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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Solubilities of carbon dioxide and water in rhyolitic melt at 850 C and 750 bars

Concentrations of carbon dioxide and water dissolved in glasses quenched from rhyolitic melts equilibrated with H2O-CO2 fluids at 850 C and 750 bar were measured using IR spectroscopy; concentrations of H2O and CO2 in the quenched fluids were measured manometrically. The mole fraction of CO2 in the quenched fluid ranged from 0.06 to 0.91. Concentrations of CO2 in the coexisting rhyolitic melt increased from 23(+/-6) ppm for the sample equilibrated with the most CO2-poor fluid to 515(+/-16) ppm for that equilibrated with the most CO2-rich fluid. The water content of the melt varied from 0.51(+/-0.06) to 3.34(+/-0.08) wt pct. Our results show that concentrations of molecular CO2 and H2O in the glasses obey Henry's Law; the mole fractions of molecular CO2 and molecular H2O in the quenched melts are proportional to their fugacities in the coexisting vapor. CO2 contents of vapor-saturated melts are not enhanced by addition of water to CO2-rich vapor, contrary to previous reports for silicate melts at higher pressures. The Henrian behavior of CO2 and H2O at low pressure considerably simplifies modeling of the degassing of silicic magmas.

Blank, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The sensitivity of tropospheric chemistry to cloud interactions

Clouds, although only occupying a relatively small fraction of the troposphere volume, can have a substantial impact on the chemistry of the troposphere. In newly formed clouds, or in clouds with air rapidly flowing through, the chemistry is expected to be far more active than in aged clouds with stagnant air. Thus, frequent cycling of air through shortlived clouds, i.e. cumulus clouds, is likely to be a much more efficient media for altering the composition of the atmosphere than an extensive cloud cover i.e. frontal cloud systems. The impact of clouds is tested out in a 2-D channel model encircling the globe in a latitudinal belt from 30 to 60 deg N. The model contains a detailed gas phase chemistry. In addition physiochemical interactions between the gas and aqueous phases are included. For species as H2O2, CH2O, O3, and SO2, Henry's law equilibria are assumed, whereas HNO3 and H2SO4 are regarded as completed dissolved in the aqueous phase. Absorption of HO2 and OH is assumed to be mass-transport limited. The chemistry of the aqueous phase is characterized by rapid cycling of odd hydrogen, (H2O2, HO2, and OH). O2(-) (produced through dissociation of HO2) reacting with dissolved O3 is a major source of OH in the aqueous phase. This reaction can be a significant sink for O3 in the troposphere. In the interstitial cloud air, odd hydrogen is depleted, whereas NO(x) remains in the gas phase, thus reducing ozone production due to the reaction between NO and HO2. Our calculations give markedly lower ozone levels when cloud interactions are included. This may in part explain the overpredictions of ozone levels often experienced in models neglecting cloud chemical interactions. In the present study, the existence of clouds, cloud types, and their lifetimes are modeled as pseudo random variables. Such pseudo random sequences are in reality deterministic and may, given the same starting values, be reproduced. The effects of cloud interactions on the overall chemistry of the troposphere are discussed. In particular, tests are performed to determine the sensitivity of cloud frequencies and cloud types.

Jonson, Jan E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Solubility of HCL in sulfuric acid at stratospheric temperatures

The solubility of HCl in sulfuric acid was measured using a Knudsen cell technique. Effective Henry's law constants are reported for sulfuric acid concentrations between 50 and 60 weight percent and for temperatures between 220 and 230 K. The measured values indicate that very little HCl will be dissolved in the stratospheric sulfate aerosol particles.

Williams, Leah R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

HCl Vapour Pressures and Reaction Probabilities for ClONO2 + HCl on Liquid H2SO4-HNO3-HCl-H20 Solutions

Henry's Law solubility constants for HCl have been measured for liquid H2SO4-HNO3-HCl-H2O solutions; the results are in good agreement with predictions from published semiempirical models. The ClONO2 + HCl reaction on the surfaces of such solutions with compositions simulating those of stratospheric aerosols has been investigated; as the composition changes following the temperature drop characteristic of the high-latitude stratosphere the reaction probability gamma increases rapidly. Furthermore, the gamma values remain essentially unchanged when HN03 uptake is neglected; the controlling factor appears to be the solubility of HCl. These results corroborate our earlier suggestion that supercooled liquid sulfate aerosols promote chlorine activation at low temperatures as efficiently as solid polar stratospheric cloud particles.

Elrod, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Mathematical Model of Diffusion-Limited Gas Bubble Dynamics in Tissue with Varying Diffusion Region Thickness

A three-region mathematical model of gas bubble dynamics has been shown suitable for describing diffusion-limited dynamics of more than one bubble in a given volume of extravascular tissue. The model is based on the dynamics of gas exchange between a bubble and a well-stirred tissue region through an intervening unperfused diffusion region previously assumed to have constant thickness and uniform gas diffusivity. As a result, the gas content of the diffusion region remains constant as the volume of the region increases with bubble growth, causing dissolved gas in the region to violate Henry's law. Earlier work also neglected the relationship between the varying diffusion region volume and the fixed total tissue volume, because only cases in which the diffusion region volume is a small fraction of the overall tissue volume were considered. We herein extend the three-region model to correct these theoretical inconsistencies by allowing both the thickness and gas content of the diffusion region to vary during bubble evolution. A postulated difference in gas diffusivity between an infinitesimally thin layer at the bubble surface and the remainder of the diffusion region leads to variation in diffusion region gas content and thickness during bubble growth and resolution. This variable thickness, differential diffusivity (VTDD) model can yield bubble lifetimes considerably longer than those yielded by earlier three-region models for given model and decompression parameters, and meets a need for theoretically consistent but relatively simple bubble dynamics models for use in studies of decompression sickness (DCS) in human subjects, Keywords: decompression sickness, gas diffusion in tissue, diffusivity

Srinivasan, R. Srini↗
NASA NTRS2001

Methanol Uptake By Low Temperature Aqueous Sulfuric Acid Solutions

To evaluate the role of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosols in the global budget of methanol, the solubility and reactivity of CH3OH in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions are under investigation. Using standard uptake techniques in a Knudsen cell reactor, we have measured the effective Henry's law coefficient, H(*), for methanol dissolution into 45 to 70 percent by weight H2SO4. We find that methanol solubility ranges from 10(exp 5) to 10(exp 8) M/atm and increases with decreasing temperature and with increasing sulfuric acid content. These solubility measurements include uptake due to physical solvation and all rapid equilibria which are established in solution. Our data indicate that simple uptake by aqueous sulfuric acid particles will not be a significant sink for methanol in the UT/LS. These results differ from those recently reported in the literature, and an explanation of this disparity will be presented. In addition to solvation, reaction between primary alcohols and sulfuric acid does occur, leading to the production of alkyl sulfates. Literature values for the rate of this reaction suggest that formation of CH3OSO3H may proceed in the atmosphere but is not significant under our experimental conditions. Results obtained using a complementary equilibrium measurement technique confirm this directly. In addition, the extent of methanol sequestration via formation of mono- and dimethylsulfate will be evaluated under several atmospheric conditions.

Iraci, Laura T.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Uptake of Organic Vapors by Sulfate Aerosols: Physical and Chemical Processes

While it is known that upper tropospheric sulfate particles contain a significant amount of organic matter, both the source of the organic fraction and its form in solution are unknown. These studies explore how the chemical characteristics of the molecules and surfaces in question affect heterogeneous interactions. The solubilities of acetaldehyde [CH3CHO] and ethanol [CH3CH20H] in cold, aqueous sulfuric acid solutions have been measured by Knudsen cell studies. Henry's law solubility coefficients range from 10(exp 2) to 10(exp 5) M/atm for acetaldehyde, and from 10(exp 4) to 10(exp 9) M/atm for ethanol under upper tropospheric conditions (210-240 K, 40-80 wt. % H2S04). The multiple solvation pathways (protonation, enolization, etc.) available to these compounds in acidic aqueous environments will be discussed. Preliminary results from the interaction of acetaldehyde with solutions of formaldehyde in sulfuric acid will be presented as well. The physical and chemical processes that affect organic uptake by aqueous aerosols will be explored, with the aim of evaluating organic species not yet studied in low temperature aqueous sulfuric acid.

Michelsen, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Heterogeneous Interactions of Acetaldehyde and Sulfuric Acid

The uptake of acetaldehyde [CH3CHO] by aqueous sulfuric acid has been studied via Knudsen cell experiments over ranges of temperature (210-250 K) and acid concentration (40-80 wt. %) representative of the upper troposphere. The Henry's law constants for acetaldehyde calculated from these data range from 6 x 10(exp 2) M/atm for 40 wt. % H2SO4 at 228 K to 2 x 10(exp 5) M/atm for 80 wt. % H2SO4 at 212 K. In some instances, acetaldehyde uptake exhibits apparent steady-state loss. The possible sources of this behavior, including polymerization, will be explored. Furthermore, the implications for heterogeneous reactions of aldehydes in sulfate aerosols in the upper troposphere will be discussed.

Michelsen, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Photosynthetic fractionation of 13C and concentrations of dissolved CO2 in the central equatorial Pacific during the last 255,000 years

Carbon isotopically based estimates of CO2 levels have been generated from a record of the photosynthetic fractionation of 13C [is equivalent to epsilon(p)] in a central equatorial Pacific sediment core that spans the last approximately 255 ka. Contents of 13C in phytoplanktonic biomass were determined by analysis of C37 alkadienones. These compounds are exclusive products of Prymnesiophyte algae which at present grow most abundantly at depths of 70-90 m in the central equatorial Pacific. A record of the isotopic composition of dissolved CO2 was constructed from isotopic analyses of the planktonic foraminifera Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, which calcifies at 70-90 m in the same region. Values of epsilon(p), derived by comparison of the organic and inorganic delta values, were transformed to yield concentrations of dissolved CO2 [is equivalent to c(e)] based on a new, site-specific calibration of the relationship between epsilon(p) and c(e). The calibration was based on reassessment of existing epsilon(p) versus c(e) data, which support a physiologically based model in which epsilon(p) is inversely related to c(e). Values of PCO2, the partial pressure of CO2 that would be in equilibrium with the estimated concentrations of dissolved CO2, were calculated using Henry's law and the temperature determined from the alkenone-unsaturation index U(K/37). Uncertainties in these values arise mainly from uncertainties about the appropriateness (particularly over time) of the site-specific relationship between epsilon(p) and 1/c(e). These are discussed in detail and it is concluded that the observed record of epsilon(p) most probably reflects significant variations in delta pCO2, the ocean-atmosphere disequilibrium, which appears to have ranged from approximately 110 microatmospheres during glacial intervals (ocean > atmosphere) to approximately 60 microatmospheres during interglacials. Fluxes of CO2 to the atmosphere would thus have been significantly larger during glacial intervals. If this were characteristic of large areas of the equatorial Pacific, then greater glacial sinks for the equatorially evaded CO2 must have existed elsewhere. Statistical analysis of air-sea pCO2 differences and other parameters revealed significant (p<0.01) inverse correlations of delta pCO2 with sea surface temperature and with the mass accumulation rate of opal. The former suggests response to the strength of upwelling, the latter may indicate either drawdown of CO2 by siliceous phytoplankton or variation of [CO2]/[Si(OH)4] ratios in upwelling waters.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS2005

Uptake of Hypobromous Acid (HOBr) by Aqueous Sulfuric Acid Solutions: Low-Temperature Solubility and Reaction

Hypobromous acid (HOBr) is a key species linking inorganic bromine to the chlorine and odd hydrogen chemical families. We have measured the solubility of HOBr in 45 - 70 wt% sulfuric acid solutions representative of upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosol composition. Over the temperature range 201 - 252 K, HOBr is quite soluble in sulfuric acid, with an effective Henry's law coefficient, H* = 10(exp 4) - 10(exp 7) mol/L/atm. H* is inversely dependent on temperature, with Delta H = -46.2 kJ/mol and Delta S = -106.2 J/mol/K for 55 - 70 wt% H2SO4 solutions. Our study includes temperatures which overlap both previous measurements of HOBr solubility. For uptake into aqueous 45 wt% H2SO4, the solubility can be described by log H* = 3665/T - 10.63. For 55 - 70 wt% H2SO4, log H* = 2412/T - 5.55. At temperatures colder than approx. 213 K, the solubility of HOBr in 45 wt% H2SO4 is noticeably larger than in 70 wt% H2SO4. The solubility of HOBr is comparable to that of HBr, indicating that upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric aerosols should contain equilibrium concentrations of HOBr which equal or exceed those of HBr. Our measurements indicate chemical reaction of HOBr upon uptake into aqueous sulfuric acid in the presence of other brominated gases followed by evolution of gaseous products including Br2O and Br2, particularly at 70 wt% H2SO4.

Iraci, Laura T.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Experimental Partitioning of Cr(3+) and Sc(3+) into Olivine: Mechanisms and Implications

Olivine (Mg, Fe)Si2O4 does not, by stoichiometry, accept cations such as Sc(3+) or Cr(3+). However, the partition coefficients of Sc and Cr between olivine and liquid are significant 0.2-1.0. We have measured Cr(3+) partition coefficients of near unity and have grown olivines with nearly 3 wt.% Sc2O3. Therefore, there must be a simple means of charge balancing 3+ ions in a crystal structure that was obviously not designed to receive other than 2+ ions on the olivine M sites. The simplest explanation is that two 3+ ions enter the olivine structure by displacing three 2+ ions and creating an M site vacancy. Even this explanation has difficulties. For minor elements in our experiments (~1 wt.%) the odds of a minor element 3+ ion finding a second 3+ for charge balance are of the order of 100:1 against. Because of the reducing conditions of our experiments, Fe(3+) will not suffice; and Al(3+) is not in sufficient quantity in olivine for charge balance. Therefore, Cr or Sc must, in effect, charge balance itself. For true trace elements, the problem is compounded many times. For an ion at the 10 ppm level the chances of finding a second (for example) Sc ion is approx.10(exp 5):1 against. Of course, any other 3+ ion would suffice but comparisons between percent level doping experiments and trace level partitioning indicate that Henry s law is obeyed. This implies that the same substitution mechanism occurs at both the percent and tens of ppm levels. There are two simple solutions to this problem: (i) The electrical conductivity of olivine is such that charge balance need not be local. This requires substantial domains within the olivine crystal in electrical contact by migration of vacancies or electronic defects. (ii) The 3+ cation brings along its own charge-balancing ion because it existed as a dimer in the silicate liquid. Olivine is not a true insulator but is actually a p-type semiconductor. Even so, electrical communication by this means is unlikely over the tens or hundreds of unit cells that would be required for charge balance to be local. Therefore, we cautiously favor the idea that melt speciation is the means by which 3+ ions enter the olivine structure. Possibly this model might be tested by in situ XAFS measurements or by molecular dynamical calculations.

Jones, John↗
NASA NTRS2006

Uptake and Dissolution of Gaseous Ethanol in Sulfuric Acid

The solubility of gas-phase ethanol (ethyl alcohol, CH3CH2OH, EtOH) in aqueous sulfuric acid solutions was measured in a Knudsen cell reactor over ranges of temperature (209-237 K) and acid composition (39-76 wt % H2SO4). Ethanol is very soluble under these conditions: effective Henry's law coefficients, H*, range from 4 x 10(exp 4) M/atm in the 227 K, 39 wt % acid to greater than 10(exp 7) M/atm in the 76 wt % acid. In 76 wt % sulfuric acid, ethanol solubility exceeds that which can be precisely determined using the Knudsen cell technique but falls in the range of 10(exp 7)-10(exp 10) M/atm. The equilibrium concentration of ethanol in upper tropospheric/lower stratospheric (UT/LS) sulfate particles is calculated from these measurements and compared to other small oxygenated organic compounds. Even if ethanol is a minor component in the gas phase, it may be a major constituent of the organic fraction in the particle phase. No evidence for the formation of ethyl hydrogen sulfate was found under our experimental conditions. While the protonation of ethanol does augment solubility at higher acidity, the primary reason H* increases with acidity is an increase in the solubility of molecular (i.e., neutral) ethanol.

Michelsen, Rebecca R.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Distillation and Air Stripping Designs for the Lunar Surface

Air stripping and distillation are two different gravity-based methods, which may be applied to the purification of wastewater on the lunar base. These gravity-based solutions to water processing are robust physical separation techniques, which may be advantageous to many other techniques for their simplicity in design and operation. The two techniques can be used in conjunction with each other to obtain high purity water. The components and feed compositions for modeling waste water streams are presented in conjunction with the Aspen property system for traditional stage distillation models and air stripping models. While the individual components for each of the waste streams will vary naturally within certain bounds, an analog model for waste water processing is suggested based on typical concentration ranges for these components. Target purity levels for the for recycled water are determined for each individual component based on NASA s required maximum contaminant levels for potable water Distillation processes are modeled separately and in tandem with air stripping to demonstrate the potential effectiveness and utility of these methods in recycling wastewater on the Moon. Optimum parameters such as reflux ratio, feed stage location, and processing rates are determined with respect to the power consumption of the process. Multistage distillation is evaluated for components in wastewater to determine the minimum number of stages necessary for each of 65 components in humidity condensate and urine wastewater mixed streams. Components of the wastewater streams are ranked by Henry s Law Constant and the suitability of air stripping in the purification of wastewater in terms of component removal is evaluated. Scaling factors for distillation and air stripping columns are presented to account for the difference in the lunar gravitation environment. Commercially available distillation and air stripping units which are considered suitable for Exploration Life Support are presented. The advantages to the various designs are summarized with respect to water purity levels, power consumption, and processing rates.

Boul, Peter J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Shallow Water Diving - The NASA Experience

This slide presentation reviews some of the problems and solutions that personnel have experienced during sessions in the Neutral Bu0yancy Lab (NBL). It reviews the standard dive that occurs at the NBL, Boyles and Henry's laws as they relate to the effects of diving. It then reviews in depth some of the major adverse physiologic events that happen during a diving session: Ear and Sinus Barotrauma, Decompression Sickness, (DCS), Pulmonary Barotrauma (i.e., Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE). Mediastinal Emphysema, Subcutaneous Emphysema, and Pneumothorax) Oxygen Toxicity and Hypothermia. It includes information about the pulmonary function in NBL divers. Also included is recommendations about flying after diving.

Fitzpatrick, Daniel↗
NASA NTRS2010

Air Stripping Designs and Reactive Water Purification Processes for the Lunar Surface

Air stripping designs are considered to reduce the presence of volatile organic compounds in the purified water. Components of the wastewater streams are ranked by Henry's Law Constant and the suitability of air stripping in the purification of wastewater in terms of component removal is evaluated. Distillation processes are modeled in tandem with air stripping to demonstrate the potential effectiveness and utility of these methods in recycling wastewater on the Moon. Scaling factors for distillation and air stripping columns are presented to account for the difference in the lunar gravitation environment. Commercially available distillation and air stripping units which are considered suitable for Exploration Life Support are presented. The advantages to the various designs are summarized with respect to water purity levels, power consumption, and processing rates. An evaluation of reactive distillation and air stripping is presented with regards to the reduction of volatile organic compounds in the contaminated water and air. Among the methods presented, an architecture is presented for the evaluation of the simultaneous oxidation of organics in air and water. These and other designs are presented in light of potential improvements in power consumptions and air and water purities for architectures which include catalytic activity integrated into the water processor. In particular, catalytic oxidation of organics may be useful as a tool to remove contaminants that more traditional distillation and/or air stripping columns may not remove. A review of the current leading edge at the commercial level and at the research frontier in catalytically active materials is presented. Themes and directions from the engineering developments in catalyst design are presented conceptually in light of developments in the nanoscale chemistry of a variety of catalyst materials.

Boul, Peter J.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Root Zone Respiration on Hydroponically Grown Wheat Plant Systems

Root respiration is a biological phenomenon that controls plant growth and physiological development during a plant's lifespan. This process is dependent on the availability of oxygen in the system where the plant is located. In hydroponic systems, where plants are submerged in a solution containing vital nutrients but no type of soil, the availability of oxygen arises from the dissolved oxygen concentration in the solution. This oxygen concentration is dependent on the , gas-liquid interface formed on the upper surface of the liquid, as given by Henry's Law, depending on pressure and temperature conditions. Respiration rates of the plants rise as biomass and root zone increase with age. The respiration rate of Apogee wheat plants (Triticum aestivum) was measured as a function of light intensity (catalytic for photosynthesis) and CO2 concentration to determine their effect on respiration rates. To determine their effects on respiration rate and plant growth microbial communities were introduced into the system, by Innoculum. Surfactants were introduced, simulating gray-water usage in space, as another factor to determine their effect on chemical oxygen demand of microbials and on respiration rates of the plants. It is expected to see small effects from changes in CO2 concentration or light levels, and to see root respiration decrease in an exponential manner with plant age and microbial activity.

Soler-Crespo, R. A.↗