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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Wet-oxidation waste management system for CELSS

A wet oxidation system will be useful in the Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) as a facility to treat organic wastes and to redistribute inorganic compounds and elements. However at rather higher temperatures needed in this reaction, for instance, at 260 deg C, only 80% of organic in a raw material can be oxidized, and 20% of it will remain in the liquid mainly as acetic acid, which is virtually noncombustible. Furthermore, nitrogen is transformed to ammonium ions which normally cannot be absorbed by plants. To resolve these problems, it becomes necessary to use catalysts. Noble metals such as Ru, Rh and so on have proved to be partially effective as these catalysts. That is, oxidation does not occur completely, and the unexpected denitrification, instead of the expected nitrification, occurs. So, it is essential to develop the catalysts which are able to realize the complete oxidation and the nitrification.

Takahashi, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Practical method for highly accurate large-scale surface calculations

An accurate and efficient film linearized muffin-tin orbital (FLMTO) technique for surface electronic-structure calculations is presented which uses only 60-70 basis functions, as opposed to the 300 functions used in the linear augmented plane-wave method. Calculations for three different (3d and 4d) transition-metal films resulted in high quality results for five-layer slabs of Cu(001), Fe(001), and Ru(001), in addition to good results for the work functions and projected density of states. By retaining the LMTO small basis size, computer time and memory are reduced, making practical the study of systems with a larger number of atoms in the two-dimensional unit cell.

Fernando, G. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Undercooling of pure metals in a containerless, microgravity environment

The 105-m drop tube at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center has been used in a series of undercooling experiments on pure metals. Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Rh, Hf, Ta, and Pt were undercooled 17-20 percent of the melting temperature in a containerless, microgravity environment. Ir and Ru were undercooled to 13 percent Tm. Sample sizes ranged from 175 to 880 mg.

Robinson, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Undercooling of bulk high temperature metals in the 100 meter drop tube

The 100-meter drop tube at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center provides an excellent opportunity to study the effects of containerless, microgravity processing in metals and alloys. In a series of experiments high melting temperature pure metals were melted in an electron beam furnace and dropped in vacuum. Sample sizes ranged from 0.175 to 1.2 grams. Large undercoolings on the order of 18 percent of the melting temperature were observed in Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Rh, Ta, and Pt. Undercoolings of 5 to 18 percent T(m) were observed in Ru and Ir. These undercooling results are consistent, repeatable, and occur in a high percentage of experiments. The experimental technique will be presented as well as the resultant microstructures of undercooled drops. The data will be discussed with respect to nucleation theory.

Hofmeister, William↗
NASA NTRS1987

Experimental constraints on heating and cooling rates of refractory inclusions in the early solar system

The refractory inclusions in carbonaceous chondrites were the subject of considerable interest since their discovery. These inclusions contain minerals that are predicted to be some of the earliest condensates from the solar nebula, and contain a plethora of isotopic anomalies of unknown origin. Of particular interest are those coarse-grained inclusions that contain refractory metal particles (Fe, Ni, Pt, Ru, Os Ir). Experimental studies of these inclusions in terrestrial laboratories are, however, complicated because the dense particles tend to settle out of a molten or partially molten silicate material. Heating experiments in the Space Station technology and microgravity in order to observe the effects of metal nuggets (which may act as heterogeneous nucleation sites) on nucleation rates in silicate systems and to measure simultaneously the relative volatilization rate of siderophile and lithophile species. Neither experiment is possible in the terrestrial environment.

Boynton, W. V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Oxygen electrodes for rechargeable alkaline fuel cells

Electrocatalysts and supports for the positive electrode of moderate temperature single-unit rechargeable alkaline fuel cells are being investigated and developed. Candidate support materials were drawn from transition metal carbides, borides, nitrides and oxides which have high conductivity (greater than 1 ohm/cm). Candidate catalyst materials were selected largely from metal oxides of the form ABO sub x (where A = Pb, Cd, Mn, Ti, Zr, La, Sr, Na, and B = Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Ni (Co) which were investigated and/or developed for one function only, O2 reduction or O2 evolution. The electrical conductivity requirement for catalysts may be lower, especially if integrated with a higher conductivity support. All candidate materials of acceptable conductivity are subjected to corrosion testing. Materials that survive chemical testing are examined for electrochemical corrosion activity. For more stringent corrosion testing, and for further evaluation of electrocatalysts (which generally show significant O2 evolution at at 1.4 V), samples are held at 1.6 V or 0.6 V for about 100 hours. The surviving materials are then physically and chemically analyzed for signs of degradation. To evaluate the bifunctional oxygen activity of candidate catalysts, Teflon-bonded electrodes are fabricated and tested in a floating electrode configuration. Many of the experimental materials being studied have required development of a customized electrode fabrication procedure. In advanced development, the goal is to reduce the polarization to about 300 to 350 mV. Approximately six support materials and five catalyst materials were identified to date for further development. The test results will be described.

Swette, L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

A test of the smoothness of the elemental abundances of carbonaceous chondrites

Analyses of several carbonaceous chondrites (including the Orgueil samples 626, 629, and 630; and Ivuna samples 627, 628, and 631) for elements from Fe through Ru were performed using proton-induced X-rays, in order to test the smoothness of the elemental abundances in these chondrites. In general, the results confirm previously published abundance curves. The abundances were exceptionally smooth and strongly decreasing in the mass region 60-75. From the mass number 75 to 101, a smooth curve could be drawn, within limits of intersample variability, except for Y peak. Over the whole periodic table, a large number of peaks of probable nucleosynthetic origin could be identified.

Burnett, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Theoretical study of the bonding in LaFe(2+), LaRu(2+) and YRu(2+)

The bonding in LaFe(2+) and LaRu(2+) involves nearly equal contributions from La(+) and La(2+). The second IP of Y is larger than that of La and this leads to predominantly Y(+) + Ru(+) character in the YRu(2+) wavefunction. The remarkable stability of these systems derives from multiple d-d bonds that lead to a bond-order of between two and three. Thus the ground states of these dications, which have relatively deep molecular wells and large barriers to dissociation, have essentially infinite lifetimes with respect to unimolecular decay.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1990

HH55 and its energy source

Imaging and spectroscopic observations of HH55 in the Lupus molecular cloud are presented. Cohen and Schwartz (1987) have shown that HH55 is apparently not excited by the nearby T Tau star RU Lup as once thought but rather by the coincident FIR point source 15533 - 3742 extracted from IRAS coadded images. The optical counterpart of this IR source is identified as an active, relatively unobscured M-dwarf star. The forbidden emission lines observed in the stellar spectrum exhibit slight asymmetries to blueshifted velocities. Deconvolution of the emission lines reveals a weak moderate-velocity (-100 km/sec) wind component and a stronger emission component whose velocity is very close to that of the star.

Heyer, Mark H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Electrocatalysis for oxygen electrodes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers for space applications

The lead ruthenate pyrochlore Pb2Ru2O6.5, in both high- and low-area forms, has been characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, and O2 reduction and generation kinetic-mechanistic studies. Mechanisms are proposed. Compounds in which part of the Ru is substituted with Ir have also been prepared. They exhibit somewhat better performance for O2 reduction in porous, gas-fed electrodes than the unsubstituted compound. The anodic corrosion resistance of pyrochlore-based porous electrodes was improved by using two different anionically conducting polymer overlayers, which slow down the diffusion of ruthenate and plumbate out of the electrode. The O2 generation performance was improved with both types of electrodes. With a hydrogel overlayer, the O2 reduction performance was also improved.

Prakash, Jai↗
NASA NTRS1991

The magnetic field and magnetospheric configuration of Uranus

A significant and unique planetary magnetic field discovered by Voyager 2 is presented. A large tilt of 58.6 deg of the magnetic-dipole axis from the rotation axis was found. Combined with a large offset of 0.3 RU of the magnetic dipole from the center of the planet, the moment of 0.23 gauss-RU3 leads to field magnitudes at the surface which vary widely between 0.1 and 1.0 gauss. A simple diagram illustrating the offset tilted dipole of Uranus and some field lines is shown. A more exact and accurate spherical-harmonic model of the planetary field, which includes both dipole and quadrupole moments, is derived. There exists a well-developed bipolar magnetic tail on the night side of the planet which rotates daily about the extended planet-sunline with Uranus because of the large obliquity of the Uranian rotation axis.

Ness, Norman F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Catalytic oxidation for treatment of ECLSS and PMMS waste streams

It is shown that catalytic oxidation is an effective technique for the removal of trace organic contaminants in a multifiltration potable processor's effluent. Essential elements of this technology are devices that deliver oxygen to the influent, and remove gaseous reaction byproducts from the effluent, via hollow-tube, gas-permeable membranes. Iodine, which poisons existing catalysis, is removed by a small deiodination bed prior to catalytic reactor entrance. The catalyst used is a mixture of Pt and Ru deposited on carbon, operating at 125-160 C and 39-90 psi pressures.

Akse, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A theory for narrow-banded radio bursts at Uranus - MHD surface waves as an energy driver

A possible scenario for the generation of the narrow-banded radio bursts detected at Uranus by the Voyager 2 planetary radio astronomy experiment is described. In order to account for the emission burstiness which occurs on time scales of hundreds of milliseconds, it is proposed that ULF magnetic surface turbulence generated at the frontside magnetopause propagates down the open/closed field line boundary and mode-converts to kinetic Alfven waves (KAW) deep within the polar cusp. The oscillating KAW potentials then drive a transient electron stream that creates the bursty radio emission. To substantiate these ideas, Voyager 2 magnetometer measurements of enhanced ULF magnetic activity at the frontside magnetopause are shown. It is demonstrated analytically that such magnetic turbulence should mode-convert deep in the cusp at a radial distance of 3 RU.

Farrell, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Low-temperature exsolution in refractory siderophile element-rich opaque assemblages from the Leoville carbonaceous chondrite

The discovery is reported of opaque assemblages in the Leoville carbonaceous chondrite with both clear textural and chemical evidence of a major role for resolution and equilibration at relatively low temperatures in the formation of refractory siderophile element-rich assemblages. The observed phase compositions are used to bracket a previously inferred phase boundary in the Fe-Ni-Ru system. The first meteoritic occurrence of goldmanite is also reported.

Simon, S. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Recovery and separation of precious metals from space

During the past year a viable procedure centered around centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), a multistage liquid-liquid partitioning technique for the separation of precious metals (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Os, Ru), was developed. Stable and inexpensive ligands that can be readily recycled to achieve the separations of the precious metals were identified. The separation methods developed so far yield three separate fractions: Pt, Pd, and Rh-Ir. The Rh-Ir pair can be separated in a subsequent run. The total amount of precious metals separated in a single experiment varied from 1 to 50 mg. The factors affecting the efficiencies of these separations were studied. The kinetics of the decomposition of the complex and the ion pair have a major bearing on these efficiencies, with slow kinetics resulting in poor efficiencies. The methods for the improvement of the efficiencies were also investigated. For example, significant improvement in the efficiencies and separation times for Pt and Pd were achieved by the use of chloride gradient in the mobile phase. Two papers were published and talks were presented on our work at the FACSS meeting in Anaheim, Oct. 1991, and at the Pittsburgh Conference in New Orleans, Mar. 1992.

Freiser, H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

PEM regenerative fuel cells

This paper will update the progress in developing electrocatalyst systems and electrode structures primarily for the positive electrode of single-unit solid polymer proton exchange membrane (PEM) regenerative fuel cells. The work was done with DuPont Nafion 117 in complete fuel cells (40 sq cm electrodes). The cells were operated alternately in fuel cell mode and electrolysis mode at 80 C. In fuel cell mode, humidified hydrogen and oxygen were supplied at 207 kPa (30 psi); in electrolysis mode, water was pumped over the positive electrode and the gases were evolved at ambient pressure. Cycling data will be presented for Pt-Ir catalysts and limited bifunctional data will be presented for Pt, Ir, Ru, Rh, and Na(x)Pt3O4 catalysts as well as for electrode structure variations.

Swette, Larry L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Aging jets from low-mass stars

An extended faint optical jet is associated with the compact emission region plus faint star known as HH 55. HH 55 is located in the Lupus 2 cloud 2 min SW of the well studied T Tauri star RU Lupi. The HH 55 jet extends 55 sec N and 35 sec S in PA 160 deg. The HH 55 star is an emission line star of spectral type M3.5. Its image in the emission lines of H-alpha and (S II) is slightly elongated by 2 sec - 3 sec to the S but in continuum light is symmetrical and pointlike ((full width at half maximum) (FWHM) = 1.7 sec). The star and jet have several features in common with the star and jet known as Sz 102 = Th 28 in the nearby Lupus 3 cloud. We suggest that these objects are representative of the late evolutionary stage of the HH jet-outflow phenomenon and point out that such objects may be quite common although difficult to detect. With L(sub bol) approximately = 0.005 solar luminosity, and log T(sub e) approximately = 3.5, the HH 55 star is close to the main sequence and evolutionary tracks suggest an age of 3 x 10(exp 7) yr.

Graham, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Modeling of Substitutional Site Preference in Ordered Intermetallic Alloys

We investigate the site substitution scheme of specific alloying elements in ordered compounds and the dependence of site occupancy on compound stoichiometry, alloy concentration. This basic knowledge, and the interactions with other alloying additions are necessary in order to predict and understand the effect of various alloying schemes on the physical properties of a material, its response to various temperature treatments, and the resulting mechanical properties. Many theoretical methods can provide useful but limited insight in this area, since most techniques suffer from constraints in the type of elements and the crystallographic structures that can be modeled. With this in mind, the Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith (BFS) method for alloys was designed to overcome these limitations, with the intent of providing an useful tool for the theoretical prediction of fundamental properties and structure of complex systems. After a brief description of the BFS method, its use for the determination of site substitution schemes for individual as well as collective alloying additions to intermetallic systems is described, including results for the concentration dependence of the lattice parameter. Focusing on B2 NiAl, FeAl and CoAl alloys, the energetics of Si, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta and W alloying additions are surveyed. The effect of single additions as well as the result of two simultaneous additions, discussing the interaction between additions and their influence on site preference schemes is considered. Finally, the BFS analysis is extended to ternary L1(sub 2) (Heusler phase) alloys. A comparison between experimental and theoretical results for the limited number of cases for which experimental data is available is also included.

Bozzolo, Guillermo↗