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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 271 records · Page 15

Photoactivation of the manganese catalyst of O2 evolution. II A two-quantum mechanism.

A kinetic analysis is presented of the data obtained in previously described kinetic experiments relating to the photoactivation of the Mn complex required for photosynthetic O2 evolution. The results obtained from the computer simulation of the derived kinetic model compare favorably with the experimentally derived values. They also suggest that photoactivation can be rationalized in terms of a two-quantum process.

Radmer, R.↗

Vapor-deposited platinum as a fuel-cell catalyst

Electrodes are prepared by vacuum deposition of platinum on nickel substrate with conventional vapor-deposition apparatus. Amount of platinum loaded on substrate can be veried by changing exposure time during deposition. These electrodes are significantly more effective than conventional oxygen electrodes.

Asher, W. J.↗

Catalysts for electrochemical generation of oxygen

An effort was made to study the effects of cation and anion additions on oxygen evolution kinetics on platinum and the inhibitive or catalytic nature of the additions. The kinetics and mechanism of oxygen evolution on planitum metal in hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids, including the effects of foreign anions, were examined. The LEED-Auger-thin layer electrochemical system was developed for the examination of electrocatalytic surfaces. Samples for electrocatalytic LEED-Auger studies were prepared and examined.

Ogrady, W. E.↗

Improved catalysts by low-G processing

The advantages of space for manufacturing more perfect microcrystalline morphologies and structures will be investigated. Production of smaller silver and palladium crystals with enhanced catalytic properties is discussed. The elimination of convection accompanying electrodeposition of fine metallic powders at high overvoltages in a low gravity environment is outlined.

Grodzka, P. G.↗

Clays as possible catalysts for peptide formation in the prebiotic era

From the point of view of prebiotic synthesis, clays might have performed functions of concentration, catalysis, and protection of molecules. The degrees of polymerization obtained, when amino acid adenylates are added to montmorillonite suspensions in water, are much higher than those obtained by polymerization in the absence of such a clay. In addition, they are of a discrete spectrum, usually multiples of 6 or 7, and reach values of up to 40 mers. In the absence of clay a continuous spectrum of degrees of polymerization is obtained, and usually up to 4-6 mers only. Copolymerization in the absence of clays yields mostly random copolymers, in their presence mostly block copolymers are obtained. Optical density measurements show that after adsorption has taken place on the clay, stacking of its layers occurs. Polymerization starts only after these stacked layers have been formed

Paecht-Horowitz, M.↗

Improved imide polymerization catalyst

Catalyzation of imide polymers with metallic salts of 2-ethyl hexanoic acid allows reaction in production of flame resistant foams to proceed in one step without formation of undesirable heat-sensitive byproducts.

Estrella, C. A.↗

Four-man rated dual catalyst system for the recovery of water from urine

The catalytic system was integrated with a 4-man rated urine wick evaporator. During operation, urine vapor produced by the wick-evaporator was treated in the catalytic system to remove ammonia and volatile hydrocarbons, and water was recovered by condensation in a water cooled condenser. The system operated completely automatically and required no manual adjustments, except periodic supply of urine and removal of the recovered water. Although the system was designed for treating 0.325 kg urine per hour, this rate could be achieved only with a fresh wick, then gradually decreased as the wick became saturated with urine solids. The average urine treatment rates achieved during each of the three endurance tests were 0.137, 0.217, and 0.235 kg/hr. The quality of the recovered water meets drinking water standards, with the exception of a generally low pH.

Budininkas, P.↗

Catalysts for polyimide foams from aromatic isocyanates and aromatic dianhydrides

Polyimide foam products having greatly improved burn-through and flame-spread resistance are prepared by the reaction of aromatic polyisocyanates with aromatic dianhydrides in the presence of metallic salts of octoic acid. The salts, for example stannous octoate, ferric octoate and aluminum octoate, favor the formation of imide linkages at the expense of other possible reactions.

Riccitiello, S. R.↗

Catalysts for electrochemical generation of oxygen

Several aspects of the electrolytic evolution of oxygen for use in life support systems are analyzed including kinetic studies of various metal and nonmetal electrode materials, the formation of underpotential films on electrodes, and electrode surface morphology and the use of single crystal metals. In order to investigate the role of surface morphology to electrochemical reactions, a low energy electron diffraction and an Auger electron spectrometer are combined with an electrochemical thin-layer cell allowing initial characterization of the surface, reaction run, and then a comparative surface analysis.

Hagans, P.↗

Design, fabrication and testing of a dual catalyst ammonia removal system for a urine VCD unit

A three-man capacity catalytic system for the recovery of water from urine was designed, constructed, and tested, it was designed to operate with feed streams containing high concentrations of urine vapor and only 5 to 7% of oxygen for the oxidation of ammonia and volatile organic vapor.It can operate either in a flow-through or a recycle mode and is capable of accepting the urine vapor produced by a vapor compression distillation evaporator. Testing consisted of short preliminary and optimization test, an endurance test of 74 hours continuous operation, and recycle tests using both air and oxygen. The system was designed for a urine processing rate of 0.86 liters/hr; however, it was tested at rates up to 1.2 liter/hr. Untreated urine evaporated by an electrically heated evaporator was used. The quality of the recovered water meets the U.S. Drinking Water Standards, with the exception of a low pH. Accumulation of solids in the urine sludge is reduced to approximately 65% of the anticipated value.

Budinikas, P.↗

Development of a condenser for the dual catalyst water recovery system

Conceptual evaporation/condensation systems suitable for integration with the catalytic water recovery method were evaluated. The primary requirements for each concept were its capability to operate under zero-gravity conditions, condense recovered water from a vapor-noncondensable gas mixture, and integrate with the catalytic system. Specific energy requirements were estimated for concepts meeting the primary requirements, and the concept most suitable for integration with the catalytic system was proposed. A three-man rate condenser capable of integration with the proposed system, condensing water vapor in presence of noncondensables and transferring the heat of condensation to feed urine was designed, fabricated, and tested. It was treated with steam/air mixtures at atmospheric and elevated pressures and integrated with an actual catalytic water recovery system. The condenser has a condensation efficiency exceeding 90% and heat transfer rate of approximately 85% of theoretical value at coolant temperature ranging from 7 to 80 deg C.

Budinikas, P.↗

Catalyst durability evaluation for advanced gas turbine engines

Catalytic combustion has demonstrated the ability to provide low NO(x) emissions while maintaining high combustion efficiency. Recently, under joint NASA Lewis, EPA, and Acurex sponsorship, a catalytic reactor was tested for 1000 hours to demonstrate durability in combustion environments representative of advanced automotive gas turbine engines. At a 740K air preheat temperature and a propane fuel/air ratio of 0.028 by mass, the adiabatic flame temperature was held at about 1700K. The graded cell monolithic reactor measured 5 cm in diameter by 10.2 cm in length and was operated at a reference velocity of 13.4 m/s at 1 atmosphere pressure. Measured NO(x) levels remained below 5 ppm while unburned hydrocarbon concentrations registered near zero and carbon monoxide levels were nominally below 20 ppm. The durability test included several parametric turndown studies and ended with a series of on/off cycling tests to further characterize reactor performance.

Snow, G. C.↗

Preparation and evaluation of advanced catalysts for phosphoric acid fuel cells

The platinum electrocatalysts were characterized for their crystallite sizes and the degree of dispersion on the carbon supports. One application of these electrocatalysts was for anodic oxidation of hydrogen in hot phosphoric acid fuel cells, coupled with the influence of low concentrations of carbon monoxide in the fuel gas stream. In a similar way, these platinum on carbon electrocatalysts were evaluated for oxygen reduction in hot phosphoric acid. Binary noble metal alloys were prepared for anodic oxidation of hydrogen and noble metal-refractory metal mixtures were prepared for oxygen reduction. An exemplar alloy of platinum and palladium (50/50 atom %) was discovered for anodic oxidation of hydrogen in the presence of carbon monoxide, and patent disclosures were submitted. For the cathode, platinum-vanadium alloys were prepared showing improved performance over pure platinum. Preliminary experiments on electrocatalyst utilization in electrode structures showed low utilization of the noble metal when the electrocatalyst loading exceeded one weight percent on the carbon.

Stonehart, P.↗

Further work on sodium montmorillonite as catalyst for the polymerization of activated amino acids

When the polycondensation of amino acid acylates was catalyzed with Na-montmorillonite, the polypeptides were consistently found to exhibit a distribution of discrete molecular weights, for as yet undiscovered reasons. One possible explanation was connected to the stepwise mode of monomer addition. New experiments have eliminated this possibility, so that there is the general assumption that this discreteness is the result of a preference of shorter oligomers to add to others of the same length, a feature that could be attributed to some structure of the platelet aggregates of the montmorillonite. The production of optical stereoisomers is anticipated when D,L-amino acids are polymerized on montmorillonite. Having used an optically active surface, the essence of the results lies not only in the occurrence of optically active oligomers and polymers, but also in the fact that the latter exhibit the same molecular weight characteristics as the D,L-polymers. Preparatory to work contemplated on a parallel synthesis of amino acid and nucleotide oligomers, studies were continued on the co-adsorption of amino acids, nucleotides, and amino acid-nucleotides on montmorillonite.

Eirich, F. R.↗