Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “reaction processing”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16

Detailed mechanism of toluene oxidation and comparison with benzene

A detailed mechanism for the oxidation of toluene in both argon and nitrogen dilutents is presented. The mechanism was used to compute experimentally ignition delay times for shock-heated toluene-oxygen-argon mixtures with resonably good success over a wide range of initial temperatures and pressures. Attempts to compute experimentally measured concentration profiles for toluene oxidation in a turbulent reactor were partially successful. An extensive sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the reactions which control the ignition process and the rates of formation and destruction of various species. The most important step was found to be the reaction of toluene with molecular oxygen, followed by the reactions of hydroperoxyl and atomic oxygen with benzyl radicals. These findings contrast with the benzene oxidation, where the benzene-molecular oxygen reaction is quite unimportant and the reaction of phenyl with molecular oxygen dominates. In the toluene mechanism the corresponding reaction of benzyl radicals with oxygen is unimportant. Two reactions which are important in the oxidation of benzene also influence the oxidation of toluene for several conditions. These are the oxidations of phenyl and cyclopentadienyl radicals by molecular oxygen. The mechanism presented successfully computes the decrease of toluene concentration with time in the nitrogen diluted turbulent reactor. This fact, in addition to the good prediction of ignition delay times, shows that this mechanism can be used for modeling the ignition and combustion process in practical, well-mixed combustion systems.

Bittker, David A.↗

Nucleosynthesis.

Nucleosynthesis in stars including light element reactions, helium and carbon burning, neutrino processes, etc

NUCLEOSYNTHESIS↗

Automatic instrument for chemical processing to detect microorganism in biological samples by measuring light reactions

An automated apparatus is reported for sequentially assaying urine samples for the presence of bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that comprises a rotary table which carries a plurality of sample containing vials and automatically dispenses fluid reagents into the vials preparatory to injecting a light producing luciferase-luciferin mixture into the samples. The device automatically measures the light produced in each urine sample by a bioluminescence reaction of the free bacterial adenosine triphosphate with the luciferase-luciferin mixture. The light measured is proportional to the concentration of bacterial adenosine triphosphate which, in turn, is proportional to the number of bacteria present in the respective urine sample.

Kelbaugh, B. N.↗

Laboratory simulation of organic geochemical processes.

Discussion of laboratory simulations that are important to organic geochemistry in that they provide direct evidence relating to geochemical cycles involving carbon. Reviewed processes and experiments include reactions occurring in the geosphere, particularly, short-term diagenesis of biolipids and organochlorine pesticides in estuarine muds, as well as maturation of organic matter in ancient sediments.

Eglinton, G.↗

Chemistry in interstellar space

The particular characteristics of chemistry in interstellar space are determined by the unique environmental conditions involved. Interstellar matter is present at extremely low densities. Large deviations from thermodynamic equilibrium are, therefore, to be expected. A relatively intense ultraviolet radiation is present in many regions. The temperatures are in the range from 5 to 200 K. Data concerning the inhibiting effect of small activation energies in interstellar clouds are presented in a table. A summary of measured activation energies or barrier heights for exothermic exchange reactions is also provided. Problems of molecule formation are discussed, taking into account gas phase reactions and surface catalyzed processes.

Donn, B.↗

Relativistic astrophysics

The design, experimental testing, and calibration (error analysis) of a high resolution Cerenkov-scintillation detector is presented. The detector is capable of detecting iron isotopes and heavy ions of cosmic rays, and of performing direct measurements of individual neighboring isotopes at charge resolution 26. It utilizes Lexan (trademark) sheets, and has been used in flight packages of balloons and on the Skylab. The detector will be able to provide more information on violet astrophysical processes, such as thermonuclear reactions on neutron stars. Ground support and display equipment which are to be used in conjunction with the detector are also discussed.

Price, P. B.↗

Proton and deuteron double differential cross sections at angles from 10 deg to 60 deg from Be, C, Al, Fe, Cu, Ge, W, and Pb under 558-MeV-proton irradiation

The double differential cross sections for the production of protons and deuterons from targets of Be, C, Al, Fe, Cu, Ge, W, and Pb were obtained at laboratory angles of scatter of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 degrees for 558-MeV incident protons. The position of the quasi-elastic peak, discernible in the cross sections up to approximately 40 degrees, corresponded closely to the theoretical predictions for proton-proton elastic scattering at 558 MeV. The mean ratio of deuteron to proton energy-integrated cross sections was 0.056 + or - 0.008. The dependence of energy-integrated cross sections for both protons and deuterons on target mass number A varied from A to the 1/3 power at 10 degrees to A to the 2/3 power above approximately 30 degrees. The ratio of energy-integrated deuteron cross sections for quasielastic processes to that for reactions yielding a deuteron-pi-meson pair was approximately 10 percent.

Beck, S. M.↗

The impact of chlorofluoromethane and NO/x/ injections on stratospheric ozone

The chlorofluoromethane problem and the SST problem have been subject to continuing evaluation by the use of one-dimensional stratospheric photochemistry models. The problems to some extent appear to be inversely related to one another through hydroxyl radical reactions; in other words, processes which tend to increase the amount of OH in a model tend to increase the sensitivity of the ozone column to ClX perturbations, while at the same time decreasing the sensitivity to NO(x) perturbations. Evaluations of sensitivity to ClX and NO(x) have varied as new input information has become available and modeling techniques have improved. It is clear that either NO(x) or ClX, or both, will affect the distribution of ozone with altitude.

Stolarski, R. S.↗

Sintered reaction bonded Si3N4 for the AGT 101 turbine rotor

The sintered reaction reaction bonded Si3N4 (SRBSN) process, with Y2O3 as a sintering aid, was selected for the fabrication of the AGT 101 turbine rotor. Experiments to determine the optimum Y2O3 composition of this system are discussed. The room temperature strength of the optimum material (RM-1) exceeds 700 MPa while the 1200 C strength exceeds 550 MPa. The slip casting fabrication technique employed for the AGT 101 simulated rotor is described. Rotors have been cast, nitrided and sintered. Densities exceeding 97% of theoretical (3.26 g/cc) have been obtained. Problems relating to sintering reproducibility, and the overall quality of the simulated rotors have been identified.

Mangels, J. A.↗

Sulfide and sulfate saturation in hydrous silicate melts

A series of hydrothermal experiments was performed over a wide range of pressures, temperatures, oxygen fugacities, and melt FeO content, in order to examine the effects of physical changes on sulfur solubility in fractionated hydrous silicate melts. On the basis of the experimental results, it is concluded that upper crustal oxidation-reduction reactions and crystal fractionation processes may exert considerable influence on the amount of sulfur contained in magmas erupted at the surface. The application of the experimental results to investigations of volatile transport and volcanic degassing processes on the earth, Venus, and Mars is discussed

Carroll, M. R.↗

Iron impurities in Si3N4 processing

The atomic environment of iron impurities is investigated during the processing cycle of reaction-bonding silicon nitride (RBSN). Several analysis techniques are utilized, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and electron spin resonance (ESR), to examine iron impurities in the starting silicon powder, in sintered silicon compacts, and in RBSN materials. Results indicate that iron impurities in as-received metallurgical grade silicon powder are incorporated in the silicon bulk as a highly distorted FeSi2 compound. No surface iron or iron-based particulate is observed in the starting material. Upon sintering, the iron environment becomes an ordered FeSi2 structure. In the RBNS material, the FeSi2 structure is again distorted, as observed by both EXAFS and ESR.

Bouldin, C. E.↗

Chlorine in dense interstellar clouds - The abundance of HCl in OMC-1

The first detection of a chlorine-bearing molecular species in the interstellar medium via emission from the J = 1-0 transition of HCl at 625.9 GHz toward OMC-1 is reported. The relative strengths, widths, and velocities of the resolved hyperfine components are consistent with moderate optical depth emission originating from dense, quiescent molecular cloud material. The overall emission strength implies a fractional abundance of f(HCl/H2) of about (0.5-5.0) x 10 to the -8th, depending on the density of the emitting region. This is approximately an order of magnitude below previous theoretical estimates and a factor of 3-30 below the cosmic abundance of Cl. Recent laboratory work suggests that the lowered fractional abundance of HCl is caused by a combination of depletion onto grains with gas-phase loss processes such as the reaction of HCl with C(+).

Blake, G. A.↗

Propagation of detonations in hydrazine vapor

In the range of greater hydrazine vapor pressure, detonation speed depends exclusively on the extent of the ammonia decomposition in the second reaction stage. As vapor pressure decreases, the ammonia disintegration speed becomes increasingly slower and the reaction reached in the reaction zone increasingly decreases until finally, in the vapor pressure range between 53 and 16 Torr, the contribution of the second stage to detonation propagation disappears, and only the first stage remains active. Since the disintegration speed of the hydrazine in this pressure range has decreased markedly as well, no level, but rather only spinning, detonations occur. Temporary separations of the impact front and the reaction zone in the process lead to fluctuations of the detonation speed.

Heinrich, H. J.↗

Test results of JPL LiSOCl sub 2 cells

In the development of high rate Li-SO-Cl2 cells for various applications, the goal is to achieve 300 watt-hours per kilogram at the C/2 (5 amp) rate in a D cell configuration. The JPL role is to develop the understanding of the performance, life, and safety limiting characteristics in the cell and to transfer the technology to a manufacturer to produce a safe, high quality product in a reproducible manner. The approach taken to achieve the goals is divided into four subject areas: cathode processes and characteristics; chemical reactions and safety; cell design and assembly; and performance and abuse testing. The progress made in each of these areas is discussed.

Halpert, G.↗

Toxicological safeguards in the manned Mars missions

Safeguards against toxic chemical exposures during manned Mars missions (MMMs) will be important for the maintenance of crew health and the accomplishment of mission objectives. Potential sources include offgassing, thermodegradation or combustion of materials, metabolic products of crew members, and escape of chemical from containment. Spacecraft maximum allowable concentration (SMAC) limits will have to be established for potential contaminants during the MMMs. The following factors will be used in establishing these limits: duration of mission, simultaneous exposure to other contaminants, deconditioning of crew members after long periods of reduced gravity, and simultaneous exposure to ionizing radiation. Atmospheric contaminant levels in all compartments of the transit spacecraft and Manned Mars Station (MMS) will be monitored at frequent intervals with a real time analyzer. This analyzer will be highly automated, requiring minimal crew time and expertise. The atmospheric analyzer will find other usages during the MMMs such as analyzing Martian atmospheres and soils, exhaled breath and body fluids of crew members, and reaction products in chemical processing facilities.

Coleman, Martin E.↗

Oxidation state in chondrites

An evaluation is made of extant data on chondrite oxidation states and intrinsic O fugacities. A variety of oxidation states are exhibited by the chondritic meteorites; petrologic and chemical data may be used to arrange the major chondrite groups in order of oxidation state. The intrinsic O fugacity measurements on chondrite whole-rock samples are noted to display a corresponding ordering of oxidation states. Metamorphosed chondrites and igneous meteorites that were substantially altered by metamorphic reactions, outgassing, and igneous processes may preserve information on the oxidation state and size of their parent bodies.

Rubin, Alan E.↗

Processing and properties of SiC whisker- and particulate-reinforced reaction bonded Si3N4

The microstructure and mechanical properties of reaction bonded Si3N4 (RBSN) reinforced with SiC whiskers of particles were investigated using RBSN composites made from colloidally pressed octanol dispersions of high-purity Si powders mixed with either SiC whiskers or alpha-SiC particles. Results of investigations, revealing high conversions of Si to Si3N4, specific surface areas, and constant relative densities and strengths, showed that the uniform microstructure and small flaw size of the matrix were maintained in the composites and that no degradation of the reinforcements was taking place. Neither the monolithic nor the composite materials exhibited R-curve behavior. A modest increase in fracture toughness was observed only in the RBSN containing 33 vol pct SiC(p).

Lightfoot, A.↗

Studies of Premixed Laminar and Turbulent Flames at Microgravity

The work of the Principal Investigator (PI) has encompassed four topics related to the experimental and theoretical study of combustion limits in premixed flames at microgravity, as discussed in the following sections. These topics include: (1) radiation effects on premixed gas flames; (2) flame structure and stability at low Lewis number; (3) flame propagation and extinction is cylindrical tubes; and (4) experimental simulation of combustion processes using autocatalytic chemical reactions.

Ronney, Paul D.↗