Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “column separation”

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 325 records · Page 18

Separating Xylene Isomers with a Calcium Metal‐Organic Framework

Abstract The purification of p‐xylene (pX) from its xylene isomers represents a challenging but important industrial process. Herein, we report the efficient separation of pX from its ortho‐ and meta‐ isomers by a microporous calcium‐based metal–organic framework material (HIAM‐203) with a flexible skeleton. At 30 °C, all three isomers are accommodated but the adsorption kinetics of o‐xylene (oX) and m‐xylene (mX) are substantially slower than that of pX, and at an elevated temperature of 120 °C, oX and mX are fully excluded while pX can be adsorbed. Multicomponent column breakthrough measurements and vapor‐phase/liquid‐phase adsorption experiments have demonstrated the capability of HIAM‐203 for efficient separation of xylene isomers. Ab initio calculations have provided useful information for understanding the adsorption mechanism.

Yu, Liang↗

Investigation of porous polymer gas chromatographic packings for atmospheric analysis of extraterrestrial bodies

Measurement of the permanent gases in the atmospheres of mission targets is a major objective. A 16 meter long Porapak N column was used on the Venus probe and required a rather high carrier gas flow rate. The researchers have, therefore, surveyed commercial porous polymer types which had some ability to resolve nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon monoxide gases. Porapaks N and Q appeared superior to most. Batch to batch variation, however, was quite wide, so the researchers learned how to synthesize porous polymer and investigated some of the factors affecting the separations. A polymer was synthesized which was superior to all commercial products and allowed at least a 50% reduction in length and flow rate of carrier gas. Similar studies were made concerning the separation of hydrocarbons and new porous polymers have been synthesized which represent significant improvements in time of analysis, column, and carrier gas flow rate.

Pollock, G. E.↗

The determination of HNO3 column amounts from tunable diode laser heterodyne spectrometer spectra taken at Jungfruajoch, Switzerland

In May of 1991 a tunable diode laser heterodyne spectrometer built by the National Physical Laboratory was operated at the International Scientific Station of the Jungfraujoch (46.5 deg N, 8.0 deg E, altitude 3.56 km). Nitric acid spectra in the region of 868 wavenumbers were recorded at sunset and sunrise on two separate days at a resolution of 0.0013 wavenumbers with a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 130:1. A vertical column amount of HNO3 of 1.61 x 10(exp 16) molecules/sq cm was determined using an atmospheric transmission model developed at the University of Denver. The mean of a number of mid-latitude, northern hemisphere profiles was used as the initial profile for the inversion. A comparison of different initial profiles provides information on the sensitivity of the retrieved column amount of 1.61 x 10(exp 16) molecules/sq cm lies within the range of values published in the World Meteorological Organization Report no. 16 (1986), but is considerably larger than the value of (0.99 - 1.29) x 10(exp 16) reported by Rinsland et al. (1991) for June during the period 1986 to 1990.

Fogal, P. F.↗

Extraction of radium and actinium with Pb resin and Rose Bengal

The extraction of radium and actinium with Eichrom Pb resin and Rose Bengal has been studied. Radium and actinium both show a strong affinity (k’ > 10,000) for the resin at intermediate pHs (~ 5–7) from solutions with Rose Bengal. The pH range and magnitude of uptake for both radium and actinium is significantly increased by the presence of Rose Bengal compared to basic solutions without this counter ion. Additionally, radium uptake is extremely fast from basic solutions with and without Rose Bengal; actinium uptake is slower, particularly in solutions without Rose Bengal. Column studies show that despite the similar behavior of actinium and radium in this system, separations of these two elements with Pb resin and Rose Bengal solutions are possible with reasonable yields due to the differences in uptake kinetics.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Iodine Removal from Carbonate-Containing Alkaline Liquids Using Strong Base Resins, Hybrid Resins, and Silver Precipitation

The ability of several material types to remove aqueous iodine from a mildly alkaline, carbonate-rich nuclear waste stream was evaluated: strong base anion exchange resins (SBAR), hybrid resins, Ag-containing materials and Bi-containing hybrid resins. A combination of batch testing and flow through column testing were used in the evaluation. In batch testing, hybrid resins CHM-20, SIR-110-CE and RTBI were shown to have high efficiency for the removal of both iodide and iodate simultaneously, while Ag-containing materials and SBAR demonstrated high capacity for iodide removal. One example of each material type (CHM-20, A532E and Ionex 400) were further evaluated for their sorption isotherms and column performance. The Langmuir isotherm, or a Langmuir-Freundlich hybrid isotherm, best described the sorption of iodide to the CHM-20 hybrid resin and Purolite A532E. The Freundlich isotherm best described the uptake of iodate to CHM-20 and A532E and for both iodide and iodate to the Ag-containing Ionex-400. In column testing the Purolite A532E had exceptional performance for overall iodide removal. With the capacity demonstrated the A532E resin would exceed Class C waste classification before breakthrough initiated, and column change outs in processing would be dictated by eventual waste classification, not breakthrough. The Ionex 400, a Ag-zeolite, was observed to degrade over time in the column in the mild alkaline conditions whereas the hybrid CHM-20 was limited in the single pass through design and would be best suited for applications where iodide and iodate are present and recirculation of the column effluent is feasible. Here this work highlights the feasibility of commercially available materials to separate radioiodine from liquid environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sensitivity Analysis of Drivers Water Shortage in the Los Angeles Region During Drought

The code and detailed step-by-step instructions for generating the model output data, processing results, and analysis and plotting are provided at https://github.com/IMMM-SFA/Ferencz_et_al_2026_ER_Water. The PyArtes model is a python adaptation of the Artes model. PyArtes uses many of the same input data and optimization model architecture as Artes. Documentation for the PyArtes model is provided in the Supplement to the paper. The primary data product are simulated monthly water shortages for indoor and outdoor demand under a large ensemble of drought scenarios (>13,000). The droughts are hypothetical and are not based on historical time series data of supply sources - though historical data did help inform ranges explored for supply parameters. Demands are informed by recent 2017-2021 water supply data. Demands used for the model can be accessed at https://github.com/IMMM-SFA/Ferencz_et_al_2026_ER_Water. Simulations resolve demand for over 90 water providers in the study region. The results report 36 months of water shortage data for each indoor and outdoor demand node. The study also developed a multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network trained on a subset of the simulated shortage ensemble to emulate worst annual water shortage for a given set of parameter multipliers -- provided the parameter values fall within the ranges sampled in the ensemble. Emulated water shortages for synthetic ensembles are in the MLP-generated shortages folder. The MLP model was used to generate larger ensembles to support Sobol analysis that would have been extremely computationally expensive to simulate. Datasets provided in this repository*: Simulated shortages. These results are used for the analysis for Figures 5, 8, and 9 in the paper, and also to train the MLP emulator. .zip file containing outputs for the 13,312 scenario ensemble. Separate .csv files for indoor and outdoor shortage for each scenario. Rows = demand ids (~100), Columns = months (36) Units = acre-feet/month of shortage (shortage = monthly demand - supply). 1 acft = 1233.48 m^3 .csv files of aggregated shortages derived from the 13,312 ensemble Rows = scenarios (13,312), Columns = demand ids (~100) Units = acre-feet/year (either worst annual shortage or total shortage over the 3-year drought) .csv file of the parameter multipliers scenarios for the ensemble .csv file of the parameter ranges and baseline values the multipliers were applied to MLP-generated shortages. These results are used for Figures 4, 6, and 7 in the paper. mwd higher folder: scenario ensembles, emulated worst year total shortages (acft), and Sobol results Emulated shortages. Rows = scenarios, columns = demand ids, units acft Sobol results. Rows = demand ids, columns Sobol (S1, ST, or 95% confidence interval) value for each parameter mwd lower folder: scenario ensembles, emulated worst year total shortages (acft), and Sobol results same organization as mwd higher MLP performance: performance metrics (R^2, RMSE, BIAS, MAPE) for the testing subset (20% or 2,662 scenarios) and simulated vs emulated worst year shortage (acre-feet/year) for every demand node, MWD wholesale regions, and the entire study region (LAC). Supporting data for figures. Figure plotting scripts in the associated GitHub repo. These files support analysis and visualization. Geospatial Data used for plotting simulated water shortages and Sobol results. Dictionary of full names for demand nodes in the model and estimates of water supply by source type informed by Artes input files and California Urban Water Management Planning data: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Management-Plans *Readme files provided for each folder.

drought↗

Comparative chromatography of chloroplast pigment

Methods for isolation of low concentration pigments of the cocklebur species are described. The methods entail two step chromatography so that the different sorption properties of the various pigments in varying column parameters can be utilized. Columnar and thin layer methods are compared. Many conditions influence separability of the chloroplasts.

Grandolfo, M.↗

Coefficients of associated Legendre functions

The exact coefficients for the explicit forms of the associated Legendre functions Pm for integer values of m,n=0,1,2,...25 are presented in tabular form together with two cross-referenced listings of the zeroes for these functions rounded to five decimal places. The unfactored coefficients and the interger coefficients are presented in adjacent columns for each function. The greatest common factor and divisor have been removed and listed separately for the integer coefficients.

Peasley, Q. D.↗

A volatile organics concentrator for use in monitoring Space Station water quality

The process used to identify, select, and design an approach to the isolation and concentration of volatile organic compounds from a water sample prior to chemical analysis in a microgravity environment is discerned. The trade analysis leading to the recommended volatile organics concentrator (VOC) concept to be tested in a breadboard device is presented. The system covers the areas of gases, volatile separation from water, and water removal/gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer interface. Five options for potential use in the VOC and GC/MS system are identified and ranked, and also nine options are presented for separation of volatiles from the water phase. Seven options for use in the water removal/GC column and MS interface are also identified and included in the overall considerations. A final overall recommendation for breadboard VOC testing is given.

Ehntholt, Daniel J.↗

Ginga and ROSAT observations of the cataclysmic variable S193

The cataclysmic variable S193 was observed with the Ginga and ROSAT satellites, along with ground-based optical observations. The bremsstrahlung temperatures and the column densities derived from these two observations are noticeably different. However, since the observations were separated by 3 yr and took place at different optical magnitudes, it is not clear whether this is related to an intrinsic change in the system or to a two component source of X-rays. While the X-ray data are not sufficient to accomplish a detailed analysis for periodicities, the Ginga data place an upper limit of 40% on the amplitude of any sinusoidal modulation.

Szkody, Paula↗

Radiative flux opens new window on climate research

For several decades, global satellite observations have been made of the rate at which electromagnetic energy (radiative flux) is emerging from the top of the atmosphere of our planet in the spectral range of about 0.2-50.0 microns. At the same time, models have been developed to infer the radiative flux at the surface from the values observed by the satellites at the upper boundary. The balance of incoming and outgoing radiative flux (radiation budget) at both boundaries, determines the net gain or loss of the radiative energy within an atmospheric column. Climate researchers can use the radiative flux as a tool to validate climate models, separate the radiative impact of clouds from surface and atmosphere contributions, and to understand the global hydrological cycle. When applied to physical processes occurring at the surface, information on the radiative flux has the potential to substantially advance our understanding of the transport of heat, moisture, and momentum across the surface/atmosphere interface. Geophysicists of many disciplines stand to benefit from efforts to improve the use of this latter untapped resource. Oceanographers can improve the representation of the selective absorption of radiation in the oceans; biologists and ecologists can improve their models for carbon dioxide exchange and biological heating in oceans; agronomists can model more realistically biomass and crop yields; and environmentalists can obtain better assessment of natural resources of radiation.

Pinker, R. T.↗

Observations of Smoke Aerosol from Biomass Burning in Mexico: Effect of Particle Aging on Radiative Forcing and Remote Sensing

We take advantage of the May 1998 biomass burning event in Southern Mexico to test the global applicability of a smoke aerosol size model developed from data observed in South America. The Mexican event is an unique opportunity to observe well-aged, residual smoke. Observations of smoke aerosol size distribution made from vertical profiles of airborne in situ measurements show an inverse relationship between concentration and particle size that suggests the aging process continues more than a week after the smoke is separated from its fire sources. The ground-based radiometer retrievals show that the column-averaged, aged, Mexican smoke particles are larger (diameter = 0.28 - 0.33 micrometers) than the mean smoke particles in South America (diameter = 0.22 - 0.30 micrometers). However, the difference (delta - 0.06 micrometer) translates into differences in backscattering coefficient of only 4-7% and an increase of direct radiative forcing of only 10%.

Remer, Lorraine A.↗

Next-Generation Aura/OMI NO2 and SO2 Products

The measurement of both SO2 and NO2 gases are recognized as an essential component of atmospheric composition missions. We describe current capabilities and limitations of the operational Aura/OMI NO2 and SO2 data that have been used by a large number of researchers. Analyses of the data and validation studies have brought to light a number of areas in which these products can be expanded and improved. Major improvements for new NASA standard (SP) NO2 product include more accurate tropospheric and stratospheric column amounts, along with much improved error estimates and diagnostics. Our approach uses a monthly NO2 climatology based on the NASA Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) chemistry-transport model and takes advantage of OMI data from cloudy scenes to find clean areas where the contribution from the trap NO2 column is relatively small. We then use a new filtering, interpolation and smoothing techniques for separating the stratospheric and tropospheric components of NO2, minimizing the influence of a priori information. The new algorithm greatly improves the structure of stratospheric features relative to the original SP. For the next-generation OMI SO2 product we plan to implement operationally the offline iterative spectral fitting (ISF) algorithm and re-process the OMI Level-2 SO2 dataset using a priori SO2 and aerosol profiles, clouds, and surface reflectivity appropriate for observation conditions. This will improve the ability to detect and quantify weak tropospheric SO2 loadings. The new algorithm is validated using aircraft in-situ data during field campaigns in China (2005 and 2008) and in Maryland (Frostburg, 2010 and DISCOVER-AQ in July 2011). The height of the SO2 plumes will also be estimated for high SO2 loading cases (e.g., volcanic eruptions). The same SO2 algorithm will be applied to the data from OMPS sensor to be launched on NPP satellite later this year. The next-generation NO2 and SO2 products will provide critical information (e.g., averaging kernels) for evaluation of chemistry-transport models, for data assimilation, and to impose top-down constraints on the SO2 and NO2 emission sources.

Krotkov, Nickolay↗

Monitored separation device

A device for separating and purifying useful quantities of particles comprises: a. an anolyte reservoir connected to an anode, the anolyte reservoir containing an electrophoresis buffer; b. a catholyte reservoir connected to a cathode, the catholyte reservoir also containing the electrophoresis buffer; c. a power supply connected to the anode and to the cathode; d. a column having a first end inserted into the anolyte reservoir, a second end inserted into the catholyte reservoir, and containing a separation medium; e. a light source; f. a first optical fiber having a first fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a second fiber end connected to the light source; g. a photo detector; h. a second optical fiber having a third fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a fourth fiber end connected to the photo detector; and i. an ion-exchange membrane in the anolyte reservoir.

Jackson, George William↗

Method for Monitored Separation and Collection of Biological Materials

A device for separating and purifying useful quantities of particles comprises: (a) an anolyte reservoir connected to an anode, the anolyte reservoir containing an electrophoresis buffer; (b) a catholyte reservoir connected to a cathode, the catholyte reservoir also containing the electrophoresis buffer; (c) a power supply connected to the anode and to the cathode; (d) a column having a first end inserted into the anolyte reservoir, a second end inserted into the catholyte reservoir, and containing a separation medium; (e) a light source; (f) a first optical fiber having a first fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a second fiber end connected to the light source; (g) a photo detector; (h) a second optical fiber having a third fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a fourth fiber end connected to the photo detector; and (i) an ion-exchange membrane in the anolyte reservoir.

Jackson, George William↗

Separating Xylene Isomers with a Calcium Metal–Organic Framework

Here, the purification of p-xylene (pX) from its xylene isomers represents a challenging but important industrial process. Herein, we report the efficient separation of pX from its ortho- and meta- isomers by a microporous calcium-based metal–organic framework material (HIAM-203) with a flexible skeleton. At 30 °C, all three isomers are accommodated but the adsorption kinetics of o-xylene (oX) and m-xylene (mX) are substantially slower than that of pX, and at an elevated temperature of 120 °C, oX and mX are fully excluded while pX can be adsorbed. Multicomponent column breakthrough measurements and vapor-phase/liquid-phase adsorption experiments have demonstrated the capability of HIAM-203 for efficient separation of xylene isomers. Ab initio calculations have provided useful information for understanding the adsorption mechanism.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Inline small-angle X-ray scattering-coupled chromatography under extreme hydrostatic pressure

As continuing discoveries highlight the surprising abundance and resilience of deep ocean and subsurface microbial life, the effects of extreme hydrostatic pressure on biological structure and function have attracted renewed interest. Biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) is a widely used method of obtaining structural information from biomolecules in solution under a wide range of solution conditions. Due to its ability to reduce radiation damage, remove aggregates, and separate monodisperse components from complex mixtures, size-exclusion chromatography-coupled SAXS (SEC-SAXS) is now the dominant form of BioSAXS at many synchrotron beamlines. While BioSAXS can currently be performed with some difficulty under pressure with non-flowing samples, it has not been clear how, or even if, continuously flowing SEC-SAXS, with its fragile media-packed columns, might work in an extreme high-pressure environment. Here we show, for the first time, that reproducible chromatographic separations coupled directly to high-pressure BioSAXS can be achieved at pressures up to at least 100 MPa and that pressure-induced changes in folding and oligomeric state and other properties can be observed. Further, the apparatus described here functions at a range of temperatures (0°C–50°C), expanding opportunities for understanding biomolecular rules of life in deep ocean and subsurface environments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Mass transfer intensification through increased surface wetting and liquid turbulence using 3D printing structured packing for CO2 capture

The absorber column is one of the most expensive pieces of equipment to construct in the solvent-based post-combustion carbon capture unit. In order to decrease the absorber size and reduce capital costs, novel polymer packings were proposed by enhancing surface wettability and local turbulence within liquid solvent. The novel packings intensify the mass transfer in CO2 absorption and show better separation efficiency than traditional structured packings. In this work, the economic influence of applying the more efficient packing with a shorter absorber column is studied in a techno-economic analysis for a carbon capture unit at a coal-fired power plant. The baseline case includes CO2 capture unit in a supercritical pulverized coal power plant to generate 650 MWe (net) of electricity, where the additional CO2 capture unit leads to 63.4% increase of LCOE. While implementing UK PCC with traditional and novel packings, there will be 47.2% and 46.4% LCOE increase separately, both of which are lower than the baseline value. Applying more efficient packing and smaller absorber could further lessen the LCOE increase. The UK PCC with traditional packings reduces CO2 capture cost by 23.4% and the application of the advanced packings allows to the reduction increases to 24.4%.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗