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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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Focused ion beam tomography dataset of Alloy 617 after corrosion in a eutectic mixture of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride at 700 degrees Celsius for 1000 hours.
Given a growing interest in uranium salts for pyrochemical processing of used fuel and uranium-fueled molten salt reactors, the synthesis of uranium trichloride in alkali-metal chloride media was investigated in a series of four experiments. Specifically, uranium metal powder and uranium hydride powder were prepared and separately blended with ammonium chloride and lithium chloride – potassium chloride eutectic in two runs, while the same powders were separately blended with ammonium chloride and sodium chloride in two additional runs. Each of the lithium chloride – potassium chloride containing blends was slowly heated to 923 K, while those containing sodium chloride were heated to 1123 K. During each heat up, the ammonium chloride sublimed into gaseous ammonia and hydrogen chloride, leading to the chlorination of uranium metal or uranium hydride and the formation of molten salt solutions of the respective chlorides. Experimental conditions were incorporated in the runs to promote formation of uranium trichloride over uranium tetrachloride in the respective media. Molten samples of each run product were taken and characterized via chemical analyses, diffractometry, and microscopy. The final products from each run were dark dense ingots of the respective salt systems with uranium concentrations ranging from 44 to 51 wt%. Chemical analyses and diffractometry identified the predominant presence of uranium trichloride in these systems; however, a possible minor presence of uranium tetrachloride could not be conclusively dismissed.
There is a gap in our understanding of the behavior of fused and molten fuel salts containing unavoidable contamination, such as those due to fabrication, handling, or storage. Therefore, this work used calorimetry to investigate the change in liquidus temperature of PuCl 3 , having an unknown purity and that had been in storage for several decades. Further research was performed by additions of NaCl, making several compositions within the binary system, and summarizing the resulting changes, if any, to the phase diagram. The melting temperature of the PuCl 3 was determined to be 746.5°C, approximately 20°C lower than literature reported values, most likely due to an excess of Pu metal in the PuCl 3 either due to the presence of metallic plutonium remaining from incomplete chlorination or due to the solubility of Pu in PuCl 3 . From the melting temperature, it was determined that the PuCl 3 contained between 5.9 to 6.2mol% Pu metal. Analysis of the NaCl-PuCl 3 samples showed that using the Pu rich PuCl 3 resulted in significant changes to the NaCl-PuCl 3 phase diagram. Most notably an unreported phase transition occurring at approximately 406°C and a new eutectic composition of 52.7mol% NaCl–38.7mol% PuCl 3 –2.5mol% Pu which melted at 449.3°C. Additionally, an increase in the liquidus temperatures was seen for NaCl rich compositions while lower liquidus temperatures were seen for PuCl 3 rich compositions. It can therefore be concluded that changes will occur in the NaCl-PuCl 3 binary system when using PuCl 3 with excess Pu metal. However, melting temperature analysis can provide valuable insight into the composition of the PuCl 3 and therefore the NaCl-PuCl 3 system.
Gold coated stainless steel tubes containing insulated electrical conductors are brazed at a low temperature to a copper coated stainless steel sealing block with a gold-copper eutectic. This produces an effective seal without using flux or damaging the electrical conductors.
Brazing two refractory metals by diffusion bonding minimizes distortion and avoids excessive grain growth in the metals. This method requires the selection of an interface metal that forms intermediate low-melting eutectics or solid solutions with the metals to be brazed.
An analysis was completed for determination of the most promising hydrocarbon fuels for use with flox in upper stage rocket engines. Experimental rocket firings in uncooled, transpiration cooled, and regeneratively cooled thrust chambers were conducted using flox with methane, propane, butene-1, and a eutectic blend of pentane and isopentane. Experimental heated tube heat transfer and hypergolicity tests were conducted, and laboratory determinations of physical properties of various blends of hydrocarbon compounds were made.
Beryllium powder production by electrolysis of beryllium chloride-sodium chloride molten eutectic mixture
Self-lubricating properties of composites of porous nickel and nickel-chromium alloy impregnated with barium fluoride-calcium flouride eutectic
Self-lubricating composites of porous nickel and nickel-chromium alloy impregnated with a barium fluoride-calcium fluoride eutectic, and a thin film of solid lubricant increase wear life of load bearing surfaces.
Trajectory optimization and ablation parameters of ballistic models made of eutectic alloys
Phase diagram of pseudobinary section lead- telluride-iron, noting monotectic and eutectic reactions
Feasibility of chlorine cathode in aluminum chloride-potassium chloride-sodium chloride eutectic electrolyte
Rechargeable high energy density battery based on aluminum and chlorine carbon electrodes and molten aluminum chloride-alkali chloride eutectic as electrolyte
Metallurgical studies of eutectic alloys suitable for brazing MoSi2 to Si-Ge thermoelectric material
Al-Si and Cu-Ti eutectic alloys showing good ohmic contacts to SiC
Assembly pumps liquid sodium-potassium /NaK/ eutectic at 950 K for up to 20,000 hours. Design features include - high operating-temperature capability, zero leakage, process fluid lubricant/coolant, insulation system compatible with ionizing radiation environments, and reliability and long life without maintenance.
Oxygen reactivity effects on eutectic NaK alloy and SNAP 8 system including oxygen contamination sources, oxide solubility, and oxide control methods
Outer planet large satellite steady state thermal models, indicating interiors at temperatures above ice-ammonia eutectic