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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 109 records · Page 6

A Multiphysics Study to Improve Specific Energy of Primary Batteries for Low Temperature Operation for Deep Space Missions

Several lander missions on the outer planets such as Europa, Enceladus, and Titan require electrical power to operate scientific and communication equipment. The traditional power generation methods, such as a photovoltaic array, are not feasible as their efficiency drops significantly at these vast distances. The novel radioisotope power systems are not practical today based on current lander designs and the effectiveness of these systems. To perform in situ science on distant planets, a high specific energy battery (>700 Wh/kg) needs to operate for about 480 hours under cold temperatures (-40C or 0C) [1]. While a primary battery such as Li-CFx can provide high specific energy at room temperature, its specific capacity decreases significantly at low temperatures. One of the causes for this drop is low ion and electrical conductivity, and slower reaction kinetics. Slower transport and facile kinetics lead to an increase in the battery’s resistance and higher voltage drops during the cell operation, thus reducing specific capacity. Both the transport and kinetics show a strong dependence on temperature. Thus, a small temperature rise can lead to an increase in the reaction rate and ion conductivity; since the temperature, cell resistance, and specific capacity are interdependent. A conventional battery model accounts for ohmic, thermodynamic, and, electrochemical, and chemical decomposition heating. The ohmic heating can be controlled by designing a resistive microstructure and varying the ratios of the active materials [2]. The kinetics can be improved by increasing the surface area, reducing the particle size, or adding a catalyst. These parameters are often optimized to achieve high specific energy at room temperatures. A similar optimization study is not available at low temperatures and for a primary (high specific energy) battery. For this presentation, we will explore the effect of geometrical, microstructural, and material properties on optimal specific capacity at low temperatures through multiphysics simulations. The ion transport resistance depends on the porosity and the tortuosity of an electrode and the separator.

M. Mehta↗

Effect of ohmic, mass-transfer, and kinetic resistances on linear-sweep voltammetry in a cylindrical-pore electrode

A means is presented to account for the effect of ohmic, mass-transfer, and kinetic resistances on linear-sweep voltammograms by modeling a pore in a porous matrix as a cylindrical-pore electrode, and solving the mass and charge conservation equations in the context of this geometry for the simply redox reaction O + ne(-) yield R where both O and R are soluble species. Both analytical and numerical techniques are used to solve the governing equations. The calculated peak currents and potentials are correlated by empirical formulas to the measurable parameters: sweep rate, concentration of the redox species, diffusion coefficient, conductivity of the electrolyte, and pore dimensions. Using the correlations, a methodology is established for determining if the redox reaction kinetics are irreversible or reversible (Nernstian). If the reaction is irreversible, it is shown how the standard rate constant and the transfer coefficient may be extracted from linear-sweep voltammetry data, or, if the reaction is reversible, how the number of electrons transferred may be deduced.

Weidner, John W.↗

Rate constant for reaction of atomic hydrogen with germane

Due to the interest in the chemistry of germane in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, and because previously reported kinetic reaction rate studies at 298 K gave results differing by a factor of 200, laboratory measurements were performed to determine the reaction rate constant for H + GeH4. Results of the study at 298 K, obtained via the direct technique of flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence, yield the reaction rate constant, k = (4.08 + or - 0.22) x 10(exp -12) cu cm/s.

Nava, David F.↗

The molten carbonate carbon dioxide concentrator - Cathode performance at high CO2 utilization

An experimental study of the cathode performance of the molten carbonate carbon dioxide concentrator (MCCDC) at typical gas concentrations is reported, and the behavior is described in terms of standard electrochemical kinetic analysis. Theoretical aspects of the MCCDC are discussed, including the current-generating processes, the overpotential, and the reaction kinetics. A final working equation is derived, and the electrochemical cell is described. The parameters determined by the experiments include cathode overpotentials and removal and current efficiency as a function of current density, as well as carbon dioxide removal rate as a function of flow rate. The results are compared with data for other cells; the agreement with data for the molten carbonate fuel cell suggests that the major difference between the two cells is in the wetting characteristics. The MCCDC achieves high removal efficiencies at high current efficiencies. The lowest current efficiency recorded was 80 percent, and at most current densities, current efficiencies were above 100 percent.

Weaver, J. L.↗

Investigation of the Hydrochlorination of SiCl4

The hydrochlorination of silicon tetrachloride with hydrogen and metallurgical grade (m.g.) silicon metal, 3 SiCl4 + 2 H2 + Si yields 4 SiHCl3 was shown to be an efficient process to produce trichlorosilane. A research and development program was carried out to study the hydrochlorination reaction over a wide range of reaction conditions. Equilibrium constant and reaction kinetics measurements were made to provide the basis for a theoretical study on the hydrochlorination process. Thermodynamic properties of the hydrochlorination reaction were also measured. The effects of temperature, pressure, and concentration on the equilibrium constant, K sub p, were studied.

Mui, J. Y. P.↗

Measuring Epoxy-Curing Kinetics

Key reaction parameters estimated from single run. Single DSC Curve used to construct linearized plot from which kinetic reaction parameters are obtained: vertical axis intercept proportional to activation energy, while slope equals reaction order. DSC methods show promise for rapid screening and estimation of cure kinetic parameters of epoxy resins.

Cizmecioglu, M.↗

Kinetics of volatile extraction from carbonaceous chondrites: Dehydration of talc

Carbonaceous chondrites are believed to be the primary constituents of near-Earth asteroids and Phobos and Deimos, and are potential resources of fuels that may be exploited for future planetary missions. Calculations of equilibrium phase relations suggest that talc (Ta) and antigorite (Ant) are likely to be the major hydrous phases in the C1 and C2 meteorites (Ganguly and Saxena, 1989), which constitute the most volatile rich classes of carbonaceous chondrites. The dehydration kinetics of talc are studied as a function of temperature, grain size, composition and fluid fugacity, as part of a systematic study of the reaction kinetics of the volatile bearing phases that are either known or likely to be present in carbonaceous chondrites. The dehydration kinetics were investigated at 1 bar, 775 to 875 C by monitoring the in-situ weight loss as a function of time of a natural talc. The talc platelets had a dimension of 0.8 to 1 micron. The run durations varied from 233.3 hours at 775 C (48 percent dehydration) to 20.8 hours at 875 C (80 pct. dehydration). The results can be adequately represented by a given rate equation. Theoretical analysis suggests that the reduction in the concentration of H2O in the environment of dehydrating talc, as would be encountered in processing chondritic materials, will have negligible effect on the rate of dehydration, unless there is a change of reaction mechanism owing to the presence of other volatile species.

Bose, Kunal↗

Preparation of pigments for space-stable thermal control coatings

The identification and control of vapor phase reaction kinetics to produce pigments by homogeneous nucleation were achieved. A vapor phase apparatus was designed, fabricated, and calibrated through 1800 C. Vapor phase reactions were analyzed, calculations made, and powders of alumina, rutile, zinc orthotitanate (in a mixed phase), calcium tungstate, and lanthana were produced by homogeneous nucleation. Electron microscopy shows uniform particle morphology and size, and supports anticipated advantages of vapor-phase homogeneous nucleation; namely, purity, freedom from defects, and uniform particle sizing without grinding.

Campbell, W. B.↗

Reduction of iron-bearing lunar minerals for the production of oxygen

The kinetics and mechanism of the reduction of simulants of the iron-bearing lunar minerals olivine ((Fe,Mg)2SiO4), pyroxene ((Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3), and ilmenite (FeTiO3) are investigated, extending previous work with ilmenite. Fayalite is reduced by H2 at 1070 K to 1480 K. A layer of mixed silica glass and iron forms around an unreacted core. Reaction kinetics are influenced by permeation of hydrogen through this layer and a reaction step involving dissociated hydrogen. Reaction mechanisms are independent of Mg content. Augite, hypersthene, and hedenbergite are reduced in H2 at the same temperatures. The products are iron metal and lower iron silicates mixed throughout the mineral. Activation energy rises with calcium content. Ilmenite and fayalite are reduced with carbon deposited on partially reduced minerals via the CO disproportionation reaction. Reduction with carbon is rapid, showing the carbothermal reduction of lunar minerals is possible.

Massieon, Charles↗

Investigation of the hydrochlorination of SiCL4

Reaction kinetic measurements on the hydrochlorination of SiCl4 and metallurgical grade (m.g.) silicon metal were made at a wide range of experimental variables. The effect of pressure on the reaction rate was studied at 25 psig, 100 psig, 150 psig and 200 psig, respectively. Results of these experiments show a large pressure effect on the hydrochlorination reaction. As expected, higher pressures produce a higher equilibrium SiHC13 conversion, since the hydrochlorination reaction results in a net volume contraction as product SiHC1 is formed. However, the reaction rate, namely, the rate at which the hydrochlorination reaction reaches its equilibrium SiHC13 conversion, was found to be much faster at low pressures.

Mui, J. Y. P.↗

Fast algorithm for calculating chemical kinetics in turbulent reacting flow

This paper addresses the need for a fast batch chemistry solver to perform the kinetics part of a split operator formulation of turbulent reacting flows, with special attention focused on the solution of the ordinary differential equations governing a homogeneous gas-phase chemical reaction. For this purpose, a two-part predictor-corrector algorithm which incorporates an exponentially fitted trapezoidal method was developed. The algorithm performs filtering of ill-posed initial conditions, automatic step-size selection, and automatic selection of Jacobi-Newton or Newton-Raphson iteration for convergence to achieve maximum computational efficiency while observing a prescribed error tolerance. The new algorithm, termed CREK1D (combustion reaction kinetics, one-dimensional), compared favorably with the code LSODE when tested on two representative problems drawn from combustion kinetics, and is faster than LSODE.

Radhakrishnan, K.↗

Kinetics of the Reactions of O((sup 3)P) and Cl((sup 2)P) with HBr and Br2

A laser flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to study the kinetics of reactions (1)-(4) as a function of temperature. (1) O((sup 3)P) + Br2 yields BrO + Br((sup 2)P(sub 3/2)) at 255-350 K; (2) Cl((sup 2)P) + Br2 yields BrCl + Br((sup 2)P(sub 3/2)) at 298-401 K; (3) O((sup 3)P) + HBr yields OH + Br((sup 2)P(sub J)) at 250-402 K; (4) Cl((sup 2)P) + HBr yields HCl + Br((sup 2)P(sub J)) at 257-404 K. In all cases, the concentration of the excess reagent, i.e, HBr or Br2, was measured in situ in the slow flow system by UV-visible photometry. Heterogeneous dark reactions between XBr (X equals H or Br) and the photolytic precursors for Cl((sup 2)P) and O((sup 3)P) (Cl2 and O3, respectively) were avoided by injecting minimal amounts of precursor into the reaction mixture immediately upstream from the reaction zone. The following Arrhenius expressions summarize our results (errors are 2 sigma and represent precision only, units are cu cm/(molecule.s): k(sub 1) = (1.76 +/- 0.80) x 10(exp -11 exp[(40 +/- 100)/T]; k(sub 2) = (2.40 +/- 1.25) x 12(exp -10) exp[-(144 +/- 176)/T]; k(sub 3) = (5.11 +/- 2.82) x 10(exp -12) exp[-(1450 +/- 160)/T]; k(sub 4) = (2.25 +/- 0.56) x 10(exp -11) exp[-(400 +/- 80)/T]. The consistency (or lack thereof) of our results with those reported in previous kinetics and dynamics studies of reactions (1)-(4) is discussed.

Nicovich, J. M.↗

Role of Transport and Kinetics in Growth of Renal Stones

Renal stone disease is not only a concern on earth but could conceivably pose as a serious risk to the astronauts health and safety in Space. In this paper, a combined transport-kinetics model for growth of calcium oxalate crystals is presented. The model is used to parametrically investigate the growth of renal calculi in urine with a focus on the coupled effects of transport and surface reaction on the ionic concentrations at the surface of the crystal and their impact on the resulting growth rates. It is shown that under nominal conditions of low solution supersaturation and low Damkohler number that typically exist on Earth, the surface concentrations of calcium and oxalate approach their bulk solution values in the urine and the growth rate is most likely limited by the surface reaction kinetics. But for higher solution supersaturations and larger Damkohler numbers that may be prevalent in the microgravity environment of Space, the calcium and oxalate surface concentrations tend to shift more towards their equilibrium or saturation values and thus the growth process may be limited by the transport through the medium. Furthermore, parametric numerical studies suggest that changes to the renal biochemistry of astronauts due in space may promote development of renal calculi during long duration space expeditions.

Kassemi, Mohammad↗

Development of a Process for a High Capacity Arc Heater Production of Silicon for Solar Arrays

A program was established to develop a high temperature silicon production process using existing electric arc heater technology. Silicon tetrachloride and a reductant (sodium) are injected into an arc heated mixture of hydrogen and argon. Under these high temperature conditions, a very rapid reaction is expected to occur and proceed essentially to completion, yielding silicon and gaseous sodium chloride. Techniques for high temperature separation and collection were developed. Included in this report are: test system preparation; testing; injection techniques; kinetics; reaction demonstration; conclusions; and the project status.

Reed, W. H.↗

Evaluation of Bosch-Based Systems Using Non-Traditional Catalysts at Reduced Temperatures

Oxygen and water resupply make open loop atmosphere revitalization (AR) systems unfavorable for long-term missions beyond low Earth orbit. Crucial to closing the AR loop are carbon dioxide reduction systems with low mass and volume, minimal power requirements, and minimal consumables. For this purpose, NASA is exploring using Bosch-based systems. The Bosch process is favorable over state-of-the-art Sabatier-based processes due to complete loop closure. However, traditional operation of the Bosch required high reaction temperatures, high recycle rates, and significant consumables in the form of catalyst resupply due to carbon fouling. A number of configurations have been proposed for next-generation Bosch systems. First, alternative catalysts (catalysts other than steel wool) can be used in a traditional single-stage Bosch reactor to improve reaction kinetics and increase carbon packing density. Second, the Bosch reactor may be split into separate stages wherein the first reactor stage is dedicated to carbon monoxide and water formation via the reverse water-gas shift reaction and the second reactor stage is dedicated to carbon formation. A series system will enable maximum efficiency of both steps of the Bosch reaction, resulting in optimized operation and maximum carbon formation rate. This paper details the results of testing of both single-stage and two-stage Bosch systems with alternative catalysts at reduced temperatures. These results are compared to a traditional Bosch system operated with a steel wool catalyst.

Abney, Morgan B.↗