Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “exchanger”

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 91 records · Page 5

Wastewater Brine Purification and Recovery through Electrodialysis Ion Exchange

Reutilizing resources onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and for future deep space missions are critical for mission longevity and sustainability. Wastewater brine produced from water recovery systems contain chemical species that could be processed into a potential fertilizer for future plant systems. This can be achieved through a process called electrodialysis ion exchange. Wastewater containing inorganic salt components are fed through a series of ion exchange membranes to produce fertilizer (a phosphate rich stream), electrolysis-grade water, and other useful commodities. Electrodialysis cells consisting of anion and cation exchange membranes, monovalent anion exchange membranes, and bipolar membranes were utilized to achieve selective ion exchange. The use of the electrodialysis cells were effective for both water extraction and ion separation. Ions successfully diffused across their respective membranes into the concentrate, acid, and base streams. This resulted in pure water, a phosphate rich stream, and a separate anion/hydrogen and cation/hydroxide stream. However, sulfate and some phosphate ions were able to diffuse through the monovalent anion exchange membrane into the acid stream. This resulted in predominantly phosphate ions remaining in the concentrate. Optimization of the process was accomplished by altering flowrates of each stream and initial volumes, adjusting the power input and resulting current through each cell, and varying the starting parameters by splitting the inorganic waste input into the diluate and the concentrate. As expected, increasing the flowrate and the power input to each cell reduced the overall time of the process. However, mission constraints may require a longer duration process in order to reduce the power consumption. Further analysis will be required to determine the power input necessary to achieve ion diffusion effectively and in a timely manner.

Ion Exchange Membranes↗

Laser-Processed Condensing Heat Exchanger for Space Applications

In sizing a condensing heat exchanger for space life support systems, there is a limit to allowable pressure drop along with a required vapor recuperation rate. This sizing is performed by using known heat transfer and pressure drop correlations in a numerical model. Dimpling the surface of an air-liquid channeled heat exchanger increases the convective heat transfer rate however creates difficulties within the numerical model as the flat plate correlations are no longer accurate. To increase the fidelity of the numerical model used for sizing the heat exchanger Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) with an SST k-ω turbulence model was performed on a periodic portion of the heat exchanger. Through CFD modeling a heat flux and pressure drop was measured across the heat exchanger channel, this information was used to create a localized Nusselt number that was incorporated into the numerical model along with a more accurate pressure drop due to the dimpled surface. Additionally, through modeling the heat exchanger after manufacturing and assembly in Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software there was an increase in the measurement accuracy of geometric features which was incorporated into the numerical model for further increase in fidelity.

heat exchanger↗

Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of Heat Exchanger Tubes for Nuclear Propulsion and Other Applications from Continuous Carbon Nanotube Yarns and Tapes

As NASA and other agencies are looking to conduct sustained operations in space, nuclear engines have been receiving increased focus. The high specific impulse and high fuel efficiency at high thrust output of these engines can halve the transit time for human missions to Mars, or enable missions requiring multiple orbital parameter adjustments. In both Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) and Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) systems, heat exchangers play a critical role in transferring energy from the reactor to a working fluid, hydrogen in the case of NTP and a molten salt or other fluid for electricity generation in NEP. Heat exchangers are also required in other parts of the spacecraft. Various manufacturing methods and materials are being considered for the heat exchangers. In this presentation the fabrication and testing of heat exchangers made from continuous carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns and tapes are discussed. The fabrication workflow is compared and contrasted, as well as performance of prototype heat exchanger tubes fabricated using the various CNT formats. The failure loads and mechanisms of the tubes under tensile, compression, and bending loads are assessed. A further comparison of the CNT materials to components fabricated from carbon fiber is made. The presented work will contribute to the selection of approaches for heat exchanger fabrication methods for nuclear propulsion and other applications.

Heat Exchanger↗

Design of a SiC-Si moving packed-bed particle-to-sCO 2 heat exchanger for high temperature concentrating solar power applications

Particle-based concentrating solar power systems integrated with sCO 2 power cycles offer high thermal efficiencies but require durable heat exchangers to transfer heat from high-temperature particles to the sCO 2 working fluid. Here, this study presents the design and optimization of a silicon carbide-silicon moving packed-bed heat exchanger for fabrication via binder jetting additive manufacturing. The heat exchanger was designed to withstand a 20 MPa sCO 2 pressure and operate at particle inlet temperatures up to 750 °C. The final design features 152 sCO 2 channels distributed across 19 plates, with elliptical corners and a minimum wall thickness of 3 mm. Flow restrictors at the sCO 2 channel inlets significantly improved flow uniformity, reducing thermal stresses and achieving a structural reliability of 99 % under representative operating conditions. The heat exchanger delivers a thermal duty of 9 kW and a volumetric power density of approximately 1 MW/m 3 in the channel region. Sensitivity studies confirmed the heat exchanger’s robustness under varying operating conditions, demonstrating its viability as a high-performance alternative to metallic heat exchangers for particle-based high-temperature concentrating solar power applications.

Barua, Bipul [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), A↗

Emergence of exchange bias in van der Waals magnetic alloy CrxPt1−xTe2

Abstract Cr x Pt 1− x Te 2 is a recently developed van der Waals magnetic alloy noted for its stability under ambient conditions. Here, we report the emergence of an exchange bias effect in Cr x Pt 1− x Te 2 , without typical exchange bias sources such as an adjacent antiferromagnetic layer. We find that the exchange bias is present for x = 0.45 and absent for x = 0.35, which is correlated to the presence of a Cr modulation where the Cr concentration alternates each vdW layer (modulation period of 2 layers) for x ≥ 0.4. We perform Monte Carlo simulations utilizing exchange parameters from first-principles calculations, which recreate the exchange bias in hysteresis loops of Cr 0.45 Pt 0.55 Te 2 . From our simulations, we infer the source of exchange bias to be magnetic moments locked into free energy minima that resist magnetization reversal. This work presents a way to introduce desirable magnetic properties to van der Waals magnets.

Bailey-Crandell, Ryan↗

Fitness For Service Assessment of a Corroded Heat Exchanger

Within the Fermi National Accelerator complex, there exist various water systems that support accelerator operations. One of these systems is extremely vital to the operation of the machine; that is the cooling system. The cooling system consists of nine relatively large heat exchangers that take untreated pond water and use it to cool the process fluid that further cools machine components. Over the 30 years these heat exchangers have been in operation, they have undergone significant material loss on the channels. This material loss, due to various forms of corrosion such as galvanic and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) and possibly others, has deteriorated more than 80% of the nominal wall thickness of some of the exchangers and placed them in a questionable state. ASME FFS-1 (API 579) has been applied to address the condition of the heat exchangers due to their noncompliance with the governing code, BPVC Sec. VIII Div. 1. The assessments encompassed ASME FFS-1 parts 4: General Metal Loss and 9: Crack Like Flaw using level 1, 2, and 3 analysis techniques based on inspection data obtained by API 510 inspections. Level 1 and 2 assessments were deemed unfit for the corroded regions due to their location relative to a major structural discontinuity (channel to tube-sheet joint), so a level 3 analysis was conducted according to ASME Sec. VIII Div. 2 (design by analysis) rules for pressure vessels. Supplemental information included pond water tests to determine an accurate future corrosion allowance due to lacking inspection history. A leak before break (LBB) route was chosen to evaluate the possibility of leaking prior to the onset of failure. The analysis of one heat exchanger shows that the possibility the channel will develop a pinhole leak over 2.5 more years of operation should not be overlooked, but burst was unlikely from operation. The use of fracture mechanics show, that if a through-wall crack were to develop, it would not propagate further than the channel geometry and cause a leak not greater than 35 GPM. Using ASME Section XI Code Case N-705-1, allowing us to operate with a leak until the next outage given certain operating conditions and developing a leak mitigation procedure, this heat exchanger is deemed fit-for-service.

Humenik, Alex [Fermilab]↗

Seasonal carbon dioxide exchange between the regolith and atmosphere of Mars - Experimental and theoretical studies

CO2 penetration rate measurements have been made through basalt-clay soils under conditions simulating the penetration of the cap-induced seasonal CO2 pressure wave through the topmost regolith of Mars, and results suggest that existing theoretical models for the diffusion of a gas through a porous and highly adsorbing medium may be used to assess the importance of the Martian seasonal regolith-atmosphere CO2 exchange. The maximum effect of thermally driven exchange between the topmost seasonally (thermally) affected regolith and the atmosphere shows that, while this may be of greater importance than the isothermal exchange, the thermally driven exchange would be recognizable only if the pressure wave from CO2 exchanged at high latitudes did not propagate atmospherically faster than the rate at which the exchange itself occurred. This is an unreasonable assumption.

Fanale, F. P.↗

Charge exchange in the Io torus and exosphere

Charge-exchange cross sections and their velocity dependence have been estimated for the most important reactions in the Io torus and exosphere. The methods used for calculating the cross sections are given and discussed in some detail. For symmetric-resonant single and double charge exchange, the cross sections are slowly varying functions of velocity. For inelastic charge-exchange collisions, the transition probabilities into a given final state can depend critically on velocity. Models are described which can be used to estimate both the most rapid charge-exchange processes and those states which play an important role. Calculated cross sections are used to obtain reaction rates as a function of radial position, demonstrating the importance of charge exchange in the inner torus. Charge-exchange reactions of torus ions with molecular species in Io's exosphere may yield a net supply of neutrals and plasma to the torus.

Johnson, R. E.↗

Measured performance of the heat exchanger in the NASA icing research tunnel under severe icing and dry-air conditions

Measurements were made of the pressure drop and thermal perfomance of the unique refrigeration heat exchanger in the NASA Lewis Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) under severe icing and frosting conditions and also with dry air. This data will be useful to those planning to use or extend the capability of the IRT and other icing facilities (e.g., the Altitude Wind Tunnel-AWT). The IRT heat exchanger and refrigeration system is able to cool air passing through the test section down to at least a total temperature of -30 C (well below icing requirements), and usually up to -2 C. The system maintains a uniform temperature across the test section at all airspeeds, which is more difficult and time consuming at low airspeeds, at high temperatures, and on hot, humid days when the cooling towers are less efficient. The very small surfaces of the heat exchanger prevent any icing cloud droplets from passing through it and going through the tests section again. The IRT heat exchanger was originally designed not to be adversely affected by severe icing. During a worst-case icing test the heat exchanger iced up enough so that the temperature uniformaity was no worse than about +/- 1 deg C. The conclusion is that the heat exchanger design performs well.

Olsen, W.↗

Initial characterization of a modular heat exchanger with an integral heat pipe

As part of the Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) Advanced Technology program, a conceptual design of the Stirling space engine (SSE) was generated. The overall goal of the CSTI high capacity power element is to develop the technology base needed to meet the long duration, high capacity power requirements for future NASA space missions. The free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE) was chosen as the growth option in the CSTI program. A major goal during the conceptual design of the SSE was to reduce the number of critical joints. One area of concern was the heat exchanger assemblies that typically have the majority of critical joints. The solution proposed in the SSE conceptual design used 40 modular heat exchangers. Each module has its own integral heat pipe to transport heat from the heat source to the engine. A demonstration of the modular concept was undertaken before committing to the detailed design of the SSE heat exchangers. An existing FPSE was modified as a test bed for modular heat exchanger evaluation. The engine incorporated three heat exchanger modules, each having a sodium filled heat pipe. The thermal loading of these modules was intended to be similar to the conditions projected for the SSE modules. The engine was assembled and tests are underway. The design and fabrication of the heat exchanger modules and the engine used for these tests were described. Evaluation of the individual heat pipes before installation in the engine is described. The initial test results with the modules in operation on the engine were presented. Future tests involving the engine were outlined.

Schreiber, Jeffrey G.↗

The NASA-IGES geometry data exchange standard

Described here are the data exchange efforts and plans supported by the NASA Steering Committee for Surface Modeling and Grid Generation. Current methods for geometry data exchange between computer aided design (CAD) systems and NASA computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis systems are tedious and induce errors. A Geometry Data Exchange Standard is proposed, utilizing a subset of an existing national standard titled Initial Graphic Exchange Standard (IGES). Future plans for data exchange standardization include all aspects of CFD data. Software systems to utilize this NASA-IGES Geometry Data Exchange Specification are under development.

Blake, Matthew W.↗

CO2 exchange in the Hudson Bay lowlands: Community characteristics and multispectral reflectance properties

Net ecosystem CO2 exchange was measured during the 1990 growing season (June to August) along a transect starting 10 km inland from James Bay and extending 100 km interior to Kinosheo Lake, Ontario. Sites were chosen in three distinct areas: a coastal fen, an interior fen, and a bog. For the most productive sites in the bog, net daily uptake rates reached a maximum of 2.5 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d with an area-weighted exchange of 0.3 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d near midsummer. This site was estimated to be a net carbon source of 9 g C-CO2 m(exp -2) to the atmosphere over a 153-day growing season. The interior fen was less productive on a daily basis with a net maximum uptake of 0.5 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d and with corresponding area-weighted uptake of 0.1 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d during midsummer. Early and late season release of carbon to the atmosphere resulted in a net loss of 21 g C-CO2 m(exp -2) over the growing season from this site. The coastal fen was the most productive site with uptake rates peaking near 1.7 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d which corresponded to an area-weighted uptake of 0.8 g C-CO2 m(exp -2)/d during midsummer and an estimated net uptake of 6 g C-CO2 m(exp -2) for the growing season. Associated with net CO2 exchange measurements, multispectral reflectance properties of the sites were measured over the growing season using portable radiometers. These properties were related to exchange rates with the goal of examining the potential for satellite remote sensing to monitor biosphere/atmosphere CO2 exchange in this biome. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) computed from surface reflectance was correlated with net CO2 exchange for all sites with the exception of areas with large proportions of Sphagnum moss cover. These mosses have greater near-infrared reflectance than typical surrounding vegetation and may require special adjustment for regional exchange/remote sensing applications.

Whiting, Gary J.↗

Deuterium enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by photochemically induced exchange with deuterium-rich cosmic ices

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) coronene (C24H12) frozen in D2O ice in a ratio of less than 1 part in 500 rapidly exchanges its hydrogen atoms with the deuterium in the ice at interstellar temperatures and pressures when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Exchange occurs via three different chemical processes: D atom addition, D atom exchange at oxidized edge sites, and D atom exchange at aromatic edge sites. Observed exchange rates for coronene (C24H12)-D2O and d12-coronene (C24D12)-H2O isotopic substitution experiments show that PAHs in interstellar ices could easily attain the D/H levels observed in meteorites. These results may have important consequences for the abundance of deuterium observed in aromatic materials in the interstellar medium and in meteorites. These exchange mechanisms produce deuteration in characteristic molecular locations on the PAHs that may distinguish them from previously postulated processes for D enrichment of PAHs.

NASA Center ARC↗

Kinetics of DSB rejoining and formation of simple chromosome exchange aberrations

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of kinetics in the processing of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), and the formation of simple chromosome exchange aberrations following X-ray exposures to mammalian cells based on an enzymatic approach. METHODS: Using computer simulations based on a biochemical approach, rate-equations that describe the processing of DSB through the formation of a DNA-enzyme complex were formulated. A second model that allows for competition between two processing pathways was also formulated. The formation of simple exchange aberrations was modelled as misrepair during the recombination of single DSB with undamaged DNA. Non-linear coupled differential equations corresponding to biochemical pathways were solved numerically by fitting to experimental data. RESULTS: When mediated by a DSB repair enzyme complex, the processing of single DSB showed a complex behaviour that gives the appearance of fast and slow components of rejoining. This is due to the time-delay caused by the action time of enzymes in biomolecular reactions. It is shown that the kinetic- and dose-responses of simple chromosome exchange aberrations are well described by a recombination model of DSB interacting with undamaged DNA when aberration formation increases with linear dose-dependence. Competition between two or more recombination processes is shown to lead to the formation of simple exchange aberrations with a dose-dependence similar to that of a linear quadratic model. CONCLUSIONS: Using a minimal number of assumptions, the kinetics and dose response observed experimentally for DSB rejoining and the formation of simple chromosome exchange aberrations are shown to be consistent with kinetic models based on enzymatic reaction approaches. A non-linear dose response for simple exchange aberrations is possible in a model of recombination of DNA containing a DSB with undamaged DNA when two or more pathways compete for DSB repair.

DNA Damage↗

Estimate of true incomplete exchanges using fluorescence in situ hybridization with telomere probes

PURPOSE: To study the frequency of true incomplete exchanges in radiation-induced chromosome aberrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human lymphocytes were exposed to 2 Gy and 5 Gy of gamma-rays. Chromosome aberrations were studied using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique with whole chromosome-specific probes, together with human telomere probes. Chromosomes 2 and 4 were chosen in the present study. RESULTS: The percentage of incomplete exchanges was 27% when telomere signals were not considered. After excluding false incomplete exchanges identified by the telomere signals, the percentage of incomplete exchanges decreased to 11%. Since telomere signals appear on about 82% of the telomeres, the percentage of true incomplete exchanges should be even lower and was estimated to be 3%. This percentage was similar for chromosomes 2 and 4 and for doses of both 2 Gy and 5 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of true incomplete exchanges is significantly lower in gamma-irradiated human lymphocytes than the frequencies reported in the literature.

NASA Discipline Radiation Health↗

Phase Change Material Heat Exchanger Life Test

Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) poses unique thermal challenges for the orbiting space craft, particularly regarding the performance of the radiators. The emitted infrared (IR) heat flux from the lunar surface varies drastically from the light side to the dark side of the moon. Due to the extremely high incident IR flux, especially at low beta angles, a radiator is oftentimes unable to reject the vehicle heat load throughout the entire lunar orbit. One solution to this problem is to implement Phase Change Material (PCM) Heat Exchangers. PCM Heat Exchangers act as a "thermal capacitor," storing thermal energy when the radiator is unable to reject the required heat load. The stored energy is then removed from the PCM heat exchanger when the environment is more benign. Because they do not use an expendable resource, such as the feed water used by sublimators and evaporators, PCM Heat Exchangers are ideal for long duration Low Lunar Orbit missions. The Advanced Thermal Control project at JSC is completing a PCM heat exchanger life test to determine whether further technology development is warranted. The life test is being conducted on four nPentadecane, carbon filament heat exchangers. Fluid loop performance, repeatability, and measurement of performance degradation over 2500 melt-freeze cycles will be performed and reported in the current document.

Lillibridge, Sean↗

Solubility and Cation Exchange Properties of Synthetic Hydroxyapatite and Clinoptilolite Mixtures

A zeoponic plant growth system is defined as the cultivation of plants in artificial soils, which have zeolites as a major component. These systems: 1) can serve as a controllable and renewable fertilization system to provide plant growth nutrients; 2) can mitigate the adverse effects of contamination due to leaching of highly soluble and concentrated fertilizers; and 3) are being considered as substrates for plant growth in regenerative life-support systems for long-duration space missions. Batch-equilibrium studies of the dissolution and ion-exchange properties of mixtures of naturally-occurring Wyoming clinoptilolite (a zeolite) exchanged with K(+) or NH4(+); and synthetic hydroxyapatite were conducted to determine: 1) the plant availability of the macro-nutrients NH4-N, P, K, Ca, and Mg and 2) the effects of varying the clinoptilolite to hydroxyapatite ratio and the ratio of exchangeable cations (K(+) vs. NH4(+)) on clinoptilolite extraframework sites. The nutrients NH4-N (19.7 to 73.6 mg L(sup -1), P (0.57 to 14.99 mg L(sup- 1), K (14.8 to 104.9 mg L(sup -1), and Mg (0.11 to 6.68mg L(sup -1) are available to plants at sufficient levels. Solution Ca concentrations (0.47 to 3.40 mg L(sup -1) are less than optimal. Solution concentrations of NH4(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+) all decreased with increasing clinoptilolite to hydroxyapatite ratio in the sample. Solution concentrations of phosphorous initially increased, reached a maximum value and then decreased with increasing clinoptilolite to hydroxyapatite ratio in the sample. The NH4(+) -exchanged clinoptilolite is more efficient in dissolving synthetic hydroxyapatite than the K(+) -exchanged clinoptilolite. This suggests that NH4(+), which is less selective at clinoptilolite extraframework sites than K(+) is exchanged more readily by Ca(2+) and thereby enhances the dissolution of the synthetic hydroxyapatite.

Beiersdorfer, Raymond E.↗

Extensions to the Dynamic Aerospace Vehicle Exchange Markup Language

The Dynamic Aerospace Vehicle Exchange Markup Language (DAVE-ML) is a syntactical language for exchanging flight vehicle dynamic model data. It provides a framework for encoding entire flight vehicle dynamic model data packages for exchange and/or long-term archiving. Version 2.0.1 of DAVE-ML provides much of the functionality envisioned for exchanging aerospace vehicle data; however, it is limited in only supporting scalar time-independent data. Additional functionality is required to support vector and matrix data, abstracting sub-system models, detailing dynamics system models (both discrete and continuous), and defining a dynamic data format (such as time sequenced data) for validation of dynamics system models and vehicle simulation packages. Extensions to DAVE-ML have been proposed to manage data as vectors and n-dimensional matrices, and record dynamic data in a compatible form. These capabilities will improve the clarity of data being exchanged, simplify the naming of parameters, and permit static and dynamic data to be stored using a common syntax within a single file; thereby enhancing the framework provided by DAVE-ML for exchanging entire flight vehicle dynamic simulation models.

Brian, Geoffrey J.↗