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At least 217 records · Page 12

Characterization of a turbomolecular-pumped magnetic sector mass spectrometer

A Perkin Elmer MGA-1200, turbomolecular-pumped, magnetic sector, multiple gas analyzer mass spectrometer with modified inlet for fast response was characterized for the analysis of hydrogen, helium, oxygen and argon in nitrogen and helium background gases. This instrument was specially modified for the Vanderberg AFB SLC-6 Hydrogen Disposal Test Program, as a part of the Hydrogen Sampling System (H2S2). Linearity, precision, drift, detection limits and accuracy among other analytical parameters for each of the background gas were studied to evaluate the performance of the instrument. The result demonstrates that H2S2 mass spectrometer is a stable instrument and can be utilized for the quantitative analytical determination of hydrogen, helium, oxygen and argon in nitrogen and helium background gases.

Mehta, Narinder K.↗

Liquid hydrogen turbopump ALS advanced development program. Volume 1: Hot fire unit

The interface criteria for the Turbopump Test article (TPA) and the Component Test Facility located at NASA, Stennis Space Center is defined by this interface Control Document (ICD). TPA ICD Volume 2 is submitted for the Cold Gas Drive Turbopump Test Article, which is generally similar but incorporates certain changes, particularly in fluid requirements and in instrumentation needs. For the purposes of this ICD, the test article consists of the Hot Fire Drive Turbopump mounted on its test cart, readied for installation in the component test facility. It should be emphasized that the LH2 turbopump program is still in its early concept design phase. Design of the turbopump, test cart, and spools are subject to revisions until successful conclusion of the Detail Design Review (DDR).

Lindley, Bruce↗

Solar flare model atmospheres

Solar flare model atmospheres computed under the assumption of energetic equilibrium in the chromosphere are presented. The models use a static, one-dimensional plane parallel geometry and are designed within a physically self-consistent coronal loop. Assumed flare heating mechanisms include collisions from a flux of non-thermal electrons and x-ray heating of the chromosphere by the corona. The heating by energetic electrons accounts explicitly for variations of the ionized fraction with depth in the atmosphere. X-ray heating of the chromosphere by the corona incorporates a flare loop geometry by approximating distant portions of the loop with a series of point sources, while treating the loop leg closest to the chromospheric footpoint in the plane-parallel approximation. Coronal flare heating leads to increased heat conduction, chromospheric evaporation and subsequent changes in coronal pressure; these effects are included self-consistently in the models. Cooling in the chromosphere is computed in detail for the important optically thick HI, CaII and MgII transitions using the non-LTE prescription in the program MULTI. Hydrogen ionization rates from x-ray photo-ionization and collisional ionization by non-thermal electrons are included explicitly in the rate equations. The models are computed in the 'impulsive' and 'equilibrium' limits, and in a set of intermediate 'evolving' states. The impulsive atmospheres have the density distribution frozen in pre-flare configuration, while the equilibrium models assume the entire atmosphere is in hydrostatic and energetic equilibrium. The evolving atmospheres represent intermediate stages where hydrostatic equilibrium has been established in the chromosphere and corona, but the corona is not yet in energetic equilibrium with the flare heating source. Thus, for example, chromospheric evaporation is still in the process of occurring.

Hawley, Suzanne L.↗

Solar flare model atmospheres

Solar flare model atmospheres computed under the assumption of energetic equilibrium in the chromosphere are presented. The models use a static, one-dimensional plane-parallel geometry and are designed within a physically self-consistent coronal loop. Assumed flare heating mechanisms include collisions from a flux of nonthermal electrons and X-ray heating of the chromosphere by the corona. The heating by energetic electrons accounts explicitly for variations of the ionized fraction with depth in the atmosphere. X-ray heating of the chromosphere by the corona incorporates a flare loop geometry by approximating distant portions of the loop with a series of point sources, while treating the loop leg closest to the chromospheric footpoint in the plane-parallel approximation. Coronal flare heating leads to increased heat conduction, chromospheric evaporation and subsequent changes in coronal pressure; these effects are included self-consistently in the models. Cooling in the chromosphere is computed in detail for the important optically thick H I, Ca II and Mg II transitions using the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) prescription in the program MULTI. Hydrogen ionization rates from X-ray photoionization and collisional ionization by nonthermal electrons are included explicitly in the rate equations. The models are computed in the 'impulsive' and 'equilibrium' limits, and in a set of intermediate 'evolving' states. The impulsive atmospheres have the density distribution frozen in the pre-flare configuration, while the equilibrium models assume the entire atmosphere is in hydrostatic and energetic equilibrium. The evolving atmospheres represent intermediate stages where hydrostatic equilibrium has been established in the chromosphere and corona, but the corona is not yet in energetic equilibrium with the flare heating source. Thus, for example, chromospheric evaporation is still in the process of occurring. We have computed the chromospheric radiation that results from a range of coronal heating rates, with particular emphasis on the widely observed diagnostic H(alpha). Our conclusion is that the H(alpha) fluxes and profiles actually observed in flares can only be produced under conditions of a low-pressure corona with strong beam heating. Therefore we suggest that H(alpha) in flares is produced primarily at the footprints of newly heated loops where significant evaporation has not yet occurred. As a single loop evolves in time, no matter how strong the heating rate may become, the H(alpha) flux will diminish as the corona becomes denser and hence more effective at stopping the beam. This prediction leads to several observable consequences regarding the spatial and temporal signatures of the X-ray and H(alpha) radiation during flares.

Hawley, Suzanne L.↗

Determination of Combustion Product Radicals in a Hydrocarbon Fueled Rocket Exhaust Plume

The identification of metallic effluent materials in a rocket engine exhaust plume indicates the health of the engine. Since 1989, emission spectroscopy of the plume of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) has been used for ground testing at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC). This technique allows the identification and quantification of alloys from the metallic elements observed in the plume. With the prospect of hydrocarbon-fueled rocket engines, such as Rocket Propellant 1 (RP-1) or methane (CH4) fueled engines being considered for use in future space flight systems, the contributions of intermediate or final combustion products resulting from the hydrocarbon fuels are of great interest. The effect of several diatomic molecular radicals, such as Carbon Dioxide , Carbon Monoxide, Molecular Carbon, Methylene Radical, Cyanide or Cyano Radical, and Nitric Oxide, needs to be identified and the effects of their band systems on the spectral region from 300 nm to 850 nm determined. Hydrocarbon-fueled rocket engines will play a prominent role in future space exploration programs. Although hydrogen fuel provides for higher engine performance, hydrocarbon fuels are denser, safer to handle, and less costly. For hydrocarbon-fueled engines using RP-1 or CH4 , the plume is different from a hydrogen fueled engine due to the presence of several other species, such as CO2, C2, CO, CH, CN, and NO, in the exhaust plume, in addition to the standard H2O and OH. These species occur as intermediate or final combustion products or as a result of mixing of the hot plume with the atmosphere. Exhaust plume emission spectroscopy has emerged as a comprehensive non-intrusive sensing technology which can be applied to a wide variety of engine performance conditions with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Stennis Space Center researchers have been in the forefront of advancing experimental techniques and developing theoretical approaches in order to bring this technology to a more mature stage.

Langford, Lester A.↗

NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Program: Wet Life of Nickel-Hydrogen (Ni-H2) Batteries

This NASA Aerospace Flight Battery Systems Working Group was chartered within the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC). The Battery Working Group was tasked to complete tasks and to propose proactive work to address battery related, agency-wide issues on an annual basis. In its first year of operation, this proactive program addressed various aspects of the validation and verification of aerospace battery systems for NASA missions. Studies were performed, issues were discussed and in many cases, test programs were executed to generate recommendations and guidelines to reduce risk associated with various aspects of implementing battery technology in the aerospace industry. This document contains Part 3 - Volume I: Wet Life of Nickel-Hydrogen (Ni-H2) Batteries of the program's operations.

Jung, David S.↗

First responder training: Supporting commercialization of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies

A properly trained first responder community is critical to the successful introduction of hydrogen fuel cell applications and their transformation in how we use energy. Providing resources with accurate information and current knowledge is essential to the delivery of effective hydrogen and fuel cell-related first responder training. Furthermore, the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have over 15 years of experience in developing and delivering hydrogen safety-related first responder training materials and programs. A National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Emergency Response Training Resource was recently released (http://h2tools.org/fr/nt/). This training resource serves the delivery of a variety of training regimens. Associated materials are adaptable for different training formats, ranging from high-level overview presentations to more comprehensive classroom training. Our paper presents what has been learned from the development and delivery of hydrogen safety-related first responder training programs (online, classroom, hands-on) by the respective organizations. We discussed the collaborative strategy being developed for enhancing training materials and methods for greater accessibility based on stakeholder input.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Hydrogen Education State Partnership Project (Final Scientific Report)

Under the leadership of the Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cells program, Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) educated and worked with state leaders to encourage wider deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. Through outreach to state policymakers, legislative leaders, clean energy funds, energy agencies, and public utility commissions, CESA worked to accomplish the following objectives of this project: 1. Provide information and technical assistance to state policy leaders and state renewable energy programs in the development of effective hydrogen fuel cell programs. 2. Identify and foster hydrogen program best practices. 3. Identify and promote strategic opportunities for states and the Department of Energy (DOE) to advance hydrogen technology deployment through partnerships, collaboration, and targeted activities. Over the three years of this project, CESA, with our partner National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), was able to provide credible information on fuel cell policies, finance, and technical assistance to hundreds of state officials and other stakeholders. CESA worked with its membership network to effectively educate state clean energy policymakers, program managers, and decision makers about fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and the efforts by states to advance those technologies. With the assistance of NCSL, CESA gained access to an effective forum for outreach and communication with state legislators from all 50 states on hydrogen issues and policies. This project worked to educate policymakers and stakeholders with the potential to develop and deploy stationary and portable fuel cell technologies.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Calculation of radiative properties of nonequilibrium hydrogen plasma

A computer program called NEQRAP is described that calculates the radiative properties of nonequilibrium ionized hydrogen. From the given electron temperature, electron density, and atom density values (which do not necessarily satisfy the equilibrium relationship) and intensities of incident radiation, the non-Boltzmann populations of electronic states are computed by solving the equation of quasi-steady-state population distribution. Emission and absorption coefficients are determined as functions of wavelength by invoking the principle of detailed balance between the upper and lower states of each radiative transition. Radiative transport through the medium is computed assuming a one-dimensional uniform slab. The rate of ionic reaction is also computed. When used on a sample case, the program shows that there is a large difference between the calculated intensities of radiation emitted by a bulk of equilibrium and nonequilibrium hydrogen. The accuracy of the program is estimated to be better than 10%.

Park, C.↗

Long-Term Demonstration of Hydrogen Production from Coal at Elevated Temperatures: Year 6 - Activity 1.12 - Development of a National Center for Hydrogen Technology

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has continued the work of the National Center for Hydrogen Technology® (NCHT®) Program Year 6 Task 1.12 project to expose hydrogen separation membranes to coal-derived syngas. In this follow-on project, the EERC has exposed two membranes to coal-derived syngas produced in the pilot-scale transport reactor development unit (TRDU). Western Research Institute (WRI), with funding from the State of Wyoming Clean Coal Technology Program and the North Dakota Industrial Commission, contracted with the EERC to conduct testing of WRI’s coal-upgrading/gasification technology for subbituminous and lignite coals in the EERC’s TRDU. This gasifier fires nominally 200–500 lb/hour of fuel and is the pilot-scale version of the full-scale gasifier currently being constructed in Kemper County, Mississippi. A slipstream of the syngas was used to demonstrate warm-gas cleanup and hydrogen separation using membrane technology. Two membranes were exposed to coal-derived syngas, and the impact of coal-derived impurities was evaluated. This report summarizes the performance of WRI’s patent-pending coal-upgrading/ gasification technology in the EERC’s TRDU and presents the results of the warm-gas cleanup and hydrogen separation tests. Overall, the WRI coal-upgrading/gasification technology was shown to produce a syngas significantly lower in CO 2 content and significantly higher in CO content than syngas produced from the raw fuels. Warm-gas cleanup technologies were shown to be capable of reducing sulfur in the syngas to 1 ppm. Each of the membranes tested was able to produce at least 2 lb/day of hydrogen from coal-derived syngas.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Hydrogen Fueling Station in Honolulu, Hawaii Feasibility Analysis

The Department of Energy Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Program Plan (September 2011) identifies the use of hydrogen for government and fleet electric vehicles as a key step for achieving “reduced greenhouse gas emissions; reduced oil consumption; expanded use of renewable power…; highly efficient energy conversion; fuel flexibility…; reduced air pollution; and highly reliable grid-support.” This report synthesizes several pieces of existing information that can inform a decision regarding the viability of deploying a hydrogen (H2) fueling station at the Fort Armstrong site in Honolulu, Hawaii.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Hydrogen Diffusion in Tungsten

Nuclear fusion is considered as the most promising sustainable energy source. If achieved, it could provide electricity to the mankind for millions of years. During the reaction, the fusion ash is continuously removed from the magnetic gap, the divertor region, and the divertor facing component is subjected to intense plasma bombardment. It is proposed to use tungsten as the divertor facing material, because it has low physical sputtering yield and superior thermomechanical properties. However, the high mobility of hydrogen in tungsten and the high bombardment flux bring the hydrogen isotopes deep into the tungsten tile. The presence of hydrogen in tungsten tends to weaken the gram boundaries and produce surface blistering. The ejection of tungsten particulates into the plasma core will cool the reaction and cease the fusion reactions. Therefore, it is important to have a detailed understanding of the hydrogen diffusion in tungsten bulk. The KMC method is a stochastic computer simulation to predict the time evolution of a certain system. Typically, at a given time, the system will evolve through a few possible paths with known probabilities. In each step, the KMC method analyzes the entire system and randomly determines the system evolving events based on all transition rates of all possible events and advance the physical time. This process is repeated till the simulation of the entire physical time is completed. In previous work, the authors developed a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) algorithm and program to simulate hydrogen diffusion process on tungsten reconstructed surface. In this article, this KMC method is extended to model the hydrogen diffusion in tungsten bulk. The diffusion coefficients are calculated and fitted to the Arrhenius equation. The result matches the experiment measurement very well. KMC diffusion simulation needs the locations of the hydrogen trapping sites, diffusion paths and the corresponding diffusion energy barriers. The hydrogen interstitial sites in tungsten crystal have been thoroughly studied by density function theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD). Johnson and Carter used DFT to determine the preferred location of the hydrogen interstitial sites m tungsten crystal, which are the tetrahedral sites (T-sites) in body-centered-cubic (bcc) lattice surfaces. All T-sites are located on the surfaces of a lattice cell. There are four T-sites per surface and twelve T-sites per lattice cell. The hydrogen atoms diffuse by traveling from one T-site to one of its nearest four T-site neighbors. Thus, each T-site is surrounded by two neighbors on the same surface, and one neighbor on each of the two adjacent surfaces perpendicular to the surface holding the center T-site. The diffusion barrier between two neighboring T-sites was calculated to be 0.38 eV. Knowing the diffusion path, energy barrier, and the crystal structure, the KMC simulation is readily to be performed. Based on other researchers' DFT calculations, the hydrogen stable interstitial site in tungsten bulk is determined as the tetrahedral site on the surface of the bee lattice. Each T-site has 4 neighbors and the energy barrier between two adjacent T-sites are estimated to be 0.38 eV. Based on those facts and the KMC theory, a MATLAB program is developed to model the hydrogen diffusion in tungsten bulk. In the MATLAB program, substrate temperature, hydrogen concentration, physical time to be simulated, and the number of cycles are all customizable. To compare the KMC determined diffusion coefficients with experiment results in the literature, the simulations are performed for temperature 300 K - 2500 K and low hydrogen concentration (0.1%), mimicking the experiment condition. The calculated diffusion coefficients match the reference values measured by the experiment under low hydrogen concentration condition. The results are also fitted to the Arrhenius equation. The pre-exponential factor and the average activation energy in Arrhenius equation are obtained. The good agreement between simulation and experiment proves that the developed KMC algorithm truly reflect the well-established theory of interstitial hydrogens in tungsten. The developed program could easily be used to model the diffusion process and predict the diffusion coefficients under other concentrations and temperatures. This work is part of the ongoing development of hydrogen diffusion in tungsten integrating surface diffusion (previous work), bulk diffusion (this work), and adsorption/desorption on surface (future work)

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Investigation of Iron Oxide Morphology in a Cyclic Redox Water Splitting Process for Hydrogen Generation

A solar fuels generation research program is focused on hydrogen production by means of reactive metal water splitting in a cyclic iron-based redox process. Iron-based oxides are explored as an intermediary reactive material to dissociate water molecules at significantly reduced thermal energies. With a goal of studying the resulting oxide chemistry and morphology, chemical assistance via CO is used to complete the redox cycle. In order to exploit the unique characteristics of highly reactive materials at the solar reactor scale, a monolithic laboratory scale reactor has been designed to explore the redox cycle at temperatures ranging from 675 to 875 K. Using high resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the oxide morphology and the oxide state are quantified, including spatial distributions. These images show the change of the oxide layers directly after oxidation and after reduction. The findings show a significant non-stoichiometric O/Fe gradient in the atomic ratio following oxidation, which is consistent with a previous kinetics model, and a relatively constant, non-stoichiometric O/Fe atomic ratio following reduction.

Bobek, MM↗

A computer program for the calculation of thermal stratification and self-pressurization in a liquid hydrogen tank

An analysis and computer program are described for calculating the thermal stratification and the associated self-pressurization of a closed liquid hydrogen tank. FORTRAN-IV language is used and runs were made on IBM 360/65 and CDC 3600 computers. Comparisons are made between the program calculations and test results from both ground and orbital coast tests of a Centaur space vehicle.

Arnett, R. W.↗