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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
NASA NTRS1975

Water system virus detection

A monitoring system developed to test the capability of a water recovery system to reject the passage of viruses into the recovered water is described. A nonpathogenic marker virus, bacteriophage F2, is fed into the process stream before the recovery unit and the reclaimed water is assayed for its presence. Detection of the marker virus consists of two major components, concentration and isolation of the marker virus, and detection of the marker virus. The concentration system involves adsorption of virus to cellulose acetate filters in the presence of trivalent cations and low pH with subsequent desorption of the virus using volumes of high pH buffer. The detection of the virus is performed by a passive immune agglutination test utilizing specially prepared polystyrene particles. An engineering preliminary design was performed as a parallel effort to the laboratory development of the marker virus test system. Engineering schematics and drawings of a fully functional laboratory prototype capable of zero-G operation are presented. The instrument consists of reagent pump/metering system, reagent storage containers, a filter concentrator, an incubation/detector system, and an electronic readout and control system.

Fraser, A. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The magnesium sulfate-water system at pressures to 4 kilobars

Hydrated magnesium sulfate constitutes up to 1/6 of the mass of carbonaceous chondrites, and probably is important in many icy asteroids and satellites. It occurs naturally in meteorites mostly as epsomite. MgSO4, considered anhydrously, comprises nearly 3/4 of the highly soluble fraction of C1 chondrites. Thus, MgSO4 is probably an important solute in cryovolcanic brines erupted on certain icy objects in the outer solar system. While the physiochemical properties of the water-magnesium sulfate system are well known at low pressures, planetological applications of these data are hindered by a dearth of useful published data at elevated pressures. Accordingly, solid-liquid phase equilibria was recently explored in this chemical system at pressures extending to about 4 kilobars. The water magnesium sulfate system in the region of the eutectic exhibits qualitatively constant behavior between pressures of 1 atm and 2 kbar. The eutectic melting curve closely follows that for water ice, with a freezing point depression of about 4 K at 1 atm decreasing to around 3.3 K at 2 kbars. The eutectic shifts from 17 pct. MgSO4 at 1 atm to about 15.3 pct at 2 kbars. Above 2 kbars, the eutectic melting curve again tends to follow ice.

Hogenboom, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Motel solar-hot-water system with nonpressurized storage--Jacksonville, Florida

Modular roof-mounted copper-plated arrays collect solar energy; heated water drains from them into 1,000 gallon nonpressurized storage tank which supplies energy to existing pressurized motel hot water lines. System provides 65 percent of hot water demand. Report described systems parts and operation, maintenance, and performance and provides warranty information.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2023

Recovering the Waste Energy from the Electron-Ion Collider Cooling Water Systems

While only a fraction of the electricity required for the EIC goes into the collision itself, most of the energy ultimately ends up being rejected to the environment via the infrastructure cooling systems. The energy utilized by the RF amplifiers, power supplies, magnets, vacuum systems, and cryogenics systems is rejected to the cooling towers that ultimately dissipate the energy to the atmosphere. Current estimates indicate approximately 50 MW of heat is dissipated at a low temperature by the cooling towers. This technical note is prepared to conceptually demonstrate that feasible options exist to recover the low temperature energy from the EIC cooling water systems.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Double ChemFET for the In-Line Monitoring of Silver Dosing in Potable Water Systems

With NASA Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Life Support Systems (LSS)baselining ionic silver (Ag+) as the biocide of choice, development in silver monitoring technologies becomes necessary to monitor and control Ag+ release. Ion-selective field effect transistors (ISFETs) and chemically-sensitive field effect transistors (ChemFETs) are capable of selective detection of Ag+ with reversible and low detection limit responses. However, one major hurdle to ChemFET technologies is the requirement of a reference electrode, which can leak its fill solution into the potable water system and is prone to drift requiring frequent calibration. To circumvent this issue, a double chemically-sensitive field effect transistor (dChemFET) is proposed. The dChemFET uses a second ChemFET to selectively monitor the counter ion and serves in place of the reference electrode. This work reports on the development of the dChemFET, starting with the development of the Ag+ andNO3- ion selective membranes (ISMs) to be used in the ChemFETs. The Ag+ ISM was tested in 50-105 ppb Ag+ and showed linear, sub-Nernstian response. The NO3- ISM was tested in50-500 ppb silver ion equivalents of nitrate ion (Ag+ equiv. of NO3-) and shows linear, sub-Nernstian response as well . However, the Ag+ and NO3- ISMs face significant challenges in terms of drift that obstruct its application for long-term monitoring, but it can serve as a starting point for demonstrating the dChemFET proof of concept.

John Abdou↗
NASA NTRS1989

Biofilm formation and control in a simulated spacecraft water system - Interim results

The ability of iodine to control microbial contamination and biofilm formation in spacecraft water distribution systems is studied using two stainless steel water subsystems. One subsystem has an iodine level of 2.5 mg/L maintained by an iodinated ion-exchange resin. The other subsystem has no iodine added. Stainless steel coupons are removed from each system to monitor biofilm formation. Results from the first six months of operation indicate that 2.5 mg/L of iodine has limited the number of viable bacteria that can be recovered from the iodinated subsystem. Epifluorescence microscopy of the coupons taken from this subsystem, however, indicates some evidence of microbial colonization after 15 weeks of operation. Numerous bacteria have been continually removed from both the water samples and the coupons taken from the noniodinated subsystem after only 3 weeks of operation.

Schultz, John R.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to its unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade State-of-the-Art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water-recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early life-support-systems investigation pioneers in graphene-research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and log reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicability of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to its unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade State-of-the-Art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water-recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early life-support-systems investigation pioneers in graphene-research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and log reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicability of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗
NASA NTRS1975

Further development of a biocide generation and water system passification system addendum

An electrochemical process for generating iodine in situ in a potable water metallic storage system was examined. The degree of concurrent corrosion protection and of metallic ion buildup was determined. A working metal bellows system was evaluated and tested for the buildup of metallic ions comparable to that reported in spacecraft potable water specifications. An integrated system was assembled and tested which may be used to maintain the potability of water which is passively stored in metallic containers for extended periods of time. Test conditions and apparatus are described.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Search for Surviving Direct Samples of Early Solar System Water

We have become increasingly aware of the fundamental importance of water, and aqueous alteration, on primitive solar-system bodies. All classes of astromaterials studied show some degree of interaction with aqueous fluids. Nevertheless, we are still lacking fundamental information such as the location and timing of the aqueous alteration and the detailed nature of the aqueous fluids. Halite crystals in two meteorite regolith breccias were found to contain aqueous fluid inclusions (brines) trapped approx. 4.5 BYBP. Heating/freezing studies of the aqueous fluid inclusions in these halites demonstrated that they were trapped near 25 C. The initial results of our O and H isotopic measurements on these brine inclusions can be explained by a simple model mixing asteroidal and cometary water. We have been analyzing solids and organics trapped alongside the brines in the halites by FTIR, C-XANES, SXRD and Raman, as clues to the origin of the water. The organics show thermal effects that span the entire range witnessed by organics in all chondrite types. Since we identified water-soluble aromatics, including partially halogenated methanol, in some of the halite, we suspected amino acids were also present, but have thus far found that levels of amino acids were undetectable (which is very interesting). We have also been locating aqueous fluid inclusions in other astromaterials, principally carbonates in CI and CM chondrites. Although we have advanced slowly towards detailed analysis of these ancient brines, since they require techniques right at or just beyond current analytical capabilities, their eventual full characterization will completely open the window onto the origin and activity of early solar system water.

Zolensky, Michael↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Comparison of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Uranium Metal-Water Systems using Calculated and Experimental Critical Data

Heterogeneous effects of fissile units latticed in water has been documented in several forms in commonly referenced handbooks and guides. Many of these documents provide guidance for when heterogeneous systems are more reactive than their homogenous counterparts if controlling fissile mass or volume. This information provides insight into when heterogeneity should be considered for conservatism, however this information is not always displayed in a manner that is comparable to commonly referenced data, such as critical curves based on spherical systems. This paper aims to provide a juxtaposition of homogenous and heterogeneous uranium metal-water systems using both experimental and calculated critical data displayed in the format of commonly referenced critical curves. This format allows for easy comparison between the two systems against parameters that are often considered for single unit analysis such as: uranium density, fissile mass, system volume, and total system mass (fissile mass plus moderator mass). Calculated critical spherical systems provide an equal comparison between latticed geometry types as the latticed array can be cut off or restricted in the same manner in each series of models, which is not true for experimental values. Additionally, enrichment of the latticed units can be made uniform in the calculated systems, which is also difficult to achieve when referencing experimental data of varying latticed geometries. A comparison of calculated critical values and available experimental values is provided to show how these parameters can impact the critical spherical system result.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Comparison of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Uranium Metal-Water Systems using Calculated and Experimental Critical Data

Heterogeneous effects of fissile units latticed in water has been documented in several forms in commonly referenced handbooks and guides. Many of these documents provide guidance for when heterogeneous systems are more reactive than their homogenous counterparts if controlling fissile mass or volume. This information provides insight into when heterogeneity should be considered for conservatism, however this information is not always displayed in a manner that is comparable to commonly referenced data, such as critical curves based on spherical systems. This paper aims to provide a juxtaposition of homogenous and heterogeneous uranium metal-water systems using both experimental and calculated critical data displayed in the format of commonly referenced critical curves. This format allows for easy comparison between the two systems against parameters that are often considered for single unit analysis such as: uranium density, fissile mass, system volume, and total system mass (fissile mass plus moderator mass). Calculated critical spherical systems provide an equal comparison between latticed geometry types as the latticed array can be physically cut off or restricted in the same manner in each series of models, which is not true for experimental values. Additionally, enrichment of the latticed units can be made uniform in the calculated systems, which is difficult to achieve when referencing experimental data of varying latticed geometries. A comparison of calculated critical values and available experimental values is provided to show how these parameters can impact the critical spherical system result.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1978

Data processing for water monitoring system

Water monitoring data acquisition system is structured about central computer that controls sampling and sensor operation, and analyzes and displays data in real time. Unit is essentially separated into two systems: computer system, and hard wire backup system which may function separately or with computer.

Monford, L.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Graphene-Based Filtration Media for Spacecraft Potable Water Systems: An Early Investigation

Graphene-based materials have allowed fundamental advances in fields such as energy storage, electronics development, material science, optics, medicine, and water processing due to their unique two-dimensional structure, mechanical robustness, large surface, and high conductivity. However, little to no effort has been devoted to exploiting and studying these materials to develop new water technologies suited for spacecraft applications. One such application is the potential use of graphene-based materials as filtration media for reclaimed water. Therefore, studying the adsorptive performance of these new materials becomes crucial in identifying the opportunity to replace/upgrade state-of-the-art filtration media currently used in space vehicles with water recovery capability; especially if consumable requirements can be lessened as a result of extended filtration capacity. This early Life-Support-Systems investigation pioneers in graphene research by testing a number of graphene-based materials in comparative adsorption and antimicrobial experiments where contaminant removal efficiency, maximum adsorption capacity, and bacterial reduction are probed. This preliminary investigation informs on the practicality of using graphene-based materials as filtration media and provides a discussion on the scaling-up and optimization of this prospective filtration technology for spacecraft potable water systems.

graphene↗
DOE OSTI2023

Lower and upper threshold limit for artificial neural network based chilled and condenser water temperatures set-point control in a chilled water system

In this study, an ANN (artificial neural network) based real-time optimized control algorithm for a chilled water cooling system was developed and applied in an actual building to analyze its cooling energy saving effects through in-situ application and actual measurements. For this purpose, the cooling tower’s CndWT (condenser water temperature) and the chiller’s ChWT (chilled water temperature) were set as system control variables. To evaluate algorithm performance, the electric consumption and the COP (coefficient of performance) were compared and analyzed when ChWT and CndWTs were controlled conventionally and controlled based on the ANN. During the analysis, unexpected abnormal data was observed due to insufficient training data and limited consideration of OWBT (outdoor air wet-bulb temperature) when determining the CndWT set-point. Therefore, it is necessary to further build training data from a wider range of conditions and to set the lower limit of CndWT set-point to at least +3.6 °C above OWBT when the OWBT is higher than 23 °C, so that further energy savings can be achieved.

42 ENGINEERING↗