Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “friction experiments”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Full scale experiments into the use of large eddy breakup devices for drag reduction on aircraft

An experimental investigation in flight was performed to explore the feasibility of using LEBU (Large-Eddy-Breakup) devices to reduce the drag of aircraft. Two geometrical shapes of ribbons were used, and the development of local skin friction was monitored downstream. The aircraft was a swept-wing attack aircraft, and the flights covered the entire subsonic regime from M=0.92 down to stall conditions; flight altitudes were 1, 4.5, 7 and 10 km to explore various combinations of angle of attack, Mach - and Reynolds numbers. Some information was obtained concerning the turbulence characteristics downstream, and a discussion of the downstream amplification due to the drag at the device is also presented.

Bertelrud, A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Effects of Urbanization in China on the East Asian Summer Monsoon as Revealed by Two Global Climate Models

Abstract The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM), vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, exerts profound impacts on precipitation in East Asia. In recent decades, China has been experiencing rapid urbanization. It has not yet reached a consensus on its influences on EASM. Here, we introduce satellite‐derived urban impervious areas of China during 1985–2017 into two global climate models with contrasting biases of climatological EASM simulation. Both models consistently show that urbanization weakens EASM by increasing surface friction drag. The increased surface roughness reduces climatological southerly winds in the concentrated urbanization area. As a result, moisture convergence occurs south of the concentrated urbanization area with ascending motion, while moisture divergence with descending motion appears to the north, resulting in the precipitation anomalies of “southern flood and northern drought.” The dominant role of urban dynamic forcing in regulating EASM is confirmed by reducing urban roughness to the level of croplands in sensitivity experiments. As urban dynamic forcing is largely mitigated, the urbanization impact mainly driven by urban thermal forcing conversely strengthens EASM due to enhanced land‐sea thermal contrast via urbanization‐induced warming. Spatial patterns and magnitudes of the urbanization‐induced EASM weakening vary between the two models due to disparities in their simulations of urban thermodynamic forcing and atmospheric adjustments. These results underscore the robust weakening effect of urbanization on EASM by urban friction drag and document uncertainties in the related spatial pattern and magnitude resulting from model discrepancies.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Dynamical friction in dark matter superfluids: The evolution of black hole binaries

Abstract The theory of superfluid dark matter is characterized by self-interacting sub-eV particles that thermalize and condense to form a superfluid core in galaxies. Massive black holes at the center of galaxies, however, modify the dark matter distribution and result in a density enhancement in their vicinity known as dark matter spikes. The presence of these spikes affects the evolution of binary systems by modifying their gravitational wave emission and inducing dynamical friction effects on the orbiting bodies. In this work, we assess the role of dynamical friction for bodies moving through a superfluid core enhanced by a central massive black hole. As a first step, we compute the dynamical friction force experienced by bodies moving in a circular orbit. Then, we estimate the gravitational wave dephasing of the binary, showing that the effect of the superfluid drag force is beyond the reach of space-based experiments like LISA, contrarily to collisionless dark matter, therefore providing an opportunity to distinguish these dark matter models.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2022

labquake_future_prediction

The labquake_future_prediction code is a collection of python modules and scripts that serves as supporting information for the article “Predicting future laboratory fault friction through deep learning” for publication in the journal of “Geophysical Research Letters”. It is designed to predict laboratory fault slips in the immediate future by scanning continuous acoustic emission (AE) waveforms recorded in laboratory biaxial shear experiments. The predictions are made with a deep learning model based on convolutional encoder-decoder (CED) models and the Transformer model primarily developed for Natural Language Processing (NLP). The deep learning model is trained with the tensorflow package using publicly available laboratory data sets in standard binary file format in numpy. The utility functions for reading data files, configuring model hyperparameters, constructing the CED and Transformer models, training and testing of the models are defined in python module files. The workflow of training the models for labquake future predictions and the multiple GPU’s rapid model hyperparameter optimization as described in the journal article, are demonstrated in accompanying python script files and Jupyter notebooks.

Wang, Kun↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE: Fault Reactivation Through Fluid Injection Induced Seismicity Laboratory Experiments

Included are results from shear reactivation experiments on laboratory faults pre-loaded close to failure and reactivated by the injection of fluid into the fault. The sample comprises a single-inclined-fracture (SIF) transecting a cylindrical sample of Westerly granite. All experiments are conducted at ambient temperature and follow a similar protocol: (i) application of confining stresses (3MPa) on the fault fully saturated with DI water, (ii) shear-mobilization through the increase of axial loading at a constant displacement rate until a post-peak steady-state condition is reached, (iii) reduction of axial loading and related shear stress to a prescribed fraction of the peak steady-state frictional strength (typically 60% to 90%, representing intermediate to high magnitudes) and (iv), fault reactivation triggered by a stepwise increase of pore pressure on the fault in 0.1 MPa increments held constant for 1-5 minutes. Mechanical data from three ISCO pumps connected to a Temco pressure vessel measure axial, confining, and fault-related parameters, including fluid pressure (kPa), fluid flow rate (mL/min), and axial displacement (mm). See included code for initial data analysis and visualization for select experiments. Resource names represent experiment numbers found in the "Read Me" file, which describes each experimental setup and parameters.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2010

Validation of Heat Transfer and Film Cooling Capabilities of the 3-D RANS Code TURBO

The capabilities of the 3-D unsteady RANS code TURBO have been extended to include heat transfer and film cooling applications. The results of simulations performed with the modified code are compared to experiment and to theory, where applicable. Wilcox s k-turbulence model has been implemented to close the RANS equations. Two simulations are conducted: (1) flow over a flat plate and (2) flow over an adiabatic flat plate cooled by one hole inclined at 35 to the free stream. For (1) agreement with theory is found to be excellent for heat transfer, represented by local Nusselt number, and quite good for momentum, as represented by the local skin friction coefficient. This report compares the local skin friction coefficients and Nusselt numbers on a flat plate obtained using Wilcox's k-model with the theory of Blasius. The study looks at laminar and turbulent flows over an adiabatic flat plate and over an isothermal flat plate for two different wall temperatures. It is shown that TURBO is able to accurately predict heat transfer on a flat plate. For (2) TURBO shows good qualitative agreement with film cooling experiments performed on a flat plate with one cooling hole. Quantitatively, film effectiveness is under predicted downstream of the hole.

Shyam, Vikram↗
DOE OSTI2023

Coupled Experimental and High-Temperature Discrete-Element Method Modeling Studies of Aluminosilicate Particle Handling in Concentrated Solar Power Environments

Chemically inert, aluminosilicate based particles have been investigated as both a thermal transport and sensible energy storage medium for concentrated solar power facilities. These particles will experience a wide range of operating temperatures (300-1000 K) and handling conditions (dense to dilute falling particle curtains, dense granular flows, or dense structures), requiring specially-designed and optimized infrastructures. The relative influence of collisional and frictional interactions between particles varies based on temperature-dependent particulate properties and greatly impacts the bulk, granular flow behavior. These underlying physics are captured using discrete element method modeling tools. However, this modeling method is computationally expensive as each particle position and interaction is tracked during the simulation. These modeling methods are further complicated by introducing temperature-dependent particle properties, high-temperature radiative exchange, and directional irradiation sources experienced by granular flows in concentrated solar power environments. Coupled experimental and numerical studies of aluminosilicate particles in rotary kilns and dense particle curtains were performed for bulk temperatures up to 1073 K. The three particle types investigated included Carbobead HSP 30 /60, Carbobead CP 30/60, and Granusil 4030. Temperature, spatial, and velocity profile data were extracted from experimental runs using embedded K-type thermocouple probes and particle image velocimetry techniques. Experimental and numerical studies were compared using spatial temperature profiles, velocity fields, and shape profiles of the bulk, granular flows. Numerical models were developed using commercially available discrete element method modeling software, Aspherix®. Existing Aspherix® functionality was expanded by introducing coupled radiative exchange modeling tools. The laboratory-scale rotary kiln was developed to investigate the steady-state heat and mass transfer performance of aluminosilicate particles based on particle type, bulk handling temperature, and wall roughness. The rotational speed of the rotary kiln was varied to control the relative impact of collisional and frictional effects upon the granular flow behavior. Heat and mass transfer performance was categorized based on the Froude number and the observed flow regimes of slipping, rolling, cascading, and centrifuging. Coupled discrete element method modeling studies were used to evaluate the effects of temperature-dependent, particulate mechanical properties upon bulk flow behavior and upon the relative effects of radiative, advective, and/or conductive heat transfer. A high-temperature (< 1073 K) falling particle curtain was similarly fabricated to investigate the heat and mass transfer performance of aluminosilicate particles in particle handling situations dominated by inter-particle collisions. The impact of particle type, flow preheat temperatures (< 1073K), and bulk mass flow rates were investigated upon the particle curtain shape, temperature, and velocity profiles. Coupled discrete element method modeling studies were performed to evaluate the varying impact of temperature-dependent, particulate mechanical properties on the bulk flow behavior and the temperature profile of the particle curtain.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Investigation of Best-Practices and Computationally Inexpensive Radiative Exchange Models for Discrete Element Method Modeling of Aluminosilicate Particles in Concentrating Solar Power Environments

Chemically inert, aluminosilicate based particles have been investigated as both a thermal transport and sensible energy storage medium for concentrating solar power facilities. These particles will experience a wide range of operating temperatures (300-1000 K) and handling conditions (dense to dilute falling particle curtains, dense granular flows, or dense structures), requiring specially-designed and optimized infrastructures. The relative influence of collisional and frictional interactions between particles varies based on temperature-dependent particulate properties and greatly impacts the bulk, granular flow behavior. These underlying physics are captured using discrete element method modeling tools. However, this modeling method is computationally expensive as each particle position and interaction is tracked during the simulation. These modeling methods are further complicated by introducing temperature-dependent particle properties, high-temperature radiative exchange, and directional irradiation sources experienced by granular flows in concentrating solar power environments. In this study, coupled experimental and numerical slump testing of aluminosilicate particles was performed and computationally efficient radiative exchange models were evaluated to establish best-practices for discrete element method models for concentrating solar power environments. The three particle types investigated included Carbobead HSP 30 /60, Carbobead CP 30/60, and Granusil 4030. Existing modeling limitations and computationally-efficient multi-modal heat transfer models were evaluated using Aspherix®, a commercial discrete element method software. High-temperature (< 1073 K) slump testing of aluminosilicate particles was performed to investigate the deviation between experimentally-observed and numerically-predicted angles of repose introduced by computation-time reduction practices including the relaxation of the particle elastic modulus and coarse-graining. Coarse-graining is used to use a single modeled particle that is representative of a collection of smaller particles, decreasing the computational cost at the expense of geometric accuracy. Additionally, relaxation of the elastic modulus is used to reduce computational time at the expense of an increased, modeled particle overlap. Prior studies have determined that aluminosilicate particles retain a high elastic modulus at high temperatures (< 1073 K), requiring small simulation timesteps to ensure resolved contact forces resemble appropriate solid mechanics. A parametric study was performed to evaluate the influence of computation time improvements on the deviation between experimental and modeled angle of repose across high temperatures < 1073 K. Additionally, numerical case studies were performed on candidate particle systems at varying porosities and temperatures. These studies were performed to investigate the influence of computationally-efficient radiative-exchange modeling methods coupled to Aspherix® on modeled accuracy and computation time. The recently-developed distance-based approximation was evaluated in estimating radiative exchange between particles and participating surfaces located in close proximity. The distance based approximation was developed to use tabulated estimates of the radiative distribution factor between individual particles and surfaces in close proximity (< 40 particle radii). These methods were expanded to the aluminosilicate particles of interest, including the influence of particle size distributions. To capture radiative exchange between particles and surfaces not in close proximity (> 40 particle radii) and to capture the absorption of directional irradiation from concentrating solar resources, a volumetrically-averaged radiative distribution factor was calculated between the modeled granular flow and surfaces using Monte Carlo ray-tracing for participating media. Volume-averaged absorption and scattering coefficients were predicted using a volumetric discretization of the modeled domain with monodisperse approximations based on geometric optics and experimentally-determined scattering phase functions for aluminosilicate particles.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1989

Diverging boundary layers with zero streamwise pressure gradient

The effects of spanwise divergence on the boundary layer forming between a pair of embedded streamwise vortices with the common flow between them directed toward the wall was studied. Measurements indicate that divergence controls the rate of development of the boundary layer and that large divergence significantly retards boundary layer growth and enhances skin friction. For strongly diverging boundary layers, divergence accounts for nearly all of the local skin friction. Even with divergence, however, the local similarity relationships for two-dimensional boundary layers are satisfactory. Although divergence modifies the mean development of the boundary layer, it does not significantly modify the turbulence structure. In the present experiments with a zero streamwise pressure gradient, it was found that spanwise divergence dit not significantly affect the Reynolds stress and the turbulent triple product distributions.

Pauley, Wayne R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Program ELM: A tool for rapid thermal-hydraulic analysis of solid-core nuclear rocket fuel elements

This report reviews the state of the art of thermal-hydraulic analysis codes and presents a new code, Program ELM, for analysis of fuel elements. ELM is a concise computational tool for modeling the steady-state thermal-hydraulics of propellant flow through fuel element coolant channels in a nuclear thermal rocket reactor with axial coolant passages. The program was developed as a tool to swiftly evaluate various heat transfer coefficient and friction factor correlations generated for turbulent pipe flow with heat addition which have been used in previous programs. Thus, a consistent comparison of these correlations was performed, as well as a comparison with data from the NRX reactor experiments from the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Applications (NERVA) project. This report describes the ELM Program algorithm, input/output, and validation efforts and provides a listing of the code.

Walton, James T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Development of separation due to interaction between a shock wave and a turbulent boundary layer perturbed by rarefaction waves

The interaction of a turbulent boundary layer with rarefaction and shock waves in flows past inclined steps was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were carried out in supersonic wind tunnels with test sections of 0.6 x 0.6 m and 0.2 x 0.2 m, with adiabatic conditions on the surface model. Based on detailed measurements of pressure fields, velocity, and surface friction, combined with results of optical visualization and analysis of limiting flow lines, three characteristic flow regimes are identified. These are (1) nonseparated flow at small step angles, (2) formation of a local separation zone with a free separation point at moderate step angles, and (3) formation of a large-scale separated flow with a fixed separation point at sufficiently large step angles. The quantitative gasdynamic schemes and surface pressure distributions for these flow regimes are shown for Mach 2.85.

Zheltovodov, A. A.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mid–height seismic isolation of equipment in nuclear power plants

An innovative seismic isolation solution for designers of safety-class equipment in advanced nuclear power plants is introduced. The test specimen was a tall, slender, carbon steel vessel that could represent a reactor vessel, steam generator, or a heat exchanger in a nuclear power plant: 240 inches tall, outer diameter of 60 inches, and wall thickness of 1 inch. The vessel was supported by three radial mounts at its mid-height, near its center of gravity, on a steel frame. The vessel was subjected to three-component ground motions using a 6DOF earthquake simulator. The specimen was filled with water for testing to indirectly account for the fluid and internal equipment present inside a prototype vessel. Three configurations were tested: non-isolated, isolated using single Friction Pendulum (SFP) bearings, and isolated using triple Friction Pendulum (TFP) bearings. The test results demonstrate that mid-height seismic isolation is practical and enables a significant reduction in horizontal spectral accelerations. Furthermore, these outcomes are not specific to the spherical sliding bearings used in the experiments but are broadly applicable to mid-height, seismically isolated equipment.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigation of Gas Turbine Internal Cooling Using Supercritical CO 2 —Effect of Surface Roughness and Channel Aspect Ratio

In this paper, an experimental and numerical investigation of internal cooling channels with rib turbulators is presented with sCO 2 as the working fluid at process conditions (pressure-20.7 MPa and temperature up to 150 °C). The effect of channel aspect ratio up to 2:1 on thermal-hydraulic performance is explored in additively manufactured rectangular channels and square channels, both with and without 60 deg ribs on the top and bottom sides. The Wilson-plot method is employed to experimentally measure channel-averaged Nusselt number over a Reynolds number range up to 370,000. The friction factor is calculated from pressure drop and mass flow rate and additionally, the overall thermal performance factor (TPF) is reported. A companion computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is performed for the rib turbulated cooling configurations reported in the experiments using the Reynolds average Navier–Stokes-based turbulence model. The objective of the numerical study is to gain insight into the local heat transfer augmentation in the ribbed channels as a result of varying the aspect ratio, channel configuration (square versus rectangular), operating conditions (Reynolds number) and the surface roughness, an inherent outcome of the additive manufacturing process. Surface roughness is simulated using sand grain roughness height (K S ) calculated from the experimental data, and a comparison is presented with the corresponding channel configuration with varying surface roughness heights starting from smooth surfaces (K S = 0). Experimental results indicate that the heat transfer augmentation is negligible in the rectangular channels with ribs on the long side compared to the square channel. However, it is enhanced by 60% in comparison to placing ribs on the shorter side. The TPF remains constant at around 1 for the entire range of Reynolds numbers consistent with prior work at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Here, the simulation results highlight that increased surface roughness can have a favorable considerable influence on Nusselt number and overall thermal performance enhancement.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

On the anatomy of acoustic emission

Abrupt, local frictional fault failure comprises a displacement that is normally accompanied by acoustic emission (AE)—an impulsive elastic wave broadcast with an amplitude proportional to particle velocity. The aggregate of these displacements is the basic fault motion. In laboratory shear experiments, the examination of a sequence of laboratory earthquakes includes continuous measurements of fault motion and the associated AE that is broadcast. From these measurements, connections between the fault motion and cumulative sum of the AE amplitude can be identified. The composition of the AE broadcasts reveals inhomogeneity in the fault mechanical structure from which they arise. This inhomogeneity can be decomposed into a time invariant AE component and an articulated AE component. The articulated AE component serves as a “state of the fault diagnostic” that follows a distinctive pattern to fault failure. Thus, the articulated AE component can be used directly to monitor the state of the fault.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Materials Characterization, Prediction, and Control Project: Summary Report on Material Characterization, Part 1

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) undertook the Materials Characterization, Prediction, and Control (MCPC) Laboratory Directed Research and Development Project to advance understanding of nuclear material processing and enable multifold acceleration in the development and qualification of new material systems in national security and advanced energy applications (Smith 2021). The MCPC Project executed research across three scientific vertices—material characterization, predictive modeling, and data analytics—with extensive support by a data curation and management team. The central technical objective in the MCPC Project was to improve the prediction and characterization of the process-structure-property relationships within the microstructurally refined region of stainless-steel samples prepared utilizing friction stir processing (FSP). Application of the FSP technique is well established at PNNL within the Solid Phase Processing capability through many years of investment across a range of materials and applications (PNNL 2024). Three distinct rounds of FSP experiments were performed by the experimental team, producing replicate samples utilizing across different nominal processing conditions (Condition IDs) listed in Table 1. The starting material on which FSP was applied was commercially available unprocessed stainless-steel type 316L material. Chosen processing conditions were very diverse, and some were intentionally chosen to produce defects. Several samples experienced tool breakage during experimentation, so a full set of three replicates was not produced for every nominal processing condition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1972

Use of LEED, Auger emission spectroscopy and field ion microscopy in microstructural studies.

The studies reported were conducted to gain a fundamental understanding of adhesion and dynamic friction on an atomic or microscopic level. Fundamental aspects of low energy electron diffraction (LEED), Auger emission spectroscopy (AES), and field ion microscopy (FIM) are discussed. Typical results of studies conducted are considered, giving attention to LEED-AES experiments, pin and disk experiments, and field ion microscope investigations.

Ferrante, J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

A discussion of some proposed measurement techniques for hypersonic flight and instrumentation research experiments

Sensors, instrumentation, and test techniques proposed for the Hypersonic Flight Instrumentation and Research Experiment are discussed. The project is concerned with Mach 4 to 16 flight at pressure altitudes of 50,000 to 150,000 feet. The developmental instrumentation for the program includes angle-of-attack sensors, transition sensors, skin-friction sensors, particle sensors, species-concentration sensors, and temperature and heat flux sensors. Support instrumentation (required to monitor basic flight parameters and to supply data from which the performance of the developmental instruments may be evaluated) considered include surface pressure sensors, inertial instrumentation, magnetic attitude sensors, and signal conditioning and data transmission instrumentation.

Hellbaum, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Crossflow instability control on a swept-wing: Preliminary studies

The pressure distribution on a swept wing causes the streamlines at the edge of the boundary layer to be curved. This pressure gradient normal to the external streamline creates a velocity component normal to the external streamline within the boundary layer which is referred to as the crossflow velocity. Because the crossflow velocity profile perpendicular to the wing surface has an inflection point, the profile is unstable. The stationary instability mode takes the form of crossflow vortices. Under these conditions, the boundary layer on the wing is extremely unstable and transition to turbulent flow takes place much closer to the leading edge of the wing than it would on an unswept wing. Higher skin friction drag is associated with turbulent flow, and so better aircraft performance could be obtained if the crossflow could be eliminated One method of controlling crossflow that is being investigated is boundary-layer suction. An extensive airfoil suction experiment in the 8 feet Transonic Pressure Tunnel (TPT) at NASA Langley Research Center will begin late in 1994. Because of the size, complexity, and expense associated with this test, a number of 'risk-reduction' tests are currently being conducted. The 20 x 28 in. Shear Flow Control Tunnel at NASA Langley is being used for some of these tests. Prior to the summer of 1994, a flat plate with a swept leading edge was installed in the 20 x 28 in. tunnel, with a displacement body mounted on the tunnel ceiling that created a pressure distribution on the plate similar to the pressure distribution on a swept wing. The flow over the plate was investigated during the summer of 1994 using a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) system. The LDV measurements indicated the possible presence of multiple disturbance modes, a rarely-seen phenomena since, in most tests, one disturbance mode dominates. The possible existence of multiple disturbance modes in the flat plate boundary layer, however, means that the flow in the 20 x 28 in. tunnel is of interest itself, and will be investigated more thoroughly in the future. With a view to these investigations, the boundary layer traverse mechanism in the 20 x 28 in. tunnel was modified to improve its performance, and strain gauges were mounted on the traverse in order to monitor its deflection during a test. Other preliminary work conducted in the 20 x 28 in. tunnel included the use of an infrared camera system. Previous work with this system showed that transition indeed could be detected, but the signal produced by the crossflow vortices was too weak to be detected. It was hoped that spraying the flat plate with naphthalene would augment the heat transfer associated with the crossflow vortices so that they would show up in a IR image; however, experiments showed that this would not work. Another set of tests was conducted in the 20 x 28 in. tunnel to determine the tripping requirements for a set of airfoil-shaped struts that will be used in the 8 feet TPT experiment. Since the Reynolds number associated with these struts is small, a laminar boundary layer would separate early, causing large fluctuations in the flow field. A turbulent boundary layer would remain attached further back, but tripping from laminar to turbulent flow at low Reynolds number is very difficult. However, trip strip configurations were found that should effectively trip the boundary layer at the required conditions. Currently underway is an investigation of the data acquisition requirements for the 8 feet TPT experiment, with the purpose of the finding the minimum amount of data needed to characterize sufficiently the swept-wing boundary layer. This study is being conducted using a numerically generated data set.

Bridges, David H.↗