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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 73 records · Page 4

Development and testing of dry chemicals in advanced extinguishing systems for jet engine nacelle fires

The effectiveness of dry chemical in extinguishing and delaying reignition of fires resulting from hydrocarbon fuel leaking onto heated surfaces such as can occur in jet engine nacelles is studied. The commercial fire extinguishant dry chemical tried are sodium and potassium bicarbonate, carbonate, chloride, carbamate (Monnex), metal halogen, and metal hydroxycarbonate compounds. Synthetic and preparative procedures for new materials developed, a new concept of fire control by dry chemical agents, descriptions of experiment assemblages to test dry chemical fire extinguishant efficiencies in controlling fuel fires initiated by hot surfaces, comparative testing data for more than 25 chemical systems in a 'static' assemblage with no air flow across the heated surface, and similar comparative data for more than ten compounds in a dynamic system with air flows up to 350 ft/sec are presented.

Altman, R. L.↗

SP-100 high-temperature advanced radiator development

The development of an advanced radiator concept design meeting SP-100 thermoelectric requirements is reported. Carbon-carbon heat pipes are used to produce this lightweight, high-performance radiator. Two feasibility problems had to be solved to enable the design: the production of a carbon-carbon heat pipe tube with integral fins, and the development of a coating that protects the carbon-carbon substrate from 875-K potassium working fluid. Carbon-carbon tubes with integral fins were successfully produced using a T-300 fiber, an angle interlocking weave architecture, and pitch densification. A barrier coating to protect the inside diameter of these tubes which employed the CVD of niobium over a thin rhenium interlayer was developed. The rhenium interlayer proved to be critical to the success of this coating technique by providing a gradation in the coefficient of thermal expansion, carrying a portion of the induced stress load, improving coating adhesion, and providing a partial carbon diffusion barrier.

Rovang, Richard D.↗

Sulfur-Enriched Nanoporous Carbon: A Novel Approach to CO 2 Adsorption

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) intake plays a vital role in sustaining the environmental balance by influencing global carbon dynamics and climatic stability. This work addresses the production of sulfur-doped porous nanocarbons (SDCs) as prospective sorbents for CO 2 capture. SDCs were fabricated by utilizing coconut shell as a carbon precursor and potassium persulfate as both a chemical activating agent and a sulfur dopant. The incorporation of sulfur functionalities into carbon matrices creates structural variability and active sites, boosting CO 2 absorption capabilities. Sulfur's peculiar electrical structure allows greater intermolecular interactions with CO 2 , enhancing adsorption affinities. According to the experimental data, the CO 2 uptake was best measured as 3.37 mmol/g at 0(degrees)C and 1 bar and 2.56 mmol/g at 25 C-degrees and 1 bar. The results show that the higher porosity of SDC materials adds to a large amplification in the CO 2 uptake capability. The work underlines the delicate interaction between sulfur doping, morphological porosity, and surface reactivity in enhancing the effectiveness of CO 2 sequestration. SDC materials hold considerable promise in tackling the present ecological concerns and developing CO 2 collection techniques. The suggested single-step synthesis technique described here provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing SDCs for carbon capture applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fourier transform C-13 NMR analysis of some free and potassium-ion complexed antibiotics.

Fourier transforms of the noise-decoupled, natural abundance C-13 NMR free induction decays of the cyclic antibiotic valinomycin and its potassium-ion complex have been obtained at 25.2 MHz. Comparisons are made with C-13 NMR spectra taken at 22.6 MHz of the cyclic antibiotic nonactin and the synthetic polyether dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 and their potassium complexes. The results obtained suggest that conformational rearrangements of the molecule as a whole can compete with direct interactions between carbons and the potassium ion in determining C-13 chemical shift differences between the free and complexed species.

Ohnishi, M.↗

Formation of Na2SO4 and K2SO4 in flames doped with sulfur and alkali chlorides and carbonates

High pressure, free-jet expansion, mass spectrometric sampling was used to identify directly and to measure reaction products formed in doped methane-oxygen flames. Flames were doped with SO2 or CH3SH and sodium or potassium chlorides or carbonates. Gaseous NA2SO4 or K2S04 molecules were formed in residence times on the order of msec for each combination of dopants used. Composition profiles of combustion products were measured and compared with equilibrium thermodynamic calculations of product composition.

Fryburg, G. C.↗

Formation of Na2SO4 and K2SO4 in flames doped with sulfur and alkali chlorides and carbonates

High pressure, free-jet expansion, mass spectrometric sampling was used to identify directly and to measure reaction products formed in doped methane-oxygen flames. Flames were doped with SO2 or CH3SH and sodium or potassium chlorides or carbonates. Gaseous Na2SO4 or K2SO4 molecules were formed in residence times on the order of 1 msec for each combination of dopants used. Composition profiles of combustion products were measured and compared with equilibrium thermodynamic calculations of product composition.

Fryburg, G. C.↗

Surface-Enhanced Raman Detection of the CO 2 Moisture Swing

The development of scalable, energy-efficient carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture technologies is critical for achieving net-zero emissions. Moisture swing (MS) sorbents offer a promising alternative to traditional thermal regeneration methods by enabling reversible CO 2 binding through humidity-driven ion hydrolysis. In this study, we investigate the anion speciation dynamics in two classes of MS materials─an anion-exchange resin with a bicarbonate anion and activated carbon impregnated with potassium bicarbonate salt─using both sorption measurements and in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Ni-coated Ag nanowires were employed as SERS substrates to enhance signal intensity and enable the real-time detection of carbonate (CO 3 2– ), bicarbonate (HCO 3 – ), and hydroxide (OH – ) species under controlled humidity conditions in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. The results reveal humidity-dependent interconversion between anionic species with significant spectral shifts confirming the reversible hydrolysis reactions that drive the MS mechanism. Under humid conditions, we observed the depletion of bicarbonate signals and a concurrent increase in carbonate species, consistent with moisture-induced desorption of CO 2 . With the activated carbon samples, we further observed the formation of hydroxide. These findings not only validate the mechanistic models of humidity-driven anion exchange in MS sorbents but also demonstrate the practical potential of SERS as an operando diagnostic tool for monitoring CO 2 capture media. The ability to resolve and semiquantitatively evaluate the reversible transformation of carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide ions under realistic environmental conditions provides valuable insight for the rational design, performance optimization, and quality control of next-generation sorbent materials for direct air capture applications.

CO2 capture↗

Solar–Driven CO 2 Conversion via Optimized Photothermal Catalysis in a Lotus Pod Structure

Photothermal CO 2 reduction is one of the most promising routes to efficiently utilize solar energy for fuel production at high rates. However, this reaction is currently limited by underdeveloped catalysts with low photothermal conversion efficiency, insufficient exposure of active sites, low active material loading, and high material cost. Herein, we report a potassium-modified carbon-supported cobalt (K + –Co–C) catalyst mimicking the structure of a lotus pod that addresses these challenges. As a result of the designed lotus-pod structure which features an efficient photothermal C substrate with hierarchical pores, an intimate Co/C interface with covalent bonding, and exposed Co catalytic sites with optimized CO binding strength, the K + –Co–C catalyst shows a record-high photothermal CO 2 hydrogenation rate of 758 mmol gcat –1 h –1 (2871 mmol gCo –1 h –1 ) with a 99.8 % selectivity for CO, three orders of magnitude higher than typical photochemical CO 2 reduction reactions. Here, we further demonstrate with this catalyst effective CO 2 conversion under natural sunlight one hour before sunset during the winter season, putting forward an important step towards practical solar fuel production.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Soil Biogeochemistry

Depending upon type and pedogenic stage, soils are subject to biotic and abiotic interactions of complex nature depending on type, nature and specific properties. Soil biogeochemistry involves the study of elemental cycling as mediated by complex and inseparable interactions between the biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components of soils. Human activities have substantially altered biogeochemical cycling of several key elements including carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other secondary and minor nutrients over the past few decades, which, in turn, had serious environmental consequences. The present chapter outlines the soil biogeochemical investigations conducted within Indian subcontinent in both natural ecosystems and managed agricultural systems and addresses the state-of-the-art in order to understand the undergoing biogeochemical reactions. Here, we sought to clarify complex interactions generally occurred during biogeochemical transformations of an element (or compound) of interest within the type-specific soil. Further, we emphasized the importance of advancing our understanding of feedback loops in soil biogeochemical processes as altered by anthropogenic perturbations in tropical and sub-tropical soils of India. Overall, this chapter is broadly focused on the nutrient cycling, which is followed by more specific topics like “soil microbiology,” “soil biodiversity,” and “soil biotechnology.”

Sihi, Debjani↗

Integrating-sphere coating

Sodium chloride, used with proper solvent-dispersant combination, forms very durable reflective coatings. Several other inorganic salts, such as barium sulfate, barium carbonate, sodium fluoride, potassium chloride, sodium hexafluorosilicate, and aluminum oxide, are also suitable. Sodium chloride may also be used with other formulations to produce same type of coating.

Stuart, J. W.↗

Engineering aspects of the experiment and results of animal tests

A closed passive system independent of support from the spacecraft or its crew was developed to house five pocket mice for their flight on Apollo XVII. The reaction of potassium superoxide with carbon dioxide and water vapor to produce oxygen provided a habitable atmosphere within the experiment package. The performance of the system and the ability of the mice to survive the key preflight tests gave reasonable assurance that the mice would also withstand the Apollo flight.-

Look, B. C.↗

Study of volatile contaminants in reclaimed water

Different methods were evaluated for reducing the volatile contaminants found in water recovered from urine by distillation. The use of activated carbon, addition of potassium permanganate, and the use of oxidation catalyst are described along with laboratory tests. It is concluded that catalytic decomposition appears to be feasible, and further investigation is recommended.

Mckee, H. C.↗

Energy Conversion Alternatives Study (ECAS), Westinghouse phase 1. Volume 12: Fuel cells

A parametric assessment of four fuel cell power systems -- based on phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, molten carbonate, and stabilized zirconia -- has shown that the most important parameters for electricity-cost reduction and/or efficiency improvement standpoints are fuel cell useful life and power density, use of a waste-heat recovery system, and fuel type. Typical capital costs, overall energy efficiencies (based on the heating value of the coal used to produce the power plant fuel), and electricity costs are: phosphoric acid $350-450/kWe, 24-29%, and 11.7 to 13.9 mills/MJ (42 to 50 mills/kWh); alkaline $450-700/kWe, 26-31%, and 12.8 to 16.9 mills/MJ (46 to 61 mills/kWh); molten carbonate $480-650/kWe, 32-46%, and 10.6 to 19.4 mills/MJ (38 to 70 mills/kWh), stabilized zirconia $420-950/kWe, 26-53%, and 9.7 to 16.9 mills/MJ (35 to 61 mills/kWh). Three types of fuel cell power plants -- solid electrolytic with steam bottoming, molten carbonate with steam bottoming, and solid electrolyte with an integrated coal gasifier -- are recommended for further study.

Warde, C. J.↗

Advanced Fuel-Cell Modules

Modules designed for long life, light weight, reliability, and low cost. Stack of alkaline fuel cells based on modules, consisting of three fuel cells and cooler. Each cell includes following components: ribbed carbon fine-pore anode electrolyte-reservoir plate; platinum-on-carbon catalyst anode; potassium titanate matrix bonded with butyl rubber; gold-plated nickel-foil electrode substrates; and silver plated, gold-flashed molded polyphenylene sulfide cell holder. Each cell has active area of 1ft to the 2nd power (0.09 m to the 2nd power). Materials and configurations of parts chosen to extend life expectancy, reduce weight and manufacturing cost, and increase reliability.

Bell, William F., III↗

Biogas sequestration to carbon nanofibers via tandem catalytic strategies

Upgrading decentralized biogas represents a sustainable route to produce valuable products while mitigating two potent greenhouse gases, namely, methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Conventional dry reforming of CH 4 with CO 2 yields syngas with low H 2 /CO ratios (≤1) and requires high temperatures (>800 °C) to overcome equilibrium constraints and abate coke deposition, which limits commercial implementation. Here we demonstrate the conversion of biogas into value-added carbon nanofibers via reaction integration in tandem reactors, while reducing the reaction temperature, shifting equilibrium limits and yielding H 2 -enriched syngas (H 2 /CO = 2–3) as a byproduct. Experimental and theoretical insights reveal that potassium (K) modification enhances carbon nanofiber formation due to synergistic effects via a balanced interplay between KO x -induced cobalt facets and cobalt carbide species. In conclusion, the energy cost and CO 2 footprint analyses highlight the potential advantages of tandem processes for the sustainable upgrading of biogas into valuable solid carbon products.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Iron-based sulfur and nitrogen dual doped porous carbon as durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction

The widespread use of fuel cell technology is hampered by the use of expensive and scarce platinum metal in electrodes which is required to facilitate the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work, a viable synthetic approach was developed to prepare iron-based sulfur and nitrogen dual doped porous carbon (Fe@SNDC) for use in ORR. Benzimidazole, a commercially available monomer, was used as a precursor for N doped carbon and calcined with potassium thiocyanate at different temperatures to tune the pore size, nitrogen content and different types of nitrogen functionality such as pyridinic, pyrrolic and graphitic. The Fe@SNDC–950 with high surface area, optimum N content of about 5 at% and high amount of pyridinic and graphitic N displayed an onset potential and half-wave potential of 0.98 and 0.83 V vs RHE, respectively, in 0.1 M KOH solution. The catalyst also exhibits similar oxygen reduction reaction performance compared to Pt/C (20 wt%) in acidic media. Furthermore, when compared to commercially available Pt/C (20 wt%), Fe@SNDC–950 showed enhanced durability over 6 h and poison tolerance in case of methanol crossover with the concentration up to 3.0 M in oxygen saturated alkaline electrolyte. Finally, our study demonstrates that the presence of N and S along with Fe-N moieties synergistically served as ORR active sites while the high surface area with accessible pores allowed for efficient mass transfer and interaction of oxygen molecules to the active sites contributing to the ORR activity of the catalyst.

08 HYDROGEN↗