Browse Topic: Methane

Items (71)

Design and Computational Investigations of Aerobot for Titan with maneuverability using momentum wheel and propeller equipped with droppable weather stations

2022-26-119105/26/2022

Titan, Saturn’s largest moon and the only celestial body which is found to have a landmass composed of liquid hydrocarbons. Nitrogen – The building block of all life that exists on earth is found to be abundant in Titan’s atmosphere of up to 97%. Aerobots provide a great platform for exploring a celestial body with an atmosphere such as Titan. They have modest power requirements, longer mission duration, and can cover a longer distance in a shorter time. They are powered by Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator for optimal mission life. Aerobot’s altitude can be altered by varying the temperature of the air inside the balloon and yaw can be controlled using Reaction Wheel and a motor-driven propeller for forwarding thrust. The proposed Aerobot will be equipped with four miniature deployable fixed weather stations that can be dropped from the aerobot to titan’s surface. They can be deployed at diverse locations such as the equator and Polar Regions to deeply explore the Titan’s climate

Raja, Manoj Kumar, Sivasankaran, Abinash Nataraj, Saravana Mohan, Haribalan, Thangavel, Sabari, R, Vijayanandh, Gnanasekaran, Raj Kumar

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Methylotrophic Microorganisms Expressing Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Proteins

TBMG-3581201/01/2020

Long-duration missions to planetary bodies and deep space will require new technological developments that support human habitation in transit and on distant bodies. Microorganisms are unique from the standpoint that they can be employed as self-replicating bio-factories to produce both native and engineered mission-relevant bio-products. Methane (CH4) usage in In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) platforms has been discussed previously for human exploration and has been proposed to be used in physicochemical systems as a propulsion fuel, supply gas, and in fuel cells.

Methane Detector Sniffs Out Leaks

TBMG-3515609/01/2019

Methane is everywhere on Earth. It’s the main ingredient in the natural gas that powers heating, cooking, and electricity. It’s also a potent greenhouse gas. The presence of methane is also interesting for a different reason: because the biggest source of the gas on Earth is bacterial life. That means when NASA planetary scientists caught a glimpse of it on Mars, it merited a closer look.

Mobile, Dual-Comb Device for Methane Leak Detection

TBMG-3514509/01/2019

Accurately detecting, locating, and quantifying leaks of methane — the main component of natural gas and a major fuel source worldwide — is critically important for both environmental and economic reasons. Unfortunately, traditional methods are slow, labor-intensive, limited to small coverage areas, and expensive to operate over time.

Parametric Analysis of Compression Ratio Variation Effects on Thermodynamic, Gaseous Pollutant and Particle Emissions of a Dual-Fuel CH ₄ -Diesel Light Duty Engine

2017-01-076403/28/2017

The paper reports the results of an experimental campaign aimed to assess the impact of the compression ratio (CR) variation on the performance and pollutant emissions, including the particle size spectrum, of a single cylinder research engine (SCE), representatives of the engine architectures for automotive application, operated in dual-fuel methane-diesel mode. Three pistons with different bowl volumes corresponding to CR values of 16.5, 15.5 and 14.5 were adopted for the whole test campaign. The injection strategy was based on two injection pulses per cycle, as conventionally employed for diesel engines. The test methodology per each CR included the optimization of both 1st injection pulse quantity and intake air mass flow rate in order to lower as much as possible the unburned methane emissions (MHC). The testing points were selected in order to analyse the CR impact on SCE performance at partial and high loads, including the performance estimation over the New European Driving

Di Blasio, Gabriele, Belgiorno, Giacomo, Beatrice, Carlo

Advanced Infrared Camera Maps Methane "Hot Spots"

TBMG-2430003/01/2016

Methane often appears in the atmosphere at an irregular rate, puzzling researchers challenged with the task of tracking the gas’s sources in the landscape. An advanced infrared camera developed by Linköping University and Stockholm University researchers, in collaboration with the infrared imaging manufacturer Telops, allows users to both film and photograph methane emissions.

Non-Thermal, Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Reactor for CO2 Methanation

07/01/2015

Converting in-situ resources such as CO2, which is the main component of the Mars atmosphere, into methane for rocket propellants can significantly reduce the cost and risk of human exploration while at the same time enabling new mission concepts and long-term exploration sustainability. Methanation of CO2, also called a Sabatier reaction, is hence a key enabling technology required for sustainable and affordable human exploration of Mars.

NASA, UCF Professor Send Sensor to Stratosphere

TBMG-2214205/01/2015

Planetary Atmospheres Minor Species Sensor (PAMSS) University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Titan Lake and Shore Sampler

11/01/2014

A lake and shore sampling and sample distribution system was developed for a Titan lake environment (93.7 K, in liquid hydrocarbons). The Titan Lake and Shore Sampler (TLASS) would enable the chemical analysis of hydrocarbon lake samples via a Dual Rectilinear Ion and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometry.

Lunar Organic Waste Reformer

TBMG-1991606/01/2014

The Lunar Organic Waste Reformer (LOWR) is a novel technology to convert organic wastes from human space exploration outposts into useful propellant constituents. The LOWR meets NASA’s Trash to Supply Gas (TtSG) objective under the Advanced Exploration Systems Logistics Reduction and Repurposing project by integrating steam reformation, methanation, and electrolysis to convert organic waste into methane and oxygen products. At reformer temperatures above 700 °C, oxygenated steam reacts with organic matter to produce a gas mixture largely composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. After condensing and removing excess water, the reformer exhaust gases are fed to a catalytic Sabatier reactor where they are combined with supplemental hydrogen at 350 to 500 °C to produce methane and water. The methane product can be liquefied for storage.

Experimental and Modeling Study on Auto-Ignition of Methane/Hydrogen Blends at Elevated Pressures

2014-01-133504/01/2014

Both experimental and simulated ignition delay times were obtained behind reflected shock waves for the diluted stoichiometric methane/hydrogen blends with hydrogen fractions of 20%, 60%, and 80%. Test temperatures are from 1000 K to 1820 K and pressures are from 0.5 to 2.0 MPa. Results showed that increase in hydrogen fraction can promotes significantly the ignition of methane due to higher activity of hydrogen. Pressure-dependence of auto-ignition was observed in three ignition regimes (methane chemistry dominating ignition, combined chemistry of methane and hydrogen dominating ignition and hydrogen chemistry dominating ignition). Kinetic model, NUIG Mech C5_49, was used and validated against current ignition data. It was found that NUIG Mech C5_49 can give a good prediction for all test mixtures. A fuel flux analysis was performed to explain the chemical interaction between methane and hydrogen.

Detecting Methane From Leaking Pipelines and as Greenhouse Gas in the Atmosphere

TBMG-1483410/01/2012

Laser remote sensing measurements of trace gases from orbit can provide unprecedented information about important planetary science and answer critical questions about planetary atmospheres. Methane (CH4) is the second most important anthropogenically produced greenhouse gas. Though its atmospheric abundance is much less than that of CO2 (1.78 ppm vs. 380 ppm), it has much larger greenhouse heating potential. CH4 also contributes to pollution in the lower atmosphere through chemical reactions, leading to ozone production. Atmospheric CH4 concentrations have been increasing as a result of increased fossil fuel production, rice farming, livestock, and landfills. Natural sources of CH4 include wetlands, wild fires, and termites, and perhaps other unknown sources. Important sinks for CH4 include non-saturated soils and oxidation by hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere.

Plasma Treatment To Remove Carbon From Indium UV Filters

TBMG-1460509/01/2012

The sounding rocket experiment FIRE (Far-ultraviolet Imaging Rocket Experi ment) will improve the science community’s ability to image a spectral region hitherto unexplored astronomically. The imaging band of FIRE (≈900 to 1,100 Å) will help fill the current wavelength imaging observation hole existing from ≈620 Å to the GALEX band near 1,350 Å. FIRE is a single-optic prime focus telescope with a 1.75-m focal length. The bandpass of 900 to 1100 Å is set by a combination of the mirror coating, the indium filter in front of the detector, and the salt coating on the front of the detector’s microchannel plates. Critical to this is the indium filter that must reduce the flux from Lyman-alpha at 1,216 Å by a minimum factor of 10–4. The cost of this Lyman-alpha removal is that the filter is not fully transparent at the desired wavelengths of 900 to 1,100 Å.

Resin-Impregnated Carbon Ablator: A New Ablative Material for Hyperbolic Entry Speeds

TBMG-1461009/01/2012

Ablative materials are required to protect a space vehicle from the extreme temperatures encountered during the most demanding (hyperbolic) atmospheric entry velocities, either for probes launched toward other celestial bodies, or coming back to Earth from deep space missions. To that effect, the resinimpregnated carbon ablator (RICA) is a high-temperature carbon/phenolic ablative thermal protection system (TPS) material designed to use modern and commercially viable components in its manufacture. Heritage carbon/phenolic ablators intended for this use rely on materials that are no longer in production (i.e., Galileo, Pioneer Venus); hence the development of alternatives such as RICA is necessary for future NASA planetary entry and Earth re-entry missions. RICA’s capabilities were initially measured in air for Earth re-entry applications, where it was exposed to a heat flux of 14 MW/m2 for 22 seconds. Methane tests were also carried out for potential application in Saturn’s moon Titan

Advanced Fire Detector for Space Applications

TBMG-1391006/01/2012

A document discusses an optical carbon monoxide sensor for early fire detection. During the sensor development, a concept was implemented to allow reliable carbon monoxide detection in the presence of interfering absorption signals.

Processing of Nanosensors Using a Sacrificial Template Approach

TBMG-1326104/01/2012

A new microsensor fabrication approach has been demonstrated based upon the use of nanostructures as templates. The fundamental idea is that existing nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes or biological structures, have a material structure that can be used advantageously in order to provide new sensor systems but lack the advantages of some materials to, for example, operate at high temperatures.

Software Manages Mission Data from Saturn and Mars Exploration

TBMG-1233212/01/2011

ERDAS APOLLO Essentials - Image Web Server ERDAS Norcross, GA 770-776-3400

Corrosion-Resistant Container for Molten-Material Processing

TBMG-870711/01/2010

In a carbothermal process, gaseous methane is passed over molten regolith, which is heated past its melting point to a temperature in excess of 1,625 °C. At this temperature, materials in contact with the molten regolith (or regolith simulant) corrode and lose their structural properties. As a result, fabricating a crucible to hold the molten material and providing a method of contact heating have been problematic.

Single Spatial-Mode Room-Temperature-Operated 3.0 to 3.4 μm Diode Lasers

TBMG-875011/01/2010

Compact, highly efficient, 3.0 to 3.4 μm light emitters are in demand for spectroscopic analysis and identification of chemical substances (including methane and formaldehyde), infrared countermeasures technologies, and development of advanced infrared scene projectors. The need for these light emitters can be currently addressed either by bulky solid-state light emitters with limited power conversion efficiency, or cooled Interband Cascade (IC) semiconductor lasers.

Producing Hydrogen by Plasma Pyrolysis of Methane

TBMG-848509/01/2010

Plasma pyrolysis of methane has been investigated for utility as a process for producing hydrogen. This process was conceived as a means of recovering hydrogen from methane produced as a byproduct of operation of a life-support system aboard a spacecraft. On Earth, this process, when fully developed, could be a means of producing hydrogen (for use as a fuel) from methane in natural gas.

Microwave Plasma Hydrogen Recovery System

TBMG-848408/31/2010

A microwave plasma reactor was developed for the recovery of hydrogen contained within waste methane produced by Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (CRA), which reclaims oxygen from CO2. Since half of the H2 reductant used by the CRA is lost as CH4, the ability to reclaim this valuable resource will simplify supply logistics for long-term manned missions. Microwave plasmas provide an extreme thermal environment within a very small and precisely controlled region of space, resulting in very high energy densities at low overall power, and thus can drive high-temperature reactions using equipment that is smaller, lighter, and less power-consuming than traditional fixed-bed and fluidized-bed catalytic reactors. The high energy density provides an economical means to conduct endothermic reactions that become thermodynamically favorable only at very high temperatures.

Ionization-Assisted Getter Pumping for Ultra-Stable Trapped Ion Frequency Standards

TBMG-831508/01/2010

A method eliminates (or recovers from) residual methane buildup in getter-pumped atomic frequency standard systems by applying ionizing assistance. Ultra-high stability trapped ion frequency standards for applications requiring very high reliability, and/or low power and mass (both for ground-based and space-based platforms) benefit from using sealed vacuum systems. These systems require careful material selection and system processing (cleaning and high-temperature bake-out). Even under the most careful preparation, residual hydrogen outgassing from vacuum chamber walls typically limits the base pressure.

Infrared Camera System for Visualization of IR-Absorbing Gas Leaks

TBMG-831308/01/2010

Leak detection and location remain a common problem in NASA and industry, where gas leaks can create hazardous conditions if not quickly detected and corrected. In order to help rectify this problem, this design equips an infrared (IR) camera with the means to make gas leaks of IR-absorbing gases more visible for leak detection and location.

Methane Clathrate Hydrate Prospecting

TBMG-TB-00770703/10/2010

Methane hydrate deposits would be detected indirectly through thermal, magnetic, and electric measurements. A method of prospecting for methane has been devised. The impetus for this method lies in the abundance of CH4 and the growing shortages of other fuels. The method is intended especially to enable identification of subpermafrost locations where significant amounts of methane are trapped in the form of methane gas hydrate (CH4·6H2O). It has been estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey that the total CH4 resource in CH4·6H2O exceeds the energy content of all other fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas from non-hydrate sources). Also, CH4·6H2O is among the cleanest-burning fuels, and CH4 is the most efficient fuel because the carbon in CH4 is in its most reduced state. The method involves looking for a proxy for methane gas hydrate, by means of the combination of a thermal-analysis submethod and a field submethod that does not involve drilling. The absence of drilling makes this

CVD of Diamond Using Magnetoplasmadynamic Sources

TBMG-TB-00691701/15/2010

Rates of deposition are expected to exceed those from other sources. A program of research and development is addressing the feasibility of using magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) sources in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of synthetic diamond films. Because of its unique combination of thermal, electronic, mechanical, and chemical properties, diamond has potential for use as a coating material in numerous engineering and scientific applications.

Detecting Metal Ions by Voltammetry Using Diamond Electrodes

TBMG-TB-00679001/11/2010

Multiple ion species can be detected in a single voltammetric scan over a wide potential range. Experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of detecting multiple species of toxic metal ions and other ions of interest dissolved in water, by means of voltammetry with electrically conductive artificial diamond electrodes. Diamond is attractive as an electrode material because it is highly chemically stable and exhibits the greatest useable range of potential (from +2 to –2 V in aqueous solution) than any known material.

Micro-Molded Spacers Protect Thermal Insulation of Cryogenic Propellants

TBMG-564009/01/2009

Micro-Molded IMLI Matrix part Phillips Plastics Corp. Prescott, WI 877-508-0252 http://phillipsplastics.com

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

TBMG-TB-00541606/23/2009

{ntb_intro_text}A room-temperature electrocatalytic process has been investigated as a means of removing carbon dioxide from air and restoring oxygen to the air. The process was originally intended for use in a spacecraft life-support system, but may also have potential utility in applications on Earth in which the methane and oxygen produced might be utilized or vented to the atmosphere.{/ntb_intro_text}

Two-Step Plasma Process for Cleaning Indium Bonding Bumps

TBMG-528406/01/2009

A two-step plasma process has been developed as a means of removing surface oxide layers from indium bumps used in flip-chip hybridization (bump bonding) of integrated circuits. This process has considerable commercial potential in that flip-chip hybridization is used in the manufacture of cellular telephones and other compact, portable electronic products.

Anaerobic Digestion in a Flooded Densified Leachbed

TBMG-506104/01/2009

A document discusses the adaptation of a patented biomass-digesting process, denoted sequential batch anaerobic composting (SEBAC), to recycling of wastes aboard a spacecraft. In SEBAC, high-solids-content biomass wastes are converted into methane, carbon dioxide, and compost.

Anaerobic Digestion in a Flooded Densified Leachbed

TBMG-TB-00506104/01/2009

A document discusses the adaptation of a patented biomass-digesting process, denoted sequential batch anaerobic composting (SEBAC), to recycling of wastes aboard a spacecraft. In SEBAC, high-solids-content biomass wastes are converted into methane, carbon dioxide, and compost.

Effects of Temperature on Polymer/Carbon Chemical Sensors

TBMG-347801/01/2009

Experiments were conducted on the effects of temperature, polymer molecular weight, and carbon loading on the electrical resistances of polymer/carbon-black composite films. The experiment were performed in a continuing effort to develop such films as part of the JPL Electronic Nose (ENose), that would be used to detect, identify, and quantify parts-per-million (ppm) concentration levels of airborne chemicals in the space shuttle/space station environments. The polymers used in this study were three formulations of poly(ethylene oxide) [PEO] that had molecular weights of 20 kilodaltons, 600 kilodaltons, and 1 megadalton, respectively.

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

TBMG-344912/01/2008

A room-temperature electrocatalytic process that effects the overall chemical reaction CO2 + 2H2O → CH4 + 2O2 has been investigated as a means of removing carbon dioxide from air and restoring oxygen to the air. The process was originally intended for use in a spacecraft life-support system, in which the methane would be vented to outer space. The process may also have potential utility in terrestrial applications in which either or both of the methane and oxygen produced might be utilized or vented to the atmosphere.

Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

TBMG-541612/01/2008

A room-temperature electrocatalytic process that effects the overall chemical reaction CO2 + 2H2O → CH4 + 2O2 has been investigated as a means of removing carbon dioxide from air and restoring oxygen to the air. The process was originally intended for use in a spacecraft life-support system, in which the methane would be vented to outer space. The process may also have potential utility in terrestrial applications in which either or both of the methane and oxygen produced might be utilized or vented to the atmosphere.

Mars Rocket Propulsion System

TBMG-336511/01/2008

A report discusses the methane and carbon monoxide/LOX (McLOx) rocket for ascent from Mars as well as other critical space propulsion tasks. The system offers a specific impulse over 370 s — roughly 50 s higher than existing space-storable bio- propellants. Current Mars in-situ propellant production (ISPP) technologies produce impure methane and carbon monoxide in various combinations. While separation and purification of methane fuel is possible, it adds complexity to the propellant production process and discards an otherwise useful fuel product. The McLOx makes such complex and wasteful processes unnecessary by burning the methane/CO mixtures produced by the Mars ISPP systems without the need for further refinement.

Directed Growth of Carbon Nanotubes Across Gaps

TBMG-306909/01/2008

An experiment has shown that when single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are grown by chemical vapor deposition in the presence of an electric field of suitable strength, the nanotubes become aligned along the electric field. In an important class of contemplated applications, one would exploit this finding in fabricating nanotube transistors; one would grow SWNTs across gaps between electrodes that would serve, subsequently, as source and drain contacts during operation of the transistors.

Fabricating Large-Area Sheets of Single-Layer Graphene by CVD

TBMG-299208/01/2008

This innovation consists of a set of methodologies for preparing large area (>1 cm2) domains of single-atomic-layer graphite, also called graphene, in single (two-dimensional) crystal form. To fabricate a single graphene layer using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the process begins with an atomically flat surface of an appropriate substrate and an appropriate precursor molecule containing carbon atoms attached to substituent atoms or groups. These molecules will be brought into contact with the substrate surface by being flowed over, or sprayed onto, the substrate, under CVD conditions of low pressure and elevated temperature. Upon contact with the surface, the precursor molecules will decompose. The substituent groups detach from the carbon atoms and form gas-phase species, leaving the unfunctionalized carbon atoms attached to the substrate surface. These carbon atoms will diffuse upon this surface and encounter and bond to other carbon atoms. If conditions are chosen carefully, the

Fabricating Large-Area Sheets of Single-Layer Graphene by CVD

TBMG-TB-00299207/29/2008

Such sheets are components for high-speed digital and RF electronics for defense and commercial communications. This innovation consists of a set of methodologies for preparing large area (>1 cm2) domains of single-atomic-layer graphite, also called graphene, in single (two-dimensional) crystal form. To fabricate a single graphene layer using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the process begins with an atomically flat surface of an appropriate substrate and an appropriate precursor molecule containing carbon atoms attached to substituent atoms or groups. These molecules will be brought into contact with the substrate surface by being flowed over, or sprayed onto, the substrate, under CVD conditions of low pressure and elevated temperature. Upon contact with the surface, the precursor molecules will decompose. The substituent groups detach from the carbon atoms and form gas-phase species, leaving the unfunctionalized carbon atoms attached to the substrate surface. These carbon atoms will

Neon as a Buffer Gas for a Mercury-Ion Clock

TBMG-295907/01/2008

One aspect of the topic of “Compact, Highly Stable Ion Clock” (NPO-43075), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 5 (May 2008), page 63, is examined in more detail. To recapitulate: A developmental miniature mercury-ion clock has stability comparable to that of a hydrogen-maser clock. The ion-handling components are housed in a sealed vacuum tube, wherein a getter pump is used to maintain the partial vacuum, and the evacuated tube is backfilled with mercury vapor in a buffer gas.

Quantification of Methane Generation using a Solid Oxide Electrolyzer with an Electrode-based Sabatier Reactor for Oxygen Regeneration

2008-01-213906/29/2008

Solid Oxide Electrolysis with an embedded Sabatier reactor is being developed for regenerative air revitalization. In a previous effort, an embedded Sabatier reactor was demonstrated using a nickel-based electrode in a SOE cell. To explore the performance potential, new experiments were performed at various operating temperatures and inlet gas compositions. Successful methane and oxygen regeneration was achieved. The gas compositions fed to the cell were a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in ratios indicative of a previously electrolyzed stream of metabolically produced by-products (carbon dioxide and water vapor) of nominal crew activity. The composition was varied by simulating various degrees of oxygen regeneration by upstream electrolysis cells. All results are presented and compared to previous testing where applicable. Carbon deposition was observed in the inlet tube to the cell. Theory is presented that confirm carbon deposition did not occur

lacomini, Christine, Benjamin, Phillip

Methane Pyrolysis Technology as Part of Life Support and ISRU Systems; Development Testing

2008-01-219006/29/2008

Astrium investigates Methane Pyrolysis in the perspective of long-duration exploration missions. In particular this process, which recovers Hydrogen from Methane, allows reaching the maximum closure level of the Air Revitalization System ARES, see figure 1. Past studies as presented in ref. /1/ had been reviewed in light of today's technical advancement and a technology trade-off, supported by bread boarding, resulting in the pre selection of the plasma technique to perform the Methane Pyrolysis. In parallel two methods for plasma provision are investigated: Direct Current Plasma, sustained by a discharge arc rotating in a nozzle to supply energy to the flowing through carrier gas. Micro Wave (MW) Plasma, sustained by a MW within a Quartz tube embedded in a MW resonator cuboid Study activities did concentrate on Development testing of pre selected plasma Pyrolysis technology. Initial investigation on adaptation of Methane Pyrolysis Assembly (MPA) to operational interfaces with ARES

Bockstahler, Klaus A., Schaefer, Tilman, Lucas, Joachim, Witt, Johannes, Hovland, Scott

Hydrogen Recovery by Methane Decomposition in a Microwave Plasma Reactor

2008-01-209906/29/2008

In the Sabatier reactor, oxygen is recovered (as water) by hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. Half of the reacted hydrogen is contained within the product water, the other half forms methane (CH4). To close the hydrogen loop, we are investigating methods for the efficient recovery of hydrogen from CH4. This paper describes microwave plasma-based methods for the thermal decomposition (cracking) of methane to produce hydrogen, elemental carbon, and related carbonaceous substances. Two primary reactor configurations have been employed in this work: 1) a quartz tube vertically oriented within a section of rectangular waveguide, and 2) waveguide transmission through a quartz window into a cylindrical vacuum chamber based multimode cavity. Hydrogen recoveries of up to 98% have been obtained. Three primary mechanisms of methane decomposition have been identified: methane pyrolysis, methane oligomerization, and methane aromatization. In the multimode plasma chamber methane pyrolysis experiments

Atwater, James. E., Wheeler, Richard R., Hadley, Neal M., Dahl, Roger W., Carrasquillo, Robyn L.

Gas Sensors Based on Coated and Doped Carbon Nanotubes

TBMG-270004/01/2008

Efforts are underway to develop inexpensive, low-power electronic sensors, based on single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), for measuring part-per-million and part-per-billion of selected gases (small molecules) at room temperature. Chemically unmodified SWCNTs are mostly unresponsive to typical gases that one might wish to detect. However, the electrical resistances of SWCNTs can be made to vary with concentrations of gases of interest by coating or doping the SWCNTs with suitable materials. Accordingly, the basic idea of the present development efforts is to incorporate thus-treated SWCNTs into electronic devices that measure their electrical resistances.

Rotating-Pump Design Code

TBMG-189309/01/2006

Pump Design (PUMPDES) is a computer program for designing a rotating pump for liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, water, methane, or ethane. Using realistic properties of these fluids provided by another program called “GASPAK,” this code performs a station-by-station, mean-line analysis along the pump flow path, obtaining thermodynamic properties of the pumped fluid at each station and evaluating hydraulic losses along the flow path. The variables at each station are obtained under constraints that are consistent with the underlying physical principles. The code evaluates the performance of each stage and the overall pump. In addition, by judiciously choosing the givens and the unknowns, the code can perform a geometric inverse design function: that is, it can compute a pump geometry that yields a closest approximation of given design point. The code contains two major parts: one for an axial-rotor/inducer and one for a multistage centrifugal pump. The inducer and the

General Flow-Solver Code for Turbomachinery Applications

TBMG-184609/01/2006

Phantom is a computer code intended primarily for real-fluid turbomachinery problems. It is based on Corsair, an ideal-gas turbomachinery code, developed by the same authors, which evolved from the ROTOR codes from NASA Ames. Phantom is applicable to real and ideal fluids, both compressible and incompressible, flowing at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds. It utilizes structured, overset, O- and H-type zonal grids to discretize flow fields and represent relative motions of components. Values on grid boundaries are updated at each time step by bilinear interpolation from adjacent grids. Inviscid fluxes are calculated to thirdorder spatial accuracy using Roe’s scheme. Viscous fluxes are calculated using second-order-accurate central differences. The code is second-order accurate in time. Turbulence is represented by a modified Baldwin-Lomax algebraic model. The code offers two options for determining properties of fluids: One is based on equations of state, thermodynamic

Generating Aromatics From CO₂ on Mars or Natural Gas on Earth

TBMG-164503/01/2006

“Methane to aromatics on Mars” (“METAMARS”) is the name of a process originally intended as a means of converting Martian atmospheric carbon dioxide to aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygen, which would be used as propellants for spacecraft to return to Earth. The process has been demonstrated on Earth on a laboratory scale. A truncated version of the process could be used on Earth to convert natural gas to aromatic hydrocarbon liquids. The greater (relative to natural gas) density of aromatic hydrocarbon liquids makes it more economically feasible to ship them to distant markets. Hence, this process makes it feasible to exploit some reserves of natural gas that, heretofore, have been considered as being “stranded” too far from markets to be of economic value.

A Total Converting and Biosafe Liquefaction Compartment for MELiSSA

2005-01-306807/11/2005

The feasibility of a near-complete and biosafe conversion of human- and food waste into biogas was investigated in the context of ESA’s MELiSSA loop (Micro Ecological Life Support System Alternative). The treatment comprises of a series of processes, i.e. a mesophilic lab-scale CSTR (continuously stirred tank reactor), an upflow biofilm reactor, a fibre liquefaction reactor containing the rumen bacterium Fibrobacter succinogenes and a hydrothermolysis system in near-critical water. In the one-stage CSTR, a biogas yield of 75% with a specific biogas production of 0.37 L biogas g-1 added VS (volatile suspended solids) at a HRT (hydraulic retention time) of 15 to 25 days was obtained. When the SRT (solid retention time) was uncoupled from the HRT, and all solids were completely retained in the methane reactor, a more complete biogas conversion was observed at a SRT of above 20 days, corresponding to a 10% increase of degradation on a total COD basis. Solids present in the CSTR effluent

Bursens, J., Verstraete, W., Albrecht, T., Brunner, G., Creuly, C., Christophe, G., Dussap, G., Rebeyre, P.

Methane Clathrate Hydrate Prospecting

TBMG-770712/01/2003

A method of prospecting for methane has been devised. The impetus for this method lies in the abundance of CH4 and the growing shortages of other fuels. The method is intended especially to enable identification of subpermafrost locations where significant amounts of methane are trapped in the form of methane gas hydrate (CH4·6H2O). It has been estimated by the U.S. Geological Survey that the total CH4 resource in CH4·6H2O exceeds the energy content of all other fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas from non-hydrate sources). Also, CH4·6H2O is among the cleanest-burning fuels, and CH4 is the most efficient fuel because the carbon in CH4 is in its most reduced state. The method involves looking for a proxy for methane gas hydrate, by means of the combination of a thermal-analysis submethod and a field submethod that does not involve drilling. The absence of drilling makes this method easier and less expensive, in comparison with prior methods of prospecting for oil and natural gas.

Commercialization of SEBAC® Solid Waste Management Technology

2003-01-234107/07/2003

This paper reports on development and commercialization of a patented process for odorless bioconversion of organic solid wastes to methane and compost by anaerobic digestion. The SEBAC process can potentially serve as the principal solid waste management (SWM) component in a bio-regenerative advanced life support (ALS) system for long-range NASA space missions and planetary bases. It also has commercial terrestrial applications in a wide variety of solid waste management operations including, regional, municipal and community solid waste treatment; waste management in remote campgrounds, dude ranches, resorts, and military field bases; and processing of waste streams from agricultural, farm animal and food processing operations. The technology is patented and licensed, with marketing and sale of commercial systems already begun.

Teixeira, Arthur A., Chynoweth, David P., Haley, Patrick J., Sifontes, Jose R.

Small, Untethered, Mobile Robots for Inspecting Gas Pipes

TBMG-765306/02/2003

Small, untethered mobile robots denoted gas-pipe explorers (GPEXs) have been proposed for inspecting the interiors of pipes used in the local distribution natural gas. The United States has network of gas- distribution pipes with a total length of approximately 109 m. These pipes are often made of iron and steel and some are more than 100 years old. As this network ages, there is a need to locate weaknesses that necessitate repair and/or preventive maintenance. The most common weaknesses are leaks and reductions in thickness, which are caused mostly by chemical reactions between the iron in the pipes and various substances in soil and groundwater.

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