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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 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Assessment of Molten Eutectic LiF-NaF-KF Density through Experimental Determination and Semiempirical Modeling

Molten salts have favorable material properties for use in high-temperature energy systems, including thermal energy storage systems, concentrating solar power plants, nuclear reactors, and various industrial manufacturing processes. Knowledge of chemical and thermophysical property data is essential for the design and optimization of these systems, yet data are often limited or uncertain for many candidate salts due to the difficulty of thermophysical property measurements at relevant temperatures (e.g., 500–900 °C). Here, the density of molten LiF-NaF-KF eutectic is reassessed through review of previous experimental data, new density measurements from 470 to 800 °C, and semiempirical modeling. Additionally, the density was measured using the displacement technique. Compositional and temperature-dependent density estimates were calculated with a multidimensional Redlich–Kister model. The results of the new experimental measurements agree within 2% of the modeled density of molten eutectic LiF-NaF-KF. The Redlich–Kister model’s prediction shows a near-ideal density behavior for the LiF-NaF-KF system and is promising for the estimation of off-eutectic LiF-NaK-KF densities. Finally, through review of the existing literature and comparison to new measurements, recommendations are made for the density of LiF-NaF-KF.

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

Using phase boundary mapping to resolve discrepancies in the Mg 2 Si–Mg 2 Sn miscibility gap

Mg 2 Si–Mg 2 Sn compositions within the Mg–Si–Sn materials system have potential as inexpensive, efficient thermoelectrics. These compositions lie specifically along the pseudobinary line with compositions of Mg 2 Si 1-x Sn x . The alloying and possible nanostructuring within the miscibility gap could further increase the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) for these materials. However, the solubility limits of the miscibility gap differ greatly in the literature. Such a discrepancy could be a result of differing Mg-compositions due to excess magnesium added during sample annealing. To define these limits better and explain the change in proposed solubility limits based on magnesium content, the three-phase regions on either side of the pseudobinary phase region are phase boundary mapped and defect energy calculations are performed. This study presents a new understanding of the Mg–Si–Sn ternary phase diagram around the pseudobinary phase region. The solubility limits on either side of the pseudobinary should be essentially identical between the Mg-rich and Mg-poor three-phase regions unless the system temperature is brought above about 565 °C, at which eutectic liquid Mg 0.9 Sn 0.1 forms. This creates a second Mg-rich three-phase region which intersects the pseudobinary with a lower Sn solubility. Thus, samples prepared along the pseudobinary line are not well-defined thermodynamically when excess magnesium is added. Excess Mg can push the system into a new three phase region with Mg 2 Si 1-x Sn x composition different from that of the true miscibility gap. This understanding presents new guidelines for evaluating the miscibility gap and assists strategies for microstructure engineering and thermoelectric material processing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Nanolamellar phase transition in an additively manufactured eutectic high-entropy alloy under high pressures

Much is unknown about how phase transitions link to micro-/nano-structures in high-entropy systems, especially under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. This work studies the evolution of dual-phase nanolamellar eutectic high-entropy alloy phases of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 generated by laser powder-bed fusion (L-PBF) for pressures up to 42 GPa. We compare quasi-hydrostatic high pressure synchrotron x-ray diffraction studies on L-PBF printed cylindrical samples up to 5.5 GPa (large-volume Paris–Edinburgh cell) to those carried out on an L-PBF printed foil in a diamond anvil cell where the pressure reached 42 GPa. Our results show that the initially alternating face-centered cubic (FCC) and body-centered cubic (BCC) nanolamellar structure of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 transformed into single-phase FCC nanolamellae under high pressure with BCC–FCC phase transformation completion at 21 ± 3 GPa. Our results indicate a diffusionless BCC–FCC transformation in this additively manufactured far-from-equilibrium microstructure and demonstrate that the FCC phase is stable up to very high pressures. The measured equation of state for the FCC phase of AlCoCrFeNi 2.1 is presented up to 42 GPa and shows excellent agreement between the data obtained in large-volume press and diamond anvil cell experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1994

Influence of convection on microstructure

The primary motivation for this research was to determine the cause for space processing altering the microstructure of some eutectics, especially the MnBi-Bi eutectic. Four primary hypotheses were to be tested under this current grant: (1) A fibrous microstructure is much more sensitive to convection than a lamellar microstructure, which was assumed in our prior theoretical treatment. (2) An interface with one phase projecting out into the melt is much more sensitive to convection than a planar interface, which was assumed in our prior theoretical treatment. (3) The Soret effect is much more important in the absence of convection and has a sufficiently large influence on microstructure that its action can explain the flight results. (4) The microstructure is much more sensitive to convection when the composition of the bulk melt is off eutectic. These hypotheses were tested. It was concluded that none of these can explain the Grumman flight results. Experiments also were performed on the influence of current pulses on MnBi-Bi microstructure. A thorough review was made of all experimental results on the influence of convection on the fiber spacing in rod eutectics, including results from solidification in space or at high gravity, and use of mechanical stirring or a magnetic field. Contradictory results were noted. The predictions of models for convective influences were compared with the experimental results. Vigorous mechanical stirring appears to coarsen the microstructure by altering the concentration field in front of the freezing interface. Gentle convection is believed to alter the microstructure of a fibrous eutectic only when it causes a fluctuating freezing rate with a system for which the kinetics of fiber branching differs from that for fiber termination. These fluctuations may cause the microstructure to coarsen or to become finer, depending on the relative kinetics of these processes. The microstructure of lamellar eutectics is less sensitive to freezing rate fluctuations and to gentle convection.

Wilcox, William R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Production and Chemical Analysis of NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 Salts

Thermochemical and thermophysical properties of several molten salt systems of interest to molten salt reactor (MSR) developers are being measured at Argonne National Laboratory. These properties are needed by developers to design, license, and operate their reactors. Thermochemical properties being measured at Argonne include thermal transitions, phase behavior, and heat capacity. Thermophysical properties being measured at Argonne include liquid density, surface tension, volumetric thermal expansion of the liquid phase, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and viscosity. Properties of the ternary NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 system that may be used as a fuel bearing salt are being measured. Low-melting eutectic salt compositions are of interest to developers owing to the thermal efficiency. Using salts with low melting temperatures allow reactors to be operated at a lower temperature to improve operation and decrease safety concerns. Confirming low melting behaviors are maintained during composition changes that occur during fission is also an important factor. It is essential to any molten salt reactor developer utilizing a fuel bearing salt to have a complete understanding of the behavior of that fuel salt at a variety of compositions near the eutectic composition they plan to use. This kind of stability is indicated on a phase diagram by low liquidus slopes at compositions bordering the eutectic. Therefore, a thermodynamic model was constructed to determine what compositions of the ternary NaCl, KCl, and UCl 3 system should be studied to support MSR developers.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Niowave Ancillary Systems – FY21: In Partial Fulfillment of the Deliverable Requirement for Niowave Ancillary Systems Support by LANL

Niowave Inc. produces medical radioisotopes within the US. Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is irradiated using an electron beam to produce neutrons that are used in the production of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99). The medical community relies on a steady supply of Mo-99 which is primarily used in medical diagnostic imaging. The irradiation of LBE results in high temperatures within the molten metal, this work focusses on the design of ancillary systems associated with the liquid metal system. The LBE is initially at a temperature of 200°C and flows over a steel plate to create a waterfall. The electron beam is then aimed at the waterfall to generate neutrons. The peak temperatures of the LBE post irradiation depend on the beam energy of the LINAC. For a 15 MeV and 20 kW beam, the temperatures can range between 300°C and 350°C. The LBE is cycled through the system to create a closed loop that requires the post-irradiation LBE to be cooled back to 200°C. This work focuses on the heat exchanger and condenser system responsible for the cooling of the post-irradiation LBE.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1980

Thermal metamorphism of primitive meteorites. XI - The enstatite meteorites: Origin and evolution of a parent body

The neutron activation data for Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Rb, Se, Te, Tl, and Zn were obtained in samples of Abee heated to 1000-1400 C at low pressures. In addition, these elements were reported in nine enstatite achondrites and in the silicate part of the Mt. Egerton stony-iron. The data show trace element losses above 1000 C by diffusion-controlled processes with apparent activation energies of 8 to 55 kcal/mol; these data together with abundances of aubrites, Mt. Egerton, and E4-6 chondrites, and isotopic results link all enstatite meteorites to a common parent body. The data also indicate that aubrites and the Mt. Egerton material reflect fractional crystallization of a magma produced from enstatite chondrite-like parent material (E6) and the late introduction of chalcophiles and mobile elements transported by an FeS-Fe eutectic from an E4-6 region undergoing open-system metamorphism.

Biswas, S.↗
NASA NTRS1951

Relations between the modulus of elasticity of binary alloys and their structure

A comprehensive survey of the elastic modulus of binary alloys as a function of the concentration is presented. Alloys that form continuous solid solutions, limited solid solutions, eutectic alloys, and alloys with intermetallic phases are investigated. Systems having the most important structures have been examined to obtain criteria for the relation between lattice structure, type of binding, and elastic behavior.

METALS - STRUCTURES↗
NASA NTRS2006

Design, Fabrication and Integration of a NaK-Cooled Circuit

The Early Flight Fission Test Facilities (EFF-TF) team has been tasked by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Nuclear Systems Office to design, fabricate, and test an actively pumped alkali metal flow circuit. The system, which was originally designed for use with a eutectic mixture of sodium potassium (NaK), was redesigned to for use with lithium. Due to a shi$ in focus, it is once again being prepared for use with NaK. Changes made to the actively pumped, high temperature circuit include the replacement of the expansion reservoir, addition of remotely operated valves, and modification of the support table. Basic circuit components include: reactor segment, NaK to gas heat exchanger, electromagnetic (EM) liquid metal pump, load/drain reservoir, expansion reservoir, instrumentation, and a spill reservoir. A 37-pin partial-array core (pin and flow path dimensions are the same as those in a fill design) was selected for fabrication and test. This paper summarizes the integration and preparations for the fill of the pumped liquid metal NaK flow circuit.

Garber, Anne↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thermodynamic modeling of KCl-PrCl 3 and KCl-LiCl-PrCl 3 systems

Molten salt electrolysis can recover the actinides from spent nuclear fuels, and it involves a eutectic LiCl-KCl in molten form as an electrolyte. During reprocessing, the concentration of fission products such as La, Nd, Pr, etc., increases and affects the recovery efficiency of the electrolyte. In this work, thermodynamic modeling of KCl-PrCl 3 and KCl-LiCl-PrCl 3 systems was carried out using the CALPHAD (Calculation of Phase Diagrams) approach for the first time. The thermodynamic functions for the pure salts were taken from the SGTE (Scientific Group Thermodata Europe) Substances (SSUB) database. The experimental thermochemical and phase equilibria data available in the literature were used as input for the assessment of KCl-PrCl 3 and KCl-LiCl-PrCl 3 systems. The model parameters for the KCl-LiCl system were adjusted to include the new Gibbs energy descriptions for the pure salts. In addition, the sublattice model for the liquid phase in the LiCl-PrCl 3 system was modified and reassessed to ensure the model compatibility for higher-order extrapolation. There is a good agreement between the experimental and calculated thermochemical and phase diagram data for all the optimized constituent binaries and the ternary system. Furthermore, this work will be beneficial for determining the solubility limit of PrCl 3 in molten LiCl-KCl electrolytes and their thermodynamic properties for improving the efficiency of the pyrochemical process.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1978

Phase diagram of KHF2 and non-equilibrium effects

The equilibrium diagram for the KHF2-H2O system was constructed from cooling and heating curves for the compositions between 5 wt% and 40 wt% KHF2 and the results are shown. The phase diagrams shown is typical of that of a two component system with miscible liquid phases and whole solid phases consist of pure components. A eutectic point was found at approximately 15% KHF2 which remains completely liquid down to a temperature of -9.0 C. No hydrate formation was observed and no anomalous behavior such as the occurrence of solid transitions or metastable states was observed. The effect of rapid freezing on the equilibrium diagram did not appear, and cooling curves exhibited only one halt. Also, at rapid freezing rates, the supercooling of the solutions was smaller than those observed at the slow cooling rates. The existence of a eutectic composition and the slow rate of dissolution of the salt are used to interpret heat absorption behavior in practical applications of the KHF2-H2O system.

Hobson, M. C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

U.S. Space Station Freedom waste fluid disposal system with consideration of hydrazine waste gas injection thrusters

The results are reported of a study of various methods for propulsively disposing of waste gases. The options considered include hydrazine waste gas injection, resistojets, and eutectic salt phase change heat beds. An overview is given of the waste gas disposal system and how hydrozine waste gas injector thruster is implemented within it. Thruster performance for various gases are given and comparisons with currently available thruster models are made. The impact of disposal on station propellant requirements and electrical power usage are addressed. Contamination effects, reliability and maintainability assessments, safety issues, and operational scenarios of the waste gas thruster and disposal system are considered.

Winters, Brian A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thermodynamic investigation of the NaCl-KCl salt system from 25 to 950 °C

NaCl-KCl molten salt system has been proposed as a primary component of several promising heat transfer eutectics and fuel host for Generation IV molten salt reactors (MSR). In this work, several key thermodynamic parameters, including high temperature enthalpies, isobaric heat capacities (C p ) and molar enthalpies of mixing (ΔH mix ), of the NaCl -KCl system (NaCl, 75mol% NaCl – 25mol% KCl, 51mol% NaCl – 49mol% KCl, 25mol% NaCl – 75mol% KCl, and KCl) were measured by high temperature drop calorimetry (HTDC) utilizing laser sealed nickel and aluminum crucibles. Salts were checked for phase purity by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and water content by Karl Fischer coulometric titrimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Thermo-mechanical analysis (TMA) utilizing custom-built boron nitride (BN) crucibles was employed to determine temperatures of phase transitions (solid $\rightarrow$ liquid) for the salts and plotted against the pseudobinary phase diagram for the NaCl-KCl system. Small deviations (3-10 %) were found among C p values obtained from HTDC, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and NIST, comparable to the average uncertainty based on two standard deviations of measured data that are ~6% for DSC and ~3% for HTDC. Additionally, the measured enthalpies and C p values of mixed NaCl-KCl salts (e.g., 51mol% NaCl – 49mol% KCl eutectic) were shown to behave as statistical mixtures of its pure endmembers, consistent with ΔH mix = ~ 0 kJ/mol at 800 °C, and a regular interaction parameter of Ω = 1.20 ± 0.76 kJ/mol. In conclusion, this study represents a step towards improved accuracy and precision in determinations of thermodynamic parameters of molten salts by using DSC, TMA, and HTDC, in completion of the Molten Salt Thermal Properties Database (MSTDB).

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design of a high precision microwave reflector

Development of a high accuracy spherical microwave reflector to support contour RMS and pointing requirements for a new series of space instruments is reported. The reflector system is composed of precision machined aluminum tile reflectors supported from a eutectic coated graphite epoxy structure by flexures. Several basic technologies have been integrated into a manufacturing process that accommodates fabrication techniques of both optical and composite constraints. The optical figure and its change due to thermal gradient was measured in a thermal vacuum environment with a Ronchi system. The radiometer system is in support of the Microwave Limb Sounder, an experiment to measure emissions from earth's atmospheric limb thus obtaining wind, temperature, pressure and chemical composition measurements.

Noller, E. W.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Property Measurements of NaCl-UCl 3 and NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 Molten Salts (Rev.1)

Thermochemical and thermophysical property values of several salt compositions of interest are needed by molten salt reactor (MSR) developers to design, license, and operate their reactors. Thermochemical and thermophysical properties being measured at Argonne include thermal transitions, phase behavior, heat capacity, density, volumetric thermal expansion of the liquid phase, thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and viscosity. Several properties of eutectic compositions in the ternary NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 and binary NaCl-UCl 3 systems that may be used by MSR developers as fuel bearing salts are being measured. A 65.8 mol % NaCl–34.2 mol % UCl 3 mixture and a near-eutectic mixture of 50.9 mol % NaCl–24.4 mol % KCl–24.7 mol % UCl 3 were synthesized and the thermochemical properties of the mixtures were measured by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The measured transition temperatures were compared to transition temperatures predicted using two models. A thermodynamic model of the binary NaCl-UCl 3 system was constructed using data in the Molten Salt Thermal Properties Database–Thermochemical Version 2.0 (MSTDB-TC V2.0). A ternary NaClKCl-UCl 3 system model constructed at Argonne and was described in a previous report. These comparisons can be used to validate the models. Thermophysical property values of molten salts are needed to model how salt retains and transfers heat in an MSR system. These property values are essential to the entire MSR design because molten salt is used as both the fuel and the coolant material in a salt fueled reactor. Heat capacity of the synthesized NaCl-UCl 3 and NaCl-KCl-UCl 3 salt mixtures was measured by using DSC and thermal diffusivity was measured by using laser flash analysis (LFA) at temperatures spanning the typical operating range of an MSR.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Integrated three-dimensional characterization of reactive phase formation and coarsening during isothermal annealing of metastable Zn–3Mg–4Al eutectic

Microstructural instabilities associated with a metastable lamellar eutectic when exposed to an elevated temperature were analyzed in a Zn-3Mg-4Al alloy as a model system. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that annealing at a temperature 43 K below the equilibrium eutectic temperature converted the metastable ternary MgZn 2 /η-Zn/β-ZnAl eutectic to a stable mixture of Mg 2 Zn 11 /η-Zn/α-Al. 3D EBSD suggested that supersaturation of η-Zn with Mg and Al eased difficulties in nucleation of Mg 2 Zn 11 and α-Al at the MgZn 2 /η-Zn phase interfaces. Quasi-in-situ X-ray nanotomography revealed that a reactive diffusion process prevailed in an early stage of annealing leading to rapid consumption of MgZn 2 for growth of Mg 2 Zn 11 and concomitant thinning and pinch-off of η-Zn lamellae. The reactive diffusion process also brought about significant and quantifiable changes in the topological characteristics of the η-Zn phase at remarkably shorter time scales compared to Rayleigh instability and Ostwald ripening mechanisms. Overall, the present results provide fresh insights on the short-term annealing effects on metastable eutectics, with relevance to structural evolution in additive manufacturing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1967

Eutectic fuse provides current and thermal protection under high vibration

Eutectic fuses provide current and thermal protection to an electronic system and maintain this protection under high vibration environments. The fuses are embedded within heat shrinkable sleeving which provides positive closing action under the conditions of high current or temperature.

Ierokomos, N.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Determining and analyzing the strength and impact resistance of high modulus glass

A number of new glass compositions have been prepared with increased emphasis on compositions without beryllia. Glass preparations have been much more broadly based and have included the eutectic glass fields, and the mullite-rare earth glass systems. Of the new glasses, the best non-toxic composition is UARL 472 with a bulk modulus of only 18.20 million psi. A second experimental glass, UARL 417, was chosen for research in making large quantities of fiber in monofilament form. Tests of these UARL 417 epoxy resin samples in comparison to similar composites made with the DuPont organic fiber, PRD-49-1, show that the UARL composites have a compressive strength 41/2 times higher and a specific compressive strength at least 21/2 times greater. Much of the research effort attempted to answer the question of why a given glass should have an impact strength superior to other glasses. No definitive answer to the question was found.

Bacon, J. F.↗