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At least 289 records · Page 16

Quantitative Measurements of Nitric Oxide Concentration in High-Pressure, Swirl-Stabilized Spray Flames

Lean direct-injection (LDI) spray flames offer the possibility of reducing NO(sub x) emissions from gas turbines by rapid mixing of the liquid fuel and air so as to drive the flame structure toward partially-premixed conditions. We consider the technical approaches required to utilize laser-induced fluorescence methods for quantitatively measuring NO concentrations in high-pressure LDI spray flames. In the progression from atmospheric to high-pressure measurements, the LIF method requires a shift from the saturated to the linear regime of fluorescence measurements. As such, we discuss quantitative, spatially resolved laser-saturated fluorescence (LSF), linear laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements of NO concentration in LDI spray flames. Spatially-resolved LIF measurements of NO concentration (ppm) are reported for preheated, LDI spray flames at pressures of two to five atmospheres. The spray is produced by a hollow-cone, pressure-atomized nozzle supplied with liquid heptane. NO is excited via the Q(sub 2)(26.5) transition of the gamma(0,0) band. Detection is performed in a two nanometer region centered on the gamma(0,1) band. A complete scheme is developed by which quantitative NO concentrations in high-pressure LDI spray flames can be measured by applying linear LIF. NO is doped into the reactants and convected through the flame with no apparent destruction, thus allowing a NO fluorescence calibration to be taken inside the flame environment. The in-situ calibration scheme is validated by comparisons to a reference flame. Quantitative NO profiles are presented and analyzed so as to better understand the operation of lean-direct injectors for gas turbine combustors. Moreover, parametric studies are provided for variations in pressure, air-preheat temperature, and equivalence ratio. Similar parametric studies are performed for lean, premixed-prevaporized flames to permit comparisons to those for LDI flames. Finally, PLIF is expanded to high pressure in an effort to quantify the detected fluorescence image for LDI flames. Success is achieved by correcting the PLIF calibration via a single-point LIF measurement. This procedure removes the influence of any preferential background that occurs in the PLIF detection window. In general, both the LIF and PLIF measurements verify that the LDI strategy could be used to reduce NO(sub x) emissions in future gas turbine combustors.

Cooper, Clayton S.↗

Design Enhancements of the Two-Dimensional, Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Concept

A Dual Throat Nozzle fluidic thrust vectoring technique that achieves higher thrust-vectoring efficiencies than other fluidic techniques, without sacrificing thrust efficiency has been developed at NASA Langley Research Center. The nozzle concept was designed with the aid of the structured-grid, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational fluidic dynamics code PAB3D. This new concept combines the thrust efficiency of sonic-plane skewing with increased thrust-vectoring efficiencies obtained by maximizing pressure differentials in a separated cavity located downstream of the nozzle throat. By injecting secondary flow asymmetrically at the upstream minimum area, a new aerodynamic minimum area is formed downstream of the geometric minimum and the sonic line is skewed, thus vectoring the exhaust flow. The nozzle was tested in the NASA Langley Research Center Jet Exit Test Facility. Internal nozzle performance characteristics were defined for nozzle pressure ratios up to 10, with a range of secondary injection flow rates up to 10 percent of the primary flow rate. Most of the data included in this paper shows the effect of secondary injection rate at a nozzle pressure ratio of 4. The effects of modifying cavity divergence angle, convergence angle and cavity shape on internal nozzle performance were investigated, as were effects of injection geometry, hole or slot. In agreement with computationally predicted data, experimental data verified that decreasing cavity divergence angle had a negative impact and increasing cavity convergence angle had a positive impact on thrust vector angle and thrust efficiency. A curved cavity apex provided improved thrust ratios at some injection rates. However, overall nozzle performance suffered with no secondary injection. Injection holes were more efficient than the injection slot over the range of injection rates, but the slot generated larger thrust vector angles for injection rates less than 4 percent of the primary flow rate.

Flamm, Jeffrey D.↗

Mass input into and output from the meteoritic complex

The consequences which arise from the mutual collisions occurring between interplanetary meteoroids, the Poynting-Robertson (PR) effect and the radiation pressure ejection of small meteoroids are examined. The size distribution and flux of micrometeoroids at 1 AU are derived and the dependence of spatial density on distance from the sun is established. The following conclusions are made: (1) the lifetimes of meteoroids with masses approximately greater than 0.00001 g are dominated by catastrophic collisions; (2) after bering crushed by collisions, 70 to 85 percent of this mass will be in the form of zodiacal light particles (with masses in the range of 10 to the -10th g to 10 to the -5th g) which will in part be transported by the PR effect towards the sun where they will evaporate; (3) the 15 to 30 percent of the collisional fragments which have masses approximately less than 10 to the -10th g will, for the most part, be injected into hyperbolic orbits by radiation pressure.

Gruen, E.↗

Discharge characteristics of a simulated unit injection system

Rate-of-discharge curves that show the discharge characteristics of an injection system having a very short fuel passage are presented. The rate of discharge closely follows the rate of displacement of the injection-pump plunger for open nozzles in which the maximum calculated pressures at the orifice do not exceed a certain value, which is dependent on the particular injection pump. With small orifices and high pump speeds, the rate of discharge does not follow the rate of plunger displacement because the higher discharge pressure results in increased leakage with corresponding decrease in discharge rate. The rate of discharge is not directly related to the rate of plunger displacement with automatic injection valves having closed nozzles. The types of pump check valve tested did not control the rate of cut-off or the discharge rate but they did affect the injection lag. Use of the short fuel passage eliminated the formation of secondary discharges.

Marsh, Edred T↗

Experimental Study of an Axisymmetric Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle for Supersonic Aircraft Application

An axisymmetric version of the Dual Throat Nozzle concept with a variable expansion ratio has been studied to determine the impacts on thrust vectoring and nozzle performance. The nozzle design, applicable to a supersonic aircraft, was guided using the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics code, PAB3D. The axisymmetric Dual Throat Nozzle concept was tested statically in the Jet Exit Test Facility at the NASA Langley Research Center. The nozzle geometric design variables included circumferential span of injection, cavity length, cavity convergence angle, and nozzle expansion ratio for conditions corresponding to take-off and landing, mid climb and cruise. Internal nozzle performance and thrust vectoring performance was determined for nozzle pressure ratios up to 10 with secondary injection rates up to 10 percent of the primary flow rate. The 60 degree span of injection generally performed better than the 90 degree span of injection using an equivalent injection area and number of holes, in agreement with computational results. For injection rates less than 7 percent, thrust vector angle for the 60 degree span of injection was 1.5 to 2 degrees higher than the 90 degree span of injection. Decreasing cavity length improved thrust ratio and discharge coefficient, but decreased thrust vector angle and thrust vectoring efficiency. Increasing cavity convergence angle from 20 to 30 degrees increased thrust vector angle by 1 degree over the range of injection rates tested, but adversely affected system thrust ratio and discharge coefficient. The dual throat nozzle concept generated the best thrust vectoring performance with an expansion ratio of 1.0 (a cavity in between two equal minimum areas). The variable expansion ratio geometry did not provide the expected improvements in discharge coefficient and system thrust ratio throughout the flight envelope of typical a supersonic aircraft. At mid-climb and cruise conditions, the variable geometry design compromised thrust vector angle achieved, but some thrust vector control would be available, potentially for aircraft trim. The fixed area, expansion ratio of 1.0, Dual Throat Nozzle provided the best overall compromise for thrust vectoring and nozzle internal performance over the range of NPR tested compared to the variable geometry Dual Throat Nozzle.

Flamm, Jeffrey D.↗

Effect of Jet Injection Angle and Number of Jets on Mixing and Emissions From a Reacting Crossflow at Atmospheric Pressure

The mixing of air jets into hot, fuel-rich products of a gas turbine primary zone is an important step in staged combustion. Often referred to as "quick quench," the mixing occurs with chemical conversion and substantial heat release. An experiment has been designed to simulate and study this process, and the effect of varying the entry angle (0 deg, 22.5 deg and 45 deg from normal) and number of the air jets (7, 9, and 11) into the main flow, while holding the jet-to-crossflow mass-low ratio, MR, and momentum-flux ratio, J, constant (MR = 2.5;J = 25). The geometry is a crossflow confined in a cylindrical duct with side-wall injection of jets issuing from orifices equally spaced around the perimeter. A specially designed reactor, operating on propane, presents a uniform mixture to a module containing air jet injection tubes that can be changed to vary orifice geometry. Species concentrations of O2, CO, CO2, NO(x) and HC were obtained one duct diameter upstream (in the rich zone), and primarily one duct radius downstream. From this information, penetration of the jet, the spatial extent of chemical reaction, mixing, and the optimum jet injection angle and number of jets can be deduced.

St.John, D.↗

Gas-injection-start and shutdown characteristics of a 2-kilowatt to 15-kilowatt Brayton power system

Two methods of starting the Brayton power system have been considered: (1) using the alternator as a motor to spin the Brayton rotating unit (BRU), and (2) spinning the BRU by forced gas injection. The first method requires the use of an auxiliary electrical power source. An alternating voltage is applied to the terminals of the alternator to drive it as an induction motor. Only gas-injection starts are discussed in this report. The gas-injection starting method requires high-pressure gas storage and valves to route the gas flow to provide correct BRU rotation. An analog computer simulation was used to size hardware and to determine safe start and shutdown procedures. The simulation was also used to define the range of conditions for successful startups. Experimental data were also obtained under various test conditions. These data verify the validity of the start and shutdown procedures.

Cantoni, D. A.↗

High performance N2O4/amine elements

An analytical and experimental investigation was conducted to develop an understanding of the mechanisms that cause reactive stream separation, commonly called blowapart, for hypergolic propellants. The investigation was limited to a N2O4/MMH propellant combination and to a range of engine-operating conditions applicable to the space tug and space shuttle attitude control and orbital maneuvering engines. Primary test variables were: chamber pressure (1 to 20 atm), fuel injection temperature (283 to 400 K)m and propellant injection velocity (9 to 50 m/s). The injector configuration studied was the unlike doublet. The reactive stream separation experiments were conducted using special combustors designed to permit photography of the near-injector spray combustion flow field. Analysis of color motion pictures provided the means of determining the occurrence of reactive stream separation.

Falk, A. Y.↗

High Performance N2O4/Amine Elements

An analytical and experimental investigation was conducted to develop an understanding of the mechanisms that cause reactive stream separation, commonly called blowapart, for hypergolic propellants. The investigation was limited to the N2O4/MMH propellant combination and to a range of engine-operating conditions applicable to the space tug and space shuttle attitude control and orbital maneuvering engines. Primary test variables were: chamber pressure (1 to 20 atm), fuel injection temperature (283 to 400 K)m and propellant injection velocity (9 to 50 m/s). The injector configuration studied was the unlike doublet. The reactive stream separation experiments were conducted using special combustors designed to permit photography of the near-injector spray combustion flow field. Analysis of color motion pictures provided the means of determining the occurrence of reactive stream separation.

Falk, A. Y.↗

Turbine Vane External Heat Transfer. Volume 1: Analytical and Experimental Evaluation of Surface Heat Transfer Distributions with Leading Edge Showerhead Film Cooling

Progress in predictive design capabilities for external heat transfer to turbine vanes was summarized. A two dimensional linear cascade (previously used to obtain vane surface heat transfer distributions on nonfilm cooled airfoils) was used to examine the effect of leading edge shower head film cooling on downstream heat transfer. The data were used to develop and evaluate analytical models. Modifications to the two dimensional boundary layer model are described. The results were used to formulate and test an effective viscosity model capable of predicting heat transfer phenomena downstream of the leading edge film cooling array on both the suction and pressure surfaces, with and without mass injection.

Turner, E. R.↗

Effect of leading edge sweep on shock-shock interference at Mach 8

These Mach 8 experimental results are applicable to the details of a shock-shock interference that may occur on an engine inlet of a hypersonic vehicle from a swept forebody shock interacting with a swept cowl leading edge bow shock or from a swept splitter plate shock interacting with a swept fuel injection strut bow shock. Peak surface pressure and heat transfer rate on the cylinder were about 10 and 30 times the undisturbed flow stagnation point value, respectively, for the 0 deg sweep test. A comparison of the 15 deg and 30 deg swept results with the 0 deg swept results shows that peak pressure was reduced about 13 percent and 44 percent, respectively, and peak heat transfer rate was reduced about 7 percent and 27 percent, respectively.

Glass, Christopher E.↗

Investigation of throat film coolant for advanced LOX/RP-1 thrust chambers

The use of throat film coolant as a method to reduce peak combustion heat flux was investigated. Hot-fire tests were performed using a subscale LOX/RP-1 combustor at a nominal chamber pressure of 2000 psia. A special injection manifold was fabricated to introduce the film coolant into the chamber. Four tests were conducted with RP-1 film coolant injected 4.4 inches upstream of the throat. In order to determine the effect of chamber length on the film coolant, four additional tests were performed with the injection point moved 16.4 inches upstream of the throat. Results from the test program are discussed. Methods for incorporating throat film cooling into a flightweight combustion chamber are also discussed.

Volkmann, Jon C.↗

Quantitative Laser-Saturated Fluorescence Measurements of Nitric Oxide in a Heptane Spray Flame

We report spatially resolved laser-saturated fluorescence measurements of NO concentration in a pre-heated, lean-direct injection (LDI) spray flame at atmospheric pressure. The spray is produced by a hollow-cone, pressure-atomized nozzle supplied with liquid heptane. NO is excited via the Q2(26.5) transition of the gamma(0,0) band. Detection is performed in a 2-nm region centered on the gamma(0,1) band. Because of the relatively close spectral spacing between the excitation (226 nm) and detection wavelengths (236 nm), the gamma(0,1) band of NO cannot be isolated from the spectral wings of the Mie scattering signal produced by the spray. To account for the resulting superposition of the fluorescence and scattering signals, a background subtraction method has been developed that utilizes a nearby non-resonant wavelength. Excitation scans have been performed to locate the optimum off-line wavelength. Detection scans have been performed at problematic locations in the flame to determine possible fluorescence interferences from UHCs and PAHs at both the on-line and off-line excitation wavelengths. Quantitative radial NO profiles are presented and analyzed so as to better understand the operation of lean-direct injectors for gas turbine combustors.

Cooper, Clayton S.↗

Flame Tube NOx Emissions Using a Lean-Direct-Wall-Injection Combustor Concept

A low-NOx emissions combustor concept has been demonstrated in flame tube tests. A lean-direct injection concept was used where the fuel is injected directly into the flame zone and the overall fuel-air mixture is lean. In this concept the air is swirled upstream of a venturi section and the fuel is injected radially inward into the air stream from the throat section using a plain-orifice injector. Configurations have two-, four-, or six-wall fuel injectors and in some cases fuel is also injected from an axially located simplex pressure atomizer. Various orifice sizes of the plain-orifice injector were evaluated for the effect on NOx. Test conditions were inlet temperatures up to 8 1 OK, inlet pressures up to 2760 kPa, and flame temperatures up to 2100 K. A correlation is developed relating the NOx emissions to inlet temperature, inlet pressure, fuel-air ratio and pressure drop. Assuming that 15 percent of the combustion air would be used for liner cooling and using an advanced engine cycle, for the best configuration, the NOx emissions using the correlation is estimated to be <75 percent of the 1996 ICAO standard.

Tacina, Robert R.↗

Contribution of Spicules to Solar Coronal Emission

Recent high-resolution imaging and spectroscopic observations have generated renewed interest in spicules' role in explaining the hot corona. Some studies suggest that some spicules, often classified as type II, may provide significant mass and energy to the corona. Here we use numerical simulations to investigate whether such spicules can produce the observed coronal emission without any additional coronal heating agent. Model spicules consisting of a cold body and hot tip are injected into the base of a warm (0.5 MK) equilibrium loop with different tip temperatures and injection velocities. Both piston- and pressure-driven shocks are produced. We find that the hot tip cools rapidly and disappears from coronal emission lines such as Fe xii 195 and Fe xiv 274. Prolonged hot emission is produced by preexisting loop material heated by the shock and by thermal conduction from the shock. However, the shapes and Doppler shifts of synthetic line profiles show significant discrepancies with observations. Furthermore, spatially and temporally averaged intensities are extremely low, suggesting that if the observed intensities from the quiet Sun and active regions were solely due to type II spicules, one to several orders of magnitude more spicules would be required than have been reported in the literature. This conclusion applies strictly to the ejected spicular material. We make no claims about emissions connected with waves or coronal currents that may be generated during the ejection process and heat the surrounding area.

Shanwlee Sow Mondal↗

A Computational Study of a New Dual Throat Fluidic Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Concept

A computational investigation of a two-dimensional nozzle was completed to assess the use of fluidic injection to manipulate flow separation and cause thrust vectoring of the primary jet thrust. The nozzle was designed with a recessed cavity to enhance the throat shifting method of fluidic thrust vectoring. Several design cycles with the structured-grid, computational fluid dynamics code PAB3D and with experiments in the NASA Langley Research Center Jet Exit Test Facility have been completed to guide the nozzle design and analyze performance. This paper presents computational results on potential design improvements for best experimental configuration tested to date. Nozzle design variables included cavity divergence angle, cavity convergence angle and upstream throat height. Pulsed fluidic injection was also investigated for its ability to decrease mass flow requirements. Internal nozzle performance (wind-off conditions) and thrust vector angles were computed for several configurations over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 2 to 7, with the fluidic injection flow rate equal to 3 percent of the primary flow rate. Computational results indicate that increasing cavity divergence angle beyond 10 is detrimental to thrust vectoring efficiency, while increasing cavity convergence angle from 20 to 30 improves thrust vectoring efficiency at nozzle pressure ratios greater than 2, albeit at the expense of discharge coefficient. Pulsed injection was no more efficient than steady injection for the Dual Throat Nozzle concept.

Deere, Karen A.↗

NASA Technology Evaluation for Environmental Risk Mitigation Remediation Technology Collaboration Development

NASA is committed to finding solutions to agency cleanup problems that are better, cheaper, and more effective than the status quo. Unfortunately, some potential solutions involve innovative technologies for which NASA remediation managers may not have a high level of understanding or confidence. Since 2004, NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) in Mississippi has been pumping groundwater contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and other halogenated volatile organic compounds (HVOC) from their cleanup location designated "Area G" through extraction wells to an aboveground treatment system. Over time, however, the effectiveness of this treatment strategy has diminished and an alternative approach is needed. In 2012, professionals from NASA's Principal Center for Technology Evaluation for Environmental Risk Mitigation (TEERM) introduced SSC managers to an innovative technology for enhancing the performance of SSC's existing pump and treat system. The technology, generally referred to as in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO), involves slowly and continuously injecting a strong but safe chemical oxidant into the groundwater. Treatment is enhanced by a "surfactant-type effect" which causes residual contamination from saturated soil to be released into the dissolved-phase where it can be readily oxidized. Any dissolved-phase contamination that was not oxidized can be collected by the extraction well network and treated aboveground. SSC was not familiar with the technology so to increase their confidence, TEERM identified a contractor who was willing to demonstrate their product and process at a significantly reduced price. An initial, small-scale demonstration of ISCO began at sse in March 2012 and completed in August 2012. This successful demonstration was followed by three larger-scale ISCO demonstrations between August and December 2012. The contractor's innovative Continuous Injection System (CIS) incorporated "green" and sustainable technologies and practices. A slow injection rate was maintained autonomously by the CIS, eliminating the need for multiple mobilizations of personnel and powered equipment. The CIS was calibrated to deliver only as much reagent as the formation would accept without "short circuiting", minimizing material waste. Public utility water pressure was used to mix, dilute, and inject the reagent. NASA personnel were trained to operate and maintain the system and remote monitoring and injection control capabilities were developed, further reducing the need for contractor mobilizations to the site. An integrated solar photovoltaic panel was used to power the control valves and web monitoring telemetry. SSC provided hydrogen peroxide for the process using their existing supplier for the aboveground pump and treat systems. The only consumable required from the contractor was their proprietary activator to catalyze SSC's peroxide.

Romeo, James↗

Measuring Leakage in a Pressurized-Fluid Loop

Technique applied to systems with inaccessible parts and connections. Fluid added to system by fluid-injection assembly to make up for leakage. Amount required to restore pressure in system is measure of leakage rate.

Clarke, Brian D.↗