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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Preliminary evaluation of a space AMTEC power conversion system

As original evaluation of a space solar energy source coupled with Alkali Metal Thermoelectric Conversion (AMTEC) is presented here. This study indicates that an AMTEC system would have 30 percent of the mass of a photovoltaic system and 70 percent of the mass of a Stirling cycle system at the 35-kWe level of power generation modules typical of the baseline for the U.S. Space Station. The operating temperatures and sodium heat pipe components for solar receiver/TES hardware (currently being developed by NASA) integrate well with AMTEC power conversion. AMTEC is therefore an attractive alternative specifically for space solar power generation.

Crowley, Christopher J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

AMTEC system performance studies using the detailed electrode kinetic and transport model

A detailed electrochemical model of the alkali metal thermoelectric converter (AMTEC) electrode and current collector grid has been developed recently. Comparative evaluations of the resulting differences in model predictions reveal that the new detailed model predicts up to 50 percent higher electrode power densities at condenser operating temperatures above 600 K. The new model, with experimentally determined parameters, was used to recalculate the projected system performance of previously reported 1- and 100-kWe AMTEC space power systems that had incorporated earlier electrolyte/electrode models. It was found that when the detailed model was used to determine the electrode power densities, enhanced specific power and efficiencies are predicted.

Sievers, Robert K.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advances in materials and current collecting networks for AMTEC electrodes

Electrode materials for the Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) play a significant role in the efficiency of the device. RhW and PtW alloys have been studied to determine the best performing material. While RhW electrodes typically have power densities somewhat lower than PtW electrodes, PtW performance is strongly influenced by the Pt/W ratio. The best performing Pt/W ratio is about 3.4. RhW electrodes sinter more slowly than PtW and are predicted to have operating lifetimes up to 40 years; PtW electrodes are predicted to have lifetimes up to 7 years. Interaction with the current collection network can significantly decrease lifetime by inducing metal migration and segregation and by accelerating the sintering rate.

Ryan, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Reversible thermodynamic cycle for AMTEC power conversion

The thermodynamic cycle appropriate to an AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter) cell is discussed for both liquid- and vapor-fed modes of operation, under the assumption that all processes can be performed reversibly. In the liquid-fed mode, the reversible efficiency is greater than 89.6 percent of Carnot efficiency for heat input and rejection temperatures (900-1300 K and 400-800 K, respectively) typical of practical devices. Vapor-fed cells can approach the efficiency of liquid-fed cells. Quantitative estimates confirm that the efficiency is insensitive to either the work required to pressurize the sodium liquid or the details of the state changes associated with cooling the low pressure sodium gas to the heat rejection temperature.

Vining, Cronin B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Efficiency of an AMTEC recirculating test cell, experiments and projections

The alkali metal thermal to electric converter (AMTEC) is an electrochemical device for the direct conversion of heat to electrical energy with efficiencies potentially near Carnot. The future usefulness of AMTEC for space power conversion depends on the efficiency of the devices. Systems studies have projected from 15 to 35 percent thermal to electric conversion efficiencies, and one experiment has demonstrated 19 percent efficiency for a short period of time. Recent experiments in a recirculating test cell (RTC) have demonstrated sustained conversion efficiencies as high as 10.2 percent early in cell life and 9.7 percent after maturity. Extensive thermal and electrochemical analysis of the cell during several experiments demonstrated that the efficiency could be improved in two ways. First, the electrode performance could be improved. The electrode for these tests operated at about one third the power density of state of the art electrodes. The low power density was caused by a combination of high series resistance and high mass flow resistance. Reducing these resistances could improve the efficiency to greater than 10 percent. Second, the cell thermal performance could be improved. Efficiencies greater than 14 percent could be realized through reducing the radiative thermal loss. Further improvements to the efficiency range predicted by systems studies can be accomplished through the development and use of an advanced condenser with improved reflectivity, close to that of a smooth sodium film, and the series connecting of individual cells to further reduce thermal losses.

Underwood, M. L.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Assessment of the US industrial program for AMTEC development

The Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter (AMTEC) is a static energy conversion technology that is expected to provide low mass thermal to electric conversion with efficiencies between 20 and 35 percent. The U.S. program to develop this technology for space power applications has grown substantially over the past 3 years. This expanding program has brought together several laboratories and technical consultants, in separately sponsored projects, to develop the key elements of the technology. An assessment of this multiparty program indicates that, in general, the effort has focused on the high priority technical elements with only moderate overlap between individual projects. There are, however, several areas where additional coordination is needed between major participants in the existing projects, and other areas where new projects should be started, in order to provide reliable space power systems without unnecessary delays.

Sievers, R. K.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Di(hydroxyphenyl)- 1,2,4-triazole monomers

The di(hydroxyphenyl)- 1,2,4-triazole monomers were first synthesized by reacting bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) hydrazide with aniline hydrochloride at 250 C in the melt and also by reacting 1,3 or 1,4-bis- (4-hydroxyphenyl)- phenylene- dihydrazide with 2 moles of aniline hydrochloride in the melt. Purification of the di(hydroxyphenyl)- 1,2,4-triazole monomers was accomplished by recrystallization. Poly (1,2,4-triazoles) (PT) were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of di(hydroxyphenyl)- 1,2,4-triazole monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds. The reactions were carried out in polar aprotic solvents such as sulfolane or diphenylsulfone using alkali metal bases such as potassium carbonate at elevated temperatures under nitrogen. This synthetic route has provided high molecular weight PT of new chemical structure, is economically and synthetically more favorable than other routes, and allows for facile chemical structure variation due to the availability of a large variety of activated aromatic dihalides.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Di(hydroxyphenyl)- benzimidazole monomers

Di(hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole monomers were prepared from phenyl-hydroxybenzoate and aromatic bis(o-diamine)s. These monomers were used in the synthesis of soluble polybenzimidazoles. The reaction involved the aromatic nucleophilic displacement of various di(hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds in the presence of an alkali metal base. These polymers exhibited lower glass transition temperatures, improved solubility, and better compression moldability over their commercial counterparts.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Poly(N-arylenbenzimidazoles) via aromatic nucleophilic displacement

Novel poly(N-arylenebenzimidazole)s (PNABIs) are prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of novel di(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylene benzimidazole) monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds. The polymerizations are carried out in polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or N,N-dimethylacetamide using alkali metal bases such as potassium carbonate at elevated temperatures under nitrogen. The di(hydroxyphenyl N-arylenebenzimidazole) monomers are synthesized by reacting phenyl 4-hydroxybenzoate with bis(2-aminoanilino) arylenes in diphenylsulfone. Moderate molecular weight PNABIs of new chemical structures were prepared that exhibit a favorable combination of physical and mechanical properties. The use of the novel di(hydroxyphenyl N-arylenebenzimidazole)s permits a more economical and easier way to prepare PNABIs than previous routes.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Polybenzimidazoles via aromatic nucleophilic displacement

Novel molecular weight controlled and endcapped polybenzimidazoles (PBI) are prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of di(hydroxyphenyl benzimidazole) monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds. The PBI are endcapped with mono(hydroxyphenyl) benzimidazoles. The polymerizations are carried out in polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or N,N-dimethylacetamide using alkali metal bases such as potassium carbonate at elevated temperatures under nitrogen. Mono(hydroxyphenyl) benzimidazoles are synthesizedby reacting phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate with aromatic (o-diamine)s in diphenylsulfone. Molecular weight controlled and endcapped PBI of new chemical structures are prepared that exhibit a favorable combination of physical and mechanical properties.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Preparation Of Strong, Dense Potassium Beta''-Alumina Ceramic

Improved process for making mechanically strong, dense, phase-pure potassium beta''-alumina solid electrolyte (K-BASE) results in material superior to all previous K-BASE preparations and similar to commercial Na-BASE in strength, phase purity and high-temperature ionic conductivity. Potassium-based alkali-metal thermal-to-electric conversion (AMTEC) cells expected to operate efficiently at lower heat-input temperatures and lower rejection temperatures than sodium-based AMTEC cells, making them appropriate for somewhat different applications.

Williams, Roger M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Improved Synthesis Of Potassium Beta' '-Alumina

Improved formulations of precursor materials synthesize nearly-phase-pure potassium beta' '-alumina solid electrolyte (K-BASE) powder. Materials are microhomogeneous powders (or, alternatively, gels) containing K(+,) Mg(2+), and Al(3+). K-BASE powder produced used in potassium-working-fluid alkali-metal thermal-to-electric conversion (K-AMTEC), in which heat-input and heat-rejection temperatures lower than sodium-working-fluid AMTEC (Na-AMTEC). Additional potential use lies in purification of pottassium by removal of sodium and calcium.

Williams, Roger M.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Diamond Films and Optoelectronic Materials

We present a summary of the research, citations of publications resulting from the research and abstracts of such publications. We have made no inventions in the performance of the work in this project. The main goals of the project were to set up a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond growth system attached to an UltraHigh Vacuum (UHV) atomic resolution Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) system and carry out experiments aimed at studying the properties and growth of diamond films using atomic resolution UHV STM. We successfully achieved these goals. We observed, for the first time, the atomic structure of the surface of CVD grown epitaxial diamond (100) films using UHV STM. We studied the effects of atomic hydrogen on the CVD diamond growth process. We studied the electronic properties of the diamond (100) (2x1) surface, and the effect of alkali metal adsorbates such as Cs on the work function of this surface using UHV STM spectroscopy techniques. We also studied, using STM, new electronic materials such as carbon nanotubes and gold nanostructures. This work resulted in four publications in refereed scientific journals and five publications in refereed conference proceedings.

Perez, Jose M.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Polybenzimidazoles Via Aromatic Nucleophilic Displacement

Novel molecular weight controlled and endcapped polybenzimidazoles (PBI) are prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of di(hydroxyphenylbenzimidazole) monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds. The PBI are endcapped with mono(hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazoles. The polymerizations are carried out in polar aprotic solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or N,N-dimethylacetamide using alkali metal bases such as potassium carbonate at elevated temperatures under nitrogen. Mono(hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazoles are synthesized by reacting phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate with aromatic (o-diamine)s in diphenylsulfone. Molecular weight controlled and endcapped PBI of new chemical structures are prepared that exhibit a favorable combination of physical and mechanical properties.

Connell, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1960

Analytical Investigation of Cycle Characteristics for Advanced Turboelectric Space Power Systems

An investigation was made of the relative influence of turbine inlet temperature, radiator temperature, and turbine efficiency on radiator area for Rankine cycles with rubidium, potassium, and sodium as working fluids. It was determined that, whereas turbine inlet temperature and turbine efficiency have gross effects on radiator size for a given inlet temperature a considerable latitude in the selection of radiator temperature may be accepted with only minor effects on required radiator size. Also investigated was the influence on turbine efficiency and design of the factors that distinguish alkali-metal vapor turbines from conventional gas turbines. The turbine configuration was determined to be a function of the involved working fluids and rotor blade speed. For a given blade speed, the number of stages required for high turbine efficiency was found to vary directly with turbine specific work output, and therefore to vary in the ratio 5 to 2.5 to 1 for sodium, potassium, and rubidium, respectively. Lower blade speeds than employed in conventional gas turbines may be required to satisfy critical stress considerations resulting from the elevated temperatures involved and the criterion of long-duration reliability. This will increase the number of turbine stages necessary to obtain high turbine efficiency and consequently increase turbine weight. The question of moisture formation was discussed and a calculation was made to indicate the nature of the aerodynamic losses due to moisture content. Various means of reducing moisture content were considered, including mechanical removal, increased radiator temperature, inefficient expansion, superheat, and reheat. Sample calculations were made in most cases to indicate their comparative effectiveness and resultant penalty in required radiator area.

Moffitt, Thomas P.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Diode Laser Velocity Measurements by Modulated Filtered Rayleigh Scattering

The ability of solid-state lasers to be tuned in operating frequency at MHz rates by input current modulation, while maintaining a relatively narrow line-width, has made them useful for spectroscopic measurements. Their other advantages include low cost, reliability, durability, compact size, and modest power requirements, making them a good choice for a laser source in micro-gravity experiments in drop-towers and in flight. For their size, they are also very bright. In a filtered Rayleigh scattering (FRS) experiment, a diode laser can be used to scan across an atomic or molecular absorption line, generating large changes in transmission at the resonances for very small changes in frequency. The hyperfine structure components of atomic lines of alkali metal vapors are closely spaced and very strong, which makes such atomic filters excellent candidates for sensitive Doppler shift detection and therefore for high-resolution velocimetry. In the work we describe here we use a Rubidium vapor filter, and work with the strong D(sub 2) transitions at 780 nm that are conveniently accessed by near infrared diode lasers. The low power output of infrared laser diodes is their primary drawback relative to other laser systems commonly used for velocimetry. However, the capability to modulate the laser frequency rapidly and continuously helps mitigate this. Using modulation spectroscopy and a heterodyne detection scheme with a lock-in amplifier, one can extract sub-microvolt signals occurring at a specific frequency from a background that is orders of magnitude stronger. The diode laser modulation is simply achieved by adding a small current modulation to the laser bias current. It may also be swept repetitively in wavelength using an additional lower frequency current ramp.

Mach, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Laser Velocimeter for Studies of Microgravity Combustion Flowfields

We are currently developing a velocimeter based on modulated filtered Rayleigh scattering (MFRS), utilizing diode lasers to make measurements in an unseeded gas or flame. MFRS is a novel variation of filtered Rayleigh scattering, utilizing modulation absorption spectroscopy to detect a strong absorption of a weak Rayleigh scattered signal. A rubidium (Rb) vapor filter is used to provide the relatively strong absorption and semiconductor diode lasers generate the relatively weak Rayleigh scattered signal. Alkali metal vapors have a high optical depth at modest vapor pressures, and their narrow linewidth is ideally suited for high-resolution velocimetry; the compact, rugged construction of diode lasers makes them ideally suited for microgravity experimentation. Molecular Rayleigh scattering of laser light simplifies flow measurements as it obviates the complications of flow-seeding. The MFRS velocimeter should offer an attractive alternative to comparable systems, providing a relatively inexpensive means of measuring velocity in unseeded flows and flames.

Varghese, P. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The Ozonide Anion: A Theoretical Study

Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and CASSCF second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) methods have been used for the geometry optimization and calculation of harmonic and fundamental frequencies of the ozonide ion O3(-) and the ozonide lithium complex Li(+)O3(-). For O3(-) harmonic frequencies have also been obtained using the coupled-cluster method, CCSD(T). Infrared intensities are computed from dipole moment derivatives at the CASSCF level. The predicted equilibrium geometry for O3(-) is: Roo = 1.361 Angstroms and angle ooo = 115.4 degrees, and the fundamental frequencies are: nu(sub 1) = 989 per centimeter, nu(sub 2) 556 per centimeter, nu(sub 3) = 870 per centimeter (experimental values are: Roo =1.36 plus or minus 0.02 Angstroms, angle (ooo) = 111.8 plus or minus 2.0 degrees, nu(sub 1) = 975(50) per centimeter, nu(sub 2) = 550(50) per centimeter, nu(sub 3) = 880(50) per centimeter). Corresponding data for the lithium ozonide complex have also been obtained. The presented data contradict the previous interpretation of the IR and Raman spectrum obtained after deposition of ozone in N2, argon, or neon matrices with atomic beams of alkali metals. The presence of the lithium cation raises the asymmetric stretch frequency to about 940 per centimeter, which is contradictory to assumptions made in the assignments of the matrix spectra. Calculations made in a dielectric medium strongly suggest that the effect of the matrix on the IR spectrum is small for O3(-) itself. The dissociation and atomization energies of O3(-) are found to be in agreement with experiment.

Borowski, Poitr↗