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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 91 records · Page 5

Identification of Critical Material Attributes in Lignin Streams Based on Pseudomonas putida Performance

Variability in chemical composition of corn stover feedstocks has been suggested to play a role in biocatalyst performance during the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to value-added compounds. In previous studies, we investigated the performance of Pseudomonas putida CJ781 - an engineered bacterium that converts aromatic compounds to muconate - on various lignin streams produced from the deacetylation of corn stover, and we found significant differences on muconate production. To better understand the origin of these differences, we down selected twenty-two compounds from literature - that had previously been detected as extractives in lignin streams - and we analyzed their concentrations in 12 lignin streams generated from different feedstocks. P. putida CJ781 was then cultivated in mock lignin streams supplemented with various concentrations of these compounds. Bacterial growth was tracked in microtiter plates and the performance was measured by comparing maximum growth rates among conditions. At maximum concentrations that may be found in lignin streams, sodium was the material attribute that limited growth rate in a greater extent, with a reduction in growth rate by 8 to 37%, depending on the counter ion, with sodium nitrate being the most inhibitory, followed by sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and sodium sulfate. Ammonium acetate was also found to be inhibitory at average concentrations of ammonium in lignin streams, reducing maximum growth rate by 18%. Overall, the data from this study has allowed to down select critical material attributes in lignin streams and process parameters that significantly affect the performance of P. putida and will be used as input to predictive models that aim to reduce risks attributed to feedstock variability in lignocellulosic biorefineries.

biocatalyst↗

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.↗

Evaluation of sodium-nickel chloride cells for space applications

The status of the European Space Agency (ESA) program on sodium nickel chloride batteries is outlined. Additionally, the results of initial tests of two prototype space cells are reported. After 2800 cycles typical of a low-earth orbit (LEO) application without failure, the recharge ratio remained at unity, the round trip energy efficiency remained high (87 percent), and the increase in internal cell resistance was modest. Initial tear-down analysis data show no degradation whatsoever of the beta-alumina electrolyte tubes. The low-rate capacity did, however drop by some 40 percent, which needs further investigation, but overall results are encouraging for future use of this couple in geosynchronous (GEO) and LEO spacecraft.

Hendel, B.↗

Developing A Custom-Built Metal Aerosol Processing Chamber: Analysis of Aerosol Coagulation at Low Humidities

We have developed an intermediate size (906 L) aerosol processing chamber, and this work reports on the design and initial characterization of dry aerosol experiments. Specifically, we are determining wall-loss and coagulation correction factors using the observed size distribution measurements for surrogates of common aerosol classes: sodium chloride, sucrose, and biomass burning aerosol smoke. Results show that, on average, sodium chloride, sucrose, and smoke wall-loss rates converge to similar values on relatively short time scales (< 1 h). The fitted coagulation correction factor, W C -1 , for smoke particles (1.23 ± 0.312), indicates that on average they adhere to each other more than sodium chloride (0.969 ± 0.524) and sucrose (1.16 ± 1.38). The relative uncertainty is high for the coagulation correction, but it is consistent with our Monte Carlo error analysis. This study lays the foundation for future experiments at elevated humidity and supersaturation conditions to characterize the influence of particle shape on coagulation and cloud parameters.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Develop Recovery Systems for Separations of Salts from Process Streams for use in Advanced Life Support System

The main objectives of this project were the development of a four-compartment electrolytic cell using high selective membranes to remove nitrate from crop residue leachate and convert it to nitric acid, and the development of an six compartment electrodialysis cell to remove selectively sodium from urine wastes. The recovery of both plant inedible biomass and human wastes nutrients to sustain a biomass production system are important aspects in the development of a controlled ecological life support system (CELSS) to provide the basic human needs required for life support during long term space missions. A four-compartment electrolytic cell has been proposed to remove selectively nitrate from crop residue and to convert it to nitric acid, which is actually used in the NASA-KSC Controlled Ecological Life Support System to control the pH of the aerobic bioreactors and biomass production chamber. Human activities in a closed system require large amount of air, water and minerals to sustain life and also generate wastes. Before using human wastes as nutrients, these must be treated to reduce organic content and to remove some minerals which have adverse effects on plant growth. Of all the minerals present in human urine, sodium chloride (NACl) is the only one that can not be used as nutrient for most plants. Human activities also requires sodium chloride as part of the diet. Therefore, technology to remove and recover sodium chloride from wastes is highly desirable. A six-compartment electrodialysis cell using high selective membranes has been proposed to remove and recover NaCl from human urine.

Colon, Guillermo↗

Alternate cathodes for sodium-metal chloride batteries

Various metal chlorides were tested as possible cathode materials for sodium-metal batteries (in addition to Fe and Ni chlorides, which have been already developed to a stage of commercialization), using an electrochemical cell consisting of a pyrex tube, heated to 250 C, with the metal wire as working electrode, concentric Ni foil as counterelectrode, and high-purity Al as reference electrode. In particular, the aim of this study was to identify metal chlorides insoluble even in neutral melts, possible at the interface during overcharge, in order to eliminate the failure mode of the cell through a cationic exchange of the dissolved metal ions with sodium beta-double-prime alumina solid electrolyte. Results indicate that Mo and Co are likely alternatives to FeCl2 and NiCl2 cathodes in sodium batteries. The open circuit voltages of Na/CoCl(x) and Na/MoCl(x) cells at 250 C would be 2.55 V and 2.64 V, respectively.

Ratnakumar, B. V.↗

Progress and recent developments in sodium-metal chloride batteries

Significant strides have been made in the development of high-temperature rechargeable sodium batteries utilizing transition metal chloride cathodes in the last decade, mainly due to the expertise available on Na/S batteries. These systems have already performed attractively in the various feasibility studies and have an excellent safety record. Despite the encouraging figures obtained for specific energies, certain design changes such as modifying the geometry of the beta alumina electrolyte and optimization of the porous cathodes for enhanced electrolyte flow need to be made to achieve high power densities required in applications such as electric vehicles and space. The chemistry of MCl2 cathodes, electrode fabrication, and design options are discussed, and performance data are examined.

Ratnakumar, B. V.↗

Reverse-osmosis membranes by plasma polymerization

Thin allyl amine polymer films were developed using plasma polymerization. Resulting dry composite membranes effectively reject sodium chloride during reverse osmosis. Films are 98% sodium chloride rejective, and 46% urea rejective.

Hollahan, J. R.↗

Fabrication Of Metal Chloride Cathodes By Sintering

Transition-metal chloride cathodes for use in high-temperature rechargeable sodium batteries prepared by sintering transition-metal powders mixed with sodium chloride. Need for difficult and dangerous chlorination process eliminated. Proportions of transition metal and sodium chloride in mixture adjusted to suit specific requirements. Cathodes integral to sodium/metal-chloride batteries, which have advantages over sodium/sulfur batteries including energy densities, increased safety, reduced material and thermal-management problems, and ease of operation and assembly. Being evaluated for supplying electrical power during peak demand and electric vehicles.

Bugga, Ratnakumar V.↗

A Review of Sodium-Metal Chloride Battery Activity At JPL

Following the disclosures by Coetzer et al. on the use of transition metal chlorides in chloroaluminates as alternate cathodes to sulfur in rechargeable sodium batteries, several laboratories, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, focused their attention on these systems. These systems have certain distinct advantages over sodium-sulfur batteries such as increased safety, inherent overcharge capability, and lower operating temperatures. Two systems, i.e., Na/FeCl2 and NaNiCl2, were developed extensively and evaluated in various applications including electric vehicles and space. Their performance has been very encouraging and warrants a detailed fundamental study on these cathodes. At the Jet Propulsion Laboratory a program was initiated two years back to understand the electrochemical behavior of FeCl2 and NiCl2, and to identify and evaluate other transition metal chlorides of promise. The initial efforts focused on the methods of fabrication of the electrodes and their electrochemical characterization. Subsequent studies were aimed at establishing the reaction mechanism, determining the kinetics, and identifying the rate-limiting processes in te reduction of metal chloride cathodes. Nickel chloride emerged form these studies as the most promising candidate material and was taken up for further detailed study on its passivation- a rate limiting process-under different experimental conditions. Also, the feasibility of using copper chloride, which is expected to have a higher energy density, has been assessed. On the basis of the criteria established from the voltammetric response of FeCl2, NiCl2, and CuCl2, several other transition metal chlorides were screened. Of these, molybdenum and cobalt appear promising.

Ratnakumar, B. V.↗

A dissimilatory nitrite reductase in Paracoccus halodenitrificans

Paracoccus halodenitrificans produced a membrane-associated nitrite reductase. Spectrophotometric analysis showed it to be associated with a cd-cytochrome and located on the inner side of the cytoplasmic membrane. When supplied with nitrite, membrane preparations produced nitrous oxide and nitric oxide in different ratios depending on the electron donor employed. The nitrite reductase was maximally active at relatively low concentrations of sodium chloride and remained attached to the membranes at 100 mM sodium chloride.

Grant, M. A.↗

Friction and Wear of Iron in Corrosive Media

Friction and wear experiments were conducted with elemental iron exposed to various corrosive media including two acids, base, and a salt. Studies involved various concentrations of nitric and sulfuric acids, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride. Load and reciprocating sliding speed were kept constant. With the base NaOH an increase in normality beyond 0.01 N resulted in a decrease in both friction and wear. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the surface showed a decreasing concentration of ferric oxide (Fe2O3) on the iron surface with increasing NaOH concentration. With nitric acid (HNO3) friction decreased in solutions to 0.05 N, beyond which no further change in friction was observed. The concentration of Fe2O3 on the surface continued to increase with increasing normality. XPS analysis revealed the presence of sulfates in addition of Fe2O3 on surfaces exposed to sulfuric acid and iron chlorides but no sodium on surfaces exposed to NaCl.

Rengstorff, G. W. P.↗

Influence of convection on free growth of dendrite crystals from solution

The free growth of dendrites in a uniformly supercooled solution was examined using cine photography with a Schlieren optical system. Crystals were grown in the bulk of the solution from a centrally located capillary tube, nucleated at the interface with a liquid nitrogen cooled wire. Crystals propagated along the tube, the slower growing orientations eliminated, and emerged at the tip, usually growing parallel to the tube direction. For both sodium sulfate decahydrate from its solution and ice from sodium chloride solution, growth rate and fineness of dendrites increased with supercooling. In sodium sulfate, upward convection of the less dense depleted solution occurs; downward convection was observed for the rejected, more concentrated sodium chloride solution. In both cases, there was a spatial and temporal delay in the release of the convective plume from the moving dendrite tip. The role of this convection on the growth characteristics and the production of secondary crystals is examined. A proposed low-g experiment to examine differences in growth rate, crystal texture, and secondary nucleation in a reduced convective regime where molecular diffusion is the dominant transfer process is discussed.

Hallett, J.↗

TEX-Chlorine for TerraPower - Experimental Execution Report

This report describes the critical configurations of the TEX4TerraPower project that were performed in FY26Q4. Within this report, the configurations are presented along with physical measurements performed in support of benchmarking. TEX4TerraPower builds upon the TEX-Chlorine experiments, which in turn were based on the TEX-HEU experiments. Similar to TEX-Chlorine, the TEX4TerraPower configurations iteratively layered HEU fuel with sodium chloride (NaCl) absorbers. However, the main difference in the density achieved during the fabrication process of the sodium chloride absorbers. Unlike TEX-Chlorine, which was able to achieve ~70% theoretical density, the TEX4TerraPower salt plates achieved >90% theoretical density by hydraulically pressing the salt.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Effect of Ionic Strength and Anion Identity on Rare‐Earth Element Chelation by Poly(acrylic acid)

Abstract Rare‐earth elements (REEs) are critical components of many modern technologies, but their efficient separation and purification continue to pose significant challenges. Metal‐binding polymers may enable the development of promising alternative approaches to conventional separation techniques (e.g., solvent extraction), and insights into the interactions between the metal ions and polymers in solution are crucial to such development. In this work, the effect of ionic strength on the chelation of REEs by poly(acrylic acid) is investigated using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to measure the metal‐binding thermodynamics. ITC experiments revealed that when ionic strength increases from increasing the sodium acetate buffer strength, polymer‐REE binding becomes increasingly disfavored. However, when ionic strength is increased by the addition of sodium chloride, binding again becomes increasingly disfavored, but to a lesser extent than when ionic strength increases from increasing the buffer strength. Additionally, the reduction in binding affinity is enthalpically driven when ionic strength is raised with sodium chloride, while it is entropically driven when raised with sodium acetate buffer, suggesting competive binding by the acetate ions. These results highlight the importance of ionic strength in polymer‐metal binding thermodynamics and will guide the development of new processes for the purification of critical metals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of iron and salt on prodigiosin synthesis in Serratia marcescens.

Iron requirements of Serratia marcescens for growth and prodigiosin synthesis are investigated. Sodium chloride of sea salt is shown to be responsible for inhibition of prodigiosin synthesis in the microorganism. The role of sodium chloride in the terminal biosynthetic pathway of the pigment is discussed.

Silverman, M. P.↗

Flame characteristics of a NASA contra swirler module

Results are presented for an investigation of the structure of unconfined propane flames stabilized on a NASA contra-swirl can. General flame characterization, flame visualization by sodium chloride, temperature measurements, combustion products analysis, nitric oxide concentrations, and laser anemometer studies are considered. The results are discussed relative to sodium chloride visualization, temperature distributions, chemical composition of flames, nitric oxide distributions, and velocity distributions. It is shown that unconfined propane-air flames can be stabilized downstream of a NASA contra-swirl can under a wide range of airflow rates and fuel-air ratios. However, on increasing fuel input from the lowest at which flames can be stabilized, a compact recirculation zone-stabilized flame is formed. The effect of confinement on changes in flame shape and structure is determined.

Thompson, D.↗