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At least 577 records · Page 32

Uninstalled Performance Predictions of a Magnesium-Fueled Ramjet Cycle in Carbon Dioxide Atmospheres

Evaluation of alternative propulsion cycles for planetary space exploration applications is motivated by ongoing emphasis of robotic science and human exploration missions and concepts. Atmosphere-breathing propulsion systems operating on their own or in a combined cycle with other engines offer the potential to increase overall propulsion efficiency and reduce the amount of propellant that must be carried on board the vehicle. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the idealized uninstalled performance characteristics of metal-fueled ramjet systems operating in carbon dioxide atmospheres. Physics-based predictions are presented for critical and a range of supercritical conditions of the propulsion cycle.

Axdahl, Erik L.↗

Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and energy use of polylactic acid, bio-derived polyethylene, and fossil-derived polyethylene

Bioplastics recently have become an attractive, viable, and popular alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics, with the hope that replacing fossil-derived plastics with renewable alternatives will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil energy consumption (FEC). The bioplastic industry is encouraging creative designs and enhanced properties such as biodegradability, which is considered a sustainable solution for waste plastic management. However, biodegradability also means that carbon in the product is emitted to the atmosphere as GHG emissions. In this paper, a life cycle analysis (LCA) of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) plastics was conducted to understand the environmental effects of these bioplastics from feedstock production to product end-of-life (EOL). In particular, emissions from biodegradability (EOL emissions) are accounted for. The results were compared to those of conventional fossil-based plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Results showed that the lowest GHG emissions (-1.0 and 1.7 kg CO 2 e per kg for bio-PE and PLA with no biodegradation, respectively) and FEC (29 and 46 MJ per kg of bio-PE and PLA, respectively) were achieved with bio-derived plastics, particularly bio-PE plastic. However, despite the benefits of biogenic carbon uptake, when landfill and composting emissions were considered for the PLA pathway, the life cycle emissions of PLA increase significantly, from 16% to 163% depending on the biodegradation condition, compared to the case where there is no degradation in the landfill. This study also contributed to understand the effects on the GHG emissions of biodegradability in landfill and composting scenarios, regional electricity mix, and plastics manufacturing technologies. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Factors Determining Commercially Optimal Development Strategies for CO 2 Storage With and Without CO 2 -EOR

This report is a draft white paper on the factors determining commercially optimal development strategies for CO 2 storage with and without CO 2 -EOR. The draft report provides a summary of accomplishments during the first budget period of the Southeast Offshore Storage Resource Assessment for the Gulf of Mexico (SECARB Offshore GOM) project. It also identifies “Next Steps” to be undertaken during Budget Period II. A final white paper will be prepared at the end of Budget Period II. The goal of this draft white paper is to expand the knowledge base required for commercially viable, secure, longterm, large-scale carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) subsea storage in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), both with and without enhanced hydrocarbon recovery. This effort supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) long-term objective of ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the potential for offshore CO 2 subsea storage in the GOM. The groundwork that has been completed in the draft white paper advanced by expanding the membership of the Southern States Energy Board’s (SSEB) existing Southeast Offshore Storage Resource Assessment (DE-FE0026082) GOM government-industry partnership during the next budget period. Further, the team plans to consult with U.S. federal and state agencies to develop recommendations to remove barriers and streamline the regulatory process to encourage subsea CO 2 storage with or without enhanced hydrocarbon recovery.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Recent Progress in Measuring and Modeling Patterns of Biomass and Soil Carbon Pools Across the Amazon Basin

Ever more detailed representations of above-ground biomass and soil carbon pools have been developed during the LBA project. Environmental controls such as regional climate, land cover history, secondary forest regrowth, and soil fertility are now being taken into account in regional inventory studies. This paper will review the evolution of measurement-extrapolation approaches, remote sensing, and simulation modeling techniques for biomass and soil carbon pools, which together help constrain regional carbon budgets and enhance in our understanding of uncertainty at the regional level.

Potter, Christopher↗

Comets and the origins and evolution of life; Proceedings of the Conference, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 1991

Papers are presented on comets and the formation of biochemical compounds on the primitive earth; the cometary origin of carbon, nitrogen, and water on the earth; comets as a possible source of prebiotic molecules; comet impacts and chemical evolution on the bombarded earth; and cometary supply of terrestrial organics (lessons from the K/T and the present epoch). Other papers are on a computational study of radiation chemical processing in comet nuclei, the origin of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in meteorites, the fate of organic matter during planetary accretion (preliminary studies of the organic chemistry of experimentally shocked Murchison meteorite), recent observations of interstellar molecules (detection of CCO and a limit on H2C3O), terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources of molecular monochirality, and dark matter in the solar system (hydrogen cyanide polymers).

Thomas, Paul J.↗

Development of Meandering Winding Magnetometer (MWM (Register Trademark)) Eddy Current Sensors for the Health Monitoring, Modeling and Damage Detection of High Temperature Composite Materials

The increased use of high-temperature composite materials in modern and next generation aircraft and spacecraft have led to the need for improved nondestructive evaluation and health monitoring techniques. Such technologies are desirable to improve quality control, damage detection, stress evaluation and temperature measurement capabilities. Novel eddy current sensors and sensor arrays, such as Meandering Winding Magnetometers (MWMs) have provided alternate or complimentary techniques to ultrasound and thermography for both nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM). This includes imaging of composite material quality, damage detection and .the monitoring of fiber temperatures and multidirectional stresses. Historically, implementation of MWM technology for the inspection of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Reinforced Carbon-Carbon Composite (RCC) leading edge panels was developed by JENTEK Sensors and was subsequently transitioned by NASA as an operational pre and post flight in-situ inspection at the Kennedy Space Center. A manual scanner, which conformed'automatically to the curvature of the RCC panels was developed and used as a secondary technique if a defect was found during an infrared thermography screening, During a recent proof of concept study on composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV's), three different MWM sensors were tested at three orientations to demonstrate the ability of the technology to measure stresses at various fiber orientations and depths. These results showed excellent correlation with actual surface strain gage measurements. Recent advancements of this technology have been made applying MWM sensor technology for scanning COPVs for mechanical damage. This presentation will outline the recent advance~ in the MWM.technology and the development of MWM techniques for NDE and SHM of carbon wra~ped composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) including the measurement of internal stresses via a surface mounted sensor array. In addition, this paper will outline recent efforts to produce sensors capable of making real-time measurements at temperatures up to 850 C, and discuss previous results demonstrating capability to monitor carbon fiber temperature changes within a composite material.

Russell, Richard↗

The Diffuse Interstellar Bands: Contributed papers

Drawing a coherent picture of the observational characteristics of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIB's) and the physical and chemical properties of its proposed carriers was the focus of this NASA sponsored conference. Information relating to absoption spectra, diffuse radiation carriers, carbon compounds, stellar composition, and interstellar extinction involving T-Tauri stars, Reflection Nebulae, Red Giants, and accretion discs are discussed from those papers presented at the conference, which are included in this analytic.

Tielens, Alexander G. G. M.↗

Subscale Carbon-Carbon Nozzle Extension Development and Hot Fire Testing in Support of Upper Stage Liquid Rocket Engines

Upper stage and in-space liquid rocket engines are optimized for performance through the use of high area ratio nozzles to fully expand combustion gases to low exit pressures increasing exhaust velocities. Due to the large size of such nozzles and the related engine performance requirements, carbon-carbon (C/C) composite nozzle extensions are being considered for use in order to reduce weight impacts. NASA and industry partner Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies (C-CAT) are working towards advancing the technology readiness level of large-scale, domestically-fabricated, C/C nozzle extensions. These C/C extensions have the ability to reduce the overall costs of extensions relative to heritage metallic and composite extensions and to decrease weight by 50%. Material process and coating developments have advanced over the last several years, but hot fire testing to fully evaluate C/C nozzle extensions in relevant environments has been very limited. NASA and C-CAT have designed, fabricated and hot fire tested multiple subscale nozzle extension test articles of various C/C material systems, with the goal of assessing and advancing the manufacturability of these domestically producible materials as well as characterizing their performance when subjected to the typical environments found in a variety of liquid rocket and scramjet engines. Testing at the MSFC Test Stand 115 evaluated heritage and state-of-the-art C/C materials and coatings, demonstrating the capabilities of the high temperature materials and their fabrication methods. This paper discusses the design and fabrication of the 1.2k-lbf sized carbon-carbon nozzle extensions, provides an overview of the test campaign, presents results of the hot fire testing, and discusses potential follow-on development work.

Gradl, Paul↗

Manned Mission Planning Considerations when Using a Non-Regenerable CO2 Removal System

As the commercial spacecraft industry increases in size, there will be a corresponding increase in the number of manned spacecraft built and operationally flown each year. Industry teams for these new spacecraft will have multiple design and operational choices to make for each of these spacecraft s subsystems. The carbon dioxide (CO2) removal subsystem of the environmental control and life support system is one that presents such challenges. This paper seeks to aid industry in making design and operations choices by providing a document containing lessons learned by the Space Shuttle Program s Operations team, with specific focus given to the non-regenerable CO2 removal system currently used by the Space Shuttle. Carbon dioxide, one of the key byproducts of respiration, can lead to injury and death if allowed to build up in a spacecraft s habitable environment. Therefore, any spacecraft s environmental control and life support system must contain a method for removing this hazard. These removal systems can either be non-regenerable or regenerable. While this paper defines the difference between these types and presents a generic comparison of their capabilities, the focus is specifically on the Space Shuttle s CO2 removal systems. This will include a short discussion of the Space Shuttle s regenerable amine solid absorption system that was part of the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) modification, however, emphasis is given to the non-regenerable Lithium Hydroxide canister system used as the prime removal method employed by the Space Shuttle, including a discussion on why this method was chosen over a regenerable system. A full exposition is given on all of the considerations required for mission planning when using a non-regenerable CO2 removal system. Key discussion items include: airflow lessons learned, recent physiological issues related to short term and long term exposure and how lower levels may be more harmful than previously thought, lithium hydroxide dust issues, mass vs. stowage comparisons, cost, complexity considerations, operational margin considerations, timing considerations with respect to the crew s schedule, and logistical management. The conclusion of the paper finalizes the discussion and contains a listing of considerations in regards to CO2 management using a non-regenerable removal system in the near future.

DeSimpelaere, Edward↗

Raw Data published in PeerJ, 2020 for Lower Subalpine needle decomposition field study 2017-2018

This data package contains text files that describe geochemical measurements collected from 2017-2018 during isolated conifer needle decomposition field studies at the Lower Subalpine region of Washington Gulch in Crested Butte, CO. The files within include total carbon and nitrogen (CN) content and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results for the initial needles collected in 2016 and after decomposition in October 2018. DI water extractions were conducted with the initial harvested needles in 2016 to determine extractable dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), UV absorbance at 254 nm (UV254), and specific UV absorbance (SUVA). This dataset also includes soil extractable DOC, TN, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total organic nitrogen (TON), and pH results from soil collections in 2017. Soil porewater results for DOC, TN, UV254, and SUVA analyses at 15 cm soil depth are also provided from 2017-2018. Gas flux raw data provides CO2, CH4, N2O, and NH3 measurements above needle decomposition over the two study years. Finally, soil samples for microbial DNA extractions were collected from the upper soil depth. This raw data is available in the NCBI SRA database under SRA accession number PRJNA605259. These datasets were generated to investigate the isolated decomposition of spruce and lodgepole conifer needles. The goal of this work was to understand how needle litter impacts terrestrial biogeochemical carbon and nitrogen cycling. Results from this work is detailed in the reference paper "A comparison of lodgepole and spruce needle chemistry impacts on terrestrial biogeochemical processes during isolated needle decomposition. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9538."

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The Future Role of Hydropower in the Northeastern United States: May 2020-May 2022

This paper explores the future role of hydropower in the Northeastern US and beyond. The intent is to provide experience-based insights into how hydropower can best support the reliable and economic evolution of the New England power system and, more broadly, all US grids. Many of the challenges facing New England are driven by the potential integration of 10s of GWs of variable energy resources. Hydro can assist in remediating several issues, and the paper explores how Hydro might hit above its weight in a future low carbon New England system. Hydro can assist in handling periods of over generation, reduce the risk of curtailment of zero carbon resources, improve market efficiency, and provide valuable essential reliability services.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Materials and structures for hypersonic vehicles

The development of low-density materials with higher strength and stiffness, and more efficient engine and airframe structures is considered enabling technology for reusable hypersonic vehicles. Advanced structural concepts are required for minimum weight hot structures that will be fully reusable. Key design drivers are maximum heating rate, duration of heating, total heat load, flight envelope and type of propulsion system, mission life requirements, and containment of liquid hydrogen. For hot-structures applications in the range from 600-1800°F, advanced alloys of titanium, titanium and nickel aluminides, and metal-matrix composites are leading candidates because of their high specific properties. For temperatures in excess of 2000°F carbon-carbon and ceramic-matrix composites are the most structurally efficient materials. This paper addresses the technology issues for light weight hot structures, gives brief assessments of the state of the art, presents selected highlights of current research, and identifies areas requiring additional development.

Hypersonic Vehicles↗

Materials and structures for hypersonic vehicles

The development of low-density materials with higher strength and stiffness, and more efficient engine and airframe structures is considered enabling technology for reusable hypersonic vehicles. Advanced structural concepts are required for minimum weight hot structures that will be fully reusable. Key design drivers are maximum heating rate, duration of heating, total heat load, flight envelope and type of propulsion system, mission life requirements, and containment of liquid hydrogen. For hot-structures applications in the range from 600-1800°F, advanced alloys of titanium, titanium and nickel aluminides, and metal-matrix composites are leading candidates because of their high specific properties. For temperatures in excess of 2000°F carbon-carbon and ceramic-matrix composites are the most structurally efficient materials. This paper addresses the technology issues for light weight hot structures, gives brief assessments of the state of the art, presents selected highlights of current research, and identifies areas requiring additional development.

Hypersonic Vehicles↗

Dust in the small Magellanic cloud. 1: Interstellar polarization and extinction data

The typical extinction curve for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), in contrast to that for the Galaxy, has no bump at 2175 A and has a steeper rise into the far ultraviolet. For the Galaxy the interpretation of the extinction and, therefore, the dust content of the interstellar medium has been greatly assisted by measurements of the wavelength dependence of the polarization. For the SMC no such measurements existed. Therefore, to further elucidate the dust properties in the SMC we have for the first time measured linear polarization with five colors in the optical region of the spectrum for a sample of reddened stars. For two of these stars, for which there were no existing UV spectrophotometric measurements, but for which we measured a relatively large polarization, we have also obtained data from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) in order to study the extinction. We also attempt to correlate the SMC extinction and polarization data. The main results are: the wavelength of maximum polarization, lambda(sub max), in the SMC is typically smaller than that in the Galaxy; however, AZC 456, which shows the UV extinction bump, has a lambda(sub max) typical of that in the Galaxy, but its polarization curve is narrower and its bump is shifted to shorter wavelengths as compared to the Galaxy; and from an analysis of both the extinction and polarization data it appears that the SMC has typically smaller grains than those in the Galaxy. The absence of the extinction bump in the SMC has generally been thought to imply a lower carbon abundance in the SMC compared to the Galaxy. We interpret our results to mean that te size distribution of the interstellar grains, and not only the carbon abundance, is different in the SMC as compared to the Galaxy. In Paper 2 we present dust model fits to these observations.

Magalhaes, A. M.↗

Scattering of Solar X-Rays by Jupiter and Saturn

Soft X-ray emission has been observed from the disk of both Jupiter and Saturn as well as from the auroral regions of these planets. The low-latitude disk emission as observed by ROSAT, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and XMM-Newton appears to be uniformly distributed across the disk and to be correlated with solar activity. These characteristics suggest that the source of the disk x-rays are: (1) elastic scattering of solar X-rays by atmospheric neutrals (2) absorption of solar X-rays in the carbon K-shell followed by fluorescent emission. The carbon atoms are found in methane molecules located below the homopause. In this paper we present the results of calculations of the scattering albedo and of the emitted x-ray intensity for a range of atmospheric abundances and for a number of solar irradiance spectra. The model calculations are compared with recent x-ray observations of Jupiter and Saturn.

Cravens, T. E.↗

XMM-Newton X-Ray Observation of Jupiter

Soft X-ray emission has been observed from the disk of both Jupiter and Saturn as well as from the auroral regions of these planets. The low-latitude disk emission as observed by ROSAT, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, and XMM-Newton appears to be uniformly distributed across the disk and to be correlated with solar activity. These characteristics suggest that the disk x-rays are produced by: (1) the elastic scattering of solar X-rays by atmospheric neutrals and (2) the absorption of solar X-rays in the carbon K-shell followed by fluorescent emission. The carbon atoms are found in methane molecules located below the homopause. In this paper we present the results of calculations of the scattering albedo for soft x-rays. We also show the calculated x-ray intensity for a range of atmospheric abundances for Jupiter and Saturn and for a number of solar irradiance spectra. The model calculations are compared with recent x-ray observations of Jupiter and Saturn. We conclude that the emission of soft x-rays from the disks of Jupiter and Saturn can be largely explained by the scattering and fluorescence of soft x-rays. We suggest that measured x-ray intensities from the disk regions of Jupiter

Waite, J. Hunter↗

Test-Analysis Correlation for Space Shuttle External Tank Foam Impacting RCC Wing Leading Edge Component Panels

The Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommended that NASA develop, validate, and maintain a modeling tool capable of predicting the damage threshold for debris impacts on the Space Shuttle Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) wing leading edge and nosecap assembly. The results presented in this paper are one part of a multi-level approach that supported the development of the predictive tool used to recertify the shuttle for flight following the Columbia Accident. The assessment of predictive capability was largely based on test analysis comparisons for simpler component structures. This paper provides comparisons of finite element simulations with test data for external tank foam debris impacts onto 6-in. square RCC flat panels. Both quantitative displacement and qualitative damage assessment correlations are provided. The comparisons show good agreement and provided the Space Shuttle Program with confidence in the predictive tool.

Lyle, Karen H.↗

Metal Hydrides, MOFs, and Carbon Composites as Space Radiation Shielding Mitigators

Recently, metal hydrides and MOFs (Metal-Organic Framework/microporous organic polymer composites - for their hydrogen and methane storage capabilities) have been studied with applications in fuel cell technology. We have investigated a dual-use of these materials and carbon composites (CNT-HDPE) to include space radiation shielding mitigation. In this paper we present the results of a detailed study where we have analyzed 64 materials. We used the Band fit spectra for the combined 19-24 October 1989 solar proton events as the input source term radiation environment. These computational analyses were performed with the NASA high energy particle transport/dose code HZETRN. Through this analysis we have identified several of the materials that have excellent radiation shielding properties and the details of this analysis will be discussed further in the paper.

Atwell, William↗