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At least 253 records · Page 14

Molecular Tagging Velocimetry in Superfluid Helium-4: Progress, Issues, and Future Development

Helium-4 in the superfluid phase (He II) is a two-fluid system that exhibits fascinating quantum hydrodynamics with important scientific and engineering applications. However, the lack of high-precision flow measurement tools in He II has impeded the progress in understanding and utilizing its hydrodynamics. In recent years, there have been extensive efforts in developing quantitative flow visualization techniques applicable to He II. In particular, a powerful molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) technique, based on tracking thin lines of He 2 * excimer molecules created via femtosecond laser-field ionization in helium, has been developed in our laboratory. This technique allows unambiguous measurement of the normal fluid velocity field in the two-fluid system. Nevertheless, there are two limitations to this technique: (1) only the velocity component perpendicular to the tracer line can be measured; and (2) there is an inherent error in determining the perpendicular velocity. In this paper, we discuss how these issues can be resolved by advancing the MTV technique. We also discuss two novel schemes for tagging and producing He 2 * tracers. Here, the first method allows the creation of a tagged He 2 * tracer line without the use of an expensive femtosecond laser. The second method enables full-space velocity field measurement through tracking small clouds of He 2 * molecules created via neutron- 3 He absorption reactions in He II.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Nonlinear electromagnetic formulation for particle-in-cell simulation of lower hybrid waves in toroidal geometry

An electromagnetic particle simulation model has been formulated and verified for nonlinear processes of lower hybrid (LH) waves in fusion plasmas. Electron dynamics are described by the drift kinetic equation using either kinetic momentum or canonical momentum. Ion dynamics are treated as the fluid system or by the Vlasov equation. Compressible magnetic perturbation is retained to simulate both the fast and slow LH waves. Numerical properties are greatly improved by using the electron continuity equation to enforce the consistency between electrostatic potential and vector potential, and by using the importance sampling scheme. The simulation model has been implemented in the gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC), and verified for the dispersion relation and nonlinear particle trapping of the electromagnetic LH waves.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Systems and methods for multi-fluid geothermal energy systems

A method for extracting geothermal energy from a geothermal reservoir formation. A production well is used to extract brine from the reservoir formation. At least one of nitrogen (N.sub.2) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) may be used to form a supplemental working fluid which may be injected into a supplemental working fluid injection well. The supplemental working fluid may be used to augment a pressure of the reservoir formation, to thus drive a flow of the brine out from the reservoir formation.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Sub- and super-luminar propagation of structures satisfying Poynting-like theorem for incompressible generalized hydrodynamic fluid model depicting strongly coupled dusty plasma medium

The strongly coupled dusty plasma has often been modelled by the Generalized Hydrodynamic (GHD) model used for representing visco-elastic fluid systems. The incompressible limit of the model which supports transverse shear wave mode is studied in detail. In particular, dipole structures are observed to emit transverse shear waves in both the limits of sub- and super-luminar propagation, where the structures move slower and faster than the phase velocity of the shear waves, respectively. In the sub-luminar limit the dipole gets engulfed within the shear waves emitted by itself, which then backreacts on it and ultimately the identity of the structure is lost. However, in the super-luminar limit the emission appears like a wake from the tail region of the dipole. The dipole, however, keeps propagating forward with little damping but minimal distortion in its form. A Poynting-like conservation law with radiative, convective, and dissipative terms being responsible for the evolution of W, which is similar to “enstrophy” like quantity in normal hydrodynamic fluid systems, has also been constructed for the incompressible GHD equations. The conservation law is shown to be satisfied in all the cases of evolution and collision amidst the nonlinear structures to a great accuracy. It is shown that monopole structures which do not move at all but merely radiate shear waves, the radiative term, and dissipative losses solely contribute to the evolution of W. The dipolar structures, on the other hand, propagate in the medium and hence convection also plays an important role in the evolution of W.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Primary System Thermal Fluids Analysis Model Development for the Compact High Temperature Gas Reactor (HC-HTGR) (Final Report)

Horizontal Compact High Temperature Gas Reactor (HC-HTGR) is being designed by a multi-disciplinary team of nuclear, mechanical, and structural engineers under the support of a DOE-NE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program’s Advanced Reactor Concepts-20 (ARC-20) award. The objective of this ARC-20 project is to deliver a conceptual design for the proposed HC-HTGR and support its commercialization as a safe, low-cost HTGR. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) is collaborating on the thermal hydraulic design and analysis of HC-HTGR reactor pressure vessel internals to ensure the reactor maintains sufficient safety margins during normal operation, shutdown, and accident conditions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

EC/LSS thermal control system study for the space shuttle

The results of a parametric weight analysis of heat rejection systems for the space shuttle orbiter are presented. Integrating the suborbital heat rejection system with the overall heat rejection system design and the possible use of a common system for both on-orbit and suborbital operations require an overall system and parametric analyses applicable to all mission phases. The concept of equivalent weights, with weight penalties assigned for power, induced aircraft drag and radiator area is used to determine weight estimates for the following candidate systems: vapor cycle refrigeration, gas cycle refrigeration, radiators (space and atmospheric convectors), expendable heat sinks, and ram air. The orbiter power penalty, ram air penalty, and radiator weight penalty are analyzed. The vapor compression system and an expendable fluid system utilizing a multifluid spraying flash evaporator are selected as the two most promising systems. These are used for maximum on-orbit heat rejection in combination with or as a supplement to a space radiator.

Howell, H. R.↗

An assessment of separable fluid connector system parameters to perform a connector system design optimization study

The key to optimization of design where there are a large number of variables, all of which may not be known precisely, lies in the mathematical tool of dynamic programming developed by Bellman. This methodology can lead to optimized solutions to the design of critical systems in a minimum amount of time, even when there are a great number of acceptable configurations to be considered. To demonstrate the usefulness of dynamic programming, an analytical method is developed for evaluating the relationship among existing numerous connector designs to find the optimum configuration. The data utilized in the study were generated from 900 flanges designed for six subsystems of the S-1B stage of the Saturn 1B space carrier vehicle.

Prasthofer, W. P.↗

Breadboard development of a fluid infusion system

A functional breadboard of a zero gravity Intravenous Infusion System (IVI) is presented. Major components described are: (1) infusate pack pressurizers; (2) pump module; (3) infusion set; and (4) electronic control package. The IVI breadboard was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of using the parallel solenoid pump and spring powered infusate source pressurizers for the emergency infusion of various liquids in a zero gravity environment. The IVI was tested for flow rate and sensitivity to back pressure at the needle. Results are presented.

Thompson, R. W.↗

Analytic and approximate boundary-fitted coordinate systems for fluid flow simulation

A method for constructing a direct functional relation between the computational and physical domains such that boundaries in the computational domain map into boundaries in the physical domain is presented. This method which is called the 'two-boundary technique' is based on generating functions that represent two disconnected boundaries in the physical domain and an independent function which connects one boundary with another to generate grids. The suggested connecting functions are simple linear and cubic parametric polynomials with parameters based on position and derivatives at the disconnected boundaries. The boundaries can be defined by analytical, approximate, and tension spline functions; the grid density in specified regions is controlled by embedding contraction functions in either the boundary representation or the connecting function.

Smith, R. E.↗

Experimental study of fluid deicing system in the NASA Icing Research Tunnel

An investigation of the icing of horizontal control surfaces at the VFW in 1970 led them to select the NASA Icing Research Tunnel at LRC for their tests. Tests were performed for the VFW 614 aircraft. The TKS ice warning system, the Rosemont ice warning system and the liquid water content indicator were investigated and found to be appropriate for the aircraft.

Source record↗

OTV fluid mangement systems

Design, performance, and technology issues associated with reduced gravity propellant management for orbital transfer vehicles (OTV's) are reviewed. The in-space cryogenic management state-of-technology significantly affects the overall confidence level associated with a resupply mission and propulsion performance. Cryogen resupply sequences, timelines, controls, and associated crew involvement are all affected by the technology state. Additionally, OTV propellant tankage configurations, tankage thermodynamic conditions, acceleration environment, propulsion interfaces, and instrumentation are significant factors. Basic propellant transfer phases examined that drive orbital servicing requirements include: (1) tankage preconditioning; (2) tankage chilldown; and (3) propellant fill. Propellant management support of the OTV propulsion phases includes engine restart requirements and orbital coast between engine burns. Technology activities in support of identified technology issues are reviewed.

Hastings, L.↗

U.S. Space Station Freedom waste fluid disposal system with consideration of hydrazine waste gas injection thrusters

The results are reported of a study of various methods for propulsively disposing of waste gases. The options considered include hydrazine waste gas injection, resistojets, and eutectic salt phase change heat beds. An overview is given of the waste gas disposal system and how hydrozine waste gas injector thruster is implemented within it. Thruster performance for various gases are given and comparisons with currently available thruster models are made. The impact of disposal on station propellant requirements and electrical power usage are addressed. Contamination effects, reliability and maintainability assessments, safety issues, and operational scenarios of the waste gas thruster and disposal system are considered.

Winters, Brian A.↗