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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1985

An electron diffraction study of alkali chloride vapors

A study of monomers and dimers of the four alkali chlorides NaCl, KCl, RbCl, and CsCl in the vapor phase using the counting method of high energy electron diffraction is reported. Nozzle temperatures from 850-960 K were required to achieve the necessary vapor pressures of approximately 0.01 torr. Using harmonic calculations for the monomer and dimer 1 values, a consistent set of structures for all four molecules was obained. The corrected monomer distances reproduce the microwave values very well. The experiment yields information on the amount of dimer present in the vapor, and these results are compared with thermodynamic values.

Mawhorter, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Conversion (AMTEC) for space nuclear power systems

Performance parameters of the Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC) for a 100 kW electric power system have been calculated at four technological levels assuming a heat pipe-cooled nuclear reactor heat source. The most advanced level considered would operate between 1180 K converter temperature and 711 K radiator temperature at 16 percent efficiency, and would weigh 1850 kg with a radiator area of 43 sq m. In addition, electrode research studies for the AMTEC systems have been conducted utilizing an experimental test cell of Bankston et al. (1983) and Mo and several Mo-Ti electrodes. It was found that the Mo-Ti electrodes offered no improvement in lifetime characteristics over the pure Mo electrodes, however, oxygen treatment of a degraded Mo electrode restored its specific power output to 90 percent of its original specific power and maintained this level for 60 hr, thus offering a potential for lifetime stability.

Bankston, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Theoretical dissociation energies for the alkali and alkaline-earth monofluorides and monochlorides

Spectroscopic parameters are accurately determined for the alkali and alkaline-earth monofluorides and monochlorides by means of ab initio self-consistent field and correlated wave function calculations. Numerical Hartree-Fock calculations are performed on selected systems to ensure that the extended Slater basis sets employed are near the Hartree-Fock limit. Since the bonding is predominantly electrostatic in origin, a strong correlation exists between the dissociation energy (to ions) and the spectroscopic parameter r(e). By dissociating to the ionic limits, most of the differential correlation effects can be embedded in the accurate experimental electron affinities and ionization potentials.

Langhoff, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Alkali metal/halide thermal energy storage systems performance evaluation

A pseudoheat-pipe heat transfer mechanism has been demonstrated effective in terms of both total heat removal efficiency and rate, on the one hand, and system isothermal characteristics, on the other, for solar thermal energy storage systems of the kind being contemplated for spacecraft. The selection of appropriate salt and alkali metal substances for the system renders it applicable to a wide temperature range. The rapid heat transfer rate obtainable makes possible the placing of the thermal energy storage system around the solar receiver canister, and the immersing of heat transfer fluid tubes in the phase change salt to obtain an isothermal heat source.

Phillips, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Voltammetric studies of porous molybdenum electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter

Voltammetry of partially oxidized porous molybdenum alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) electrodes from about 600 to 1000 K revealed a series of redox processes within the AMTEC operational voltage range which can be used to establish the electronic and ionic conductivities of these electrodes. Improved estimates of the free energies of formation of Na2Mo3O6, NaMoO2, and Na3MoO4 are obtained. Evidence is provided for the slow corrosive attack by Na2MoO4 on molybdenum. The ionic conductivity of Na2MoO4 is found to be sufficiently large at temperatures of greater than 700 K to explain the observed electrochemical phenomena in addition to the enhanced sodium transport in AMTEC electrodes below the freezing point of Na2MoO4.

Williams, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

C-13 N.M.R. study of charge transfer in alkali metal-ammonia graphite compounds

The usefulness of C-13 NMR spectroscopy and chemical shift for the study of charge transfer in graphite intercalation compounds is demonstrated. A linear relationship is established between the chemical shifts and the square root of the absolute value of the electronic charge per carbon atom. The method is applied to the ternary alkali metal-ammonia-graphite compounds. Weak solvations of electronic charges by ammonia are observed.

Tsang, T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

H-1 NMR study of ternary ammonia-alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds

For the first-stage ternary ammonia-alkali metal-graphite intercalation compounds M(NH3)(x)C24(x of about 4, M = K, Rb, Cs), three sets of triplet H-1 NMR spectral lines have been observed at various temperatures and orientations due to the H-1 - H-1 and N-14 - H-1 dipolar interactions. The structures of these compounds have been inferred as mobile (liquid-like) intercalant layers of planar M(NH3)4 ions in between the carbon layers. For the intercalated ammonia molecules, the potential barrier is about 0.2 eV and the molecular geometry is very close to the free NH3 in gas phase.

Tsang, T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Recent advances in Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC) electrode performance and modeling

The Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Converter (AMTEC) is a direct energy conversion device, utilizing a high sodium vapor pressure or activity ratio across a beta-double prime-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE). This paper describes progress on the remaining scientific issue which must be resolved to demonstrate AMTEC feasibility for space power systems: a stable, high power density electrode. Two electrode systems have recently been discovered at JPL that now have the potential to meet space power requirements. One of these is a very thin sputtered molybdenum film, less than 0.5 micron thick, with overlying current collection grids. This electrode has experimentally demonstrated stable performance at 0.4-0.5 W/sq cm for hundreds of hours. Recent modeling results show that at least 0.7 W/sq cm can be achieved. The model of electrode performance now includes all loss mechanisms, including charge transfer resistances at the electrode/electrolyte interface. A second electrode composition, cosputtered platinum/tungsten, has demonstrated 0.8 W/sq cm for 160 hours. Systems studies show that a stable electrode performance of 0.6 W/sq cm will enable high efficiency space power systems.

Bankston, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Enthalpies of formation of CaAl4O7 and CaAl12O19 (hibonite) by high temperature, alkali borate solution calorimetry

Enthalpies of formation were determined for two calcium aluminate phases, CaAl4O7 and CaAl12O19, using high-temperature alkali borate solution calorimetry. The aluminates were synthesized by multiple-cycle heating and grinding stoichiometric mixtures of CaCO3 and Al2O3, and the products were characteized by X-ray diffraction and SEM microbeam analysis. The data on impurities (CaAl4O7 was found to be about 89.00 percent pure by weight and the CaAl12O19 samples about 91.48 percent pure) were used to correct the heat of solution values of the synthetic products. The enthalpies of formation, at 1063 K, from oxides, were found to be equal to -(25.6 + or - 4.7) kJ/g.f.w. for CaAl4O7 and -(33.0 + or - 9.7) kJ/g.f.w. for CaAl12O19; the respective standard enthalpies of formation from elements, at 298 K, were estimated to be -4007 + or - 5.2 kJ/g.f.w. and -10,722 + or - 12 kJ/g.f.w.

Geiger, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Electrodes For Alkali-Metal Thermoelectric Converters

Combination of thin, porous electrode and overlying collector grid reduces internal resistance of alkali-metal thermoelectric converter cell. Low resistance of new electrode and grid boosts power density nearly to 1 W/cm2 of electrode area at typical operating temperatures of 1,000 to 1,300 K. Conductive grid encircles electrode film on alumina tube. Bus wire runs along tube to collect electrical current from grid. Such converters used to transform solar, nuclear, and waste heat into electric power.

Williams, Roger M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Pan-African alkali granites and syenites of Kerala as imprints of taphrogenic magmatism in the South Indian shield

Granite and syenite plutons with alkaline affinities ranging in age from 550 to 750 Ma sporadically puncture the Precambrian granulites of the Kerala region. All the bodies are small (20 to 60 sq km), E-W to NW-SE elongated elliptical intrusives with sharp contacts and lie on or close to major late Proterozoic lineaments. Geochemical plots of A-F-M and An-Ab-Or relations show an apparent alkali enrichment trend on the former, but the plutons define relatively distinct fields on the latter. Most of the plutons are adamellitic to granitic by chemistry. The variations of SiO2 with log sub 10 K2O/MgO (1) brings out the distinct alkaline nature of the plutons. Some of the granites are extremely potassic, like the Peralimala pluton, which shows up to 11.8 percent K2O. On a SiO2-Al2O3-Na2O+K2O (mol percent) plot, the plutons vary from peraluminous to peralkaline, but none are nepheline normative. Low MgO, low to moderate CaO and high Fe2O3/FeO values are other common characteristics. Among trace elements, depletion of Ba, Sr and Rb with high K/Ba and K/Rb values are typical. Overall, the plutons show a trend of decreasing K/Rb ratio with increasing K content. Individual plutons show more clearly defined trends similar to those from granitic masses characterized by plagioclase fractionation.

Santosh, M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Performance and impedance studies of thin, porous molybdenum and tungsten electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter

Columnar, porous, magnetron-sputtered molybdenum and tungsten films show optimum performance as alkali metal thermoelectric converter electrodes at thicknesses less than 1.0 micron when used with molybdenum or nickel current collector grids. Power densities of 0.40 W/sq cm for 0.5-micron molybdenum films at 1200 K and 0.35 W/sq cm for 0.5-micron tungsten films at 1180 K were obtained at electrode maturity after 40-90 h. Sheet resistances of magnetron sputter deposited films on sodium beta-double-prime-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) substrates were found to increase very steeply as thickness is decreased below about 0.3-double-prime 0.4-micron. The ac impedance data for these electrodes have been interpreted in terms of contributions from the bulk BASE and the porous electrode/BASE interface. Voltage profiles of operating electrodes show that the total electrode area, of electrodes with thickness less than 2.0 microns, is not utilized efficiently unless a fairly fine (about 1 x 1 mm) current collector grid is employed.

Wheeler, B. L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Experimental observation of electrochemical rate limitations affecting sodium ion-electron recombination at electrodes of the alkali metal thermoelectric converter at T about 1200 K

This paper considers a model of the internal impedances of thin porous Mo and W alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC), in which the kinetic parameters associated with the reaction of the beta-double-prime alumina solid electrolite (BASE)/porous metal/gas three-phase boundary can be evaluated. Impedance data in the frequency range 0.01-100,000 Hz were collected over a range of AMTEC cell operating voltages for small-area thin porous Mo and W electrodes, yielding apparent charge transfer resistances at a series of cell potentials/currents. The ohmic resistance in the AMTEC cell could be broken down and characterized with three parameters: the BASE ionic resistance, the electrode film sheet resistance, and the contact/lead resistance, all of which could be calculated or measured independently and used to calculate power curves in good agreement with observed power curves. It is shown that these calculations can be used to predict the properties of electrodes with optimized parameters or to detect enhanced transport modes.

Williams, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Radioisotope powered alkali metal thermoelectric converter design for space systems

The design concept of an alkali-metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) for 15-30-percent-efficient conversion of heat from the General Purpose (radioisotope) Heat Source (GPHS) on spacecraft is presented. The basic physical principles of the conversion cycle are outlined; a theoretical model is derived; a modular design is described and illustrated with drawings; and the overall AMTEC/GPHS system design is characterized. Predicted performance data are presented in extensive tables and graphs and discussed in detail.

Sievers, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1989

High power density performance of WPt and WRh electrodes in the alkali metal thermoelectric converter

The properties of the alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) are discussed together with those of an efficient AMTEC electrode. Three groups of electrodes were prepared and tested for their performance as AMTEC electrodes, including WPt-T3, WRh-B1, and WRh-B2. The best electrodes of both WPt and WRh types typically exhibited low porosity, and thickness greater than 0.8 micron, which indicated that transport in these electrodes does not occur by a purely free-molecular flow mode. The observed values of the exchange current were found to be within the range of those observed for oxide-free Mo electrodes under similar conditions.

Williams, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effects of Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 on molybdenum and tungsten electrodes for the alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC)

The effects of adding Na2MoO4 and Na2WO4 to porous Mo and W electrodes, respectively, on the performance and impedance characteristics of the electrodes in an alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) were investigated. It was found that corrosion of the porous electrode by Na2MoO4 or Na2WO4 to form Na2MO3O6 and WO2, respectively, and recrystallization of the Mo or W as the salt evaporates, result in major morphological changes including a loss of columnar structure and a significant increase in porosity. This effect is more pronounced in Na2MoO4/Mo electrodes, due to the lower stability of Na2MoO4.

Williams, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Resonances in low-energy positron-alkali scattering

Close-coupling calculations were performed with up to five target states at energies in the excitation threshold region for positron scattering from Li, Na and K. Resonances were discovered in the L = 0, 1 and 2 channels in the vicinity of the atomic excitation thresholds. The widths of these resonances vary between 0.2 and 130 MeV. Evidence was found for the existence of positron-alkali bound states in all cases.

Horbatsch, M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Pristine moon rocks - An alkali anorthosite with coarse augite exsolution from plagioclase, a magnesian harzburgite, and other oddities

Results are presented on the analyses of 18 samples of pristine rocks obtained from the primarily mare Apollo 12 site and from the primarily highland Apollo 14 site, as well as samples from the nonmare Apollo 15 site. It was found that, while two of anorthosites from Apollo 12 were similar in composition to most other anorthosites from the west-central near region, the texture of an alkali anorthosite featured a long and narrow crystal of augite surrounded by a single crystal of plagioclase, clearly suggesting that the augite formed by exsolution out of the plagioclase. Another Apollo 12 rocklet was an unusual magnesian harzburite, with subequal amounts of enstatite and olivine, traces of Cr-Fe spinel, and FeNi metal, but no plagioclase; the bulk composition was found to be remarkably Ir-rich (53 percent) for a pristine rock, and the texture was also unusual. Apollo 14 samples included several uncommonly Al-rich and REE-poor impact melt breccias.

Warren, P. H.↗