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Chemical Processing Manual

Chemical processes presented in this document include cleaning, pickling, surface finishes, chemical milling, plating, dry film lubricants, and polishing. All types of chemical processes applicable to aluminum, for example, are to be found in the aluminum alloy section. There is a separate section for each category of metallic alloy plus a section for non-metals, such as plastics. The refractories, super-alloys and titanium, are prime candidates for the space shuttle, therefore, the chemical processes applicable to these alloys are contained in individual sections of this manual.

Beyerle, F. J.↗

Chemical processing of lunar materials

The paper highlights recent work on the general problem of processing lunar materials. The discussion covers lunar source materials, refined products, motivations for using lunar materials, and general considerations for a lunar or space processing plant. Attention is given to chemical processing through various techniques, including electrolysis of molten silicates, carbothermic/silicothermic reduction, carbo-chlorination process, NaOH basic-leach process, and HF acid-leach process. Several options for chemical processing of lunar materials are well within the state of the art of applied chemistry and chemical engineering to begin development based on the extensive knowledge of lunar materials.

Criswell, D. R.↗

Physical-chemical processes in a protoplanetary cloud

Physical-chemical processes in a protoplanetary cloud are discussed. The following subject areas are covered: (1) characteristics of the chemical composition of molecular interstellar clouds; (2) properties and physico-chemical process in the genesis of interstellar dust grains; and (3) the isotope composition of volatiles in bodies of the Solar System.

Lavrukhina, Avgusta K.↗

Spatial and temporal variability of the extent of chemically processed stratospheric air

Simulations of the spatial and temporal variability of the extent of chemically processed air in the Arctic stratosphere have been carried out using a three-dimensional chemistry-transport model for the winters of 1979 and 1989. Chemically processed air is identified in the model as that in which the amounts of hydrogen chloride (HCl) calculated with parameterized loss for conditions appropriate to polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation are substantially smaller than those calculated in a model with gas phase chemistry only. It is seen that chemically processed air may be identified over much of the Arctic lower stratosphere from early January to late February, with HCl depletions being larger in 1989 than in 1979. Near the latitude of the Arctic circle, there is important spatial and temporal variability in the extent of chemically processed air. There is some evidence for transport to midlatitudes of processed air during these winters, but the HCl reductions are much smaller and more sporadic than those near the pole. At 62 and 42N, processed air is calculated to occur preferentially over the longitude regions from 60-120E and 270-330E.

Kaye, Jack A.↗

Thermochemical analysis of chemical processes relevant to the stability and processing of SiC-reinforced Si3N4 composite

Chemical processes relevant to the stability and processing of SiC-reinforced Si3N4 composites have been examined from thermochemical considerations. The thermodynamic stabilities of various interfaces, such as SiC-Si3N4, SiC-Si3N4-Si2ON2, and SiC-Si3N4-SiO2, have been examined as a function of temperature, and the temperatures above which these interfaces become unstable have been calculated. The degradation of SiC during the processing of the composite has been examined. The processing routes considered in this study include the reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN) process and the pressure-assisted sintering processes with suitable sintering additives.

Misra, Ajay K.↗

Two-Phase Flow in Packed Columns and Generation of Bubbly Suspensions for Chemical Processing in Space

For long-duration space missions, the life support and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems necessary to lower the mass and volume of consumables carried from Earth will require more sophisticated chemical processing technologies involving gas-liquid two-phase flows. This paper discusses some preliminary two-phase flow work in packed columns and generation of bubbly suspensions, two types of flow systems that can exist in a number of chemical processing devices. The experimental hardware for a co-current flow, packed column operated in two ground-based low gravity facilities (two-second drop tower and KC- 135 low-gravity aircraft) is described. The preliminary results of this experimental work are discussed. The flow regimes observed and the conditions under which these flow regimes occur are compared with the available co-current packed column experimental work performed in normal gravity. For bubbly suspensions, the experimental hardware for generation of uniformly sized bubbles in Couette flow in microgravity conditions is described. Experimental work was performed on a number of bubbler designs, and the capillary bubble tube was found to produce the most consistent size bubbles. Low air flow rates and low Couette flow produce consistent 2-3 mm bubbles, the size of interest for the "Behavior of Rapidly Sheared Bubbly Suspension" flight experiment. Finally the mass transfer implications of these two-phase flows is qualitatively discussed.

Motil, Brian J.↗

Reduced product yield in chemical processes by second law effects

An analysis of second law effects in chemical processes, where product yield is explicitly related to the individual irreversibilities within the process to indicate a maximum theoretical yield, is presented. Examples are given that indicate differences between first and second law approaches toward process efficiency and process yield. This analysis also expresses production capacity in terms of the heating value of a product. As a result, it is particularly convenient in analyzing fuel conversion plants and their potential for improvement. Relationships are also given for the effects of irreversibilities on requirements for process heat and for feedstocks.

England, C.↗

Analysis of physical-chemical processes governing SSME internal fluid flows

The basic issues concerning the physical chemical processes of the Space Shuttle Main Engine are discussed. The objectives being to supply the general purpose CFD code PHOENICS and the associated interactive graphics package - GRAFFIC; to demonstrate code usage on SSME related problems; to perform computations and analyses of problems relevant to current and future SSME's; and to participate in the development of new physical models of various processes present in SSME components. These objectives are discussed in detail.

Singhal, A. K.↗

Heterogeneous chemistry on Antarctic polar stratospheric clouds - A microphysical estimate of the extent of chemical processing

A detailed model of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which includes nucleation, condensational growth. and sedimentation processes, has been applied to the study of heterogeneous chemical reactions. For the first time, the extent of chemical processing during a polar winter has been estimated for an idealized air parcel in the Antarctic vortex by calculating in detail the rates of heterogeneous reactions on PSC particles. The resulting active chlorine and NO(x) concentrations at first sunrise are analyzed with respect to their influence upon the Antarctic ozone hole using a photochemical model. It is found that the species present at sunrise are primarily influenced by the relative values of the heterogeneous reaction rate constants and the initial gas concentrations. However, the extent of chlorine activation is also influenced by whether N2O5 is removed by reaction with HCl or H2O. The reaction of N2O5 with HCl, which occurs rapidly on type 1 PSCs, activates the chlorine contained in the reservoir species HCl. Hence the presence and surface area of type 1 PSCs early in the winter are crucial in determining ozone depletion.

Drdla, K.↗

Some aspects of mathematical and chemical modeling of complex chemical processes

Some theoretical questions involved in the mathematical modeling of the kinetics of complex chemical process are discussed. The analysis is carried out for the homogeneous oxidation of ethylbenzene in the liquid phase. Particular attention is given to the determination of the general characteristics of chemical systems from an analysis of mathematical models developed on the basis of linear algebra.

Nemes, I.↗

Chemical Processing and Analysis of 'JACEE' Circumpolar Flight 13 & 14

This informal presentation will address the chemical processing status, the current locations and state of data analysis (including mapping and densitometry of x-ray films, event lists and tracing of events in nuclear emulsions, etc.) of the 12 cosmic ray chambers comprising the JACEE-13 and JACEE-14 South Pole circumnavigational long duration balloon flights.

Fountain, Walter↗

Basic physical and chemical processes in space radiation effects on polymers

The effects of space ionizing radiation on polymers is investigated in terms of operative physical and chemical processes. A useful model of charged particle impact with a polymer was designed. Principle paths of molecular relaxation were identified and energy handling processes were considered. The focus of the study was on energy absorption and the immediately following events. Further study of the radiation degradation of polymers is suggested.

Kamaratos, E.↗

Analysis of physical-chemical processes governing SSME internal fluid flows

In order to aid the development of current and future SSME type engines, it is necessary to improve the understanding of basic issues related with physical-chemical processes of SSME internal flows. Accomplishments under each of the following specific objectives are described herein: (1) supplying a state-of-the-art CFD code and graphics package; (2) demonstrating code usage on SSME-related problems to NASA MSFC personnel; and (3) performance computations and analysis of problems relevant to current and future SSME's.

Singhal, A. K.↗