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Hickey, Gregory S.

Publications and source records attributed to Hickey, Gregory S..

16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Thermally Regenerative Battery with Intercalatable Electrodes and Selective Heating Means

The battery contains at least one electrode such as graphite that intercalates a first species from the electrolyte disposed in a first compartment such as bromine to form a thermally decomposable complex during discharge. The other electrode can also be graphite which supplies another species such as lithium to the electrolyte in a second electrode compartment. The thermally decomposable complex is stable at room temperature but decomposes at elevated temperatures such as 50 C. to 150 C. The electrode compartments are separated by a selective ion permeable membrane that is impermeable to the first species. Charging is effected by selectively heating the first electrode.

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Structural Design Challenges for Mars Rovers

On July 4, 1997 the Pathfinder Mission Successfully began a new era of robotic exploration of Mars. The primary scientific payload of the Pathfinder Lander is the Sojourner Truth Mars Rover, an autonomous robotic vehicle, which is exploring and conducting scientific measurements on the Mars surface.

Mars Rovers Structural Design↗
NASA NTRS1997

Size selective hydrophobic adsorbent for organic molecules

The present invention relates to an adsorbent formed by the pyrolysis of a hydrophobic silica with a pore size greater than 5 .ANG., such as SILICALITE.TM., with a molecular sieving polymer precursor such as polyfurfuryl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resin, polyvinylidene difluoride and mixtures thereof. Polyfurfuryl alcohol is the most preferred. The adsorbent produced by the pyrolysis has a silicon to carbon mole ratio of between about 10:1 and 1:3, and preferably about 2:1 to 1:2, most preferably 1:1. The pyrolysis is performed as a ramped temperature program between about 100.degree. and 800.degree. C., and preferably between about 100.degree. and 600.degree. C. The present invention also relates to a method for selectively adsorbing organic molecules having a molecular size (mean molecular diameter) of between about 3 and 6 .ANG. comprising contacting a vapor containing the small organic molecules to be adsorbed with the adsorbent composition of the present invention.

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Integrated Thermal Control for Mars Rover

The Mars Rover has been built, environmentally tested and qualified for the 1996 launch of the Pathfinder mission to Mars. The basic structure for the thermal control for the Mars Rover is the Warm Electronics Box (WEB). This consists of a thermal isolating composite structure with co-cured thermal control surfaces and an ultralightweight hydrophobic solid silica aerogel which minimizes conduction and radiation.

Mars Rover Pathfinder Mars Warm Electronics BoxWEB↗
NASA NTRS1996

Liquefaction Of Coal With Surfactant And Disposable Catalyst

Fuels derived from coal more competitive with petroleum products. Improved coal-liquefaction process exploits synergistic effects of disposable iron oxide catalyst and cheap anionic surfactant. Efficiency of conversion achieved in significantly higher than efficiencies obtained with addition of either surfactant or catalyst alone. No costly pretreatment necessary, and increase in conversion achieved under processing conditions milder than those used heretofore in liquefaction of coal. Quality of distillates obtained after liquefaction in process expected superior to distillates obtained after liquefaction by older techniques.

Hickey, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Hydrophobic Catalysts For Removal Of NOx From Flue Gases

Improved catalysts for removal of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) from combustion flue gases formulated as composites of vanadium pentoxide in carbon molecular sieves. Promotes highly efficient selective catalytic reduction of NOx at relatively low temperatures while not being adversely affected by presence of water vapor and sulfur oxide gases in flue gas. Apparatus utilizing catalyst of this type easily integrated into exhaust stream of power plant to remove nitrogen oxides, generated in combustion of fossil fuels and contribute to formation of acid rain and photochemical smog.

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Making Curved Frequency-Selective Microwave Reflectors

Prototype curved lightweight dichroic microwave reflectors designed to be highly reflective in X and K(suba) frequency bands and highly transmissive in K(subu) and S bands. Conductive grid elements formed photolithographically on curved reflector surfaces. Intended for use as subreflectors of main paraboloidal antenna reflector to enable simultaneous operation in both prime-focus configuration in K(subu) and S bands and Cassegrain configuration in X and K(suba) bands. Basic concepts of reflectors described in "Frequency-Selective Microwave Reflectors" (NPO-18701). "Double Square-Loop Dichroic Microwave Reflector" (NPO-18676), "Triband Circular-Loop Dichroic Microwave Reflector" (NPO-18714), and "Improved Dichroic Microwave Reflector" (NPO-18664).

Hickey, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hydrophobic Porous Material Adsorbs Small Organic Molecules

Composite molecular-sieve material has pore structure designed specifically for preferential adsorption of organic molecules for sizes ranging from 3 to 6 angstrom. Design based on principle that contaminant molecules become strongly bound to surface of adsorbent when size of contaminant molecules is nearly same as that of pores in adsorbent. Material used to remove small organic contaminant molecules from vacuum systems or from enclosed gaseous environments like closed-loop life-support systems.

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Surfactant-Assisted Coal Liquefaction

Obtaining liquid fuels from coal which are economically competitive with those obtained from petroleum based sources is a significant challenge for the researcher as well as the chemical industry. Presently, the economics of coal liquefaction are not favorable because of relatively intense processing conditions (temperatures of 430 degrees C and pressures of 2200 psig), use of a costly catalyst, and a low quality product slate of relatively high boiling fractions. The economics could be made more favorable by achieving adequate coal conversions at less intense processing conditions and improving the product slate. A study has been carried out to examine the effect of a surfactant in reducing particle agglomeration and improving hydrodynamics in the coal liquefaction reactor to increase coal conversions...

Hickey, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Surfactant Studies for Bench Scale Operation

A study has been carried out to examine the effect of a surfactant, sodium lignosulfonate, on the coal liquefaction process to increase coal conversions. A series of coal liquefaction experiments with surfactant addition were conducted in a stirred batch autoclave with 1:2 coal-solvent mixtures with Illinois #6 coal at temperatures from 300 to 400 degrees C and hydrogen pressures from 1500 to 1800 psig. The treated products were analyzed for overall conversion and the distribution of the converted products into lighter and heavy oil fractions, respectively. The batch autoclave results indicate an increase in coal conversions due to surfactant addition at all processing conditions. The analysis also indicates an upgrading of the product slate for temperatures not exceeding 350 degrees C...

Sharma, Pramod K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Surfactant studies for bench-scale operation

A phase 2 study has been initiated to investigate surfactant-assisted coal liquefaction, with the objective of quantifying the enhancement in liquid yields and product quality. This report covers the second quarter of work. The major accomplishments were: completion of coal liquefaction autoclave reactor runs with Illinois number 6 coal at processing temperatures of 300, 325, and 350 C, and pressures of 1800 psig; analysis of the filter cake and the filtrate obtained from the treated slurry in each run; and correlation of the coal conversions and the liquid yield quality to the surfactant concentration. An increase in coal conversions and upgrading of the liquid product quality due to surfactant addition was observed for all runs.

Hickey, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surfactant studies for bench-scale operation

A phase 2 study was initiated to investigate surfactant-assisted coal liquefaction, with the objective of quantifying the enhancement in liquid yields and product quality. This publication covers the first quarter of work. The major accomplishments were: the refurbishment of the high-pressure, high-temperature reactor autoclave, the completion of four coal liquefaction runs with Pittsburgh #8 coal, two each with and without sodium lignosulfonate surfactant, and the development of an analysis scheme for the product liquid filtrate and filter cake. Initial results at low reactor temperatures show that the addition of the surfactant produces an improvement in conversion yields and an increase in lighter boiling point fractions for the filtrate.

Hickey, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Durable, Low-Surface-Energy Treatments

Chemical treatment for creation of durable, low-surface-energy coatings for glass, ceramics and other protonated surfaces easily applied, and creates very thin semipermanent film with extremely low surface tension. Exhibits excellent stability; surfaces retreated if coating becomes damaged or eroded. Uses include water-repellent surfaces, oil-repellent surfaces, antimigration barriers, corrosion barriers, mold-release agents, and self-cleaning surfaces. Film resists wetting by water, alcohols, hydrocarbon solvents, and silicone oil. Has moderate resistance to abrasion, such as rubbing with cloths, and compression molding to polymers and composite materials.

Willis, Paul B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Smooth-Surfaced Carbon/Carbon Reflector Panels

Surface-densification technique integral to fabrication of reflective, lightweight, low-outgassing radio-antenna-reflector panels including carbon/carbon surface laminates supported by carbon/carbon core structures. Densification prevents "print-through" of carbon fibers on surface. When properly densified, surface polished to smooth finish.

Schmitigal, Wesley P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Development of a four-frequency selective surface prototype spacecraft antenna

NASA-JPL's four-frequency telecommunication system design entails the creation and integration of a frequency-selective surface (FSS) subreflector into the high-gain antenna subsystem. The FSS design, which incorporates a periodic array of conducting elements on a kevlar/polymer composite structure, will be able to multiplex S, X, Ku, and Ka frequency-band wavelengths. Accounts are presented of the FSS's development, mechanical testing, and electrical testing.

Hickey, Gregory S.↗