Search NASASearch

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Liquified pressurized gas electrolyte”

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.

Liquified SO 2 induced solid/cathode electrolyte interphase for lithium ion batteries

Formation of robust solid/cathode electrolyte interphases (S/CEI) is vital for long-term stability and high-performance operation of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), particularly under high voltage regimes. However, engineering electrochemically stable S/CEIs that effectively suppress interfacial side reactions remains a key challenge. Herein, we introduce a liquefied sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )– ionic liquid complex as a fluorine-free multifunctional electrolyte additive for the first time that significantly improves the formation of sulfate/sulfite-rich S/CEI layers at both graphite and NMC811 interfaces. The unique SO 2 -N coordination with a 1,2,4-triazolide-based ionic liquid enables homogeneous SO 2 dissolution, resulting in controlled SO 2 decomposition during the initial electrochemical cycle. This decomposition yields sulfur-rich interphase species that stabilize the electrolyte-electrode interface, reduce impedance growth, and lessen electrolyte decomposition. Electrochemical tests show significantly improved cycle life, reduced polarization, and increased Coulombic efficiency for both anodes and cathodes. XPS confirms the presence of SO 2 -derived surface species that contribute to interfacial stability. In conclusion, this approach highlights a new direction for interphase engineering using liquefied gas additives and opens pathways for sulfur-based S/CEI chemistry in advanced battery systems.

Graphite

Factors Influencing Gas Evolution from High‐Nickel Layered Oxide Cathodes in Lithium‐Based Batteries

Abstract Gas evolution from high‐nickel layered oxide cathodes (>90% Ni) remains a major issue for their practical application. Gaseous species, such as CO 2 , O 2 , and CO, that are evolved at high states of charge (SOC) worsen the overall safety of batteries, as pressure build‐up within the cell may lead to cell rupture. Since these gasses are produced during cathode degradation, tracking the formation of gasses is also important in diagnosing cathode failure. Online electrochemical mass spectrometry (OEMS) is a powerful in situ technique to study gas evolution from the cathode during high‐voltage charge. However, the differences in the OEMS experimental setups between different groups make it challenging to compare results between groups. In this perspective, the various factors that influence gas evolution based on the OEMS results collected in this group are presented. The focus is on the conditions that lead to gas release, with a particular emphasis on reactive oxygen formation and subsequent chemical reactions with the electrolyte. Promising strategies, such as electrolytes, compositional tuning, and surface coatings that are effective at suppressing gas evolution from the cathode are highlighted. Critical insights into mitigating cathode degradation and gas evolution are provided to guide the development of safer, high‐energy batteries.

Chemistry

The Development of A Heated-Hybrid Generated Gas Pressurization System for Propellant Tanks

One of the most important considerations in the design of liquid fueled rockets is the method utilized to transfer the propellants from the propellant tanks to the rocket engine. Use of storable liquid propellant propulsion systems, particularly those employing hydrazine as a fuel, facilitates the attractive possibility of employing the monopropellant virtues of the fuel in order to generate gases for pressurization of the propellant tanks.

GAS PRESSURE

Atmospheric, Non-Combusting Droplet Sizing and Spray Imaging Results From a Non-Proprietary Aero Gas Turbine Engine Pressure Swirl Atomizer using Shadowgraphy and Planar Laser Scatter

Members from industry and federal agencies of the United States have developed a collaborating group focused on improving the understanding of the atomization processes common to gas turbine engines. The group is aimed on providing high quality data using x-ray diagnostics in the internal geometry and the near-field dense spray as well as optical diagnostics in the visible spectrum, downstream of the nozzle. This paper reports results from one of the two non-proprietary injectors designs from the group: the primary-secondary injector. In particular, we characterize the spray from only the primary, pressure-swirl atomizing circuit using water through the nozzle. We observed Sauter mean diameter decreased with increased water pressure drop across the nozzle. SMD was also collected at three axial distances and showed decreased size with distance from the nozzle. Planar laser sheet droplet scattering provided qualitative assessment of the spray. Higher water pressure drops provided better atomization than lower pressure drops. The addition of swirling air flow through the injector alleviates and improves the atomization quality, particularly at the lower water pressure drops.

optical diagnostics

Dynamic Regulation of Sub-Atmospheric Pressure for Constant and Cyclic Gas Loads During Testing of Spacesuit Components

New iterations of the various subsystems within the spacesuit will benefit from a new sorbent technology. For example, sorbents used in the Trace Contaminant Control (TCC) and the Rapid Cycle Amine (RCA) systems within the Exploration Portable Life Support System (xPLSS), part of the Extra-Vehicular Mobility Unit (xEMU). For proper validation, the sub-atmospheric pressure needs to be maintained within a simulated 2 ft 3 spacesuit volume. The traditional approach, which involves placing the entire vent loop within a hypobaric chamber, is not practical for the widespread testing of components and prototypes, as these specialized chambers are costly and not widely available. A two-stage regulator based sub-atmospheric pressure system is presented in this work. The method regulates the pressure based on pressure differentials between the pressure regulation pump, the test system, and the ambient environment. The performance of this system is demonstrated using data collected during a 150+ hour non-regenerative TCC sorbent evaluation, several 24-hour regenerative TCC sorbent evaluations with different regeneration cycles, and an 8-hour RCA sorbent evaluation, all under xEMU operating conditions. For regulation, the inlet regulator was set to propagate a small leak to increase the stability of the system as the gas load from the testing system changes. It was also found that controlling the input flow rate that replaces the material lost during regeneration is critical for ensuring the stability of the system. This system provided excellent pressure regulation, without adjustments, for constant loads during shorter time evaluations (hours), while longer time evaluations (days) are easily obtainable with periodic regulator adjustments. A second method is under development to address longer-term stability and to automate pressure regulation. It will incorporate flow and pressure measurements to dynamically control a set of electronically controlled proportional valves for adjusting the pumping speed and air bleed supply.

Nicholas F Materer

Pressure Safety Training (Rev. 8)

This is the workbook for the Pressure Safety Training Course. It is intended as a reference manual and guide for all work with pressurized liquids or gases. This workbook contains basic references to make work with pressure safer. It is intended to supplement classroom instruction, rather than serve as a definitive text on pressure. Earlier versions of the manual were intended specifically for training at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This revision is a generic version intended for training at all DOE facilities. The information in the Standards chapter is from the LLNL Health and Safety Manual. It is included here as a convenient reference and guide for developing similar standards at your own facility.

42 ENGINEERING

Hypervelocity Impact Testing of Nickel Hydrogen Battery Cells

Nickel-Hydrogen (Ni/H2) battery cells have been used on several satellites and are planned for use on the International Space Station. In January 1992, the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) conducted hypervelocity impact testing on Ni/H2 cells to characterize their failure modes. The cell's outer construction was a 24 mil-thick Inconel 718 pressure vessel. A sheet of 1.27 cm thick honeycomb was placed in front of the battery cells during testing to simulate the on-orbit box enclosure. Testing was conducted at the NASA White Sands Test Facility (WSTF). The hypervelocity gun used was a 7.6 mm (0.30 caliber) two-stage light gas gun. Test were performed at speeds of 3, 6, and 7 km/sec using aluminum 2017 spherical particles of either 4.8 or 6.4 mm diameter as the projectile. The battery cells were electrically charged to about 75 percent of capacity, then back-filled with hydrogen gas to 900 psi simulating the full charge condition. High speed film at 10,000 frames/sec was taken of the impacts. Impacts in the dome area (top) and the electrode area (middle) of the battery cells were investigated. Five tests on battery cells were performed. The results revealed that in all of the test conditions investigated, the battery cells simply vented their hydrogen gas and some electrolyte, but did not burst or generate any large debris fragments.

Frate, David T.

Advanced Non-Intrusive Instrumentation for Propulsion Engines

Changes in engine technology such as higher temperatures, higher tip speeds, new metal/composite/ceramic materials together with radical changes in design philosophy will require amongst other prerequisites the ability to measure and to monitor key internal gas and structural characteristics. The symposium papers presented non-intrusive measurement and analysis technologies in the following categories: Laser Point Measurements (11); Absorption and Infrared Techniques (4); Paints - Surface Sensors (6); Laser Induced Fluorescence (6); Mechanical (7); Films (5); Laser Planar Measurement (9); and a Keynote Address.

Propulsion

Cryogenic Propellant Tank Drain Simulation with a Stratified Ullage Nodal Model

Cryogenic propellant tank pressurization systems maintain tank pressure within specified limits to comply with propellant thermodynamic and tank structural design requirements. Many pump-fed cryogenic liquid propulsion systems control tank pressure using an autogenous pressurization system. Autogenous pressurization systems vaporize and heat propellant to produce the pressurant gas delivered to the tank. While autogenous pressurization systems eliminate the need for a separate pressurant gas storage and delivery system, they couple pressurant mass requirements to propellant mass requirements. Accurate prediction of autogenous pressurant mass during propellant drain is essential in optimizing cryogenic propellant tank designs.

Richard G Hibbs

Combustor Technology for Future Small Gas Turbine Aircraft

To enhance fuel efficiency, future advanced small gas turbine engines will utilize engine cycles calling for overall engine pressure ratios, leading to higher combustor inlet pressures and temperatures. Further, the temperature rise through the combustor and the corresponding exit temperature are also expected to increase. This report describes future combustor technology needs for small gas turbine engines. New fuel injectors with large turndown ratios which produce uniform circumferential and radial temperature patterns will be required. Uniform burning will be of greater importance because hot gas temperatures will approach turbine material limits. The higher combustion temperatures and increased radiation at high pressures will put a greater heat load on the combustor liners. At the same time, less cooling air will be available as more of the air will be used for combustion. Thus, improved cooling concepts and/or materials requiring little or no direct cooling will be required. Although presently there are no requirements for emissions levels from small gas turbine engines, regulation is anticipated in the near future. This will require the development of low emission combustors. In particular, nitrogen oxides will increase substantially if new technologies limiting their formation are not evolved and implemented. For example, staged combustion employing lean, premixed/prevaporized, lean direct injection, or rich burn-quick quench-lean burn concepts could replace conventional single stage combustors. Due to combustor size considerations, staged combustion is more easily accommodated in large engines. The inclusion of staged combustion in small engines will pose greater combustor design challenges.

Valerie J Lyons

LES-Based Analysis of Film Cooling in a High-Pressure Turbine Rotor Including Effects of Purge and Tip Flow

Accurate modeling of coolant airflows, which form protective films over turbine blades, is essential for designing fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable gas turbine engines. Excessive coolant reduces thermal efficiency, while insufficient coolant leads to blade overheating and causes damage. Therefore, precise prediction of flow field interactions with cooling air is critical for optimizing turbine performance. This study numerically investigates the cooling effectiveness of purge and film cooling flows within a high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor using Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The study utilizes NASA Glenn Research Center’s Glenn-HT solver. The simulation models ethe conditions of the Penn State University START rotating rig. A high-fidelity structured mesh comprising up to 800 million cells is employed to resolve high-Reynolds number flow (Re ≈ 350,000) and to capture intricate secondary flow structures, including tip leakage and purge-induced vortices. Film cooling effectiveness computations are highly sensitive to boundary conditions at the cooling holes and to grid resolution. Even with well-resolved grids and included plena, strong mixing challenges traditional eddy viscosity models. To address this, a simplified configuration is simulated: a truncated row of shaped holes on the suction side near the leading edge and a row on the pressure side, both fed from internal plena while the purge slot and tip clearance are also modeled. Two isothermal LES cases are conducted at two distinct wall temperatures, which yield the adiabatic wall temperature and the heat transfer coefficient. The definition and means of computation of the effectiveness is discussed in this paper. The simulations reveal detailed three-dimensional unsteady flow features, including coherent vortical structures and secondary flows originating from the purge cavity. Film cooling effectiveness and Nusselt number distributions are presented for both the blade surface and tip, highlighting regions of elevated heat transfer and complex thermal behavior. These findings underscore the importance of high-resolution LES and realistic boundary conditions in capturing the dynamics of purge and film cooling, offering valuable insights for improving turbine blade design and thermal management strategies.

Secondary Flows

Unraveling interphase-driven failure pathways in LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4/graphite pouch cells

LiMnxFe1−xPO4 (LMFP) is a promising high-voltage, thermally stable, and earth-abundant cathode material, yet its practical application is limited by interphase instability and Mn dissolution. In this work, we systematically evaluate LiMn0.6Fe0.4PO4/graphite pouch cells using three electrolyte formulations including control carbonate electrolyte, control + 2 wt% vinylene carbonate (VC), and control + 2 wt% VC + 1 wt% 1,3,2-dioxathiolane 2,2-dioxide (DTD), to establish how electrolyte composition governs interphase chemistry and long-term degradation. Electrochemical testing shows that both additives are preferentially reduced prior to ethylene carbonate (EC) during cell formation, generating robust cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) and solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers that suppress gas evolution and raise the first-cycle coulombic efficiency to 89.3%. Additionally, the dual-additive electrolyte delivers the most stable performance, retaining over 85% capacity after 600 cycles while minimizing impedance growth under long-term cycling at C/3 and 40 °C. Soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirms that VC + DTD effectively suppresses electrolyte oxidation at the cathode surface, and micro-X-ray fluorescence shows substantially reduced Mn dissolution and deposition on the graphite anode. Density functional theory simulations further provided insights into the structural and energetic influences of alkoxide species on the cathode surface, proposing a Mn2+ extraction mechanism. The combined experimental and computational findings establish a mechanistic link between electrolyte composition and interphase evolution, highlighting the effectiveness of electrolyte engineering for extending the operational lifetime of LMFP-based lithium-ion batteries.

Chak, Chanmonirath Michael

Space Electrochemical Research and Technology

Individual papers presented at the conference address the following topics: development of a micro-fiber nickel electrode for nickel-hydrogen cell, high performance nickel electrodes for space power application, bending properties of nickel electrodes for nickel-hydrogen batteries, effect of KOH concentration and anions on the performance of a Ni-H2 battery positive plate, advanced dependent pressure vessel nickel hydrogen spacecraft cell and battery design, electrolyte management considerations in modern nickel hydrogen and nickel cadmium cell and battery design, a novel unitized regenerative proton exchange membrane fuel cell, fuel cell systems for first lunar outpost - reactant storage options, the TMI regenerable solid oxide fuel cell, engineering development program of a closed aluminum-oxygen semi-cell system for an unmanned underwater vehicle, SPE OBOGS on-board oxygen generating system, hermetically sealed aluminum electrolytic capacitor, sol-gel technology and advanced electrochemical energy storage materials, development of electrochemical supercapacitors for EMA applications, and high energy density electrolytic capacitor.

Richard M Wilson

RTE: A Computer Code for Rocket Thermal Evaluation

The numerical model for a rocket thermal analysis code (RTE) is discussed. RTE is a comprehensive thermal analysis code for thermal analysis of regeneratively cooled rocket engines. The input to the code consists of the composition of fuel/oxidant mixture and flow rates, chamber pressure, coolant temperature and pressure. dimensions of the engine, materials and the number of nodes in different parts of the engine. The code allows for temperature variation in axial, radial and circumferential directions. By implementing an iterative scheme, it provides nodal temperature distribution, rates of heat transfer, hot gas and coolant thermal and transport properties. The fuel/oxidant mixture ratio can be varied along the thrust chamber. This feature allows the user to incorporate a non-equilibrium model or an energy release model for the hot-gas-side. The user has the option of bypassing the hot-gas-side calculations and directly inputting the gas-side fluxes. This feature is used to link RTE to a boundary layer module for the hot-gas-side heat flux calculations.

Mohammad H N Naraghi

High Sulfur Loading and Capacity Retention in Bilayer Garnet Sulfurized‐Polyacrylonitrile/Lithium‐Metal Batteries with Gel Polymer Electrolytes

The cubic‐garnet (Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 , LLZO) lithium–sulfur battery shows great promise in the pursuit of achieving high energy densities. The sulfur used in the cathodes is abundant, inexpensive, and possesses high specific capacity. In addition, LLZO displays excellent chemical stability with Li metal; however, the instabilities in the sulfur cathode/LLZO interface can lead to performance degradation that limits the development of these batteries. Therefore, it is critical to resolve these interfacial challenges to achieve stable cycling. Here, an innovative gel polymer buffer layer to stabilize the sulfur cathode/LLZO interface is created. Employing a thin bilayer LLZO (dense/porous) architecture as a solid electrolyte and significantly high sulfur loading of 5.2 mg cm −2 , stable cycling is achieved with a high initial discharge capacity of 1542 mAh g −1 (discharge current density of 0.87 mA cm −2 ) and an average discharge capacity of 1218 mAh g −1 (discharge current density of 1.74 mA cm −2 ) with 80% capacity retention over 265 cycles, at room temperature (22 °C) and without applied pressure. Achieving such stability with high sulfur loading is a major step in the development of potentially commercial garnet lithium–sulfur batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE

The Operational NASA Anomaly Gas Analyzer and Exploration Follow-Ons

The NASA Anomaly Gas Analyzer (AGA) is the culmination of nearly ten years of advancement of core technology originally developed by Vista Photonics through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and expanded using NASA program funding. The AGA is a portable, battery operated, optical gas detection instrument for continuous monitoring of H 2 O, CO 2 , O 2 , CO, NH 3 , HCN, HF, HCl in the spacecraft environment. Real time, in-situ monitored, gas concentrations are communicated at 1 Hz through a built-in display on-orbit and additionally through a serial interface on the ground. The instruments function over the typical range of temperatures and pressures required for the spacecraft environment. A ten-year operational life is targeted. Seven AGA instruments are currently deployed on the International Space Station and two Orion-specific units are manifested for Artemis 2. A variation of the operational AGA is under development for lunar Human Landing Systems. A wider calibrated operating pressure envelope is required in this application. Otherwise, the instruments straightforwardly address lessons learned from the original AGA by improving aspects of thermal control, ruggedness, and ease-of-use. A subset of AGA-developed sensed gases (H 2 O, CO 2 , O 2 ) is the subject of the Primary Constituent Monitor (PCM) development for the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) destined for lunar orbit. Two PCMs will be installed in HALO as part of the environmental control loop where they will interface with vehicle power and communications. While the basic sensor techniques are unchanged from the AGA, these instruments have been radiation hardened to survive for many years in the harsh target environment. Current development status for these instruments will be presented along with recent developments of a naval submarine variant.

Air Monitoring