Engineering topics

Kurtz, Joe

Publications and source records attributed to Kurtz, Joe.

6 records

NASA NTRS1997

Feasibility Investigation for Performing Fireball Temperature Tests

NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) was requested by the Launch Abort Subpanel and the Power Systems Subpanel of the Interagency Nuclear Safety Review Panel to investigate the feasibility of using spectroscopic techniques to measure propellant fireball gas temperatures. This report outlines the modeling and experimental approaches and results of this investigation. Descriptions of the theoretical particle temperature and mass effusion models are presented along with the results of the survivability of small plutonium dioxide (less than or equal to 1000 microns diameter) particles entrained in various propellant fireball scenarios. The experimental test systems used to measure the hydroxide radical, water, and particle graybody spectral emissions and absorptions are discussed. Spectral results along with temperatures extracted by analyzing the spectral features are presented for the flames investigated in the laboratory environment. Methods of implementing spectroscopic measurements for future testing using the WSTF Large-scale Hydrogen/Oxygen Explosion Facility are discussed, and the accuracy expected for these measurements is estimated from laboratory measurements.

Tapphorn, Ralph M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Near-infrared absorptions of monomethylhydrazine

The peak absorption coefficients for two near-infrared absorptions of monomethylhydrazine, CH3-N2H3, (MMH) were measured. Absorption bands located at 1.524 micrometers (6560/cm), 1.557 micrometers (6423/cm), and 1.583 micrometers (6316/cm) are assigned to the Delta upsilon = 2 overtones of the infared N-H stretching fundamentals at 3317, 3245 and 3177/cm. An absorption band located at 1.04 micrometers (9620 +/- 100/cm) is assigned to the Delta upsilon = 3 overtone of one of these fundamentals. The peak absorption coefficients (alpha(sub 10)) at 1.524 micrometers (6560 +/- 20/cm) and 1.04 micrometers (9620 +/- 100/cm) are 31 x 10(exp -3) and 0.97 x 10(exp -3)/(cm atm), respectively. Uncertainties in these coefficients were estimated to be less than +/- 20% due primarily to uncertainties in the partial vapor pressure of MMH.

Murray, Mark↗

NASA NTRS1991

Laboratory spectra of C-13 ethane

The laboratory infrared spectrum of C-13 monosubstituted ethane has been obtained at high resolution (0.0025/cm) using the McMath Fourier transform spectrometer at Kitt Peak National Observatory in May 1990. A preliminary analysis of the nu12 rQ0 branch (substituted species) suggests that its intensity is 1.15 + or - 0.05 times stronger than the equivalent nu9 branch in the normal (C-12)2H6 species. This result leads to a correction of a previously published estimate for the C-12/C-13 ratio in the atmosphere of Jupiter from about 94 to about 106.

Kurtz, Joe↗

NASA NTRS1991

Theoretical vibrations of carbon chains C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9

The MBPT (2) procedure with the 6-31g (asterisk) basis set was used to study nearly linear carbon chains. The theoretical vibrational frequencies of the molecules C3 through C9 are presented and, for C3 through C6, compared to experimental stretching frequencies and their (C-13)/(C-12) isotopomers. Predictions for C7, C8, and C9 stretching frequencies are calculated by directly scaling the theoretical frequencies with factors derived from experimental-to-theoretical ratios known for the smaller molecules.

Kurtz, Joe↗

NASA NTRS1990

Combined infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy matrix-isolated carbon vapor

Infrared and UV-visible absorption spectra have been measured on the same sample of matrix-isolated carbon vapor in order to establish correlations between absorption intensities of vibrational and electronic transitions as a function of sample annealing. A high degree of correlation has been found between the IR feature at 1998/cm recently assigned to C8 and a UV absorption feature at about 3100 A. Thus, for the first time, direct evidence is given for the assignment of one of the unknown UV-visible features of the long-studied matrix-isolated carbon vapor spectrum.

Kurtz, Joe↗

NASA NTRS1989

Simultaneous infrared and UV-visible absorption spectra of matrix-isolated carbon vapor

Carbon molecules were suggested as possible carriers of the diffuse interstellar bands. In particular, it was proposed that the 443 nm diffuse interstellar band is due to the same molecule which gives rise to the 447 nm absorption feature in argon matrix-isolated carbon vapor. If so, then an associated C-C stretching mode should be seen in the IR. By doing spectroscopy in both the IR and UV-visible regions on the same sample, the present work provides evidence for correlating UV-visible absorption features with those found in the IR. Early data indicates no correlation between the strongest IR feature (1997/cm) and the 447 nm band. Correlation with weaker IR features is being investigated.

Kurtz, Joe↗