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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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1978

Organic solids produced by electrical discharges in reducing atmospheres: Molecular analysis

The complex brown polymer produced on passage of an electrical discharge through a mixture of methane, ammonia, and water, is analyzed by pyrolytic GC/MS. Pyrolyzates include a wide range of alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic and aromatic nitriles, pyrroles, and pyridine. Similar pyrolyzates are obtained from polypeptides and polynucleotides with hydrocarbon moieties. This polymer is remarkably stable up to 950 C; its degradation products are candidate constituents of planetary aerosols in the outer solar system and the grains and gas in the interstellar medium.

Khare, B. N.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Evaluation of the application of some gas chromatographic methods for the determination of properties of synthetic fuels

The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the applicability, to some synthetic fuels, of some gas chromatographic methods now under development for use with petroleum based fuels. Thirty-two jet and diesel fuel samples which were prepared from oil shale and coal syncrudes were examined. The boiling range distribution of each was determined by gas chromatography, and from that data distillation properties were calculated. The calculated results gave sufficient agreement with the measured values that the equations could be useable in their present form. Bulk fuel properties were calculated for the sixteen JP-5 and Diesel No. 2 type fuels. The results show that the equations would not give useable results. Capillary column gas chromatography was used to determine the n-alkane content of the eight JP-5 type samples and the results related to the observed freezing points. The results show that the concentrations of the long straight chain molecules in the fuels exert influence on the freezing point but are not the complete controlling factor.

Antoine, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Pyrolysis and oxidation of aromatic compounds

A study of the questions associated with the use of alternate fuels demands knowledge of the chemical mechanism of pyrolysis and oxidation of aromatic compounds. Both pyrolysis and oxidation are important, because fuel-rich conditions may mean that pyrolysis is competitive with oxidation. Soot formation is certainly a pyrolysis problem. The complexity of system characteristics makes a detailed study of thermodynamical and kinetic conditions difficult. The matter can be simplified somewhat by generalizing the chemistry by classes of molecules. The criteria for such a generalization of the chemistry are discussed along with an evaluation of the rate constants and their temperature and pressure dependences. Attention is given to the pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, the oxidation of hydrocarbons, the oxidation reactions of alkanes, aspects of codification and extrapolation, group additivity, structural consideration, kinetics, and the pyrolysis of aromatic compounds.

Golden, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Evaluation of the application of some gas chromatographic methods for the determination of properties of synthetic fuels

The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate the applicability, to some synthetic fuels, of some gas chromatographic methods now under development for use with petroleum based fuels. Thirty-two jet and diesel fuel samples which were prepared from oil shale and coal syncrudes were examined. The boiling range distribution of each was determined by gas chromatography, and from that data distillation properties were calculated. The calculated results gave sufficient agreement with the measured values that the equations could be useable in their present form. Bulk fuel properties were calculated for the 16 JP-5 and Diesel No. 2 type fuels. The results show that the equations would not give useable results. Capillary column gas chromatography was used to determine the n-alkane content of the eight JP-5 type samples and the results related to the observed freezing points. The results show that the concentrations of the long straight chain molecules in the fuels exert influence on the freezing point but are not the complete controlling factor.

Antoine, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Extended hopane derivatives in sediments - Identification by H-1 NMR

Sedimentary C32 hopanoic acid, one of the most abundant in nature and of probable bacterial origin, has been isolated for the first time as a single component and characterized by H-1 NMR. The 17 alpha H, 21 beta H configuration of the C31 alkane has been similarly confirmed.

Taylor, J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Modelling of polymer photodegradation for solar cell modules

A computer program developed to model and calculate by numerical integration the varying concentrations of chemical species formed during photooxidation of a polymeric material over time, using as input data a choice set of elementary reactions, corresponding rate constants and a convenient set of starting conditions is evaluated. Attempts were made to validate the proposed mechanism by experimentally monitoring the photooxidation products of small liquid alkane which are useful starting models for ethylene segments of polymers like EVA. The model system proved in appropriate for the intended purposes. Another validation model is recommended.

Somersall, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Effect of hydrocarbon fuel type on fuel

A modified jet fuel thermal oxidation tester (JFTOT) procedure was used to evaluate deposit and sediment formation for four pure hydrocarbon fuels over the temperature range 150 to 450 C in 316-stainless-steel heater tubes. Fuel types were a normal alkane, an alkene, a naphthene, and an aromatic. Each fuel exhibited certain distinctive deposit and sediment formation characteristics. The effect of aluminum and 316-stainless-steel heater tube surfaces on deposit formation for the fuel n-decane over the same temperature range was investigated. Results showed that an aluminum surface had lower deposit formation rates at all temperatures investigated. By using a modified JFTOT procedure the thermal stability of four pure hydrocarbon fuels and two practical fuels (Jet A and home heating oil no. 2) was rated on the basis of their breakpoint temperatures. Results indicate that this method could be used to rate thermal stability for a series of fuels.

Wong, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Comparison of Michigan Basin crude oils

Michigan Basin oils from the Ordovician Trenton, Silurian Niagaran, and Devonian Dundee formations have been geochemically compared by GC, GC-MS, and carbon isotope mass spectrometry. One oil from each formation was selected for detailed analysis which included measurement of individual n-alkane delta 13 C values. The Ordovician and Devonian oils are strikingly similar to one another, yet clearly different from the Silurian oil. This pattern is unexpected because Ordovician and Devonian reservoirs are physically separated by the Silurian strata. From time-temperature considerations, the Devonian oil probably was formed in older strata and has migrated to its present location. Our analyses suggest a common source for the Devonian and Ordovician oils.

Vogler, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Organic solids produced by electrical discharge in reducing atmospheres - Tholin molecular analysis

The complex dark brown solid of a class called tholins, produced on passage of an electrical discharge through a roughly equimolar mixture of methane and ammonia with 2.6% water vapor, is analyzed by vacuum pyrolysis followed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Pyrolyzates include a wide range of aliphatic and aromatic nitriles, alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrrole, and pyridine. This tholin is remarkably stable to 950 C. It and its degradation products are candidate constituents of planetary aerosols in the outer solar system and of the grains in the interstellar medium.

Khare, B. N.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Modeling of photodegradation in solar cell modules of substrate and superstrate design made with ethylene-vinyl acetate as pottant material

The rates of hydrogen abstraction by peroxy radicals were proven to be too slow for significant oxidation of the alkane substrate to be important. The numerical procedure, independent of our particular data base was verified by reproducing concentration time profiles for a model reaction set describing the cesium flare system in the upper atmosphere. Simulation was identical to that given in the literature. Experimental verification of the data base is to be attempted by weatherometry studies in the coming year. Work on the new diagnostic techniques was completed. The adapted automated viscometer was demonstrated to be an efficient and reliable tool for routine measurements of viscosity (molecular weight) changes in solid samples after batch solutions have been made up. The laser photolysis GC method for monitoring extremely low levels of oxidation in polymers proved to be impractical because the yields of carbon monoxide were too low for quantification. Much progress was made with the computer model. The reaction matrix was completely revised, resulting in a new scheme of 31 reactions and time, lifetimes in excess of ten years. The results to date lead us to some tentative observations.

Somersall, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Study of the Auger line shape of polyethylene and diamond

The KVV Auger electron line shapes of carbon in polyethylene and diamond have been studied. The spectra were obtained in derivative form by electron beam excitation. They were treated by background subtraction, integration and deconvolution to produce the intrinsic Auger line shape. Electron energy loss spectra provided the response function in the deconvolution procedure. The line shape from polyethylene is compared with spectra from linear alkanes and with a previous spectrum of Kelber et al. Both spectra are compared with the self-convolution of their full valence band densities of states and of their p-projected densities. The experimental spectra could not be understood in terms of existing theories. This is so even when correlation effects are qualitatively taken into account account to the theories of Cini and Sawatzky and Lenselink.

Dayan, M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Organic matter in the Saturn system

Theoretical and experimental predictions of the formation (and outgassing) of organic molecules in the outer solar system are compared with Voyager IRIS spectral data for the Titan atmosphere. The organic molecules of Titan are of interest because the species and processes within the atmosphere of that moon may have had analogs in the early earth atmosphere 4 Gyr ago. The spacecraft data confirmed the presence of alkanes, ethane, propane, ethylene, alkynes, acetylene, butadiene, methylacetylene, nitriles, hydrogen cyanide, cyanoacetylene, and cyanogen, all heavier than the dominant CH4. Experimental simulation of the effects of UV photolysis, alpha and gamma ray irradiation, electrical discharges and proton and electron bombardment of similar gas mixtures has shown the best promise for modeling the reactions producing the Titan atmosphere chemicals.

Sagan, C.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Depositing Diamondlike Carbon Films

New process demonstrated to make thin films (usually thousands of angstroms to few microns thick) that have properties of diamonds. Various plasma and ion-beam techniques employed to generate films. Films made by radio-frequency plasma decomposition of hydrocarbon gas or other alkanes, by low-energy carbon-ion-beam deposition, or by ion plating and dual ion technique using carbon target. Advantages of new process over others are films produced, though amorphous, are clear, extremely hard, chemically inert, of high resistivity, and have index of refraction of 3.2 properties similar to those of single-crystal diamonds. Films have possible uses in microelectronic applications, high-energy-laser and plastic windows, corrosion protection for metals, and other applications where desired properties of film shaped during the film-formation process.

Mirtich, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A general, cryogenically-based analytical technique for the determination of trace quantities of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere

An analytical technique for the determination of trace (sub-ppbv) quantities of volatile organic compounds in air was developed. A liquid nitrogen-cooled trap operated at reduced pressures in series with a Dupont Nafion-based drying tube and a gas chromatograph was utilized. The technique is capable of analyzing a variety of organic compounds, from simple alkanes to alcohols, while offering a high level of precision, peak sharpness, and sensitivity.

Coleman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Kinetics and mechanisms of some atomic oxygen reactions

Mechanisms and kinetics of some reactions of the ground state of oxygen atoms, O(3P), are briefly summarized. Attention is given to reactions of oxygen atoms with several different types of organic and inorganic compounds such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, and some oxygen, nitrogen, halogen and sulfur derivatives of these compounds. References to some recent compilations and critical evaluations of reaction rate constants are given.

Cvetanovic, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spacecraft dielectric material properties and spacecraft charging

The physics of spacecraft charging is reviewed, and criteria for selecting and testing semiinsulating polymers (SIPs) to avoid charging are discussed and illustrated. Chapters are devoted to the required properties of dielectric materials, the charging process, discharge-pulse phenomena, design for minimum pulse size, design to prevent pulses, conduction in polymers, evaluation of SIPs that might prevent spacecraft charging, and the general response of dielectrics to space radiation. SIPs characterized include polyimides, fluorocarbons, thermoplastic polyesters, poly(alkanes), vinyl polymers and acrylates, polymers containing phthalocyanine, polyacene quinones, coordination polymers containing metal ions, conjugated-backbone polymers, and 'metallic' conducting polymers. Tables summarizing the results of SIP radiation tests (such as those performed for the NASA Galileo Project) are included.

Frederickson, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Low temperature hydrothermal maturation of organic matter in sediments from the Atlantis II Deep, Red Sea

Hydrocarbons and bulk organic matter of two sediment cores within the Atlantis II Deep are analyzed, and microbial inputs and minor terrestrial sources are found to represent the major sedimentary organic material. Results show that extensive acid-catalyzed reactions are occurring in the sediments, and the Atlantis II Deep is found to exhibit a lower degree of thermal maturation than other hydrothermal or intrusive systems. The lack of carbon number preference noted among the n-alkanes suggests that the organic matter of these sediments has undergone some degree of catagenesis, though yields of hydrocarbons are much lower than those found in other hydrothermal areas, probably due to the effect of lower temperature and poor source-rock characteristics.

Simoneit, Bernd R. T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Organic molecules on meteoritic solid substrates

The production of C1-C3 monocarboxylic acids from carbonaceous meteorites was investigated by the radiolysis of air-free CO2 and alkane solutions, utilizing a Cs-137 gamma-ray source. Samples were first loaded on a vacuum system, irradiated, and then analyzed by the Hewlett Packard model 5890A gas chromatograph. Moreover, the samples were irradiated with and without added ferrous iron.

Sweeney, Michael A.↗