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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

Status of NASA aircraft engine emission reduction and upper atmosphere measurement programs

Advanced emission reduction techniques for five existing aircraft gas turbine engines are evaluated. Progress made toward meeting the 1979 EPA standards in rig tests of combustors for the five engines is reported. Results of fundamental combustion studies suggest the possibility of a new generation of jet engine combustor technology that would reduce oxides-of-nitrogen (NOx) emissions far below levels currently demonstrated in the engine-related programs. The Global Air Sampling Program (GAS) is now in full operation and is providing data on constituent measurements of ozone and other minor upper-atmosphere species related to aircraft emissions.

Rudey, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

TOI-3757 b: A Low-density Gas Giant Orbiting a Solar-metallicity M Dwarf

We present the discovery of a new Jovian-sized planet, TOI-3757 b, the lowest-density transiting planet known to orbit an M dwarf (M0V). This planet was discovered around a solar-metallicity M dwarf, using Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite photometry and confirmed with precise radial velocities from the Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HPF) and NEID. With a planetary radius of 12.0 (+0.4 -0.5) R ⊕ and mass of 85.3 (+8.8 -8.7)M ⊕ , not only does this object add to the small sample of gas giants (∼10) around M dwarfs, but also its low density (ρ=0.27 +0.05 -0.04 g) provides an opportunity to test theories of planet formation. We present two hypotheses to explain its low density; first, we posit that the low metallicity of its stellar host (∼0.3 dex lower than the median metallicity of M dwarfs hosting gas giants) could have played a role in the delayed formation of a solid core massive enough to initiate runaway accretion. Second, using the eccentricity estimate of 0.14 ± 0.06, we determine it is also plausible for tidal heating to at least partially be responsible for inflating the radius of TOI-3757b b. The low density and large scale height of TOI-3757 b makes it an excellent target for transmission spectroscopy studies of atmospheric escape and composition (transmission spectroscopy measurement of ∼ 190). We use HPF to perform transmission spectroscopy of TOI-3757 b using the helium 10830 Å line. Doing this, we place an upper limit of 6.9% (with 90% confidence) on the maximum depth of the absorption from the metastable transition of He at ∼10830 Å, which can help constraint the atmospheric mass-loss rate in this energy-limited regime.

Exoplanet astronomy↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pre-Transient Characterization of Historic EBR-II Pins for Transient Testing

Current interest in sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designs, such as TerraPower’s Natrium Reactor, has highlighted the need for advanced reactor fuel technology development. Modern U-Zr and U- Pu-Zr pin designs are primary candidates to fuel SFRs and boast high fuel utilization capacity, increased fuel-cladding compatibility, and improved safety through inherent feedback mechanisms. Despite over 60 years of metallic fuel irradiation, uncertainties exist in the performance of the fuel system, particularly under transient overpower (TOP) and loss of flow (LOF) scenarios. Throughout historical testing within the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), fuel behavior has demonstrated benign response to transient reactor conditions; however, accurate predictions of failure thresholds to inform operational limitations rely heavily on fuel composition, burnup, and irradiation history. In expanding TOP and LOF testing, the Transient Heat sink Overpower Response (THOR) Capsule will be used to test modern fuel technologies in a static sodium environment in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. The THOR capsule is highly instrumented and will provide time-dependent thermal behavior of SFR fuel pins subjected to accident conditions within TREAT. The THOR-Metallic (THOR- M) campaign aims to validate and expand historical TOP and LOF testing on high burnup U-Zr and U-Pu- Zr fuel alloys previously irradiated in EBR-II by running the rods to failure. This contribution focuses primarily on the pre-transient engineering-scale destructive and non- destructive characterization that has been conducted on both the test and sibling pins used for the TOP and LOF tests. All pins underwent visual examination, neutron radiography, element contact profilometry, and precise gamma scan. The sibling pins used for each test were further analyzed using gas assay, sampling, and recharge analysis (GASR), and optical microscopy. The results from each technique confirmed that the fuel pins were intact and devoid of any atypical developments when compared to historical data. Additionally, the analyzed measurements establish a baseline for comparison to post-transient analysis. Key fuel behaviors quanitifed include axial elongation of the fuel column, diametral strain of the pin, patterns in fluff structure geometry, changes in axial isotope distribution, evolution of constituent redistribution, porosity, and fission gas release. The pre-transient measurements and changes attributed to transient behavior from post-transient measurement will be compared to historical data to capture the behavioral dependence on composition, burnup, and irradiation history. Results from this work advance the initiatives of the THOR-M campaign, which aid in informing fuel performance models and establishing safety criteria for SFR operational limits. The novel combination of test environment, in-situ instrumentation, and comprehensive suite of characterization methods provides greater understanding of transient fuel behavior. Overall, information on the time and condition of pin failure for high burnup U-Pu-Zr will greatly expand the limited existing TOP and LOF test data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pre-Transient Characterization of Historic EBR-II Pins for Transient Testing

Current interest in sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) designs, such as TerraPower’s Natrium Reactor, has highlighted the need for advanced reactor fuel technology development. Modern U-Zr and U- Pu-Zr pin designs are primary candidates to fuel SFRs and boast high fuel utilization capacity, increased fuel-cladding compatibility, and improved safety through inherent feedback mechanisms. Despite over 60 years of metallic fuel irradiation, uncertainties exist in the performance of the fuel system, particularly under transient overpower (TOP) and loss of flow (LOF) scenarios. Throughout historical testing within the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) and the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), fuel behavior has demonstrated benign response to transient reactor conditions; however, accurate predictions of failure thresholds to inform operational limitations rely heavily on fuel composition, burnup, and irradiation history. In expanding TOP and LOF testing, the Transient Heat sink Overpower Response (THOR) Capsule will be used to test modern fuel technologies in a static sodium environment in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. The THOR capsule is highly instrumented and will provide time-dependent thermal behavior of SFR fuel pins subjected to accident conditions within TREAT. The THOR-Metallic (THOR- M) campaign aims to validate and expand historical TOP and LOF testing on high burnup U-Zr and U-Pu- Zr fuel alloys previously irradiated in EBR-II by running the rods to failure. This contribution focuses primarily on the pre-transient engineering-scale destructive and non- destructive characterization that has been conducted on both the test and sibling pins used for the TOP and LOF tests. All pins underwent visual examination, neutron radiography, element contact profilometry, and precise gamma scan. The sibling pins used for each test were further analyzed using gas assay, sampling, and recharge analysis (GASR), and optical microscopy. The results from each technique confirmed that the fuel pins were intact and devoid of any atypical developments when compared to historical data. Additionally, the analyzed measurements establish a baseline for comparison to post-transient analysis. Key fuel behaviors quanitifed include axial elongation of the fuel column, diametral strain of the pin, patterns in fluff structure geometry, changes in axial isotope distribution, evolution of constituent redistribution, porosity, and fission gas release. The pre-transient measurements and changes attributed to transient behavior from post-transient measurement will be compared to historical data to capture the behavioral dependence on composition, burnup, and irradiation history. Results from this work advance the initiatives of the THOR-M campaign, which aid in informing fuel performance models and establishing safety criteria for SFR operational limits. The novel combination of test environment, in-situ instrumentation, and comprehensive suite of characterization methods provides greater understanding of transient fuel behavior. Overall, information on the time and condition of pin failure for high burnup U-Pu-Zr will greatly expand the limited existing TOP and LOF test data.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1977

Optically selective, acoustically resonant gas detecting transducer

A gas analyzer is disclosed which responds to the resonant absorption or emission spectrum of a specific gas by producing an acoustic resonance in a chamber containing a sample of that gas, and which measures the amount of that emission or absorption by measuring the strength of that acoustic resonance, e.g., the maximum periodic pressure, velocity or density achieved. In the preferred embodiment, a light beam is modulated periodically at the acoustical resonance frequency of a closed chamber which contains an optically dense sample of the gas of interest. Periodic heating of the absorbing gas by the light beam causes a cyclic expansion, movement, and pressure within the gas. An amplitude is reached where the increased losses were the cyclic radiation energy received. A transducing system is inclined for converting the pressure variations of the resonant gas into electronic readout signals.

Dimeff, J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Carrier gas attenuation in gamma assay of radioactive xenon samples

Gamma attenuation attributable to xenon and carbon dioxide carrier gas in radioactive xenon assay samples has been calculated using Monte Carlo n-Particle (MCNP) transport code for the 0.65 mL flame sealed ampoule (bean), and 15 mL and 50 mL Schlenk tube geometries. The attenuation was correlated as a % loss per standard mL of carrier gas. In this work, high Purity Ge gamma spectroscopy experiments were performed to measure against the MCNP results. The experimental results from the 133 Xe in xenon carrier gas in a bean geometry showed 0.97 ± 0.4% loss per standard mL xenon, which was in agreement with the MCNP predictions.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2023

Geochemical characterization of lithium deposition in fossil energy wastes

Lithium is a critical mineral used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and future modernization of electric grids with sensitive supply chains that are subject to volatility. Therefore, methods to recover lithium from domestic unconventional sources are actively being pursued in the United States. Herein, we report on the lithium recovery potential from four fossil energy waste feedstocks: oil and gas drill cuttings (sample number n = 16); oil and gas produced waters (n > 200) from Marcellus, Bakken and Permian basins; coal byproducts (n>20), such as coal ash; and acid mine drainage treatment solids (AMD solids). Select solid samples underwent sequential extraction to explore lithium hosting phases and simple organic and inorganic acid extraction to explore lithium recovery potential. Our preliminary results found lithium concentrations up to 440 mg/kg in select AMD treatment solids and up to 300 mg/L in Marcellus Shale produced waters, demonstrating these sources have lithium yield potentials comparable to conventionally mined lithium ores and brines. Sequential extractions revealed that lithium is mostly associated with clay and silicate phases in shale drill cuttings, whereas lithium resides in Fe,Mn-oxide reducible phases in AMD solids. Further, the lithium content in produced waters has a strong linear relationship with total dissolved solid (TDS) levels in three separate oil and gas basins. At the same TDS level, Marcellus Shale produced waters contain more lithium compared to Bakken Shale and Permian Basin waters, with higher percentages of Ca and Mg, major cations that might impact lithium recovery efficiencies. Our study demonstrates the heterogeneity of lithium hosts from different fossil energy wastes. Characterization results will inform future lithium recovery from these different feedstocks.

Stuckman, Mengling↗
DOE OSTI2022

Capture probe

A system and method for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the surface to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.

Kertesz, Vilmos↗
DOE OSTI2024

Capture probe

A system and method for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the sample material to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.

Kertesz, Vilmos↗
DOE OSTI2020

Capture probe

A system for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, which exceeds the first volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1995

A new technique for ground simulation of hypervelocity debris

A series of hypervelocity damage experiments were preformed on spacecraft materials. These experiments employed a technique which accelerates micro flyer plates simulating space debris traveling at 3 to 8 km/sec. The apparatus used to propel the micro flyer plates was compact and fit well into a space environmental chamber equipped with instrumentation capable of analyzing the vapor ejected from the sample. Mechanical damage to the sample was also characterized using optical and scanning electron microscpopy. Data for this work was obtained from hypervelocity impacts on a polysulfone resin and a graphite polysulfone composite. Polysulfone was selected because it was flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) which spent several years in low earth orbit (LEO). Chemistry of the vapor produced by the impact was analyzed with a time of flight mass spectrometer, (TOFMS). This represents the first time that ejected vapors from hypervelocity collisions were trapped and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. With this approach we are able to study changes in the vapor chemistry as a function of time after impact, obtain a velocity measurement of the vapor, and estimate a temperature of the surface at time of impact using dynamic gas equations. Samples of the vapor plume may be captured and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Studies were also conducted to determine mechanical damage to a graphite polysulfone composite and a polysulfone resin. Impact craters were examined under optical and scanning electron microscopes. The collision craters in the matrix were typical of those shown in conventional shock experiments. However, the hypervelocity collisions with the graphite polysulfone composite were remarkably different than those with the resin.

Roybal, R.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photosynthetic and stomatal response, and leaf traits, of two pine species, Talladega National Forest, Alabama, 2023

Photosynthetic response to irradiance (AQ), CO2 (ACi) and stomatal response to irradiance measurements on two pine species common to the southeast United States, long leaf pine, Pinus palustris Mill., and loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L.. Data were collected in June 2023 within the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest in west-central Alabama at the NEON site (TALL). Measurements were made with four LI-COR LI-6800 and one LI-COR LI-6400XT gas exchange systems. ACi and AQ curves enable the estimation of photosynthetic parameters (e.g., Vcmax, Jmax, Rd, aQY), while stomatal response curves enable the estimation of stomatal slope and intercept parameters. Foliar trait data (needle dimensions, leaf mass per area, leaf nitrogen concentration) is provided for all gas exchange samples. The data package files include multiple raw and processed data files (csv), metadata files (csv), the complete instrument output for all measurements in .zip format, and a pdf describing the experimental protocol.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Apparatus and methods for sample analysis with multi-gradient microfluidics

A device for analyzing biological samples comprises first, second, third, and fourth layers. The first layer comprises a sample chamber in which a sample is positioned. The second layer comprises first, second, and third channels. A third, porous layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. A fourth layer composed of a substantially liquid-impermeable material is positioned between the second layer and the third layer. The fourth layer includes first and second pass-through channels that are aligned with the first and second channel, respectively. Fluids that flow in the first and second channels pass through the pass-through channels and diffuse into the sample chamber, establishing a chemical concentration gradient therein. A gas in the sample chamber can diffuse through the third and fourth layers and interact with a fluid flowing in the third channel, establishing a gas concentration gradient in the sample chamber.

Kim, Peter Wonhee↗
DOE OSTI2026

The gas-phase mass–metallicity relation of dwarf galaxies across large-scale environments using the CAVITY parent sample

Context. The gas-phase mass–metallicity relation (MZR) of galaxies shows a noticeable break in slope and an increased scatter at low stellar masses, suggesting that the physical processes governing chemical enrichment differ between dwarf and high-mass systems. Dwarf galaxies, in particular, are highly susceptible to both internal and environmental mechanisms due to their shallow potential wells. Aims. The primary aim of this work is to assess whether a single, universal MZR can describe dwarf galaxies across diverse large-scale environments, or whether systematic environmental variations emerge. To probe these, we examine the MZR and star formation rate (SFR) of dwarf galaxies with stellar masses in the range of 8.9 < log(M ★ /M ⊙ ) < 9.5. Methods. Using optical spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we measured the fluxes of key emission lines via the pyPipe3D full spectral fitting pipeline. Aperture-corrected fluxes, along with multiple metallicity indicators and calibrations, were used to derive the MZR and the SFR for 353, 311, and 22 dwarf galaxies located in voids, filaments, and clusters, respectively. Results. We find a systematic variation in the MZR slope, steeper in voids (0.28 ± 0.03) and progressively flatter in clusters (0.17 ± 0.08), indicating a dependence of the MZR on the large-scale environment in this mass regime. When galaxies are separated by local density, no significant differences are observed between isolated and non-isolated dwarfs in voids. Isolated dwarf galaxies in filaments also exhibit properties similar to those of their counterparts in voids. However, non-isolated filament galaxies exhibit similar MZR slopes comparable to those of cluster dwarfs and flatter slopes than their counterparts in voids. Conclusions. We report both large- and local-scale environmental dependencies in the gas-phase metallicity and in the slope of the MZR for dwarf galaxies. Consistent with the general consensus on the pre-processing of galaxies in filaments, our results indicate that the influence of the local environment becomes increasingly significant within the filamentary regions of the cosmic web, affecting the chemical enrichment and star formation activity of low-mass systems. These findings further suggest that a portion of the scatter commonly observed in the MZR of dwarf galaxies arises from environmental effects.

Bidaran, Bahar [Dpto. de Física Teórica y del Cosm↗
DOE OSTI2025

Application of Indirect Quantification of 133mXe to Calibration of HPGe Detector

The INL Noble Gas Laboratory provides intercomparison samples for the noble gas analysis laboratories as part of the CTBTO PrepCom IMS. Xe-133m is one of the four relevant radionuclides in nuclear explosion monitoring. Without commercially available Xe-133m calibration standards laboratories must create and improve calibration methods. Improvements in calibration methods at the INL NGL benefit the CTBTO PrepCom through better certified values for Xe-133m intercomparison samples. Calibration of High Purity Germanium detectors for Xe-133m quantification is complicated by the coexistence of Xe-133 in samples under analysis. Xe-133 is typically produced in larger quantities, has higher gamma emission probabilities, and its gammas are detected more efficiently than Xe-133m. Xe-133m activity of samples can be indirectly inferred through the 133:133m activity ratio of a batch of material, and the Xe-133 counts in the assay of a small aliquot of the same material. This indirect quantification method can be leveraged to perform detector calibrations for quantification of Xe-133m. Calibrations can be performed by inferring the Xe-133m to certify the sample, and direct counting to determine detector efficiency. A comparison of method results will be shown.

133mXe↗
DOE OSTI2025

The composition of gases from a diffusion flame above longleaf pine needle fuel beds

The gas and tar composition of a diffusion flame from longleaf pine needles is currently poorly understood and more data are needed to fill in the gap between pyrolysis data and smoke plume data, thus improving physical and chemical modeling of wildland smoke formation. A pilot experiment to measure light gas and tar composition of such a flame is described for three flame regions: persistent flame (flame base), intermittent flame, and smoke plume. Flame gases from 24 experimental fires were collected in canisters and analyzed using EPA method TO-14A for CO 2 , CO, H 2 , CH 4 , and C 2 to C 7 hydrocarbon gases. Condensed gas (tar) samples were collected and analyzed using GC/MS. Other light gases were measured using FTIR spectroscopy. Results from compositional data analysis suggest significant differences in (relative) concentration of compounds detected in the three regions of the flame. Statistical tests for differences in flame zones were performed using the canister data: Concentration of hydrocarbons relative to CO and CO 2 decreased from the persistent flame zone above the pyrolyzing needles through the intermittent flame region into the flame-free plume. This was likely due to both chemical reactions (oxidation) occurring in the flame as well as the introduction of air into the flame/plume by entrainment.

Biomass↗