Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “oxygen diffusion”

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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Dynamic properties of the thermosphere inferred from Pioneer Venus mass spectrometer measurements

The data obtained by the Pioneer Venus spectrometer experiments indicate that the day-night temperature contrast on Venus is associated with wind velocities of about 200 m/s which transport oxygen, helium, and hydrogen toward the night side. A mass exchange with the mesosphere commensurate with an eddy diffusion coefficient of 3 x 10 to the 7th is required to buffer the horizontal advection so as to reproduce the observed day time bulge in oxygen and the small diurnal variations in helium. The observed time response and magnitude of the day-night density variations require transport processes to be effective over time periods between five and ten days, implying a superrotation rate or prevailing winds in excess of 50 m/s at the equator. Nonlinear mass transport results in wave steepening and contributes to the amplification of the density extrema in hydrogen and helium.

Mayr, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Weak double layers in the auroral ionosphere

Previous work on the evolution of weak double layers in a hydrogen plasma was extended to include H(+) and O(+) with relative drift. The relative drift between hydrogen and oxygen ions due to a quasi-static parallel electric field gives rise to a strong linear fluid instability which dominates the ion-acoustic mode at the bottom of the auroral acceleration region. This ion-ion instability can modify ion distributions at lower altitudes and the subsequent nonlinear evolution of weak double layers at higher altitudes in the ion-acoustic regime. Ion hole formation can occur for smaller relative electron-ion drifts than seen in previous simulations, due to the hydrogen-oxygen two-stream instability. This results in local modification of the ion distributions in phase space, and a partial filling of the valley between the hydrogen and oxygen peaks, which would be expected at higher altitudes on auroral field lines. The observed velocity diffusion does not necessarily preclude ion hole and double layer formation in hydrogen in the ion-acoustic regime. These simulation results are consistent with the experimentally measured persistence of separate hydrogen and oxygen peaks, and the observation of weak double layers above an altitude of 3000 km on auroral field lines.

Hudson, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Mission Cycle Life Prediction for C/SiC Composites

The residual strength and life of C/SiC is dominated by carbon interface and fiber oxidation if thermal and mechanical stresses combine with thermal expansion mismatch in a manner such that seal coat and matrix cracks are open to allow oxygen ingress. Under these circumstances life can be predicted by simple oxidation based models based on reaction controlled kinetics at low temperature and gas phase diffusion controlled kinetics at high temperature. Key life governing variables in these models include temperature, applied stress, initial strength, oxygen partial pressure and total pressure. In this paper these models are described and extended to mission cycle life prediction.

Levine, Stanley R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Experimental/Analytical Characterization of the RBCC Rocket-Ejector Mode

The experimental/analytical research work described here addresses the rocket-ejector mode (Mach 0-2 operational range) of the RBCC engine. The experimental phase of the program includes studying the mixing and combustion characteristics of the rocket-ejector system utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques. A two-dimensional variable geometry rocket-ejector system with enhanced optical access was utilized as the experimental platform. The goals of the experimental phase of the research being conducted at Penn State are to: (a) systematically increase the range of rocket-ejector understanding over a wide range of flow/geometry parameters and (b) provide a comprehensive data base for evaluating and anchoring CFD codes. Concurrent with the experimental activities, a CFD code benchmarking effort at Marshall Space Flight Center is also being used to further investigate the RBCC rocket-ejector mode. Experiments involving the single rocket based optically-accessible rocket-ejector system have been conducted for Diffusion and Afterburning (DAB) as well as Simultaneous Mixing and Combustion configurations. For the DAB configuration, air is introduced (direct-connect) or ejected (sea-level static) into a constant area mixer section with a centrally located gaseous oxygen (GO2)/gaseous hydrogen (GH2) rocket combustor. The downstream flowpath for this configuration includes a diffuser, an afterburner and a final converging nozzle. For the SMC configuration, the rocket is centrally located in a slightly divergent duct. For all tested configurations, global measurements of the axial pressure and heat transfer profiles as well as the overall engine thrust were made. Detailed measurements include major species concentration (H2 O2 N2 and H2O) profiles at various mixer locations made using Raman spectroscopy. Complementary CFD calculations of the flowfield at the experimental conditions also provide additional information on the physics of the problem. These calculations are being conducted at Marshall Space Flight Center to benchmark the FDNS code for RBCC engine operations for such configurations. The primary fluid physics of interests are the mixing and interaction of the rocket plume and secondary flow, subsequent combustion of the fuel rich rocket exhaust with the secondary flow and combustion of the injected afterburner flow. The CFD results are compared to static pressure along the RBCC duct walls, Raman Spectroscopy specie distribution data at several axial locations, net engine thrust and entrained air for the SLS cases. The CFD results compare reasonably well with the experimental results.

Ruf, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Orbit transfer rocket engine technology program: Oxygen materials compatibility testing

Particle impact and frictional heating tests of metals in high pressure oxygen, are conducted in support of the design of an advanced rocket engine oxygen turbopump. Materials having a wide range of thermodynamic properties including heat of combustion and thermal diffusivity were compared in their resistance to ignition and sustained burning. Copper, nickel and their alloys were found superior to iron based and stainless steel alloys. Some materials became more difficult to ignite as oxygen pressure was increased from 7 to 21 MPa (1000 to 3000 psia).

Schoenman, Leonard↗
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental and computational study of the microporous layer and hydrophobic treatment in the gas diffusion layer of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Enabling fuel cell operation at high current density is critical for developing competitive alternative power system to replace internal combustion engine. However, liquid water management continues to be a challenge for high humidity or high current density operation. Water condensation in the porous media hinders efficient oxygen transport to the catalyst layer, which in turns, reduces fuel cell performance. To improve water management capability, the gas diffusion layer is often impregnated with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and coated with a thin microporous layer, which have shown to improve fuel cell performance, especially under wet conditions. However, the fundamental mechanism that drives the performance enhancement is still not well understood. In this work, the effects of PTFE impregnation and MPL were studied using both experimental and computational techniques. Both limiting current and polarization tests under dry and wet operating condition are conducted to study the oxygen transport resistance and fuel cell performance. In addition, a 2-D, two-phase, multi-physics PEMFC model is developed to simulate performance and gain a fundamental understanding of local water saturation and oxygen concentration. The combined results show that 5 wt% PTFE impregnation with MPL significantly enhances liquid water management, which enables higher current density operation of a fuel cell.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1990

The relation between ferroelasticity and superconductivity

The high-temperature superconductivity is explained widely by the layered crystal structure. The one- and two-dimensional subsystems and their interaction are investigated here. It is assumed that the high-T(sub c) superconductivity takes place in the two-dimensional subsystem and the increase of the phase transition temperature from 60 K up to 90 K is the consequence of turning on the influence of one-dimensional chains. The interaction between the two subsystems is transferred along the c axis by the phonons of breathing mode, which causes the hybridization of the electronic bonds between these subsystems. The experimental works indicate that the existence of both the chains Cu(1)-O and their interaction with the superconducting plane of Cu(2)-O modify the temperature of the transition to the superconducting state. It is seen from the neutron scattering data that the rates of the interatomic distance dependencies on temperature are changed around 140 K and 90 K. The 'zig-zag' order in Cu(1)-O chains has been postulated but, on the other hand, the vibrations with a large amplitude only were reported. The bi-stabilized situation of the oxygen ions can be caused by the change of distance between these ions and the Ba ions. It leads to the appearance of a two-well potential. Its parameters depend on temperature and the dynamics of the oxygen ions' movement. They can induce the antipolar order, which can be, however, more or less chaotic. The investigation of the ferroelastic properties of Y-Ba-Cu-O samples lead to the conclusion that they are related to jumps of ions inside the given chain and not to a diffusion between different sites in the ab plane. Researchers deduce thus that the fluctuating oxygen ions from these chains create dipoles in the ab plane. They can be described with the pseudo-spin formalism/ - Pauli matrices/. The system can be described with the Ising model. The pseudo-spins interact with phonons and influence the superconductivity in the second subsystem.

Molak, A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The relation between ferroelasticity and superconductivity

The high-temperature superconductivity is explained widely by the layered crystal structure. The one- and two-dimensional subsystems and their interaction are investigated here. It is assumed that the high-T(sub c) superconductivity takes place in the two-dimensional subsystem and the increase of the phase transition temperature from 60 K up to 90 K is the consequence of turning on the influence of one-dimensional chains. The interaction between the two subsystems is transferred along the c axis by the phonons of breathing mode, which causes the hybridization of the electronic bonds between these subsystems. The experimental works indicate that the existence of both the chains Cu(1)-O and their interaction with the superconducting plane of Cu(2)-O modify the temperature of the transition to the superconducting state. It is seen from the neutron scattering data that the rates of the interatomic distance dependencies on temperature are changed around 240 K and 90 K. The 'zig-zag' order in Cu(1)-O chains has been postulated but, on the other hand, the vibrations with a large amplitude only were reported. The bi-stabilized situation of the oxygen ions can be caused by the change of distance between these ions and the Ba ions. It leads to the appearance of a two-well potential. Its parameters depend on temperature and the dynamics of the oxygen ions' movement. They can induce the antipolar order, which can be, however, more or less chaotic. The investigation of the ferroelastic properties of Y-Ba-Cu-O samples lead to the conclusion that they are related to jumps of ions inside the given chain and not to a diffusion between different sites in the ab plane. Researchers deduce, thus, that the fluctuating oxygen ions from these chains create dipoles in the ab plane. They can be described with the pseudo-spin formalism (- Pauli matrices). The system can be described with the Ising model. The pseudo-spins interact with phonons and influence the superconductivity in the second subsystem.

Molak, A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Redox-stable symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells with exceptionally high performance enabled by electrode/electrolyte diffuse interface

Here, in this study, we report a high performance and redox-stable symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) based on (Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 ) (Mo 0.1 Fe 0.9 )O 3-δ (BSMF) electrode and La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3-δ (LSGM) electrolyte. BSMF is able to operate both as anode and cathode. Excellent electrocatalytic activity has been achieved on BSMF towards hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction. Due to its closely matched lattice parameter to LSGM electrolyte, a unique diffuse interface is formed between BSMF and LSGM. Compared to a clean interface, e.g. BSMF/gadolinium doped ceria interface, this diffuse interface promotes the performance of BSMF electrode 1–1.8 times in 600–800 °C. Polarization resistance of the BSMF/LSGM specimen is as low as 0.047 and 0.007 Ωcm 2 in humidified H 2 and in air at 800 °C, respectively. On the BSMF/LSGM/BSMF symmetrical cell, a maximum power density of 2.28 W/cm 2 is achieved at 800 °C, the highest among with redox-stable ceramic electrodes to the best of our knowledge. Redox stability of this cell is confirmed. The role of anode and cathode is reversed back and forth in different operation modes. No apparent degradation is observed through 4 cycles within a 110 h operation period. These findings demonstrate that (Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 ) (M o0.1 Fe 0.9 )O 3-δ coupled with LSGM electrolyte is an excellent choice to build a high performance, redox-stable SOFC.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development of Industrial Scale Rare Earth Master Alloys from Their Native Oxides for Magnet Production

The objective of the project is to develop an energy-efficient, reduced cost, and single-step critical metal oxide reduction and alloying methodology for the production of NdFeB and SmCo magnets to facilitate the establishment of a sustainable domestic critical materials supply chain. The method consists of an immiscible molten salt flux layer and a higher density molten metal alloy pool (FeB or Co). The rare earth (RE) oxide and a reductant are added to the molten salt layer, where the reductant first strips the oxygen from the rare earth oxide. Subsequently, the separated RE metal diffuses into the molten metal pool below, creating a RE-saturated master alloy. Towards this end, thermodynamic calculations of the reactions between RE oxides, metallic reducing agent, and molten salt bath chemistry have been performed, and the ideal feeds and conditions for extraction and diffusion to produce master alloys were established. Small-scale and scaled experimentation was performed to validate and optimize the feasibility of viable reactions, temperatures, and process conditions with regards to yield, composition, and process efficiency. Finally, full-scale experiments for the production of NdFeB and SmCo magnets were performed, and their performance characteristics were established.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1971

Development and fabrication of lithium-doped solar cells

The application of contacts and coatings after lithium diffusion provides good electrical output and satisfactory contact adhesion by sintering for short times at temperatures less than the lithium diffusion temperature. High output and repeatability are obtainable from both oxygen-rich and oxygen-lean silicon. These fabrication sequence alterations have led to higher cell output, better appearance, and increased contact strength.

Iles, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Abundances of simple oxygen-bearing molecules and ions in interstellar clouds

The abundances of simple oxygen-bearing interstellar molecules in warm (T at least 40 K), diffuse, and moderately thick clouds are calculated on the basis of binary gas-phase reactions. The most important reactions are ion-molecule, charge-exchange, and dissociative-recombination reactions, as suggested mainly by earlier workers. The progenitor of these molecules in diffuse clouds is the cosmic-ray-produced H(+) ion, working through the charge-exchange reaction with O. The ionization of H(+) and He(+) is also discussed. Dissociative charge exchange of He(+) with H2 is an important source of H(+) in regions of large fractional abundance of H2, as well as an important destruction mechanism for He(+) even for small f (at least 0.1). The calculated molecular abundances are consistent with some of the available observational information.

Glassgold, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Supernovae, young remnants, and nucleosynthesis

Chemical abundance data from extragalactic supernovae and from supernova remnants (SNR) less than 1000 yrs old are employed to show that nuclear burning beyond helium synthesis actually occurs. Supernova (SN) are classified into types I or II, having no hydrogen lines or featuring hydrogen lines, respectively. The SN I's have been observed as having a preponderance of Fe lines, and emitting from a source at around 12,000 K with a center continuum of approximately 10 AU. Decay chains which could account for detected luminosities and spectra are presented, noting a good fit of Fe II spectrum with observed SN spectra. SNR pass through younger and older stages, going from the outpouring of material to diffusion in the interstellar medium. Expanding flocculi from young SNR show oxygen abundances as well as lines from sulfur, calcium, and argon, with a corresponding necessity of an explosive source of 15 solar masses.

Kirshner, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Investigation of temperature and concentration oscillations in the directional solidification of Pb-Sn-Te

Directional solidification of the pseudobinary compound semiconductor material Pb sub 1-x Sn sub x Te by the Bridgman crystal growth process will be studied. Natural convection in the molten sample will be visualized with a novel electrochemical cell technique that employs the solid electrolyte material yttria-stabilized zirconia. Mass transfer by both diffusion and convection will be measured by detecting the motion of oxygen tracer in the liquid. Additional applications for electrochemical cells in semiconductor crystal growth are suggested. Unsteady convection in the melt will also be detected by the appearance of temperature oscillations. The purpose of this study is to experimentally characterize the overstable conditions for a Pb sub 1-x Sn sub x Te melt in the vertical Bridgman crystal growth technique and use a linear analysis to predict the onset of convection for this system.

Anderson, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

CFD analyses of combustor and nozzle flowfields

The objectives of the research are to improve design capabilities for low thrust rocket engines through understanding of the detailed mixing and combustion processes. A Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) technique is employed to model the flowfields within the combustor, nozzle, and near plume field. The computational modeling of the rocket engine flowfields requires the application of the complete Navier-Stokes equations, coupled with species diffusion equations. Of particular interest is a small gaseous hydrogen-oxygen thruster which is considered as a coordinated part of an ongoing experimental program at NASA LeRC. The numerical procedure is performed on both time-marching and time-accurate algorithms, using an LU approximate factorization in time, flux split upwinding differencing in space. The integrity of fuel film cooling along the wall, its effectiveness in the mixing with the core flow including unsteady large scale effects, the resultant impact on performance and the assessment of the near plume flow expansion to finite pressure altitude chamber are addressed.

Tsuei, Hsin-Hua↗
NASA NTRS2001

Mathematical Modeling of Ni/H2 and Li-Ion Batteries

The modelling effort outlined in this viewgraph presentation encompasses the following topics: 1) Electrochemical Deposition of Nickel Hydroxide; 2) Deposition rates of thin films; 3) Impregnation of porous electrodes; 4) Experimental Characterization of Nickel Hydroxide; 5) Diffusion coefficients of protons; 6) Self-discharge rates (i.e., oxygen-evolution kinetics); 7) Hysteresis between charge and discharge; 8) Capacity loss on cycling; 9) Experimental Verification of the Ni/H2 Battery Model; 10) Mathematical Modeling Li-Ion Batteries; 11) Experimental Verification of the Li-Ion Battery Model; 11) Integrated Power System Models for Satellites; and 12) Experimental Verification of Integrated-Systems Model.

Weidner, John W.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Radiation-Enhanced Anion Transport in Hematite

The influence of radiation-induced (1 MeV energy H+ to ~0.1 dpa at 450°C), non-equilibrium point defect populations on mass transport is studied with an integrated campaign of experimental and theoretical methods. Using epitaxial thin films of hematite with embedded 18O tracer layers and nanoscale atom probe tomography measurements, it is shown that anion self-diffusion is enhanced by at least 2 orders of magnitude under irradiation compared to thermal diffusion alone. Complementary scanning transmission electron microscopy of vacuum annealed specimens, reveals associated microstructural changes in the oxide films, including local phase transformation to Fe3O4 and the development of nanoscale voids from vacancy coalescence. Point defect formation and migration energies were computed from density functional theory and applied within the context of chemical rate theory to analyze contributions from both interstitial and vacancy mechanisms to self-diffusion in thermal and irradiation conditions. Comparisons are made between calculated, literature and newly measured self-diffusion values, revealing good agreement on the magnitude of radiation-enhanced anion diffusion. Further, the model suggests a transition from vacancy to interstitialcy mechanisms at low temperatures and high oxygen activity, consistent with the varied activation energies reported from prior studies.

iron oxides, isotopic tracers, atom probe tomograp↗