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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
DOE OSTI2024

Biomass Attributes and Attribute Modifications Affecting Systems and Methods to Separate and Fractionate. In: Handbook of Biorefinery Research and Technology

Chemical and physical heterogeneity in biomass feedstocks such as agricultural or forestry residues is due to substantial differences in plant tissue types. These differences can contribute significant challenges to handling, preprocessing, and conversion in biorefining processes. An understanding of this chemical and physical heterogeneity can be used to inform fractionation technologies that could facilitate more streamlined processing and potentially be employed to yield multiple co-product streams for a single feedstock. In this chapter, the motivation and scope of biomass fractionation is first outlined. Physical and chemical properties of biomass feedstocks, along with their distribution and diversity within plants is next discussed with respect to how these differences can be exploited in a fractionation process. A summary of some of the key physical principles that allow for fractionation is next covered along with how these physical principles are exploited in equipment designs. Examples from the literature are briefly discussed that highlight how these approaches can be employed to achieve processing objectives. Several case studies on physical fractionation of corn stover and forestry residues are presented that illustrate how integrated fractionation processes could be employed. Finally, prospects and potential economic drivers for adoption of biomass fractionation technologies are discussed.

Biomass chemical properties↗
NASA NTRS1972

Skylab payload shroud jettison tests

The separation concept of the skylab payload shroud is presented, and its behavior in three full-scale jettison tests in vacuum is described. The shroud petal arresting mechanism is explained, as well as the primary and secondary data acquisition systems. The first two tests demonstrated the need for some structural design modifications although the separation process was satisfactory in each test. The third test, incorporating these design modifications, was satisfactory in all aspects of shroud performance.

Daye, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Computational Study of Vortex-Induced Separation for a 5-Bladed Rotor

This work computationally investigated the rotor blade vortex-induced separation recently observed during an aerodynamic rotor test campaign in the NASA Langley Research Center 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel. Two separate approaches (i.e., airfoil modification and blade tip modification) were studied to mitigate the vortex-induced separation. Low-fidelity tools based on blade element momentum theory were shown to mispredict the rotor inflow and were also shown to not capture the vortex-induced separation caused by perpendicular blade-vortex interaction. This misprediction was exploited to isolate the aerodynamic thrust deficit caused by the vortex-induced separation (i.e., 20%) from the thrust deficit due to inflow variation (i.e., 31%). High-fidelity tools were shown to reasonably predict aerodynamic forces within 13% and flow separation when compared to experimental results. The modified airfoil variant of the baseline rotor effectively mitigated the vortex-induced separation while the blade tip modified variant still showed separation, though the size and strength of the vortex was reduced. Acoustic predictions were underpredicted by 10 dB from preliminary measurements taken in the untreated wind tunnel. Broadband noise contributions from different rotor blade sections showed that self-noise due to flow separation and other turbulent boundary layer mechanisms was the dominant noise source for all three rotor cases, followed by blade-wake interaction noise caused by perpendicular blade-vortex interactions.

aerodynamics↗
NASA NTRS1985

The role of freestream turbulence scale in subsonic flow separation

The clarification of the role of freestream turbulence scale in determining the location of boundary layer separation is discussed. Modifications to the test facility were completed. Wind tunnel flow characteristics, including turbulence parameters, were determined with two turbulence generating grids, as well as no grid. These results are summarized. Initial results on the role of scale on turbulent boundary layer separation on the upper surface of an airfoil model are also discussed.

Potter, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Expendable second stage reusable space shuttle booster. Volume 2: Technical summary. Book 3: Booster vehicle modifications and ground systems definition

A definition of the expendable second stage and space shuttle booster separation system is presented. Modifications required on the reusable booster for expendable second stage/payload flight and the ground systems needed to operate the expendable second stage in conjuction with the space shuttle booster are described. The safety, reliability, and quality assurance program is explained. Launch complex operations and services are analyzed.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2023

Theoretical Examination of the Hydroxide Transport in Cobaltocenium-Containing Polyelectrolytes

Polymers incorporating cobaltocenium groups have received attention as promising components of anion-exchange membranes (AEMs), exhibiting a good balance of chemical stability and high ionic conductivity. In this work, we analyze the hydroxide diffusion in the presence of cobaltocenium cations in an aqueous environment based on the molecular dynamics of model systems confined in one dimension to mimic the AEM channels. In order to describe the proton hopping mechanism, the forces are obtained from the electronic structure computed at the density-functional tight-binding level. We find that the hydroxide diffusion depends on the channel size, modulation of the electrostatic interactions by the solvation shell, and its rearrangement ability. Hydroxide diffusion proceeds via both the vehicular and structural diffusion mechanisms with the latter playing a larger role at low diffusion coefficients. The highest diffusion coefficient is observed under moderate water densities (around half the density of liquid water) when there are enough water molecules to form the solvation shell, reducing the electrostatic interaction between ions, yet there is enough space for the water rearrangements during the proton hopping. Furthermore, the effects of cobaltocenium separation, orientation, chemical modifications, and the role of nuclear quantum effects are also discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1973

The effects on cruise drag of installing long-duct refan-engine nacelles on the McDonnell Douglas DC-8-50 and -61

A high-speed wind tunnel test was conducted to determine the effect on cruise performance of installing long-duct refan-engine nacelles on the DC-8-50 and -61 models. Drag data and wing/pylon/nacelle channel pressure data are presented. At a typical cruise condition there exists a very small interference drag penalty of less than one-percent of total cruise data for the Refan installation. Pressure data indicate that some supersonic flow is present in the inboard channel of the inboard refan nacelle installation, but it is not sufficient to cause any wave drag on boundary layer separation. One pylon modification, which takes the form of pylon bumps, was tested. It resulted in a drag penalty, because its design goal of eliminating shock-related interference drag was not required and the bump thus became a source of additional parasite drag.

Callaghan, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Supersonic Navier-Stokes simulations of turbulent afterbody flows

Four numerical algorithms and three turbulence models are used to solve the thin layer three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for the supersonic flow past a nonaxisymmetric nozzle. The four numerical algorithms evaluated are based on upwind differencing and feature time-dependent, space relaxation, and parabolized schemes. The three different algebraic turbulence models are the Baldwin-Lomax (1978), the nonequilibrium model of Johnson and King (1985), and the Goldberg (1989) modification for the separated flow region. The present investigation was conducted at freestream Mach numbers of 1.2 and 1.3 and at an angle of attack of 0.0 deg. The Reynolds numbers for the investigation ranged from 20.5 million to 21.5 million, based on the model length. The calculations are compared with experimental data.

Abdol-Hamid, Khaled S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

X-57 Mod III Wing Ground Vibration Test

The X-57 “Maxwell” all-electric experimental aircraft was an electric propulsion demonstrator developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to inform airworthiness standards for electrified aircraft. The development of the X-57 aircraft was separated into configuration modifications culminating in a distributed electric propulsion flight demonstrator named Modification IV (a.k.a., Mod IV). One of these configurations, the X-57 Mod III aircraft, involved flight-testing of a long, slender, high-aspect-ratio wing with two electric motors located at the wingtips. The X-57 Mod III wing ground vibration test was performed in the Flight Loads Laboratory at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Armstrong Flight Research Center to measure the structural dynamics properties of the newly developed wing, and to confirm airworthiness of the Mod III/IV aircraft. This paper describes the testing performed to acquire the modal data and the subsequent results from the test.

Samson Truong↗
NASA NTRS1990

Affinity Electrophoresis Using Ligands Attached To Polymers

In new technique, reduction of electrophoretic mobilities by addition of polyethylene glycol to ligands increases electrophoretic separabilities. In immuno-affinity electrophoresis, modification of ligands extends specificity of electrophoretic separation to particles having surface electric-charge structures otherwise making them electrophoretically inseparable. Modification of antibodies by polyethylene glycol greatly reduces ability to aggregate while enhancing ability to affect electrophoretic mobilities of cells. In hydrophobic-affinity electrophoresis, addition of polyethylene glycol reduces tendency toward aggregation of cells or macromolecules.

Van Alstine, James M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Improved methods for separation of Cobalt, Manganese, Nickel, Lithium from Waste Lithium-ion Battery Scrap

Improved methods for separation of Cobalt, Manganese, Nickel, Lithium from Waste Lithium-ion Battery Scrap Mark L. Strauss1, John Klaehn1 Luis Diaz Aldana1, Tedd Lister1 Idaho National Laboratory1, Biological and Chemical Processing Department, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415 ABSTRACT The current methods for the separation of Co, Mn, Ni, Li require that the leach solution have a pH between 2-4 in order to use many Cyanex cationic exchange products. Using a unique buffer solution for the reagent combined with the leachate of innovative electrochemical leaching process for lithium batteries demonstrates the separation is possible without a large of pH modification as other commercial hydrometallugical separation process. This research demonstrates a process that is more environmentally sustainable because the reagent consumption may be less. The corresponding McCable-Thiele diagrams and number of theoretical stages were determined to achieve a 80-90% purity of cobalt, manganese, nickel and lithium.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Energy-Efficient Capacitive Deionization through Electrode Modification and Process Development

Electrochemical separation technologies, such as capacitive deionization (CDI), are promising for addressing global energy and water challenges. However, there is a need to improve the performance, better understand property-performance relationships, and evaluate the longevity of CDI electrodes. This study explores the chemical modification of electrodes and the adjustment of CDI operating parameters. Results indicate that nitric acid (HNO3) conditioning of activated carbon cloth (ACC) electrodes removes metal oxides, introduces oxygen and nitrogen functionalities, and increases the specific capacitance (16% at 1 mV/s). Moreover, these changes in electrode properties positively impact device-level CDI performance. Through HNO3-conditioning of the ACC and tuning of the operational parameters, this work demonstrates higher electrosorption capacity (4.0x), greater charge efficiency (90% vs 24%), and lower energy consumption (3.8x). Despite these enhancements, limitations of the HNO 3 -conditioned ACC include decreased desorption kinetics and a 32% loss in electrosorption capacity after 200 cycles. Overall, this work provides guidance on using oxidative pretreatment via HNO 3 to modify ACC electrodes for CDI and evaluates the trade-offs associated with varying operational parameters.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1998

The NASA Low-Pressure Turbine Flow Physics Program

An overview of the NASA Lewis Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) Flow Physics Program will be presented. The program was established in response to the aero-engine industry's need for improved LPT efficiency and designs. Modern jet engines have four to seven LPT stages, significantly contributing to engine weight. In addition, there is a significant efficiency degradation between takeoff and cruise conditions, of up to 2 points. Reducing the weight and part count of the LPT and minimizing the efficiency degradation will translate into fuel savings. Accurate prediction methods of LPT flows and losses are needed to accomplish those improvements. The flow in LPT passages is at low Reynolds number, and is dominated by interplay of three basic mechanisms: transition, separation and wake interaction. The affecting parameters traditionally considered are Reynolds number, freestream turbulence intensity, wake frequency parameter, and the pressure distribution (loading). Three-dimensional effects and additional parameters, particularly turbulence characteristics like length scales, spectra and other statistics, as well as wake turbulence intensity and properties also play a role. The flow of most interest is on the suction surface, where large losses are generated as the flow tends to separate at the low Reynolds numbers. Ignoring wakes, a common flow scenario, there is laminar separation, followed by transition on the separation bubble and turbulent reattachment. If transition starts earlier the separation will be eliminated and the boundary layer will be attached leading to the well known bypass transition issues. In contrast, transition over a separation bubble is closer to free shear layer transition and was not investigated as well, particularly in the turbine environment. Unsteadiness created by wakes complicates the picture. Wakes induce earlier transition, and the calmed regions trailing the induced turbulent spots can delay or eliminate separation via shear stress modification. Three-dimensional flow physics and geometry will have strong effects. Altogether a very complex and challenging problem emerges. The objective of the program is to provide improved models and physical understanding of the complex flow, which are essential for accurate prediction of flow and losses in the LPT. Experimental, computational and analytical work as complementing and augmenting approaches are used. The program involves industry, universities and research institutes, and other government laboratories. It is characterized by strong interaction among participants, quick dissemination of results, and responsiveness to industry's needs. The presentation will describe the work elements. Highlighting some activities in progress are experiments on simulated blade suction surface in low-speed wind tunnels, on curved wall, and on a flat-plate, both with pressure gradient. In the area of computation, assessment of existing models is performed using RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) simulations. Laminar flow DNS was completed. Analytical studies of instability and receptivity in attached and separated flows were started. In the near future the program is moving to include wake effects and development of improved modeling. Experimental work in preparation stages are: (1) Addition of wakes to the curved tunnel experiment; (2) Low-speed rotating rig experiment on GE90 engine LPT; and (3) Transonic cascade. In the area of computation, it is expected to move from model assessment towards development of improved models. In addition, a new project of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of LPT is to begin and will provide numerical data bases. It is planned to implement the emerging improved models in a multistage turbomachinery code and to validate against the GE90 engine LPT.

Ashpis, David E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

In Situ Tracking of Nonthermal Plasma Etching of ZIF-8 Films

Surface characterization is critical for understanding the processes used for preparing catalysts, sorbents, and membranes. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is a process that achieves high reactivity at low temperatures and is used to tailor the surface properties of materials. In this work, we combine the capabilities of infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) with NTP for the in situ interrogation of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) thin films to probe modifications in the material induced by oxygen and nitrogen plasmas. The IRRAS measurements in oxygen plasma reveal etching of organic ligands with sequential removal of the methyl group and imidazole ring and with the formation of carbonyl moieties (C═O). In contrast, nitrogen plasma induces mild etching and grafting of nitrile groups (−C≡N). Scanning electron microscopy imaging shows that oxygen plasma, at prolonged times, significantly degrades the ZIF-8 film at the grain boundaries. Treatment of ZIF-8 membranes using mild plasma conditions yields a fivefold enhancement for H 2 /N 2 and CO 2 /CH 4 ideal selectivities and an eightfold enhancement for CO 2 /N 2 ideal selectivity. Additionally, the new tools described here can be used for spectroscopic in situ tracking of plasma-induced chemistry on thin films in general.

IRRAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

UNDERSTANDING THE SEMI-PROBABILISTIC APPROACHES IN STRUCTURAL RELIABILITY USED TO SET DESIGN RELIABILITY TARGETS FOR GRAPHITE COMPONENTS USING ASME BPVC METHODS

Graphite is a quasi-brittle material, resulting in random variability in tensile strength distributions. To account for the random variability in strength, HHA-3000 of the ASME BPVC provides two semi-probabilistic methods for qualifying nuclear graphite components in the design stage, the simplified and full assessments. The full and simplified assessments apply statistical methods to engineering-based design problems. This is often referred to as reliability-based design. Reliability-based design (RBD) is a method to develop reliable designs by accounting for uncertainties and result in small chances of failure when also considering safety factors. RBDs provide reliability targets using semi-probabilistic approaches. RBD is implemented in ASME BPVC HHA-3000 for nuclear graphite components, but is not specific to that application. There has been much confusion around the methods implemented in ASME BPVC HHA-3000 for qualifying nuclear graphite components. To address the confusion, this paper takes a hierarchical approach. First, the general RBD framework is presented. Then, the semi-probabilistic methods and the underlying assumptions implemented in the assessments are presented. The semi-probabilistic methods are separated from the engineering modifications that have been made to the assessments. After building the framework and underlying assumptions, the specific methods in the full and simplified assessments are explained in three steps: inputs, methods, outputs. The methods are applied to an H-451 reflector block. Tensile strength properties for other graphite grades are provided.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1985

Atmospheric Effect on Remote Sensing of the Earth's Surface

Radiative transfer theory (RT) for an atmosphere with a nonuniform surface is the basis for understanding and correcting for the atmospheric effect on remote sensing of surface properties. In the present work the theory is generalized and tested successfully against laboratory and field measurements. There is still a need to generalize the RT approximation for off-nadir directions and to take into account anisotropic reflectance at the surface. The reflectance at the surface. The adjacency effect results in a significant modification of spectral signatures of the surface, and therefore results in modification of classifications, of separability of field classes, and of spatial resolution. For example, the 30 m resolution of the Thematic Mapper is reduced to 100 m by a hazy atmosphere. The adjacency effect depends on several optical parameters of aerosols: optical thickness, depth of aerosol layer, scattering phase function, and absorption. Remote sensing in general depends on these parameter, not just adjacency effects, but they are not known well enough for making accurate atmospheric corrections. It is important to establish methods for estimating these parameters in order to develop correction methods for atmospheric effects. Such estimations can be based on climatological data, which are not available yet, correlations between the optical parameters and meteorological data, and the same satellite measurements of radiances that are used for estimating surface properties. Knowledge about the atmospheric parameters important for remote sensing is being enlarged with current measurements of them.

Fraser, R. S.↗