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At least 217 records · Page 12

Space Suit Joint Torque Testing

In 2009 and early 2010, a test was performed to quantify the torque required to manipulate joints in several existing operational and prototype space suits in an effort to develop joint torque requirements appropriate for a new Constellation Program space suit system. The same test method was levied on the Constellation space suit contractors to verify that their suit design meets the requirements. However, because the original test was set up and conducted by a single test operator there was some question as to whether this method was repeatable enough to be considered a standard verification method for Constellation or other future space suits. In order to validate the method itself, a representative subset of the previous test was repeated, using the same information that would be available to space suit contractors, but set up and conducted by someone not familiar with the previous test. The resultant data was compared using graphical and statistical analysis and a variance in torque values for some of the tested joints was apparent. Potential variables that could have affected the data were identified and re-testing was conducted in an attempt to eliminate these variables. The results of the retest will be used to determine if further testing and modification is necessary before the method can be validated.

Valish, Dana J.↗

Southern Impact Testing Alliance (SITA)

Efforts to form this Alliance began in 2008 to showcase the impact testing capabilities within the southern United States. Impact testing customers can utilize SITA partner capabilities to provide supporting data during all program phases-materials/component/ flight hardware design, development, and qualification. This approach would allow programs to reduce risk by providing low cost testing during early development to flush out possible problems before moving on to larger scale1 higher cost testing. Various SITA partners would participate in impact testing depending on program phase-materials characterization, component/subsystem characterization, full-scale system testing for qualification. SITA partners would collaborate with the customer to develop an integrated test approach during early program phases. Modeling and analysis validation can start with small-scale testing to ensure a level of confidence for the next step large or full-scale conclusive test shots. Impact Testing Facility (ITF) was established and began its research in spacecraft debris shielding in the early 1960's and played a malor role in the International Space Station debris shield development. As a result of return to flight testing after the loss of STS-107 (Columbia) MSFC ITF realized the need to expand their capabilities beyond meteoroid and space debris impact testing. MSFC partnered with the Department of Defense and academic institutions as collaborative efforts to gain and share knowledge that would benefit the Space Agency as well as the DoD. MSFC ITF current capabilities include: Hypervelocity impact testing, ballistic impact testing, and environmental impact testing.

Hubbs, Whitney↗

Comparison of Subdivided Versus Full-Length Fuel Pin Burnup in the ATF-2 Safety Analysis

The Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) campaign, under the Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD) Advanced Fuels program, was developed after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 2011. Under ATF, fuel and cladding concepts are to be developed and tested that may more readily withstand an accident similar to the one that occurred at Fukushima Daiichi. ATF is a combination of industry, universities, and national laboratories in an effort to develop advanced accident tolerant cladding and fuel concepts. The end goal of the ATF program is to insert a lead test rod (LTR) or lead test assembly (LTA) into an operating commercial power light water reactor by 2022. In order to meet this 2022 insertion goal, ATF is split into three separate phases: ATF-1, ATF-2, and ATF-3. The first phase of the ATF program, ATF-1, is the concept feasibility study and early irradiation testing. Feasibility, fabrication, and out-of-pile testing are happening at universities and laboratories all over the United States. Irradiation testing of these concepts is happening at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Early irradiation testing involves testing clad and/or fuel in drop-in capsules in the ATR. Currently, these capsules are in the relatively low-flux positions in the ATR, but some newer concepts and concepts that require higher burnup will be moved to the higher-flux positions later on during irradiation. Currently, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Westinghouse Electric Company, Areva, and General Electric (GE) have inserted capsules for ATF-1, although more concepts are planned. The second phase of ATF, ATF-2, is the focus of this paper. ATF-2 is the loop testing of fuel pins with new cladding and fuel concepts to simulate pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR) environments. ATF-2 will concurrently be happening at the ATR and at the Halden Reactor in Norway. The ATF-2 irradiation at the ATR will only simulate a PWR environment. ATF-2 will be inserted into the ATR pressurized water loop, Loop 2A, in the Center Flux Trap (CFT), where chemistry, temperature, and pressure can all be controlled separately from the primary coolant system and other loops in ATR. Loop 2A will be borated, pressurized to 2200 psi nominal, and have an average water temperature of 300 deg. C. A borated loop with fueled rodlets is extremely rare for Nuclear Energy experiments in the ATR, so ATF-2 will demonstrate new and unique capabilities for INL. ATF-3 is the testing of fresh and irradiated ATF concepts at the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility. The TREAT Reactor is planned for restart, re-establishing U.S. transient testing capabilities after nearly 20 years of non-operations. TREAT will test ATF concepts under transient conditions, such as a reactivity insertion accident. In addition to fresh fuel pins, TREAT will use from ATF2 and do transient testing on those irradiated pins. The information TREAT will provide to the vendors to support fuel licensing will be valuable, showing that these concepts do enhance the accident tolerance of the fuel in commercial reactors. (author)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Energy efficient engine. High pressure compressor detail design report

A compressor optimization study defined a 10-stage configuration with a 22.6:1 pressure ratio, and adiabatic efficiency goal of 86.1%, and a polytropic efficiency of 90.6%; the corrected airflow is 53.5 kg/sec. Subsequent component testing included three full-scale tests: a six-stage rig test, and another 10-stage rig test completed in the second quarter of 1982. Information from these tests is being used to select the configuration for a core engine test scheduled for July 1982 and an integrated core/low spool test slated for early 1983. The test results will also provide data base for the flight propulsion system.

Holloway, P. R.↗

HALOE Science Investigation

This cooperative agreement has investigated a number of spectroscopic problems of interest to the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE). The types of studies performed are in two parts, namely, those that involve the testing and characterization of correlation spectrometers and those that provide basic molecular spectroscopic information. In addition, some solar studies were performed with the calibration data returned by HALOE from orbit. In order to accomplish this a software package was written as part of this cooperative agreement. The HALOE spectroscopic instrument package was used in various tests of the HALOE flight instrument. These included the spectral response test, the early stages of the gas response test and various spectral response tests of the detectors and optical elements of the instruments. Considerable effort was also expended upon the proper laboratory setup for many of the prelaunch tests of the HALOE flight instrument, including the spectral response test and the gas response test. These tests provided the calibration and the assurance that the calibration was performed correctly.

Benner, D. Chris↗

Basis for the thermal-vacuum hot dwell test duration

This work suggests that the hot dwell duration for each test should be determined in two steps: a minimum hot duration of 80 hours be required and then followed by specific tailoring be conducted to arrive at the proper test duration.

early test failure distribution Weibull analysis r↗

Initial Testing of the Stainless Steel NaK-Cooled Circuit (SNaKC)

An actively pumped alkali metal flow circuit, designed and fabricated at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, is currently undergoing testing in the Early Flight Fission Test Facility (EFF-TF). Sodium potassium (NaK) was selected as the primary coolant. Basic circuit components include: simulated reactor core, NaK to gas heat exchanger, electromagnetic liquid metal pump, liquid metal flowmeter, load/drain reservoir, expansion reservoir, test section, and instrumentation. Operation of the circuit is based around the 37-pin partial-array core (pin and flow path dimensions are the same as those in a full core), designed to operate at 33 kWt. This presentation addresses the construction, fill and initial testing of the Stainless Steel NaK-Cooled Circuit (SNaKC).

Garber, Anne↗

Capabilities and Testing of the Fission Surface Power Primary Test Circuit (FSP-PTC)

An actively pumped alkali metal flow circuit, designed and fabricated at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, is currently undergoing testing in the Early Flight Fission Test Facility (EFF-TF). Sodium potassium (NaK), which was used in the SNAP-10A fission reactor, was selected as the primary coolant. Basic circuit components include: simulated reactor core, NaK to gas heat exchanger, electromagnetic (EM) liquid metal pump, liquid metal flowmeter, load/drain reservoir, expansion reservoir, test section, and instrumentation. Operation of the circuit is based around a 37-pin partial-array core (pin and flow path dimensions are the same as those in a full core), designed to operate at 33 kWt. NaK flow rates of greater than 1 kg/sec may be achieved, depending upon the power applied to the EM pump. The heat exchanger provides for the removal of thermal energy from the circuit, simulating the presence of an energy conversion system. The presence of the test section increases the versatility of the circuit. A second liquid metal pump, an energy conversion system, and highly instrumented thermal simulators are all being considered for inclusion within the test section. This paper summarizes the capabilities and ongoing testing of the Fission Surface Power Primary Test Circuit (FSP-PTC).

Garber, Anne E.↗

JWST's Cryogenic Position Metrology System

The James Webb Space Telescope will undergo a full system test in the cryogenic vacuum chamber A at the Johnson Spaceflight Center in order to verify the overall performance of the combined telescope and instrument suite. This will be the largest and most extensive cryogenic test ever undertaken. Early in the test system development, it was determined that precise position measurements of the overall hardware would enhance the test results. Various concepts were considered before selecting photogrammetry for this metrology. Photogrammetry has been used in space systems for decades, however cryogenic use combined with the size and the optical/thermal sensitivity of JWST creates a unique set of implementation challenges. This paper provides an overview of the JWST photogrammetric system and mitigation strategies for three key engineering design challenges: 1) the thermal design of the viewing windows to prevent excessive heat leak and stray light to the test article 2) cost effective motors and mechanisms to provide the angle diversity required, and 3) camera-flash life and reliability sufficient for inaccessible use during the number and duration of the cryogenic tests.

Whitman, Tony L.↗

A Status Report on the Parachute Development for NASA's Next Manned Spacecraft

NASA has determined that the parachute portion of the Landing System for the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) will be Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The Earth Landing System has been designated CEV Parachute Assembly System (CPAS). Thus a program team was developed consisting of NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Jacobs Engineering through their Engineering and Science Contract Group (ESCG). Following a rigorous competitive phase, Airborne Systems North America was selected to provide the parachute design, testing and manufacturing role to support this team. The development program has begun with some early flight testing of a Generation 1 parachute system. Future testing will continue to refine the design and complete a qualification phase prior to manned flight of the spacecraft. The program team will also support early spacecraft system testing, including a Pad Abort Flight Test in the Fall of 2008

Sinclair, Robert↗

Heavy Oil Polymer EOR in the Challenging Alaskan Arctic - It Works!

Under co-sponsorship of the US Department of Energy and Hilcorp Alaska LLC the first ever polymer field pilot commenced on 8/28/2018 in the Schrader Bluff heavy oil reservoir at the Milne Point Field on Alaska North Slope (ANS). The primary objective of the pilot is to prove the efficacy of polymer Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) to unlock the vast heavy oil resources on ANS. More than two and half years after startup, the polymer injection, supporting laboratory experiments and simulation studies steadily continue. The pilot started injecting hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), at a concentration of 1,750 ppm to achieve a target viscosity of 45 cP, into the two horizontal injectors in the flood pattern. Production is monitored in the two horizontal producers. Based on laboratory measurements of polymer viscosity at reservoir conditions, the team decided to reduce polymer concentration to 1,200 ppm since July 2020 in an effort to control injection pressure and optimize polymer utilization. Quality control (QC) on the field ensures uniform polymer solution properties. Representative rock and fluid systems and test conditions are utilized in the corefloods on polymer retention, effect of injection water salinity, polymer loading, and their combinations on oil recovery. A history matched reservoir simulation model for forecasting oil recovery was developed on the basis of all the available field data. Field concerns related to the post-polymer breakthrough impact on flow assurance is addressed via specialized laboratory tests. Notwithstanding early operational disruptions and hydration issues, continuous polymer injection in both injectors has been achieved. To date, 950,000 lbs of polymer or 2 million barrels of polymer solution, equating to 13% of total pore volume (PV), has been placed in the flood pattern, serving as an effective indicator of adequate polymer injectivity. So far, the success of polymer EOR is evident from drastically reduced water cut in the producers, an estimated incremental 1,000 bopd over waterflood, and a favorable polymer utilization of 1.7 lbs/barrel of incremental oil. Polymer breakthrough was observed 26 months after the start of polymer injection. Main observations from corefloods are unusually high polymer retention values in some cases and a positive response to low salinity water. Although the heterogeneity in the flood pattern and exceptionally low water cut pose some challenges, persistent novel and justifiable simulation approaches have resulted in a robust history matched model. Experimental results on produced fluids treatment provide operational guidance for improved oil-water separation and mitigation of heater tube fouling. The ongoing success of the pilot is a key indicator of bringing the team ever closer to meeting the project’s primary objective. The encouraging results of the pilot is one of the drivers that has provided the impetus to apply polymer EOR throughout the Milne Point Field, which would increase oil recovery and extend the economic life of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. The scientific knowledge, including the many lessons learned from this pilot also has referential value for other potential heavy oil EOR projects throughout the world. The collected data, operational lessons learned, and the overall success of the pilot are summarized in the paper.

None, None↗

Intermediate Scale Testing Recommendation Report

A summary of recommendations for near-term intermediate-scale testing pertaining to a salt repository is provided in this report. Each proposal was asked to implement a phased progression, initiating with test plan production in FY 2017 and early-stage testing, if possible. Beyond 2017, testing is anticipated to progress to an underground setting and involve intermediate-scale field activities. Each test concept was presented at the June 6th 2016 meeting in Las Vegas NV and a team of DOE-NE, DOE-EM, and National Laboratory staff discussed the rnerits of each proposal. Discussions among managers and researchers in the weeks following the meeting led to selection of a path forward for phased testing that includes a series of small diarneter borehole tests designed to illuminate thermomechanical processes and potential vapor and brine transport. These tests are intended to be implemented at the WIPP facility and involve collaboration between SNL, LANL, and LBL. This document summarizes the test concepts generated by the te s of researchers and decisions made subsequent to the June 6th meeting.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Early Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) experience with Peripheral Vision Horizon Displays (PVHD)

Three separate Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) tests were conducted in 1980 and 1981 on two models of the peripheral vision horizon displays (PVHD) (Malcolm Horizon). A fixed base simulator test was conducted with twenty test pilot subjects using the Flight Simulator Demonstration Model which incorporated a Helium Neon laser as the light bar medium. Two separate flight tests were conducted by the Test Pilot School classes 80A and 80B in a Twin Otter commuter aircraft using the Stage A Model PVHD. The Xenon lighted A Model was tested in its original configuration by class 80A. Class 80B used a modified configuration which incorporated an AFFTC designed and manufactured hood. With the hood, the PVHD projected a thinner, distinct light bar. Only a few general remarks concerning the tests and unrestricted, overall conclusions reached by the author are presented. The conclusions of all three AFFTC evaluations of the PVHD concept were that it has not yet been adequately evaluated. There seems to be a significant learning curve associated with the PVHD and the project pilots for Test Pilot School Class 80B only got a good start on the learning curve. A lengthy learning curve for the PVHD should be anticipated in view of the training period required for the attitude display indicator (ADI). This does seem to point out that the PVHD, in its present form, is simply not as compelling as the natural horizon. It can also be concluded that any attempt at a valid evaluation of the PVHD concept can be done only under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or validly simulated IMC conditions. The knee in the learning curve, however, may be reached without full IMC, although it may take much longer to reach.

Schofield, B. L.↗

Flight test of a propulsion controlled aircraft system on the NASA F-15 airplane

Flight tests of the propulsion controlled aircraft (PCA) system on the NASA F-15 airplane evolved as a result of a long series of simulation and flight tests. Initially, the simulation results were very optimistic. Early flight tests showed that manual throttles-only control was much more difficult than the simulation, and a flight investigation was flown to acquire data to resolve this discrepancy. The PCA system designed and developed by MDA evolved as these discrepancies were found and resolved, requiring redesign of the PCA software and modification of the flight test plan. Small throttle step inputs were flown to provide data for analysis, simulation update, and control logic modification. The PCA flight tests quickly revealed less than desired performance, but the extensive flexibility built into the flight PCA software allowed rapid evaluation of alternate gains, filters, and control logic, and within 2 weeks, the PCA system was functioning well. The initial objective of achieving adequate control for up-and-away flying and approaches was satisfied, and the option to continue to actual landings was achieved. After the PCA landings were accomplished, other PCA features were added, and additional maneuvers beyond those originally planned were flown. The PCA system was used to recover from extreme upset conditions, descend, and make approaches to landing. A heading mode was added, and a single engine plus rudder PCA mode was also added and flown. The PCA flight envelope was expanded far beyond that originally designed for. Guest pilots from the USAF, USN, NASA, and the contractor also flew the PCA system and were favorably impressed.

Burcham, Frank W., Jr.↗

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Ground Test History

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) was started in ~1955 under the Atomic Energy Commission as project Rover and was assigned to Los Alamos National Laboratory. The Nevada Test Site was selected in 1956 and facility construction began in 1957. The KIWI-A was tested on July 1, 1959 for 5 minutes at 70MW. KIWI-A1 was tested on July 8, 1960 for 6 minutes at 85MW. KIWI-A3 was tested on October 10, 1960 for 5 minutes at 100MW. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was formed in 1958. On August 31, 1960 the AEC and NASA established the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office and named Harold Finger as Director. Immediately following the formation of SNPO, contracts were awarded for the Reactor In Flight Test (RIFT), master plan for the Nuclear Rocket Engine Development Station (NRDS), and the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA). From December 7, 1961 to November 30, 1962, the KIWI-B1A, KIWI-B1B, and KIWI-B4A were tested at test cell A. The last two engines were only tested for several seconds before noticeable failure of the fuel elements. Harold Finger called a stop to any further hot fire testing until the problem was well understood. The KIWI-B4A cold flow test showed the problem to be related to fluid dynamics of hydrogen interstitial flow causing fuel element vibrations. President Kennedy visited the NTS one week after the KIWI-B4A failure and got to see the engine starting to be disassembled in the maintenance facility. The KIWI-B4D and KIWI-B4E were modified to not have the vibration problems and were tested in test cell C. The NERVA NRX program started testing in early 1964 with NRX-A1 cold flow test series (unfueled graphite core), NRX-A2 and NRX-A3 power test series up to 1122 MW for 13 minutes. In March 1966, the NRX-EST (Engine System Test) was the first breadboard using flight functional relationship and total operating time of 116 minutes. The NRX-EST demonstrated the feasibility of a hot bleed cycle. The NRX-A5 had multiple start-ups in May-June 1966 with 30.75 minutes accumulative operating time at or above 1GW. The NRX-A6 was tested in December 1969 and ran for 62 minutes at 1100 MW. Each engine had post-test examination and found various structure anomalies which were identified for correction and the fuel element corrosion rate was reduced. The Phoebus series of research reactors began testing at test cell C, in June 1965 with Phoebus 1A. Phoebus 1A operated for 10.5 minutes at 1100 MW before unexpected loss of propellant and leading to an engine breakdown. Phoebus 1B ran for 30 minutes in February of 1967. Phoebus 2A was the highest steady state reactor built at 5GW. Phoebus 2A ran for 12 minutes at 4100 MW demonstrating sufficient power is available. The Peewee test bed reactor was tested November- December 1968 in test cell C for 40 minutes at 500MW with overall performance close to pre-run predictions. The XE' engine was the only engine tested with close to a flight configuration and fired downward into a diffuser at the Engine Test Stand (ETS) in 1969. The XE' was 1100 MW and had ~28 start-ups. The nuclear furnace NF-1 was operated at 44 MW with multiple test runs at 90 minutes in the summer of 1972. The NF-1 was the last NTP reactor tested. The Rover/NERVA program was cancelled in 1973. However, before cancellation, a lot of other engineering work was conducted by Aerojet on a 75, 000 lbf prototype flight engine and by Los Alamos on a ~16,000 lbf "Small Engine" nuclear rocket design. The ground test history of NTP at the NRDS also offers many lessons learned on how best to setup, operate, emergency shutdown, and post-test examine NTP engines. The reactor and engine maintenance and disassembly facilities were used for assembly and inspection of radioactive engines after testing. Most reactor/ engines were run at test cell A or test cell C with open air exhaust. The Rover/NERVA program became aware of a new environmental regulation that would restrict the amount of radioactive particulates allowed to be release in open air and successfully demonstrated a scrubber concept with the NF-1. The ETS stand was the only one with a high altitude test chamber used for XE'. The ETS and other test cells showed the effects the engine's radiation had on the facility materials and instrumentation as well as side effects the ground test facility has back on the engine operation. The breakdown of Phoebus 1A at test cell C showed how the site was cleaned up and back to operation for five more engines before the program was cancelled.

Gerrish, Harold P.↗

Bench Testing Data and Report for an Early Prototype Pitch Resonator WEC

This dataset encompasses data and documentation from bench tests conducted on an early prototype of a "pitch resonator" wave energy converter (WEC). The testing aimed to validate numerical models and reduce risks associated with the pitch resonator concept, which is designed to convert the pitching and rolling motions of a buoy into electrical power. The project's goal is to provide supplementary power, in the range of 10-100 watts, to the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative Pioneer Array. Two distinct testing phases are documented: one using a single degree of freedom (1DOF) test rig, and another employing a six degree of freedom (6DOF) Stewart platform, known as the Large Amplitude Motion Platform (LAMP). These tests assessed various factors, such as system performance in different motion scenarios, the torque exerted by wave forces, and the impact of mounting configurations. The dataset includes raw test data in MATLAB (.mat) format, detailed metadata, and a report describing the experimental procedures and preliminary findings.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Thermal Vacuum Testing of a Novel Loop Heat Pipe Design for the Swift BAT Instrument

An advanced thermal control system for the Burst Alert Telescope on the Swift satellite has been designed and an engineering test unit (ETU) has been built and tested in a thermal vacuum chamber. The ETU assembly consists of a propylene loop heat pipe, two constant conductance heat pipes, a variable conductance heat pipe (VCHP), which is used for rough temperature control of the system, and a radiator. The entire assembly was tested in a thermal vacuum chamber at NASA/GSFC in early 2002. Tests were performed with thermal mass to represent the instrument and with electrical resistance heaters providing the heat to be transferred. Start-up and heat transfer of over 300 W was demonstrated with both steady and variable condenser sink temperatures. Radiator sink temperatures ranged from a high of approximately 273 K, to a low of approximately 83 K, and the system was held at a constant operating temperature of 278 K throughout most of the testing. A novel LHP temperature control methodology using both temperature-controlled electrical resistance heaters and a small VCHP was demonstrated. This paper describes the system and the tests performed and includes a discussion of the test results.

Ottenstein, Laura↗

Water-based Ria Testing in TREAT: Commissioning and Early Results

We have completed a series of reactivity-initiated accident commissioning tests with the static water capsule in the Transient Reactor Test Facility and completed some visual and non-destructive post-irradiation examinations on the fuel rods. The test campaign included a calibration test followed by five tests in the Static Environment Rodlet Transient Test Apparatus capsule. The conditions varied from room temperature and pressure up to 200°C and 2.5 MPa, with energy depositions varying between ~500–1100 J/gUO2. The series of tests allowed for a number of instrumentation qualifications and demonstrations, including cladding thermometry, rodlet plenum pressure, cladding elongation, and an electro-impedance boiling detector. This paper documents the design of the capsule and highlights some results from the commissioning tests and post-transient examination.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗