analysis (H, C, and N), isotopic analysis (D/H, 13 C/ 12 C, and 15 N/ 14 N), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy for major elemental abundances. IOM isolated from the bulk meteorite samples was analyzed by light element and isotopic analysis as described above, 1 H and 13 C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and complete noble gas analyses (abundances and isotopes). The samples studied included a pair from Murchison (CM2), one of which had been irradiated with high-energy X-rays in the course of computed tomographic imaging. No differences between the irradiated and non-irradiated Murchison samples were observed in the many different chemical and spectroscopic analyses, indicating that any X-ray–derived sample damage is below levels of detection. Elemental, isotopic, and molecular spectroscopic data derived from IOM isolated from the Sutter’s Mill sample reveals evidence that this meteorite falls into the class of heated CM chondrites.

planetary science↗
NASA NTRS1980

Synergistic effects in trace gas-aerosol interactions

The reaction of SO2 and NO2 with soot has been studied experimentally by gravimetric determination of chemisorption with subsequent analysis of the chemisorbed species by various techniques. When samples of commercially available carbon black (used as soot surrogate) are exposed to SO2 or NO2 in dry air or N2 as carrier gas, no quantitative chemisorption (less than 5 micrograms per mg of substrate) is observed. However, exposure of the same grade of carbon to a combination of SO2 and NO2 in dry air of N2 results in significant chemisorption (180-200 micrograms/mg), a major fraction of which is analyzed as sulfate.

Schryer, D. R.↗
DOE OSTI2019

DOE NETL Gas Hydrate Project FWP 65213: Kinetic Parameters for the Exchange of Hydrate Formers (Final Report)

This report documents the research activities sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for the gas hydrate project entitled, “Kinetic Parameters for the Exchange of Hydrate Formers.” This project started June 1, 2013 and concluded December 31, 2018, and comprised five budget periods, under FWP-65213. The overarching goal of this project was to gain an improved understanding of the dynamic processes of gas hydrate accumulations in geologic media by combining laboratory studies, numerical simulation, and analysis of shipboard infrared imaging of hydrate core samples. This project comprised four principal components: 1) fundamental laboratory investigations, 2) numerical simulator development and verification, 3) hydrate core characterization and analysis, and 4) applied laboratory and numerical investigations. Laboratory and field experiments have demonstrated the four core methodologies for producing natural gas hydrates from geologic formations: 1) depressurization, 2) thermal stimulation, 3) inhibitor injection, and 4) guest molecule exchange. Converting these methodologies into viable commercial technologies remains challenging, either from an economic or technical perspective. This project was largely focused with the technical challenges associated with the guest molecule exchange method, which is often referred to as gas swapping. Previous research by PNNL had shown that gas swapping with pure CO 2 was not feasible, as first originally thought, principally due to the formation of secondary hydrates, which clogged or reduced the effective permeability of the hydrate-bearing formation. This research was directed at discovering the potential for using mixtures of gases to affect the gas swapping methodology at commercial scales. The Ignik Sikumi Gas Hydrate Field Trial demonstrated the injection of a N 2 -CO 2 gas mixture into a natural gas hydrate bearing layer, and exchange behavior with the CH 4 hydrate former or guest molecules. The original concept behind the use of a N 2 -CO 2 was to maintain gas conditions at the reservoir state. Pure CO 2 would have existed under supercritical conditions, with an associated density closer to a liquid than gas. One of the key outcomes from this research project has been the discovery, through laboratory experiments and numerical simulation, that gas mixtures, especially those with components having different gas hydrate equilibria conditions provide a control option for the guest molecule exchange methodology. For example, the dissociation or formation of hydrate could be controlled by adjusting the composition of the gas mixture. This research project was dynamic in that the discoveries during each budget period would set the course of research during successive budget periods. Therefore, this report is arranged in chronological order progressing through the five budget periods of the project.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Investigation of Chlorate and Perchlorate/Saponite Mixtures as a Possible Source of Oxygen and Chlorine Detected by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument in Gale Crater

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on board the Curiosity Rover has detected O2 and HCl gas releases from all analyzed Gale Crater sediments, which are attributed to the presence of perchlorates and/or chlorates in martian sediment. Previous SAM analog laboratory analyses found that most pure perchlorates and chlorates release O2 and HCl at different temperatures than those observed in the SAM data. Subsequent studies examined the effects of perchlorate and chlorate mixtures with Gale Crater analog iron phases, which are known to catalyze oxychlorine decomposition. Several mixtures produced O2 releases at similar temperatures as Gale Crater materials, but most of these mixtures did not produce significant HCl releases comparable to those detected by the SAM instrument. In order to better explain the Gale Crater HCl releases, perchlorates and chlorates were mixed with Gale Crater analog saponite, which is found at abundances from 8 to 20 wt % in the John Klein and Cumberland drill samples. Mixtures of chlorates or perchlorates with calcium-saponite or ferrian-saponite were heated to 1000 deg C in a Labsys EVO differential scanning calorimeter/mass spectrometer configured to operate similarly to the SAM oven/quadrupole mass spectrometer system. Our results demonstrate that all chlorate and perchlorate mixtures produce significant HCl releases below 1000 deg C as well as depressed oxygen peak release temperatures when mixed with saponite. The type of saponite (calcium or ferrian saponite) did not affect the evolved gas results significantly. Saponite/Mg-perchlorate mixtures produced two HCl releases similar to the Cumberland drilled sample. Mg-chlorate mixed with saponite produced HCl releases similar to the Big Sky drilled sample in an eolian sandstone. A mixture of Ca-perchlorate and saponite produced HCl and oxygen releases similar to the Buckskin mudstone drilled sample and the Gobabeb 2 eolian dune material. Ca-chlorate mixed with saponite produced both HCl and oxygen releases within the same range as the Rock-nest windblown deposit, the Greenhorn eolian sandstone, and the John Klein drilled mudstone. Overall, mixtures of perchlorates or chlorates with saponite provide the first explanation for the high temperature HCl releases in addition to the oxygen releases observed in Gale Crater materials.

Clark, J.↗