Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Droplet Size Distribution”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Test and evaluation of Apollo 14 composite casting demonstration specimens 6, 9, and 12, phase 1

Flight and control specimens 6, 9, and 12 from the Apollo 14 composite casting demonstration were evaluated with respect to the degree of dispersion achieved for mixtures of immiscible materials under one-gravity and low gravity environments. The flight and control capsules 6, 9, and 12 contained paraffin and sodium acetate; paraffin, sodium acetate and argon; and paraffin, sodium acetate and 100 micrometer diameter tungsten microspheres, respectively. The evaluation and documentation utilized photographic and microstructure examinations, density measurements, and droplet size and distribution determinations. In addition, theoretical analyses were performed in order to aid in the understanding of the fluid behavior of the specimens during processing and subsequent solidification. A comparison of evaluated data with the theoretical analyses reveals that although the immiscible materials were uniquely dispersed in a low gravity environment, nonuniform dispersions were obtained primarily due to insufficient initial mixing and an essentially unidirectional thermal gradient during cooldown.

Reger, J. L.↗

The NASA-AMES Research Center Stratospheric Aerosol Model. 1. Physical Processes and Computational Analogs

A time-dependent one-dimensional model of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer is presented. In constructing the model, a wide range of basic physical and chemical processes are incorporated in order to avoid predetermining or biasing the model predictions. The simulation, which extends from the surface to an altitude of 58 km, includes the troposphere as a source of gases and condensation nuclei and as a sink for aerosol droplets. The size distribution of aerosol particles is resolved into 25 categories with particle radii increasing geometrically from 0.01 to 2.56 microns such that particle volume doubles between categories.

Turco, R. P.↗

Performance degradation of a typical twin engine commuter type aircraft in measured natural icing conditions

The performance of an aircraft in various measured icing conditions was investigated. Icing parameters such as liquid water content, temperature, cloud droplet sizes and distributions were measured continuously while in icing. Flight data were reduced to provide plots of the aircraft drag polars and lift curves (CL vs. alpha) for the measured ""iced'' condition as referenced to the uniced aircraft. These data were also reduced to provide plots of thrust horsepower required vs. single engine power available to show how icing affects engine out capability. It is found that performance degradation is primarily influenced by the amount and shape of the accumulated ice. Glaze icing caused the greatest aerodynamic performance penalties in terms of increased drag and reduction in lift while aerodynamic penalties due to rime icing were significantly lower.

Ranaudo, R. J.↗

Performance degradation of a typical twin engine commuter type aircraft in measured natural icing conditions

The performance of an aircraft in various measured icing conditions was investigated. Icing parameters such as liquid water content, temperature, cloud droplet sizes and distributions were measured continuously while in icinig. Flight data wre reduced to provide plots of the aircraft drag polars and lift curves (CL vs. alpha) for the measured 'iced' condition as referenced to the uniced aircraft. These data were also reduced to provide plots of thrust horsepower required vs. single engine power available to show how icing affects engine out capability. It is found that performance degradation is primarily influenced by the amount and shape of the accumulated ice. Glaze icing caused the greatest aerodynamic performance penalties in terms of increased drag and reduction in lift while aerodynamic penalties due to rime icing were significantly lower. Previously announced in STAR as N84-13173

Ranaudo, R. J.↗

Numerical simulation of diffusion-controlled droplet growth Dynamical correlation effects

Diffusion-controlled coarsening (Ostwald ripening) of precipitated solutions is studied by numerical simulation. An algorithm is devised which exploits the screening of solute concentration fields, thereby removing the restriction to small systems of previous work. Simulation of the coarsening of 5000 droplets at 10-percent volume fraction reveals long-ranged dynamical correlations which broaden the droplet size-distribution function and increase the coarsening-rate coefficient.

Beenakker, C. W. J.↗

Symmetry assessment of an air-blast atomizer spray

This study represents an evaluation of the extent to which conventional and recently introduced modern diagnostics can assess the symmetry of sprays formed by three atomizers of identical design. The conventional diagnostics include sheet-lit photography, patternation, and laser diffraction. The modern diagnostic is laser interferometry (phase Doppler). Symmetry is assessed in ambient conditions for four atomizer orientations, and comparisons are made between the diagnostic techniques. The results demonstrate that conventional and modern diagnostics are consistent in the assessment of symmetry, patternation and phase Doppler are most effective in establishing symmetry of mass flux, and phase Doppler, although more tedious to employ, provides the additional information necessary to establish the sources of detected asymmetries in terms of nonuniformities in droplet velocities, size distributions, volume flux, and concentration.

Mcdonnell, V. G.↗

LN2 spray droplet size measurement via ensemble diffraction technique

The size of subcooled liquified nitrogen droplets are measured with a 5 mW He-Ne laser as a function of pressure difference (delta P) across flat spray and full cone pressure atomizing nozzles. For delta P's of 3 to 30 psid, the spray sauter mean diameter (SMD) ranged between 250 to 50 microns. The pressure range tested is representative of those expected during cryogenic fluid transfer operations in space. The droplet sizes from the flat spray nozzles were greater than those from the full cone nozzle. A power function of the form, SMD varies as delta P(exp a), describes the spray SMD as a function of the delta P very well. The values of a were -0.36 for the flat spray and -0.87 for the full cone. The reduced dependence of the flat spray SMD on the delta P was probably because of: (1) the absence of a swirler that generates turbulence within the nozzle to enhance atomization, and (2) a possible increase in shearing stress resulting from the delayed atomization due to the absence of turbulence. The nitrogen quality, up to 1.5 percent is based on isenthalpic expansion, did not have a distinct and measurable effect on the spray SMD. Both bimodal and monomodal droplet size population distributions were measured. In the bimodal distribution, the frequency of the first mode was much greater than the frequency of the second mode. Also, the frequency of the second mode was low enough such that a monomodal approximation probably would give reasonable results.

Saiyed, N. H.↗

LN2 spray droplet size measurement via ensemble diffraction technique

The size of subcooled liquified nitrogen droplets are measured with a 5 mW He-Ne laser as a function of pressure difference (delta P) across flat spray and full cone pressure atomizing nozzles. For delta P's of 3 to 30 psid, the spray sauter mean diameter (SMD) ranged between 250 to 50 microns. The pressure range tested is representative of those expected during cryogenic fluid transfer operations in space. The droplet sizes from the flat spray nozzles were greater than those from the full cone nozzle. A power function of the form, SMD varies as delta P(exp a), describes the spray SMD as a function of the delta P very well. The values of a were -0.36 for the flat spray and -0.87 for the full cone. The reduced dependence of the flat spray SMD on the delta P was probably because of: (1) the absence of a swirler that generates a turbulence within the nozzle to enhance atomization, and (2) a possible increase in shearing stress resulting from the delayed atomization due to the absence of turbulence. The nitrogen quality, up to 1.5 percent is based on isenthalpic expansion, did not have a distinct and measurable effect on the spray SMD. Both bimodal and monomodal droplet size population distributions were measured. In the bimodal distribution, the frequency of the first mode was much greater than the frequency of the second mode. Also, the frequency of the second mode was low enough such that a monomodal approximation probably would give reasonable results.

Saiyed, N. H.↗

Impinging jets atomization

An analysis of the characteristics of the spray produced by an impinging-jet injector is presented. Predictions of the spray droplet size and distribution are obtained through studying the formation and disintegration of the liquid sheet formed by the impact of two cylindrical jets of the same diameter and momentum. Two breakup regimes of the sheet are considered depending on Weber number, with transition occurring at Weber numbers between 500 and 2000. In the lower Weber number regime, the breakup is due to Taylor cardioidal waves, while at Weber number higher than 2000, the sheet disintegration is by the growth of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability waves. Theoretical expressions to predict the sheet thickness and shape are derived for the low Weber number breakup regime. An existing mathematical analysis of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of radially moving liquid sheets is adopted in the predictions of resultant drop sizes by sheet breakup at Weber numbers greater than 2000. Comparisons of present theoretical results with experimental measurements and empirical correlations reported in the literature reveal favorable agreement.

Ibrahim, E. A.↗

Shear coaxial injector instability mechanisms

There is no definitive knowledge of which of several concurrent processes ultimately results in unstable combustion within liquid rocket chambers employing shear coaxial injectors. Possible explanations are a detrimental change in the atomization characteristics due to a decrease in the gas-to-liquid velocity ratio, a change in the gas side injector pressure drop allowing acoustic coupling to the propellant feed system or the disappearance of a stabilizing recirculation region at the base of the LOX post. The aim of this research effort is to investigate these proposed mechanisms under conditions comparable to actual engine operation. Spray characterization was accomplished with flash photography and planar laser imaging to examine the overall spray morphology and liquid jet breakup processes and with a PDPA to quantify the spatial distribution of droplet size and mean axial velocity. A simplified stability model based on the Rayleigh criterion was constructed for the flow dynamics occurring within the chamber and injector to evaluate the potential coupling between the chamber and injector acoustic modes and was supported by high frequency measurements of chamber and injector pressure oscillations. To examine recirculation within the LOX post recess, velocity measurements were performed in the recess region by means of LDV. Present experiments were performed under noncombusting conditions using LOX/GH2 stimulants at pressures up to 4 MPa.

Puissant, C.↗

Operator's Manual for SHEBA Powered Tether Balloon System

The Surface Heat and Energy Budget of the Arctic (SHEBA) was an intensive field project which took place in the Arctic Ocean from October 1997 through October 1998. Its purpose was to measure as many facets of the Arctic environment as possible so that we would be able to better understand the interaction between the ice, atmosphere, and ocean and their interactions with global climate. One aspect of the atmospheric field component was launching tethered balloons to monitor the profiles of temperature, wind, pressure, and humidity, as well as examine the vertical structure of cloud droplet sizes and distributions. The tethered balloon that we used was one specially designed for use in freezing climates by SPEC Corporation in Boulder, Colorado. A special winch that was able to withstand Arctic temperature and weather became necessary when the testing of simple winch systems used in warmer climates failed under these extreme conditions. The purpose of this manual is to acquaint any new user to the powered tethered balloon system deployed at the The Surface Heat and Energy Budget of the Arctic (SHEBA ice camp. It includes a description of the preparations necessary to get ready for a launch, the mechanics of the actual launch, and an account of the proper procedure for taking down the equipment when finished. It will also include tips on how to minimize potential equipment failures, some trouble shooting, and some safety ideas. This manual is designed so that new operators can use the system with minimal previous training. At the end of this manual, the reader will find a quick checklist.

Lappen, Cara-Lyn↗

Particle trajectory computer program for icing analysis of axisymmetric bodies - A progress report

Aircraft exposed to an atmospheric icing environment can accumulate ice, resulting in a sharp increase in drag, a reduction in lift, control surface fouling, and engine damage all of which result in a hazardous flight situation. NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) has conducted a program to examine, with the aid of high-speed computer codes, how the trajectories of particles contribute to the ice accumulation on airfoils and engine inlets. For this effort, a computer code was developed to calculate icing particle trajectories and impingement limits for axisymmetric inlets. The original research-oriented NASA code was upgraded and modified to meet the requirements of the design engineer. The improved code is capable of performing trajectory calculations for any atmospheric conditions and droplet sizes. It can handle single droplets or a distribution of various droplet sizes. The four programs that comprise the code are described and the results of a test case using flight conditions for a Fokker F100 icing tunnel test are presented.

Maltezos, Dimitrios G.↗

X-Ray Characterization of Real Fuel Sprays for Gasoline Direct Injection

Here, the effects of fuel blend properties on spray and injector performance has been investigated in a side-mount injector for gasoline direct injection (GDI) using two certification fuel blends: Euro 5 and Euro 6. Several X-ray diagnostic techniques were conducted to characterize the injector and spray morphology. Detailed internal geometry of the GDI injector was resolved to 1.8 μm, through the use of hard X-ray tomography. The geometry characterization of this six-hole GDI, side mount injector, quantifies relevant hole and counterbore dimensions and reveals the intricate details within the flow passages, including surface roughness and micron-sized features. Internal valve motion was measured with a temporal resolution of 20 μs and a spatial resolution of 2.0 μs, for three injection pressures and several injector energizing strategies. The needle motion for both fuels exhibits similar lift profiles for common energizing commands. A combination of X-ray radiography and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) was used to characterize the fuel mass distribution and the droplet sizing, respectively. Tomographic spray radiography revealed the near-nozzle distribution of fuel mass for each of the fuels and the asymmetry produced by the angled nozzles. Under evaporative conditions, the two fuels show minor differences in peak fuel mass distribution during steady injection, though both exhibit fluctuations in injection during the early, transient phase. USAXS measurements of the path-specific surface area of the spray indicated lower peak values for the more evaporative conditions in the near nozzle region.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Revolving-Pinhole Calibrator

Revolving-pinhole calibrator used to calibrate instrument called "Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe" (FSSP). This instrument measures light scattered from water droplets in icing clouds. Scattering patterns used to determine sizes and distribution of sizes of droplets in connection with safety-oriented studies of icing on aircraft. Pinhole serves as diffraction standard for measuring small particles and drops.

Hovenac, Edward A.↗

Determination of cloud microphysical properties by laser backscattering and extinction measurements

The extinction and backscattering of 514 nm laser radiation in polydisperse water droplet clouds was studied in the laboratory. Three cloud size distributions with modal diameters of 0.02, 5.0, and 12.0 microns were investigated. The relationships between the cloud optical parameters (attentuation coefficient, sigma and volume backscattering coefficient, Beta (sub pi)) and the cloud water content, C, were measured for each size distribution. It was found that a linear relationship exists between sigma and C and between beta (sub pi) and C for cloud water content values up to 3gm/cubic m. The linear relationships obtained, however, have slopes which depend on the droplet size distribution. For a given water content both sigma and beta (sub pi) increase as the modal diameter decreases. The measured data are compared with existing theoretical analyses and discussed in terms of thie application to lidar measurements of atmospheric clouds. It is concluded that the empirical information obtained can serve as a basis for quantitative lidar measurements.

Dubinsky, R. N.↗

Some microphysical features of coastal and inland fogs.

Radiation fogs sampled at Los Angeles were found to possess low visibilities, high liquid water content (LWC), relatively small drops, narrow peaked drop-size distributions, and high concentrations of micron sized haze droplets. Typical characteristics of valley fogs observed at Elmira, N.Y., were low visibilities, moderately high LWC, low concentrations of haze droplets, and similar drop size distributions to those measured in Los Angeles. On the other hand, advection fogs observed in Vandenberg were characterized by less severe visibilities, low LWC, large drops in a broad drop-size distribution, and very low haze nucleus concentrations.

Mack, E. J.↗

Automated holographic drop-size analyzer

System analyzes drop-size distribution in liquid-droplet-spray combustion fields. Holographic camera takes "stop-motion" hologram of combustion volume; it is then viewed by vidicon camera connected to digital data-processing system that identifies particles or droplets, determining their size and count, and displays histogram of drop-size distribution in holographic field.

Feinstein, S. P.↗

Sizes of pure and doped helium droplets from single shot x-ray imaging

Advancements in x-ray free-electron lasers on producing ultrashort, ultrabright, and coherent x-ray pulses enable single-shot imaging of fragile nanostructures, such as superfluid helium droplets. Furthermore, this imaging technique gives unique access to the sizes and shapes of individual droplets. In the past, such droplet characteristics have only been indirectly inferred by ensemble averaging techniques. Here, we report on the size distributions of both pure and doped droplets collected from single-shot x-ray imaging and produced from the free-jet expansion of helium through a 5 μm diameter nozzle at 20 bars and nozzle temperatures ranging from 4.2 to 9 K. This work extends the measurement of large helium nanodroplets containing 10 9 –10 11 atoms, which are shown to follow an exponential size distribution. Additionally, we demonstrate that the size distributions of the doped droplets follow those of the pure droplets at the same stagnation condition but with smaller average sizes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗