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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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Rotational compound state resonances in subthreshold atom-diatom scattering determined for lowest state molecular hydrogen and deuterium model systems scattered by Xe
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Hydrogen cavitation performance of helical inducer mounted in line with stationary centerbody at various temperatures
120 page report presents data on mechanical properties of cast nickelbased alloys for turbine blades operating in hydrogen and steam at high temperatures. Tests on alloys for hydrogen-burning engines of future are described.
During the ATLAS 1 mission spectral observations were made at middle and low latitudes of features expected from the precipitation of energetic neutral atoms. The Imaging Spectrometric Observatory was used at night in the UV and visible with maximum gain. The tangent ray heights of the look directions ranged from near 100 km to near 200 km, and the geomagnetic conditions were quiet during the observations, which were made March 28 to April 3, 1992. The N2(+) 1N 391.4-nm and O I 130.4 and 135.6-nm emissions were observed at all latitudes, with lower emission rates at lower magnetic dip latitudes, except that enhancements in the O I lines were seen within 30 deg of the dip equator to radiative recombination of ionospheric plasma. The latitude profile observed for the N2(+) 1N emission did not show an equatorial or midlatitude peak. This implies that the source of energetic neutrals is more consistent with prompt charge exchange loss of freshly injected trapped ions with relatively low mirror heights (i.e., ions on higher L shells with equatorial pitch angle distributions nearly isotropic to the loss cone) than loss of highly eroded populations of particles with high mirror heights (i.e., ions on lower L shells with pancake equatorial pitch angle distributions). The N2(+) 1N emission rates have been compared with models of atmospheric emission due to fluxes of O/O(+) and H/H(+) in the thermosphere, as produced by energetic neutral oxygen or hydrogen atom precipitation. Energy deposition rates are inferred.
An accurate, versatile, and sensitive method for the determination of hydrogen in milligram-size titanium samples is presented. It involves extraction of hydrogen at 1070 K while a mercury diffusion pump transfers the evolved gases into the inlet of a mass spectrometer. All the evolved gases may then be positively identified and determined. This method can be readily adapted for use with other metals and for the study of the slow evolution of hydrogen. Reduction of interferences due to the evolution of hydrogen by reactions involving vapors such as those of water, acetone, and vacuum grease is discussed.
Emissions of atomic oxygen (1304 A), atomic carbon (1657 A), and atomic hydrogen (1216 A) from Comet Kohoutek were observed with ultraviolet cameras carried on a sounding rocket on Jan. 8, 1974. Analysis of the Lyman alpha halo at 1216 A gave an atomic hydrogen production rate of 4.5 x 10 to the 29th atoms per second.
Spectral measurements of the thermal radiation from Jupiter in the band from 16 to 40 micrometers are analyzed under the assumption that pressure-broadened molecular hydrogen transitions are responsible for the bulk of the infrared opacity over most of this spectral interval. Both the vertical pressure-temperature profile and the molecular hydrogen mixing ratio are determined. The derived value of the molecular hydrogen mixing ratio, 0.89 plus or minus 0.11, is consistent with the solar value of 0.86.
The corrosion behavior for 2219-T87 aluminum coated with various primers, including those used for the external tank and solid rocket boosters of the Space Shuttle Transportation System, were investigated using electrochemical techniques. Corrosion potential time, polarization resistance time, electrical resistance time, and corrosion rate time measurements were all investigated. It was found that electrical resistance time and corrosion rate time measurement were most useful for studying the corrosion behavior of painted aluminum. Electrical resistance time determination give useful information concerning the porosity of paint films, while corrosion rate time curves give important information concerning overall corrosion rates and corrosion mechanisms. In general, the corrosion rate time curves all exhibited at least one peak during the 30 day test period, which was attributed, according to the proposed mechanisms, to the onset of the hydrogen evolution reaction and the beginning of destruction of the protective properties of the paint film.
The diffuse component of the galactic high energy gamma rays results mainly from the interaction of CR nuclei and electrons with the nuclei of the interstellar gas. An additional contribution is obtained from the interaction of CR electrons with the interstellar photons through the inverse-Compton (IC) process. Gamma ray astronomy therefore offers an excellent means to study the distribution of CR particles throughout the Galaxy, but it is essential to know the distribution of the target interstellar gas particles, the major constituents being atomic and molecular hydrogen. Large scale millimeter wave surveys of the CO molecule covering more than half of the Milky Way, obtained with the Columbia 1.2 m telescopes, are currently available and are used to trace the H2; the COS-B observations have sufficient resolution and sensitivity to constrain the relation between the integrated CO line intensity and the molecular hydrogen column density.
There are several mechanisms acting at the cold traps that can alter the inventory of volatiles there. Primarily, the lunar surface is bombarded by meteoroids which impact, melt, process, and redistribute the regolith. Further, solar wind and magnetospheric ion fluxes are allowed limited access onto the regions in permanent shadow. Also, although cold traps are in the permanent shadow of the Sun, there is a small flux of radiation incident on the regions from interstellar sources. We investigate the effects of these space weathering processes on a deposit of volatiles in a lunar cold trap through simulations. We simulate the development of a column of material near the surface of the Moon resulting from space weathering. This simulation treats a column of material at a lunar cold trap and focuses on the hydrogen content of the column. We model space weathering processes on several time and spatial scales to simulate the constant rain of micrometeoroids as well as sporadic larger impactors occurring near the cold traps to determine the retention efficiency of the cold traps. We perform the Monte Carlo simulation over many columns of material to determine the expectation value for hydrogen content of the top few meters of soil for comparison with Lunar Prospector neutron data.
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) development efforts in the United States have demonstrated the technical viability and performance potential of NTP systems. For example, Project Rover (1955 - 1973) completed 22 high power rocket reactor tests. Peak performances included operating at an average hydrogen exhaust temperature of 2550 K and a peak fuel power density of 5200 MW/m3 (Pewee test), operating at a thrust of 930 kN (Phoebus-2A test), and operating for 62.7 minutes in a single burn (NRX-A6 test). Results from Project Rover indicated that an NTP system with a high thrust-to-weight ratio and a specific impulse greater than 900 s would be feasible. Excellent results were also obtained by the former Soviet Union. Although historical programs had promising results, many factors would affect the development of a 21st century nuclear thermal rocket (NTR). Test facilities built in the US during Project Rover no longer exist. However, advances in analytical techniques, the ability to utilize or adapt existing facilities and infrastructure, and the ability to develop a limited number of new test facilities may enable affordable development, qualification, and utilization of a Nuclear Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (NCPS). Bead-loaded graphite fuel was utilized throughout the Rover/NERVA program, and coated graphite composite fuel (tested in the Nuclear Furnace) and cermet fuel both show potential for even higher performance than that demonstrated in the Rover/NERVA engine tests.. NASA's NCPS project was initiated in October, 2011, with the goal of assessing the affordability and viability of an NCPS. FY 2014 activities are focused on fabrication and test (non-nuclear) of both coated graphite composite fuel elements and cermet fuel elements. Additional activities include developing a pre-conceptual design of the NCPS stage and evaluating affordable strategies for NCPS development, qualification, and utilization. NCPS stage designs are focused on supporting human Mars missions. The NCPS is being designed to readily integrate with the Space Launch System (SLS). A wide range of strategies for enabling affordable NCPS development, qualification, and utilization should be considered. These include multiple test and demonstration strategies (both ground and in-space), multiple potential test sites, and multiple engine designs. Two potential NCPS fuels are currently under consideration - coated graphite composite fuel and tungsten cermet fuel. During 2014 a representative, partial length (approximately 16") coated graphite composite fuel element with prototypic depleted uranium loading is being fabricated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In addition, a representative, partial length (approximately 16") cermet fuel element with prototypic depleted uranium loading is being fabricated at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). During the development process small samples (approximately 3" length) will be tested in the Compact Fuel Element Environmental Tester (CFEET) at high temperature (approximately 2800 K) in a hydrogen environment to help ensure that basic fuel design and manufacturing process are adequate and have been performed correctly. Once designs and processes have been developed, longer fuel element segments will be fabricated and tested in the Nuclear Thermal Rocket Element Environmental Simulator (NTREE) at high temperature (approximately 2800 K) and in flowing hydrogen.
Low temperature high pressure thermodynamic properties of parahydrogen determined by National Bureau of Standards
(Previously announced in STAR as N82-25075)
Charge transfer cross sections in hydrogen molecule ions measured as function of ion energy and ion source electron energy
Abstract Producing inexpensive hydrogen using electricity to split water or to extract hydrogen from hydrocarbon compounds is a two-sided coin: one side is obtaining and exploiting low-cost, emissions-free energy sources while the opposite side is establishing low-cost robust, durable, and efficient materials for the conversion processes. This article explores the materials needed for water splitting electrolysis, electrochemical abstraction of hydrogen from light alkanes, and looping thermal-chemical reaction processes that typically form and then dissociate an acid compound in a two- or three-step process. The focus is on the R&D needs of materials that are used for high-temperature electrochemistry, focusing on solid-oxide, ion-conducting cell materials sets (SOECs). To exploit the availability of low-cost electricity, these materials must stand up to cyclic operations. They also must be durable for years of service to reduce operating and maintenance costs, and they must achieve high conversion efficiencies to avoid large, energy-intensive recycle loops. Graphical abstract
This CRADA provides new funding from SoCalGas and DOE's BETO and FCTO Offices focused hydrogen mass transfer limitations in H2@Scale processes. The project leverages the existing hydrogen production capabilities at the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) and SoCalGas' 700 L bioreactor system designed, built, and delivered to NLR under the first phase of this CRADA. This Joint Work Statement will cover new hardware modifications between NLR's electorlyzer stack and the SoCalGas bioreactor located outdoors. The new hardware and controls will provide researchers with the tools needed to obtain preliminary experimental data for a non-provisional application due in July 2019. The IP being developed is expected to improve the productivity of the bioreactor and would have wider impacts on other end-use processes using pressurized hydrogen (H2). In addition, this new funding enhances an existing BETO Biopower award by developing a 10-15 kW electrolyzer that is scalable to the MW-class with reduced capital cost and higher efficiency aimed at improving H2 mass transfer to downstream processes, like biomethanation. Finally due to the close-coupling between the electrolyzer stack and bioreactor, R&D will focus on cell retention, nutrient maintenance, optimal water management and process controls.
Calculations of the ground state energy in the solid phase were performed with the aid of a variational approach. The Morse potential form of the atomic triple potential computed by Kolos and Wolniewicz (1965) was employed for the calculations. The ground state energies of both the liquid and solid phases of spin-aligned atomic hydrogen around the volume of the transition are presented in a graph.