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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2009

A3 Altitude Test Facility

This slide presentation shows drawings, diagrams and photographs of the A3 Altitude Test Facility. It includes a review of the A3 Facility requirements, and drawings of the various sections of the facility including Engine Deck and Superstructure, Test Cell and Thrust Takeout, Structure and Altitude Support Systems, Chemical Steam generators, and the subscale diffuser. There are also pictures of the construction site, and the facility under construction. A Diagram of the A3 Steam system schematic is also shown

Dulreix, Lionel J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Operating capability and current status of the reactivated NASA Lewis Research Center Hypersonic Tunnel Facility

The NASA Lewis Research Center's Hypersonic Tunnel Facility (HTF) is a free-jet, blowdown propulsion test facility that can simulate up to Mach-7 flight conditions with true air composition. Mach-5, -6, and -7 nozzles, each with a 42 inch exit diameter, are available. Previously obtained calibration data indicate that the test flow uniformity of the HTF is good. The facility, without modifications, can accommodate models approximately 10 feet long. The test gas is heated using a graphite core induction heater that generates a nonvitiated flow. The combination of clean-air, large-scale, and Mach-7 capabilities is unique to the HTF and enables an accurate propulsion performance determination. The reactivation of the HTF, in progress since 1990, includes refurbishing the graphite heater, the steam generation plant, the gaseous oxygen system, and all control systems. All systems were checked out and recertified, and environmental systems were upgraded to meet current standards. The data systems were also upgraded to current standards and a communication link with NASA-wide computers was added. In May 1994, the reactivation was complete, and an integrated systems test was conducted to verify facility operability. This paper describes the reactivation, the facility status, the operating capabilities, and specific applications of the HTF.

Thomas, Scott R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Operating capability and current status of the reactivated NASA Lewis Research Center hypersonic tunnel facility

The NASA Lewis Research Center's Hypersonic Tunnel Facility (HTF) is a free-jet, blowdown propulsion test facility that can simulate up to Mach-7 flight conditions with true air composition. Mach-5, -6, and -7 nozzles, each with a 42-in. exit diameter, are available. Previously obtained calibration data indicate that the test flow uniformity of the HTF is good. The facility, without modifications, can accomodate models approximately 10 ft long. The test gas is heated using a graphite core induction heater that generates a nonvitiated flow. The combination of clean-air, large-scale, and Mach-7 capabilities is unique to the HTF and enables an accurate propulsion performance determination. The reactivation of the HTF, in progress since 1990, includes refurbishing the graphite heater, the steam generation plant, the gaseous oxygen system, and all control systems. All systems were checked out and recertified, and environmental systems were upgraded to meet current standards. The data systems were also upgraded to current standards and a communication link with NASA-wide computers was added. In May 1994, the reactivation was complete, and an integrated systems test was conducted to verify facility operability. This paper describes the reactivation activities, the facility status, the operating capabilities, and specific applications of the HTF.

Thomas, S.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) Engineering Test Facility (ETF) 200 MWe power plant. Conceptual Design Engineering Report (CDER). Volume 2: Engineering. Volume 3: Costs and schedules

Engineering design details for the principal systems, system operating modes, site facilities, and structures of an engineering test facility (ETF) of a 200 MWE power plant are presented. The ETF resembles a coal-fired steam power plant in many ways. It is analogous to a conventional plant which has had the coal combustor replaced with the MHD power train. Most of the ETF components are conventional. They can, however, be sized or configured differently or perform additional functions from those in a conventional coal power plant. The boiler not only generates steam, but also performs the functions of heating the MHD oxidant, recovering seed, and controlling emissions.

Source record↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Bosch Carbon Catalyst Regeneration in Water III: Experiments for and Related to Thermal Shock

Bosch technology has the potential to close the atmospheric revitalization loop by providing theoretically 100% regeneration of metabolic carbon dioxide into oxygen. The main obstacle to using Bosch technology is over-pressurization issues in the carbon formation reactor. Prior work on Bosch catalyst regeneration established that agitating carbon coated beads in water broke up pressure causing clogs and regenerated the catalyst surface. This process proved to be time consuming with experiments taking at least one hour to regenerate ten grams of carbon coated beads. In an attempt to shorten the processing time, thermally shocking the carbon coated beads prior to mechanical agitation was tested. Agitating the carbon coated beads after exposure to a saturated steam environment was also tested to ensure that the steam generated by thermally shocking the carbon coated beads would not cause adverse effects. The rationale behind thermally shocking the carbon coated beads is that the bead would pull away from the carbon shell due to a difference in the thermal expansion coefficients. The results of this project show that the processing time can be cut in half when compared to previous work, and that saturated steam has little to no effect on regeneration.

Bosch Process↗
NASA NTRS1981

Profit from a Problem

The Refuse-fired Steam Generating Facility was jointly sponsored by Hampton, NASA Langley and Langley Air Force Base. The facility disposes of all solid waste from the NASA Center, the Air Force Base, the Army's Fort Monroe and other federal installations in the area, and accommodates about 70 percent of Hampton's municipal waste. Incinerated refuse is reduced to a readily-disposable ash whose volume is one-seventh that of the solid waste brought to the plant. The energy produced in the burning process is converted to steam for use in research and administrative facilities at Langley Research Center. Plant is expected to produce some 300 million pounds of steam annually, about 85 percent of Langley Research Center's needs.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2010

Testing to Transition the J-2X from Paper to Hardware

The J-2X Upper Stage Engine (USE) will be the first new human-rated upper stage engine since the Apollo program of the 1960s. It is designed to carry the Ares I and Ares V into orbit and send the Ares V to the Moon as part of NASA's Constellation Program. This paper will provide an overview of progress on the design, testing, and manufacturing of this new engine in 2009 and 2010. The J-2X embodies the program goals of basing the design on proven technology and experience and seeking commonality between the Ares vehicles as a way to minimize risk, shorten development times, and live within current budget constraints. It is based on the proven J-2 engine used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles. The prime contractor for the J-2X is Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (PWR), which is under a design, development, test, and engineering (DDT&E) contract covering the period from June 2006 through September 2014. For Ares I, the J-2X will provide engine start at approximately 190,000 feet, operate roughly 500 seconds, and shut down. For Ares V, the J-2X will start at roughly 190,000 feet to place the Earth departure stage (EDS) in orbit, shut down and loiter for up to five days, re-start on command and operate for roughly 300 seconds at its secondary power level to perform trans lunar injection (TLI), followed by final engine shutdown. The J-2X development effort focuses on four key areas: early risk mitigation, design risk mitigation, component and subassembly testing, and engine system testing. Following that plan, the J-2X successfully completed its critical design review (CDR) in 2008, and it has made significant progress in 2009 and 2010 in moving from the drawing board to the machine shop and test stand. Post-CDR manufacturing is well under way, including PWR in-house and vendor hardware. In addition, a wide range of component and sub-component tests have been completed, and more component tests are planned. Testing includes heritage powerpack, turbopump inducer water flow, turbine air flow, turbopump seal testing, main injector and gas generator, injector testing, augmented spark igniter testing, nozzle side loads cold flow testing, nozzle extension film cooling flow testing, control system testing with hardware in the loop, and nozzle extension emissivity coating tests. In parallel with hardware manufacturing, work is progressing on the new A-3 test stand to support full duration altitude testing. The Stennis A-2 test stand is scheduled to be turned over to the Constellation Program in September 2010 to be modified for J-2X testing also. As the structural steel was rising on the A-3 stand, work was under way in the nearby E complex on the chemical steam generator and subscale diffuser concepts to be used to evacuate the A-3 test cell and simulate altitude conditions.

Byrd, Tom↗
NASA NTRS1974

Rocket engine heat transfer and material technology for commercial applications

Liquid fueled rocket engine combustion, heat transfer, and material technology have been utilized in the design and development of compact combustion and heat exchange equipment intended for application in the commercial field. An initial application of the concepts to the design of a compact steam generator to be utilized by electrical utilities for the production of peaking power is described.

Hiltabiddle, J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Remote sensing of atmospheric SO2 using the differential absorption LIDAR technique

The paper reports an investigation of the capabilities of a UV differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system for remote measurements of sulfur dioxide emissions. Two features of the present DIAL system are an absorption cell permitting the determination of the difference in SO2 absorption coefficients for the two transmitted wavelengths and a calibration cell permitting the linearity and performance of the system to be evaluated. The DIAL technique is described along with the transmitter, receiver, data-adquisition, and data-processing components of the investigated system. Quantitative measurements of the average SO2 concentration in a region surrounding the exhaust stack of a steam-generating plant are discussed which show that the present system has measurement sensitivities of 10 ppb at a range of 0.8 km and 20 ppb at 1.9 km. Based on performance characteristics obtained during a calibration of this system, it is predicted that a measurement sensitivity of less than 4 ppb over a 1-km path will be attained.

Hoell, J. M., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Material handling systems for the fluidized-bed combustion boiler at Rivesville, West Virginia

The 300,000 lbs/hr steam capacity multicell fluidized-bed boiler (MFB) utilizes complex material handling systems. The material handling systems can be divided into the following areas: (1) coal preparation; transfer and delivery, (2) limestone handling system, (3) fly-ash removal and (4) bed material handling system. Each of the above systems are described in detail and some of the potential problem areas are discussed. A major potential problem that exists is the coal drying system. The coal dryer is designed to use 600 F preheated combustion air as drying medium and the dryer effluent is designed to enter a hot electrostatic precipitator (730 F) after passage through a cyclone. Other problem areas to be discussed include the steam generator coal and limestone feed system which may have operating difficulties with wet coal and/or coal fines.

Branam, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Conceptual design of thermal energy storage systems for near term electric utility applications. Volume 1: Screening of concepts

Over forty thermal energy storage (TES) concepts gathered from the literature and personal contacts were studied for their suitability for the electric utility application of storing energy off-peak discharge during peak hours. Twelve selections were derived from the concepts for screening; they used as storage media high temperature water (HTW), hot oil, molten salts, and packed beds of solids such as rock. HTW required pressure containment by prestressed cast-iron or concrete vessels, or lined underground cavities. Both steam generation from storage and feedwater heating from storage were studied. Four choices were made for further study during the project. Economic comparison by electric utility standard cost practices, and near-term availability (low technical risk) were principal criteria but suitability for utility use, conservation potential, and environmental hazards were considered.

Hausz, W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Cogeneration Technology Alternatives Study (CTAS). Volume 1: Summary report

Large savings can be made in industry by cogenerating electric power and process heat in single energy conversion systems rather than separately in utility plants and in process boilers. About fifty industrial processes from the largest energy consuming sectors were used as a basis for matching a similar number of energy conversion systems that are considered as candidates which can be made available by the 1985 to 2000 time period. The sectors considered included food, textiles, lumber, paper, chemicals, petroleum, glass, and primary metals. The energy conversion systems included steam and gas turbines, diesels, thermionics, stirling, closed-cycle and steam injected gas turbines, and fuel cells. Fuels considered were coal, both coal and petroleum-based residual and distillate liquid fuels, and low Btu gas obtained through the on-site gasification of coal. An attempt was made to use consistent assumptions and a consistent set of ground rules for determining performance and cost in individual plants and on a national level. It was found that: (1) atmospheric and pressurized fluidized bed steam turbine systems were the most attractive of the direct coal-fired systems; and (2) open-cycle gas turbines with heat recovery steam generators and combined-cycles with NO(x) emission reduction and moderately increased firing temperatures were the most attractive of the coal-derived liquid-fired systems.

Gerlaugh, H. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Crude oil desulfurization

High sulfur crude oil is desulfurized by a low temperature (25-80 C.) chlorinolysis at ambient pressure in the absence of organic solvent or diluent but in the presence of water (water/oil=0.3) followed by a water and caustic wash to remove sulfur and chlorine containing reaction products. The process described can be practiced at a well site for the recovery of desulfurized oil used to generate steam for injection into the well for enhanced oil recovery.

Kalvinskas, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Solar Total Energy Project (STEP) Performance Analysis of High Temperature Energy Storage Subsystem

The 1982 milestones and lessons learned; performance in 1983; a typical day's operation; collector field performance and thermal losses; and formal testing are highlighted. An initial test that involves characterizing the high temperature storage (hts) subsystem is emphasized. The primary element is on 11,000 gallon storage tank that provides energy to the steam generator during transient solar conditions or extends operating time. Overnight, thermal losses were analyzed. The length of time the system is operated at various levels of cogeneration using stored energy is reviewed.

Moore, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Innovation for Pollution Control

Kinetic Controls Inc.'s refuse-fired steam generating facility led to the development of an air pollution equipment control device. The device is currently marketed by two NASA/Langley Research Center employees. It automatically senses and compensates for the changes in smoke composition when refuse is used as a fuel by adjusting the precipitator's voltage and current to permit maximum collection of electrically charged dust particles. The control adapts to any electrostatic precipitator and should have extensive commercial applications.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1996

Pool Boiling Experiment Has Successful Flights

The Pool Boiling Experiment (PBE) is designed to improve understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that constitute nucleate pool boiling. Nucleate pool boiling is a process wherein a stagnant pool of liquid is in contact with a surface that can supply heat to the liquid. If the liquid absorbs enough heat, a vapor bubble can be formed. This process occurs when a pot of water boils. On Earth, gravity tends to remove the vapor bubble from the heating surface because it is dominated by buoyant convection. In the orbiting space shuttle, however, buoyant convection has much less of an effect because the forces of gravity are very small. The Pool Boiling Experiment was initiated to provide insight into this nucleate boiling process, which has many Earthbound applications, such as steam-generation power plants, petroleum, and other chemical plants. Also, by using the test fluid R-113, the Pool Boiling Experiment can provide some basic understanding of the boiling behavior of cryogenic fluids without the large cost of an experiment using an actual cryogen.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2008

Altitude Testing of Large Liquid Propellant Engines

Altitude Testing of the J2-X engine at 100,000 feet (start capability). Chemical Steam Generation for providing vacuum. Project Started Mar 07. Test Stand Activation around Late 2010. J-2X Testing around early 2011.

Maynard, Bryon↗