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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 NTRS1966

Flowgraph techniques for closed systems.

Flowgraph techniques for closed systems, discussing properties, approximation method, topology equation, frequency response, constraints, oscillatory and stochastic processes, etc

HARMONIC OSCILLATOR↗
NASA NTRS1977

Test of a model for trace element partition during closed-system solidification of a silicate liquid

Trace-element concentrations in separated minerals and rock fragments from a coarsely crushed and sieved sample of medium-grained lunar basalt are determined by high-precision instrumental neutron activation analysis for three main purposes. These are: (1) to test a previously proposed model for describing trace-element behavior during solidification of a silicate liquid under conditions of a closed system; (2) to compare trace-element concentrations among different size fractions of a comminuted basalt; and (3) to investigate small-scale heterogeneity within a single medium-grained basalt. It is found that an excellent mass balance for the whole rock is attained in terms of the trace-element concentrations of the component minerals and mesostasis, that the mixing model describing this mass balance yields a superior modal analysis for the whole rock, and that different size fractions of the coarsely crushed basalt vary in mineral composition. The closed-system model is shown to account properly for the average behavior of the trace elements during solidification of the basalt, and values of distribution coefficients are obtained for incompatible elements in that rock.

Haskin, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Release of noble gases and nitrogen from grain-surface sites in lunar ilmenite by closed-system oxidation

Noble gases and nitrogen were extracted from a 100 to 150 microns ilmenite separate from lunar soil 71501 by closed system stepped heating in approx. 10 torr O2 at 300 C, 400 C, 500 C, 600 C and 630 C, followed by stepped pyrolysis at ten temperatures between 680 C and approx. 1500 C. The five oxidation steps together liberated approx. 65% of the total He-4, 45% of the Ne-20, 23% of the N-14 and Ar-36, 12% of the Kr-84 and 8% of the Xe-132 in the sample; Ne-20/Ar-36 and Ne-20/Ne-22 ratios agree with the solar wind composition experiment, and Kr-84/Ar-36 and Xe-132/Ar-36 are within approx. 10% of Cameron's estimates for the sun and solar wind. The remaining gases, released above 630 C by pyrolysis, are strongly fractionated with respect to the SWC-Cameron solar wind elemental composition. Large concentrations of fractionated noble gases in grain interiors, their virtual absence in the relatively unfractionated surface gas reservoir, and the high N/noble gas ratio all imply that most of the solar wind noble gases initially implanted in grain surfaces are eventually lost by diffusion. Loss limits can be estimated by considering two given scenarios. It is concluded tat approx. 70 to 97% or more of the Ar implanted in 71501 ilmenite grains has diffusively escaped.

Frick, U.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Solar noble gases revealed by closed system stepped etching of a metal separate from Fayetteville

Solar He, Ne, and Ar in a Fe-Ni separate from the chondrite Fayetteville are analyzed by closed system stepped oxidation. We report here data of the first 15 steps comprising 55 percent of the total solar gases. He-4/Ar-36 and Ne-20/Ar-36 are quite constant at values about 20 percent below those of present day solar wind (SWC). In this, Fe-Ni differs from lunar ilmenites where He-4/Ar-36 and Ne-20/Ar-36 in the first steps are several times below SWC. Thus, metal retains SW-noble gases even better than ilmenite, almost without element fractionation. Nevertheless, the isotopic composition of SW-He, -Ne, and -Ar in the first steps of the metal sample are identical to those found in a recently irradiated lunar ilmenite, indicating that ilmenites and chondritic metal both contain isotopically unfractionated SW noble gases. A preliminary analysis of a smaller Fayetteville metal separate shows Ne from solar energetic particles (SEP-Ne) with Ne-20/Ne-22 less than or equal to 11.5.

Murer, CH.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Noble gases in 'phase Q' - Closed-system etching of an Allende residue

Results are presented from an analysis, in nearly pure form, of noble gases from the 'phase-Q' in an HF/HCl residue of the Allende C3V meteorite, using the closed-system stepped etching technique developed by Wieler et al. (1986) and Benkert et al. (1988) to extract noble gases from the residue. The results yield precise values of element and isotope abundances of all five noble gases in phase-Q, which is the major carrier of the planetary gases in carbonaceous chondrites. It was found that Ne-Q and Xe-Q in Allende are very similar to trapped gases in ureilites and in oxidizable carriers in several classes of ordinary chandrites, indicating that Q-gases are present in the formation locations of all these meteorites.

Wieler, Rainer↗
NASA NTRS1988

Igneous proceses and closed system evolution of the Tharsis region of Mars

A quantitative petrologic model for the evolution of the Tharsis region on Mars is presented, which is consistent with global gravity and topography data. It is demonstrated that it is possible to form and support the topographic relief of the Tharsis plateau by a closed-system mass-conservative nearly isostatic process involving generation of magmas from a mantle source region. Extrusion and/or intrusion (or underplating) of such magmas allows low-pressure solidification, with a consequent increase in volume relative to that which would be possible in the high-pressure source region, leading to elevated topology. The distribution of densities with depth obtained by the model is quantitatively consistent with the isostatic models of Sleep and Phillips (1979, 1985).

Finnerty, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Ion-exchange chromatography separation applied to mineral recycle in closed systems

As part of the controlled ecological life support system (CELSS) program, a study is being made of mineral separation on ion-exchange columns. The purpose of the mineral separation step is to allow minerals to be recycled from the oxidized waste products of plants, man, and animals for hydroponic food production. In the CELSS application, relatively large quantities of minerals in a broad concentration range must be recovered by the desired system, rather than the trace quantities and very low concentrations treated in analytical applications of ion-exchange chromatography. Experiments have been carried out to assess the parameters pertinent to the scale-up of ion-exchange chromatography and to determine feasibility. Preliminary conclusions are that the column scale-up is in a reasonable size range for the CELSS application. The recycling of a suitable eluent, however, remains a major challenge to the suitability of using ion exchange chromatography in closed systems.

Ballou, E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Petrology and mineralogy of Type II, FeO-rich chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.0) - Origin by closed-system fractional crystallization, with evidence for supercooling

The petrology of type II porphyritic olivine chondrules in Semarkona (LL3.0) has been studied in detail. Olivines in these chondrules are euhedral, Fe-rich, and are strongly zoned from cores to rims of grains in FeO (Fa10-30), Cr2O3 (0.2-0.6 wt pct), MnO (0.2-0.7 wt pct), and CaO (0.1-0.4 wt pct). Interstitial mesostasis is rich in Si, Al, and Ca and is glassy with abundant microcrystallites. Minor minerals include troilite, Fe,Ni metal, and chromite. Some olivine grains contain euhedral, fayalite-rich cores that are probably produced during initial supercooling of the chondrule melt. Rare relict grains of forsteritic olivine have compositions very similar to olivines in type IA chondrules in Semarkona and may result from disaggregation of such chondrules. Apart from these relics, all properties of type II chondrules can be described by closed-system fractional crystallization of droplets which were essentially entirely molten. Type IA chondrules may have formed from type II chondrules by loss of Fe and volatiles. Alternatively, the two chondrule types may have formed in regions of considerable diversity in the solar nebula from precursor materials with different Fe/Mg ratios.

Jones, Rhian H.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Wet Oxidation as a Waste Treatment Method in Closed Systems

The chemistry of the wet oxidation process was investigated in relation to production of plant nutrients from plant and human waste materials as required for a closed life support system. Hydroponically grown lettuce plants were used as a model plant waste, and oxygen gas was used as an oxidant. Organic nitrogen content was decreased 88-100%, depending on feed material. Production of ammonia and nitrogen gas accounted for all of the observed decrease in organic nitrogen content. No nitrous oxide (N2O) was detected. The implications of these results for closed life support systems are discussed.

Onisko, B. L.↗