The effect of nitrogen (III) oxide on direct synthesis of concentrated nitric acid

The effect of nitrogen (III) oxide on the process of dinitrogen tetroxide separation in a dephlegmator during preparation of a "crude mixture" (HNO3–N2O4–N2O3–NO2–NO–H2O) in the production of concentrated nitric acid by direct synthesis was studied in this work. The dependence of crystallization onset on the composition of the N2O4–N2O3 mixture and temperature was determined. The refrigerant capable of maintaining the optimal temperature of the N2O4 extraction was suggested. The absence of nitrogen (III) oxide and nitrogen (I) oxide in the autoclave acid was confirmed.

Propellant Off-Gassing and Implications for Triage and Rescue

INTRODUCTION: Hypergolic propellants can be released in large amounts during space launch contingencies. Whether propellant-contaminated suit fabric poses a significant risk to rescue crews, due to off-gassing, has not been explored in detail. In this study, we addressed this issue experimentally, exposing space suit fabric to propellants (dinitrogen tetroxide [N2O4] and monomethyl hydrazine [MMH]).METHODS: The NASA Space Shuttle Program Advanced Crew Escape System II (ACES II) is similar to the NASA Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) and was utilized here. Suit fabric was placed and sealed into permeation cells. Fabric exterior surface was exposed to constant concentrated hypergolics, simulating permeation and leakage. Fabric was rinsed, and permeation and off-gassing kinetics were measured. Experimental parameters were selected, simulating suited flight crewmembers during an evacuation transport without cabin air flow.RESULTS: The fabric allows for immediate permeation of liquid or vaporized MMH and N2O4. NO2 off-gassing never exceeded the AEGL-1 8-h level (acute exposure guideline level). In contrast, MMH off-gassing levels culminated in peak levels, approaching AEGL-2 10-min levels, paralleling the drying process of the fabric layers. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that MMH off-gassing is promoted by the drying of suit material in a delayed fashion, resulting in MMH concentrations having the potential for adverse health effects for flight and rescue crews. This indicates that shorter decontamination times could be implemented, provided that suit material is either kept moist to prevent off-gassing or removed prior to medical evacuation. Additional studies using OCSS or commercial crew suits might be needed in the future.Schwertz H, Roth LA, Woodard D. Propellant off-gassing and implications for triage and rescue. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12):956961.

THERMODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF HIGHLY TOXIC EFFLUENTS NEUTRALIZATION PROCESS

Thermodynamic analysis of the high-toxic substances (hydrazine, dimethylhydrazine and dinitrogen tetroxide) thermal decomposition process contained in liquid mixtures in different concentrations was carried out. Calculations of equilibrium compositions were carried out in a wide temperature range for a steam-water plasmatron. The aim of the study was finding the operational parameter’s optimal range of values ensuring the complete decomposition of primary high-toxic components provided secondary harmful substances minimal formation and obtaining acceptance level of specific energy consumption. The methods of further harmful secondary emissions neutralization have been determined. Bibl. 9, Fig. 7.

Adsorption equilibrium of nitrogen dioxide in porous materials

The effect of confinement on the equilibrium reactive system containing nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide is studied by molecular simulation and the reactive Monte Carlo (RxMC) approach.