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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

Penetrating Fire Extinguisher

When Feecon Corporation, a manufacturer of fire protection systems, needed a piercing nozzle for larger aircraft, they were assisted by Kennedy Space Center who provided the company with a fire extinguisher with a hard pointed tip that had been developed in case of an orbiter crash landing. The nozzle can penetrate metal skins of aircraft, trains, etc. Feecon obtained a license and now markets its cobra ram piercing nozzle to airport firefighters. Its primary advantage is that the nozzle can be held in one spot during repeated blows of the ram. *This product has been discontinued and is no longer commercially available.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2003

CO2 Suppression of PMMA Flames In Low-Gravity

Even though much has been learned about the effects of microgravity on material flammability, flame spread, and suppressant effectiveness, uncertainties remain regarding some of the practical aspects of fire protection in spacecraft. The experiments and simulations underway in this project are aimed directly at testing, understanding and improving NASA's existing policies and practices toward fire safety in spacecraft and extraterrestrial habitats. Specifically, the objectives of this research are: 1) Determine systematically the conditions that will ignite onboard flammable materials upon passage of an initial premixed gas, firebrand, or aerosol flame over these materials; 2) Test the effect of firebrands and configuration spacing; and 3) Determine the effectiveness of the flow of CO2 extinguisher or other extinguishing agents. Experimental and computational investigations are planned to achieve each of the three objectives above. Even though progress has been made in all of the areas, the majority of data has been collected for objective (3). Current results from these investigations are discussed.

Ruff, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Planetary Protection Considerations for Life Support and Habitation Systems

Life support systems for future human missions beyond low Earth orbit may include a combination of existing hardware components and advanced technologies. Discipline areas for technology development include atmosphere revitalization, water recovery, solid waste management, crew accommodations, food production, thermal systems, environmental monitoring, fire protection and radiation protection. Life support systems will be influenced by in situ resource utilization (ISRU), crew mobility and the degree of extravehicular activity. Planetary protection represents an additional set of requirements that technology developers have generally not considered. Planetary protection guidelines will affect the kind of operations, processes, and functions that can take place during future exploration missions, including venting and discharge of liquids and solids, ejection of wastes, use of ISRU, requirements for cabin atmospheric trace contaminant concentrations, cabin leakage and restrictions on what materials, organisms, and technologies that may be brought on missions. Compliance with planetary protection requirements may drive development of new capabilities or processes (e.g. in situ sterilization, waste containment, contaminant measurement) and limit or prohibit certain kinds of operations or processes (e.g. unfiltered venting). Ultimately, there will be an effect on mission costs, including the mission trade space. Planetary protection requirements need to be considered early in technology development programs. It is expected that planetary protection will have a major impact on technology selection for future missions.

Barta, Daniel J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Directory of workers in the fire field

A directory was compiled to provide a list of workers engaged in fire research, their addresses and affiliations, and their principal fields of activity. The initial criteria for the selection of names for the directory are recent contributions to fire literature, teaching of subjects relevant to fire science, or participation in or support of fire research programs. With some exceptions, fire service personnel and fire protection engineers were excluded because directories already exist for these professionals. Also excluded are investigators engaged principally in studies of propulsion, combustion, and explosion phenomena, because these areas of study are somewhat aside from the main focus of fire research. For purposes of the directory, fire science is taken to be the body of knowledge, art, and skill related to the investigation, analysis, and interpretation of the phenomena of unwanted fires and the evaluation of materials methods, systems, and equipment related to fire safety, prevention, detection, and suppression.

Kuvshinoff, B. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Test methodology for evaluation of fireworthy aircraft seat cushions

Aircraft seat materials were evaluated in terms of their thermal performance. The materials were evaluated using (a) thermogravimetric analysis, (b) differential scanning calorimetry, (c) a modified NBS smoke chamber to determine the rate of mass loss and (d) the NASA T-3 apparatus to determine the thermal efficiency. In this paper, the modified NBS smoke chamber will be described in detail since it provided the most conclusive results. The NBS smoke chamber was modified to measure the weight loss of materials when exposed to a radiant heat source over the range of 2.5 to 7.5 W/cm sq. This chamber has been utilized to evaluate the thermal performance of various heat blocking layers utilized to protect the polyurethane cushioning foam used in aircraft seats. Various kinds of heat blocking layers were evaluated by monitoring the weight loss of miniature seat cushions when exposed to the radiant heat. The effectiveness of aluminized heat blocking systems was demonstrated when compared to conventional heat blocking layers such as neoprene. All heat blocking systems showed good fire protection capabilities when compared to the state-of-the-art, i.e., wool-nylon over polyurethane foam.

Kourtides, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Thermal Performance of Aircraft Polyurethane Seat Cushions

Aircraft seat materials were evaluated in terms of their thermal performance. The materials were evaluated using (a) thermogravimetric analysis, (b) differential scanning calorimetry, (c) a modified NBS smoke chamber to determine the rate of mass loss and (d) the NASA T-3 apparatus to determine the thermal efficiency. In this paper, the modified NBS smoke chamber will be described in detail since it provided the most conclusive results. The NBS smoke chamber was modified to measure the weight loss of material when exposed to a radiant heat source over the range of 2.5 to 7.5 W/sq cm. This chamber has been utilized to evaluate the thermal performance of various heat blocking layers utilized to protect the polyurethane cushioning foam used in aircraft seats. Various kinds of heat blocking layers were evaluated by monitoring the weight loss of miniature seat cushions when exposed to the radiant heat. The effectiveness of aluminized heat blocking systems was demonstrated when compared to conventional heat blocking layers such as neoprene. All heat blocking systems showed good fire protection capabilities when compared to the state-of-the-art, i.e., wool-nylon over polyurethane foam.

Kourtides, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Non-flammable polyimide materials for commercial application

Thermally-stable, fire-resistant polyimide foams developed for use as fire protection in aircraft, spacecraft and ground applications are presented. Polyimide precursors, synthesized by the reaction of 3, 3', 4, 4'-benzophenone tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride with a mixture of two diamines, can be processed into foams by indirect or direct heating techniques. Flexible resilient foams and thermal acoustical foams produced by the microwave heating of polyimide precursors are shown to conform to requirements for aircraft seating foams and thermal and acoustical insulation materials, respectively. Rigid polyimide foams reinforced by carbon mat, chopped carbon mat and chopped glass strand fillers and prepared by the microwave heating of a continuous mat, followed by its compression, or by filling a honeycomb structure with low density foam, are found to exhibit outstanding fire resistance and have mechanical properties approaching those desired for structural materials.

Gagliani, J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Suppression of Low Strain Rate Nonpremixed Flames by an Agent

The agent concentration required to achieve the suppression of low strain rate nonpremixed flames is an important consideration for fire protection in a microgravity environment such as a space platform. Currently, there is a lack of understanding of the structure and extinction of low strain rate (<20 s(exp -1)) nonpremixed flames. The exception to this statement is the study by Maruta et al., who reported measurements of low strain rate suppression of methane-air diffusion flames with N2 added to the fuel stream under microgravity conditions. They found that the nitrogen concentration required to achieve extinction increased as the strain rate decreased until a critical value was obtained. As the strain rate was further decreased, the required N2 concentration decreased. This phenomenon was termed "turning point" behavior and was attributed to radiation-induced nonpremixed flame extinction. In terms of fire safety, a critical agent concentration assuring suppression under all flow conditions represents a fundamental limit for nonpremixed flames. Counterflow flames are a convenient configuration for control of the flame strain rate. In high and moderately strained near-extinction nonpremixed flames, analysis of flame structure typically neglects radiant energy loss because the flames are nonluminous and the hot gas species are confined to a thin reaction zone. In counterflowing CH4-air flames, for example, radiative heat loss fractions ranging from 1 to 6 percent have been predicted and measured. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of radiative emission, flame strain, agent addition, and buoyancy on the structure and extinction of low strain rate nonpremixed flames through measurements and comparison with flame simulations. The suppression effectiveness of a number of suppressants (N2, CO2, or CF3Br) was considered as they were added to either the fuel or oxidizer streams of low strain rate methane-air diffusion flames.

Hamins, A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Safer Aviation Materials Tested

A series of thermally stable polymer samples were tested. These materials are called low heat release materials and are designed for aircraft interior decorative materials. The materials are designed to give off a minimum amount of noxious gases when heated, which increases the possibility that people can escape from a burning aircraft. New cabin materials have suitably low heat release so that fire does not spread, toxic chemicals are not given off, and the fire-emergency escape time for crew and passengers is lengthened. These low heat-release materials have a variety of advantages and applications: interiors for ground-based facilities, interiors of space vehicles, and many commercial fire-protection environments. A microscale combustion calorimeter at the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Technical Center tested NASA Langley Research Center materials samples. The calorimeter is shown. A sharp, quantitative, and reproducible heat-release-rate peak is obtained in the microscale heat-release-rate test. The newly tested NASA materials significantly reduced the heat release capacity and total heat release. The thermal stability and flammability behavior of the samples was very good. The new materials demonstrated a factor of 4 reduction in total heat release over ULTEM (a currently used material). This information is provided in the following barchart. In other tests, the materials showed greater than a factor 9 reduction in heat-release capacity over ULTEM. The newly tested materials were developed for low dielectric constant, low color, and good solubility. A scale up of the material samples is needed to determine the repeatability of the performance in larger samples. Larger panels composed of the best candidate materials will be tested in a larger scale FAA Technical Center fire facility. The NASA Glenn Research Center, Langley (Jeff Hinkley), and the FAA Technical Center (Richard Lyon) cooperatively tested these materials for the Accident Mitigation aspects of Fire Prevention under NASA's Aviation Safety Program.

Palaszewski, Bryan A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Lithium-Ion UPS Battery Research and Commentary

Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly prevalent in a variety of devices both small and large. The high level of stored energy in UPS battery racks is closely scrutinized because sudden, uncontrolled release of chemical and electrical energy could be an ignition source. With this in mind, lithium-ion battery safety is the subject of several testing standards, including UL 1642, UL 1973, and UL 9540A.The motivation for this research and commentary is the potential installation of lithium-ion batteries in a Vertiv UPS assembly for one of the buildings on the ORNL campus. The battery modules Vertiv uses are compliant with abuse survival testing, demonstrating that cells and modules are rugged. The modules are further compliant with fire propagation requirements – in the event a failure does produce a fire, it doesn’t spread. Beyond these, the rack level assemblies Vertiv sources comply with UL requirements to contain a fire within the rack.This three-tiered approach to battery safety suggests Vertiv’s lithium-ion UPS battery racks can reasonably be considered for use in a facility with appropriate fire protection provisions and an informed emergency response team.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Technical Justifications for Liquid Hydrogen Exposure Distances

The previous separation distances in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Hydrogen Technologies Code (NFPA 2, 2020 Edition) for bulk liquid hydrogen systems lack a well-documented basis and can be onerous. This report describes the technical justifications for revisions of the bulk liquid hydrogen storage setback distances in NFPA 2, 2023 Edition. Distances are calculated based on a leak area that is 5% of the nominal pipe flow area. Models from the open source HyRAM+ toolkit are used to justify the leak size as well as calculate consequence-based separation distances from that leak size. Validation and verification of the numerical models is provided, as well as justification for the harm criteria used for the determination of the setback distances for each exposure type. This report also reviews mitigations that could result in setback distance reduction. The resulting updates to the liquid hydrogen separation distances are well-documented, retrievable, repeatable, revisable, independently verified, and use experimental results to verify the models.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Aerosol Can Fireball Tests: Commodity Hazards in the Transportation Environment Phase 1 Report

This report describes a series of tests performed at Sandia’s burn site to better understand the behavior of aerosol commodities and their hazards in the transportation environment. This comes on the tail of a prior study on the use cases and historical hazards associated with aerosol commodities in the shipping environment (Cambridge Systematics Incorporated, CSI, 2020). It is also mindful of the National Fire Protection Agency NFPA30B standard for safe warehousing of aerosol commodities. Warehousing is different from transit because warehousing typically involves active suppression and mitigation measures not practical or relevant to the shipping environment. Transit also typically involves tighter packing and smaller enclosure spaces. The transportation hazard space has not been heavily studied in prior testing specifically aimed towards the ground, rail, and nautical shipping environments.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1972

Fluidic Ignition Detection

Ignition sensor, utilizing fluidic oscillator device and its ability to react to flow system's molecular weight and temperature changes, detects propellant ignition. Commercial applications include fields of fire protection equipment and fluidics.

Henry, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Utilization of available skills and materials in fire prevention

Procedures for installing fire protection systems in large buildings are discussed. Factors considered in the safety management are: (1) distribution of water supply, (2) design and location of exits, (3) emergency power system, and (4) maintenance procedures.

Martin, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Development of self extinguishing Durette and/or Nomex fabric

A treatment was developed for Nomex or Durette fabric which renders it self-extinguishing in a 70% oxygen, 30% nitrogen atmosphere at 5 psia. The treatment does not degrade the physical and textile properties of the fabric excessively and does not outgas or have an objectional odor. The treatment is permanent and does not lose its fire protecting qualities after laundering. The treatment utilizes a mixture of formaldehyde, phosphorous acid, and tri-methyl phosphate in methanol. The cloth to be treated is held in a boiling solution of the above reagents for 24 hours, removed, air dried, and then heated to 120 C in a circulating air oven for 90 minutes. The treatment turns Nomex a pale yellow but does not have an appreciable effect on drape or hand. One inch wide strips of treated cloth failed in tension at 192 lbs, while untreated controls broke at 215 lbs. To remove any excess reagents, the cloth is processed in a home laundry through one wash and dry cycle without the use of any detergents. The thermal shrinkage of the treated material is 23% compared to a control of 40% for unwashed Stern Nomex HT 90-40.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1972

The economic and social aspects of sanitary landfill site selection

The factors involved in the selection of suitable sites for sanitary land fills are discussed. The economic considerations and problems of social acceptance are considered the most important. The subjects discussed are: (1) accessibility of land, (2) availability of cover material, (3) expected capacity of site, (4) cover material and compaction, (5) fire protection, (6) site location with respect to residential and industrial areas, and (7) land usage after landfill completion.

Graff, W. J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Formulation and production of intumescent coating systems

Methods for manufacturing and producing fire protective intumescent coatings are described. The coatings consist of three reactive parts mixed together at the time of use. The chemical composition of the reactive parts is discussed. The characteristics of the coatings which are obtained by three types of processing are analyzed. Qualification tests of the materials to determine acceptability are reported.

Hoffman, J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Process for fabrication of stabilized aluminum phosphate fibers

Ceramic possesses ideal property combination of high refractoriness and low thermal expansion. Fiber exceeds performance of fused silica fibers at high temperatures. It shrinks less, does not devitrify into unstable cristobalite structure, and is potentially less sensitive to impurities. Might be used for high-temperature insulation, fire protection, composites, and refractories.

Ormiston, T. J.↗