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NASA NTRS1983

Properties of ices and grains - An experimental study

Proton irradiation of a variety of ice mixtures was carried out to study the effect of galactic cosmic ray irradiation of comets in the Oort Cloud. Three significant effects were noted: (1) production of new molecules; (2) production of a more energetic ice at low temperatures; (3) production of a non-volatile, complex organic residue. These phenomena suggest various effects on new comets approaching the sun including enhanced activity. Experiments on the condensation of silicate grains provide information on the condensation mechanism and properties of grains. Controlled annealing of the amorphous condensates shows how crystallization occurs. Infrared spectra of different stages of crystallization contain features that may identify composition, structure and history of refractory material.

Donn, B.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Aeronomy

From the known composition (H2, CH4, C2H2(?) at Uranus, and H2, CH4, C2H6 at Neptune) and the inversion and photolysis region temperatures, reasonable theoretical models for the upper atmospheric distribution of the neutral and ionospheric species are constructed on the basis of the expected physical and chemical processes. The models indicate that C2H2 would condense over an extensive height range of Uranus. The extent of the haze is expected to be smaller and deeper in the polar region. Some ethane is also expected to condense, mostly in the vicinity of the temperature inversion. The behavior of the acetylene condensation with latitude and time appears to be consistent with its apparent abundance variation (detected by IUE), and the brightening of Uranus observed in ground based imaging. Neptune's polar region, on the other hand is expected to be more hazy or cloudy than the equatorial region.

Atreya, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Chemical evolution of the solar nebula: A new model

The common notion of a hot solar nebula from which meteoritic minerals condensed is not supported by theories of star formation. A model is developed which can give the same sequence of condensation without recourse to hot solar nebula. In this model, the solar nebula was formed from the matter ejected by the Sun during its T Tauri phase and the chemical condensation took place in this outflowing matter. Isotopic anomalies and the unique minerals found in meteorites may be explained by this model.

Trivedi, B. M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Transient processes in combustion of single submillimeter metal droplets

A laser was used to ignite Al, Zr, Ti and Hf droplets in separate trials to study metal droplet combustion in air. The burning was recorded with high speed film at high magnification. Al was found to flash vaporize, melt, surface oxidize, revaporize, then combust. All species burned with a vapor diffusion flame surrounded by an oxide condensation front. The Zr, Ti and Hf droplets grew by condensation, coalesced, then convected toward the perimeter of the condensation zone. It is expected that the data will serve as bases for a theoretical vapor diffusion model. Finally, the introduction of a transverse acoustic field was observed to have no effect on either the luminosity or combustion zone geometry.

Pellett, G. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL) GAS experiment G-471

The Capillary Pumped Loop (CPL) experiment, 6-471 is a thermal control system with high density heat acquisition and transport capability. The CPL consists of two capillary pumped evaporators with integral heaters, a fluid loop charged with ammonia (NH3), a condenser plate (heat sink), and various control electronics. The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate the capability of a capillary pumped system under zero gravity conditions for use in the thermal control of large scientific instruments, advanced orbiting spacecraft, and space station components. A unique feature of the CPL is the capillary pumps, which contain no moving parts. Each pump contains a wick of porous material which is saturated with the working fluid (anhydrous ammonia). As heat is added to the fluid, it evaporates and travels to the condenser, thus transporting the heat (via the latent heat of vaporization) from the heat source to its sink at nearly a constant temperature. The evaporation process produces the pressure gradient or pumping action that circulates the fluid. This is the same principal that plants and trees use to transport water and nutrients from their roots to their leaves against gravity. The difference is that the CPL employs a closed system to return the fluid directly to the pumps, whereas "Mother Nature'' has an open system where the fluid is indirectly returned to the roots by condensation of water from the clouds in the form of rain. It should be noted that the CPL experiment was the first flight of a thermal control system of this type. It was also the first shuttle experiment from the Space Station Advanced Development Program.

Dan Butler↗

NASA NTRS1985

Massive superclusters as a probe of the nature and amplitude of primordial density fluctuations

It is pointed out that correlation studies of galaxy positions have been widely used in the search for information about the large-scale matter distribution. The study of rare condensations on large scales provides an approach to extend the existing knowledge of large-scale structure into the weakly clustered regime. Shane (1975) provides a description of several apparent massive condensations within the Shane-Wirtanen catalog, taking into account the Serpens-Virgo cloud and the Corona cloud. In the present study, a description is given of a model for estimating the frequency of condensations which evolve from initially Gaussian fluctuations. This model is applied to the Corona cloud to estimate its 'rareness' and thereby estimate the rms density contrast on this mass scale. An attempt is made to find a conflict between the density fluctuations derived from the Corona cloud and independent constraints. A comparison is conducted of the estimate and the density fluctuations predicted to arise in a universe dominated by cold dark matter.

Kaiser, N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

The infrared characteristics of circumstellar silicate grains

A theoretical study of the infrared emission from circumstellar shells around late-type giants is made, with the aim of deriving the infrared characteristics of the silicate grains condensing in these shells. A large grid of models has been compared with observations of optically visible Miras, IRC sources and OH/IR stars. From fitting the observed relation between the color temperature and the strength of the 10-micron feature, it is concluded that the ratio of the 3.5 to 10-micron absorption efficiencies of the dust is about 0.25, a factor of 2 less than a previous determination. Detailed modeling of the 2 to 13-micron spectrum of OH 26.5 + 0.6, IRC + 10011 and R Cas yielded a similar ratio. These detailed models also show that the shape of the 10-micron feature, particularly around 8 and 13 microns, varies from source to source. The derived 10-micron feature is narrower for larger dust column densities. These observed differences in the intrinsic shape of the 10-micron feature are not due to differences in size of the condensing particles. Probably they are related to structural or compositional differences in the condensing silicates.

Schutte, W.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Alternate high capacity heat pipe

The performance predictions for a fifty foot heat pipe (4 foot evaporator - 46 foot condensor) are discussed. These performance predictions are supported by experimental data for a four foot heat pipe. Both heat pipes have evaporators with axial groove wick structures and condensers with powder metal external artery wick structures. The predicted performance of a rectangular axial groove/external artery heat pipe operating in space is given. Heat transport versus groove width is plotted for 100, 200 and 300 grooves in the evaporator. The curves show that maximum power is achieved for groove widths from 0.040 to 0.053 as the number of grooves varies from 300 to 100. The corresponding range of maximum power is 3150 to 2400 watts. The relationships between groove width and heat pipe evaporate diameter for 100, 200 and 300 grooves in the evaporator are given. A four foot heat pipe having a three foot condenser and one foot evaporator was built and tested. The evaporator wick structure used axial grooves with rectangular cross sections, and the condenser wick structure used powder metal with an external artery configuration. Fabrication drawings are enclosed. The predicted and measured performance for this heat pipe is shown. The agreement between predicted and measured performance is good and therefore substantiates the predicted performance for a fifty foot heat pipe.

Voss, F. E.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Numerical simulations of a siphon mechanism for quiescent prominence formation

Quiescent prominences represent a significant challenge to our understanding of the flow of mass and energy in the outer layers of the solar atmosphere. A small number of quiescent prominences contain as much mass as the entire corona (Athay, 1976). The problem then is how to get that much material into the relatively small volume of a prominence and maintain it at a temperature of 10,000 K in close proximity to material at one million K. The thermal insulation to conduction provided by the magnetic field explains the disparate temperatures. The mass source problem is less well understood. One method for supplying mass to the prominence is to siphon it from the chromosphere. The siphon mechanism begins with a magnetic loop that evolves into a configuration with a gravitational well, such as that described by Kippenhahn and Schluter (1957). This could be formed, for example, by a twist in the magnetic field. A gravitational well could also be formed by a condensation induced sag in the field. This could further enhance the condensation process. Once this well has formed, or as it is forming, the material in the well area of the loop must cool and condense to the point where radiative losses exceed any heat input. Additional material must also flow into the well from the underlying chromosphere to supply the mass required to form the prominence. One example from a series of numerical simulations that were performed to study the formation of quiescent prominences is presented.

Poland, A. I.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Method of evaporation

Liquids, such as juices, milk, molten metal and the like are concentrated by forming uniformly-sized, small droplets in a precision droplet forming assembly and deploying the droplets in free fall downwardly as a central column within an evacuated column with cool walls. A portion of the solvent evaporates. The vapor flows to the wall, condenses, and usually flows down the wall as a film to condensate collector and drain. The vertical column of freely falling droplets enters the splash guard. The condensate can be collected, sent to other towers or recycled.

Dufresne, Eugene R.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Solar dynamic organic Rankine cycle heat rejection system simulation

The use of a rotary fluid management device (RFMD) and shear flow condenser for two-phase fluid management in microgravity organic Rankine cycle (ORC) applications is examined. A prototype of the proposed Space Station ORC heat rejection system was constructed to evaluate the performance of the inventory control method. The design and operation of the RFMD, shear flow condenser, and inventory control fluid accumulator are described. A schematic diagram of the ORC, RFMD, and condenser, and a functional diagram of the heat rejection system for the ORC are presented.

Havens, V. N.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Expansion Valve With Temperature-Sensitive Flow Regulation

Joule-Thomson expansion valve designed so particles or condensed contaminants in vapor flowing through unlikely to clog orifice. In addition, new valve automatically adjusts flow of vapor. Allows high initial flow for rapid cooling, but gradually reduces flow as operating temperature reached. Flow adjusts manually when necessary. Developed for expansion of high-pressure vapors to condense them into low-pressure cryogenic liquids. Used to conserve helium coolant in superconducting system by condensing vapor boiling from liquid-helium bath.

Walker, Graham↗

NASA NTRS1988

The behavior of outgassed materials in thermal vacuums

Scientists at the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) are investigating the relationship between outgassing and condensation for aerospace materials in space-like environments. The WSTF throughput test method was validated by previous testing at WSTF using palmitic acid. Data from these tests were compared with data from other preliminary tests by using adipic and behenic acids. The comparison indicates that surface forces between outgassed molecules and the condensing surfaces cause the condensation flux to be different from the incident flux. These forces can also cause the evaporative flux to be different from the expected value. These discrepancies are discussed in terms of both potential and dynamic interactions of outgassed molecules with surfaces. Although these surface forces are noticeable, their overall effect on the test is minimal.

Mahone, William↗

NASA NTRS1988

Some possible mechanisms for the formation of large scale structures in the universe

Three mechanisms for the formation of large voids are discussed: (1) the disruption of condensation due to unstable dark matter, (2) the disruption of condensation due to annihilating dark matter, and (3) the evolution of condensates into low luminosity sources. It is concluded that the extremely large sizes of the voids and their rough spherical shape and sharply defined edges suggest that some event occurred which inhibited galaxy formation in these regions (and/or triggered galaxy formation in the regions exterior to the voids), and this event may have been hydrodynamic in nature.

Daly, Ruth A.↗

NASA NTRS1989

The C-12/C-13 abundance ratio in Comet Halley

The individual (C-13)N rotational lines in Comet Halley are resolved using high-resolution spectra of the CN B2Sigma(+)-X2Sigma(+) (0,0) band. The observe C-12/C-13 abundance ratio excludes a site of origin for the comet near Uranus and Neptune and suggests a condensation environment quite distinct from other solar system bodies. Two theories are presented for the origin of Comet Halley. One theory suggest that the comet originated 4.5 Gyr ago in an inner Oort cloud at a heliocentric distance greater than 100 AU where chemical fractionation led to the C-13 enrichment in the CN parent molecule prior to condensation of the comet nucleus. According to the other, more plausible theory, the comet nucleus condensed relatively recently from the interstellar medium which has become enriches in C-13 and was subsequently gravitationally captured by the solar system.

Wyckoff, Susan↗

NASA NTRS1989

Unusual olivine and pyroxene composition in interplanetary dust and unequilibrated ordinary chondrites

The presence, in both a number of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and in meteorite matrices, of olivine and orthopyroxene grains, low in FeO but containing up to 5 wt pct MnO, is reported. The majority of olivines and pyroxenes in meteorites contain less than 0.5 wt pct MnO. The presence of these low-iron, manganese-enriched (LIME) olivines and pyroxenes in IDPs and meteorites may indicate a link between the origin and history of IDPs and the matrix material of primitive meteorites. The origin of the LIME silicates could be explained by condensation from a gas of solar composition. Forsterite is the first major silicate phase to condense from a solar nebula gas, and Mn, which is not stable as a metal under solar nebula conditions, would condense at about 1100 K as Mn2SiO4 in solid solution with forsterite.

Klock, W.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Sanduleak's Star (LMC Anonymous) - Its similarity in the far-ultraviolet with the luminous object Eta Carinae and SN 1987A

Low-resolution IUE SWP spectra of the peculiar object LMC Anonymous (Sanduleak's Star) indicates strong evidence for CNO-processed nebula in the vicinity of the star. The far-UV spectrum of LMC Anonymous closely resembles that of the S Condensation of Eta Carinae. The similarity between LMC Anonymous and the S Condensation is apparent from the absolute intensity of the N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III emission lines compared with the reduced strength of C IV or semiforbidden C III emission. IUE spectra of the S Condensation and SN 1987A may provide important clues concerning the nature of LMC Anonymous, which indicates departures from normal cosmic abundances of nitrogen relative to carbon that are extreme. This may suggest that carbon envelope burning and dredge-up occurred simultaneously during the helium-burning stage.

Michalitsianos, A. G.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Convergent strand array liquid pumping system

A surface-tension liquid pumping system is provided by one or more arrays of converging solid monofilament fibers or metal wires (strands) spaced apart at an input end to gather liquid, and gathered close together at the opposite end where menisci forms between wetted strands to force liquid in the direction of convergence of the strands. The liquid pumping system is independent of gravity. It is illustrated as being used in a heat pump having a heating box to vaporize the liquid and a condensing chamber. Condensed liquid is returned by the pumping system to the heating box where it is again vaporized. A vapor tube carries the vapor to the condensing chamber. In that way, a closed system pumps heat from the heating box to the evaporating chamber and from there radiated to the atmosphere.

Collins, Earl R., Jr.↗