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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Direct Air Capture Using Aqueous Amino Acid Solvents in a Crossflow Absorber

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is the most abundant of all greenhouse gases (GHGs). CO 2 levels in the atmosphere are 50% higher than in the preindustrial era, trapping heat. CO 2 removal from the atmosphere by direct air capture (DAC) is needed to achieve the internationally agreed global temperature goals. The most common CO 2 capture technology is absorption by aminebased solvents in packed columns. Amino acid solutions have recently gained attention due to their advantages over traditional amine solvents. To be implemented effectively, DAC industrial processes need to handle large airflow rates in separation absorbers. The large air and solvent flow rates preclude the use of countercurrent columns due to high-pressure drops and the occurrence of flooding. Crossflow air−liquid absorbers are used to handle large air and liquid volumes due to their lower-pressure drop. The objective of this work is to study the influence of crossflow absorber geometric parameters and operating conditions on product formation and process efficiency. An already derived theoretical model for countercurrent absorbers has been modified to simulate the operation of a crossflow DAC absorber. The predictive model was implemented into a computer code that was used to study the efficiency of the processes as geometric equipment dimensions and operating parameters vary. Practical suggestions are made to design more efficient DAC processes.

Absorption↗
NASA NTRS2024

Enantioselective Three-Dimensional High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Amino Acids in the Hayabusa2 Returned Samples from the Asteroid Ryugu

The chirality of amino acids in extraterrestrial materials may provide an insight into the origin of the essential L-enantiopure amino acids in the terrestrial biosphere. In 2020, the Hayabusa2 mission succeeded in bringing back surface materials from the C-type asteroid (162173) Ryugu to the Earth. Amino acids were one of the targeted organic molecules to be studied in the Ryugu samples. To analyze the various structural isomers of amino acids, which were expected to be present, from the limited amount of the returned samples, the development of a highly-sensitive and selective analytical method was necessary. In the present study, a three-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (3D-HPLC) system has been developed for the enantioselective determination of five proteinogenic and three non-proteinogenic amino acids in the Ryugu samples, in which amino acids in the sample were separated by reversed-phase, anion-exchange and enantioselective columns after the fluorescence derivatization with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiozole. The applicability of the analytical system to the extraterrestrial samples was evaluated by analyzing several types of carbonaceous meteorites before applying the system to the Ryugu samples. In the analysis of the Ryugu samples, all of the target amino acids were successfully determined quantitatively. Non-proteinogenic amino acids including 2-amino-n-butyric acid, isovaline and norvaline, rarely present in the terrestrial environment, were found as almost racemic mixtures with 47.1 to 55.2%L.

Amino acids↗
NASA NTRS1977

Analysis of results of ASTP experiment in electrophoresis

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) included an electrophoretic separation experiment of biological cells. The nature separation results of aldehyde-fixed rabbit, human and horse red blood cells, which were taken in the form of photographs taken at three-minute intervals, are the subject of this report. The electrophoretic separation was successful in that fractionation according to mobility did occur and was found in the sliced samples. Photographic evidence indicates that the low electroosmotic methylcellulose coating was successful in reducing the electroosmosis to a near zero value. Also, the flight film shows that the bands migrated down the column as theory would predict, producing two bands of high cell concentration separated and surrounded by regions of lower cell concentration. However, most likely some clumping of cells occurred to cause the trailing band to be larger than expected from theory. Overall, the experiment was a success in demonstrating a static electrophoresis separation under microgravity conditions with a resolution not possible on earth.

Vanderhoff, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Adsorption/Desorption in Packed Sorption Beds Under Ideal and Non-Ideal Flows

The importance of the wall effect on packed beds in the adsorption and desorption of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water on molecular sieve 5A of 0.127 cm in radius is examined experimentally and with one-dimensional computer simulations. Experimental results are presented for a 22.5-cm long by 4.5-cm diameter cylindrical column with concentration measurements taken at various radial locations. The set of partial differential equations are solved using finite differences and Newman's method. Comparison of test data with the axial-dispersed, non-isothermal, linear driving force model suggests that a two-dimensional model (submitted to Separation Science and Technology) is required for accurate simulation of the average column breakthrough concentration. Additional comparisons of test data with the model provided information on the interactive effects of carrier gas coadsorption with CO2, as well as CO2-H2O interactions.

Mohamadinejad, H.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Simulated Moving Bed Process for CO 2 Capture from Humid Postcombustion Flue Gases Using MUF-16

Simulated moving bed (SMB) designs are increasingly being adapted for the separation of multicomponent gaseous mixtures. In this work, we develop a modified SMB process for capturing CO 2 from humid postcombustion flue gas using MUF-16 (MUF = Massey University Framework). MUF-16 shows excellent selectivity for CO 2 over N 2 , moderate heats of adsorption for CO 2 and H 2 O, and no competitive sorption of CO 2 over water at relative humidities relevant to postcombustion capture. We utilize these characteristics to propose a continuous process that uses N 2 from the feed as the desorbent for the water, eliminating the need for a separate desiccant bed and allowing for localized heating during desorption for H 2 O-saturated MOF beds. Single-component isotherms, single-column breakthrough experiments, and SO 2 stability tests suggest the excellent suitability of MUF-16 to this separation via the proposed SMB design.

CO2 capture from humid flue gas↗
DOE OSTI2022

Additively manufactured cryogenic microchannel distillation device for air separation

Abstract The efficiency of air separation is tested using three different small‐scale cryogenic distillation columns. The performance of a random packed column is compared to the performance of two microchannel distillation (MCD) columns that use thin wicking structures and gas flow channels to achieve process intensification. The MCD columns tested include a plate‐type layered column and an additively manufactured porous honeycomb (AMPH) column. For columns with 25.4 cm of active height and run under similar conditions, the packed, plate‐type layering, and AMPH columns achieved approximate height equivalent of a theoretical plate (HETP) values of 5.5, 3.7, and 3.2 cm for nitrogen, and 5.9, 4.9, and 3.3 cm for argon. The AMPH column can produce up to 0.4 SLM of more than 90% purity oxygen with 12 W of cooling lift. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using additive manufacturing to construct MCD devices and pave a way for constructing novel MCD designs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Iron-modified biochar-based bilayer permeable reactive barrier for Cr(VI) removal

In this study, iron (Fe)-modified biochar (FeBC) has been developed to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from groundwater and is suitable for use in permeable reactive barriers (PRBs). However, Cr(VI) removal behavior and chemical processes in FeBC-based PRBs are not fully understood, and the potential for Fe release has not been addressed. In this study, three FeBC-based PRBs were assessed in column experiments for 563 days with respect to their ability to remove Cr(VI). Bilayer column filled with FeBC+limestone and BC+limestone in two separate layers (FeBC_Ca_BC) showed the best performance in terms of Cr(VI) removal with a low treatment cost. The corrosion of FeBC was mainly related to pH and Cr(VI) concentration rather than flow rate. Leached Fe was attenuated by BC and limestone and reutilized in FeBC_Ca_BC. Cr(VI) was reduced to Cr(III) and then adsorbed or precipitated on the biochars. Cr and Fe formed inner-sphere complexes and then transformed from double corner sharing to edge sharing. During the reaction, Cr penetrated from the surface to the interior of the biochars and became a more stable species. This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of a new combination of biochars for Cr(VI) removal and insights into the reaction mechanisms.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Selective recovery of rare earth elements with ligand-functionalized polymers in fixed-bed adsorption columns

Rare earth elements (REE) are a group of valuable metals with growing demand and broad applications. Mineral ores, the traditional sources of REE, require significant capital investment and their refinement has been a source of environmental contamination. Industrial fluids and natural REE-bearing liquids are potential alternative sources for these metals. This work investigated the performance and REE selectivity of polymer resin beads functionalized with N,N-bis(phosponomethyl)glycine (BPG) for extraction of REE from saline solutions in fixed-bed adsorption columns. Competitive batch adsorption experiments were conducted with various metals (Nd, Gd, Ho, Al, Fe, Co, Ni, Ba, Pb, Th, and U) and the BPG-functionalized resins were up to 137 times more selective for REE than aminated resins. In column experiments, the BPG-functionalized resins preferentially adsorbed heavier metals and REE were strongly retained in the functionalized column, taking 270 times longer than the amine column to reach 10% breakthrough and 128 times longer to reach 50% breakthrough. REE bound to the BPG-functionalized resins were recovered with a dilute HNO3 solution, yielding REE concentrations up to 236 times higher than the influent feedstock. This work provides new insight into the operational performance of novel functionalized adsorbents for recovery of REE from saline fluids.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Raw tensiometer soil matric potential data, from Oct 2017-Jun 2020 in Manaus, Brazil

This data package contains raw output from two Campbell Scientific CR1000 data loggers each connected to three UMS T4e tensiometer sensors in Manaus, Brazil. Tensiometers at each data logger location were installed to depths of 10 cm, 20 cm and 50 cm below the ground surface for the purpose of measuring soil matric potential at each depth. “Station 3” tensiometers were installed at approximately 2°36'31.68"S, 60°12'34.70"W. “Station 4” tensiometers were installed at approximately 2°36'32.46"S, 60°12'34.92"W. The files “tensio3.edit.202109.csv” and “tensio4.edit.202109.csv” contain raw data (with invalid data removed). A text editor will be required to view the raw files in .csv (comma-separated values) format. Data processing was limited to: 1) Editing column headers for clarity; 2) Applying a correction that converts voltage read by the data loggers to pressure units (kPa); 3) removing all data greater than 50 kPa and less than -115 kPa; 4) Adding columns entitled “Caution.10cm”, “Caution.20cm” and “Caution.50cm” that contains values of either “NA” or “Caution”, the latter of which is applied when data exceeds the manufacturer reported data validity range of less than -85 kPa to suggest use of these data with caution; 5) Adding columns entitled “Invalid.10cm”, “Invalid.20cm”, and “Invalid.50cm” that contains values of either “NA” or “Invalid”, the latter of which is applied when data accuracy is deemed compromised due to the introduction of air bubbles into the instrument. Data marked “Invalid” may still indicate general trends of wet/high matric potential and dry/low matric potential, but values are inaccurate and dry/low matric potential values are likely not low enough. Wet/high matric potential values are likely to be more accurate than dry/low matric potential values; 6) Data format changed from .dat to .csv. This research was performed as a part of the NGEE Tropics project, which aims to advance model predictions of tropical forest carbon cycle responses to a changing climate over the 21st Century.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1982

The relationship between carbon monoxide abundance and visual extinction in interstellar clouds

Carbon monoxide column densities are compared to visual extinctions toward field stars in the rho Oph and Taurus molecular cloud complexes. The relationship of C(0-18) column density to extinction is established, and new determinations for (C-13)O column densities are given for a range of visual extinctions extended to beyond 20 mag. A prescription for determining hydrogen column densities and masses of molecular clouds from observations of CO isotopes is presented and discussed critically. These measurements agree well with the predictions of gas phase chemistry models which include chemical fractionation and selective isotopic photodestruction. The functional dependence of the C(O-18) column density on extinction is characterized by two different regimes separated by a distinct transition observed to occur at 4 mag in both molecular cloud complexes, whereas the functional dependence of (C-13)O is quite different in the two regions. Some saturation is found to occur for C(O-18) emission at high visual extinction and use the rarer isotopic species C(O-17) and (C-13)(O-18) to correct for it.

Frerking, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Experimental feasibility of the airborne measurement of absolute oil fluorescence spectral conversion efficiency

Airborne lidar oil spill experiments carried out to determine the practicability of the AOFSCE (absolute oil fluorescence spectral conversion efficiency) computational model are described. The results reveal that the model is suitable over a considerable range of oil film thicknesses provided the fluorescence efficiency of the oil does not approach the minimum detection sensitivity limitations of the lidar system. Separate airborne lidar experiments to demonstrate measurement of the water column Raman conversion efficiency are also conducted to ascertain the ultimate feasibility of converting such relative oil fluorescence to absolute values. Whereas the AOFSCE model is seen as highly promising, further airborne water column Raman conversion efficiency experiments with improved temporal or depth-resolved waveform calibration and software deconvolution techniques are thought necessary for a final determination of suitability.

Hoge, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Major determinants of the biogeographic pattern of the shallow-sea fauna

The benthic shallow-sea is defined as the region of sea floor lying between the supralittoral zone at the shoreline and the impingement of the thermocline separating a warm shallow and variable portion of the water column from rather homogeneous and constant cooler waters beneath. Three types of shallow-sea provinces can be recognized: (1) one-dimensional, linear shelves; (2) two-dimensional shelves; and (3) scattered islands in two-dimensional arrays. Dispersal powers of marine invertebrates vary with developmental mode, and patterns of dispersal, endemism and speciation vary among the different provincial types. Invertebrate developmental modes vary systematically with geography, and presumably are adaptive to environmental conditions. Clades with only a single mode of development tend to be restricted to regions appropriate to that mode, significantly affecting their biogeographic patterns. The consequences of geographic and other environmental changes are reviewed.

Valentine, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interstellar absorption along the line of sight to Sigma Scorpii using Copernicus observations

From Copernicus observations of Sigma Sco, 57 individual lines of 11 elements plus the molecular species H2 and CO were identified. By using a profile-fitting technique, rather than curves of growth, it was possible to obtain column densities and Doppler b values for up to four separate components along this line of sight. Electron density in the major H I component was derived from the photoionization equilibrium of sulfur, obtaining, n(e) of about 0.3/cu cm. The neutral hydrogen density in the same component was also derived using fine-structure excitation of O I. An H II component is also present in which the electron density was n(e) about 20/cu cm. As a by-product of this analysis, previously undetermined oscillator strengths for two Mn II lines were obtained: for 1162.-017 A, f about 0.023 and for 1164.211 A, f about 0.0086.

Allen, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The chromospheric structure of the cool giant star g Herculis

Non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) calculations of semiempirical chromospheric models are presented for 30 g Her (M6 III). This star is one of the coolest (T(sub eff) = 3250 K) SRb (semiregular) variable stars and has a mass perhaps as great as 4 solar mass. Chromospheric features we have observed in its spectrum include Mg II h and k; C II) UV0.01, which is sensitive to electron density; Mg I lambda 2852; Ca II H, K, and IRT; Ca I lambda 4227 and lambda 6573; Al II) UV 1; and H alpha. We pay special attention to fitting the C II intersystem lines and the Mg II resonance lines but use all the other features as constraints to some extent. The equations of radiative transfer and statistical equilibrium are solved self-consistently for H I, H(-), H2, He I, C I, C II, Na I, Mg I, Mg II, Al I, Al II, Ca I, and Ca II with the equivalent two-level technique. To simplify these calculations, a one-dimensional hydrostatic, plane-parallel atmosphere is assumed. We investigate 10 separate 'classical' chromospheric models, differing most importantly in total mass column density above the temperature minimum. Synthetic spectra from these models fit some but not all of the observations. These comparisons are discussed in detail. However, we find that no single-component classical model in hydrostatic equilibrium is able to reproduce both the Mg II line profiles and the relative strengths of the CII) lines. In all these models, chromospheric emission features are formed relatively close to the star (approximately less than 0.05 R(sub *). The circumstellar environment has a thick, cool component overlying the Mg II emission region, which is relatively static and very turbulent. Finally, we find that thermalization in the Mg II h and k lines in the coolest giant stars is controlled by continuum absorption from Ca I 4p 4p3 P0 bound-free opacity and not collisional de-excitation as is the case for warmer K giants.

Luttermoser, Donald G.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Microgravity Compatible Reagentless Instrumentation for Detection of Dissolved Organic Acids and Alcohols in Potable Water

The Organic Acid and Alcohol Monitor (OAAM) program has resulted in the successful development of a computer controlled prototype analyzer capable of accurately determining aqueous organic acids and primary alcohol concentrations over a large dynamic range with high sensitivity. Formic, acetic, and propionic acid were accurately determined at concentrations as low as 5 to 10 micrograms/L in under 20 minutes, or as high as 10 to 20 mg/L in under 30 minutes. Methanol, ethanol, and propanol were determined at concentrations as low as 20 to 100 micrograms/L, or as high as 10 mg/L in under 30 minutes. Importantly for space based application, the OAAM requires no reagents or hazardous chemicals to perform these analyses needing only power, water, and CO2 free purge gas. The OAAM utilized two membrane processes to segregate organic acids from interfering ions. The organic acid concentration was then determined based upon the conductiometric signal. Separation of individual organic acids was accomplished using a chromatographic column. Alcohols are determined in a similar manner after conversion to organic acids by sequential biocatalytic and catalytic oxidation steps. The OAAM was designed to allow the early diagnosis of under performing or failing sub-systems within the Water Recovery System (WRS) baselined for the International Space Station (ISS). To achieve this goal, several new technologies were developed over the course of the OAAM program.

Akse, James R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Novel long-chain anteiso-alkanes and anteiso-alkanoic acids in Antarctic rocks colonized by living and fossil cryptoendolithic microorganisms

Saponified extracts of rock samples colonized by cryptoendolithic microbial communities from the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, were separated into hydrocarbon and fatty acid fractions by silica gel column chromatography. Hydrocarbons and methyl esters of fatty acids were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Unusually, a suite of long-chain anteiso-alkanes (a-C20 to a-C30) and anteiso-alkanoic acids (a-C20 to a-C30) were detected in many samples, together with straight-chain, branched and/or cyclic and acyclic isoprenoid compounds. These novel compounds are probably derived from unidentified heterotrophic bacteria or symbiotic processes in a unique microbial community in the Antarctic cold desert and suggest the occurrence of a special biosynthetic pathway. Long-chain anteiso-alkanes are probably formed through microbial decarboxylation of corresponding anteiso-alkanoic acids. They may serve as new biomarkers in environmental and geochemical studies.

NASA Program Exobiology↗
DOE OSTI2022

System and process for purification of astatine-211 from target materials

A new column-based purification system and approach are described for rapid separation and purification of the alpha-emitting therapeutic radioisotope 211At from dissolved cyclotron targets that provide highly reproducible product results with excellent 211At species distributions and high antibody labeling yields compared with prior art manual extraction results of the prior art that can be expected to enable enhanced production of purified 211At isotope products suitable for therapeutic medical applications such as treatment of cancer in human patients.

O'Hara, Matthew J.↗
DOE OSTI2023

System and process for purification of Astatine-211 from target materials

A new column-based purification system and approach are described for rapid separation and purification of the alpha-emitting therapeutic radioisotope 211 At from dissolved cyclotron targets that provide highly reproducible product results with excellent 211 At species distributions and high antibody labeling yields compared with prior art manual extraction results of the prior art that can be expected to enable enhanced production of purified 211 At isotope products suitable for therapeutic medical applications such as treatment of cancer in human patients.

O'Hara, Matthew J.↗