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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 703 records · Page 39

Effect of Char Loading on Reduction Kinetics of Cu-Based Oxygen Carriers in a Drop-Tube Fluidized-Bed Reactor at Temperatures from 850 to 1100 °C: Experiment and CFD Modeling

Chemical-looping combustion with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU) is a process using gaseous or solid hydrocarbon fuels and is a promising carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. In CLOU, combustion of the fuel is achieved through the release of gaseous O 2 from an oxygen carrier material such as CuO and is favored at high temperatures and low O 2 partial pressures. The primary objectives of this study were to (1) compare values for the apparent rate constant k ov ( T ) for the overall rate of reduction of a CuO carrier, either alone or in the presence of coal char obtained from the pyrolysis of Powder River Basin (PRB) coal, and (2) develop and validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for the CuO/PRB coal char system based on known kinetics of the individual CuO and Cu 2 O reduction, combustion, and gasification reactions. Two oxygen carriers consisting of 20 wt % CuO/Al 2 O 3 and 9 wt % CuO/Al 2 O 3 were prepared by physical mixing and by incipient wetness impregnation (IWI), respectively. Kinetic analyses were conducted in the temperature range of 850–1100 °C. The CFD model typically reproduced experimental values of k ov ( T ) to within ±10%. We note the increase in k ov ( T ) caused by addition of only 0.075 g of PRB char per gram of CuO was modest at 1100 °C, but was more than 3-fold at 850 °C. Combustion and gasification of the coal char not only produced CO, opening another pathway for CuO reduction in addition to the CLOU reaction, but also resulted in the over-reduction of Cu 2 O to the undesired metallic Cu. Production of Cu metal increased with respect to char loading.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Identification of Faults Susceptible to Induced Seismicity Final Report

The primary objective of this project (referred to as the State of Stress project or SoS project) was to predict the presence of faults susceptible to movement in the presence of fluid injection as a consequence of vertical pressure migration from the storage unit to the crystalline basement. These faults included those difficult to resolve with traditional interpretations of surface seismic: faults with no or minimal offset, faults in the crystalline basement where no seismic reflectors are present, subseismic faults (due to size), and faults undetected (e.g., due to unfavorable orientation with surface seismic survey).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

The European Southern Observatory-MIDAS table file system

The new and substantially upgraded version of the Table File System in MIDAS is presented as a scientific database system. MIDAS applications for performing database operations on tables are discussed, for instance, the exchange of the data to and from the TFS, the selection of objects, the uncertainty joins across tables, and the graphical representation of data. This upgraded version of the TFS is a full implementation of the binary table extension of the FITS format; in addition, it also supports arrays of strings. Different storage strategies for optimal access of very large data sets are implemented and are addressed in detail. As a simple relational database, the TFS may be used for the management of personal data files. This opens the way to intelligent pipeline processing of large amounts of data. One of the key features of the Table File System is to provide also an extensive set of tools for the analysis of the final results of a reduction process. Column operations using standard and special mathematical functions as well as statistical distributions can be carried out; commands for linear regression and model fitting using nonlinear least square methods and user-defined functions are available. Finally, statistical tests of hypothesis and multivariate methods can also operate on tables.

Peron, M.↗

Solar-Thermal Engine Testing

A solar-thermal engine serves as a high-temperature solar-radiation absorber, heat exchanger, and rocket nozzle. collecting concentrated solar radiation into an absorber cavity and transferring this energy to a propellant as heat. Propellant gas can be heated to temperatures approaching 4,500 F and expanded in a rocket nozzle, creating low thrust with a high specific impulse (I(sub sp)). The Shooting Star Experiment (SSE) solar-thermal engine is made of 100 percent chemical vapor deposited (CVD) rhenium. The engine 'module' consists of an engine assembly, propellant feedline, engine support structure, thermal insulation, and instrumentation. Engine thermal performance tests consist of a series of high-temperature thermal cycles intended to characterize the propulsive performance of the engines and the thermal effectiveness of the engine support structure and insulation system. A silicone-carbide electrical resistance heater, placed inside the inner shell, substitutes for solar radiation and heats the engine. Although the preferred propellant is hydrogen, the propellant used in these tests is gaseous nitrogen. Because rhenium oxidizes at elevated temperatures, the tests are performed in a vacuum chamber. Test data will include transient and steady state temperatures on selected engine surfaces, propellant pressures and flow rates, and engine thrust levels. The engine propellant-feed system is designed to Supply GN2 to the engine at a constant inlet pressure of 60 psia, producing a near-constant thrust of 1.0 lb. Gaseous hydrogen will be used in subsequent tests. The propellant flow rate decreases with increasing propellant temperature, while maintaining constant thrust, increasing engine I(sub sp). In conjunction with analytical models of the heat exchanger, the temperature data will provide insight into the effectiveness of the insulation system, the structural support system, and the overall engine performance. These tests also provide experience on operational aspects of the engine and associated subsystems, and will include independent variation of both steady slate heat-exchanger temperature prior to thrust operation and nitrogen inlet pressure (flow rate) during thrust operation. Although the Shooting Star engines were designed as thermal-storage engines to accommodate mission parameters, they are fully capable of operating as scalable, direct-gain engines. Tests are conducted in both operational modes. Engine thrust and propellant flow rate will be measured and thereby I(sub sp). The objective of these tests is to investigate the effectiveness of the solar engine as a heat exchanger and a rocket. Of particular interest is the effectiveness of the support structure as a thermal insulator, the integrity of both the insulation system and the insulation containment system, the overall temperature distribution throughout the engine module, and the thermal power required to sustain steady state fluid temperatures at various flow rates.

Tucker, Stephen↗

Space Mission Utility and Requirements for a Heat Melt Compactor

Management of waste on long-duration space missions is both a problem and an opportunity. Uncontained or unprocessed waste is a crew health hazard and a habitat storage problem. A Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) such as NASA has been developing is capable of processing space mission trash and converting it to useful products. The HMC is intended to process space mission trash to achieve a number of objectives including: volume reduction, biological safening and stabilization, water recovery, radiation shielding, and planetary protection. This paper explores the utility of the HMC to future space missions and how this translates into HMC system requirements.

waste utilization↗

Extending the Duration of Crewed Stays on the Lunar Surface

NASA’s Artemis missions aim to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo Program. Unlike the Apollo missions, Artemis missions will take advantage of pre-emplaced assets on the lunar surface to support crewed exploration, science, and utilization. Although the initial Artemis surface missions are intended to keep crew on the lunar surface for durations ranging from several days to several weeks, crewed stays of longer periods may provide additional support toward NASA’s Moon to Mars Objectives, including long-term exploration and continuous human lunar presence. If mission durations are extended beyond the expected few weeks, the elements and concepts of operation for the lunar architecture will need to be capable of supporting that extension. This paper uses an integrated systems analysis perspective to examine the architectural considerations of extending the duration of human missions on the lunar surface. By identifying these key architectural considerations, this paper offers insight into how elements and operations might meet the demands of potential future mission concepts. This paper does not recommend changes to NASA’s lunar architecture, and it does not evaluate whether any mission concepts affect the relative satisfaction of the Moon to Mars Objectives. However, if crew do remain on the surface for progressively longer periods of time, the functions and capabilities provided by the assets supporting the crew may need to adjust to support the needs of those missions. The functions and capabilities identified as key to enable such extended duration missions include power generation and storage, logistics delivery, radiation mitigation, provision of medical and exercise capability, abort from the lunar surface, maintenance, and the provision of pressurized volume. For example, the medical capabilities available to the crew may become more extensive, and habitable elements may need to change to support longer crewed periods (and shorter quiescent periods). In some cases, these changes may be accomplished through alterations to use cases, operational changes, or the evolution of lunar surface elements, but in other cases, new elements may be preferable. By identifying key considerations for the functions and capabilities of notional lunar surface elements as the length of each crewed mission is extended from several days to continuous human presence on the Moon, this paper assesses how the elements of NASA’s lunar architecture might support the extension of mission durations. In addition, this analysis can help inform future evaluation of whether such extended duration missions improve NASA’s ability to address its Moon to Mars Objectives.

Garrett M. Carman↗

A comprehensive techno-eco-assessment of CO 2 enhanced oil recovery projects using a machine-learning assisted workflow

Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO 2 -EOR) projects not only extract residual oil but also sequestrate CO 2 in the depleted reservoirs. Here, this study develops a machine-learning-based workflow to co-optimize the hydrocarbon recovery, CO 2 sequestration volume and project net present value (NPV) simultaneously. Considering the trade-off relationships among the objective functions, support vector regression with Gaussian kernel (Gaussian- SVR) proxies are coupled with multi-objective particle swarm optimization (PSO) protocol and generate Pareto optimal solutions. Taking advantage of the high computational efficacy of the proxy model, economic uncertainties introduced by tax credits, capital costs and oil price are investigated by this study. The results indicate that the tax incentive policy (Section 45Q) plays a vital role in enhancing the economic returns of CO 2 -EOR projects, especially under the depression of crude oil market. The proposed workflow has been successfully implemented to optimize a water alternative CO 2 (CO 2 -WAG) injection project in a depleted oil sand in the US. The optimization results yield an incremental oil production of 15.8 MM STB and 1.37 MM metric tons of CO 2 storage in a 20-year development strategy, with the highest project NPV to be 205.6 MM US dollars.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Characterization Testing of a 20 Kelvin Cryocooler for Space Applications

Future NASA space exploration missions will require long-duration storage and liquefaction of cryogenic liquids, enabled by active cooling provided by cryocoolers. Recent gap analyses of Lunar and Mars transportation systems have identified 20 K-class cryocoolers as a critical enabling technology for chemical and nuclear thermal propulsion architectures using liquid hydrogen propellant. To address this technology gap, NASA has undergone the development of a high-efficiency, high-capacity 20 K cryocooler via an SBIR partnership with Creare. While the January 2025 testing demonstrated functionality and compliance with contractual requirements, the objective of the NASA-led characterization effort was to generate a dataset for supporting future mission designs across a broader operating envelope, including off-nominal conditions. The cryocooler demonstrated strong performance, achieving a peak coefficient of performance of 17.68% relative to Carnot efficiency and a maximum lift capacity of 24.4 W at 21 K. Overall, the results confirm that the 20 W 20 K cryocooler provides a flexible range of capabilities to enable zero boil-off storage of liquid hydrogen for future Lunar and Mars missions. The data collected provide a strong foundation for model validation and future system design efforts.

Cryocooler↗

Characterization Testing of a 20 Kelvin Cryocooler for Space Applications

Future NASA space exploration missions will require long-duration storage and liquefaction of cryogenic liquids, enabled by active cooling provided by cryocoolers. Recent gap analyses of Lunar and Mars transportation systems have identified 20 K-class cryocoolers as a critical enabling technology for chemical and nuclear thermal propulsion architectures using liquid hydrogen propellant. To address this technology gap, NASA has undergone the development of a high-efficiency, high-capacity 20 K cryocooler via an SBIR partnership with Creare. While the January 2025 testing demonstrated functionality and compliance with contractual requirements, the objective of the NASA-led characterization effort was to generate a dataset for supporting future mission designs across a broader operating envelope, including off-nominal conditions. The cryocooler demonstrated strong performance, achieving a peak coefficient of performance of 17.68% relative to Carnot efficiency and a maximum lift capacity of 24.4 W at 21 K. Overall, the results confirm that the 20 W 20 K cryocooler provides a flexible range of capabilities to enable zero boil-off storage of liquid hydrogen for future Lunar and Mars missions. The data collected provide a strong foundation for model validation and future system design efforts.

Zero boil-off↗

National Nuclear Materials Archive (NNMA) - Specimen Selection and Sampling at the Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 has made significant progress in FY21 towards National Nuclear Materials Archive (NNMA) program objectives related to the identification, nomination, sampling, sub-sampling and shipment of NNMA materials. Y-12 efforts in FY22 and beyond are anticipated to transition away from material identification and nomination to an emphasis on sampling/sub-sampling and long-term storage of NNMA specimens. Long-term storage efforts will also involve more emphasis on insuring that the nuclear forensics value of NNMA items is guaranteed through appropriate preservation processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Overview of SMART Initiative

The objective of the SMART Initiative, i.e., Science-informed Machine Learning (ML) for Accelerating Real-Time Decisions in Subsurface Applications, is to show how the utilization of ML can significantly improve efficiency and effectiveness of field-scale commercial carbon storage operations in three main areas: real-time visualization, virtual learning, and real-time forecasting. This presentation reports the status of SMART initiative for demonstrating: (a) virtual learning during the pre-injection permitting phase, and (b) ML-assisted operational decision making and visualization.

Siriwardane, Hema↗

Engineering-Scale Integrated Energy System Data Projection Demonstration via the Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory

The objective of this study is to demonstrate and validate the Dynamic Energy Transport and Integration Laboratory (DETAIL) preliminary scaling analysis using Modelica language system-code Dymola. The DETAIL preliminary scaling analysis includes a multisystem integral scaling package between thermal-storage and hydrogen-electrolysis systems. To construct the system of scaled equations, dynamical system scaling (DSS) was applied to all governing laws and closure relations associated with the selected integral system. The existing Dymola thermal-energy distribution system (TEDS) facility and high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) facility models in the Idaho National Laboratory HYBRID repository were used to simulate a test case and a corresponding scaled case for integrated system HYBRID demonstration and validation. The DSS projected data based on the test-case simulations and determined scaling ratios were generated and compared with scaled case simulations. The preliminary scaling analysis performance was evaluated, and scaling distortions were investigated based on data magnitude, sequence, and similarity. The results indicated a necessity to change the normalization method for thermal storage generating optimal operating conditions of 261 kW power and mass flow rate of 6.42 kg/s and the possibility of reselecting governing laws for hydrogen electrolysis to improve scaling predictive properties. To enhance system-scaling similarity for TEDS and HTSE, the requirement for scaling validation via physical-facility demonstration was identified.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Spacecraft 2000

The Spacecraft 2000 program has been conceived by NASA with the objective to maintain the U.S. in a strong technical position in the space arena. The program is to involve a cooperative NASA/industry effort with long-range technology development aims. The technology areas addressed are related to spacecraft power, spacecraft energy storage, power management and distribution, autonomous operation-control, onboard systems integration, secondary propulsion, communications technologies, and systems/subsystems technology verification. Aspects of Spacecraft 2000 interactions with industry are discussed, taking into account visitations of NASA personnel to selected industrial concerns, most critical concerns (general), major technical concern, technology drivers for future spacecraft power systems, technology considerations for secondary propulsion, and questions of commercialization. Plans related to a Spacecraft 2000 program formulation are also considered.

Faymon, K. A.↗

Nickel-hydrogen cell low-earth-orbit life test update

When individual pressure vessel (IPV) nickel-hydrogen (Ni/H2) cells were selected as the energy storage system for Space Station Freedom in March of 1986, a limited database existed on life and performance characteristics of these cells in a low earth orbit (LEO) regime. Therefore, NASA LeRC initiated a Ni/H2 cell test program with the primary objectives of building a test facility, procuring cells from existing NASA contracts, and screening several cell designs by life testing in a LEO 35 percent depth of discharge (DOD) scenario. A total of 40 cells incorporating 13 designs were purchased from Yardney, Hughes, and Eagle-Picher. Thirty-two of the cells purchased were 65 A-hr nameplate capacity and eight cells were 50 A-Hr. Yardney and Eagle-Picher cells were built with both the Air Force recirculating and the advanced back-to-back electrode stack configurations and incorporated 31 and 26 percent KOH. Acceptance testing of the first delivered cells began in March of 1988, with life testing following in September of that year. Performance comparisons of these cells are made here while specifically addressing life test data relative to the design differences.

Frate, David T.↗

Scientific investigations at a lunar base

Scientific investigations to be carried out at a lunar base can have significant impact on the location, extent, and complexity of lunar surface facilities. Among the potential research activities to be carried out are: (1) Lunar Science: Studies of the origin and history of the Moon and early solar system, based on lunar field investigations, operation of networks of seismic and other instruments, and collection and analysis of materials; (2) Space Plasma Physics: Studies of the time variation of the charged particles of the solar wind, solar flares and cosmic rays that impact the Moon as it moves in and out of the magnetotail of the Earth; (3) Astronomy: Utilizing the lunar environment and stability of the surface to emplace arrays of astronomical instruments across the electromagnetic spectrum to improve spectral and spatial resolution by several orders of magnitude beyond the Hubble Space Telescope and other space observatories; (4) Fundamental physics and chemistry: Research that takes advantage of the lunar environment, such as high vacuum, low magnetic field, and thermal properties to carry out new investigations in chemistry and physics. This includes material sciences and applications; (5) Life Sciences: Experiments, such as those that require extreme isolation, highly sterile conditions, or very low natural background of organic materials may be possible; and (6) Lunar environmental science: Because many of the experiments proposed for the lunar surface depend on the special environment of the Moon, it will be necessary to understand the mechanisms that are active and which determine the major aspects of that environment, particularly the maintenance of high-vacuum conditions. From a large range of experiments, investigations and facilities that have been suggested, three specific classes of investigations are described in greater detail to show how site selection and base complexity may be affected: (1) Extended geological investigation of a complex region up to 250 kilometers from the base requires long range mobility, with transportable life support systems and laboratory facilities for the analysis of rocks and soil. Selection of an optimum base site would depend heavily on an evaluation of the degree to which science objectives could be met. These objectives could include lunar cratering, volcanism, resource surveys or other investigations; (2) An astronomical observatory initially instrumented with a VLF radio telescope, but later expanding to include other instruments, requires site preparation capability, "line shack" life support systems, instrument maintenance and storage facilities, and sortie mode transportation. A site perpetually shielded from Earth is optimum for the advanced stages of a lunar observatory; (3) an experimental physics laboratory conducting studies requiring high vacuum facilities and heavily instrumented experiments, is not highly dependent on lunar location, but will require much more flexibility in experiment operation and EVA capability, and more sophisticated instrument maintenance and fabrication facilities.

Extraterrestrial Environment↗

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2003

Topics covered include: Optoelectronic Tool Adds Scale Marks to Photographic Images; Compact Interconnection Networks Based on Quantum Dots; Laterally Coupled Quantum-Dot Distributed-Feedback Lasers; Bit-Serial Adder Based on Quantum Dots; Stabilized Fiber-Optic Distribution of Reference Frequency; Delay/Doppler-Mapping GPS-Reflection Remote-Sensing System; Ladar System Identifies Obstacles Partly Hidden by Grass; Survivable Failure Data Recorders for Spacecraft; Fiber-Optic Ammonia Sensors; Silicon Membrane Mirrors with Electrostatic Shape Actuators; Nanoscale Hot-Wire Probes for Boundary-Layer Flows; Theodolite with CCD Camera for Safe Measurement of Laser-Beam Pointing; Efficient Coupling of Lasers to Telescopes with Obscuration; Aligning Three Off-Axis Mirrors with Help of a DOE; Calibrating Laser Gas Measurements by Use of Natural CO2; Laser Ranging Simulation Program; Micro-Ball-Lens Optical Switch Driven by SMA Actuator; Evaluation of Charge Storage and Decay in Spacecraft Insulators; Alkaline Capacitors Based on Nitride Nanoparticles; Low-EC-Content Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells; Software for a GPS-Reflection Remote-Sensing System; Software for Building Models of 3D Objects via the Internet; "Virtual Cockpit Window" for a Windowless Aerospacecraft; CLARAty Functional-Layer Software; Java Library for Input and Output of Image Data and Metadata; Software for Estimating Costs of Testing Rocket Engines; Energy-Absorbing, Lightweight Wheels; Viscoelastic Vibration Dampers for Turbomachine Blades; Soft Landing of Spacecraft on Energy-Absorbing Self-Deployable Cushions; Pneumatically Actuated Miniature Peristaltic Vacuum Pumps; Miniature Gas-Turbine Power Generator; Pressure-Sensor Assembly Technique; Wafer-Level Membrane-Transfer Process for Fabricating MEMS; A Reactive-Ion Etch for Patterning Piezoelectric Thin Film; Wavelet-Based Real-Time Diagnosis of Complex Systems; Quantum Search in Hilbert Space; Analytic Method for Computing Instrument Pointing Jitter; and Semiselective Optoelectronic Sensors for Monitoring Microbes.

Source record↗

Stability, Transient Response, Control, and Safety of a High-Power Electric Grid for Turboelectric Propulsion of Aircraft

This document contains the deliverables for the NASA Research and Technology for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (RTAPS) regarding the stability, transient response, control, and safety study for a high power cryogenic turboelectric distributed propulsion (TeDP) system. The objective of this research effort is to enumerate, characterize, and evaluate the critical issues facing the development of the N3-X concept aircraft. This includes the proposal of electrical grid architecture concepts and an evaluation of any needs for energy storage.

Armstrong, Michael↗

Performance Evaluation of Intravehicular Activity Spacesuit Without the Use of a Liquid Cooling Garment

The Orion Crew Survival Systems (OCSS) suit is equipped with safety technology that protects the crew during launch and re-entry and Intravehicular Activities (IVA). It was designed to be used with a Liquid Cooling Garment (LCG), an undergarment with tubes that circulate water to remove excess heat from a crew member. The objective of this study is to determine if the Modified Advanced Crew Escape Suit (MACES), which has very similar material, assembly, and pressure characteristics as the OCSS suit, can be used without the LCG to maintain the crew within their heat storage requirements where exceedances can lead to cognitive and physiological impairment. Testing was completed for both hot and cold environments where test subjects wore varying configurations of the MACES suit ensemble without the LCG. The tests were conducted in a temperature and humidity-controlled chamber with four test subjects ranging from extra small to large. Target metabolic rates were reached using an arm ergometer. To represent the different suit configurations seen in the concept of operations, the suit was tested with visor-down, visor-up, and without helmet and gloves. The test data was analyzed to determine how the environment, test subject size, metabolic rate, and suit configuration affected heat storage. Furthermore, the test data was used to correlate the METMAN model, a transient metabolic man program that simulates the heat transfer within a crew member’s body and from a crew member to the surrounding environment. The METMAN correlation showed good agreement between predicted heat storage and test data at the end of the test duration, with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) value of 0.8999 for visor-down cases and R 2 of 0.8902 for visor-up and helmet off cases. A correlated METMAN model allows for the analysis and prediction of IVA suit performance without an LCG in additional scenarios.

Human Thermal Modeling↗