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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

HRTEM Imaging and Mechanistic Insights Into Carbon Nanotube Nucleation and Growth on Fe Nanocatalysts in a Thermal Plasma

Thermal plasma decomposition of natural gas is a scalable pathway for the production of hydrogen alongside high-value carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Metals evaporate from an electrode and condense to form seed nanoparticles that nucleate and grow CNTs. However, the lack of mechanistic understanding of the CNT nucleation and growth processes in thermal plasma makes control over CNT diameter, chirality, length, and yield difficult. We debundled and separated CNTs from soots produced using iron (Fe) nanocatalysts, and distributed them on monolayer graphene for high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) imaging to gain mechanistic insights. Full graphene encapsulation was found for relatively small Fe nanoparticles that were molten at high temperatures. Zigzag single-wall or double-wall CNTs (SWCNTs or DWCNTs) appeared to have grown out directly from the graphene covering on the conical or cylindrical bodies of small molten Fe nanodroplets with high curvature. Also, SWCNTs likely grew out from H- or O-atom etched single-wall carbon nanocones observed on conical Fe nanoparticles. A SWCNT/DWCNT could also be generated from the cracked opening of the graphene covering on a face-centered cubic (FCC) Fe nanoparticle. A simple, plausible pathway is proposed for the growth of an open, H-passivated, zigzag SWCNT involving reaction of CH 2 and CH radicals at high temperatures.

Fe nanocatalysts↗
DOE OSTI2019

Nonequilibrium Phenomena in (Quasi-)thermal Plasma Flows

Thermal plasmas are utilized in diverse applications that require high power densities or throughputs, such as metal cutting, welding, spraying, metallurgy, and materials synthesis. Thermal plasma applications involve interactions between the highly energetic plasma and working gas streams, confining devices, or processing materials. Whereas thermal plasma implies a state of equilibrium (i.e. Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium, LTE), due to the above interactions, thermal plasma flows depict nonequilibrium phenomena of two types: kinetic and dissipative. Kinetic nonequilibrium manifests microscopically and is caused by localized imbalances between particles and fields interactions. Its occurrence is illustrated, for example, as deviations from thermal equilibrium between heavy-species and electrons or from mass-action laws. In contrast, dissipative nonequilibrium reveals macroscopically and is produced by external driving forces that incite distributed responses, such as the growth of instabilities, the occurrence of self-organization, or the establishment of turbulence. While kinetic nonequilibrium has been increasingly incorporated in thermal plasma flow models (e.g. finite-rate chemistry, two-temperature models), it is the great advances in numerical computing that is enabling the exploration of dissipative nonequilibrium (e.g. pattern formation, small-scale turbulent features). Both types of nonequilibrium are reviewed, including their estimation and incidence, within the context of computational models and their relevance to thermal plasma sources and processes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

DBD plasma-thermal tandem reactors for converting biogas to carbon nanofibers

Sequestering greenhouse gases (CO 2 and CH 4 ) in biogas into carbon nanofibers (CNF) offers a promising route to mitigate carbon emissions and create value-added solid carbon materials. Coupling non-thermal plasma with a thermocatalytic reactor in a tandem setup is a promising approach for tandem reactions of dry reforming of methane to synthesis gas and its subsequent conversion to CNF. Various parameters were studied to determine their effects on CNF growth. Decreasing the total flow rate resulted in an increase in CNF growth. Increasing the plasma power input or the plasma zone length also enhanced the production of CNF. These results illustrate that plasma-thermal tandem reactors can be used to synthesize CNF from biogas with tunable parameters that may be further optimized in future studies.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2012

On the breaking of a plasma wave in a thermal plasma. II. Electromagnetic wave interaction with the breaking plasma wave

In thermal plasma, the structure of the density singularity formed in a relativistically large amplitude plasma wave close to the wavebreaking limit leads to a refraction coefficient with discontinuous spatial derivatives. This results in a non-exponentially small above-barrier reflection of an electromagnetic wave interacting with the nonlinear plasma wave.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

On the breaking of a plasma wave in a thermal plasma. I. The structure of the density singularity

The structure of the singularity that is formed in a relativistically large amplitude plasma wave close to the wave breaking limit is found by using a simple waterbag electron distribution function. The electron density distribution in the breaking wave has a typical 'peakon' form. The maximum value of the electric field in a thermal breaking plasma is obtained and compared to the cold plasma limit. The results of computer simulations for different initial electron distribution functions are in agreement with the theoretical conclusions. The after-wavebreak regime is then examined, and a semi-analytical model of the density evolution is constructed. Finally the results of two dimensional particle in cell simulations for different initial electron distribution functions are compared, and the role of thermal effects in enhancing particle injection is noted.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Non-thermal plasma conversion of hydrocarbons

A non-thermal plasma is generated to selectively convert a precursor to a product. More specifically, plasma forming material and a precursor material are provided to a reaction zone of a vessel. The reaction zone is exposed to microwave radiation, including exposing the plasma forming material and the precursor material to the microwave radiation. The exposure of the plasma forming material to the microwave radiation selectively converts the plasma forming material to a non-thermal plasma including formation of one or more streamers. The precursor material is mixed with the plasma forming material and the precursor material is exposed to the non-thermal plasma including exposing the precursor material to the one or more streamers. The exposure of the precursor material to the streamers and the microwave radiation selectively converts the precursor material to a product.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Collaborative Research: Understanding Nanoparticle-Plasma Interactions in Dusty Non-Thermal Plasmas by Nanoparticle Probes and Online Aerosol Characterization (Final Technical Report)

This report describes results from the University of Minnesota’s contribution to studies performed under the award DE-SC0018202 (principal Investigator: Christopher J. Hogan Jr.. This award is a collaborative research grant with support equally provided to Case Western Reserve University and to the University of Illinois (with principal investigator R. Mohan Sankaran). To date ten peer-reviewed published papers have resulted from the studies performed with University of Minnesota personnel contributing; this report describes the results of these studies as well as several unpublished studies, grouped into seven separate study types. The overarching goal of the carried out studies was to understand nanoparticle behavior and dynamics in non-thermal plasma synthesis reactors, specifically adapting aerosol measurement technology to provide online measurements of particle size, charge, and structure in plasma reactor systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2012

Thermal plasma and fast ion transport in electrostatic turbulence in the large plasma device

The transport of thermal plasma and fast ions in electrostatic microturbulence is studied. Strong density and potential fluctuations ({delta}n/n{approx}{delta}{phi}/kT{sub e}{approx} 0.5, f {approx} 5-50 kHz) are observed in the large plasma device (LAPD) [W. Gekelman, H. Pfister, Z. Lucky et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 62, 2875 (1991)] in density gradient regions produced by obstacles with slab or cylindrical geometry. Wave characteristics and the associated plasma transport are modified by driving sheared E Multiplication-Sign B drift through biasing the obstacle and by modification of the axial magnetic fields (B{sub z}) and the plasma species. Cross-field plasma transport is suppressed with small bias and large B{sub z} and is enhanced with large bias and small B{sub z}. The transition in thermal plasma confinement is well explained by the cross-phase between density and potential fluctuations. Large gyroradius lithium fast ion beam ({rho}{sub fast}/{rho}{sub s} {approx} 10) orbits through the turbulent region. Scans with a collimated analyzer give detailed profiles of the fast ion spatial-temporal distribution. Fast-ion transport decreases rapidly with increasing fast-ion energy and gyroradius. Background waves with different scale lengths also alter the fast ion transport. Experimental results agree well with gyro-averaging theory. When the fast ion interacts with the wave for most of a wave period, a transition from super-diffusive to sub-diffusive transport is observed, as predicted by diffusion theory. Besides turbulent-wave-induced fast-ion transport, the static radial electric field (E{sub r}) from biasing the obstacle leads to drift of the fast-ion beam centroid. The drift and broadening of the beam due to static E{sub r} are evaluated both analytically and numerically. Simulation results indicate that the E{sub r} induced transport is predominately convective.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Influence of crystalline phase and defects in the ZrO{sub 2} nanoparticles synthesized by thermal plasma route on its photocatalytic properties

Graphical abstract: Thermal plasma synthesized nanophase zirconia showing the blue shift in the band gap of monoclinic phase as found from the photoabsorption spectroscopy was found to be the dominant parameter for the enhancement in its photocatalytic activity. The existence of different defect states and their concentration in as synthesized samples also inferred from the photoabsorption measurements were also found to be responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the samples. Highlights: ► Phase controlled structural formation of nanophase ZrO{sub 2} by thermal plasma route. ► Enhanced photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue dye. ► The blue shift in the band gap of monoclinic phase of nanocrystalline ZrO{sub 2}. ► Existence of different defect states in the as synthesized nano phase ZrO{sub 2}. ► Several competing processes which controls the photocatalytic degradation rate. -- Abstract: The photocatalytic activity of pure ZrO{sub 2} samples, prepared by a thermal plasma route, and characterized by X-ray diffraction technique was tested for the degradation of methylene blue, which is known to be a hazardous dye. Although, all these samples synthesized at different operating pressures of the thermal plasma reactor showed the photocatalytic activity; the sample synthesized at 1.33 bar of operating pressure showed the highest photocatalytic activity. The blue shift in the band gap of monoclinic phase, as observed from the photo-absorption spectroscopy, may be attributed to the enhanced photocatalytic activity. The existence of different defect states and their concentration as, inferred from the photo-absorption measurements were also found to be responsible for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the as synthesized samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Thermal plasma synthesis of Fe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x} alloy nanoparticles

Fe-Ni alloy nanoparticles are of great interest because of diverse practical applications in the fields such as magnetic fluids, high density recording media, catalysis and medicine. We report the synthesis of Fe-Ni nanoparticles via thermal plasma route. Thermal plasma assisted synthesis is a high temperature process and gives high yields of production. Here, we have used direct arc thermal plasma plume of 6kw as a source of energy at operating pressure 500 Torr. The mixture of Fe-Ni powder in required proportion (Fe{sub 1−x}Ni{sub x}; x=0.30, 0.32, 0.34, 0.36, 0.38 and 0.40) was made to evaporate simultaneously from the graphite anode in thermal plasma reactor to form Fe-Ni bimetallic nanoparticles. The as synthesized particles were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis/Differential Scanning Calorimtry (TGA/DSC)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis of {gamma}-aluminium oxynitride spinel using thermal plasma technique

The synthesis technique of {gamma}-AlON in NH{sub 3} plasma using extended arc thermal plasma reactor have been reported. Dense cubic AlON spinel was synthesized in liquid state by fusion of mixture of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and AlN powder under thermal plasma. The density of the fused AlON was found to be 3.64 g/cc which is 98.11% of theoretical value. The formation of AlON was confirmed from XRD and Raman studies. Well faceted structure of plasma fused AlON was observed in FE-SEM micrograph.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

MHD stability trends and improved performance of LHD inward-shifted configurations: The role of the neutral beam current drive and thermal plasma density

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of the neutral beam current drive (NBCD), thermal plasma density, and NBI operational regime on the stability of pressure gradient-driven modes (PGDM) and Alfvén eigenmodes (AE) in LHD inward-shifted configurations. The stabilization of n/m = 1/2 PGDM (n toroidal mode and m poloidal mode) is observed in the discharge 167 800 during the co-NBCD phase. The iota profile evolution measured by motional stark effect diagnostic may indicate the iota profile up-shift caused by the co-NBCD can induce a non-resonant transition of the rational surface 1/2 before the mode stabilization. The evolution of the iota profile and continuum gaps in the discharge 167 805 during the ctr-NBCD phase leads to the stabilization of the AE, caused by the narrowing of the continuum gap as the iota profile down-shift. Opposite stability trends are identified for PGDM and AE stability with respect to the thermal plasma density. A larger thermal plasma density (larger thermal β) further enhances PGDM although the continuum gaps are narrower leading to configurations with stable AEs. The linear stability of AEs is analyzed using the gyro-fluid FAR3d code to reproduce the AE stability trends observed in the experiments with respect to the NBCD and thermal plasma density. The analysis of hypothetical scenarios dedicated to study different NBI operational regimes with respect to EP energy, and β and radial density profiles indicate off-axis NBI operation shows a higher EP β threshold to destabilize AEs compared to on-axis configuration. This is explained by the presence of a TAE gap in the inner plasma region, easily destabilized by an on-axis NBI injection. The control of the NBCD and thermal plasma in the discharge 167 800 shows a transitory stabilization of PGDM and AEs, as well as an improved discharge performance identified by an increment of the neutron fluxes.

Varela, Jacobo↗
NASA NTRS1986

Models of the plasmaspheric thermal plasma distribution

Current understanding of the thermal plasma in the atmosphere and its coupling to the ionosphere is reviewed. Existing models appear adequate to explain the gross behavior of the cold thermal plasma, but there remain some vexing problems. Notably, (1) why does the density in flux tubes appear to saturate at lower values than are predicted theoretically, (2) what causes the sunset peak in measured Te, and (3) why does the equatorial plasmapause signature differ in latitude from the ionosphere signatures. The more difficult problem of what happens during the early stages of refilling after a magnetic storm, when the high altitude plasma is likely to be supersonic and collisionless, has received much attention, but the results are not definite. A number of papers have dealt with the interaction of supersonic counterstreaming fluxes and there are now models that can handle the transition from supersonic to subsonic flows although the transition from a collisionless to a collision-dominated plasma remains difficult to deal with.

Richards, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Power law X- and gamma-ray emission from relativistic thermal plasmas

Pair equilibrium in thermal plasmas emitting power law photon spectra by repeated Compton scatterings of a soft photon source active galactic nuclei was studied. Dependence of the spectral index on optical thickness and on temperature of the plasma is discussed. The equation for pair equilibrium is solved for the maximum steady luminosity. Analytical solutions for the subrelativistic region, and for the ultrarelativistic region are found. In the transrelativistic region the solutions are expressed by single integrals over the pair production cross sections, performed numerically. The constraints on soft photon source imposed by the condition that the soft photon flux cannot exceed the black-body flux are considered. For the Comptonized synchrotron radiation model a relation between magnetic field strength and output luminosity is found.

Zdziarski, A. A.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Non-thermal plasma mills bacteria: Scanning electron microscopy observations

Non-thermal plasmas hold great promise for a variety of biomedical applications. To ensure safe clinical application of plasma, a rigorous analysis of plasma-induced effects on cell functions is required. Yet mechanisms of bacteria deactivation by non-thermal plasma remain largely unknown. We therefore analyzed the influence of low-temperature atmospheric plasma on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Using scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrate that both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains in a minute were completely destroyed by helium plasma. In contrast, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were not affected by the same treatment. Furthermore, histopathological analysis of hematoxylin and eosin–stained rat skin sections from plasma–treated animals did not reveal any abnormalities in comparison to control ones. We discuss possible physical mechanisms leading to the shred of bacteria under non-thermal plasma irradiation. Our findings disclose how helium plasma destroys bacteria and demonstrates the safe use of plasma treatment for MSCs and skin cells, highlighting the favorability of plasma applications for chronic wound therapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Transport properties of multicomponent thermal plasmas: Grad method versus Chapman-Enskog method

Transport properties (thermal conductivity, viscosity, and electrical conductivity) for multicomponent Ar-Fe thermal plasmas at atmospheric pressure have been determined by means of two different methods. The transport coefficients set based on Grad's method is compared with the data obtained when using the Chapman-Enskog's method. Results from both applied methods are in good agreement. It is shown that the Grad method is suitable for the determination of transport properties of the thermal plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗