Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Distillates”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 469 records · Page 26

A redetermination of the succinonitrile-water phase diagram

The phase diagram of the water/succinonitrile system often used in modeling binary metallic alloys is determined experimentally using a laser scattering method. Triply distilled and zone-refined succinonitrile is placed in a jacketed water-cooled vessel with a magnetic mixer and a copper-constantan thermocouple, and the melting point is determined under vacuum and under Ar by observing the response of a photodiode placed opposite a laser source as the chamber is cooled and reheated. Then water is added, and the eutectic and monotectic temperatures and the entire phase diagram are determined under Ar. The results are presented in a table and graph and compared to those of Schreinemakers (1897): significant discrepancies are noted and attributed to impurities in the succinonitrile used by Schreinemakers. The importance of accurate phase diagrams for modeling binary alloys is stressed.

Smith, J. E., Jr.↗

An improved process for preparing Tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane monomer for use in producing silicon carbide-silicon nitride fibers

A technique is described for the preparation of tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane by a process which may be used for large-scale production. The steps include synthesis, filtration to remove the salt byproduct, and distillation to remove the product from the reaction mixture under anhydrous conditions. Tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane is a precursor used to prepare silicon carbide-silicon nitride fibers that have been shown to have high tensile modulus (29 x 10 to the 6th psi for 0.4 mil diameter), high tensile strength (10.5 x 10 to the 4th psi), and high electrical resistivity (7 x 10 to the 8th ohm-cm).

Penn, B. G.↗

Production and condensation of organic gases in the atmosphere of Titan

The rates and altitudes for the dissociation of atmospheric constituents on Titan are calculated for solar ultraviolet radiation, the solar wind, Saturn magnetospheric particles, the Saturn co-rotating plasma, and cosmic rays. Laboratory experiments show that a variety of simple gas phase organic molecules and more complex organic solids called tholins are produced by such irradiations of simulated Titanian atmospheres. Except for ultraviolet wavelengths longward of the methane photodissociation continuum, most dissociation events occur between about 3100 and 3600 km altitude, corresponding well to the region of EUV opacity detected by Voyager. For a wide variety of simple to moderately complex organic gases in the Titanian atmosphere, condensation occurs below the top of the main cloud deck at about 2825 km. It is proposed that such condensates, begining with CH4 at about 2615 km comprise the principal mass of the Titan clouds. There is a distinct tendency for the atmosphere of Titan to act as a fractional distillation device, molecules of greater complexity condensing out at higher altitudes.

Sagan, C.↗

Development of a preprototype times wastewater recovery subsystem

A three-man wastewater recovery preprototype subsystem using a hollow fiber membrane evaporator with a thermoelectric heat pump to provide efficient potable water recovery from wastewater on extended duration space flights was designed, fabricated, and tested at one-gravity. Low power, compactness and gravity insensitive operation are featured in this vacuum distillation subsystem. The tubular hollow fiber elements provide positive liquid/gas phase control with no moving parts, and provide structural integrity, improving on previous flat sheet membrane designs. A thermoelectric heat pump provides latent energy recovery. Application and integration of these key elements solved problems inherent in all previous reclamation subsystem designs.

Roebelen, G. J., Jr.↗

Petrologic constraints on the origin of the Moon: Evidence from Apollo 14

The Fra Mauro breccias at Apollo 14 contain distinctive suites of mare basalts and highland crustal rocks that contrast significantly with equivalent rocks from other Apollo sites. These contrasts imply lateral heterogeneity of the lunar crust and mantle on a regional scale. This heterogeneity may date back to the earliest stages of lunar accretion and differentiation. Current theories requiring a Moon-wide crust of Ferroan Anorthosite are based largely on samples from Apollo 16, where all but a few samples represent the FAN suite. However, at the nearside sites, FAN is either scarce (A-15) or virtually absent (A-12, A-14, A-17). It is suggested that the compositional variations could be accounted for by the acceleration of a large mass of material (e.g., 0.1 to 0.2 moon masses) late in the crystallization history of the magma ocean. Besides adding fresh, primordial material, this would remelt a large pocket of crust and mantle, thereby allowing a second distillation to occur in the resulting magma sea.

Shervais, J. W.↗

Process for producing tris s(n-methylamino) methylsilane

A method of producing tris (N-methylamine) methylsilane is described including the steps of forming and cooling a liquid solution of methylamine in an inert solvent and under an inert atmosphere at a temperature of about -30 C and slowly adding a quantity of methyltricholorosilane while maintaining said temperature. The reaction mixture is then heated for about 60 minutes at a temperature of about 40 C, followed by filtering the solid portion from the liquid portion. The liquid is distilled to remove the solvent, resulting in a high yield of tris (N-methylamine) methylsilane.

Clemons, J. M.↗

Interaction between Escherichia coli and lunar fines

A sample of mature lunar fines (10084.151) was solubilized to a high degree (about 17 percent) by the chelating agent salicylic acid (0.01. M). The neutralized (pH adjusted to 7.0) leachate was found to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli (ATCC 259922) in a minimial mineral salts glucose medium; however, the inhibition was somewhat less than that caused by neutralized salicylic acid alone. The presence of lunar fines in the minimal medium was highly stimulatory to growth of E. coli following an early inhibitory response. The bacterium survived less well in the lunar leachate than in distilled water, no doubt because of the salicylate. It was concluded that the sample of lunar soil tested has nutritional value to E. coli and that certain products of fermentation helped to solubilize the lunar soil.

Johansson, K. R.↗

Organosiloxane working fluids for the liquid droplet radiator

Siloxane-based working fluids for advanced space radiators requiring direct fluid exposure to the space environment are evaluated. Isolation of five candidate fluids by vacuum distillation from existing siloxane polymers is discussed. The five fluids recovered include a polydimethylsiloxane, three phenyl-containing siloxanes, and a methylhexylsiloxane. Vapor pressures and viscosities for the five fluids are reported over the temperature range of 250 to 400 K. Use of thermal-gravimetric analysis to reliably estimate vapor pressures of 10 to the -8 power Pascals is described. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polymethylphenylsiloxane (PMPS) are selected from the five candidate fluids based on favorable vapor pressure and viscosity, as well as perceived stability in low-Earth orbit environments. Characterization of these fluids by infrared spectroscopy, Si-29 NMR, gel-permeation chromatography, and liquid chromatography is presented. Both fluids consist of narrow molecular weight distributions, with average molecular weights of about 2500 for PDMS and 1300 for PMPS.

Buch, R. R.↗

Water recycling system using thermopervaporation method

A water recycling system concept for the crew of the space station is presented. A thermopervaporation method is a new key technology used for the distillation process, utilizing a hydrophobic membrane. An experimental study of thermopervaporation revealed that the permeation depends on the gap between the membrane and the cooling surface in the condensation room: the steam diffusion occurs with gaps less than 5 mm while natural convection becomes dominant with gaps more than 5 mm. A brief discussion of the system operation is also described.

Nitta, K.↗

Corrosion fatigue of 2219-T87 aluminum alloy

Corrosion fatigue studies were conducted on bare, chemical conversion coated, and anodized 2219-T87 aluminum alloy. These tests were performed using a rotating beam machine running at a velocity of 2500 rpm. The corrosive environments tested were distilled water, 100 ppm NaCl, and 3.5 percent NaCl. Results were compared to the endurance limit in air. An evaluation of the effect of protective coatings on corrosion fatigue was made by comparing the fatigue properties of specimens with coatings to those without.

Mcmillan, V. C.↗

Determination of solid mass fraction in partially frozen hydrocarbon fuels

Filtration procedures alone are insufficient to determine the amounts of crystalline solid in a partially frozen hydrocarbon distillate fraction. This is due to the nature of the solidification process by which a large amount of liquid becomes entrapped within an interconnected crystalline structure. A technique has been developed to supplement filtration methods with an independent determination of the amount of liquid in the precipitate thereby revealing the actual value of mass percent crystalline solid, %S. A non-crystallizing dye is injected into the fuel and used as a tracer during the filtration. The relative concentrations of the dye in the filtrate and precipitate fractions is subsequently detected by a spectrophotometric comparison. The filtration apparatus was assembled so that the temperature of the sample is recorded immediately above the filter. Also, a second method of calculation has been established which allows significant reduction in test time while retaining acceptable accuracy of results. Data have been obtained for eight different kerosene range hydrocarbon fuels.

Cotterell, E. M.↗

A refractory inclusion in the Kaba CV3 chondrite - Some implications for the origin of spinel-rich objects in chondrites

The first detailed petrographic and mineralogical study of a Ca, Al-rich inclusion (CAI) from the Kaba CV3 chondrite is reported. This 'fine-grained' CAI contains abundant small, rounded, rimmed, spinel-rich objects which have important features in common with the spinel-rich objects in other carbonaceous and ordinary chondrites. These nodules are interpreted as fractionated distillation residues of primitive dust. However, the available data do not unambiguously rule out a condensation origin for at least some of these objects. Finally, the preservation of distinct diopside-hedenbergite rims on the spinel-rich bodies and the small grain size of many minerals in the CAI matrix material both suggest that the CAI accreted cool and had a relatively cool thermal history in the Kaba parent body.

Fegley, B., Jr.↗

Toward a spartan scenario for use of lunar materials

The present discussion has the objective to identify those raw materials for use in manufacture which can most readily be obtained from lunar materials as they are currently known. The state of lunar exploration is incomplete, and concentrated ores may exist for elements now regarded as rare or dispersed. This paper provides a description of minimum possibilities, based on the notion of making do with the least feasible amounts of separation and processing. The discussion is limited to the most abundant materials observed at lunar sites visited by the Apollo missions. The ground rules for use of lunar products are considered along with the tools required to carry out any significant production of raw materials for manufacture, and lunar surface conditions. Readily available materials include unprocessed regolith and minimally processed regolith. A few examples of processing methods are provided, giving attention to thermal release of gases, hydrogen reduction of ilmenite, carbonyl processing, electrolysis of molten silicate, and destructive distillation.

Haskin, L. A.↗

Clarification Procedure for Gels

Procedure developed to obtain transparent gels with consistencies suitable for crystal growth, by replacing sodium ions in silicate solution with potassium ions. Clarification process uses cation-exchange resin to replace sodium ions in stock solution with potassium ions, placed in 1M solution of soluble potassium salt. Slurry stirred for several hours to allow potassium ions to replace all other cations on resin. Supernatant solution decanted through filter, and beads rinsed with distilled water. Rinsing removes excess salt but leaves cation-exchange beads fully charged with potassium ions.

Barber, Patrick G.↗

G-300: The first French Getaway Special microgravity measurements of fluid thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity measurements on liquids are difficult to perform on Earth because of thermal motions due to convection. In microgravity, the convection due to buoyancy is evanescent, and a strong reduction of Rayleigh and Nusselt numbers can be expected. Three low viscosity liquids are selected to carry out the measurements; distilled water (standard) and two silicone oils. A modified hot plate method with a simplified guard ring is used; the reduction of convective motions permitted the use in the experimental cells of larger interplate distances and/or temperature differences than in Earth measurements, improving the accuracy. Comparisons between Earth and orbit results may help to understand the convection occurrence in the cells. Thermal, vibrational, and EMI tests have proved that the design satisfies the NASA requirements.

Perron, J. C.↗

Deformation and fracture of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide produced by cavitation

An investigation was conducted to examine the deformation and fracture behavior of single-crystal and sintered polycrystalline SiC surfaces exposed to cavitation. Cavitation erosion experiments were conducted in distilled water at 25 C by using a magnetostrictive oscillator in close proximity (1 mm) to the surface of SiC. The horn frequency was 20 kHz, and the double amplitude of the vibrating disk was 50 microns. The results of the investigation indicate that the SiC (0001) surface could be deformed in a plastic manner during cavitation. Dislocation etch pits were formed when the surface was chemically etched. The number of defects, including dislocations in the SiC (0001) surface, increased with increasing exposure time to cavitation. The presence of intrinsic defects such as voids in the surficial layers of the sintered polycrystalline SiC determined the zones at which fractured grains and fracture pits (pores) were generated. Single-crystal SiC had superior erosion resistance to that of sintered polycrystalline SiC.

Miyoshi, Kazuhisa↗

Preparation of B-trichloroborazine

The present invention relates to a method of preparing B-trichloroborazine. Generally, the method includes the combination of gaseous boron trichloride in an anhydrous aprotic organic solvent followed by addition of excess gaseous ammonia at ambient temperature or below. The reaction mixture is heated to about 100 to 140 C followed by cooling, removal of the solid ammonium chloride at ambient temperature, distillation of the solvent under vacuum if necessary at a temperature of up to about 112 C, and recovery of the B-trichloroborazine. Solvents include toluene, benzene, xylene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, chlorinated aromatic compounds, or mixtures thereof. Toluene is a preferred solvent. The process provides a convenient synthesis of a material which often decomposes on standing. B-trichloroborazine is useful in a number of chemical reactions, and particularly in the formation of high temperature inorganic polymers and polymer precursors.

Riccitiello, Salvatore R.↗

Pre- and posttreatment techniques for spacecraft water recovery

The objective was to develop techniques for satisfactory pretreatment of waste water (urine and wash water) prior to recovery by distillation and satisfactory post-treatment of the recovered water and humidity condensate for purification to the high quality necessary for reuse. The effort included literature and laboratory investigations, feasibility evaluations of candidate approaches, and development of conceptual designs for a waste water pretreatment system and a recovered water post-treatment system.

Putnam, David F.↗