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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 NTRS1980

Production of NO2/-/ and N2O by nitrifying bacteria at reduced concentrations of oxygen

The influence of oxygen concentration on the production of NO2(-) and N2O by nitrifying marine bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas is investigated. Pure cultures of the ammonium-oxiding bacteria isolated from the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean were grown at oxygen partial pressures from 0.005 to 0.2 atm, and concentrations of N2O in the air above the growth medium and dissolved NO2(-) were determined. Decreasing oxygen concentrations are observed to induce a marked decrease in NO2(-) production rates and increase in N2O evolution, leading to an increase of the relative yield of N2O with respect to NO2(-) from 0.3% to nearly 10%. Similar yields of N2O at atmospheric oxygen levels are found for nitrifying bacteria of the genera Nitrosomonas, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosospira and Nitrosococcus, while nitrite-oxydizing bacteria and a dinoflagellate did not produce detectable quantities of N2O. Results support the view that nitrification is a major source of N2O in the environment.

Goreau, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effects of N2O narcosis on the contraction and repayment of an oxygen debt

The oxygen deficit, oxygen debt, and the difference between them were measured in five male and three female subjects during and after exercise while breathing either air or a normoxic mixture containing 33% N2O and nitrogen. With the exception of a higher respiratory quotient at rest in N2O, there were no statistically significant differences for oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, expired gas volume, heart rate or blood lactate while breathing N2O during rest, exercise, or recovery. An appreciably, but not statistically, greater mean oxygen deficit was found in N2O along with a significantly greater mean oxygen debt; deficit-debt difference was unaffected by N2O. It was speculated that N2O narcosis did not affect the ability to utilize oxygen but that the response to the greater oxygen need of exercise may have been slowed with perhaps a concomitant greater depletion of stored high energy compounds.

Schatte, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Nitrous oxide in fresh water systems: An estimate for the yield of atmospheric N2O associated with disposal of human waste

The N2O content of waters in the Potomac and Merrimack Rivers was measured on a number of occasions over the period April to July 1977. The concentrations of dissolved N2O exceeded those which would apply in equilibrium with air by factors ranging from about 46 in the Potomac to 1.2 in the Merrimack. Highest concentrations of dissolved N2O were associated with sewage discharges from the vicinity of Washington, D. C., and analysis indicates a relatively high yield, 1.3 to 11%, for prompt conversion of waste nitrogen to N2O. Measurements of dissolved N2O in fresh water ponds near Boston demonstrated that aquatic systems provide both strong sources and sinks for atmospheric N2O.

Kaplan, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Production of N2O/+/ by reaction of metastable O2/+/ ions with N2

Photoionization mass spectrometry examination of the production of N2O(+) was undertaken to determine whether N2(+) or O2(+) ions are responsible for onset of N2O(+). It appears that the N2(+) ion does not contribute significantly to the production of N2O(+) in this experiment. Therefore, it is clear that excited O2(+) is responsible for the formation of N2O(+) near the appearance potential of these ions.

Ajello, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Sources and sinks of atmospheric N2O and the possible ozone reduction due to industrial fixed nitrogen fertilizers

The terrestrial and marine nitrogen cycles are examined in an attempt to clarify how the atmospheric content of N2O is controlled. We review available data on the various reservoirs of fixed nitrogen, the transfer rates between the reservoirs, and estimate how the reservoir contents and transfer rates can change under man's influence. It is seen that sources, sinks and lifetime of atmospheric N2O are not understood well. Based on our limited knowledge of the stability of atmospheric N2O we conclude that future growth in the usage of industrial fixed nitrogen fertilizers could cause a 1% to 2% global ozone reduction in the next 50 years. However, centuries from now the ozone layer could be reduced by as much as 10% if soils are the major source of atmospheric N2O.

Liu, S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Coupled effects of atmospheric N2O and O3 on the earth's climate

Increased application of nitrogen fertilizer could perturb the atmospheric nitrogen cycle and might lead to a possible increase in atmospheric N2O. N2O has an important role in stratospheric chemistry as well as in the global radiation budget. Recent studies suggest that perturbation of local ozone could also significantly affect the global climate. It is shown that a doubling in the present day N2O level might significantly perturb the distribution of O3 and HNO3, and that the associated climatic feedbacks from O3 and HNO3 perturbations could contribute as much as 0.23 K warming of the surface temperature, in addition to 0.44 K directly caused by N2O doubling.

Wang, W.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1972

On the production of N2O from the reaction of O(1 D) with N2

Ozone was photolyzed at 2537 A and 25 C in the presence of 42-115 torr of O2 and about 880 torr of N2 to test the relative importance of the two reactions: (1) O(1D) + N2 + M yields N2O + M, and (2) O(1D) + N2 yields O(3P) + N2. N2O was not found as a product. Thus from our detectability limit for N2O (0.3 micron), an upper limit to the efficiency of the first reaction relative to the second of 0.0000025 at 1000 torr total pressure was computed. This corresponds to k1/k2 smaller than 0.8 x 10 to the minus 25 power cu cm/particle.

Simonaitis, R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

On the production of N2O from the reaction of O/1D/with N2.

Ozone was photolyzed at 2537 A and at 25 C in the presence of 42-115 torr of O2 and about 880 torr of N2 to test the relative importance of the two reactions O(1D) + N2 + M leading to N2O + M and O(1D) + N2 leading to O(3P) + N2. In this study N2O was not found as a product. Thus from our detectability limit for N2O an upper limit to the efficiency of the first reaction relative to the second of 2.5 times 10 to the -6 power at 1000-torr total pressure was computed.

Simonaitis, R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Cross sections and band strengths for the N2O/+/ /A 2Sigma+ to X 2Pi/ system produced by vacuum ultraviolet radiation

Analysis of cross sections that have been obtained for the production of the N2O(+) (A 2Sigma+ to X 2Pi) fluorescence, using vacuum ultraviolet radiation between 462 and 755 A. The fluorescence spectra produced using incident photons of 715.6- and 754.9-A wavelengths are presented, as well as the relative fluorescence cross sections for the individual observed bands of the above-mentioned N2O(+) system. Finally, absolute cross sections for the production of the N2O(+) (A 2Sigma+ to X 2Pi) system are presented, as well as band strengths for the A 2Sigma+(0,0,0) to X 2Pi(n1,n2,0) fluorescence.

Lee, L. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Sources and sinks for atmospheric N2O

Observations of the temporal and spatial distribution of N2O in solution are not yet sufficient to permit quantitative assessment of the role of the ocean in the budget of atmospheric N2O. Consideration of the global nitrogen cycle suggests that the land should be the primary source of N2O. The gas is removed in the atmosphere by photolysis and by reaction with O(1D), and there may be additional sinks in the ocean.

Mcelroy, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Line strengths of H2O and N2O in the 1900-kayser region

Laboratory measurements of the line strengths of H2O and N2O in the 1900-kayser spectral region are reported which were made with moderate resolution using a modification of a Michelson interferometer. The N2O analysis includes measurements of the line strengths of the P and R branches and the integrated strength of the Q branch of the nu-1 + nu-2(1) band as well as the integrated strengths of the Q branches of the nu-1 + nu-2(2) - nu-2 and nu-1 + nu-2(0) - nu-2(1) bands. The H2O data cover the region from 1830 to 1980 kaysers; they include line-strength measurements of 61 lines of the nu-2 band, 10 lines of the nu-2 band of H2(O-18), two lines of the nu-2 band of H2(O-17), and three lines of the 'hot' band transition 2 nu-2 - nu-2. The estimated uncertainties in the measured line strengths range from 7% to 20% for H2O, 10% to 25% for H2(O-18) and H2(O-17), and 4% to 8% for N2O.

Toth, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

N2O analysis in the atmosphere via electron capture-gas chromatography

The potential of commercially available pulse-modulated electron capture detector (ECD)-equipped gas chromatographs for direct measurement of ambient levels of N2O is assessed. Since the sensitivity of ECD to N2O is directly proportional to the detector operating temperature and detector standing current, it is necessary to use a 'hot' ECD (250-350 C). The method is shown to be very precise with a standard error not exceeding 1% for automated analysis of ambient air samples. The technology is available to permit highly accurate routine direct analysis of N2O in the troposphere and stratosphere. Both captured air samples or direct real-time measurement from research vessels or airborne platforms are possible.

Rasmussen, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Global and regional N2O measurements

Real-time N2O measurements have been made in situ at the South Pole, Antarctica, north and south of the equator from on board the Alpha Helix and over the Pacific Ocean on several aircraft flights from the U.S. to New Zealand, Australia and 90 deg S. In addition, an automated EC-GC has been operated for the past year intermittently monitoring N2O in surface air at a rural site in the wheatlands of eastern Washington state. The data obtained are consistent and in agreement with the data obtained from the analyses of a large number of samples collected both from ground stations and a variety of aircraft flights made in the southern and northern hemisphere. The observed global data show no interhemispheric differences. The present concentration of N2O in the troposphere is measured to be 330 + or - 3 ppbv. Its vertical distribution in the troposphere is very uniform. A small decrease (2-3 percent) across the tropopause is characteristically observed in the high-altitude flights.

Rasmussen, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Photodissociation of the CH3Cl/+/ and N2O/+/ cations.

Use of the ion cyclotron resonance (icr) technique to observe the photodissociation of the cations CH3Cl(+) and N2O(+) in the gas phase. Ions were trapped in the icr cell for periods of the order of seconds, which permitted the photodissociation process to be observed with wavelength-selected light. A cyclotron resonance ejection technique was employed to show that CH3Cl(+) ions were being dissociated rather than the CH3ClH(+) ions which were also present. The photodissociation cross section for N2O(+) was found to be without strong wavelength dependence between 4000 and 6500 A. The cross section for CH3Cl(+) showed a large peak at 3150 A. Possible assignments of this peak are considered, and it is suggested that a photodissociation occurs through an ion excitation involving a change in occupation of the bonding or antibonding orbitals of the C-Cl bond.

Dunbar, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Vacuum UV photolysis of N2O

Emission from N2 B (3 Pi g) and O(1 S) produced during vacuum UV irradiation of N2O was studied as a function of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Two different processes were responsible for producing N2(B 3 Pi g) close to its production threshold. One process formed B 3 Pi g molecules directly and one indirectly via an unidentified precursor having a lifetime about 27 microsec. The quantum yield of O(1 S) atoms produced by photodissociation of N2O was determined as a function of incident photon energy. This yield is near 100% at 129 nm.

Mcewan, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Interhemispheric gradients of CF2Cl2, CFCl3, CCl4, and N2O

Direct real-time gas-chromatographic measurements of CF2Cl2, CFCl3, CCl4, and N2O were made at latitudes from 74 deg N to 62 deg S aboard a NASA Convair 990 as part of the 1976 NASA CV-990 Latitude Survey Mission between Alaska and New Zealand. A difference was found in the average mixing ratios of CF2Cl2 and CFCl3 between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but no differences were noted for CCl4 and N2O. The results support some of the previous studies of interhemispheric tropospheric gradients and suggest the lack of any significant tropospheric sinks.

Tyson, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Decomposition of N2O over particulate matter

Nitrous oxide is shown to undergo both a thermal and a photochemical decomposition at 296 K when it is adsorbed on various dry sands. The photochemical process occurs with light of wavelengths greater than 280 nm, where gaseous N2O does not absorb. At low pressures (less than 0.1 torr) the half-life for the thermal decomposition of nitrous oxide to nitrogen when placed in contact with about 5 gm of heat-treated Tunisian sand in a one-liter vessel was 350 + or - 35 days. Under certain photolytic conditions this half-life was reduced. The efficiency of the photolytic process for a particular sand depends on the pressure and on the wavelength of light. For Tunisian sand at 1.1 torr and with the full mercury arc, the destruction efficiency is about 0.00002 molecule/incident photon. These results indicate that particulate matter in the troposphere may be responsible for the decomposition of nitrous oxide and hence act as an atmospheric sink for N2O. However, moisture causes a drastic reduction in the number of molecules dissociated per incident photon.

Rebbert, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

N2O and CO production by electric discharge - Atmospheric implications

Enhanced levels of N2O and CO were measured in tropospheric air samples exposed to a 17,500-J laboratory discharge. These enhanced levels correspond to an N2O production rate of about 4 trillion molecules/J and a CO production rate of about 10 to the 14th molecules/J. The CO measurements suggest that the primary region of chemical production in the discharge is the shocked air surrounding the lightning channel, as opposed to the slower-cooling inner core. Additional experiments in a simulated Venus atmosphere (CO2 - 95%, N2 - 5%, at one atmosphere) indicate an enhancement of CO from less than 0.1 ppm prior to the laboratory discharge to more than 2000 ppm after the discharge. Comparison with theoretical calculations appears to confirm the ability of a shock-wave/thermochemical model to predict the rate of production of trace species by an electrical discharge.

Levine, J. S.↗