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Jacobson, N. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Jacobson, N. S..

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2015

Preliminary Analysis of Pyrite Reactivity Under Venusian Temperature and Atmosphere

Measurements of Venus surface chemistry suggest a basaltic composition with a predominantly CO2 atmosphere. In order to understand the reactivity of certain possible mineral species on the surface, previous simulation chambers conduct experiments at 1 atmosphere with a simplified CO2 atmosphere. Following this procedure, pyrite (FeS2) samples are used to estimate the reactivity of sulfide minerals under a Venusian atmosphere and climate. Sulfurous gas species have been identified and quantified in the Venusian atmosphere, and sulfurous gas and mineral species are known to be created through volcanism, which is suggested to still occur on the surface of Venus. This experimentation is necessary to constrain reactions that could occur between the surface and atmosphere of Venus to understand terrestrial geology in a thick and hot greenhouse atmosphere. Quantifying this reaction can lead to approximations necessary for further experimentation in more complex environments such as those in the GEER chamber at Glenn Research Center that can simulate pressure along with temperature and a more inclusive and representative Venusian atmosphere.

Venus surface↗
NASA NTRS2014

Vaporization Studies of Olivine via Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry

Olivine is the major mineral in the Earth's upper mantle occurring predominantly in igneous rocks and has been identified in meteorites, asteroids, the Moon and Mars. Among many other important applications in planetary and materials sciences, the thermodynamic properties of vapor species from olivine are crucial as input parameters in computational modelling of the atmospheres of hot, rocky exoplanets (lava planets). There are several weight loss studies of olivine vaporization in the literature and one Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry (KEMS) study. In this study, we examine a forsterite-rich olivine (93% forsterite and 7% fayalite, Fo93Fa7) with KEMS to further understand its vaporization and thermodynamic properties.

Planetary atmospheres↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Process of Developing a Multi-Cell KEMS Instrument

Multi-cell KEMS offers many advantages over single cell instruments in regard to in-situ temperature calibration and studies on high temperature alloys and oxides of interest to NASA. The instrument at NASA Glenn is a 90 deg magnetic sector instrument originally designed for single cell operation. The conversion of this instrument to a multi-cell instrument with restricted collimation is discussed. For restricted collimation, the 'field aperture' is in the copper plate separating the Knudsen Cell region and the ionizer and the 'source aperture' is adjacent to the ionizer box. A computer controlled x-y table allows positioning of one of the three cells into the sampling region. Heating is accomplished via a Ta sheet element and temperature is measured via an automatic pyrometer from the bottom of the cells. The computer control and data system have been custom developed for this instrument and are discussed. Future improvements are also discussed.

Copland, E. H.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Stability of Materials in High Temperature Water Vapor: SOFC Applications

Solid oxide fuel cell material systems require long term stability in environments containing high-temperature water vapor. Many materials in fuel cell systems react with high-temperature water vapor to form volatile hydroxides which can degrade cell performance. In this paper, experimental methods to characterize these volatility reactions including the transpiration technique, thermogravimetric analysis, and high pressure mass spectrometry are reviewed. Experimentally determined data for chromia, silica, and alumina volatility are presented. In addition, data from the literature for the stability of other materials important in fuel cell systems are reviewed. Finally, methods for predicting material recession due to volatilization reactions are described.

Opila, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Oxidation of Carbon/Carbon through Coating Cracks

Reinforced carbon/carbon (RCC) is used to protect the wing leading edge and nose cap of the Space Shuttle Orbiter on re-entry. It is composed of a lay-up of carbon/carbon fabric protected by a SiC conversion coating. Due to the thermal expansion mismatch of the carbon/carbon and the SiC, the SiC cracks on cool-down from the processing temperature. The cracks act as pathways for oxidation of the carbon/carbon. A model for the diffusion controlled oxidation of carbon/carbon through machined slots and cracks is developed and compared to laboratory experiments. A symmetric cylindrical oxidation cavity develops under the slots, confirming diffusion control. Comparison of cross sectional dimensions as a function of oxidation time shows good agreement with the model. A second set of oxidation experiments was done with samples with only the natural craze cracks, using weight loss as an index of oxidation. The agreement of these rates with the model is quite reasonab

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Twin Knudsen Cell Configuration for Activity Measurements by Mass Spectrometry

A twin Knudsen cell apparatus for alloy activity measurements by mass spectrometry is described. Two Knudsen cells - one containing an alloy and one containing a pure component - are mounted on a single flange and translated into the sampling region via a motorized x-y table. Mixing of the molecular beams from the cells is minimized by a novel system of shutters. Activity measurements were taken on two well-characterized alloys to verify the operation of the system. Silver activity measurements are reported for Ag-Cu alloys and aluminum activity measurements are reported for Fe-Al alloys. The temperature dependence of activity for a 0.474 mol fraction Al-Fe alloy gives a partial molar heat of aluminum. Measurements taken with the twin cell show good agreement with literature values for these alloys.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Thermodynamics of Si-C-O system

The Si-C-O predominance diagram, in conjunction with a free-energy minimum of the gas phase, has been used to explain several observations in the reactions of SiC and/or carbon with SiO2. In the predominance diagram, the axes are chosen as the primary activity units for carbon and oxygen. The predominance diagram shows only the stable condensed phases SiO2, SiC, carbon, and silicon. It also shows the isobars for SiO(g) and CO(g), which are the primary gas-phase species. Only the thermodynamics of the system is considered. The observations explained include the general adjustment of carbon-rich SiC to a free-energy minimum on the SiC/SiO2 coexistence line and the inability to form free silicon from SiO2 and carbon, except at very high temperatures.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Fiber coating/matrix reactions in silicon-base ceramic matrix composites

The Knudsen cell technique and coupons of carbon coated Si3N4 and BN coated SiC were employed to study the possible reactions at the SiC/C/Si3N4 and SiC/BN/SiC interface. Carbon reacts with Si3N4 to form gaseous N2 and solid SiC. Solid SiC acts as a physical barrier to the reaction, which prevents the generation of high N2 pressure predicted from thermochemical calculations. Thus, deleterious effects of the reaction to the composite are limited. Limited reactions between BN and C-rich SiC was observed. However, the vapor pressure was so low that it is not likely to cause any interfacial instability. The predicted formation of a BN-C solid solution was not observed.

Lee, K. N.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Oxidation-chlorination of binary Ni-Cr alloys in flowing Ar-O2-Cl2 gas mixtures at 1200 K

Nickel-chromium alloys are resistant to oxidation because of the selective oxidation of chromium to form a protective Cr2O3 scale. In chlorine-containing environments, volatile corrosion products can also be formed. The mixed oxidation-chlorination of Ni-4.5Cr, Ni-13.8Cr, and Ni-26.5Cr (by weight) alloys in Ar-O2-Cl2 gas mixtures is investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and atmospheric-pressure-sampling mass spectrometry, followed by examination of the corrosion products using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The overall kinetics of the corrosion are affected by the relative amounts of oxides and chlorides formed and the composition of the oxide corrosion products.

Mcnallan, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

High temperature reactions of ceramics and metals with chlorine and oxygen

The reactions of chlorine and oxygen with solids are complex and quite dependent on material and reaction conditions. However, there are four reaction schemes that describe many of these reactions. These are direct reaction of chlorine with the oxide layer, penetration of the oxide layer by chlorine, paralinear behavior where oxidation and chlorination are of comparable rates, and finally, gas phase reactions where the volatile chlorides react with oxygen. Examples of chlorine and oxygen reactions with cobalt, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and silicon carbide illustrate each of these four reaction schemes.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Mass spectrometric observations of metal oxychlorides produced by oxidation-chlorination reactions

It was recently reported that Cr2O3-forming alloys show less corrosion resistance than Al2O3-forming alloys in Cl2/O2 mixtures, which is attributed to the formation of porous Cr2O3 scales and stable CrO2Cl2 vapor species. This paper reports the results of direct mass spectrometric observations with a high-pressure sampling mass spectrometer of these metal oxychlorides forming on the surfaces of Hastelloy S and Alloy 600 superalloys. Samples were preoxidized for 2 hrs at 900 C before the exposure to a O2/Ar gas mixture containing 1 percent Cl2. Results of X-ray diffraction showed scales containing Cr2O3 and NiCr2O4 on both alloys. After exposure to Cl2, large quantities of Cr2O2Cl2 were demonstrated for both alloys, indicating that this is a route for the breakdown of Cr2O3 scales. The Mo present in the Hastelloy S leads to more rapid attack by Cl2, resulting in the formation of MoO2Cl2.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Corrosion pitting of SiC by molten salts

The corrosion of SiC by thin films of Na2CO3 and Na2SO4 at 1000 C is characterized by a severe pitting attack of the SiC substrate. A range of different Si and SiC substrates were examined to isolate the factors critical to pitting. Two types of pitting attack are identified: attack at structural discontinuities and a crater-like attack. The crater-like pits are correlated with bubble formation during oxidation of the SiC. It appears that bubbles create unprotected regions, which are susceptible to enhanced attack and, hence, pit formation.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The formation of volatile corrosion products during the mixed oxidation-chlorination of cobalt at 650 C

The reaction of cobalt with 1 pct Cl2 in 1, 10, and 50 pct O2/Ar atmospheres has been studied at 650 C with thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry. The principal vapor species appear to be CoCl2 and CoCl3. In all cases, CoCl2(s) forms at the oxide/metal interface and equilibration of the volatile chlorides with Co3O4 does not occur in the early stages of the reaction. In the 1 pct Cl2 1 pct O2-Ar case, continuous volatilization occurs. In the 1 pct Cl2-10 pct O2-Ar and 1 pct CL2-50 pct O2-Ar cases, volatilization occurs only in the first few minutes of reaction. Afterwards, the reaction is predominantly oxidation.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Molten salt corrosion of SiC and Si3N4

The most severe type of corrosion encountered in heat engines is corrosion by molten sodium sulfate, formed by the reaction of ingested sodium chloride and sulfur impurities in the fuel. This problem was studied extensively for superalloys, but only recently examined for ceramics. This problem is addressed with laboratory studies to understand the fundamental reaction mechanisms and with burner studies to provide a more realistic simulation of the conditions encountered in a heat engine. In addition the effect of corrosion on the strengths of these materials was assessed. Each of these aspects will be reviewed and some ideas toward possible solutions will be discussed.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Burner rig corrosion of SiC at 1000 C

Sintered alpha-SiC was examined in both oxidation and hot corrosion with a burner rig at 400 kPa (4 atm) and 1000 C with a flow velocity of 94 m/s. Oxidation tests for times to 46 h produced virtually no attack, whereas tests with 4 ppm Na produced extensive corrosion in 13.5 h. Thick glassy layers composed primarily of sodium silicate formed in the salt corrosion tests. This corrosion attack caused severe pitting on the silicon carbide substrate and led to a 32 percent decrease in strength, compared to the as-received material. Parallel furnace tests of Na2SO4/air-induced attack yielded basically similar results, with slight product composition differences. The differences are explained in terms of the continuous sulfate deposition which occurs in a burner rig.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Application of an atmospheric pressure sampling mass spectrometer to chlorination reactions

An atmospheric pressure mass spectrometric sampling system, based on a free jet expansion was used to study certain M-Cl-O reactions at high temperatures. The apparatus enables the volatile species from a 1-atm chemical process to be directly identified with a mass spectrometer which operates at approx. 10 to the minus 8th power torr. Studies for both pure metals and alloys are discussed. It is shown that this mass spectrometer system aids in identifying the volatile species, and provides fundamental information on the reaction mechanism.

Jacobson, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Kinetics and mechanism of corrosion of SiC by molten salts

Corrosion of sintered alpha-SiC under thin films of Na2CO3/CO2, Na2SO4/O2, and Na2SO4/SO3 was investigated at 1000 C. Chemical analysis was used to follow silicate and silica evolution as a function of time. This information coupled with morphology observations leads to a detailed corrosion mechanism. In all cases the corrosion reactions occur primarily in the first few hours. In the Na2CO3/CO2 case, rapid oxidation and dissolution lead to a thick layer of silicate melt in about 0.25 h. After this, silica forms a protective layer on the carbide. In the Na2SO4/O2 case, a similar mechanism occurs. In the Na2SO4/SO3 case, a porous nonprotective layer of SiO2 grows directly on the carbide, and a silicate melt forms above this. In addition, SiO2 and regenerated Na2SO4 form at the melt/gas interface due to reaction of silicate with SO3 and SO2 + O2. The reaction slows when the lower silica layer becomes nonporous.

Jacobson, N. S.↗