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Roschke, E. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Roschke, E. J..

At least 19 records

Simplified calculation of solar flux distribution on the side wall of cylindrical cavity solar receivers

A simple solar flux calculation algorithm for a cylindrical cavity type solar receiver has been developed and implemented on an IBM PC-AT. Using cone optics, the contour error method is utilized to handle the slope error of a paraboloidal concentrator. The flux distribution on the side wall is calculated by integration of the energy incident from cones emanating from all the differential elements on the concentrator. The calculations are done for any set of dimensions and properties of the receiver and the concentrator, and account for any spillover on the aperture plate. The results of this algorithm compared excellently with those predicted by more complicated programs. Because of the utilization of axial symmetry and overall simplification, it is extremely fast. It can be esily extended to other axisymmetric receiver geometries.

Bhandari, P.

Solar dynamic heat receiver thermal characteristics in low earth orbit

A simplified system model is under development for evaluating the thermal characteristics and thermal performance of a solar dynamic spacecraft energy system's heat receiver. Results based on baseline orbit, power system configuration, and operational conditions, are generated for three basic receiver concepts and three concentrator surface slope errors. Receiver thermal characteristics and thermal behavior in LEO conditions are presented. The configuration in which heat is directly transferred to the working fluid is noted to generate the best system and thermal characteristics. as well as the lowest performance degradation with increasing slope error.

Wu, Y. C.

The development of an advanced generic solar dynamic heat receiver thermal model

An advanced generic solar dynamic heat receiver thermal model under development which can analyze both orbital transient and orbital average conditions is discussed. This model can be used to study advanced receiver concepts, evaluate receiver concepts under development, analyze receiver thermal characteristics under various operational conditions, and evaluate solar dynamic system thermal performances in various orbit conditions. The model and the basic considerations that led to its creation are described, and results based on a set of baseline orbit, configuration, and operational conditions are presented to demonstrate the working of the receiver model.

Wu, Y. C.

Solar dynamic systems for spacecraft power applications

Results are presented of a parametric study of the potential for using solar dynamic (SD) power supply systems on deep space probes. The SD systems would consist of a parabolic concentrator to focus solar energy on a thermal receiver for conversion by Brayton, organic Rankine or Stirling engines. The net thermal power and efficiencies available from each of the types of conversion devices were analyzed for a power requirement of 0.5 kWe. Examinations were also carried out of the optical, thermodynamic, materials and size limitations of the devices. The subsystem drivers were found to be the quality of concentrator reflectance and the system temperature level. Lower temperature systems are preferred for farther distances from the sun, mainly due to the required concentrator area. The SD system could be used out to 6 A.U. in optimal conditions. It is concluded that Brayon and Stirling engines have the best chances for further development, and that Rankine systems have already been optimized. Further evaluations are dependent on the definition of specific mission requirements.

Roschke, E. J.

Site-Specific Research Conducted in Support of the Salton Sea Solar Pond Project - FY 1982 Report

The design and operation of a salt-gradient solar pond power plant at the Salton Sea presents problems not encountered at small research ponds that were built in the United States. The specific characteristics of the Salton Sea site and the desire to construct the pond using the local clay as a sealant represent major deviations from previous solar pond experience. The site-specific research in support of the plant design is described. The research activity included validation of the spectrophotometric light transmission measurement technique, a search for options for clarifying the turbid and colored water of the Salton Sea, development of water clarification specifications in terms common to industry practice, quantification of gas production from microbiological reactions in the ground, a determination of the combined effects of temperature and salinity on the permeation of the local clays, and a preliminary evaluation of material corrosion.

French, R. L.

Wind loading on solar concentrators: Some general considerations

A survey was completed to examine the problems and complications arising from wind loading on solar concentrators. Wind loading is site specific and has an important bearing on the design, cost, performance, operation and maintenance, safety, survival, and replacement of solar collecting systems. Emphasis herein is on paraboloidal, two-axis tracking systems. Thermal receiver problems also are discussed. Wind characteristics are discussed from a general point of view. Current methods for determining design wind speed are reviewed. Aerodynamic coefficients are defined and illustrative examples are presented. Wind tunnel testing is discussed, and environmental wind tunnels are reviewed. Recent results on heliostat arrays are reviewed as well. Aeroelasticity in relation to structural design is discussed briefly.

Roschke, E. J.

Trends in Concentrator, Receiver, and Storage Development for Terrestrial Applications

The experience gained and the technical trends of the DOE-sponsored terrestrial solar thermal power systems project are summarized with respect to concentrator and receiver/storage development. Relevance of this experience to space power applications, and the perceived critical barriers of this technology, are discussed. It is concluded that, despite different objectives, the terrestrial program provides a strong basis of expertise valuable to space power applications development.

Roschke, E. J.

Systems approach to walk-off problems for dish-type solar thermal power systems

'Walk-off' in a dish-type solar thermal power system is a failure situation in which the concentrator remains fixed while the spot of concentrated sunlight slowly moves across the face of the receiver. The intense local heating may damage the receiver and nearby equipment. Passive protection has advantages in minimizing damage, but in a fully passive design the receiver must be able to withstand full solar input with no forced fluid circulation during the walk-off. An active walk-off emergency subsystem may include an emergency detrack or defocus mechanism or sun-blocking device, emergency power, sensors and logic to detect the emergency and initiate protective action, and cooling or passive protection of emergency and non-emergency components. Each of these elements is discussed and evaluated in the paper.

Jaffe, L. D.

Techno-economic projections for advanced small solar thermal electric power plants to years 1990-2000

Advanced technologies applicable to solar thermal electric power systems in the 1990-200 time-frame are delineated for power applications that fulfill a wide spectrum of small power needs with primary emphasis on power ratings less than 10MWe. Projections of power system characteristics (energy and capital costs as a function of capacity factor) are made based on development of identified promising technologies and are used as the basis for comparing technology development options and combinations of these options to determine developmental directions offering potential for significant improvements. Stirling engines, Brayton/Rankine combined cycles and storage/transport concepts encompassing liquid metals, and reversible-reaction chemical systems are considered for two-axis tracking systems such as the central receiver or power tower concept and distributed parabolic dish receivers which can provide efficient low-cost solar energy collection while achieving high temperatures for efficient energy conversion. Pursuit of advanced technology across a broad front can result in post-1985 solar thermal systems having the potential of approaching the goal of competitiveness with conventional power systems.

Fujita, T.

A preliminary assessment of small steam Rankine and Brayton point-focusing solar modules

A preliminary assessment of three conceptual point-focusing distributed solar modules is presented. The basic power conversion units consist of small Brayton or Rankine engines individually coupled to two-axis, tracking, point-focusing solar collectors. An array of such modules can be linked together, via electric transport, to form a small power station. Each module also can be utilized on a stand-alone basis, as an individual power source.

Roschke, E. J.

Application of the relative energy release criteria to enclosure fire testing

The five relative energy release criteria (RERC) which are a first step towards formulating a unified concept that can be applied to the development of fires in enclosures, place upper bounds on the rate and amount of energy released during a fire. They are independent, calculated readily, and may be applied generally to any enclosure regardless of size. They are useful in pretest planning and for interpreting experimental data. Data from several specific fire test programs were examined to evaluate the potential use of RERC to provide test planning guidelines. The RERC were compared with experimental data obtained in full-scale enclosures. These results confirm that in general the RERC do identify the proper limiting constraints on enclosure fire development and determine the bounds of the fire development envelope. Plotting actual fire data against the RERC reveals new valid insights into fire behavior and reveals the controlling constraints in fire development. The RERC were calculated and plotted for several descrpitions of full-scale fires in various aircraft compartments.

Roschke, E. J.

Projected techno-economic improvements for advanced solar thermal power plants

The projected characteristics of solar thermal power plants (with outputs up to 10 MWe) employing promising advanced technology subsystems/components are compared to current (or pre-1985) steam-Rankine systems. Improvements accruing to advanced technology development options are delineated. The improvements derived from advanced systems result primarily from achieving high efficiencies via solar collector systems which (1) capture a large portion of the available insolation and (2) concentrate this captured solar flux to attain high temperatures required for high heat engine/energy conversion performance. The most efficient solar collector systems employ two-axis tracking. Attractive systems include the central receiver/heliostat and the parabolic dish.

Fujita, T.

Solar thermal power systems point-focusing distributed receiver /PFDR/ technology - A project description

The goal of the Project is to support the industrial development of PFDR technology that will provide favorable life-cycle costs per unit of electrical or thermal energy produced. The technology will be made available in the early 1980s for applications project experiments. PFDR systems utilize concentrator dishes to furnish energy to their own individual receivers and power conversion subsystems. Initial effort is with steam Rankine and gas Brayton cycles. Periodic assessments will be made to confirm or change the cycles initially selected. Subsystems will be designed, fabricated and tested together in modules as appropriate. This paper describes PFDR systems briefly, outlines the project goals and organization, discusses the plans and current status of the project, and lists the benefits of PFDR technology concepts.

Lucas, J. W.

An Experimental Investigation of Fluid Flow and Heating in Various Resonance Tube Modes

Experiments have been performed to study resonance phenomena in tubes excited by underexpanded jet flows. This investigation comprised the following: Study of the various resonance tube modes under a wide range of nozzle pressure, spacing between nozzle and tube mouth, and different tube length; the effects of these modes on the endwall pressure and gas temperature; flow visualization of both jet and tube flows by spark shadowgraph technique; and measurement of wave speed inside the tube by the laser-schlieren techniques. An extensive study of the free-jet flow was undertaken to explain important aspects of various modes of operation of resonance tube flows.

Sarohia, V.

Partially ionized gas flow and heat transfer in the separation, reattachment, and redevelopment regions downstream of an abrupt circular channel expansion.

Heat transfer and pressure measurements obtained in the separation, reattachment, and redevelopment regions along a tube and nozzle located downstream of an abrupt channel expansion are presented for a very high enthalpy flow of argon. The ionization energy fraction extended up to 0.6 at the tube inlet just downstream of the arc heater. Reattachment resulted from the growth of an instability in the vortex sheet-like shear layer between the central jet that discharged into the tube and the reverse flow along the wall at the lower Reynolds numbers, as indicated by water flow visualization studies which were found to dynamically model the high-temperature gas flow. A reasonably good prediction of the heat transfer in the reattachment region where the highest heat transfer occurred and in the redevelopment region downstream can be made by using existing laminar boundary layer theory for a partially ionized gas. In the experiments as much as 90 per cent of the inlet energy was lost by heat transfer to the tube and the nozzle wall.

Back, L. H.