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At least 1,009 records · Page 56
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Microbial conversion of methane

This invention relates to a process for producing lipids and amino acids from a gaseous substrate comprising methane and oxygen. The process uses a culture of a methanotrophic microorganism in a liquid nutrient medium. The methanotrophic microorganism can be a Methylomicrobium bacterium and more specifically Methylomicrobium buryatense 5GB1. The lipid products can be in the cellular membrane of the methanotroph and can be extracted in a separate extraction zone.

Lidstrom, Mary Elizabeth↗
DOE OSTI2022

Hadron spectroscopy of pseudoscalar and vector meson photoproduction using linearly polarised photons at CLAS

The field of hadron spectroscopy is informed by experiments which study excited states of the nucleon by detecting the decay products following excitation with a hadronic, leptonic or electromagnetic probe. Experiments using a polarised beam of photons provide an important contribution to the world data. This thesis describes the analysis of data from one such experiment, the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory, Virginia, USA. In the experiment, an incident beam of electrons passes through a diamond radiator producing a linearly polarised photon beam of energy from 1.1 to 2.1 GeV on a liquid hydrogen target. The analysis method and results for two reaction channels are presented. In the first analysis, the polarisation observables {?, P, T, Ox, Oz} for the reaction ??? p ? K0 S ?+ are extracted simultaneously using likelihood sampling with Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo. The results are presented as angular distributions (cos ?K0S) for bins in photon energy E? for a total of 21 bins. The values extracted for T , Ox and Oz are a first measurement of these quantities for this reaction and the beam asymmetry (?) measurement supplements the one previous measurement for this quantity and extends the energy range over which it has been extracted. The measurement of the recoil polarisation, P, is consistent with previous measurements. In a second analysis, the spin density matrix elements (SDMEs) for ? p ? p ? are extracted using similar analysis techniques. The results are presented as angular distributions (cos ?? ) for bins in photon energy E? for a total of 24 bins. This work is the first to extract all nine SDMEs for the full angular range of the ? meson production. A comparison is made to the predictions of the Vector Meson Dominance (VMD) model and the results provide evidence for contributing processes other than VMD, particularly at more backward angles of the ? meson production. The data also indicate non-helicity conserving process in both the s-channel and the t-channel. The results from the first analysis have been passed to the Juelich-Bonn theory group and the effect of including the new data within their dynamical coupled channel model is described. Several nucleon resonances are affected and the impact on the pole positions, widths and photon decay amplitudes of the affected resonances is described.

Clark, Louise↗
DOE OSTI2018

Ionic Liquid Platform for Spinning Composite Chitin–Poly(lactic acid) Fibers

In the design of stronger chitin fibers reinforced with poly(lactic acid) (PLA), during this work, an ionic-liquid-based (IL-based) approach was developed in which both polymers were codissolved in an 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C 2 mim][OAc]) and wet-jet spun into composite fibers. Chitin, directly extracted from shrimp shell, had a solubility in the IL of 2.75 wt %, while PLA of MW 700 000 g/mol had a solubility of 49 wt %. Keeping the IL saturated in chitin, homogeneous solutions of chitin and PLA could be obtained up to 27 wt % (relative to the IL) PLA. Spinning dopes were prepared by maintaining the chitin concentration relative to the IL at 1.75 wt % and adding PLA in chitin to PLA weight ratios of 1:0.1 through 1:1 (PLA concentrations of 0.175–1.75 wt % relative to the IL). Homogeneous chitin/PLA fibers could be spun when the chitin to PLA ratio was between 1:0.1 and 1:0.3. The tensile strength and plasticity of the fibers depended on the chitin to PLA ratio with the highest plasticity (8.8% vs 3.0% for pure chitin fibers), strength (112 vs 71 MPa), and stiffness (5.9 vs 4.2 GPa) observed for fibers with a chitin to PLA ratio of 1:0.3. Studies of the fracturing surface of the fibers indicated that fracturing occurred through an initial disruption of the interactions between polymer chains, followed by complete fiber breakage. The work not only demonstrates that homogeneous composite fibers can be spun using a biopolymer and PLA additive, but also suggests a versatile platform for preparation of multiple biopolymer–PLA materials using solution processing methods.

1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sulfonamide and Sulfonamido-phenol Ligands for Extraction of f-Elements from Alkaline High-Level Waste

Alkaline High Level Waste (HLW) has been accumulated at Hanford and Savannah River Sites as a result of reprocessing for nuclear weapons production during the cold war. A large volume (∼100 MGal) has been accumulated in carbon steel tanks at Savannah River (SRS) and Hanford. The tank waste contains three separate phases generated when NaOH was added to previously acidic Purex raffinates: 1-2 Supernatant liquid, salt-cake, and sludge. The sludge consists mainly of insoluble hydroxides of transition metals while the supernate and salt-cake contain caustic-soluble materials, including salts of highly radioactive fission products Cs(I) and Sr(II). Current treatment of alkaline HLW in SRS includes: i) The Actinide Removal Process (ARP), which is based on sorption of {sup 90}Sr and Actinides (An) on monosodium titanate (MST), also known as 'alpha-strike' process, followed by ii) Caustic Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX),4 which is used for the extraction of {sup 137}Cs by modified calixarenes in a hydrocarbon diluent. Residual actinides in some tanks are removed after CSSX by an additional ARP process commonly referred to as 'alpha-finishing'. Despite the success of ARP for Sr and An removal, as it is a sorption process, it represents the kinetic bottleneck of integrated salt waste processing. Hence potential introduction of additional organic ligands for actinide extraction (in a modified CSSX process) could simplify the overall integrated process, making it more efficient and economical, with less titanate needed and shorter sorption time, as some of the actinide component would be removed during CSSX. In this study tri-sulfonamide and o-sulfonamido-phenol (mono-sulfonamide) ligands have been studied as extractants for Sm(III), which is being used as an Am(III) surrogate. Our prior studies in the group using a tri-sulfonamide (iPr-tsa-B) showed favorable extraction for Sm(III) nitrate salts from alkaline solutions. Mono-sulfonamides possess similar orientation of binding sites to pyrocatechols, which have been found to be good ligands for Am(III) binding and extraction from alkaline media. Tri-sulfonamide of the type iPr-tsa-B6 (1 mM in CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution) was studied for Ln{sup 3+} extraction using Sm(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}.6H{sub 2}0 (10 and 25 μM) in alkaline solution of NaOH (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mM) / 0.1 M NaNO{sub 3}. Stripping of the organic phase was done using 0.1 M HNO{sub 3} and quantification of Sm{sup 3+} was done using ICP-OES at 359.3 nm. The need to improve stability of the complex led to synthesis of compounds with N-donor site closer to the central benzene ring to facilitate cation-π interactions. Synthesis of tri-sulfonamide type A: a) Chloromethyl methyl ether, SnCl{sub 4}, CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2}, 0 deg. C, N{sub 2}, 4 h, 57%; b) NaN{sub 3}, reflux in H{sub 2}O/acetone for 22 h, 80%; c) PPh{sub 3}, THF/H{sub 2}O, 22 h, 79%; d) p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, Et{sub 3}N, 1,2-DCE, 22 h. Extraction: Sm(NO{sub 3}){sub 3}.6H{sub 2}O (2 mM) in 5 ml of aqueous NaOH (pH 10.5 - 14) + 6 ml of CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution of msa (20 mole equiv.) were rotated on a wheel (60 rpm; 20 h). Stripping: 5 ml of 0.1 M HNO{sub 3} + CH{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} solution of msa (after extraction, centrifugation and filtration) was rotated on the wheel (60 rpm; 20 h). Sm{sup 3+} was quantified using UV-Visible spectrophotometry.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2014

High-precision instrument for measuring the surface tension, viscosity and surface viscoelasticity of liquids using ripplon surface laser-light scattering with tunable wavelength selection

Here we describe our new high-precision instrument that simultaneously measures the surface tension, viscosity, and surface viscoelasticity of liquids. The instrument works on the ripplon surface-laser light scattering principle and operates with an automatically tunable selection of ripplon wavelength from 4 to 1500 μm, which corresponds to the frequency range of observing surface phenomena from approximately 400 Hz to 3 MHz in the case of water. The heterodyne technique instrument uses a reference laser beam which intersects at an arbitrarily adjustable angle with a vertically directed probing beam. For the determination of the wavelength of selected ripplons we substituted with the interference fringe spacing, measured using a high-resolution beam profiler. To extract reliable surface tension and viscosity data from the experimentally obtained spectrum shape for a selected wavelength of ripplon, we developed an algorithm to calculate the exact solution of the dispersion equation. The uncertainties of surface tension and viscosity measurement were confirmed through the measurement of seven pure Newtonian liquids at 25 °C measured with the selected wavelength of ripplon from 40 μm to 467 μm. To verify the genuine capability of the tunable wavelength selection of ripplon, we measured the surface elasticity of soluble surface molecular layers spread on pentanoic acid solutions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Thermoelectric energy recovery at ionic-liquid/electrode interface

A thermally chargeable capacitor containing a binary solution of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide in acetonitrile is electrically charged by applying a temperature gradient to two ideally polarisable electrodes. The corresponding thermoelectric coefficient is −1.7 mV/K for platinum foil electrodes and −0.3 mV/K for nanoporous carbon electrodes. Stored electrical energy is extracted by discharging the capacitor through a resistor. The measured capacitance of the electrode/ionic-liquid interface is 5 μF for each platinum electrode while it becomes four orders of magnitude larger, ≈36 mF, for a single nanoporous carbon electrode. Reproducibility of the effect through repeated charging-discharging cycles under a steady-state temperature gradient demonstrates the robustness of the electrical charging process at the liquid/electrode interface. The acceleration of the charging by convective flows is also observed. This offers the possibility to convert waste-heat into electric energy without exchanging electrons between ions and electrodes, in contrast to what occurs in most thermogalvanic cells.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling impurity concentrations in liquid argon detectors

Impurities in noble liquid detectors used for neutrino and dark matter experiments can significantly impact the quality of data. We present an experimentally verified model for describing the dynamics of impurity distributions in liquid argon (LAr) detectors. The model considers sources, sinks, and transport of impurities within and between the gas and liquid argon phases. Measurements of oxygen concentrations in a 20-L LAr multi-purpose test stand are compared to calculations made with this model to show that an accurate description of the concentrations under various operational conditions can be obtained. A result of this analysis is a determination of Henry’s coefficient for oxygen in LAr. Additionally, these calculations also show that some processes have small effects on the impurity dynamics and excluding them yields a solution as a sum of two exponential terms. This solution provides a simple way to extract Henry’s coefficient with negligible approximation error. It is applied to the data and the Henry’s coefficient for oxygen in LAr is obtained as 0.84 +0.09 -0.05 , consistent with literature results. Finally, based on the analysis of the data with the model, we further suggest that, for a large liquid argon detector, barriers to flow (“baffles”) installed in the gas phase to restrict flow can help reduce the ultimate impurity concentration in the LAr.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Results of detailed analyses performed on boring cores extracted from the concrete floors of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant reactor buildings

Due to the massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, and the following severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, concrete surfaces within the reactor buildings were exposed to radioactive liquid and vapor phase contaminants. In order to clarify the situation of this contamination in the reactor buildings of Units 1, 2 and 3, selected samples were transported to the Fuels Monitoring Facility in the Oarai Engineering Center of JAEA where they were subjected to analyses to determine the surface radionuclide concentrations and to characterize the radionuclide distributions in the samples. In particular, penetration of radiocesium in the surface coatings layer and sub-surface concrete was evaluated. The analysis results indicate that the situation of contamination in the building of Unit 2 was different from others, and the protective surface coatings on the concrete floors provided significant protection against radionuclide penetration. The localized penetration of contamination in the concrete floors was found to be confined within a millimeter of the surface of the coating layer of some millimeters. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Identifying Abandoned Well Sites Using Database Records and Aeromagnetic Surveys

Oil and natural gas are primary sources of energy in the United States. Improved drilling and extracting techniques have led to a renewed interest in historic oil and gas fields, but limited records of legacy wells make new drilling efforts more difficult, as abandoned wells may provide conduits for liquids and gases to migrate into groundwater reservoirs or the atmosphere. Well finding using aeromagnetic surveys pinpoints the location of steel-cased wells, detecting both active and abandoned wells, including buried casings lacking aboveground markers. Here, we present six aeromagnetic surveys conducted in Pennsylvania and Wyoming as case studies, comparing the magnetic points to locations known in databases. In all study sites, more magnetic points were detected than recorded in databases. Based on differences between theoretical database well counts and the actual number of wells detected in surveys, we estimated the total number of wells in Pennsylvania to be 395 000–466 000 and 181 000–182 000 in Wyoming. Extrapolating to the national level, in this work, we estimate the average number of wells in the continental United States is 6.04 ± 19.97 million wells with 1.16 ± 3.84 million of those designated as abandoned wells, within the range of previous abandoned well count estimations. Although aeromagnetic surveys are limited to detecting steel-cased wells and do not differentiate sites based on well status, this study nevertheless demonstrates the utility of aeromagnetic surveys in well finding efforts across the country and shows limitations in database records of oil and natural gas wells.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2019

Strategies for sample delivery for femtosecond crystallography

Highly efficient data-collection methods are required for successful macromolecular crystallography (MX) experiments at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). XFEL beamtime is scarce, and the high peak brightness of each XFEL pulse destroys the exposed crystal volume. It is therefore necessary to combine diffraction images from a large number of crystals (hundreds to hundreds of thousands) to obtain a final data set, bringing about sample-refreshment challenges that have previously been unknown to the MX synchrotron community. In view of this experimental complexity, a number of sample delivery methods have emerged, each with specific requirements, drawbacks and advantages. To provide useful selection criteria for future experiments, this review summarizes the currently available sample delivery methods, emphasising the basic principles and the specific sample requirements. Two main approaches to sample delivery are first covered: (i) injector methods with liquid or viscous media and (ii) fixed-target methods using large crystals or using microcrystals inside multi-crystal holders or chips. Additionally, hybrid methods such as acoustic droplet ejection and crystal extraction are covered, which combine the advantages of both fixed-target and injector approaches.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Devices for Diagnostics and Lithium Collection on the T-11M and T-10 Tokamaks. First Results

The use of lithium as a material of the tokamak in-vessel plasma-facing components made it necessary to develop appropriate diagnostic instruments. For the T-10 and T-11M tokamaks, devices have been developed that allow one to investigate the processes of lithium transport in the tokamak scrape-off layer, the dynamics of lithium deposition at different temperatures of the collecting surface in real time by using a piezoelectric quartz detector, adsorption and desorption of the plasma-forming gas by lithium, and the influence of the electric field on the process of lithium collection. The plasma parameters are monitored using Langmuir probes. The developed devices can be used to extract lithium deposited on the tokamak vessel wall without breaking vacuum conditions. For these purposes, a gateway and a vacuum input without bellows have been designed on the basis of an innovative liquid-metal coupling.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solvent Hold Tank Sample Results for MCU-19-366- 367-368 (April 2019), MCU-19-469-470-471 (May 2019), MCU-19-524-525-526 (June 2019): Quarterly Report

A trend summary of three sets of Solvent Hold Tank (SHT) monthly samples MCU-19-366-367-368 (April), MCU-19-469-470-471 (May), and MCU-19-524-525-526 (June) are reported. Most of the conclusions are based on the June SHT sample (MCU-19-524-525-526). Analyses of the June SHT sample (MCU-19-524- 525-526) indicated that the Modifier (Cs-7SB) and the Extractant (MaxCalix) concentrations were below their nominal recommended concentrations (169,000 mg/L and 46,900 mg/L respectively) by 4% and 2% respectively but consistent with previously observed levels during normal runs. The Suppressor (N,N’,N”– tris(3,7-dimethyloctyl)guanidine or TiDG) concentration has decreased since the March 2019 measurement to 793 mg/L, which is above the minimum recommended concentration (479 mg/L). The Semi-Volatile Organic Analysis (SVOA) did not detect any impurities. However, the Fourier Transform Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FT-HNMR) analysis detected presence of phthalates at a few ppm. The impurity concentration was highest in the April sample and consistently detected in the May and June samples (but always registered as a few ppm or less). Another impurity observed in the samples was mercury. Based on the June SHT sample, up to 25 ± 5 micrograms of mercury per mL of solvent was detected (as the average of the Direct Mercury Analysis (DMA) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) methods). The higher mercury concentration in the solvent (as determined in the last three-monthly samples) is possibly due to the higher mercury concentration in Salt Batches 9 and 10. The gamma concentration (~2.90E4 dpm/mL) measured in the June 2019 SHT samples was consistent with previous values observed when the Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU) was operating continuously (for example, between December 2016 and January 2017). Statistical analysis of the different analytical methods detected a bias between the FT-HNMR and the High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) methods when measuring the MaxCalix and Modifier concentrations; the FT-HNMR gave a higher concentration possibly due to peak overlapping in the measured data. A bias was detected when measuring total mercury by the DMA method versus the XRF method with the XRF method reported higher mercury concentrations. The laboratory will continue to monitor the quality of the solvent for any new impurities or degradation of the solvent components.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1983

Rapid solidification of highly undercooled alloy droplets

Experimental work is described on undercooling and structure of tin-lead droplets emulsified in oil. The droplets, predominantly in the size range of 10-20 microns, were cooled at rates ranging from about 0.04 K/sec to 1,000,000 K/sec. The higher cooling rates were obtained by a newly developed technique of quenching the emulsified droplets in a cold liquid. Measured undercoolings (at the lower cooling rates) ranged up to about 100 C. Structures obtained depended strongly on undercooling, cooling rate before nucleation, droplet size, alloy composition and the rate of heat extraction after nucleation.

Chu, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Spiral Flow Separator

Proposed liquid-separating device relies on centrifugal force in liquid/liquid or liquid/solid mixture in spiral path. Operates in continuous flow at relatively high rates. Spiral tubes joined in sequence, with outlet tubes connected to joints. Cross-sectional areas of successive spiral tubes decreases by cross-sectional areas of outlet tubes. Centrifugal force pushes denser particles or liquids to outer edge of spiral, where removed from flow. Principle exploited to separate solids from wastewater, oil from fresh or salt water, or contaminants from salt water before evaporation. Also used to extract such valuable materials as precious metals from slurries.

Robertson, Glen A.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Extraterrestrial Amino Acids in the Almahata Sitta Meteorite

Amino acid analysis of a meteorite fragment of asteroid 2008 TC(sub 3) called Almahata Sitta was carried out using reverse-phase high-perfo rmance liquid chromatography coupled with UV fluorescence detection a nd time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-FD/ToF-MS) as part of a sam ple analysis consortium. HPLC analyses of hot-water extracts from the meteorite revealed a complex distribution of two- to six-carbon aliph atic amino acids and one- to three carbon amines with abundances rang ing from 0.5 to 149 parts-per-billion (ppb). The enantiomeric ratios of the amino acids alanine, Beta-amino-n-butyric acid (Beta-ABA), 2-amino-2- methylbutanoic acid (isovaline), and 2-aminopentanoic acid (no rvaline) in the meteorite were racemic (D/L approximately 1), indicat ing that these amino acids are indigenous to the meteorite and not te rrestrial contaminants. Several other non-protein amino acids were also identified in the meteorite above background levels including alpha -aminoisobutyric acid (alpha-AIB), 4-amino-2- methybutanoic acid, 4-a mino-3-methylbutanoic acid, and 3-, 4-, and 5-aminopentanoic acid. Th e total abundances of isovaline and AlB in Almahata Sitta are approximately 1000 times lower than the abundances of these amino acids found in the CM carbonaceous meteorite Murchison. The extremely love abund ances and unusual distribution of five carbon amino acids in Almahata Sitta compared to Cl, CM, and CR carbonaceous meteorites and may be due to extensive thermal alteration of amino acids on the parent aster oid by partial melting during formation or impact shock heating.

Glavin, Daniel P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Overview of Extractive and Optical PM Measurements from the NASA SE-5 High Pressure Flame Diagnostics Laboratory

Soot emissions measurements of multiphase non-premixed flames are sparse in the literature due to the complexities of sampling in such environments. We present an overview from on-going work at the NASA SE-5 High Pressure Flame Diagnostics laboratory focusing on soot and gaseous emissions at elevated pressures. SE-5 is a gaseous and liquid fueled high pressure flame tube facility capable of operating at pressures up to 880 psia, cooling capacity of 4,000,000 BTU/hr, liquid fuel flow rates up to 2 GPH, and an equivalence ratio range of 0.2 (fuel lean) to 4 (fuel rich). SE-5 provides optical access via four UV-grade fused silica optical windows of the primary reaction zone enabling non-intrusive optical diagnostics of the flame.

Soot↗
DOE OSTI2015

An intelligent scanning algorithm for lost fuel rod recovery in the MYRRHA lower plenum

This paper presents a system for visualizing the interior structure of a vessel filled with a liquid metal. Due to the opaque and conductive nature of the medium, regular visualization systems based on cameras, electromagnetic or laser based techniques can't be used. The operation, strengths and weaknesses of an existing set-up are investigated by creating a scenario to find and extract a rectangular object inside the vessel in the shortest possible time. The main focus of this paper is not on designing a new system but to investigate the bottlenecks that are faced and need to be kept in mind in future designs. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fundamental Studies on the Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Coal and Coal Byproducts (Final Product Report)

The objective of this project was to collect fundamental information that can be used to develop disruptive physical and chemical separation methods that may be used to extract the rare earth elements (REEs) from coal-based feedstocks in a highly efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally benign manner. To meet the stated objective, a set of interrelated fundamental studies have been conducted. The project has been subdivided into three broad areas of tasks as follows, (1) measurement of surface forces in the thin liquid films (TLFs) of water confined between two macroscopic surfaces to establish the optimal conditions for efficiently collecting the ultrafine particles of rare earth minerals (REMs) present in the coal-based feedstocks using the flotation and/or the hydrophobic-hydrophilic separation process(es), (2) identification of the fundamental mechanisms by which REE ions adsorb and desorb on clay minerals present in coal byproducts, and the characterization of the ion-adsorption clays (IACs) present in U.S. coals, and (3) developing methods of extracting the REEs from the REMs and IACs present in US coal byproducts in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗