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At least 37 records · Page 2

Melting, ablation, and vapor phase condensation during atmospheric passage of the Bjurbole meteorite

A detailed study of the Bjurbole fusion crust using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis (EDS) shows that filamentary crystals and ablation spheres may form on the meteoroid surface. Filamentary crystals, hollow spheres, and porous regions of the surface point to a period of intense vapor phase activity during atmospheric passage. Filamentary crystals can be divided into three categories on the basis of bulk composition and morphology. Two types of filamentary crystals are vapor phase condensation products formed during atmospheric entry of the meteoroid. The other type forms by the interaction of seawater with the fusion surface. The density and composition of ablation spheres varies with the flight orientation of the meteorite. The size range and composition of iron-nickel spheres on the surface of Bjurbole are similar to spheres collected in the stratosphere. A comparison of stratospheric dust collections with meteorite surfaces may provide further insight into the mechanisms of meteoroid entry into planetary atmospheres.

Rietmeijer, F. J. M.

Influence of mass diffusion on the stability of thermophoretic growth of a solid from the vapor phase

The stability of solid planar growth from a binary vapor phase with a condensing species dilute in a carrier gas is examined when the ratio of depositing to carrier species molecular mass is large and the main diffusive transport mechanism is thermal diffusion. It is shown that a deformation of the solid-gas interface induces a deformation of the gas phase isotherms that increases the thermal gradients and thereby the local mass deposition rate at the crests and reduces them at the valleys. The initial surface deformation is enhanced by the modified deposition rates in the absence of appreciable Fick/Brownian diffusion and interfacial energy effects.

Castillo, J. L.

An Evaluation of the Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Removal Process for Use in a Mars Transit Vehicle

An experimental program has been developed to evaluate the potential of the Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Reduction (VPCAR) technology for use as a Mars Transit Vehicle water purification system. Design modifications which will be required to ensure proper operation of the VPCAR system in reduced gravity are also evaluated. The VPCAR system is an integrated wastewater treatment technology that combines a distillation process with high temperature catalytic oxidation. The distillation portion of the system utilizes a vapor compression distillation process to provide an energy efficient phase change separation. This portion of the system removes any inorganic salts and large molecular weight, organic contaminates, i.e., non-volatile, from the product water stream and concentrates these contaminates into a byproduct stream. To oxidize the volatile organic compounds and ammonia, a vapor phase, high temperature catalytic oxidizer is used. This catalytic system converts these compounds along with the aqueous product into CO2, H2O, and N2O. A secondary catalytic bed can then be used to reduce the N2O to nitrogen and oxygen (although not evaluated in this study). This paper describes the design specification of the VPCAR process, the relative benefits of its utilization in a Mars Transit Vehicle, and the design modification which will be required to ensure its proper operation in reduced gravity. In addition, the results of an experimental evaluation of the processors is presented. This evaluation presents the processors performance based upon product water purity, water recovery rates, and power.

Flynn, Michael

Vapor Phase Infiltration of Titanium Oxide into P3HT to Create Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Photocatalysts

Herein, we report for the first time the use of vapor phase infiltration (VPI) to infuse conducting polymers with inorganic metal oxide clusters that together form a photocatalytic material. While vapor infiltration has previously been used to electrically dope conjugated polymers, this is the first time, to our knowledge, that the resultant hybrid material has been demonstrated to have photocatalytic properties. The system studied is poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) vapor infiltrated with TiCl 4 and H 2 O to create P3HT-TiO x organic–inorganic hybrid photocatalytic materials. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis shows that P3HT-TiO x VPI films consist of a partially oxidized P3HT matrix, and the infiltrated titanium inorganic is in a 4+ oxidation state with mostly oxide coordination. Upon visible light illumination, these P3HT-TiO x hybrids degrade methylene blue dye molecules. The P3HT-TiO x hybrids are 4.6× more photocatalytically active than either the P3HT or TiO 2 individually or when sequentially deposited (e.g., P3HT on TiO 2 ). On a per surface area basis, these hybrid photocatalysts are comparable or better than other best in class polymer semiconductor photocatalysts. VPI of TiCl 4 + H 2 O into P3HT makes a unique hybrid structure and idealized photocatalyst architecture by creating nanoscale TiO x clusters concentrated toward the surface achieving extremely high catalytic rates. The mechanism for this enhanced photocatalytic rate is understood using photoluminescence spectroscopy, which shows significant quenching of excitons in P3HT-TiO x as compared to neat P3HT, indicating that P3HT acts as a photosensitizer for the TiO x catalyst sites in the hybrid material. This work introduces a new approach to designing and synthesizing organic–inorganic hybrid photocatalytic materials, with expansive opportunities for further exploration and optimization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Influence of Ti‐incorporated Zeolite Topology and Pore Condensation on Vapor Phase Propylene Epoxidation Kinetics with Gaseous H 2 O 2

Abstract Vapor‐phase propylene (C 3 H 6 ) epoxidation kinetics with hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) strongly reflects the physical properties of Ti‐incorporated zeolite catalysts and the presence of spectating molecules (“solvent”) near active sites even without a bulk liquid phase. Steady‐state turnover rates of C 3 H 6 epoxidation and product selectivities vary by orders of magnitudes, depending on the zeolite silanol ((SiOH) x ) density, pore topology (MFI, *BEA, FAU), and the quantity of condensed acetonitrile (CH 3 CN) molecules nearby active sites, under identical reaction mechanisms sharing activated H 2 O 2 intermediates on Ti surfaces. Individual kinetic analyses for propylene oxide (PO) ring‐opening, homogeneous diol oxidative cleavage, and homogeneous aldehyde oxidation reveal that secondary reaction kinetics following C 3 H 6 epoxidation responds more sensitively to the changes in zeolite physical properties and pore condensation with CH 3 CN. Thus, higher PO selectivities achieved in hydrophilic Ti‐MFI at steady‐state reflect the preferential stabilization of transition states for C 3 H 6 epoxidation (a primary reaction) relative to PO ring‐opening and oxidative cleavage (secondary reactions) that solvation effects that reflect interactions among condensed CH 3 CN within pores and the extended pore structure.

Kwon, Ohsung

Superfluid helium 2 liquid-vapor phase separation: Technology assessment

A literature survey of helium 2 liquid vapor phase separation is presented. Currently, two types of He 2 phase separators are being investigated: porous, sintered metal plugs and the active phase separator. The permeability K(P) shows consistency in porous plug geometric characterization. Both the heat and mass fluxes increase with K(P). Downstream pressure regulation to adjust for varying heat loads and both temperatures is possible. For large dynamic heat loads, the active phase separator shows a maximum heat rejection rate of up to 2 W and bath temperature stability of 0.1 mK. Porous plug phase separation performance should be investigated for application to SIRTF and, in particular, that plugs of from 10 to the minus ninth square centimeters to 10 to the minus eighth square centimeters in conjunction with downstream pressure regulation be studied.

Lee, J. M.

Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Reduction

This paper discusses the development of a Vapor Phase Catalytic Ammonia Reduction (VPCAR) teststand and the results of an experimental program designed to evaluate the potential of the technology as a water purification process. In the experimental program the technology is evaluated based upon product water purity, water recovery rate, and power consumption. The experimental work demonstrates that the technology produces high purity product water and attains high water recovery rates at a relatively high specific power consumption. The experimental program was conducted in 3 phases. In phase I an Igepon(TM) soap and water mixture was used to evaluate the performance of an innovative Wiped-Film Rotating-Disk evaporator and associated demister. In phase II a phenol-water solution was used to evaluate the performance of the high temperature catalytic oxidation reactor. In phase III a urine analog was used to evaluate the performance of the combined distillation/oxidation functions of the processor.

Flynn, Michael T.

Application of Thioether for Vapor Phase Lubrication

The objective of these studies was to identify the optimal conditions for vapor phase lubrication using Thioether for both sliding and rolling wear. The important variable include; (1) The component materials including M50 steel, monel and silicon nitride. (2) The vapor concentration and flow rate. (3) The temperature in the range of 600 F to 1500 F. (4) The loads and rolling and/or sliding speeds.

Graham, E. Earl

Vapor phase growth technique of III-V compounds utilizing a preheating step

In the vapor phase epitaxy fabrication of semiconductor devices and in particular semiconductor lasers, the deposition body on which a particular layer of the laser is to be grown is preheated to a temperature about 40.degree. to 60.degree. C. lower than the temperature at which deposition occurs. It has been discovered that by preheating at this lower temperature there is reduced thermal decomposition at the deposition surface, especially for semiconductor materials such as indium gallium phosphide and gallium arsenide phosphide. A reduction in thermal decomposition reduces imperfections in the deposition body in the vicinity of the deposition surface, thereby providing a device with higher efficiency and longer lifetime.

Olsen, Gregory Hammond