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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Evaluating Lunar Water Processing System Model Configurations for Small Scale Oxygen and Hydrogen Production Within JAXA'S ISRU Technology

Introduction: In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) refers to novel methods of extracting and processing local resources for use in life support and propulsion systems, reducing or eliminating the required consumables to be transferred from Earth. Current estimates of water-ice availability embedded in regolith within the Moon’s permanently shadowed regions (PSR’s) range between 1-5% by weight. However, the composition and characteristics of the “wet” regolith is unknown. Alternate ISRU excavation techniques and Concept of Operations (ConOps) must be explored to optimize surface system operations based on these factors. To assess the feasibility of different ISRU subsystem technologies and compare system architecture configurations, an interchangeable system model was generated to incorporate technologies spanning excavation of raw materials to storage of products and determine optimal arrangement of total system processing needs. Total Mass, Volume, and Power (M/V/P) requirements were computed for 168 design iterations of this water processing plant. System Model: In FY24, the System Engineering and Integration (SE&I) ISRU Modeling and Analysis (SIMA) team developed a lunar water processing system model using the Mission Analysis and Integration Tool (MAIT) to estimate the M/V/P for ISRU subsystems operating under a wide range of Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2) production targets for the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) [1]. Based on Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) surface operational requirements, this system architecture was modified to include the ability to excavate consolidated icy regolith (versus granular ice excavation using Kennedy Space Center’s (KSC) ISRU Pilot Excavator, IPEx) and explore the feasibility of processing the lunar water both inside and outside of the PSR. For the consolidated icy regolith case study, excavation was performed via a mobility transport chassis outfitted with The Regolith Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain (TRIDENT) for drilling [2] and the Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm (COLDArm) [3] for regolith transfer. The system model determines the required rover and payload. M/V/P to handle the required regolith processing rates. The regolith is then sorted and heated to sublimate the ice (via an auger dryer). The exiting high temperature, low pressure vapor is cleaned of volatiles (via cold trap) and electrolyzed to produce H2 and O2. These products are then dried, liquified with 20 K and 90 K cryocoolers (for H2 and O2, respectively), and stored in cylindrical tanks. Study Goals: Due to the different ConOps options of regolith transport to the ridge for processing versus processing it directly inside the PSR, as well as the unknown regolith/water-ice composition, new excavation techniques and their power configurations are being evaluated within a ISRU system architecture for production targets less than NASA’s pilot plant (1 mT). This analysis investigates the feasibility of numerous excavation techniques, power architectures, and logistical operations and determines an optimal system configuration with regards to M/V/P. It aims to investigate which parameters, both locally and globally, have the greatest effect on each subsystem within the plant. This can be used to identify the most critical components of the plant, and guide future decisions on allocating funding for research and development. The results from this study may provide subsystem developers with appropriate interfaces with excavation subsystems and downstream processes, and assessing the overall feasibility of each excavation technique, power architecture, and logistical timeframe. References: [1] Carlson, A. et. al. (2024) ICES. [2] Zacny, K., et. al. (2024) “ASCE Earth and Space”. [3] McCormick, R., et. Al. (2024) IEEE Xplore.

ISRU↗
NASA NTRS1991

Millimeter wave surface resistance of grain-aligned Y1Ba2Cu3O(x) bulk material

Measurements of the millimeter wave surface resistance of grain-aligned YBa2Cu3O(x) bulk material grown by a liquid phase process are reported. The measurements were performed by replacing the endplate of a TE011 cylindrical copper cavity with the superconducting sample. Surface resistance was measured for samples with surfaces oriented perpendicular and parallel to the c-axis of the grains. It is shown that, for the parallel configuration, the surface resistance at 77 K and 80 GHz is typically near 100 milliohms. For a very well-aligned sample with a very low density of Y2BaCuO(y) precipitates, measured in the perpendicular configuration, the transition width (10-90 percent) is about 2 K, and the surface resistance is less than 50 milliohms at 88 K. The effect of microstructure on surface resistance is discussed.

Wosik, J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Aerodynamic, unsteady, kinetic and heat loss effects on the dynamics and structure of weakly-burning flames

The first objective of the program is to introduce the meritorious counterflow methodology in microgravity in order to quantify the steady and unsteady characteristics of weakly-burning premixed and diffusion flames for a wide variety of conditions including elevated pressures. Subsequently, through detailed modeling and comparisons with the experimental data, to provide physical insight into the elementary mechanisms controlling the flame response. The configuration offers good control over the parameters of interest and can be modelled closely. The knowledge which will be gained from the counterflow flames will be subsequently used to analyze near-limit phenomena related to other configurations by conducting detailed numerical simulations including multidimensional ones. Among the problems to be analyzed are the downward and upward propagation of near-limit flames in tubes and phenomena observed in spherical and cylindrical geometries.

Egolfopoulos, Fokion N.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Studies of Flame Structure in Microgravity

The present research endeavor is concerned with gaining fundamental understanding of the configuration, structure, and dynamics of laminar premixed and diffusion flames under conditions of negligible effects of gravity. Of particular interest is the potential to establish and hence study the properties of spherically- and cylindrically-symmetric flames and their response to external forces not related to gravity. For example, in an earlier experimental study of the burner-stabilized cylindrical premixed flames, the possibility of flame stabilization through flow divergence was established, while the resulting one-dimensional, adiabatic, stretchless flame also allowed an accurate means of determining the laminar flame speeds of combustible mixtures. We have recently extended our studies of the flame structure in microgravity along the following directions: (1) Analysis of the dynamics of spherical premixed flames; (2) Analysis of the spreading of cylindrical diffusion flames; (3) Experimental observation of an interesting dual luminous zone structure of a steady-state, microbuoyancy, spherical diffusion flame of air burning in a hydrogen/methane mixture environment, and its subsequent quantification through computational simulation with detailed chemistry and transport; (4) Experimental quantification of the unsteady growth of a spherical diffusion flame; and (5) Computational simulation of stretched, diffusionally-imbalanced premixed flames near and beyond the conventional limits of flammability, and the substantiation of the concept of extended limits of flammability. Motivation and results of these investigations are individually discussed.

Law, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS2004

The formation of spikes in the displacement of miscible fluids

We report on experiments in which a more viscous fluid displaces a less viscous one in a vertical cylindrical tube. These experiments were performed using silicone oils in a vertical pipette of small diameter. The more viscous fluid also had a slightly larger density than the less viscous fluid. In the initial configuration, the fluids were at rest, and the interface was nominally flat. A dye was added to the more viscous fluid for ease of observation of the interface between the fluids. The flow was initiated by pumping the more viscous fluid into the less viscous one. The displacement velocity was such that the Reynolds number was smaller than unity and the Peclet number for mass transfer between the fluids was large compared to unity. For upward displacement of the more viscous fluid from an initially stable configuration, an axisymmetric finger was observed under all conditions. However, a needle-shaped spike was seen to propagate from the main finger in many cases, similar to that observed by Petitjeans and Maxworthy for the displacement of a more viscous fluid by a less viscous one.

Rheology/methods↗
NASA NTRS2001

Novel Shapes of Miscible Interfaces Observed

The dynamics of miscible displacements in a cylindrical tube are being investigated experimentally and numerically, with a view to understand the complex processes that occur, for example, in enhanced oil recovery, hydrology, and filtration. We have observed complex shapes of the interface between two liquids that mix with each other when the less viscous liquid is displaced by the more viscous one in a tube. A less viscous fluid that displaces a more viscous fluid is known to propagate in the form of a "finger," and a flight experiment proposed by Maxworthy et al. to investigate the miscible-interface dynamics is currently being developed by NASA. From the current theory of miscible displacements, which was developed for a porous medium satisfying Darcy's law, it can be shown that in the absence of gravity the interface between the fluids is destabilized and thus susceptible to fingering only when a more viscous fluid is displaced by a less viscous one. Therefore, if the interface is initially flat and the more viscous fluid displaces the less viscous fluid, the interface ought to be stable and remain flat. However, numerical simulations by Chen and Meiburg for such displacement in a cylindrical tube show that the interface is unstable and a finger of the more viscous fluid is indeed formed. Preliminary experiments performed at the NASA Glenn Research Center show that not only can fingering occur when the more viscous fluid displaces a less viscous one in a cylindrical tube, but also that under certain conditions the advancing finger achieves a sinuous or snakelike shape. These experiments were performed using silicone oils in a vertical pipette of small diameter. In the initial configuration, the more viscous fluid rested on top of the less viscous one, and the interface was nominally flat. A dye was added to the upper liquid for ease of observation of the interface between the fluids. The flow was initiated by draining the lower fluid from the bottom of the pipette, at speeds less than 0.1 mm/sec.

Balasubramaniam, Ramaswamy↗
NASA NTRS2006

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) investigation of hypersonic flowfields in a Mach 10 wind tunnel

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of nitric oxide (NO) was used to visualize four different hypersonic flowfields in the NASA Langley Research Center 31-Inch Mach 10 Air wind tunnel. The four configurations were: (1) the wake flowfield of a fuselage-only X-33 lifting body, (2) flow over a flat plate containing a rectangular cavity, (3) flow over a 70deg blunted cone with a cylindrical afterbody, formerly studied by an AGARD working group, and (4) an Apollo-geometry entry capsule - relevant to the Crew Exploration Vehicle currently being developed by NASA. In all cases, NO was seeded into the flowfield through tubes inside or attached to the model sting and strut. PLIF was used to visualize the NO in the flowfield. In some cases pure NO was seeded into the flow while in other cases a 5% NO, 95% N2 mix was injected. Several parameters were varied including seeding method and location, seeding mass flow rate, model angle of attack and tunnel stagnation pressure, which varies the unit Reynolds number. The location of the laser sheet was as also varied to provide three dimensional flow information. Virtual Diagnostics Interface (ViDI) technology developed at NASA Langley was used to visualize the data sets in post processing. The measurements demonstrate some of the capabilities of the PLIF method for studying hypersonic flows.

Danehy, Paul M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Correlations of peak heating in shock interference regions at hypersonic speeds.

Correlations are given of measured pressure and heat-transfer peaks for shock/boundary-layer interactions and shear layer attachment on configurations with both two- and three-dimensional interactions. The peak values were obtained from an investigation of shock interference heating on hemispheres, a 30-deg included angle wedge, and a 2.54-cm-diam cylindrical leading-edge fin model. The investigation covers data for Mach numbers of 6 and 20 over freestream Reynolds numbers ranging from (3.3 to 25.6) million per meter, and specific heat ratios of 1.4 and 1.67.

Keyes, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Apparatus for establishing flow of a fluid mass having a known velocity

An apparatus for establishing a flow of fluid mass, such as gas, having a known velocity is introduced. The apparatus is characterized by an hermetically sealed chamber conforming to a closed-loop configuration and including a throat and a plurality of axially displaceable pistons for sweeping through the throat a stream of gas including a core and an unsheared boundary layer. Within the throat there is a cylindrical coring body concentrically related to the throat for receiving the core, and a chamber surrounding the cylindrical body for drawing off the boundary layer, whereby the velocity of the core is liberated from the effects of the velocity of the boundary layer.

Price, P.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Developments of a unique graphite/epoxy antenna subreflector

Advanced concepts for large, furlable space antennas have led to an extensive development program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with configurations utilizing conical main reflectors. The antenna subreflectors for these conical configurations have unusual geometries and new structural requirements. Structural efficiency of the conical antennas is improved through the use of fiber composites. A subreflector was designed and fabricated with graphite/epoxy material. The subreflector is a cylindrical paraboloid with demanding criteria for contour surface precision, high thermal stability, and sufficient structural capacity for inertial launch loads in axial and transverse directions. The paper describes the design, analysis, and fabrication of the subreflector.

Robinson, E. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1984

A data base for three-dimensional all-interference code evaluation

A validation of a measured boundary condition technique was carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of a wall interference assessment/correction (WIAC) system. An experimental evaluation was also carried out to compare performances of various techniques, to define the number of necessary boundary measurements for accurate assessment/corrections and to define the envelope of test conditions for which accurate assessment/corrections are achieved. The relative merits of a WIAC system and an adaptive wall tunnel are compared. The measurement surface boundary data is performed with a system of two rotating pipes. These pipes sweep out a cylindrical measurement surface near the tunnel walls, approximately one inch from the wall at the closest point. The experimental model was specially designed and fabricated for the adaptive wall experiments. The model is a wing/tail/body configuration with swept lifting surface. The boundary data taken in Tunnel 1T with the rotating pipe system has been shown to offer several attractive features for WIAC code evaluation. Good spatial resolution of measurements is achieved and measurements are made upstream and downstream of the model. Also, two velocity components are determined.

Sickles, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Global configuration of a magnetic cloud

A magnetic cloud associated with a 2N flare on January 1, 1978 was observed by IMP-8, Helios A, Helios B, and Voyager 2. The variation of the magnetic field observed at each spacecraft is represented to good approximation by Lundquist's solution for a cylindrically symmetric force-free magnetic field with constant alpha. A least-squares fit of Lundquist's solution to the data from each spacecraft gives the local orientation of the axis of the magnetic cloud. The times of the estimated boundaries of the magnetic cloud at each spacecraft, together with the speeds of the boundaries and the spacecraft position, give the positions of the boundaries at a given time. From these results the magnetic cloud is determined to resemble a flux rope whose minor radius is approximately 0.15 AU at 1 AU, and whose radius of curvature at 1 AU is approximately 1/3 AU.

Burlaga, L. F.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Effects of Traveling Magnetic Field on Dynamics of Solidification

The Lorentz body force induced in electrically conducting fluids can be utilized for a number of materials processing technologies. An application of strong static magnetic fields can be beneficial for damping convection present during solidification. On the other hand, alternating magnetic fields can be used to reduce as well as to enhance convection. However, only special types of time dependent magnetic fields can induce a non-zero time averaged Lorentz force needed for convection control. One example is the rotating magnetic field. This field configuration induces a swirling flow in circular containers. Another example of a magnetic field configuration is the traveling magnetic field (TMF). It utilizes axisymmetric magnetostatic waves. This type of field induces an axial recirculating flow that can be advantageous for controlling axial mass transport, such as during solidification in long cylindrical tubes. Incidentally, this is the common geometry for crystal growth research. The Lorentz force induced by TMF can potentially counter-balance the buoyancy force, diminishing natural convection, or even setting up the flow in reverse direction. Crystal growth process in presence of TMF can be then significantly modified. Such properties as the growth rate, interface shape and macro segregation can be affected and optimized. Melt homogenization is the other potential application of TMF. It is a necessary step prior to solidification. TMF can be attractive for this purpose, as it induces a basic flow along the axis of the ampoule. TMF can be a practical alloy mixing method especially suited for solidification research in space. In the theoretical part of this work, calculations of the induced Lorentz force in the whole frequency range have been completed. The basic flow characteristics for the finite cylinder geometry are completed and first results on stability analysis for higher Reynolds numbers are obtained. A theoretical model for TMF mixing is also developed. In the experimental part, measurements of flow induced by TMF in a column of mercury (Hg) are presented. Also, an alloy mixing of Bi-Sn of the eutectic composition is demonstrated. A traveling magnetic field of 4mT at 3kHz applied for 120 minutes is found to be sufficient to homogenize an alloy enclosed in a 1cm diameter and 12 cm long tube.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1994

A 3D-CFD code for accurate prediction of fluid flows and fluid forces in seals

Current and future turbomachinery requires advanced seal configurations to control leakage, inhibit mixing of incompatible fluids and to control the rotodynamic response. In recognition of a deficiency in the existing predictive methodology for seals, a seven year effort was established in 1990 by NASA's Office of Aeronautics Exploration and Technology, under the Earth-to-Orbit Propulsion program, to develop validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) concepts, codes and analyses for seals. The effort will provide NASA and the U.S. Aerospace Industry with advanced CFD scientific codes and industrial codes for analyzing and designing turbomachinery seals. An advanced 3D CFD cylindrical seal code has been developed, incorporating state-of-the-art computational methodology for flow analysis in straight, tapered and stepped seals. Relevant computational features of the code include: stationary/rotating coordinates, cylindrical and general Body Fitted Coordinates (BFC) systems, high order differencing schemes, colocated variable arrangement, advanced turbulence models, incompressible/compressible flows, and moving grids. This paper presents the current status of code development, code demonstration for predicting rotordynamic coefficients, numerical parametric study of entrance loss coefficients for generic annular seals, and plans for code extensions to labyrinth, damping, and other seal configurations.

Athavale, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The response of cylindrical panels fabricated from symmetrically and unsymmetrically laminated composite materials

Equations are developed which govern the deflection response of long cylindrical panels subjected to a line load. The line load is directed toward the center of curvature of the panel, is located at an arbitrary point along the arc length of the panel, and is included at an arbitrary angle relative to the radial direction. Only the geometrically linear problem is considered and the spatial dependence in the problem is reduced to one independent variable, specifically, the arc length along the panel. The problem is thus solvable in closed form. Both symmetrically laminated and the less common unsymmetrically laminated simply supported panels are studied. The unsymmetrically laminated case was considered because the natural shape of an unsymmetric laminate is cylindrical. Results are presented which show the influence of the location and inclination of the line load on panel deflection. Shallow and deep panels are considered. Both the symmetric and unsymmetric panels exhibit similar behavior, the unsymmetric configurations being less stiff. Limited experimental results are presented.

Carper, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Combined fringe and Fabry-Perot laser anemometer for three component velocity measurements in turbine stator cascade facility

A laser anemometer is described that was developed for use in a 508 mm diameter annular turbine stator cascade facility. All three velocity components are measured through a single restricted optical port, both within the stator vane row and downstream of the vanes. The measurements are made through a cylindrical window in the casing that matches the tip radius of the cascade. The stator tested has a contoured hub endwall that results in a large radial flow near the hub. The anemometer uses a standard fringe configuration (LFA) with a fluorescent aerosol seed to measure the axial and circumferential velocity components. The radial component is measured with a confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer. The two configurations are combined in a single optical system and can operate simultaneously. Data are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the system.

Seasholtz, R. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Partially confined configuration for the growth of semiconductor crystals from the melt in zero-gravity environment

A novel partially confined configuration is proposed for the crystal growth of semiconductors from the melt, including those with volatile constituents. A triangular prism is employed to contain the growth melt. Due to surface tension, the melt will acquire a cylindrical-like shape and thus contact the prism along three parallel lines. The three empty spaces between the cylindrical melt and the edges of the prism will accommodate the expansion of the solidifying semiconductor, and in the case of semiconductor compounds with a volatile constituent, will permit the presence of the desired vapor phase in contact with the melt for controlling the melt stoichiometry. Theoretical and experimental evidence in support of this new type of confinement is presented.

Lagowski, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Combined fringe and Fabry-Perot laser anemometer for 3 component velocity measurements in turbine stator cascade facility

A laser anemometer is described that was developed for use in a 508 mm diameter annular turbine stator cascade facility. All three velocity components are measured through a single restricted optical port, both within the stator vane row and downstream of the vanes. The measurements are made through a cylindrical window in the casing that matches the tip radius of the cascade. The stator tested has a contoured hub endwall that results in a large radial flow near the hub. The anemometer uses a standard fringe configuration (LFA) with a fluorescent aerosol seed to measure the axial and circumferential velocity components. The radial component is measured with a confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer. The two configurations are combined in a single optical system and can operate simultaneously. Data are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the system.

Seasholtz, Richard G.↗