Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “HEAVY METALS”

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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Carbon wastewater treatment process

A new powdered-carbon treatment process is being developed for the elimination of the present problems, associated with the disposal of biologically active sewage waste solids, and with water reuse. This counter-current flow process produces an activated carbon, which is obtained from the pyrolysis of the sewage solids, and utilizes this material to remove the adulterating materials from the water. Additional advantages of the process are the elimination of odors, the removal of heavy metals, and the potential for energy conservation.

Humphrey, M. F.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Water hyacinths for removal of cadmium and nickel from polluted waters

Removal of cadmium and nickel from static water systems utilizing water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) was investigated. This aquatic plant demonstrated the ability to rapidly remove heavy metals from aqueous systems by root absorption and concentration. Water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to absorb and concentrate up to 0.67 mg of cadmium and 0.50 mg of nickel per gram of dry plant material when exposed for a 24-hour period to waters polluted with from 0.578 to 2.00 ppm of these toxic metals. It is found that one hectare of water hyacinths has the potential of removing 300 g of cadmium or nickel from 240,000 liters of water polluted with these metals during a 24-hour period.

Wolverton, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Water hyacinths and alligator weeds for removal of silver, cobalt, and strontium from polluted waters

Water hyacinths and alligator weeds demonstrated the ability to rapidly remove heavy metals from an aqueous system by root absorption and concentration. Water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to remove 0.439 mg of silver, 0.568 mg of cobalt, and 0.544 mg of strontium in an ionized form per gram of dry plant material in a 24-hour period. Alligator weeds removed a maximum of 0.439 mg of silver, 0.130 mg of cobalt, and 0.161 mg of strontium per gram of dry plant material per day.

Wolverton, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Wash water waste pretreatment system study

The use of real wash water had no adverse effect on soap removal when an Olive Leaf soap based system was used; 96 percent of the soap was removed using ferric chloride. Numerous chemical agents were evaluated as antifoams for synthetic wash water. Wash water surfactants used included Olive Leaf Soap, Ivory Soap, Neutrogena and Neutrogena Rain Bath Gel, Alipal CO-436, Aerosol 18, Miranol JEM, Palmeto, and Aerosol MA-80. For each type of soapy wash water evaluated, at least one antifoam capable of causing nonpersistent foam was identified. In general, the silicones and the heavy metal ions (i.e., ferric, aluminum, etc.) were the most effective antifoams. Required dosage was in the range of 50 to 200 ppm.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

Water Hyacinths and Alligator Weeds for Final Filtration of Sewage

The potential of water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart.) Solms and alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxerides) (Mart.) Griesb. as secondary and tertiary filtration systems for domestic sewage was demonstrated. These two vascular aquatic plants reduced the suspended solids, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, BOD sub 5, and total organic carbon levels in domestic sewage from 60 percent to 98 percent within a two week period. These plants grown in domestic sewage were also free of toxic levels of trace heavy metals.

Wolverton, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

International Conference on Environmental Sensing and Assessment, Las Vegas, Nev., September 14-19, 1975, Proceedings. Volumes 1 & 2

The papers deal with the detection of hazardous environmental pollutants, the development of emission control plans, and the design of compliance monitoring systems. Topics include remote sensing techniques in environmental pollution monitoring, monitoring of atmospheric particulate matter, air pollution due to sulfur dioxide and other inorganic compounds, marine pollution, atmospheric aerosols, industrial pollution, and legal aspects of pollution monitoring. Other papers examine the toxic effects of heavy metals and halogenated hydrocarbons, pollution associated with waste-disposal processes, pesticide residues in soil and groundwater, evaluations of groundwater quality, and monitoring of nuclear wastes. The interaction of climate and pollution is also discussed along with global pollutant transport, environmental modeling, ambient environmental air quality, aircraft and ground-vehicle emissions, and pollution associated with energy extraction and utilization processes. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1976

The carbon monoxide abundance in interstellar clouds

The steady-state abundance of carbon monoxide in interstellar clouds is calculated as a function of optical depth, density, and temperature. The molecular reactions which lead to CO can be initiated by the following ion-molecule reactions: H(+) + O yields O(+) + H, C(+) + H2 yields CH2(+) + a photon, and H3(+) + C and O. As the ultraviolet radiation field is attenuated, C(+) is transformed primarily into CO and C I. There are characteristic column densities for the transition to CO corresponding to the optical depths for attenuating this field at different wavelengths. For thick, low-temperature clouds the attenuation of the fields which ionize carbon, sulfur, and heavy metals is important for CO production initiated by H3(+). Complete conversion to CO does not necessarily occur, and considerable neutral carbon may be expected even in optically thick clouds. Comparison of integrated column densities of CO with extinction are in reasonable agreement with observations.

Langer, W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Don't waste waterweeds

Experiments carried out at the NASA National Space Technology Laboratories indicate that water hyacinths can absorb organic chemicals, heavy metals, nutrients, and other materials from waste water while producing large quantities of biomass, which can be used to produce a gas containing 60-80% methane. When grown in sewage free of toxic materials, the biomass can be used as a potential source of fertilizer or animal feed supplements. The use of hot water from nuclear power plants to grow water hyacinths during the winter months is particularly attractive, since the hyacinths could act as an added safety filtration system for the removal of radioactive elements.

Wolverton, B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Relationship of land use to water quality in the Chesapeake Bay region

Both the proportions of the various land use categories present on each watershed and the specific management practices in use in each category affect the quality of runoff waters, and the water quality of the Bay. Several permanent and portable stations on various Maryland Rivers collect volume-integrated water samples. All samples are analyzed for a series of nutrient, particulate, bacterial, herbicide, and heavy metal parameters. Each basin is mapped with respect to land use by the analysis of low-elevation aerial photos. Analyses are verified and adjusted by ground truth surveys. Data are processed and stored in the Smithsonian Institution data bank. Land use categories being investigated include forests/old fields, pastureland, row crops, residential areas, upland swamps, and tidal marshes.

Correll, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Remote in-situ elemental analysis systems for underwater application

The systems approach, theoretical measurement calculations, and preliminary measurements to be used in monitoring and mapping pollutants (such as traces of heavy metals) in the Chesapeake Bay are discussed. A neutron gamma-ray method is under development for demonstrating the system. The excitation source to be used is a machine accelerator using a deuterium/tritium reaction to produce 14-MeV neutrons. The neutrons excite characteristic gamma ray emission from the neutron irradiated surface. The discrete line emission produced can be used to infer both qualitative and quantitative elemental composition. A data preprocessor will accumulate, digitize, store, format, and prepare the data for transmission which can be accomplished by telephone, microwave, and possibly satellite link to central processors.

Trombka, J. I.↗
NASA NTRS1975

The source of sublimates on the Apollo 15 green and Apollo 17 orange glass samples

Elemental analyses of the thin film of micromounds which coat the surfaces of Apollo 15 green glass and Apollo 17 orange glass are reported. It is thought that Zn, Ga, Pb, Cu, Tl, S, F, and Cl condensed as a sublimate on the outside surface of these glass particles in lava fountains about 3.4 and 3.6 b.y. ago (Apollos 15 and 17, respectively). The heavy metals enriched in these samples may have been mobilized in a halide- and sulfide-rich vapor, while the source of these elements and of the glass may be a sulfide- and halide-rich pyroxenite inside the moon. The isotopic composition of lead on the surface of individual particles was determined, and the composition is considered with respect to the evolution of the source region. The lead on the surfaces is similar to lead that has been mixed into other soils and breccias at nearby sites.

Meyer, C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Global geochemical problems

Application of remote sensing techniques to the solution of geochemical problems is considered with emphasis on the 'carbon-cycle'. The problem of carbon dioxide sinks and the areal extent of coral reefs are treated. In order to assess the problems cited it is suggested that remote sensing techniques be utilized to: (1)monitor globally the carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations in surface waters of the world ocean; (2)monitor the freshwater and oceanic biomass and associated dissolved organic carbon; (3) inventory the coral reef areas and types and the associated oceanographic climatic conditions; and (4)measure the heavy metal fluxes from forested and vegetated areas, from volcanos, from different types of crustal rocks, from soils, and from sea surfaces.

Harriss, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Applications of remote sensing to geobotanical prospecting for non-renewable resources

Airborne sensors used in the remote detection of geobotanical anomalies are able to locate mineral deposits. Geobotanical stress is manifested in increased visible spectrum reflectance due to a decrease in chlorophyll content which induces chlorosis. The effectiveness of this method is, however, restricted to soils in which plant root structures are embedded in bedrock-derived soils to a depth sufficient for the production of heavy metal stress. It is noted that Landsat remote sensors are inherently better suited to the detection of overall plant density or biomass changes relating to zones of mineralization.

Birnie, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Aquatic Plants Aid Sewage Filter

Method of wastewater treatment combines micro-organisms and aquatic plant roots in filter bed. Treatment occurs as liquid flows up through system. Micro-organisms, attached themselves to rocky base material of filter, act in several steps to decompose organic matter in wastewater. Vascular aquatic plants (typically, reeds, rushes, cattails, or water hyacinths) absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, other nutrients, and heavy metals from water through finely divided roots.

Wolverton, B. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The G-002 JUFO-1 payload: Its objectives and results

The JUFO-1 payload basically consists of the mechanical support structure with two shock isolated mounting shelves for the experiment hardware and the service systems. For the envisaged operation time of 72 hours, three 28 VDC batteries, with a total capacity of approx 1,7 kWh are chosen as a partially redundant power source. Data are acquired by a 12 bit PCM system and stored on a tape recorder. Five experiments were conducted: (1) growth of a liquid KH2PO4 salt solution; (2) manufacturing of nickel catalysts; (3) transport mechanisms of heavy metals in water cress shoots; (4) determining the influence of cosmic radiation on four different plant seeds; and (5) use of a microprocessor-sequencer for payload control and sequencing at a low power consumption.

Schmitt, G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

AIS Spectra for Stressed and Unstressed Plant Communities in the Carolina Slate Belt

Airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) data were collected over a number of derelict heavy metal mine sites in the Carolina slate belt of North Carolina. A 32 channel (1156 to 1456 nm) data set was acquired in October, 1983 at the time of peak fall foliage display, and a 128 channel (1220 to 2420) data set was acquired near the end of the spring leaf flush in May, 1984. Spectral curves were extracted from the AIS data for differing ground cover types (e.g., pine forests, mixed deciduous forests, mine sites, and pastures). Variation in the width of an absorption feature located at approximately 1190 nm has been related to differences in forest type. Small differences in the location and shape of features in the near infrared plateau (1156 to 1300 nm) and the region 2000 to 2420 nm have yet to be evaluated. Because these variations were subtle, and because atmospheric effects were apparent in the data, high priority must be assigned to devising a means of removing atmospheric effects from AIS spectra.

Wickland, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A spring window for geobotanical anomaly detection

The observation of senescence of deciduous vegetation to detect soil heavy metal mineralization is discussed. A gridded sampling of two sites of Quercus alba L. in south-central Virginia in 1982 is studied. The data reveal that smaller leaf blade lengths are observed in the soil site with copper, lead, and zinc concentrations. A random study in 1983 of red and white Q. rubra L., Q. prinus L., and Acer rubrum L., to confirm previous results is described. The observations of blade length and bud breaks show a 7-10 day lag in growth in the mineral site for the oak trees; however, the maple trees are not influenced by the minerals.

Bell, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Mass spectra of heavy ions near comet Halley

The heavy-ion analyzer, RPA2-PICCA, aboard the Giotto spacecraft, detected the first cometary ions at a distance of about 1.05 million km from the nucleus of comet Halley. In the inner coma the major ions identified are associated with the H2O, CO and CO2 groups. Ions of larger atomic mass unit are also present, corresponding possibly to various hydrocarbons, heavy metals of the iron-group or to sulphur compounds.

Korth, A.↗