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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 127 records · Page 7

Impacts of Reduced Pressure Atmospheres on Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) Architectures

The study found that while nine subsystems are viable without modification at 10.2 psia, only three remain acceptable at 8.2 psia. Material flammability presents the most critical hurdle in the 8.2 psia/34-40% O 2 environment, where 70% of the assessed subsystems will require material replacements, many of which have yet to be developed. Ultimately, adapting ISS heritage hardware to these exploration conditions will introduce varied mass, power (e.g., increased fan speeds), and significant schedule impacts driven by the need for extensive testing, redesign, and recertification. The report concludes with specific recommendations for targeted analysis and testing to quantify these impacts and guide necessary design modifications.

Environmental Control and Life Support Systems↗

Pressure vessel with improved impact resistance and method of making the same

A composite overwrapped pressure vessel is provided which includes a composite overwrapping material including fibers disposed in a resin matrix. At least first and second kinds of fibers are used. These fibers typically have characteristics of high strength and high toughness to provide impact resistance with increased pressure handling capability and low weight. The fibers are applied to form a pressure vessel using wrapping or winding techniques with winding angles varied for specific performance characteristics. The fibers of different kinds are dispersed in a single layer of winding or wound in distinct separate layers. Layers of fabric comprised of such fibers are interspersed between windings for added strength or impact resistance. The weight percentages of the high toughness and high strength materials are varied to provide specified impact resistance characteristics. The resin matrix is formed with prepregnated fibers or through wet winding. The vessels are formed with or without liners.

DeLay, Thomas K.↗

Dynamic Model Investigation of Water Pressures and Accelerations Encountered During Landings of the Apollo Spacecraft

An experimental investigation was made to determine impact water pressures, accelerations, and landing dynamics of a 1/4-scale dynamic model of the command module of the Apollo spacecraft. A scaled-stiffness aft heat shield was used on the model to simulate the structural deflections of the full-scale heat shield. Tests were made on water to obtain impact pressure data at a simulated parachute letdown (vertical) velocity component of approximately 30 ft/sec (9.1 m/sec) full scale. Additional tests were made on water, sand, and hard clay-gravel landing surfaces at simulated vertical velocity components of 23 ft/sec (7.0 m/sec) full scale. Horizontal velocity components investigated ranged from 0 to 50 ft/sec (15 m/sec) full scale and the pitch attitudes ranged from -40 degrees to 29 degrees. Roll attitudes were O degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees, and the yaw attitude was 0 degrees.

Tests↗

Transient Chemo‐Mechanical Model of Lithium Plating Impacted by External Pressure

Abstract Lithium anodes show great promise in commercial applications, but are hindered by lithium plating and dendrite growth which cause safety concerns during long‐term cell operation. Stack pressure is experimentally observed to improve cell lifetime; however, the relationship between stress and lithium deposition has remained difficult to elucidate. In this work, a transient, 3D, finite‐element model of the evolution of a lithium anode due to stripping and plating is developed. The evolution of a microscale protrusion on the anode surface is tracked over one charge‐discharge cycle with respect to stack pressure and lithium yield strength. Lithium plastic deformation, nonconformal anode‐separator contact, and separator porosity effects are accounted for. Over the course of several hours of stripping/plating, the anode surface evolves to a similar morphology under pressure regardless of the initial conditions due to lithium plastic deformation and hardening. The rate of this evolution highly depends on the applied pressure and assumed lithium yield strength.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Impact of Pressure-Dependent Interfacial Tension and Contact Angle on Capillary Heterogeneity Trapping of CO2 in Storage Aquifers

Summary Carbon dioxide (CO2) capillary trapping increases the total amount of CO2 that can be effectively immobilized in storage aquifers. This trapping, manifesting itself as accumulated CO2 columns at a continuum scale, is because of capillary threshold effects that occur below low-permeability barriers. Considering that capillary pressure is dictated by heterogeneous pore throat size, the trapped CO2 column height and associated CO2 saturation will vary spatially within a storage aquifer. This variation will be influenced by two pressure-dependent interfacial parameters—CO2/brine interfacial tension (IFT) and CO2/brine/rock contact angle. Our objective is to understand how the pressure dependence of these two parameters affects the heterogeneity of capillary trapped CO2 at a continuum scale. Our conceptual model is a 1D two-zone system with the upper zone being a flow barrier (low permeability) and the lower zone being a flow path (high permeability). The inputs to this model include microfacies-dependent capillary pressure vs. saturation curves and permeability values. The input capillary pressure curves were collected in the literature that represents carbonate microfacies (e.g., dolograinstone) in a prevalent formation in the Permian Basin. We then used the Leverett j-function to scale the capillary pressure curve for the two zones that are assigned with the same or different microfacies. During scaling, we considered the influence of pressure on both the IFT and contact angle of CO2/brine/dolomite systems. We varied the zone permeability contrast ratio from 2 to 50. We then assumed capillary gravity equilibriums and calculated the CO2 saturation buildup corresponding to various trapped CO2 column heights. The CO2 saturation buildup is defined as the CO2 saturation in the lower layer minus that in the upper one. We found that the saturation buildup can be doubled when varying pressure in a storage aquifer, after considering pressure-dependent IFT and contact angles. Thus, assuming these two parameters to be constant across such aquifers would cause large errors in the quantification of capillary trapping of CO2. The whole study demonstrates the importance of considering pressure-dependent interfacial properties in predicting the vertical distribution of capillary trapped CO2. It has important implications in developing a better understanding of leakage risks and consequent storage safety.

Engineering↗

High Pressure Quick Disconnect Particle Impact Tests

NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) performed particle impact testing to determine whether there is a particle impact ignition hazard in the quick disconnects (QDs) in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS). Testing included standard supersonic and subsonic particle impact tests on 15-5 PH stainless steel, as well as tests performed on a QD simulator. This paper summarizes the particle impact tests completed at WSTF. Although there was an ignition in Test Series 4, it was determined the ignition was caused by the presence of a machining imperfection. The sum of all the test results indicates that there is no particle impact ignition hazard in the ISS ECLSS QDs. KEYWORDS: quick disconnect, high pressure, particle impact testing, stainless steel

Rosales, Keisa R.↗

The Impact of Ocular Pressures, Material Properties and Geometry on Optic Nerve Head Deformation

Alteration in intracranial pressure (ICP) has been associated with various diseases that cause visual impairment, including glaucoma, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and Visual Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome. However, how changes in ICP lead to vision loss is unclear, although it is hypothesized to involve deformations of the tissues in the optic nerve head (ONH). Recently, understanding the effect of ICP alterations on ocular tissues has become a major concern for NASA, where 42 of astronauts that partake in long duration space missions suffer from VIIP syndrome. Astronauts with VIIP syndrome suffer from visual impairment and changes in ocular anatomy that persist after returning to earth (1). It is hypothesized that the cephalad fluid shift that occurs upon entering microgravity increases ICP, which leads to an altered biomechanical environment in the posterior globe and optic nerve sheath, and subsequently VIIP syndrome. Our goal was to develop a finite element (FE) model to simulate the acute effects of elevated ICP on the posterior eye. Here, we simulated how inter-individual differences affect the deformation of ONH tissues. Further, we examined how several different geometries influenced deformations when exposed to elevated ICP.

mathematical models↗

Ignition of contaminants by impact of high-pressure oxygen

The ignition of oil-film contaminants in high-pressure gaseous oxygen systems, caused by rapid pressurization, was investigated using the NASA/White Sands Test Facility's large-volume pneumatic impact test system. The test section consisted of stainless steel lines, contaminated on the inside surface with known amounts of Mobil DTE 24 oil and closed at one end, which was attached to a high-pressure oxygen system; the test section was pressurized to 48 MPa by opening a high-speed valve. Ignition of the oil was detected by a photocell attached to the closed end of the line. It was found that the frequency of ignition increased as a function of both the concentration of oil and of the pressure of the impacting oxygen. The threshold of ignition was between 25 and 65 mg/sq m. The results were correlated with the present NASA and Compressed Gas Association requirements for maximum levels of organic contaminants.

Pedley, Michael D.↗

NASA mechanical impact testing in high-pressure oxygen

Three independently developed high-pressure gaseous oxygen mechanical impact testers have been used to evaluate materials for the Space Shuttle Program. A test program evaluating the performance of these test systems is described. The gaseous and liquid oxygen test procedures and equipment are considered along with the material selection procedures. The results of the NASA mechanical impact tester variability study are presented, including penetration function curves and curve parameters and equivalent energies and comparisons of high-pressure testers at ambient pressure and temperature, ambient temperature and 34 MPa, and cryogenic temperature and 34 MPa. Finally, a summary of NASA mechanical impact test data is presented.

Bryan, C. J.↗

Ignition of nonmetallic materials by impact of high-pressure gaseous oxygen

The sources of variability in the pneumatic impact test commonly used to screen nonmetallic materials for oxygen service and to rank batches or lots of particular materials were investigated together with the mechanism of ignition. Tests were conducted at the NASA/White Sands Test Facility in which the standard test chamber was replaced by an instrumented chamber to obtain information on the rates of pressurization, specimen heating, and time to ignition. Results showed that much of the variability in test data could be traced to the variability in system cleanliness and in the opening time of the high-speed valve. The prinicipal mechanism of ignition in the test is considered to be the heating of the gas initially in the test chamber by adiabatic compression; the presence of voids in the test materials may also be important.

Moffett, Gary E.↗

Impact reactivity of materials at very high oxygen pressure

The requirements for impact testing of materials in an oxygen atmosphere at pressures from 82.7 MPa (12,000 psi) to 172 MPa (25,000 psi) were evaluated. The impact tester system was evaluated for potential pressure increases from 69 MPa (10,000 psi) to 82.7 MPa (12,000 psi). The low pressure oxygen and nitrogen systems, the impact tower, the impact test cell, and the high pressure oxygen system were evaluated individually. Although the structural integrity of the impact test cell and the compressor were sufficient for operation at 82.7 MPa (12,000 psi), studies revealed possible material incompatibility at that pressure and above. It was recommended that if a component should be replaced for 82.7 MPa (12,000 psi) operation the replacement should meet the final objectives of 172 MPa (25,000 psi). Recommended changes in the system include; use of Monel 400 for pressures above 82.7 MPa (12,000 psi), use of bellows to replace the seal in the impact tester, use of a sapphire window attached to a fiber optic for event sensing, and use of a three diaphragm compressor.

Connor, H. W.↗

Impact of Fluid Flow Pressure drop on Temperature of Components Controlled by Mechanically Pumped Fluid Loop Thermal Control System

In a typical thermal control system that employs a mechanically pumped fluid loop to control component temperatures, fluid flow pressure drop is minimized to ensure that adequate fluid flow can be provided by the pump. Engineers often are overly concerned about violating a maximum pressure drop, almost treating it as a “wall” that should not be crossed. The true “wall” is the control of the temperatures of the components served by the loop to ensure that their temperatures do not violate their allowed limits. As a case study, for assessing this “constraint,” sensitivity analyses were undertaken to understand if this is truly a major constraint, and to assess the impact of pressure drop exceedance on the controlled components’ temperatures. The flow impedance is varied as a parameter to understand how it affects the controlled components’ temperatures. One key finding was that the temperatures of the controlled components is relatively insensitive to the flow impedance increases. This finding is obviously most relevant to this particular case study; however, this also provides the process and guidance for assessing the performance of other pump/loop combinations in terms of their sensitivity to pressure drop impedances.

Mastropietro, Arthur J.↗