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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Oxygen plasma ashing effects on aluminum and titanium space protective coatings

Using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the surface roughness and oxidation of aluminum and titanium thin films have been studied as a function of substrate deposition temperature and oxygen plasma exposure. Increasing substrate deposition temperatures affect film microstructure by greatly increasing grain size. Short exposures to an oxygen plasma environment produce sharp spikes rising rapidly above the surface as seen by AFM. Ellipsometric measurements were made over a wide range of plasma exposure times, and results at longer exposure times suggest that the surface is greater than 30% void. This is qualitatively verified by the AFM images.

Synowicki, R.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Effect of Ash and Inorganic Pigment Fill on the Atomic Oxygen Erosion of Polymers and Paints (ISMSE-12)

Low atomic oxygen fluence (below 1x10(exp 20) atoms/sq cm) exposure of polymers and paints that have a small ash content and/or inorganic pigment fill does not cause a significant difference in erosion yield compared to unfilled (neat) polymers or paints. However, if the ash and/or inorganic pigment content is increased, the surface population of the inorganic content will begin to occupy a significant fraction of the surface area as the atomic oxygen exposure increases because the ash is not volatile and remains as a loosely attached surface layer. This results in a reduction of the flux of atomic oxygen reacting with the polymer and a reduction in the rate of erosion of the polymer remaining. This paper presents the results of ground laboratory and low Earth orbital (LEO) investigations to evaluate the fluence dependence of atomic oxygen erosion yields of polymers and paints having inorganic fill content.

Banks, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Ultraviolet Satellite Measurements of Volcanic Ash

Ultraviolet (UV) remote sensing of volcanic ash and other absorbing aerosols from space began with the launch of the first Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instrument in 1978. Subsequent UV satellite missions (TOMS, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS) have extended UV ash measurements to the present, generating a unique multidecadal record. A UV Aerosol Index (UVAI) based on two near-UV wavelengths, equally applicable to multispectral (TOMS, DSCOVR) or hyperspectral (GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS) instruments, has been used to derive a unique absorbing aerosol climatology across multiple UV satellite missions. Advantages of UV ash measurements relative to infrared (IR) techniques include the ability to detect ash at any altitude (assuming no clouds), above clouds, and over bright surfaces, where visible and IR techniques may fail. Disadvantages include the daytime-only restriction and nonspecificity to silicate ash, since UV measurements are sensitive to any UV-absorbing aerosol, including smoke, desert dust, and pollution. However, simultaneous retrieval of sulfur dioxide (SO2) abundance and UVAI provides robust discrimination of volcanic clouds. Although the UVAI is only semiquantitative, it has proved successful at detecting and tracking volcanic ash clouds from many volcanic eruptions since 1978. NASA A-Train measurements since 2006 (eg, CALIOP) have provided much improved constraints on volcanic ash altitude, and also permit identification of aerosol type through sensor synergy. Quantitative UV retrievals of ash optical depth, effective particle size, and ash column mass are possible and require assumptions of ash refractive index, particle size distribution, and ash layer altitude. The lack of extensive ash refractive index data in the UV-visible and the effects of ash particle shape on retrievals introduce significant uncertainty in the retrieved parameters, although limited validation against IR ash retrievals has been successful. In this contribution, we review UV ash detection and retrieval techniques and provide examples of volcanic eruptions detected in the approx. 37 year data record.

Multidecadal record↗
NASA NTRS1992

The effects of RF plasma ashing on zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate thermal control coatings

Samples of YB-71, a white thermal control coating composed of zinc orthotitanate pigment in a potassium silicate binder, were exposed in air plasma and in oxygen plasma to determine optical property and surface chemistry changes. Results show that YB-71 undergoes a significant reflectance decrease upon exposure to the simulated LEO atomic oxygen environment provided by an air plasma asher. YB-71 samples exposed to the same effective fluence in oxygen plasma, or in a UV screening Faraday cage in air or oxygen, do not undergo as severe reflectance decreases as the samples exposed in the air plasma asher environment. The UV and VUV radiation present in the plasma ashers affects the YB-71 degradation. It is noted that, when using plasma ashers to determine LEO degradation, it is necessary to take into account the sensitivity of the material to the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen and accelerated UV radiation.

Dever, Joyce A.↗
NASA NTRS2016

VIPR III VADR SPIDER Structural Design and Analysis

In support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR) Phase III team to evaluate the volcanic ash environment effects on the Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engine, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center has successfully performed structural design and analysis on the Volcanic Ash Distribution Rig (VADR) and the Structural Particulate Integration Device for Engine Research (SPIDER) for the ash ingestion test. Static and dynamic load analyses were performed to ensure no structural failure would occur during the test. Modal analysis was conducted, and the results were used to develop engine power setting avoidance zones. These engine power setting avoidance zones were defined to minimize the dwell time when the natural frequencies of the VADR/SPIDER system coincided with the excitation frequencies of the engine which was operating at various revolutions per minute. Vortex-induced vibration due to engine suction air flow during the ingestion test was also evaluated, but was not a concern.

VADR SPIDER↗
NASA NTRS1982

Ash loading and insolation at Hanford, Washington during and after the eruption of Mount St. Helens

The effects of volcanic ash suspended in the atmosphere on the incident solar radiation was monitored at the Hanford Meteorological Station (HMS) subsequent to the major eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980. Passage of the ash plume over Hanford resulted in a very dramatic decrease of solar radiation intensity to zero. A reduction in visibility to less than 1 km was observed, as great quantities of ash fell out of the plume onto the ground. Ash loading in the atmosphere remained very high for several days following the eruption, primarily as a result of resuspension from the surface. Visibilities remained low (2 to 8 km) during this period. Estimates of atmospheric turbidity were made from the ratio of diffuse-to-direct solar radiation; these turbidities were used to estimate extinction along a horizontal path, a quantity which can be related to visibility. Comparisons of observed and estimated visibilities were very good, in spite of the rather coarse approximations used in the estimates. Atmospheric clarity and visibility improved to near pre-eruption conditions following a period of rain showers. The diffuse-to-direct ratio of solar radiation provided a useful index for estimating volcanic ash loading of the atmosphere.

Laulainen, N. S.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Comparative effect of lunar fines and terrestrtrial ash on the growth of a blue-green alga and germinating radish seeds

Although it is understood that photosynthetic organisms will be required as components of a closed ecological life support system (CELSS) for a manned lunar based, a basic problem is to identify organisms best capable of utilizing lunar regolith materials. Also, there is need to determine what nutrient supplements have to be added to lunar soils, and at what levels in order to promote high bio-mass production.

Ridley, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Effect of Particle Non-Sphericity on Satellite Monitoring of Drifting Volcanic Ash Clouds

Volcanic eruptions loft gases and ash particles into the atmosphere and produce effects that are both short term (aircraft hazards, interference with satellite measurements) and long term (atmospheric chemistry, climate). Large (greater than 0.5mm) ash particles fall out in minutes [Rose et al, 1995], but fine ash particles can remain in the atmosphere for many days. This fine volcanic ash is a hazard to modem jet aircraft because the operating temperatures of jet engines are above the solidus temperature of volcanic ash, and because ash causes abrasion of windows and airframe, and disruption of avionics. At large distances(10(exp 2)-10(exp 4) km or more) from their source, drifting ash clouds are increasingly difficult to distinguish from meteorological clouds, both visually and on radar [Rose et al., 1995]. Satellites above the atmosphere are unique platforms for viewing volcanic clouds on a global basis and measuring their constituents and total mass. Until recently, only polar AVHRR and geostationary GOES instruments could be used to determine characteristics of drifting volcanic ash clouds using the 10-12 micron window [Prata 1989; Wen and Rose 1994; Rose and Schneider 1996]. The NASA Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) instruments aboard the Nimbus-7, Meteor3, ADEOS, and Earth Probe satellites have produced a unique data set of global SO2 volcanic emissions since 1978 (Krueger et al., 1995). Besides SO2, a new technique has been developed which uses the measured spectral contrast of the backscattered radiances in the 330-380nm spectral region (where gaseous absorption is negligible) in conjunction with radiative transfer models to retrieve properties of volcanic ash (Krotkov et al., 1997) and other types of absorbing aerosols (Torres et al., 1998).

Krotkov, Nicholay A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Sources of volcanic aerosols: Petrologic and volcanological constraints

Global climatic effects brought about by volcanism are related to the impact of volcanic gases and their derivative aerosols on the atmosphere, rather than the effects of volcanic ash. Evidence from both historic eruptions and polar ice cores indicate that volcanic sulfur gases are the dominant aerosol-forming component, resulting in produciton of a sulfuric acid-rich stratosphere aerosol that can have profound effects on the earth radiation budget over periods of a few years. Due to highly variable sulfur content of different magma types, the climatic effects do not relate simply to total erupted mass. There is a close relationship between volcanic sulfur yield to the atmospheric and hemispheric surface temperature decrease following an eruption, with up to 1 C surface temperature decrease indicated following a major volcanic event such as the 1815 Tambora eruption. While the erupted mass of HCl and HF is equal to or greater than that of sulfur gases in some volcanic events, the halogens do not form known aerosols nor are they abundant in ice core acidity layers. The early removal of halogens from eruption columns occurs by rain flushing and adsorption onto tephra particles, but the fate of halogens in the atmosphere following very large explosive eruptions is unknown. The CO2 flux to the atmosphere from volcanic eruptions is volumetrically one of the most important of the gas species, but owing to the huge size of the atmospheric reservoir of this gas, the volcanic contribution is likely to have negligible effects.

Sigurdsson, Haraldur↗
NASA NTRS1982

Impact of Mount St. Helens eruption on hydrology and water quality

The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens in southeast Washington resulted in a pronounced effect on the surface and ground water resources of the state. In response to the volcanic activity, the U.S. Geological Survey intensified statewide surface and ground water sampling programs to determine the nature and magnitude of the volcanic-induced variations. Streams to the east of Mount St. Helens received the major ash fallout. Chemical effects were best noted in smaller streams sampled 60 to 70 miles northeast of Mount St. Helens. The chemical variations observed were pronounced but short lived. Sulfate and chloride increases in anionic composition were prevalent immediately following the eruption; however, the original bicarbonate predominance was again attained within several days. Suspended iron and aluminum concentrations were similarly elevated during the period of greatest ash deposition (highest turbidity); however, the dissolved concentrations remained relatively constant. Depressions of pH were minor and short lived. Streams draining to the south, tributaries to the Columbia river, showed little observable changes in water chemistry. Streams draining to the west (Toutle river and its tributaries) were compositionally affected by the various volcanic activities. Chloride and sulfate anion percentage exceeded the bicarbonate percentage up to one month following the eruption period. Streams and lakes sampled in the immediate vicinity of Mount St. Helens, in addition to trace metals, contained organic compounds derived from decomposing wood buried in the debris deposits. This organic material may constitute a significant source of organic compounds to surface and ground water for some time to come.

Bonelli, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Hazard of Volcanic Ash Ingestion

A research team of U.S. Government agencies and engine manufacturers conducted an experiment to test volcanic-ash ingestion by a NASA owned engine in the same family as the PW 2000 that was donated by the U.S. Air Force. The experiment, called Vehicle Integrated Propulsions Research (VIPR) test, was conducted under the auspices of NASAs Convergent Aeronautics Solutions (CAS) Program and took place in summer of 2015 at Edwards AFB in California as an on-ground, on-wing test. The primary objectives of the volcanic ash test were to determine the effect on the engine of several hours of exposure to low to moderate ash concentrations and to evaluate the capability of engine health management technologies for detecting these effects. The target concentrations of volcanic ash tested were at 1 and 10 mgm3. A natural volcanic ash was used that is representative of distal ash clouds many 100s to 1000 km from a volcanic source. The glassy ash particles were expected to soften and become less viscous when exposed to the high temperatures of the combustion chamber, then stick to the nozzle guide vanes of the high-pressure turbine and this was observed. Numerous observations and measurements of the engines performance and degradation were made during the course of the experiment, including borescope inspections after each test run. The engine has been disassembled so that detailed inspections of the engine effects have been made. A summary of the test methodology and execution will be made along with results from the test. While not intended to be sufficient for rigorous certification of engine performance when ash is ingested, the experiment should provide useful information to aircraft manufacturers, airline operators, and military and civil regulators in their efforts to evaluate the range of risks that ash hazards pose to aviation.

Lekki, John↗
NASA NTRS1993

Hydroponic Crop Production using Recycled Nutrients from Inedible Crop Residues

The coupling of plant growth and waste recycling systems is an important step toward the development of bioregenerative life support systems. This research examined the effectiveness of two alternative methods for recycling nutrients from the inedible fraction (residue) of candidate crops in a bioregenerative system as follows: (1) extraction in water, or leaching, and (2) combustion at 550 C, with subsequent reconstitution of the ash in acid. The effectiveness of the different methods was evaluated by (1) comparing the percent recovery of nutrients, and (2) measuring short- and long-term plant growth in hydroponic solutions, based on recycled nutrients.

Garland, Jay L.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sewage sludge treatment system

Raw sewage may be presently treated by mixing screened raw sewage with activated carbon. The mixture is then allowed to stand in a first tank for a period required to settle the suspended matter to the bottom of the tank as a sludge. Thereafter, the remaining liquid is again mixed with activated carbon and the mixture is transferred to a secondary settling tank, where it is permitted to stand for a period required for the remaining floating material to settle as sludge and for adsorption of sewage carbon as well as other impurities to take place. The sludge from the bottom of both tanks is removed and pyrolyzed to form activated carbon and ash, which is mixed with the incoming raw sewage and also mixed with the liquid being transferred from the primary to the secondary settling tank. It has been found that the output obtained by the pyrolysis process contains an excess amount of ash. Removal of this excess amount of ash usually also results in removing an excess amount of carbon thereby requiring adding carbon to maintain the treatment process. By separately pyrolyzing the respective sludges from the first and second settling tanks, and returning the separately obtained pyrolyzed material to the respective first and second tanks from which they came, it has been found that the adverse effects of the excessive ash buildup is minimized, the carbon yield is increased, and the sludge from the secondary tank can be pyrolyzed into activated carbon to be used as indicated many more times than was done before exhaustion occurs.

Kalvinskas, John J.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Possible production mechanisms of lunar magnetic fields.

Demonstration of the impossibility of the production of local surface magnetic fields on the moon by conduction currents in the lunar soil and in local lunar atmospheres by volcanic eruption. However, it is suggested that convection currents produced by the ionization (by radiation and/or by triboelectric effects) of volcanic-ash-particle flows may produce the local magnetic fields of about 1000 gamma that are believed to have existed on the moon about 3.5 x 10 to the 9th years ago. A simple electrogasdynamic model for such flows and experiments for further investigation of this hypothesis are discussed.

Cap, F. F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Mid-infrared spectroscopy of Pahala ash palagonite and implications for remote sensing studies of Mars

The mid-IR (7-20 micron range) spectral properties of Pahala ash palagonite and the effect of thin dustings of the palagonite on reflectance characteristics of quartzite and basalt were investigated. Unlike the reflectance of quartzite and basalt, the reflectance of the palagonite is flat and low (1-2 percent). It was found that a dusting of 1-20 micron palagonite particles and 20-250 micron particle clumps, covering 50 percent of the quartzite of the basalt host reduced the quartizite mid-IR reflectance by about 50 percent. The reflectance of the underlying rock was found to be linearly related to the exposed surface area even for extremely small amounts of palagonite (2-100 micron thickness, averaging 5 microns), indicating that mid-IR remote sensing of rocks on Mars will be practical only for dust-free areas.

Crisp, Joy↗
NASA NTRS1971

One dimensional lunar ash flow with and without heat transfer

The characteristics of lunar ash flow are discussed in terms of the two phase flow theory of a mixture of a gas and small solid particles. A model is developed to present the fundamental equations and boundary conditions. Numerical solutions for special ash flow with and without heat transfer are presented. In the case of lunar ash flow with small initial velocity, the effect of the heat transfer makes the whole layer of ash flow more compacted together than the corresponding isothermal case.

Pai, S. I.↗