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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

Wisconsin In Situ Penning (WISP) gauge: A versatile neutral pressure gauge to measure partial pressures in strong magnetic fields

A new type of in-vessel Penning gauge, the Wisconsin In Situ Penning (WISP) gauge, has been developed and successfully operated in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) island divertor baffle and vacuum vessel. The capacity of the quantitative measurements of the neutral reservoir for light impurities, in particular, helium, is important for tokamaks as well as stellarator divertors in order to avoid fuel dilution and radiative energy loss. Penning gauges assisted by spectroscopy are a powerful tool to obtain the total neutral pressure as well as fractional neutral pressures of specific impurities. The WISP gauge is a miniaturized Penning gauge arrangement, which exploits the ambient magnetic field of magnetic confinement fusion experiments to establish the Penning discharge. Then, in situ spectroscopy is conducted to separate the fractional neutral pressures of hydrogen, helium, and possibly also other impurities. The WISP probe head was qualified using the magnetic field of the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment at Auburn University between 0.25 T and 3.5 T [E. Thomas et al ., J. Plasma Phys. 81, 345810206 (2015)]. The in-depth quantitative evaluation for hydrogen and helium will be shown as well as an exploration of nitrogen, argon, and neon. A power law scaling between current I and pressure p, I = f (Gas,V) p n⁽Gas, B⁾ , was shown. The factor f is gas and anode potential dependent, while n is gas and magnetic field strength dependent. Pressure measurements from 0.1 mbar and down to 1 × 10 -5 mbar were achieved, demonstrating a reliable operating range for relevant pressure levels in the divertor and main vessel regions in current and future fusion devices, with a time resolution of up to 1 kHz. The lowest achievable pressure measurement increases with an increase in B and can be shifted with the anode potential V . At W7-X, the WISP probe head was mounted on an immersion tube setup that passes through the cryostat and places the probe head close to the plasma. Two probe heads were positioned in different divertor pump gaps, top and bottom, and one close to the plasma on the midplane in one module. The gauges were in situ calibrated together with the ASDEX pressure gauges [G. Haas and H.-S. Bosch, Vacuum 51, 39 (1998)]. Data were taken during the entire operation phase 1.2b, and measurements were coherent with other neutral gas pressure gauges. For the spectroscopic partial pressure measurements, channels of a spectroscopic detection system based on photo-multipliers, a so-called filterscope [R. J. Colchin et al ., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2068 (2003)], provided by the Oak Ridge National Lab were used.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Modeling Oxygen Partial Pressure in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells: The Microstructure Effect

Oxygen partial pressure is an important thermodynamic state variable that affects both the performance and degradation of solid oxide electrolysis cells. In this work, a 3D model developed from Virkar’s 1D model has been applied to reconstructed and synthetic microstructures of Ni-YSZ-GDC-LSCF cell. The effect of the microstructures, including the thickness of the YSZ and GDC layer, and the compositions of the hydrogen and oxygen electrode, on the distribution of oxygen partial pressure has been investigated. The results show that the maximum oxygen partial pressure may occur on the interface between oxygen electrode and GDC layer or between GDC layer and YSZ layer depending on the rate of oxygen ion exchange between GDC and YSZ. A thicker GDC layer lowers the maximum oxygen partial pressure in the cell, while a thicker YSZ layer lowers the maximum oxygen partial pressure in the hydrogen electrode. In addition, the Ni:YSZ ratio and porosity also affects the maximum partial pressure. These findings provide insights on mitigating degradation in solid oxide electrolysis cell by tuning the microstructures.

Lei, Yinkai↗

Influence of Oxygen Partial Pressure Variation on Oxidation Resistance of Ti-46.7Al-1.9W-0.5Si at 750, 850 and 950 °C

γ-TiAl intermetallic alloys can be potentially employed as structural materials for many industries where high temperature and access of atmosphere with variable oxygen partial pressures are often met. Different partial pressures of oxygen may influence oxidation behavior and induce different oxide scale phase constitutes. This study investigated the influences of oxygen partial pressures on the oxidation resistance of a γ-TiAl alloy, Ti-46.7Al-1.9W-0.5Si (at.%), in Ar-O{sub 2} environments (5%O{sub 2}, 20%O{sub 2} and 80%O{sub 2}) at 750, 850 and 950 °C, respectively. The oxidation products were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray analysis, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The oxidation kinetic results achieved by a discontinuous gravimetric method revealed that the alloy oxidized following a parabolic rate law. The oxidation resistance of the alloy was enhanced with increasing the oxygen partial pressures at all three experimental temperatures. Multilayered oxide scales of TiO{sub 2}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} were developed during the oxidation process. The enhancement of oxidation resistance was resulted from preferential generation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} and the reduction in defects in TiO{sub 2} with increasing the oxygen partials pressures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of oxygen partial pressure on microstructural and optical properties of titanium oxide thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Microstructural and optical properties are studied systematically. • The optical properties are studied by UV–visible and photoluminescence. • The PL spectra shows two peaks correspond to bandgap of anatase and rutile. • The maximum refractive index of 2.73 is obtained for rutile phase of titania. - Abstract: Nanocrystalline titanium oxide (TiO{sub 2}) thin films were deposited on silicon (1 0 0) and quartz substrates at various oxygen partial pressures (1 × 10{sup −5} to 3.5 × 10{sup −1} mbar) with a substrate temperature of 973 K by pulsed laser deposition. The microstructural and optical properties were characterized using Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of mixed phases (anatase and rutile) at higher oxygen partial pressures (3.5 × 10{sup −2} to 3.5 × 10{sup −1} mbar) and strong rutile phase at lower oxygen partial pressures (1 × 10{sup −5} to 3.5 × 10{sup −3} mbar). The atomic force microscopy studies showed the dense and uniform distribution of nanocrystallites. The root mean square surface roughness of the films increased with increasing oxygen partial pressures. The UV–visible studies showed that the bandgap of the films increased from 3.20 eV to 3.60 eV with the increase of oxygen partial pressures. The refractive index was found to decrease from 2.73 to 2.06 (at 550 nm) as the oxygen partial pressure increased from 1.5 × 10{sup −4} mbar to 3.5 × 10{sup −1} mbar. The photoluminescence peaks were fitted to Gaussian function and the bandgap was found to be in the range ∼3.28–3.40 eV for anatase and 2.98–3.13 eV for rutile phases with increasing oxygen partial pressure from 1 × 10{sup −5} to 3.5 × 10{sup −1} mbar.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Influence of oxygen partial pressure on the microstructural and magnetic properties of Er-doped ZnO thin films

Er-doped ZnO thin films have been prepared by using inductively coupled plasma enhanced physical vapor deposition at different O{sub 2}:Ar gas flow ratio (R = 0:30, 1:30, 1:15, 1:10 and 1:6). The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the structural, optical and magnetic properties was studied. It is found that an appropriate oxygen partial pressure (R=1:10) can produce the best crystalline quality with a maximum grain size. The internal strain, estimated by fitting the X-ray diffraction peaks, varied with oxygen partial pressure during growth. PL measurements show that plenty of defects, especially zinc vacancy, exist in Er-doped ZnO films. All the samples show room-temperature ferromagnetism. Importantly, the saturation magnetization exhibits similar dependency on oxygen partial pressure with the internal strain, which indicates that internal strain has an important effect on the magnetic properties of Er-doped ZnO thin films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Potential hydrogen and oxygen partial pressures in legacy plutonium oxide packages at Oak Ridge

An approach to estimate the maximum hydrogen and oxygen partial pressures within sealed containers is described and applied to a set of packages containing high-purity plutonium dioxide. The approach uses experimentally determined maximum hydrogen and oxygen partial pressures and scales the experimentally determined pressures to the relevant packaged material properties. The important material properties are the specific wattage and specific surface area (SSA). Important results from the experimental determination of maximum partial pressures are (1) the ratio of hydrogen to oxygen is stoichiometric, and (2) the maximum pressures increase with increasing initial rates of production. The material properties that influence the rates are the material specific wattage and the SSA. The unusual properties of these materials, high specific wattage and high SSA, result in higher predicted maximum pressures than typical plutonium dioxide in storage. The pressures are well within the deflagration range for mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Effects of hydrogen partial pressure on crack initiation and growth rate in vintage X52 steel

There is an increasing interest in ensuring compatibility of existing natural gas infrastructure with conveyance of hydrogen, especially for vintage (pre-1970s) pipeline steels. While hydrogen is known to affect the fatigue and fracture resistance of these materials, there is a lack of data on its effects on crack initiation at low hydrogen partial pressure. To address this gap, the current work presents a series of fatigue tests on vintage API Grade X52 steel in pure nitrogen, air and gaseous hydrogen at partial pressures of 1 and 207 bar. Circumferential notch tension (CNT) specimens with direct current potential difference (DCPD) measurements are used to get S–N curves for crack initiation and failure, and compact tension (CT) tests to assess crack growth rates. Results indicate that air accelerates crack initiation, low hydrogen partial pressure affects the crack growth rate, and higher pressures have the largest impact on both. Surprisingly, crack initiation is faster in air than at 1 bar hydrogen partial pressure. The CNT tests also reveal that the orientation of the banded microstructure has no effect on the crack initiation site, but it influences its growth behavior. Moreover, fractography shows that hydrogen also promotes instances of quasi-cleavage and intergranular fracture, linked to embrittlement of the material. Here, these results demonstrate that, while hydrogen may impact the entirety of the fatigue process, its effects on the early stages of damage accumulation become relevant only at larger pressures. More comprehensive studies of crack initiation in hydrogen atmospheres will be critical to future codes and standards for hydrogen infrastructure.

Circumferential notch tension↗

Vacuum ultra-violet emission of plasma discharges with high Xe partial pressure using a cathode protective layer with high secondary electron emission

In this work, the mechanism of the vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) emission of plasma discharges, with high Xe partial pressure and high ion-induced secondary electrons emission protective layer, is studied by measuring the VUV light emission directly and comparing it with two-dimensional simulations. From the panel measurement, we find that the high intensity of excimer VUV mainly contributes to the high luminous efficacy of SrCaO-plasma display panels (PDP) at a low sustain voltage. The unchanged Xe excitation efficiency indicates that the electron temperature is not decreased by the high secondary electrons emission protective layer, even though the sustain voltage is much lower. From the two-dimensional simulations, we can find that the ratio of excimer VUV to resonant VUV, which is determined by the collision rate in the discharge, is only significantly affected by the Xe partial pressure, while it is independent of the sustain voltage and the secondary-electrons-emission capability of protective layer. The unchanged average electron energy at the moment when the electric field becomes maximum confirms that the improvement of the VUV production efficiency mainly is attributed to the increase in electron heating efficiency of a PDP with high ion-induced secondary electrons emission protective layer. Combining the experimental and the simulation results, we conclude about the mechanism by which the VUV production is improved for the plasma display panel with a high Xe partial pressure and a cold cathode with high ion-induced secondary electrons emission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Growth of MoO{sub 3} nanostructured thin films as a function of O{sub 2}-partial pressure

In this report, we synthesized molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO{sub 3}) nanostructured thin films (NST{sub s}) with nanoflakes (NF{sub s}) on the Ni-coated glass substrates employing plasma assisted sublimation process (PASP) as a function of oxygen partial pressure (PO{sub 2}). The effect of oxygen partial pressure on structural, morphological, and vibrational properties have been investigated systematically. The structural analysis divulged that all films deposited at different PO{sub 2} have pure orthorhombic phase, no impurity phase is detected under the limit of resolution. The morphological studies of samples is carried out by SEM, revealed that features as well as alignment of MoO{sub 3} NST{sub s} can be monitored by PO{sub 2} and the sample having best features is obtained at 7.5×10{sup −2} Torr. In addition, the more insight information is accomplished by TEM/HRTEM on the best featured sample, which confirmed the single crystalline nature of nanoflakes. The vibrational study of all samples are performed by FTIR, and strongly supports the XRD observations. All the results are in consonance with each other.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Sensor for Measuring Hydrogen Partial Pressure in Parabolic Trough Power Plant Expansion Tanks

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Acciona Energy North America are working together to design and implement a process system that provides a permanent solution to the issue of hydrogen buildup at parabolic trough power plants. We are pursuing a method that selectively removes hydrogen from the expansion tanks that serve as reservoirs for the heat transfer fluid (HTF) that circulates in the collector field and power block components. Our modeling shows that removing hydrogen from the expansion tanks at a design rate reduces and maintains dissolved hydrogen in the circulating HTF to a selected target level. Our collaborative work consists of several tasks that are needed to advance this process concept to a development stage, where it is ready for implementation at a commercial power plant. Our main effort is to design and evaluate likely process-unit operations that remove hydrogen from the expansion tanks at a specified rate. Additionally, we designed and demonstrated a method and instrumentation to measure hydrogen partial pressure and concentration in the expansion-tank headspace gas. We measured hydrogen partial pressure in the headspace gas mixture using a palladium-alloy membrane, which is permeable exclusively to hydrogen. The membrane establishes a pure hydrogen gas phase that is in equilibrium with the hydrogen in the gas mixture. We designed and fabricated instrumentation, and demonstrated its effectiveness in measuring hydrogen partial pressures over a range of three orders of magnitude. Our goal is to install this instrument at the Nevada Solar One power plant and to demonstrate its effectiveness in measuring hydrogen levels in the expansion tanks under normal plant operating conditions.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Enhanced grindability of bastnaesite ore by ex-situ CO 2 treatment under the partial pressure of 0-100 psi

High grinding energy consumption has long constrained the sustainable development of mineral processing. This study introduces an innovative technology that employs ex-situ CO 2 treatment to enhance the grindability of bastnaesite ore. The grinding aid effect was evaluated under CO 2 partial pressures ranging from 0 psi to 100 psi using particle size distribution and the Bond work index (BWI), while the underlying mechanism was elucidated with various characterization techniques including inductively coupled plasma (ICP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The optimal grinding aid effect was achieved at 100 psi partial pressure, 50% slurry concentration, and 3 h reaction duration. Correspondingly, the P80 of the grinding product decreased from 81.76 μm to 72.73 μm and the BWI of bastnaesite ore decreased from 6.96 kW·h/t to 6.30 kW·h/t, a reduction of 9.48%. The grinding aid effect primarily resulted from the transformation of sparingly soluble carbonates like calcite and dolomite into more soluble bicarbonates, which created substantial cracks and pores, thereby reducing the ore's hardness and improving its grindability. By significantly saving grinding energy consumption while delivering environmental benefits, this technology exhibits great promise for further optimization and widespread adoption.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Extending Helium Partial Pressure Measurement Technology to JET DTE2 and ITER

The detection limit for helium (He) partial pressure monitoring via the Penning discharge optical emission diagnostic, mainly used for tokamak divertor effluent gas analysis, is shown here to be possible for He concentrations down to 0.1% in predominantly deuterium effluents. This result from a dedicated laboratory study means that the technique can now be extended to intrinsically (non-injected) He produced as fusion reaction ash in deuterium-tritium experiments. The paper also examines threshold ionization mass spectroscopy as a potential backup to the optical technique, but finds that further development is needed to attain with plasma pulse-relevant response times. Both these studies are presented in the context of continuing development of plasma pulse-resolving, residual gas analysis for the upcoming JET deuterium-tritium campaign (DTE-2) and for ITER.

ITER↗

Cantilever stress measurements for pulsed laser deposition of perovskite oxides at 1000 K in an oxygen partial pressure of 10{sup −4} millibars

An in situ stress measurement setup using an optical 2-beam curvature technique is described which is compatible with the stringent growth conditions of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of perovskite oxides, which involves high substrate temperatures of 1000 K and oxygen partial pressures of up to 1 × 10{sup −4} millibars. The stress measurements are complemented by medium energy electron diffraction (MEED), Auger electron spectroscopy, and additional growth rate monitoring by a quartz microbalance. A shielded filament is used to allow for simultaneous stress and MEED measurements at high substrate temperatures. A computer-controlled mirror scans an excimer laser beam over a stationary PLD target. This avoids mechanical noise originating from rotating PLD targets, and the setup does not suffer from limited lifetime issues of ultra high vacuum (UHV) rotary feedthroughs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Instrument for stable high temperature Seebeck coefficient and resistivity measurements under controlled oxygen partial pressure

The transport properties of ceramic materials strongly depend on oxygen activity, which is tuned by changing the partial oxygen pressure (pO 2 ) prior to and during measurement. Within, we describe an instrument for highly stable measurements of Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity at temperatures up to 1300 K with controlled oxygen partial pressure. An all platinum construction is used to avoid potential materials instabilities that can cause measurement drift. Two independent heaters are employed to establish a small temperature gradient for Seebeck measurements, while keeping the average temperature constant and avoiding errors associated with pO 2 -induced drifts in thermocouple readings. Oxygen equilibrium is monitored using both an O 2 sensor and the transient behavior of the resistance as a proxy. A pO 2 range of 10 -25 –10 0 atm can be established with appropriate gas mixtures. Seebeck measurements were calibrated against a high purity platinum wire, Pt/Pt–Rh thermocouple wire, and a Bi 2 Te3 Seebeck coefficient Standard Reference Material. To demonstrate the utility of this instrument for oxide materials we present measurements as a function of pO 2 on a 1 % Nb-doped SrTiO 3 single crystal, and show systematic changes in properties consistent with oxygen vacancy defect chemistry. Thus, an approximately 11% increase in power factor over a pO 2 range of 10 -19 –10 -8 atm at 973 K for the donor-doped single crystals is observed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗