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Results for “Permeability Measurements”

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
DOE OSTI2021

Toward predictive permeabilities: Experimental measurements and multiscale simulation of methanol transport in Nafion

A polymer membrane's permeability to solutes determines its suitability for various applications: a permeability value is essential for predicting performance in diverse contexts. Using aqueous methanol permeation through Nafion as an example, we describe a methodology for determining membrane permeability that accounts for boundary layer effects and the possibility of swelling. For the materials and apparatus used herein, analysis of a permeance measurement and computational fluid dynamics simulations show that the mass transfer boundary layer is on the order of ones to tens of microns. Additionally, the data are used to develop and validate a multiscale model describing solute permeation through a hydrated membrane as a series of physical mechanistic steps: reversible adsorption from solution at the membrane interface, diffusion driven by a concentration gradient within the membrane, and reversible desorption into solution at the opposite membrane interface. The validated model is used to predict methanol transport across a solar-driven CO 2 reduction device and to assess the impact of polymer changes on the measured value. The approach of combining experimental data, computational fluid dynamics, and the mechanistic multiscale model is expected to provide more accurate analysis of membrane permeation data in cases with polymer swelling or unusual device geometries, among others.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2026

Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites Exposed to Cryogenic Conditions and Space Radiation via Simulation and Testing

As NASA missions extend beyond low Earth orbit, increasing reliance is placed on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites for spacecraft structures where mass efficiency, durability, and long-term reliability are critical. In service, these materials are subjected to a combination of ultraviolet radiation, vacuum, ionizing radiation, atomic oxygen, and extreme thermal excursions under sustained mechanical loading. Flight systems such as the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Dragon employ external composite structures that will experience these environments for extended durations. Although prior spaceflight and ground studies have reported limited changes in bulk mechanical properties, the synergistic effects of these environments on composite microstructure, particularly at the fiber matrix interphase, remain insufficiently characterized and represent a potential qualification and reliability risk. This study investigates the effects of short-term cryogenic exposure on a radiation shielding carbon epoxy composite, SC2020, as a ground-based analog for space relevant thermal extremes. The SC2020 material system has previously flown on the International Space Station under the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) program. Composite specimens were exposed to liquid nitrogen for 6 and 24 hours and evaluated using a multiscale characterization framework that combined ASTM D3039 tensile testing, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based interphase analysis, and helium gas permeability measurements. Tensile testing showed no statistically significant or permanent degradation in global strength or modulus following cryogenic exposure. In contrast, AFM measurements revealed reductions in interphase modulus, weakened adhesion, and increased nanoscale heterogeneity, indicating localized degradation mechanisms not captured by conventional bulk testing. Gas permeability measurements showed a progressive increase in helium diffusion with exposure duration, consistent with micro-void formation or partial interfacial debonding. The results indicate that cryogenic exposure initiates degradation at the fiber matrix interphase while leaving global mechanical properties largely unchanged over short durations. These findings underscore the importance of multiscale diagnostics for identifying early-stage damage mechanisms that may influence long term performance and qualification margins for spaceflight composite structures. The data presented establish a cryogenic baseline for comparison with forthcoming MISSE flight exposure results and support ongoing NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) efforts aimed at improving composite qualification methodologies, risk assessment, and reliability prediction for space environments.

composite reliability↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Gas Permeability of Lunar Regolith Simulants

Lunar lander descent engines produce plume-surface interactions (PSI) effect that can generate high-speed regolith ejecta which can pose a risk to surface and orbital assets. The physics of plume-surface interactions during the descent and landing of a lunar lander depends on the gas permeability of the lunar surface regolith. This presentation will discuss gas permeability measurements that have been performed at NASA Kennedy Space Center to help inform the development of plume-surface interaction models and large-scale PSI ground tests. Results will be presented of gas permeability measurements for lunar regolith simulants that were conducted under vacuum conditions as a function of the granular mineral material's mass density, compaction, and water content.

gas permeability↗
DOE OSTI2023

Citizen Green #1 Well : Sidewall Core Permeability Studies

This submission includes information on porosity & permeability measurements conducted on sidewall cores from the Citizen Green #1 well drilled on King Island, CA (API 07720688) as part of the WESTCARB partnership basin characterization effort. Cores were acquired with a rotary sidewall tool at a range of depths; only deeper cores were sufficiently consolidated for analysis. SidewallCoreFormationDepthNotes.xls provides details on available samples. Helium porosimetry, air permeability, and brine permeability measurements were conducted on all competent samples (~15). Samples were largely in the Mokelumne, H&T shale, and Starkey formations. All measurements were conducted by Core Laboratories (Bakersfield) on behalf of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) with final reports provided in November of 2012. Further measurements were conducted on some sidewalls with data in other submissions.

pemeability↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydrate is a Nonwetting Phase in Porous Media

In porous media containing gas hydrate, the hydrate morphology impacts the flow behavior of the fluid phases. We hypothesize that hydrate emplaces itself as a nonwetting phase and use this idea to describe relative permeability of water in a hydrate/water system. We perform steady-state relative permeability measurements in hydrate-bearing samples with a range of hydrate saturation. We measure and compare water relative permeability in the presence of gas and in the presence of hydrate and find that the water relative permeability is the same in both cases. This suggests that (1) relative permeability for hydrate systems can be obtained without performing difficult experiments on hydrate bearing sediments, (2) flow properties are porous-media dependent, and (3) models that assume a fixed pore or tube geometry are inadequate.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1981

Porous tooling process for manufacture of graphite/polyimide composites

A porous tooling system was selected for the processing of Graphite/PMR-15 Polyimide laminates in thickness up to 3.2 mm. (0.125 inch). This tool system must have a reasonable strength, permeability dimensional stability, and thermal conductivity to accomplish curing at 600 F and 200 psi and 200 psi autoclave temperature and pressure. A permeability measuring apparatus was constructed and permeability vs. casting water level determined to produce tools at three different permeability levels. On these tools, laminates of 5, 11, and 22 plies (.027, .060, and 0.121 inch) were produced and evaluated by ultrasonic, mechanical, and thermal tests to determine the effect of the tool permeability on the cured laminates. All tools produced acceptable laminates at 5 and 11 plies but only the highest permeability produced acceptable clear ultrasonic C-Scans. Recommendations are made for future investigations of design geometry, and strengthening techniques for porous ceramic tooling.

Smiser, L. W.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Pore-scale visualization of natural hydrate-bearing sediments

Accurate modeling of gas hydrate reservoir productivity and geomechanical risks associated with subsurface dissociation of natural gas hydrates (NGH) requires the determination of model parameters through physical testing on natural hydrate-bearing sediments (HBS). This involves investigating the hydro-mechanical behavior of undisturbed hydrate samples from nature under in situ conditions using pressure core characterization and analysis, which provides a unique opportunity for research. By employing state-of-the-art micro computed tomography imagery on cryogenically preserved, hydrate-bearing sediment samples, we can determine hydrate saturation as well as permeability with and without the presence of hydrates in the sediment. Furthermore, utilizing a machine learning based image segmentation technique, it is possible to extract pore space and grain information. Subsections of the entire image volume were used to determine anisotropic permeabilities using a finite-difference method Stokes solver (FDMSS). Additionally, permeability measurements on whole pressure and temperature preserved hydrate-bearing core were analyzed by utilizing the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) Pressure Core Characterization and X-ray CT Visualization Tool (PCXT) to manipulate, cut, and analyze pressure preserved sediment. Permeabilities were measured under a broad range of vertical stress states to simulate expected pressure changes during production scenarios, and the results show that permeabilities derived from images are in agreement with those from traditional core derived experiments. The collected stress-dependent permeability, permeability anisotropy, and corresponding gas hydrate saturations provide valuable input into numerical simulations of reservoir productivity. These properties have been proven to be key parameters determining a long-term reservoir response under depressurization.

Liu, Mengwei [Oak Ridge Institute for Science and ↗
NASA NTRS1993

Instrumentation for Measurement of Gas Permeability of Polymeric Membranes

A mass spectrometric 'Dynamic Delta' method for the measurement of gas permeability of polymeric membranes has been developed. The method is universally applicable for measurement of the permeability of any gas through polymeric membrane materials. The usual large sample size of more than 100 square centimeters required for other methods is not necessary for this new method which requires a size less than one square centimeter. The new method should fulfill requirements and find applicability for industrial materials such as food packaging, contact lenses and other commercial materials where gas permeability or permselectivity properties are important.

Upchurch, Billy T.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Permeability Evolution of Fractures in Shale in the Presence of Supercritical CO 2

We experimentally examined the impact of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) on fracture permeability and fracture surface characteristics in shales of various compositions. We measured permeability and fracture normal displacement at different effective stresses using both argon and scCO 2 as pore fluids. Both natural fractures and saw cuts in intact samples were used in our study. The permeability and fracture normal displacement decrease after multiple loading/unloading cycles, apparently as the result of inelastic compaction. In samples with high carbonate content, we observe an increase in permeability and fracture surface degradation after more than 3.5 days of exposure to scCO 2 , apparently due to carbonate dissolution. We demonstrate that the sensitivity of permeability to effective normal stress correlates well with the fracture normal displacement. The dependence of permeability on effective normal stress increases after exposure to scCO 2 as the fracture surface became more compliant.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1995

Verification of a three-dimensional resin transfer molding process simulation model

Experimental evidence was obtained to complete the verification of the parameters needed for input to a three-dimensional finite element model simulating the resin flow and cure through an orthotropic fabric preform. The material characterizations completed include resin kinetics and viscosity models, as well as preform permeability and compaction models. The steady-state and advancing front permeability measurement methods are compared. The results indicate that both methods yield similar permeabilities for a plain weave, bi-axial fiberglass fabric. Also, a method to determine principal directions and permeabilities is discussed and results are shown for a multi-axial warp knit preform. The flow of resin through a blade-stiffened preform was modeled and experiments were completed to verify the results. The predicted inlet pressure was approximately 65% of the measured value. A parametric study was performed to explain differences in measured and predicted flow front advancement and inlet pressures. Furthermore, PR-500 epoxy resin/IM7 8HS carbon fabric flat panels were fabricated by the Resin Transfer Molding process. Tests were completed utilizing both perimeter injection and center-port injection as resin inlet boundary conditions. The mold was instrumented with FDEMS sensors, pressure transducers, and thermocouples to monitor the process conditions. Results include a comparison of predicted and measured inlet pressures and flow front position. For the perimeter injection case, the measured inlet pressure and flow front results compared well to the predicted results. The results of the center-port injection case showed that the predicted inlet pressure was approximately 50% of the measured inlet pressure. Also, measured flow front position data did not agree well with the predicted results. Possible reasons for error include fiber deformation at the resin inlet and a lag in FDEMS sensor wet-out due to low mold pressures.

Fingerson, John C.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Apparatus Measures Permeation Of Gases Through Coupons

Apparatus measures permeation of any variety of commercially available pure or mixed gases through polymeric or other material coupons of various thicknesses. Permeability measured at wide range of temperatures and pressures. Includes residual-gas-analyzer (RGA) sensor head and associated circuitry, and vacuum system. Also includes manifold with valves, through which gas of interest allowed to permeate through test coupon before traveling downstream to evacuated RGA sensor head. Temperature of test coupon monitored by thermocouple and maintained at specified value above ambient by use of electrical heating mantle or below ambient by use of bath of ethylene glycol, water, and dry ice.

Adam, Steven J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental and analytical study of the hydrodynamic and single and two-phase convective heat transfer performance of flexible PDMS microchannels with micropillar arrays

Various copper and silicon based thermal management systems are used in the cooling of electronics. However, the rigid nature of these materials along with their high thermal and electrical conductivity pose a difficulty in developing direct contact embedded flexible cooling systems that can offer robust cooling performance. The low density, thermal stability, chemical inertness, and electrical insulation of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) make it an ideal material to develop lightweight direct contact thermal management systems for electronics. Its ease of fabrication with tunable flexibility provides the opportunity to go beyond traditional electronics and develop advanced active and passive thermal management systems for a wide–range of applications in foldable and wearable electronics, liquid cooling garments, microgravity, and electric motors. In this study, a flexible PDMS based microchannel with micropillar arrays, which enhance the thermal performance of the device through capillary-assisted flow, has been developed. The hydrodynamic and convection heat transfer performance of three PDMS wick pillar geometries, ranging from a porosity of 0.8–0.91, are investigated and compared under single-phase and two-phase conditions. Dielectric coolant FC-3283 is employed and permeability measurements are made for mass fluxes ranging from 53 kg/m 2 s to 369 kg/m 2 s. Given its conformability, the device demonstrates a deviation from Darcy’s Law, within the laminar regime, with an increasing permeability with mass flux at the rate of ~0.5–0.8 Darcy/(kg/m 2 s). A semi-analytical model has been developed and reported to quantify the conformability of the device. The heat transfer performance is experimentally evaluated using the same dielectric fluid for mass flux ranging from 105 kg/m 2 s to 420 kg/m 2 s with heat fluxes ranging from 1.5 W/cm 2 to 16 W/cm 2 . Heat transfer coefficients of up to 7000 W/m 2 K are observed, which are comparable to copper and silicon microchannels. The effect of porosity on the single phase thermal performance has been evaluated against the pumping power to provide a basis for thermal management system design. Finally, high-speed imaging is performed to study the two-phase flow characteristics to provide insight into the vapor formation and removal.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental study correlating damage and permeability in concrete using confined, flattened Brazilian disks

This research experimentally studies coupled hydro-mechanical relationships using flattened Brazilian disks under confinement, with concurrent permeability measurements and acoustic emission monitoring. A series of tests are performed on concrete, as representative samples of brittle geo-materials, under a range of confining stresses between 2.76 and 13.79 MPa. Acoustic emission data is used to quantify damage and identify damage thresholds. Damage is then correlated to pre-peak changes in permeability. The advancement of models that couple transport properties to mechanical responses are of interest in the fields of carbon sequestration, hydrofracking, production of geothermal energy, induced seismicity, and underground nuclear waste storage, and these experiments validate a novel experimental approach towards investigating hydro-mechanical relationships.

Boyce, S.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Citizen Green #1 Well: Quantitative XRD & Thin Section Data

This submission includes information on quantitative x-ray diffraction measurements and thin section photography conducted on sidewall cores from the Citizen Green #1 well drilled on King Island, CA (API 07720688) as part of the WESTCARB partnership basin characterization effort. Cores were acquired with a rotary sidewall tool at a range of depths; only deeper cores were sufficiently consolidated for analysis. SidewallCoreFormationDepthNotes.xls provides details on available samples. Helium porosimetry, air permeability, and brine permeability measurements were conducted on all competent samples (~15). Samples were largely in the Mokelumne, H&T shale, and Starkey formations. All measurements were conducted at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Thin Section↗
DOE OSTI2023

CO 2 /Brine/Rock Interactions in the Cedar Keys-Lawson Formation

It has been reported that among the various geologic storage options, deep saline aquifers have the largest estimated capacity for CO 2 storage. Obtaining knowledge of possible artificially geochemically induced changes to the permeability and porosity of host CO 2 storage deposits will enable us to gain insight on long-term reservoir behavior under CO 2 storage conditions. An experimental study of the interaction of CO 2 /brine/rock on saline formations was conducted in a static system under CO 2 storage conditions. Chemical interactions in the Cedar Keys-Lawson Formation carbonate during exposure to CO 2 and brine under sequestration conditions were studied. Samples were exposed to the simulated in-situ reaction conditions for one and six months. The samples were exposed to a model brine at 55 °C and CO 2 pressure of 23.8 MPa (3,500 psig). Computed tomography (CT), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), brine composition, core porosity, and core permeability analyses were conducted prior to and after the exposure experiments. Preliminary permeability measurements obtained from the core samples showed changes after they were exposed to CO 2 -saturated brine for one and six months. This observation suggests that mineral dissolution and mineral precipitation could occur in the host deposit altering its characteristics for CO 2 storage over time. The 3D images of the pore space clearly illustrate the degree of dissolution that occurred during exposure. It is noted that the dissolution that occurred during the six-month exposure could have enhanced the connectivity between voids. This may contribute the increase of permeability after the CO 2 /brine exposure. In addition, the primary minerals comprising the core are dolomite and gypsum. Both minerals could dissolve in the CO 2 /brine environment resulting in the increase of permeability after the six-month exposure.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Fault Slip and Fluid Flow: Seismic Source Analysis to Assess Role of Multiple Slip Patches in Fault Permeability

The relationship between fault reactivation, microearthquakes (MEQs), and permeability evolution during fluid injection plays a critical role in energy harvesting and waste disposal. Recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of predicting fault permeability using cumulative seismic moments of MEQs quantitatively. To understand the underlying physical processes, we conduct fault reactivation experiments using Utah FORGE granitoid and analyze acoustic emission (AE) signals generated during stepwise increases in fluid injection pressure. Frequency analysis of thousands of calibrated AE signals reveals that fault reactivation produces multiple AE source patches with millimeter-scale radii—smaller than the sample fault radius. The cumulative area of the reactivated patches covers the fault multiple times over (∼10x–50x area) for each pressure step. These findings provide mechanistic insight that measured permeability enhancement is not driven by a single large slip event, but by the sequential and interacting activation of multiple slip patches that create a continuous flow pathway.

Nurshal, M. E. M. [Pennsylvania State University, ↗