Results for “Carbon Storage” — Page 15

NASA NTRS1976

Onboard hydrogen generation for automobiles

Problems concerning the use of hydrogen as a fuel for motor vehicles are related to the storage of the hydrogen onboard a vehicle. The feasibility is investigated to use an approach based on onboard hydrogen generation as a means to avoid these storage difficulties. Two major chemical processes can be used to produce hydrogen from liquid hydrocarbons and methanol. In steam reforming, the fuel reacts with water on a catalytic surface to produce a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. In partial oxidation, the fuel reacts with air, either on a catalytic surface or in a flame front, to yield a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. There are many trade-offs in onboard hydrogen generation, both in the choice of fuels as well as in the choice of a chemical process. Attention is given to these alternatives, the results of some experimental work in this area, and the combustion of various hydrogen-rich gases in an internal combustion engine.

Houseman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Requirements for optimization of electrodes and electrolyte for the iron/chromium Redox flow cell

Improved catalyzation techniques that included a pretreatment of carbon substrate and provided normalized carbon surface for uniform gold deposition were developed. This permits efficient use of different batches of carbon felt materials which initially vary significantly in their physical and surface chemical properties, as well as their electrochemical behavior. Further modification of gold impregnation technique gave the best performing electrodes. In addition to the linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry was used to determine the effects of different activation procedures on the Cr(3)/Cr(2) Redox and H2 evolution reactions. The roles of carbon, gold and lead in the overall Redox cycle are identified. The behavior of the electrodes at both normal battery operating potentials and more extreme potentials is discussed preparing efficient and stable electrodes for the energy storage battery is implicated.

Jalan, V.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Weird Martian Minerals: Complex Mars Surface Processes

The session "Complex Mars Surface" included the following reports:A Reappraisal of Adsorbed Superoxide Ion as the Cause Behind the Reactivity of the Martian Soils; Sub-Surface Deposits of Hydrous Silicates or Hydrated Magnesium Sulfates as Hydrogen Reservoirs near the Martian Equator: Plausible or Not?; Thermal and Evolved Gas Analysis of Smectites: The Search for Water on Mars; Aqueous Alteration Pathways for K, Th, and U on Mars; Temperature Dependence of the Moessbauer Fraction in Mars-Analog Minerals; Acid-Sulfate Vapor Reactions with Basaltic Tephra: An Analog for Martian Surface Processes; Iron Oxide Weathering in Sulfuric Acid: Implications for Mars; P/Fe as an Aquamarker for Mars; Stable Isotope Composition of Carbonates Formed in Low-Temperature Terrestrial Environments as Martian Analogs; Can the Phosphate Sorption and Occlusion Properties Help to Elucidate the Genesis of Specular Hematite on the Mars Surface?; Sulfate Salts, Regolith Interactions, and Water Storage in Equatorial Martian Regolith; Potential Pathways to Maghemite in Mars Soils: The Key Role of Phosphate; and Mineralogy, Abundance, and Hydration State of Sulfates and Chlorides at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS2016

Modeling of Gaseous Oxygen Liquefaction Inside Mars Ascent Vehicle Propellant Tank

The In-Situ production of propellants for Mars missions has been considered to utilize the Carbon dioxide (CO2) in Mars atmosphere to produce Oxygen using a high temperature solid oxide electrolyzer. The oxygen then needs to be cooled, liquefied, and stored to be available for propulsion and other end users. The storage period could be up to two years either in the actual Mars ascent propulsion tanks or in a separate tank. Recent investigations have demonstrated the feasibility of both achieving zero-boil-off and controlling the pressure of oxygen within a tank using high efficiency cryocoolers. A representative configuration of tube on tank liquefaction using cryocooler is shown in Fig. 1.

Cryogenic fluids↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) for the treatment of spacecraft waste.

Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is a powerful waste treatment that has been considered as a substitute or complement to other potential spacecraft waste handling methods including jettisoning, compacted sealed storage, drying, and others. Combustible trash and garbage is mixed with water and then heated and pressurized above the critical point of water (705 °F and 218 atmospheres). The waste is nearly all oxidized to produce carbon dioxide, water and nitrogen. NOx is not formed. The combustion energy can be used to heat the input stream. SCWO is relatively complex, expensive, and hazardous compared to other methods. Oxidation of compounds containing chlorine and sulfur produces hydrochloric and sulfuric acid which can cause corrosion in the reactor. Neutralizing these acids produces salts which can precipitate and cause clogging. The major engineering challenges to implementing SCWO are chemical corrosion and fouling due to the deposition of salts. SCWO was first proposed for general waste treatment and for spacecraft in the 1980’s and extensive research has been carried out.

Harry W Jones↗

NASA NTRS1993

The natural thermoluminescence of meteorites. VI - Carbon-14, thermoluminescence and the terrestrial ages of meteorites

A relationship is noted between the natural thermoluminescence (TL) levels and the C-14-derived terrestrial ages for meteorite finds from the U.S. Prairie States and Roosevelt County, NM; those in the Sahara are also in accord with calculated TL decay curves, for 'storage' temperatures equal to the approximate average annual temperatures at individual sites. This discussion is limited to the empirical correspondence between the two methodologies, and to theoretical decay curves for a single 'average' ordinary chondrite.

Benoit, P. H.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Electrochemical Recycling of CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a molecule that plays multiple roles in our universe. Currently, its impact on global warming has rightfully given CO2 a label as a harmful waste product that must be amply handled. Nonetheless, under other circumstances, and from other perspectives, CO2 could be regarded as a valuable resource. As example, in nature CO2 is an essential building block in photosynthesis ultimately yielding molecules and materials that we harvest for numerous applications ranging from energy storage and construction to medicines and food. In a similar manner, there is a growing interest to utilize atmospheric CO2 to generate renewable fuels and platform chemicals through artificial processes. These processes can replace fossil based industrial processes on earth alleviating climate impact, but they can also find uses far away from our planet. In space, CO2 is an important source of precious oxygen, however, it can also serve as feedstock for carbon-based molecules and materials that are needed to sustain societies at distant planets such as Mars. In this presentation, I will discuss the contemporary understanding of electrochemical reduction of CO2 for selective production of desired molecules. We will zoom in to the very atomic scale to gain mechanistic understanding of how the structure and composition of the cathode electrode affects product distributions. This information is used as guide in the design of new materials that convert CO2 more efficiently and more selectively. On this basis, opportunities for recycling CO2 under different conditions will be discussed, as will remaining challenges for the ultimate application towards the sustainable human living on earth and in space.

electrochemistry↗

NASA NTRS2009

Lunar Base Life Support Failures

Dynamic simulation of the lunar outpost habitat life support was undertaken to investigate the impact of life support failures and to investigate responses. Some preparatory static analysis for the Lunar Outpost life support model, an earlier version of the model, and an investigation into the impact of Extravehicular Activity (EVA) were reported previously. (Jones, 2008-01-2184, 2008-01-2017) The earlier model was modified to include possible resupply delays, power failures, recycling system failures, and atmosphere and other material storage failures. Most failures impact the lunar outpost water balance and can be mitigated by reducing water usage. Food solids, nitrogen can be obtained only by resupply from Earth. The most time urgent failure is a lass of carbon dioxide removal capability. Life support failures might be survivable if effective operational solutions are provided in the system design.

Jones, Harry W.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Polymer Composite Material Screening for a Cryotank Application

Composite cryotanks will play a key role in enabling the next generation of efficient aircraft. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have the benefits of reduced weight and potentially higher structural strength compared to traditional metallic fuel tanks. A material screening study was conducted to inform material selection for liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel storage. Three composite materials were considered because of their aerospace grade toughness, strength, and existing data to compare against. These materials were a thermoplastic low-melt polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK)/carbon fiber (CF), thermoset/CF, and hybrid thermoset/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) veil/CF composite. Mechanical screening tests included tension, compression, in-plane shear (IPS), and tensile-tensile fatigue (TTF). Each material was tested at both a baseline (no liquid nitrogen/LN2 cycling) and 100 LN2-cycled conditions to determine the knockdown factor, if any, of each material when exposed to environmental loading effects in a cryotank. Results show minimal effects of the LN2-cycling compared against baseline values. The three materials behaved similarly in tension; however, the thermoplastic/CF had the highest IPS toughness. The hybrid thermoset/TPU/CF composite had the lowest IPS strength, compressive strength, and toughness. LN2-cycling had minimal effects on tensile-tensile fatigue performance of the thermoplastic/CF material. Mechanical data was captured to guide material down selection for future commercially viable hydrogen aircraft design.

Composites↗

NASA NTRS2026

Polymer Composite Material Testing for a Cryotank Application

Composite cryotanks will play a key role in enabling the next generation of efficient aircraft. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have the benefits of reduced weight and potentially higher structural strength compared to traditional metallic fuel tanks. A material screening study was conducted to inform material selection for liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel storage. Three composite materials were considered because of their aerospace grade toughness, strength, and existing data to compare against. These materials were a thermoplastic low-melt polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK)/carbon fiber (CF), thermoset/CF, and hybrid thermoset/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) veil/CF composite. Mechanical screening tests included tension, compression, in-plane shear (IPS), and tensile-tensile fatigue (TTF). Each material was tested at both a baseline (no liquid nitrogen/LN2 cycling) and 100 LN2-cycled conditions to determine the knockdown factor, if any, of each material when exposed to environmental loading effects in a cryotank. Results show minimal effects of the LN2-cycling compared against baseline values. The three materials behaved similarly in tension; however, the thermoplastic/CF had the highest IPS toughness. The hybrid thermoset/TPU/CF composite had the lowest IPS strength, compressive strength, and toughness. LN2-cycling had minimal effects on tensile-tensile fatigue performance of the thermoplastic/CF material. Mechanical data was captured to guide material down selection for future commercially viable hydrogen aircraft design. In its current state, there does not exist a consolidated, publicly available database for CFRP composite material performance data at cryogenic temperatures. The next step in this work is to test the thermoplastic and thermoset CFRP composites, as well as the neat resins, at LH2 relevant temperature (20 K) to capture this crucial material property data. These results are essential to inform cryotank design and modeling efforts. The process to start this next round of testing has begun. Planned mechanical tests include toughness (single-edge notched beam), tension (unidirectional and quasi-isotropic), thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity. Some tests will also be conducted at an intermediate temperature of 111 K relevant to liquid natural gas (LNG), another attractive fuel choice. The ultimate goal is to manufacture a sub-scale cryotank part that can pass relevant burst, fatigue, permeation, and thermal cycling tests. This work is a part of NASA’s Commercially viable Hydrogen Aircraft for Robust Growth in Efficiency (CHARGE) Project under the larger NASA Subsonic Vehicle Technologies and Tools (SVTT) Project.

composites↗

NASA NTRS1978

Gas Control System for HEAO-B

The HEAO-B Gas Control System consists of a high pressure gas storage supply together with distribution and regulation assemblies and their associated electronics for management of gas required for HEAO-B X-ray counter experiments. The Gas Control System replenishes a gas mixture (82 percent argon, 12.3 percent carbon dioxide, 5.7 percent xenon) in the counter volumes which is lost by: diffusion through controlled leakage plugs, diffusion through counter windows, and consumption resulting from periodic purges. The gas density in each counter volume is maintained constant to within 0.25 percent by comparison with a sealed reference volume. The system is fully redundant, capable of operating at atmospheric pressure as well as in a vacuum, contains interlocks which shut down gas flow in the event of either leakage or excessive pressure, and is able to shut down counter high voltage if counter pressure is abnormally low. The system is electronically controlled by ground command and self-sustaining in orbit for a period of at least one year.

Taylor, B.↗

NASA NTRS1985

BLSS: A Contribution to Future Life Support

The problem of the supply of basic life supporting ingredients was analyzed. Storage volume and launch weight of water, oxygen and food in a conventional nonregenerable life support system are directly proportional to the crew size and the length of the mission. Because of spacecraft payload limitations this requires that the carbon, or food, recycling loop, the third and final part in the life support system, be closed to further reduce logistics cost. Advanced life support systems need to be developed in which metabolic waste products are regenerated and food is produced. Biological life support systems (BLSS) satisfy the space station environmental control functions and close the food cycle. Numerous scientific space experiments were delineated, the results of which are applicable to the support of BLSS concepts. Requirements and concepts are defined and the feasibility of BLSS for space application are analyzed. The BLSS energy mass relation, and the possibilities to influence it to achieve advantages for the BLSS are determined. A program for the development of BLSS is proposed.

Skoog, A. I.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrocatalysts for oxygen electrodes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers for space applications

In most instances separate electrocatalysts are needed to promote the reduction of O2 in the fuel cell mode and to generate O2 in the energy storage-water electrolysis mode in aqueous electrochemical systems operating at low and moderate temperatures (T greater than or equal to 200 C). Interesting exceptions are the lead and bismuth ruthenate pyrochlores in alkaline electrolytes. These catalysts on high area carbon supports have high catalytic activity for both O2 reduction and generation (1,2). Rotating ring-disk electrode measurements provide evidence that the O2 reduction proceeds by a parallel four-electron pathway. The ruthenates can also be used as self-supported catalysts to avoid the problems associated with carbon oxidation, but the electrode performance so far achieved in the research at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is considerably less. At the potentials involved in the anodic mode the ruthenate pyrochlores have substantial equilibrium solubility in concentrated alkaline electrolyte. This results in the loss of catalyst into the bulk solution and a decline in catalytic activity. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation counter electrode may become contaminated with reduction products from the pyrochlores (lead, ruthenium). A possible approach to this problem is to immobilize the pyrochlore catalyst within an ionic-conducting solid polymer, which would replace the fluid electrolyte within the porous gas diffusion O2 electrode. For bulk alkaline electrolyte, an anion-exchange polymer is needed with a transference number close to unity for the Oh(-) ion. Preliminary short-term measurements with lead ruthenates using a commercially available partially-fluorinated anion-exchange membrane as an overlayer on the porous gas-fed electrode indicate lower anodic polarization and virtually unchanged cathodic polarization.

Prakash, Jai↗

NASA NTRS1989

Electrocatalysis for oxygen electrodes in fuel cells and water electrolyzers for space applications

In most instances separate electrocatalysts are needed to promote the reduction of O2 in the fuel cell mode and to generate O2 in the energy storage-water electrolysis mode in aqueous electrochemical systems operating at low and moderate temperatures (T greater than or equal to 200 C). Interesting exceptions are the lead and bismuth ruthenate pyrochlores in alkaline electrolytes. These catalysts on high area carbon supports have high catalytic activity for both O2 reduction and generation. Rotating ring-disk electrode measurements provide evidence that the O2 reduction proceeds by a parallel four-electron pathway. The ruthenates can also be used as self-supported catalysts to avoid the problems associated with carbon oxidation, but the electrode performance so far achieved in the research at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is considerably less. At the potentials involved in the anodic mode the ruthenate pyrochlores have substantial equilibrium solubility in concentrated alkaline electrolyte. This results in the loss of catalyst into the bulk solution and a decline in catalytic activity. Furthermore, the hydrogen generation counter electrode may become contaminated with reduction products from the pyrochlores (lead, ruthenium).

Prakash, Jai↗

NASA NTRS1990

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of CO-oxidation catalysts for high repetition rate CO2 TEA lasers

An extremely active class of noble metal catalysts supported on titania was developed and fabricated at Hughes for the recombination of oxygen (O2) and carbon monoxide (CO) in closed-cycle CO2 TEA lasers. The incipient wetness technique was used to impregnate titania and alumina pellets with precious metals including platinum and palladium. In particular, the addition of cerium (used as an oxygen storage promoter) produced an extremely active Pt/Ce/TiO2 catalyst. By comparison, the complementary Pt/Ce/ gamma-Al2O3 catalyst was considerably less active. In general, chloride-free catalyst precursors proved critical in obtaining an active catalyst while also providing uniform metal distributions throughout the support structure. Detailed characterization of the Pt/Ce/TiO2 catalyst demonstrated uniform dendritic crystal growth of the metals throughout the support. Electron spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) analysis was used to characterize the oxidation states of Pt, Ce and Ti. The performance of the catalysts was evaluated with an integral flow reactor system incorporating real time analysis of O2 and CO. With this system, the transient and steady-state behavior of the catalysts were evaluated. The kinetic evaluation was complemented by tests in a compact, closed-cycle Hughes CO2 TEA laser operating at a pulse repetition rate of 100 Hz with a catalyst temperature of 75 to 95 C. The Pt/Ce/TiO2 catalyst was compatible with a C(13)O(16)2 gas fill.

Moser, Thomas P.↗

NASA NTRS2026

Biobased Polybenzoxazine Derived from Furfurylamine and Piceol with Low Cure Temperature and Advanced Properties for Composite Matrices

A novel benzoxazine made from furfurylamine, paraformaldehyde, and piceol, Bz-FA-HA, is assessed for applications in fiber reinforced (FR) composites. Piceol is a biobased phenolic compound derived from the roots of Norwegian spruce trees and contains a methyl ketone group at the para position. Bz-FA-HA is a liquid at room temperature, has a viscosity of < 1 Pa.s at temperatures above 90 °C, and a Tonset of cure at 132 °C. The carbonyl is found to react with the furan ring, yielding a crosslinking reaction, when cured above 180 °C as indicated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Poly(Bz-FA-HA) has a Tg > 350 °C, attributed to the crosslinking reaction. Furthermore, the storage modulus is > 3 GPa, regardless of cure temperature. Poly(Bz-FA-HA) has a char yield at 800 °C of 65.0 % (62.3 % at 1000 °C), and a Tonset of decomposition of 357 °C in nitrogen. The resulting carbon formed during pyrolysis shrinks during the carbonization reaction and scanning electron microscopy imaging shows a cross-section with micro cracks. The high processability, advanced mechanical properties, and exceptional char yield make it a promising candidate as the matrix for FR composites.

Benzoxazine↗

NASA NTRS1976

Evaluation of a spacecraft nitrogen generator

A method is discussed of generating nitrogen for cabin leakage makeup aboard space vehicles having longer duration missions. The nitrogen generation concept is based on using liquid hydrazine as the stored form of nitrogen to reduce the higher tankage and expendables weight associated with high pressure gaseous or cryogenic liquid nitrogen storage. The hydrazine is catalytically dissociated to yield a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. The nitrogen/hydrogen mixture is then separated to yield the makeup nitrogen. The excess supply of hydrogen would be available for use in the reduction of metabolic carbon dioxide. A detailed comparison was completed of Palladium/Silver and Polymer Electrochemical-based Nitrogen Generation Systems. The palladium/silver-based system was judged better than the Polymer Electrochemical Nitrogen Generation System because of lower expendable weight and palladium/silver nitrogen/hydrogen separation represents 'off-the-shelf' technology.

Marshall, R. D.↗

NASA NTRS2013

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2013

Topics include: Test Waveform Applications for JPL STRS Operating Environment; Pneumatic Proboscis Heat-Flow Probe; Method to Measure Total Noise Temperature of a Wireless Receiver During Operation; Cursor Control Device Test Battery; Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signals Measure Neuronal Activity in the Cortex; ESD Test Apparatus for Soldering Irons; FPGA-Based X-Ray Detection and Measurement for an X-Ray Polarimeter; Sequential Probability Ratio Test for Spacecraft Collision Avoidance Maneuver Decisions; Silicon/Carbon Nanotube Photocathode for Splitting Water; Advanced Materials and Fabrication Techniques for the Orion Attitude Control Motor; Flight Hardware Packaging Design for Stringent EMC Radiated Emission Requirements; RF Reference Switch for Spaceflight Radiometer Calibration; An Offload NIC for NASA, NLR, and Grid Computing; Multi-Scale CNT-Based Reinforcing Polymer Matrix Composites for Lightweight Structures; Ceramic Adhesive and Methods for On-Orbit Repair of Re-Entry Vehicles; Self-Healing Nanocomposites for Reusable Composite Cryotanks; Pt-Ni and Pt-Co Catalyst Synthesis Route for Fuel Cell Applications; Aerogel-Based Multilayer Insulation with Micrometeoroid Protection; Manufacturing of Nanocomposite Carbon Fibers and Composite Cylinders; Optimized Radiator Geometries for Hot Lunar Thermal Environments; A Mission Concept: Re-Entry Hopper-Aero-Space-Craft System on-Mars (REARM-Mars); New Class of Flow Batteries for Terrestrial and Aerospace Energy Storage Applications; Reliability of CCGA 1152 and CCGA 1272 Interconnect Packages for Extreme Thermal Environments; Using a Blender to Assess the Microbial Density of Encapsulated Organisms; Mixed Integer Programming and Heuristic Scheduling for Space Communication; Video Altimeter and Obstruction Detector for an Aircraft; Control Software for Piezo Stepping Actuators; Galactic Cosmic Ray Event-Based Risk Model (GERM) Code; Sasquatch Footprint Tool; and Multi-User Space Link Extension (SLE) System.

Source record↗