On the existence of minima and maxima in the composition dependence of the thermal diffusion factor and thermal conductivity
Minima and maxima in composition dependence of thermal diffusion factor and conductivity of gas mixtures
Biolsi, L.↗
Engineering topics
Thermal systems
Find NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on heat transfer and thermal systems. Search heat pipes, cooling and thermal management in report titles and abstracts.
Thermal testing techniques for space shuttle thermal protection system panels
An experimental system was developed for evaluation of the effects of aerodynamic heating and cooling, vacuum, and pressure loading on candidate insulation packages proposed for use on the space shuttle. The system includes a number of design features which facilitate rapid recycle times. This is necessary to efficiently conduct extensive thermal cycling tests on these insulation packages to determine their reuse capabilities. The heart of the system is a 26-inch graphite element radiant heater. A susceptor plate functions as a uniform-temperature intermediate radiating surface. The susceptor also forms the lid of an inert atmosphere enclosure which separates the heater from the oxidizing test atmosphere. In some tests the plate properly simulates the heating from an actual flight heat-shield panel. Although other materials were used at lower required test temperatures, 2500 F was routinely achieved using a coated columbium susceptor plate.
Cox, B. G.↗
Effects of thermal loading on foil and sheet composites with constituents of differing thermal expansivities.
A study was made to estimate the magnitudes of elastic stresses and elastic-plastic stresses and strains in sheet or foil laminar composites. Using a model tungsten/80Ni + 20Cr laminar composite and assuming cooling or heating through a temperature range of 80-2000 deg F (26.5-1093.5 deg C), calculated elastic stresses exceeded published or estimated strengths of the constituents. Elastic-plastic stress-strain solutions resulted in lower estimated stress levels but with the concomitant occurrence of sufficiently large strain ranges to suggest possible thermal fatigue problems. Limited experimental studies using tungsten/80Ni + 20Cr foil and sheet laminar composites, slowly cycled between 80 and 2000 deg F (26.5-1093.5 deg C) or rapidly cycled between 80 and 1600 deg F (26.5-871 deg C) produced varying degrees of observable structural damage in from 1 to 11 cycles depending upon temperature transition rate and laminae thickness; these particular results might not occur with other combinations of materials.
Hoffman, C. A.↗
Effects of thermal loading on fiber-reinforced composites with constituents of differing thermal expansivities.
Estimates of the magnitudes of elastic stresses and elastoplastic stresses and strains were made for tungsten fiber-reinforced 80Ni + 20Cr matrix composites. Heating or cooling between 80 and 2000 F was assumed. The calculated elastic stresses exceeded representative or estimated strengths of constituents. For composites with less than 0.65 volume fraction of fiber, plastic flow was considered possible, and elastoplastic solutions indicated that stresses would be reduced but with the concomitant occurrence of sufficiently large strain ranges, particularly in the matrix, to pose a possible thermal fatigue problem. Limited experimental studies on tungsten fiber-copper matrix composites heated and cooled a number of times between 80 and 1600 F in a conventional furnace and then heated from 80 to 1652 F in a hot-stage microscope resulted in matrix microfracture for a 70 volume fraction fiber composite and substantial matrix strain for a 40 volue fraction fiber composite.
Hoffman, C. A.↗
Development of thermal stratification and destratification scaling concepts. Volume 1: Definition of thermal stratification scaling parameters and experimental investigations
The dimensionless parameters associated with the thermal stratification and pressure history of a heated container of liquid and its vapor were examined. The Modified Grashof number, the Fourier number, and an Interface number were parameterized using a single test liquid, Freon 113. Cylindrical test tanks with spherical dome end caps were built. Blanket heaters covered the tanks and thermocouples monitored the temperatures of the liquid, the ullage, the tank walls, and the foam insulation encapsulating the tank. A centrifuge was used for the 6 inch tank to preserve the same scaling parameter values between it and the larger tanks. Tests were conducted over a range of Gr* values and the degree of scaling was checked by comparing the dimensionless pressures and temperatures for each scaled pair of tests. Results indicate that the bulk liquid temperature, the surface temperature of the liquid, and the tank pressure can be scaled with the three dimensionless parameters. Some deviation was, however, found in the detailed temperature profiles between the scaled pairs of tests.
Lovrich, T. N.↗
An investigation of thermal anomalies in the Central American volcanic chain and evaluation of the utility of thermal anomaly monitoring in the prediction of volcanic eruptions
The author has identified the following significant results. Ground truth data collection proves that significant anomalies exist at 13 volcanoes within the test site of Central America. The dimensions and temperature contrast of these ten anomalies are large enough to be detected by the Skylab 192 instrument. The dimensions and intensity of thermal anomalies have changed at most of these volcanoes during the Skylab mission.
Stoiber, R. E.↗
Prolonging thermal barrier coated specimen life by thermal cycle management
Measurements were made of the rate of increase in temperature of a ZrO2-8Y2O3 thermal barrier coated (TBC) specimen for various values of fuel/air (F/A) ratios when the specimen is exposed to a 0.3 Mach burner flame. For rod specimens in a carousel, the heating rates increased with (F/A) ratio and were higher at the inward facing surface for a given (F/A). Plate specimens were more sensitive to burner variations. Calculated results are given for the radial stress in the coated rod specimens for variations in (F/A) ratios from 0.04 to 0.065. Over this range, the radial stress varies from 4.3 to 5.3 MPa. The results indicate that controlling the heating rate of a TBC by controlling the (F/A) ratio offers a potential method to prolong TBC cyclic life; uncontrolled (F/A) ratios will produce scatter in experimental results. Geometric arrangement can have an equivalent effect, but is usually fixed by design.
Hendricks, R. C.↗
Thermal Pollution Math Model. Volume 1. Thermal Pollution Model Package Verification and Transfer
Two three dimensional, time dependent models, one free surface, the other rigid lid, were verified at Anclote Anchorage and Lake Keowee respectively. The first site is a coastal site in northern Florida; the other is a man-made lake in South Carolina. These models describe the dispersion of heated discharges from power plants under the action of ambient conditions. A one dimensional, horizontally-averaged model was also developed and verified at Lake Keowee. The data base consisted of archival in situ measurements and data collected during field missions. The field missions were conducted during winter and summer conditions at each site. Each mission consisted of four infrared scanner flights with supporting ground truth and in situ measurements. At Anclote, special care was taken to characterize the complete tidal cycle. The three dimensional model results compared with IR data for thermal plumes on an average within 1 C root mean square difference. The one dimensional model performed satisfactorily in simulating the 1971-1979 period.
Lee, S. S.↗
Study of thermal management for space platform applications: Unmanned modular thermal management and radiator technologies
Candidate techniques for thermal management of unmanned modules docked to a large 250 kW platform were evaluated. Both automatically deployed and space constructed radiator systems were studied to identify characteristics and potential problems. Radiator coating requirements and current state-of-the-art were identified. An assessment of the technology needs was made and advancements were recommended.
Oren, J. A.↗
Thermal and stress analysis of thermal barrier coatings
An analysis has been performed that predicts the thermomechanical behavior of thermal barrier coated specimens. The analysis predicts the behavior during both plasma spray coating application and burner rig testing conditions simulating engine operation. The analysis was accomplished through utilization of one-dimensional through thickness and two-dimensional finite element calculations. The results of these calculations showed that specimens with a substrate control temperature between 300 F and 600 F would be optimum. Controlling substrate temperature was found to have a more dominant effect on the mechanical strains than the ceramic or substrate thicknesses. The predicted stresses and mechanical strains at the bond-coating interface are large enough to cause cracks in this region where post-test observations have determined coating failures originate.
Cassenti, B. N.↗
A system for measuring thermal activation energy levels in silicon by thermally stimulated capacitance
One method being used to determine energy level(s) and electrical activity of impurities in silicon is described. The method is called capacitance transient spectroscopy (CTS). It can be classified into three basic categories: the thermally stimulated capacitance method, the voltage-stimulated capacitance method, and the light-stimulated capacitance method; the first two categories are discussed. From the total change in capacitance and the time constant of the capacitance response, emission rates, energy levels, and trap concentrations can be determined. A major advantage of using CTS is its ability to detect the presence of electrically active impurities that are invisible to other techniques, such as Zeeman effect atomic absorption, and the ability to detect more than one electrically active impurity in a sample. Examples of detection of majority and minority carrier traps from gold donor and acceptor centers in silicon using the capacitance transient spectrometer are given to illustrate the method and its sensitivity.
Cockrum, R. H.↗
Regional-scale estimates of surface moisture availability and thermal inertia using remote thermal measurements
A review is presented of numerical models which were developed to interpret thermal IR data and to identify the governing parameters and surface energy fluxes recorded in the images. Analytic, predictive, diagnostic and empirical models are described. The limitations of each type of modeling approach are explored in terms of the error sources and inherent constraints due to theoretical or measurement limitations. Sample results of regional-scale soil moisture or evaporation patterns derived from the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission and GOES satellite data through application of the predictive model devised by Carlson (1981) are discussed. The analysis indicates that pattern recognition will probably be highest when data are collected over flat, arid, sparsely vegetated terrain. The soil moisture data then obtained may be accurate to within 10-20 percent.
Carlson, T. N.↗
Thermal expansion mismatch and plasticity in thermal barrier coating
The basic objective of this investigation is the quantitative determination of stress states in a model thermal barrier coating (TBC) as it cools in the air to 600 C from an assumed stress-free state at 700 C. This model is intended to represent a thin plasma-sprayed zirconia-yttria ceramic layer with a nickel chromium-aluminum-yttrium bond coat on a cylindrical substrate made of nickel-based superalloys typically found in gas turbines.
Chang, George C.↗
Thermal degradation study of silicon carbide threads developed for advanced flexible thermal protection systems
Silicon carbide (SiC) fiber is a material that may be used in advanced thermal protection systems (TPS) for future aerospace vehicles. SiC fiber's mechanical properties depend greatly on the presence or absence of sizing and its microstructure. In this research, silicon dioxide is found to be present on the surface of the fiber. Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) show that a thin oxide layer (SiO2) exists on the as-received fibers, and the oxide thickness increases when the fibers are exposed to high temperature. ESCA also reveals no evidence of Si-C bonding on the fiber surface on both as-received and heat treated fibers. The silicon oxide layer is thought to signal the decomposition of SiC bonds and may be partially responsible for the degradation in the breaking strength observed at temperatures above 400 C. The variation in electrical resistivity of the fibers with increasing temperature indicates a transition to a higher band gap material at 350 to 600 C. This is consistent with a decomposition of SiC involving silicon oxide formation.
Tran, Huy Kim↗
Viscosity and thermal fields associated with strongly chaotic non-Newtonian thermal convection
The thermomechanical structure is investigated in strongly chaotic non-Newtonian thermal convection for both base-heated and internally-heated systems. Temperature can build up in stagnant regions and a non-Newtonian mantle can tolerate less internal heating. Viscosity fields of the strongly chaotic regime show a granular structure. The horizontal spectra of viscosity fluctuations obey a power-law and yield a fractal dimension of 1.6 to 1.8 for the isoviscosity lines, providing evidence for 2D turbulence. Long-wavelength viscosity variations are smoothed out by the turbulent non-Newtonian flows.
Malevsky, A. V.↗
Thermally induced changes in the focal distance of composite mirrors - Composites with a zero coefficient of thermal expansion of the radius of curvature
Calculations are presented of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the radius of curvature of the reflector face sheets made of a quasi-isotropic composite. It is shown that, upon cooling, the change of the CTE of the focal distance of the mirror is equal to that of the radius of the curvature of the reflector face sheet. The CTE of the radius of the curvature of a quasi-isotropic composite face sheet depends on both the in-plane and the out-of-plane CTEs. The zero in-plane CTE of a face sheet does not guarantee mirrors with no focal length changes.
Dolgin, Benjamin P.↗
On the thermal stability of a radiating plasma subject to nonlocal thermal conduction. I - Linear analysis
We study the linear stability of an optically thin uniform radiating plasma subject to nonlocal heat transport. We derive the dispersion relation appropriate to this problem, and the marginal wavenumbers for instability. Our analysis indicates that nonlocal heat transport acts to reduce the stabilizing influence of thermal conduction, and that there are critical values for the electron mean free path such that the plasma is always unstable. Our results may be applied to a number of astrophysical plasmas, one such example being the halos of clusters of galaxies.
Chun, E.↗
Thermal Characterization of a Direct Gain Solar Thermal Engine
A thermal/fluids analysis of a direct gain solar thermal upper stage engine is presented and the results are discussed. The engine has been designed and constructed at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center for ground testing in a facility that can provide about 10 kilowatts of concentrated solar energy to the engine. The engine transfers that energy to a coolant (hydrogen) that is heated and accelerated through a nozzle to produce thrust. For the nominal design values and a hydrogen flowrate of 2 lb/hr., the results of the analysis show that the hydrogen temperature in the chamber (nozzle entrance) reaches about 3800 F after 30 minutes of heating and about 3850 F at steady-state (slightly below the desired design temperature of about 4100 F). Sensitivity analyses showed these results to be relatively insensitive to the values used for the absorber surface infrared emissivity and the convection coefficient within the cooling ducts but very sensitive to the hydrogen flowrate. Decreasing the hydrogen flowrate to 1 lb/hr. increases the hydrogen steady-state chamber temperature to about 4700 F, but also causes an undesirable decrease in thrust.
Alexander, Reginald A.↗