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At least 307 records · Page 17

Changes in dislocation punching behavior due to hydrogen-seeded helium bubble growth in tungsten

The accumulation of gas atoms in tungsten is a topic of long-standing interest to the plasma-facing materials community due the metal's use as a divertor material in some tokamak fusion reactors. The nucleation and growth of He/H gas bubbles (along with their isotopes) can result from impinging fluxes of these gases which give rise to damage at the W divertor surface. The inclusion of He or H in W has been studied extensively by the community, finding that He bubbles modify the surface through periodic dislocation punching and bursting mechanisms while H bubbles impact the metal through plastic-strain induced material failure. However, the mechanisms which are present during the combined flux of both He and H is not well-studied atomistically. Motivated by this, an atomistic modeling study is conducted using molecular dynamics to assess the behavior of mixed concentration He:H bubbles in W. Here we find that the introduction of H into a growing He bubble results in a dramatic change in the nature and presence of dislocation loops which are typically generated via dislocation punching in over-pressurized He bubbles. Most notably, at high H concentrations, there is a switchover in energetic favorability from glissile 1/2<111> dislocations to sessile <100> dislocations. This thermodynamic crossover could imply a significant reduction in W surface morphology changes than with pure He bubbles and, additionally, we show this to have implications on the trapping of H in the bubbles and their associated dislocations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dynamic stall experiments on oscillating airfoils

Dynamic stall and unsteady boundary layer separation have been studied in incompressible flow at moderately large Reynolds numbers. By varying the leading-edge geometry of an NACA 0012 airfoil, three different types of stall were produced. For most of the configurations studied, including the basic NACA 0012 profile, dynamic stall was found not to originate with the bursting of a leading-edge laminar separation bubble, as is commonly believed. Instead, the vortex shedding phenomenon, which is the predominant feature of dynamic stall, appears to be fed its vorticity by the breakdown of the turbulent boundary layer.

Mccroskey, W. J.↗

Drop dynamics in space

Experiments to study the dynamics of liquid drops are being planned to be performed in the weightless environment of Spacelab. The liquids will range from superfluid helium through ordinary liquid to molten metals and glasses. The experiments will be conducted in a chamber now being developed which utilizes the forces and torques produced by acoustic waves excited within the chamber. None of the currently available facilities (drop towers, sounding rockets, or zero-g aircraft flights) can provide a sustained weightless environment, since the resulting zero-g periods are from 3 sec to 5 min. Spaceflight, however, will provide weightlessness for periods of one week, or more, allowing truly laboratory-like experiments to be conducted on free liquid drops and bubbles. In this paper we discuss both the drop dynamics experiments proposed for Spacelab and the acoustic chamber: its operation and current testing for these and other experiments.

Wang, T. G.↗

Computationally efficient CFD prediction of bubbly flow using physics-guided deep learning

To realize efficient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) prediction of two-phase flow, a multi-scale framework was proposed in this paper by applying a physics-guided data-driven approach. Instrumental to this framework, Feature Similarity Measurement (FSM) technique was developed for error estimation in two-phase flow simulation using coarse-mesh CFD, to achieve a comparable accuracy as fine-mesh simulations with fast-running feature. In this work, by defining physics-guided parameters and variable gradients as physical features, FSM has the capability to capture the underlying local patterns in the coarse-mesh CFD simulation. Massive low-fidelity data and respective high-fidelity data are used to explore the underlying information relevant to the main simulation errors and the effects of phenomenological scaling. By learning from previous simulation data, a surrogate model using deep feedforward neural network (DFNN) can be developed and trained to estimate the simulation error of coarse-mesh CFD. In a demonstration case of two-phase bubbly flow, the DFNN model well captured and corrected the unphysical “peaks” in the velocity and void fraction profiles near the wall in the coarse-mesh configuration, even for extrapolative predictions. The research documented supports the feasibility of the physics-guided deep learning methods for coarse mesh CFD simulations which has a potential for the efficient industrial design.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The interaction of edge dislocations with hydrogen-helium bubbles in tungsten

In fusion reactors, plasmas-facing components undergo degradation due to displacement damage and injection of gas impurities. Significant amounts of hydrogen (H) and helium (He) impurities can be introduced into materials through plasma exposure and nuclear transmutation, and their synergistic effects lead to the formation of mixed He/H bubbles under irradiation, changing their hardening mechanisms. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) models were developed to study the interaction between ½<111> edge dislocations with mixed He/H-bubbles in W. The critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) that is required for dislocation breakaway increases with He/H-to-vacancy ratio at 600 K, indicating strong pinning effects of mixed He/H bubbles. However, as the temperature increases up to 1400 K, the mixed He/H bubbles become unstable as the H atoms are increasingly emitted from the mixed He/H bubbles and migrate into W matrix, which lowers bubble pressure and CRSS. Overall, these results highlight the synergistic effects of He and H on dislocation behavior in irradiated W during deformation.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interface stability in a slowly rotating low-gravity tank Theory

The equilibrium configuration of a bubble in a rotating liquid confined by flat axial boundaries (baffles) is found. The maximum baffle spacing assuring bubble confinement is bounded from above by the natural length of a bubble in an infinite medium under the same conditions. Effects of nonzero contact angle are minimal. The problem of dynamic stability is posed. It can be solved in the limit of rapid rotation, for which the bubble is a long cylinder. Instability is to axisymmetric perturbations; nonaxisymmetric perturbations are stable. The stability criterion agrees with earlier results.

Gans, R. F.↗

Sizing and Selection of Pressure Relief Valves for High-Pressure Thermal–Hydraulic Systems

This study covers the critical concerns related to the sizing, selection, installation, maintenance, and testing of pressure safety valves (PSVs). The aim is to ensure the safety of pressurized systems, hydrostatic transmission systems, and hydraulic plants, including process plants, thermal power plants, and nuclear reactor systems. PSVs are devices that ensure the safety and reliability of pressurized vessels, lines, and systems during overpressure events. The task of selecting which PSV features are of greatest value for a specific purpose is complex—especially in the design of a high-pressure experimental thermal–hydraulic facility for hydrostatic and transient testing of the reactor system—when the systems are in the design and development phases and require qualification and demonstration to prove that they have reached a given level of technological readiness. The present study highlights the required steps for users to follow the associated rules, guidelines, and recommendations. As a part of this research, case studies are presented to help readers better understand the applicable strategy and standards. A discussion and a review of PSV performance degradation and failure are summarized to provide a better understanding of varied process applications and conditions, including fluid flow dynamics, boundary-layer formation and pressure drops, gas bubble formation and collapse, geometric configurations, inlet/outlet piping, abrupt pressure fluctuations, and acoustic resonance. Moreover, this study discusses the servicing and testing of PSVs in a multiphase pressurized system. Overall, it provides a basic overview of how PSVs ensure the safety of pressurized systems, supported by case studies and industrial practices.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Dendrites, viscous fingers, and the theory of pattern formation

Recent developments in the theory of pattern formation in dendritic crystal growth and viscous fingering in fluids are reviewed. Consideration is given to the discovery that weak capillary forces act as singular perturbations which lead to selection mechanisms in dendritic crystal growth and fingering patterns. Other topics include the conventional thermodynamic model of the solidification of a pure substance from its melt, fingering instability, pattern selection, the solvability theory, dendritic growth rates, the bubble effect discovered by Couder et al. (1986), the dynamics of pattern-forming systems, and snowflake formation.

Langer, J. S.↗

In-Situ Measurement of the Height of Condensed Water in Steam Pipes with Dynamic Flow

A method based on the use of enhanced filtered Hilbert envelope of the wave signal was developed in order to monitor the height of condensed water through the wall of steam pipes having dynamic flow conditions. A prototype testbed was designed and fabricated in this study to simulate the dynamic flow conditions including the air stream flowing above the water and bubble induced disturbance. A dual-transducer was used to perform the test as a basis for the multiple transducers system to facilitate the detectability and reliability for long term monitoring of the condensed water height in dynamic conditions. The results demonstrated that the method of measuring the water height using multiple-transducer system employing the developed novel signal processing technique is an efficient and accurate tool for practical applications.

water level in pipe↗

Electron‐Assisted Generation and Straight Movement of Skyrmion Bubble in Kagome TbMn 6 Sn 6

Abstract Topological magnetic textures are promising candidates as binary data units for the next‐generation memory device. The precise generation and convenient control of nontrivial spin topology at zero field near room temperature endows the critical advantages in skyrmionic devices but is not simultaneously integrated into one material. Here, in the Kagome plane of quantum TbMn 6 Sn 6 , the expedient generation of the skyrmion bubbles in versatile forms of lattice, chain, and isolated one by converging the electron beam, where the electron intensity gradient contributes to the dynamic generation from local anisotropy variation near spin reorientation transition (SRT) is reported. Encouragingly, by utilizing the dynamic shift of the SRT domain interface, the straight movement is actualized with the skyrmion bubble slave to the SRT domain interface forming an elastic composite object, avoiding the usual deflection from the skyrmion Hall effect. The critical contribution of the SRT domain interface via conveniently electron‐assisted heating is further theoretically validated in micromagnetic simulation, highlighting the compatible application possibility in advanced devices.

Li, Zhuolin↗

Noncoeval star formation, starbursts, and the growth of supershells in Ob associations

There is strong evidence that the epoch of massive-star formation in OB associations is spread over intervals of 10-20 Myr as a result of subclustering, continuous or sequential star formation, or delayed collapse of the most massive stars. The growth of supershells is strongly influenced by this star formation history and by mass deposition to the hot bubble interior ('radiative poisoning'). Even in cases of coeval or continuous star formation, the rising energy input from massive stars, as they evlolve off the main sequence, may be observed as a 'starburst' with peak energy deposition 3-10 times that of the late-time rate due to supernovae and an excess of Wolf-Rayet stars (WR/O ratio approximately equal 0.1). The peak in energy deposition results in faster shell growth and velocity evolution than in constant-luminosity models. At finite bubble ages, this mechanism can alter the covering factor of superbubbles in the disk by factors of 2-3 and can accelerate the dynamical effects of galactic 'superwinds.' In contrast, if sufficient matter is entrained in the hot bubble, radiative poisoning will stall its growth.

Shull, J. Michael↗

On the mechanism of dynamic stall.

The sequence of events comprising dynamic stall of an airfoil is discussed, with emphasis on the role of the leading edge laminar separation bubble and shed vortex. A simple bubble model, based on a combination of theoretical and experimental investigations, is used to discuss the events prior to the shedding of the vortex, and provides the basis for a heuristic estimate of the delay in the occurrence of dynamic stall on a pitching airfoil. The evidence for the existence and dominant effect of the leading edge vortex on the dynamic stall required (but in most cases not presently available) for the prediction of the effects of stall on helicopter rotor blades are discussed. It is the intention of this paper to focus attention on the laminar separation bubble and the shed leading edge vortex as the dominant features of the dynamic stall mechanism in the hope of stimulating greater emphasis on these features in future dynamic stall research.

Johnson, W.↗

Ion dynamics driven by a strongly nonlinear plasma wake

Abstract In plasma wakefield accelerators, the wave excited in the plasma eventually breaks and leaves behind slowly changing fields and currents that perturb the ion density background. We study this process numerically using the example of a Facility for Advanced aCcelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) experiment where the wave is excited by an electron bunch in the bubble regime in a radially bounded plasma. Four physical effects underlie the dynamics of ions: (1) attraction of ions toward the axis by the fields of the driver and the wave, resulting in formation of a density peak, (2) generation of ion-acoustic solitons following the decay of the density peak, (3) positive plasma charging after wave breaking, leading to acceleration of some ions in the radial direction, and (4) plasma pinching by the current generated during the wave-breaking. The interplay of these effects results in the formation of various radial density profiles, which are difficult to produce in any other way.

Physics↗

Compressibility effects on dynamic stall of airfoils undergoing rapid transient pitching motion

The research was carried out in the Compressible Dynamic Stall Facility, CDSF, at the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory (FML) of NASA Ames Research Center. The facility can produce realistic nondimensional pitch rates experienced by fighter aircraft, which on model scale could be as high as 3600/sec. Nonintrusive optical techniques were used for the measurements. The highlight of the effort was the development of a new real time interferometry method known as Point Diffraction Interferometry - PDI, for use in unsteady separated flows. This can yield instantaneous flow density information (and hence pressure distributions in isentropic flows) over the airfoil. A key finding is that the dynamic stall vortex forms just as the airfoil leading edge separation bubble opens-up. A major result is the observation and quantification of multiple shocks over the airfoil near the leading edge. A quantitative analysis of the PDI images shows that pitching airfoils produce larger suction peaks than steady airfoils at the same Mach number prior to stall. The peak suction level reached just before stall develops is the same at all unsteady rates and decreases with increase in Mach number. The suction is lost once the dynamic stall vortex or vortical structure begins to convect. Based on the knowledge gained from this preliminary analysis of the data, efforts to control dynamic stall were initiated. The focus of this work was to arrive at a dynamically changing leading edge shape that produces only 'acceptable' airfoil pressure distributions over a large angle of attack range.

Chandrasekhara, M. S.↗

Laning transitions in pattern-forming driven binary systems with competing interactions

A binary system of particles that move in opposite directions under an applied field can exhibit disordered states as well as laned states where the particles organize into oppositely moving high-mobility lanes to reduce collisions. Previous studies of laning transitions generally focused on particles with purely repulsive interactions. Here, in this study, we examine laning transitions for oppositely moving pattern-forming systems of particles with competing attractive and repulsive interactions, which in equilibrium form crystal, stripe, and bubble states. In addition to multiple types of laned states, we find jammed crystals, stripes, and bubbles, and generally observe a much richer variety of phases compared to the purely repulsive system. In the stripe-forming regime, the system can dynamically reorder into oppositely moving stripes that are aligned in the direction of the drive. The bubble phase can produce strongly polarized jammed states of elongated bubbles where particles in the individual bubbles segregate to opposite sides of the bubbles. We also find disordered states, segregated laned bubble states where the bubbles pass each other in lanes, and segregated bubbles that move through one another. In the compact bubble regime, we obtain a plastic bubble state in which the oppositely driven particles remain trapped in the bubbles but the bubbles move past each other at a slow velocity due to a net imbalance in the bubble population. At higher drives, individual particles begin to jump from bubble to bubble. We show that the different phases and the transitions between them produce signatures in the velocity-force and differential mobility curves. We demonstrate that the force for escaping from the jammed state is nonmonotonic, with stripes exhibiting the lowest unjamming force.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal expansion of plasma-exposed tungsten

We report results from a systematic analysis of thermal expansion of plasma-exposed tungsten based on molecular-dynamics simulations using models of tungsten with distributions of helium (He) bubbles in the tungsten matrix. We distinguish between two approaches of filling the bubbles with He, where the amount of He in the bubble can or cannot vary with temperature. In the former case, the thermal expansion coefficient decreases monotonically with the porosity and He content of the tungsten matrix, while in the latter case, the thermal expansivity increases monotonically with increasing porosity and He content. The latter condition, where the He content in the bubble is determined at the implantation temperature and remains constant with varying temperature in the tungsten matrix, is consistent with He species transport in tungsten used as a plasma-facing component (PFC) in nuclear fusion reactors and implies the development of biaxial compressive thermal strains in the PFC material that contribute to accelerating the growth of a nanostructure on PFC tungsten surfaces. Furthermore our analysis advances the fundamental understanding of thermal expansion in PFC tungsten and contributes to the development of a thermophysical property database for properly incorporating effects of realistic heat loads into modeling the dynamical response of PFC tungsten under fusion reactor operating conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A model for trapping and re-solution regarding intra-granular bubbles in UO 2 , linked to atomic-scale simulations

In the literature, a clear definition of the irradiation re-solution frequency of gas from bubbles in the UO 2 fuel is absent. Moreover, for intra-granular bubbles, a detailed calculation of the cumulated displaced gas quantities in function of the distance from the radius of the bubble after a re-solution event has never been published. The assessment of these two elements is very useful if we want to increase the adherence of fission gas release codes to our present knowledge of the behavior of fission gases. Hence, we suggest to link the definition of the re-solution frequency to atomic-scale simulations. Furthermore, we present the cumulated displaced gas quantities obtained from Molecular Dynamics calculations, from which we have derived a re-solution profile that can be exploited to better consider the irradiation re-solution phenomenon inside Fission Gas Release codes. On top of that, we have built a new trapping/re-solution model for intra-granular bubbles linked to Molecular Dynamics simulations that can be easily incorporated into Fission Gas Release codes. In conclusion, we also check that the model is properly built through the comparison of the new model against a reference.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

An AMUSING look at the host of the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko reveals a second AGN

ABSTRACT We present Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral-field spectroscopy of ESO 253−G003, which hosts a known active galactic nucleus (AGN) and the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko, observed as part of the All-weather MUse Supernova Integral-field of Nearby Galaxies survey. The MUSE observations reveal that the inner region hosts two AGN separated by $1.4\pm 0.1~\rm {kpc}$ (≈1${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$7). The brighter nucleus has asymmetric broad permitted emission-line profiles and is associated with the archival AGN designation. The fainter nucleus does not have a broad emission-line component but exhibits other AGN characteristics, including $\hbox{$v_{\rm {FWHM}}$} \approx 700~\hbox{km~s$^{-1}$}$ forbidden line emission, $\rm{\log _{10}(\rm{[O\,\small {III}]}/\rm{H\beta})} \approx 1.1$, and high-excitation potential emission lines, such as [Fe vii] λ6086 and He ii λ4686. The host galaxy exhibits a disturbed morphology with large kpc-scale tidal features, potential outflows from both nuclei, and a likely superbubble. A circular relativistic disc model cannot reproduce the asymmetric broad emission-line profiles in the brighter nucleus, but two non-axisymmetric disc models provide good fits to the broad emission-line profiles: an elliptical disc model and a circular disc + spiral arm model. Implications for the periodic nuclear transient ASASSN-14ko are discussed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗