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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.

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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1981

Comparison of electrochemical and thermal storage for hybrid parabolic dish solar power plants

The economic and operating performance of a parabolic point focus array of solar electricity generators combined with either battery or thermal energy storage are examined. Noting that low-cost, mass-producible power generating units are under development for the point focus of distributed dishes, that Zn-Cl battery tests will begin in 1981 and a 100 kWh Na-S battery in 1983, the state of thermal storage requires acceleration to reach the prototype status of the batteries. Under the assumptions of 10,000 units/yr with an expected 30 yr lifetime, cost comparisons are developed for 10 types of advanced batteries. A 5 MWe plant with full thermal or 80% battery storage discharge when demand occurs in conditions of no insolation is considered, specifically for Fe-Cr redox batteries. A necessity for the doubling of fuel prices from 1980 levels by 1990 is found in order to make the systems with batteries economically competitive.

Steele, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Thermodynamic energy balance equations for Space Shuttle Orbiter gas compartment during ascent and re-entry

Thermodynamic energy balance equations are derived and applied to midsection Orbiter-payload atmospheric thermal math models (TMMs) to predict Orbiter component, element, compartment, internal insolation and structure temperatures in support of NASA/JSC mission planning, postflight thermal analysis and payload thermal integration planning. The equations are extended and applied to the forward section, midsection, and aft section of the TMMs for five Orbiter mission phases: prelaunch on pad with purge, lift-off to ascent, re-entry to touchdown, post landing without purge, and post-landing with purge. Predicted results from the 390 node/DFI atmospheric TMM are in good agreement with STS-1 flight measurement data.

Ting, P. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Nuclear electric propulsion /NEP/ spacecraft for the outer planet orbiter mission

The design, operating features, and a possible Neptune orbit for the spacecraft powered by the SP-100 nuclear electric propulsion (NEP) system under study by NASA and the DOE are described. The system features a reactor and a payload situated on opposite ends of a 0.5 m diam, 11 m long astromast. Mercury-ion thrusters are located beneath the reactor for side thrusting, and no contamination of the payload or obstruction of the viewing angles for scientific objectives occurs with the system, which would not degrade in performance even under high insolation during near-sun maneuvers. Results of a theoretical study of earth escapes are presented to show that an NEP powered spiral trajectory out of a 700 km Shuttle orbit and using a Triton gravity assist would be superior to departing from a 300 km orbit with a Centaur boost. The mission profile includes a 1249 kg Galileo payload. The SP-100 has a 1.4 MWth reactor with UO2 fuel tiles and weighs 19,904 kg.

Garrison, P. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Development status of the small community solar power system

The development status and test results for the Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment are presented. Activities on the phase 2 power module development effort are presented with emphasis on the receiver, the plant control subsystem, and the energy transport subsystem. The components include a single prototype power module consisting of a parabolic dish concentrator, a power conversion assembly (PCA), and a multiple-module plant control subsystem. The PCA consists of a cavity receiver coupled to an organic Rankine cycle engine-alternator unit defined as the power conversion subsystem; the PCA is mounted at the focus of a parabolic dish concentrator. At a solar insolation of 100 W/sq m and ambient temperature of 28 C (82 F), the power module produces approximately 20 kW of 3-phase, 3 kHz ac power, depending on the concentrator employed. A ground-mounted rectifier to the central collection site where it is supplied directly to the common dc bus which collects the power from all modules in the plant.

Pons, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Verification testing of the PKI collector at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Verification testing of a solar collector was undertaken prior to its operation as part of an industrial process heat plant at Capitol Concrete Products in Topeka, Kansas. Testing was performed at a control plant installed at Sandia National Laboratory, Albuquerque, New Mexico (SNLA). Early results show that plant performance is even better than anticipated and far in excess of test criteria. Overall plant efficiencies of 65 to 80 percent were typical during hours of good insolation. A number of flaws and imperfections were detected during operability testing, the most important being a problem in elevation drive alignment due to a manufacturing error. All problems were corrected as they occurred and the plant, with over 40 hours of operation, is currently continuing operability testing in a wholly-automatic mode.

Hauger, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

An incursion of dust in the southwestern United States from April 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens

An intrusion of volcanic dust occurred over the northern Mojave Desert, one month before the explosive eruption of 18 May 1980. Visibility was reduced to 15 to 30 miles during meteorological conditions that should have yielded a visibility in excess of 100 miles. This intrusion was documented by particle size distributions, scanning electron microscope analysis of Nuclepore filter samples, insolation measurements, observations by Navy and NASA aircraft, and meteorological data. No further incidents have been observed to date because of a lack of simultaneous volcanic activity with the particular wind patterns that existed in April. Therefore, under certain meteorological conditions, the desert of the southwestern United States could be significantly affected by volcanic ash from an eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Mathews, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Heat transparent high intensity high efficiency solar cell

An improved solar cell design is described. A surface of each solar cell has a plurality of grooves. Each groove has a vertical face and a slanted face that is covered by a reflecting metal. Light rays are reflected from the slanted face through the vertical face where they traverse a photovoltaic junction. As the light rays travel to the slanted face of an adjacent groove, they again traverse the junction. The underside of the reflecting coating directs the light rays toward the opposite surface of solar cell as they traverse the junction again. When the light rays travel through the solar cell and reach the saw toothed grooves on the under side, the process of reflection and repeatedly traversing the junction again takes place. The light rays ultimately emerge from the solar cell. These solar cells are particularly useful at very high levels of insolation because the infrared or heat radiation passes through the cells without being appreciably absorbed to heat the cell.

Evans, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Simulating sunflower canopy temperatures to infer root-zone soil water potential

A soil-plant-atmosphere model for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), together with clear sky weather data for several days, is used to study the relationship between canopy temperature and root-zone soil water potential. Considering the empirical dependence of stomatal resistance on insolation, air temperature and leaf water potential, a continuity equation for water flux in the soil-plant-atmosphere system is solved for the leaf water potential. The transpirational flux is calculated using Monteith's combination equation, while the canopy temperature is calculated from the energy balance equation. The simulation shows that, at high soil water potentials, canopy temperature is determined primarily by air and dew point temperatures. These results agree with an empirically derived linear regression equation relating canopy-air temperature differential to air vapor pressure deficit. The model predictions of leaf water potential are also in agreement with observations, indicating that measurements of canopy temperature together with a knowledge of air and dew point temperatures can provide a reliable estimate of the root-zone soil water potential.

Choudhury, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of the economics of photovoltaic-diesel-battery energy systems for remote applications

Computer simulations were conducted to analyze the performance and operating cost of a photovoltaic energy source combined with a diesel generator system and battery storage. The simulations were based on the load demand profiles used for the design of an all photovoltaic energy system installed in the remote Papago Indian Village of Schuchuli, Arizona. Twenty year simulations were run using solar insolation data from Phoenix SOLMET tapes. Total energy produced, energy consumed, operation and maintenance costs were calculated. The life cycle and levelized energy costs were determined for a variety of system configurations (i.e., varying amounts of photovoltaic array and battery storage).

Brainard, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Evapotranspiration and remote sensing

There are three things required for evapotranspiration to occur: (1) energy (580 cal/gm) for the change of phase of the water; (2) a source of the water, i.e., adequate soil moisture in the surface layer or in the root zone of the plant; and (3) a sink for the water, i.e., a moisture deficit in the air above the ground. Remote sensing can contribute information to the first two of these conditions by providing estimates of solar insolation, surface albedo, surface temperature, vegetation cover, and soil moisture content. In addition there have been attempts to estimate precipitation and shelter air temperature from remotely sensed data. The problem remains to develop methods for effectively using these sources of information to make large area estimates of evapotranspiration.

Schmugge, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solar thermal technology development: Estimated market size and energy cost savings. Volume 1: Executive summary

Estimated future energy cost savings associated with the development of cost-competitive solar thermal technologies (STT) are discussed. Analysis is restricted to STT in electric applications for 16 high-insolation/high-energy-price states. The fuel price scenarios and three 1990 STT system costs are considered, reflecting uncertainty over future fuel prices and STT cost projections. STT R&D is found to be unacceptably risky for private industry in the absence of federal support. Energy cost savings were projected to range from $0 to $10 billion (1990 values in 1981 dollars), dependng on the system cost and fuel price scenario. Normal R&D investment risks are accentuated because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel can artificially manipulate oil prices and undercut growth of alternative energy sources. Federal participation in STT R&D to help capture the potential benefits of developing cost-competitive STT was found to be in the national interest.

Gates, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Solar thermal technology development: Estimated market size and energy cost savings. Volume 2: Assumptions, methodology and results

Estimated future energy cost savings associated with the development of cost-competitive solar thermal technologies (STT) are discussed. Analysis is restricted to STT in electric applications for 16 high-insolation/high-energy-price states. Three fuel price scenarios and three 1990 STT system costs are considered, reflecting uncertainty over future fuel prices and STT cost projections. Solar thermal technology research and development (R&D) is found to be unacceptably risky for private industry in the absence of federal support. Energy cost savings were projected to range from $0 to $10 billion (1990 values in 1981 dollars), depending on the system cost and fuel price scenario. Normal R&D investment risks are accentuated because the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel can artificially manipulate oil prices and undercut growth of alternative energy sources. Federal participation in STT R&D to help capture the potential benefits of developing cost-competitive STT was found to be in the national interest. Analysis is also provided regarding two federal incentives currently in use: The Federal Business Energy Tax Credit and direct R&D funding.

Gates, W. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A stratospheric chemical instability

The equations which determine partitioning of Cl(x) in steady state have multiple (three) solutions under conditions which might arise in the high-latitude winter stratosphere. Two of these solutions are stable, one is unstable, to infinitesimal perturbations. The relative stability of solutions is examined by subjecting the system to finite perturbations. The more stable solution is found to eliminate the less stable when semi-infinite volumes of the two solutions are placed in contact. The high-ClO, low NO2 solution is more stable under most conditions. Transitions from less to more stable states are slow in winter but may occur more rapidly when the seasonal variation of insolation is taken into account.

Fox, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

On the global distribution of Pluto's atmosphere

The present investigation is relevant to the study of Pluto's current global and diurnal radiation balance. Strong gravitational tides are suggested by Charon's close proximity to Pluto (approximately 20,000 km) and Charon's large relative mass (roughly 0.25 Pluto's mass). Thus, the Pluto-Charon system replaces the earth-moon system as the best known example of a double planet. Methane is the only gas positively detected in Pluto's atmosphere. The tendency of the whole atmosphere to bulge preferentially toward the subsolar point as a result of the solar heating of the suface is considered, taking into account the longitudinal and the latitudinal tide. It is concluded that near perihelion, Pluto's atmosphere is essentially uniform over Pluto's surface. Its heat capacity by virtue of the heat of condensation is large enough that eclipses and the diurnal variation of insolation cause negligible freezing out of atmospheric gases.

Trafton, L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Amalthea - Implications of the temperature observed by Voyager

The temperature profile of Amalthea's surface layer is modeled as a function of location and time of day, assuming a triaxial ellipsoid shape and thermal properties similar to those of the lunar soil. Although the major heat source is direct insolation, temperatures are slightly increased by thermal radiation from Jupiter, sunlight reflected from the planet, and charged particle bombardment. Possible sources of error in the model are discussed in detail, including satellite shape effects, unusually low emissivity, uncommonly rough surface, abnormal thermal inertia, charged particle flux variability, and Joule heating. Voyager 1 IRIS observations suggest that the Amalthean surface has an emissivity near unity, but cannot put any useful limits on the thermal inertia of the Amalthean surface layer.

Simonelli, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The obliquity of Pluto

Pluto's obliquity (the angle between its spin axis and orbit normal) varies between 102 and 126 deg over a period of about 3 million years. These oscillations are nearly sinusoidal and quite stable, leading to only modest changes in the insolation regime. Thus, Pluto's rotation has been slightly retrograde ever since its current orbit and rotation rate were established.

Dobrovolskis, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Receiver For Solar Air Turbine

Solar receiver heats air to temperature high enough to drive gas turbine. Receiver has thermal output of about 70 kilowatts. Pointing downward at focal position of solar reflector, proposed receiver accepts intense concentrated sunlight. Although temperatures in receiver may rise to 1,500 degrees F (816 degrees C) or more, calculations show receiver loses less than 10 percent of insolation by convection through aperture. Receiver designed for 30-year life without scheduled maintenance or replacement.

Kofal, A.↗