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At least 235 records · Page 13

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DOE OSTI2020

Time-dependent relaxed magnetohydrodynamics: Inclusion of cross helicity constraint using phase-space action

In this work, a phase-space version of the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Lagrangian is derived from first principles and shown to give a relabeling transformation when a cross-helicity constraint is added in Hamilton's Action Principle. A new formulation of time-dependent “relaxed” magnetohydrodynamics is derived using microscopic conservation of mass and macroscopic constraints on total magnetic helicity, cross helicity, and entropy under variations of density, pressure, fluid velocity, and magnetic vector potential. This gives Euler–Lagrange equations consistent with previous work on both ideal and relaxed MHD equilibria with flow, but generalizes the relaxation concept from statics to dynamics. The application of the new dynamical formalism is illustrated for short-wavelength linear waves, and the interface connection conditions for Multiregion Relaxed MHD (MRxMHD) are derived. The issue of whether E+u×B=0 should be a constraint is discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

NASA NTRS1982

The velocity field induced by a helical vortex filament

An exact analytical solution for the velocity field, both interior and exterior, induced by an infinite right-handed helical vortex filament is derived. Due to the way the variables combine in this solution, the paper also shows that it is possible to derive a stream function for this nonaxisymmetric flow. Sample calculations of these expressions are included.

Hardin, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Spectral analysis of magnetohydrodynamic fluctuations near interplanetary shocks

Preliminary results of an investigation of magnetic fluctuations seen upstream of two interplanetary shocks are presented. The spectral analysis includes calculation of the normalized reduced magnetic helicity spectrum, the normalized reduced cross-helicity spectrum, and the Alfven ratio as discussed by Matthaeus and Goldstein (1982). Minimum variance methods are used to compute wave polarization as a function of frequency. The Taylor 'frozen in flow' hypothesis is assumed to convert frequencies to wave vectors. Some of the basic properties of the waves, including the probable mode of propagation in association with both quasi-parallel forward and reverse shocks, are described. A comparison with previous results on the generation of waves at interplanetary and planetary shocks is presented.

Vinas, A. F.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The nature of triad interactions in homogeneous turbulence

A decomposition of the velocity field in terms of helical modes is used to investigate nonlinear interactions in homogeneous turbulence. In a single-triad interaction, the large-scale helical mode is unstable when the small-scale modes have helicities of opposite signs (class 'F', for 'forward'), and the medium scale is otherwise unstable (class 'R', for 'reverse'). It is proposed that, on average, the triple correlations in a turbulent flow correspond to these unstable states. In the limit of nonlocal triads, where one leg is much smaller than the other two, the triadic interscale energy transfer is largest for interactions of class 'R'. The physical processes associated with both classes of interactions are discussed. It is shown that the large local transfers due to nonlocal 'R' interactions appear in pairs of opposite signs that nearly cancel each other and the net effect corresponds to an advection in wave space.

Waleffe, Fabian↗

NASA NTRS1992

Shock/vortex interaction and vortex-breakdown modes

Computational simulation and study of shock/vortex interaction and vortex-breakdown modes are considered for bound (internal) and unbound (external) flow domains. The problem is formulated using the unsteady, compressible, full Navier-Stokes (NS) equations which are solved using an implicit, flux-difference splitting, finite-volume scheme. For the bound flow domain, a supersonic swirling flow is considered in a configured circular duct and the problem is solved for quasi-axisymmetric and three-dimensional flows. For the unbound domain, a supersonic swirling flow issued from a nozzle into a uniform supersonic flow of lower Mach number is considered for quasi-axisymmetric and three-dimensional flows. The results show several modes of breakdown; e.g., no-breakdown, transient single-bubble breakdown, transient multi-bubble breakdown, periodic multi-bubble multi-frequency breakdown and helical breakdown.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Numerical simulation of channel flow transition, resolution requirements and structure of the hairpin vortex

Three-dimensional, nonlinear numerical simulations are presented for the K-type and H-type transitions for channel flow. There are two objectives. The first is to establish firmly the resolution requirements for the various stages in the transition process. Comparisons between calculations on various grids suggest a set of guidelines for maintaining a physically meaningful calculation. The second objective is to map out the structure of the hairpin vortices which arise in K-type and H-type transitions in channel flow, to the latest stage currently feasible. Flow field details are presented for both a subcritical Reynolds number of 1500 and a supercritical Reynolds number of 8000. The diagnostics include illustrations of the vertical shear, streamwise and spanwise vorticity, helicity, vortex stretching, and vortex diffusion fields.

Krist, Steven E.↗

NASA NTRS2023

On the Physical Nature of the So-Called Prominence Tornadoes

The term ‘tornado’ has been used in recent years to describe several solar phenomena, from large-scale eruptive prominences to small-scale photospheric vortices. It has also been applied to the generally stable quiescent prominences, sparking a renewed interest in what historically was called ‘prominence tornadoes’. This paper carries out an in-depth review of the physical nature of ‘prominence tornadoes’, where their name subconsciously makes us think of violent rotational dynamics. However, after careful consideration and analysis of the published observational data and theoretical models, we conclude that ‘prominence tornadoes’ do not differ in any substantial way from other stable solar prominences. There is simply no unequivocal observational evidence of sustained and coherent rotational movements in quiescent prominences that would justify a distinct category of prominences sharing the name with the well-known atmospheric phenomenon. The visual impression of the column-like silhouettes, the perceived helical motions, or the suggestive Doppler-shift patterns all have a simpler, more likely explanation. They are a consequence of projection effects combined with the presence of oscillations and/or counter-streaming flows. ‘Prominence tornadoes’ are thus just manifestations of the complex nature of solar prominences when observed in specific projections. These coincidental viewing angles, together with the presence of fine-structure dynamics and simple yet profoundly distorting projection effects, may sometimes play havoc with our intuitive understanding of perceived shapes and motions, leading to the incorrect analogy with atmospheric tornadoes.

Stanislav Gunar↗

NASA NTRS1990

Evolution and interaction of two- and three-dimensional instability waves

The present work is concerned with the nonlinear interactions of high-amplitude two- and three-dimensional instability waves in jets. A jet is excited by multifrequency axisymmetric and helical modes. Formulations are presented here for the nonlinear development of both the amplitudes and phases of the instability waves. The development of these waves are also coupled with the development of the mean flow and the background turbulence. In formulating this model it is assumed that each flow component can be characterized by conservations equations supplemented by closure models.

Mankbadi, R. R.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Noncavitating Pump For Liquid Helium

Immersion pump features high efficiency in cryogenic service. Simple and reliable centrifugal pump transfers liquid helium with mass-transfer efficiency of 99 percent. Liquid helium drawn into pump by helical inducer, which pressurizes helium slightly to prevent cavitation when liquid enters impeller. Impeller then pressurizes liquid. Purpose of pump to transfer liquid helium from supply to receiver vessel, or to provide liquid helium flow for testing and experimentation.

Hasenbein, Robert↗

DOE OSTI2022

3D ion gyro-orbit heat load predictions for NSTX-U

Abstract High power tokamaks operate with divertor heat loads capable of destroying the plasma facing components (PFCs). High fidelity heat load predictions are necessary to ascertain the PFC state for design and during operation. Typical heat flux calculations are 2D, time invariant, and assume that power flows directly along the magnetic field lines (the optical approximation). These assumptions neglect the complex 3D geometries employed to protect the PFCs, the time varying nature of the plasma and PFC thermal state, and the helical trajectories of ions with finite Larmor radii (the gyro-orbit approximation). An integrated software framework, the heat flux engineering analysis toolkit (HEAT), was developed to generate time varying optical heat loads applied to real engineering computer aided design (CAD) (Looby et al 2022 Fusion Sci. Technol. 78 10–27). Recently, an ion-gyro orbit module has been added to HEAT. This module calculates the helical trajectories of ions as they gyrate about the magnetic field lines using kinetic theory macro-particles to accelerate the calculation. First, the new gyro-orbit module will be presented. Next, a comparison to existing research is performed. Finally, an analysis of the gyro-orbit heat loads for NSTX-U is presented for diverted discharges using the engineering CAD models utilized for PFC fabrication. Including these gyro-orbit effects can enhance the PFC performance by ‘smearing’ out the magnetic shadows associated with the castellated fish-scaled geometry. Simultaneously, the helical trajectories can degrade performance when they load narrow regions on edges and corners with high heat fluxes. Analysis of the trade-offs between these competing effects is included, and regions for further investigation are identified.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2022

Full Length Assembly Testing in PELICAN (Final Report)

In support of the development of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Versatile Test Reactor (VTR), a thermal hydraulics test facility was constructed to generate experimental measurement of the pressure drop across a single full-scale assembly containing prototypic axial reflectors, fuel, and plena components. Constructed and operated at Argonne National Laboratory, the Pressure drop Experimental Loop for Investigations of Core Assemblies in Nuclear reactors (PELICAN) facility was designed to achieve hydraulic conditions identical to those anticipated for a full-scale fuel assembly located in the VTR core in the region with the highest flow rate. Using water as surrogate for liquid sodium, the flow loop was operated at elevated temperatures and pressures to match the thermophysical properties of liquid sodium and ensure matching Reynolds and Euler numbers. The measurement objectives for data generated from this test facility was driven primarily by the validation needs for code calculations and simulations of the reference VTR core. These objectives focused on the need to validate pressure drop results across the various segments of the fuel assembly as they relate directly to the pumping power and safety of the reactor. Presented in this report are experimental results and analytical comparisons based on testing of a full-length assembly in PELICAN. Housed within a hexagonal test section extending 3.4 m in length, the tested assembly features a prototypic lower reflector, grid plates, wire-wrapped rod bundle, upper reflector, and exit region. The rod bundle extends over 1.5 m in length and contains 217 individual wire-wrapped rods with dimensions that best reflect the reference VTR design. The as-tested bundle assembly was fabricated using 316 stainless steel 0.25-inch (6.35-mm) diameter rods wrapped with 0.04-inch (1.016-mm) diameter wire at a helical pitch of 10.51 inch (26.6 cm). Details of the method for in-house wire-wrapping, assembly, and installation are provided later in this report. Experimental measurements of pressure drop at 19 positions along the test assembly were recorded for a range of flow conditions, with special attention paid to key locations within the assembly, including component inlet and outlet, transition, and wire-wrapped rod bundle regions. Testing conditions were based on 110°C water with flow rates ranging from 50 to 450 GPM (3 to 27 kg/s) at the inlet of the test assembly generating Reynolds numbers and velocities up to ~8.0×10 4 and ~7.8 m/s, respectively, within the rod bundle region. Non-dimensional values for the friction factor were then calculated based on these experimental measurements and compared against those predicted by various analytical correlations available from open literature. Predictions by the upgraded Cheng and Todreas, Rehme, and Novendstern correlations fell within 4% to those values measured experimentally.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

NASA NTRS1993

Shear sensitive monomer-polymer laminate structure and method of using same

Monomer cholesteric liquid crystals have helical structures which result in a phenomenon known as selective reflection, wherein incident white light is reflected in such a way that its wavelength is governed by the instantaneous pitch of the helix structure. The pitch is dependent on temperature and external stress fields. It is possible to use such monomers in flow visualization and temperature measurement. However, the required thin layers of these monomers are quickly washed away by a flow, making their application time dependent for a given flow rate. The laminate structure according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal polymer substrate attached to a test surface of an article. A light absorbing coating is applied to the substrate and is thin enough to permit bonding steric interaction between the liquid crystal polymer substrate and an overlying liquid crystal monomer thin film. Light is directed through and reflected by the liquid crystal monomer thin film and unreflected light is absorbed by the underlying coating. The wavelength of the reflected light is indicative of the shear stress experienced by the test surface. Novel aspects of the invention include its firm bonding of a liquid crystal monomer to a model and its use of a coating to reduce interference from light unreflected by the monomer helical structure.

Singh, Jag J.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The three-dimensional boundary layer on a rotating helical blade

The laminar boundary layer on a twisted helical blade is considered. The blade geometry is the same as that proposed by Horlock and Wordsworth (1965). However, the blade is twisted about the leading edge in the manner described by Miyake and Fujita (1974). The flow may be considered to be the analog, in a rotating reference frame, of the flat-plate boundary layer in a stationary frame. It is shown that a coordinate system which is orthogonal in the blade surface may be developed. With the appropriate scaling of the dependent variables a solution for the boundary layer flow is readily obtained. The systems of ordinary differential equations for the stream function of the primary flow and the cross-flow are solved numerically.

Morris, P. J.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Asymmetry of a circular jet observed in near and far fields

Turbulence intensity measurements were made in three different-size jets at various Mach numbers and the aerodynamic jet axis, defined as the locus of points in the flow at which the turbulence intensity is minimum, was determined. The deviations from the geometrical jet axis were on the order of 2-4% of the nozzle diameter, and the pure jet axis had the form of a helical wave. A similar asymmetry in the radiated noise was also noted. The measured circumferential distribution of rms fluctuating velocity signals confirmed the asymmetry of even a circular jet.

Yamamoto, K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Periodic oscillations observed in swirling flows with and without combustion

Data obtained by laser induced Rayleigh scattering and hot-wire anemometry are used to study periodic oscillations in swirling flows with and without combustion present. Power spectral density functions reveal the presence of energetic, periodic oscillations in the flow. A band of low frequency oscillations (25-100 Hz) is observed on and near the centerline in the presence of a recirculation zone and is attributed to axial oscillations of the recirculation zone which are amplified with combustion by an interaction between the mechanism for flow recirculation and flow changes induced by combustion. High frequency oscillations between 300-500 Hz are observed in an annular region located in the vortex core. A stability analysis is performed, and it is concluded that these oscillations are most likely helical waves resulting from hydrodynamic instability in the vortex core upstream of the test section.

Gouldin, F. C.↗

DOE OSTI2022

Modular Plasma Microreactor for Intensified Hydrogen Peroxide Production

Sustainable and decentralized manufacturing of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) has been extensively sought to replace the energy- and waste-intensive anthraquinone process. We introduce a helical biphasic microreactor in a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) configuration as a modular, adaptable, and scalable intensified unit for H 2 O 2 production. Geometric and operating parameters such as electrode length, applied voltage, and gas and liquid flow rates can be tuned to regulate the residence time, delivered power, and gas–liquid interfacial area. In turn, these affect the key output parameters, i.e., H 2 O 2 concentration, production rate, and energy yield. We found a direct correlation between the H 2 O 2 production rate and the product of the interfacial area and residence time in the plasma region. We investigated the H 2 O 2 formation pathways using DMSO as an ·OH radical scavenger and found that H 2 O 2 forms by the dissolution of gaseous H 2 O 2 at low interfacial areas and is enhanced probably due to the interfacial recombination of ·OH radicals at a large gas–liquid interfacial area. The reactor temperature can also be externally controlled to intensify the production rate and energy yield of H 2 O 2 . Concentrations of up to 33 mM can be attained with a small footprint reactor that features a maximum energy yield of 4 g kWh –1 . Here, the plasma microreactor could epitomize a powerful process intensification tool for sustainable and distributed chemical manufacturing.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2025

A 3D helical filament surrogate model for 3D tokamak equilibria

A novel approach for efficient representation of three-dimensional (3D) tokamak equilibria is investigated, where a set of helical current filaments occupying the plasma region are employed to resolve deviations from the two-dimensional (2D) axi-symmetric state. A discrete set of 3D filaments, located at rational surfaces for a given toroidal mode number n and following the 2D equilibrium field lines (thus forming closed current loops), are found to provide a surrogate model of 3D equilibria with reasonable accuracy. Specifically, application of the filament model to 3D perturbed equilibria, due to the resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) in DIII-D and MAST-U discharges, reveals that (1) a single helical filament per rational surface is sufficient; (2) 21 such helical filaments are capable of representing the n = 2 3D response field in MAST-U with less than 10% relative error as compared to that computed by a full magnetohydrodynamic code; (3) optimizing currents (both amplitude and phase) flowing in 3D filaments with fixed geometry, the highest accuracy fitting is found to depend on the characteristics of the 3D equilibria such as the coil current phasing of the RMP coils in our case studies. Here, whis filament approach is also applicable for generating surrogate models of other type of 3D tokamak equilibria, including those during the initial phase of the plasma disruption.

MARS-F↗

NASA NTRS1972

Fabrication and test of a space power boiler feed electromagnetic pump. Part 2: Test facility and performance test

A three-phase helical induction electromagnetic pump, designed for the boiler-feed pump of a potassium Rankine-cycle space power system, was built and tested. The pump was tested over a range of potassium temperatures from 900 to 1400 F, flow rates from 0.75 to 4.85 lb/sec, developed pressures up to 340 psi, net positive suction heads (NPSH) from 1 to 22 psi, and NaK coolant temperatures from 800 to 950 F. The maximum efficiency at the pump design point of 3.25 lb/sec flow rate, 240 psi developed pressure, 1000 F potassium inlet temperature, and 800 F NaK coolant temperature was 16.3 percent. The tests also showed successful operation of the pump at an NPSH as low as 1.5 psi without cavitating.

Powell, A. H.↗