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At least 595 records · Page 33

Stacking Oxygen-Separation Cells

Simplified configuration and procedure developed for assembly of stacks of solid-electrolyte cells separating oxygen from air electrochemically. Reduces number of components and thus reduces probability of such failures as gas leaks, breakdown of sensitive parts, and electrical open or short circuits. Previous, more complicated version of cell described in "Improved Zirconia Oxygen-Separation Cell" (NPO-16161).

Schroeder, James E.↗

Temporal and Spatial Aspects of Gas Release During the 2010 Apparition of Comet 103P/Hartley-2

We report measurements of eight primary volatiles (H2O, HCN, CH4, C2H6, CH3OH, C2H2, H2CO, and NH3) and two product species (OH and NH2) in comet lO3P/Hartley-2 using high dispersion infrared spectroscopy. We quantified the long- and short-term behavior of volatile release over a three-month interval that encompassed the comet's close approach to Earth, its perihelion passage, and flyby of the comet by the Deep Impact spacecraft during the EPOXI mission. We present production rates for individual species, their mixing ratios relative to water, and their spatial distributions in the coma on multiple dates. The production rates for water, ethane, HCN, and methanol vary in a manner consistent with independent measures of nucleus rotation, but mixing ratios for HCN, C2H6, & CH3OH are independent of rotational phase. Our results demonstrate that the ensemble average composition of gas released from the nucleus is well defined, and relatively constant over the three-month interval (September 18 through December 1,7). If individual vents vary in composition, enough diverse vents must be active simultaneously to approximate (in sum) the bulk composition of the nucleus. The released primary volatiles exhibit diverse spatial properties which favor the presence of separate polar and apolar ice phases in the nucleus, establish dust and gas release from icy clumps, and from the nucleus, and provide insights into the driver for the cyanogen (CN) polar jet. The spatial distributions of C2H6 & HCN along the near-polar jet (UT 19.5 October) and nearly orthogonal to it (UT 22.5 October) are discussed relative to the origin of CN. The ortho-para ratio (OPR) of water was 2.85 +/- 0.20; the lower bound (2.65) defines T(sub spin) > 32 K. These values are consistent with results returned from ISO in 1997 .

Mumma, M. J.↗

Combining micro dry column chromatography and mass spectrometry

Dry column chromatography principles applied in microscale produce technique to minimize time in preparing and analyzing colorless constituents of soluble mixtures. Glass pipette microcolumns filled with finely sieved adsorbents permit capillary attraction and separation in 3 to 15 minutes. Technique is adaptable to gas chromatography.

Bauman, A. J.↗

Helium Leak Measurements Using CO2 as a Carrier

Detection delay defects are omitted by using helium mass spectrometer leak detector combined with several known procedures. Technique combines carbon dioxide purging, cryogenic separating helium accumulation, and use of carbon dioxide as carrier gas.

Moore, B. C.↗

Research for amino acids in lunar samples.

The study was primarily directed toward the examination of Apollo 14 lunar fines for indigenous amino acids or materials which could be converted to amino acids on hydrolysis with 6 N hydrochloric acid. Initial experiments were conducted to confirm the integrity of the derivatization reactions and reagents, and to optimize the gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) instrumental and chromatographic system for the separation and flame ionization detection of the amino acid derivatives. In studies on the recovery of amino acids added to lunar fines, low recoveries were obtained when 10 ng of each amino acid were added to 50 mg of virgin fines, but the subsequent addition of 50 ng of each to the previously extracted sample resulted in much higher recoveries.

Gehrke, C. W.↗

Jet exhaust noise suppressor

Noise suppression for a jet engine exhaust is provided by an annular divergent body attached to an exhaust nozzle. The smallest diameter of the divergent body is larger than the diameter of the exhaust nozzle exit to form an annular step which produces a shock wave in the exhaust as it passes the step. An annular shroud is disposed around the divergent body and causes outside air to pass through voids in the divergent body to mix with the jet exhaust gas. The divergent body includes a plurality of channels with separators between the channels.

Huff, R. G.↗

Thermal support for scale support

The thermal design work completed for the Thermal Protection System (TPS) of the Space Shuttle System (TPS) of the space shuttle vehicle was documented. This work was divided into three phases, the first two of which reported in previous documents. About 22 separate tasks were completed in phase III, such as: hot gas facility (HGF) support, guarded tank support, shuttle external tank (ET) thermal design handbook support, etc.

Dean, W. G.↗

Isotopic anomalies of noble gases in meteorites and their origins. VI Presolar components in the Murchison C2 chondrite

Rare gases were analyzed by stepped heating in five fractions of a chemically resistant residue from Murchison that had been separated according to grain size and resistance to HClO4. Nine gas components were recognized, of which three appear to be presolar: (1) Ne-E(H) released at 1000-1600 C and located in spinel; (2) Ne-E(L) released at less than 800 C and apparently located in a carbonaceous phase of grain size up to 10 microns; and (3) s-process Xe and Kr released at 1200-1600 C and located in a poorly characterized, possibly carbonaceous phase, distinct from the host phase of Ne-E(L).

Alaerts, L.↗

Disk MHD generator study

Directly-fired, separately-fired, and oxygen-augmented MHD power plants incorporating a disk geometry for the MHD generator were studied. The base parameters defined for four near-optimum-performance MHD steam power systems of various types are presented. The finally selected systems consisted of (1) two directly fired cases, one at 1920 K (2996F) preheat and the other at 1650 K (2500 F) preheat, (2) a separately-fired case where the air is preheated to the same level as the higher temperature directly-fired cases, and (3) an oxygen augmented case with the same generator inlet temperature of 2839 (4650F) as the high temperature directly-fired and separately-fired cases. Supersonic Mach numbers at the generator inlet, gas inlet swirl, and constant Hall field operation were specified based on disk generator optimization. System pressures were based on optimization of MHD net power. Supercritical reheat stream plants were used in all cases. Open and closed cycle component costs are summarized and compared.

Retallick, F. D.↗

The structure of dilute combusting sprays

An experimental and theoretical study of drop processes in a turbulent flame is described. The experiments involved a monodisperse (105 and 180 micro m initial diameter) stream of methanol drops injected at the base of a turbulent methane-fueled diffusion flame burning in still air. The following measurements were made: mean and fluctuating phase velocities, mean drop number flux, drop-size distributions and mean gas-phase temperatures. Measurements were compared with predictions of two separated flow models: (1) deterministic separated flow, where drop-turbulence interactions are ignored; and (2) stochastic separated flow, where drop-turbulence interactions are considered using random-walk computations. The stochastic separated flow analysis yielded best agreement with measurements, since it provides for turbulent dispersion of drops which was important for present test conditions (and probably for most combusting sprays as well). Distinguishing the presence or absence of envelope flames around the drops, however, was relatively unimportant for present test conditions, since the drops spent most of their lifetime in fuel-rich regions of the flow where this distinction is irrelevant.

Shuen, J. S.↗

Variable-Energy Ion Beams For Modification Of Surfaces

Beam of low-energy negative oxygen ions used to grow layer of silicon dioxide on silicon. Beam unique both in purity, contains no molecular oxygen or other charged species, and in low energy, which is insufficient to damage silicon by physically displacing atoms. Low-energy growth accomplished with help of ion-beam apparatus. Directs electrons into crosswise stream of gas, generating stream of negative ions. Pair of charged plates separates ions from accompanying electrons and diverts ion beam to target - silicon substrate. Diameter of beam at target 0.5 to 0.75 cm. Promises useful device to study oxidation of semiconductors and, in certain applications, to replace conventional oxidation processes.

Chutjian, Ara↗

Chemical compositions of refractory inclusions from the Vigarano and Leoville carbonaceous chondrites

The contents of the major and the trace elements of three refractory inclusions from Leoville and two hibonite-rich refractory inclusions and a dark clast from Vigarano were investigated using INAA technique, and the results were compared with results reported for an Allende inclusion. It was found that two out of the three refractory inclusions from Leoville and both inclusions from Vigarano have lower Na and Au contents than the coarse-grained inclusion from Allende. It is shown that the concentrations of all volatile elements in refractory inclusions in the Leoville and Vigarano meteorites tend to be either below or at the low end of their concentration ranges in Allende coarse-grained inclusions. This is considered to be due to the fact that the former were altered in parts of the solar nebula where grain-bias separation processes removed the inclusions from chemical communication with the gas at a higher temperature or after a shorter time than for the inclusions from Allende.

Mao, Xue-Ying↗

Computation and modeling of aero-thermal fields in turbine cascades and strongly curved ducts

Advanced turbulence models are crucial for accurate prediction of rocket engine flows, due to existence of very large extra strain rates, such as strong streamline curvature. Numerical simulation of the turbulent flow in a strongly curved turn-around duct (TAD) has been carried out with a Reynolds stress model (RSM), an algebraic Reynolds stress model (ARSM) and a kappa-epsilon model. the RSM model and the ARSM model are found to capture the turbulence damping due to the convex curvature, but underpredict the turbulence enhancement caused by the concave curvature. To capture the concave curvature effects, it is necessary to modify the epsilon-equation. The modification of episilon-equation suggested by Launder, et.al, provides the correct trend, but over-corrects the curvature effects. A comparative study of two modes of transition in gas turbine, the by-pass transition and the separation-induced transition, has been carried out with several low-Reynolds-number (LRN) kappa-epsilon models. Effects of blade surface pressure gradient, freestream turbulence and Reynolds number on the blade boundary layer development, and particularly the inception of transition are examined in detail. The present study indicates that the turbine blade transition, in the presence of high freestream turbulence, is predicted well with LRN kappa-epsilon models employed.

Luo, J.↗

Turbulence Modeling and Computation of Turbine Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer

The objective of the present research is to develop improved turbulence models for the computation of complex flows through turbomachinery passages, including the effects of streamline curvature, heat transfer and secondary flows. Advanced turbulence models are crucial for accurate prediction of rocket engine flows, due to existance of very large extra strain rates, such as strong streamline curvature. Numerical simulation of the turbulent flows in strongly curved ducts, including two 180-deg ducts, one 90-deg duct and a strongly concave curved turbulent boundary layer have been carried out with Reynolds stress models (RSM) and algebraic Reynolds stress models (ARSM). An improved near-wall pressure-strain correlation has been developed for capturing the anisotropy of turbulence in the concave region. A comparative study of two modes of transition in gas turbine, the by-pass transition and the separation-induced transition, has been carried out with several representative low-Reynolds number (LRN) k-epsilon models. Effects of blade surface pressure gradient, freestream turbulence and Reynolds number on the blade boundary layer development, and particularly the inception of transition are examined in detail. The present study indicates that the turbine blade transition, in the presence of high freestream turbulence, is predicted well with LRN k-epsilon models employed. The three-dimensional Navier-Stokes procedure developed by the present authors has been used to compute the three-dimensional viscous flow through the turbine nozzle passage of a single stage turbine. A low Reynolds number k-epsilon model and a zonal k-epsilon/ARSM (algebraic Reynolds stress model) are utilized for turbulence closure. An assessment of the performance of the turbulence models has been carried out. The two models are found to provide similar predictions for the mean flow parameters, although slight improvement in the prediction of some secondary flow quantities has been obtained by the ARSM model. It's found that the wake profiles inside the endwall boundary layers are predicted better than those near the mid-span.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

Dielectrophoresis-Based Particle Sensor Using Nanoelectrode Arrays

A method has been developed for concentrating, or partly separating, particles of a selected species from a liquid or gas containing these particles, and flowing in a channel. An example of this is to promote an accumulation (and thus concentration) of the selected particle (e.g., biological species such as E. coli, salmonella, anthrax, tobacco mosaic virus or herpes simplex, and non-biological materials such as nano- and microparticles, quantum dots, nanowires, nano - tubes, and other inorganic particles) adjacent to the first surface. Additionally, this method can also determine if the particle species is present in the liquid. This is accomplished by providing an insulating material in an interstitial volume between two or more adjacent nanostructure electrodes. It can also be accomplished by providing a functionalizing substance, located on a selected region of the insulating material surface, which promotes attachment of the selected species particles to the functionalized surface, and measuring a selected electrical property such as electrical impedance, conductance, or capacitance. A time-varying electrical field E, having a root-mean-square intensity of E(sup 2) rms, with a non-zero gradient in a direction transverse to the liquid or fluid flow direction, is produced by a nanostructure electrode array with a very high-magnitude gradient near exposed electrode tips. A dielectrophoretic force causes the selected particles to accumulate near the electrode tips, if the medium and selected particles have substantially different dielectric constants. An insulating material surrounds most of the nanostructure electrodes, and a region of the insulating material surface is functionalized to promote attachment of the selected particle species to the surface. An electrical property value Z(meas) is measured at the functionalized surface, and is compared with a reference value Z(ref) to determine if the selected species particles are attached to the functionalized surface. Some advantages of this innovation are that an array of nanostructure electrodes can provide an electric field intensity gradient that is one or more orders of magnitude greater than the corresponding gradient provided by a conventional microelectrode arrangement, and that, as a result of the high-magnitude field intensity gradients, a nanostructure concentrator can trap particles from high-speed microfluidic flows. This is critical for applications where the entire analysis must be performed in a few minutes

Li, Jun↗

Interactions Between Oxygen and Nitrogen: O[Single Bond]N, O[Single Bond]N (sub 2), and O (sub 2)[Single Bond]N (sub 2)

Potential energy curves for 0-N interactions corresponding to the X (sup 2) II (sub t/2), X (sup 2) II (sub 3/2), A (sup 2) Eta (sup plus), B (sup 2) II, C (sup 2) II, D (sup 2) Eta (sup plus), E (sup 2) Eta (sup plus), and B prime (sup 2 delta) states of nitric oxide have been calculated from spectroscopic data by the Rydberg- Klein-Rees method. Curves for the (sup 4) II, (sup 2) Eta, (sup 4) Eta, (sup 6) Eta, and (sup 6) II states have been obtained from limited spectroscopic results and from relations derived from approximate quantum-mechanical calculations. Two semi-independent calculations have been made, and are in good agreement with each other. The quantum-mechanical relations also lead to approximate curves for the O[Single Bond]N, and O[Single Bond]N (sub 2) interactions over a limited range. The O (sub 2)[Single Bond]N (sub 2) interaction is consistent with one valid at larger separation distances which has been derived from high-temperature gas viscosity data.

Vanderslice, Joseph T.↗