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At least 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of High Level Waste Sludge Processing Behavior

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hanford Site has 177 underground storage tanks that contain wastes from past nuclear fuel reprocessing and waste-management operations. Over 20% of this waste is in the form of an insoluble sludge that will require slurry modification before its transfer to the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP). Specific WTP acceptance criteria for waste feed delivery describe the physical and chemical characteristics of the waste that must be met before the waste is transferred to the WTP. One challenging requirement relates to the undissolved solids (UDS) composition in a waste feed because the waste contains solid particles that settle, and their concentration and relative proportion can change during the transfer of the waste in individual batches. A key uncertainty is the ability to transfer and mix wastes with large variations in UDS concentrations and resulting settling rates. To address this uncertainty, a number of small scale mixing and settling tests have been conducted to determine the mobilization performance of variable chemistry simulants. Comparison of the size and density of the particulate for each simulant to that of southeast area Hanford sludge was made using metrics for particle mobilization, suspension, settling, and pipeline transfer where dependance on particle size and density may be different, including: 1. Settling velocity, 2. Critical shear stress for erosion, 3. Just-suspended impeller speed, and 4. Pipeline critical transport velocity. Existing high-level waste sludge data has shown the effect that increasing Al concentration has on resulting settled solids. This differential settling of particles in the sludge has the possibility of resulting in solids segregation during feed preparation and uneven particle distribution during pipeline transportation or mixer jet pump operations. Understanding the predictive capabilities of HLW solids settling and transport as well as potential remedies for addressing disparate sludge behaviors can help provide technical guidance during HLW flowsheet planning.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1972

A review of the Grumman orbiter wind tunnel heat transfer tests

Tests were conducted in the NASA Langley continuous flow, variable density and Mach 20 helium tunnels. The orbiter was tested alone and with various side and tandem mounted tanks. Test conditions spanned a Reynolds number range which resulted in both laminar and turbulent flows. Experimental studies also examined the heat transfer problems associated with integration of the auxiliary propulsion system into the orbiter. Tests in the hypersonic shock tunnel investigated heating to cavities and heating from single and multiple hydrogen-oxygen plumes while tests, run as part of the configuration evaluation, examined the heating to wing pods.

Mendelsohn, A. R.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Procedure for estimating stability and control parameters from flight test data by using maximum likelihood methods employing a real-time digital system

A maximum likelihood parameter estimation procedure and program were developed for the extraction of the stability and control derivatives of aircraft from flight test data. Nonlinear six-degree-of-freedom equations describing aircraft dynamics were used to derive sensitivity equations for quasilinearization. The maximum likelihood function with quasilinearization was used to derive the parameter change equations, the covariance matrices for the parameters and measurement noise, and the performance index function. The maximum likelihood estimator was mechanized into an iterative estimation procedure utilizing a real time digital computer and graphic display system. This program was developed for 8 measured state variables and 40 parameters. Test cases were conducted with simulated data for validation of the estimation procedure and program. The program was applied to a V/STOL tilt wing aircraft, a military fighter airplane, and a light single engine airplane. The particular nonlinear equations of motion, derivation of the sensitivity equations, addition of accelerations into the algorithm, operational features of the real time digital system, and test cases are described.

Grove, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Positive ions and the winter anomaly.

A coordinated rocket program to study winter variability in D-region ionization was conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, during the winter of 1970-1971. Parachute-borne blunt probes that measure positive-ion and electron conductivities were flown, in conjunction with other experiments, on Jan. 22 and 26 and Feb. 1, 1971. Both A1 and A3 radiowave absorption techniques were used to indicate anomalous winter days. The two rocket shots in January occurred on such days of high absorption. The first of these was one of quiet solar activity, whereas the second was preceded by a major solar proton event on January 24. The third flight occurred on a normal winter day. We tentatively conclude that we have observed two days of 'anomalous' winter absorption of very different character, one possibly related to a solar disturbance, and one probably entirely induced by meteorological effects. The former day was probably characterized by inhibition of the formation of negative ions due to increased detachment and the latter by decreased ionization loss rate.

Mitchell, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Research study of materials processing in space Experiment M512

Ground based studies of two proposed experiments which were to be conducted aboard the Skylab Laboratory are reported; metals melting experiment, and sphere forming experiment. These studies were conducted with the objectives of clarifying the effects of gravity and optimizing the experiments within the constraints of existing hardware. All process phenomena were considered, with particular attention given to adhesion-cohesion studies with emphasis on the fluid dynamics of the molten metal. Detailed thermal histories were generated for three-dimensional specimen geometry including radiation, conduction and vaporization losses with allowances for variable properties. In addition quantitative techniques were used to establish the gravitational level (magnitude and direction) for KC-135 aircraft flights and the actual Skylab mission for both experiments.

Brashears, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Quantification of geologic lineaments by manual and machine processing techniques

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of operator variability and subjectivity in lineament mapping and to examine methods to minimize or eliminate these problems by use of several machine preprocessing methods. LANDSAT scenes from the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma and the Colorado Plateau were analyzed as test cases. Four geologists mapped lineaments on an Anadarko Basin scene, using transparencies of MSS bands 4-7, and their results are compared statistically. The total number of fractures mapped by the operators and their average lengths varied considerably, although comparison of lineament directions revealed some consensus. A summary map (785 linears) produced by overlaying the maps generated by the four operators showed that only 0.4% were recognized by all four operators, 4.7% by three, 17.8% by two and 77% by one operator. Two methods of machine aided mapping were tested, both simulating directional filters. One consists of computer (digital) processing of CCTs using edge enhancement algorithms, the other employs a television (analog) scanning of an image transparency which superimposes the original image and one offset in the direction of the scan line.

Podwysocki, M. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Rocketsonde repeatability of temperature and wind measurements as obtained from rocketsonde network systems

Variability of temperature and wind data obtained close in time is of particular concern since questions exist on whether this variability is due to natural atmospheric variability or arises from instrumental causes. Previously conducted repeatability tests of the U.S. Loki Datasonde instrument indicated rms differences of 1C in temperature and 3 mps in wind. The newer Super Loki Datasonde instrument reaches apogee 20 km higher (about 82 km) than the older system and attains a higher initial fall velocity, thus the heat exchange effects on the measuring components are different. Data were obtained from routine rocketsonde launchings, available in pairs, with time differences of 12 to 120 minutes. Mean values calculated over the altitude range of 30 to 70 km indicate than an rms difference of 1-2 C in temperature and of 3-4 mps in the zonal and meridional components exist. Additional computations in 5-km altitude layers suggest that rms differences do not exceed 3 C and 7 mps at the highest altitudes.

Schmidlin, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Low-speed aerodynamic characteristics of a 16-percent-thick variable-geometry airfoil designed for general aviation applications

Tests were conducted in the Langley low-turbulence pressure tunnel to determine the aerodynamic characteristics of climb, cruise, and landing configurations. These tests were conducted over a Mach number range from 0.10 to 0.35, a chord Reynolds number range from 2.0 x 1 million to 20.0 x 1 million, and an angle-of-attack range from -8 deg to 20 deg. Results show that the maximum section lift coefficients increased in the Reynolds number range from 2.0 x 1 million to 9.0 x 1 million and reached values of approximately 2.1, 1.8, and 1.5 for the landing, climb, and cruise configurations, respectively. Stall characteristics, although of the trailing-edge type, were abrupt. The section lift-drag ratio of the climb configuration with fixed transition near the leading edge was about 78 at a lift coefficient of 0.9, a Mach number of 0.15, and a Reynolds number of 4.0 x 1 million. Design lift coefficients of 0.9 and 0.4 for the climb and cruise configurations were obtained at the same angle of attack, about 6 deg, as intended. Good agreement was obtained between experimental results and the predictions of a viscous, attached-flow theoretical method.

Barnwell, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The relationship among sea surface roughness variations, oceanographic analyses, and airborne remote sensing analyses

The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was studied to determine whether it could image large scale estuaries and oceanic features such as fronts and to explain the electromagnetic interaction between SAR and the individual surface front features. Fronts were observed to occur at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. The airborne measurements consisted of data collection by SAR onboard an F-4 aircraft and real aperture side looking radar (SLAR) in Mohawk aircraft. A total of 89 transects were flown. Surface roughness and color as well as temperature and salinity were evaluated. Cross-frontal surveys were made. Frontal shear and convergence flow were obtained. Surface active organic materials, it was indicated, are present at the air-sea interface. In all, 2000 analyses were conducted to characterize the spatial and temporal variabilities associated with water mass boundaries.

Oertel, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

NASA applications project in Miami County, Indiana

The study site selection is intended to serve all of the different research areas within the project, i.e., soil conditions, soil management, etc. There are seven major soil associations or soils formed on similar landscapes in the Miami Co., and over 38 soil series that were mapped. Soil sampling was conducted in some sites because of its variability in soils and cover types, variable topography, and presence of erosion problems. Results from analysis of these soil data is presented.

Fernandez, R. Norberto↗
NASA NTRS1992

Sparse distributed memory and related models

Described here is sparse distributed memory (SDM) as a neural-net associative memory. It is characterized by two weight matrices and by a large internal dimension - the number of hidden units is much larger than the number of input or output units. The first matrix, A, is fixed and possibly random, and the second matrix, C, is modifiable. The SDM is compared and contrasted to (1) computer memory, (2) correlation-matrix memory, (3) feet-forward artificial neural network, (4) cortex of the cerebellum, (5) Marr and Albus models of the cerebellum, and (6) Albus' cerebellar model arithmetic computer (CMAC). Several variations of the basic SDM design are discussed: the selected-coordinate and hyperplane designs of Jaeckel, the pseudorandom associative neural memory of Hassoun, and SDM with real-valued input variables by Prager and Fallside. SDM research conducted mainly at the Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science (RIACS) in 1986-1991 is highlighted.

Kanerva, Pentti↗
NASA NTRS1993

A miniature fatigue test machine

The objective is to enable the student to generate statistically sound fatigue data sets on wire specimens of varying diameter, microstructure, or material. The student can then assess the effect of these parameters of fatigue resistance. The student can also be exposed to ASTM techniques for fatigue data reduction and presentation. Experiments involving variable amplitude block loading are also easily conducted.

Tipton, Steven M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Variable sensitivity moire interferometry

This paper demonstrates that optical microlithography can be used to produce a crossed grating which diffracts light into multiple orders sufficient to record moire interferograms with sensitivities ranging from 2.0 to 0.285 micron/fringe. The grating profile produced by the method is analyzed to establish the diffraction efficiency in each diffraction order, and generalized expressions are given for variable sensitivity moire interferometry. Experimental tests are conducted to verify analytical arguments. In one of these tests, two different diffraction order pairs are used simultaneously to verify that surface displacement can be measured at different sensitivities.

Johnson-Cole, Helen↗
NASA NTRS1956

Experimental Investigation of Dynamic Relations in a 48-inch Ram-jet Engine

Engine dynamics were investigated for supercritical operation of the ram jet at Mach 2.75 over a range of simulated altitudes from 68,000 to 82,000 feet. Indicial-and frequency-response tests were conducted with fuel flow as the input variable. For a wide range of operating points, the response of static or total pressure to fuel flow consisted of a dead time followed by a response form that generally approximated a linear, first-order, lead-lag. The dead time varied significantly only with distance from the combustion zone. The rise ratio and the time constant of the lead-lag function were nearly independent of the pressure sensed.

Hurrell, Herbert G↗
NASA NTRS1993

A Modeling Investigation of Thermal and Strain Induced Recovery and Nonlinear Hardening in Potential Based Viscoplasticity

Specific forms for both the Gibb's and the complementary dissipation potentials were chosen such that a complete potential based multiaxial, isothermal, viscoplastic model was obtained. This model in general possesses three internal state variables (two scalars associated with dislocation density and one tensor associated with dislocation motion) both thermal and dynamic recovery mechanisms, and nonlinear kinematic hardening. This general model, although possessing associated flow and evolutionary laws, is shown to emulate three distinct classes of theories found in the literature, by modification of the driving threshold function F. A parametric study was performed on a specialized nondimensional multiaxial form containing only a single tensorial internal state variable (i.e., internal stress). The study was conducted with the idea of examining the impact of including a strain-induced recovery mechanism and the compliance operator, derived from the Gibb's potential, on the uniaxial and multiaxial response. One important finding was that inclusion of strain recovery provided the needed flexibility in modeling stress-strain and creep response of metals at low homologous temperatures, without adversely affecting the high temperature response. Furthermore, for nonproportional loading paths, the inclusion of the compliance operator had a significant influence on the multiaxial response, but had no influence on either uniaxial or proportional load histories.

Arnold, S. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

NASA Lewis 9- by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel user manual

This manual describes the 9- by 15-Foot Low-Speed Wind Tunnel at the Lewis Research Center and provides information for users who wish to conduct experiments in this atmospheric facility. Tunnel variables such as pressures, temperatures, available tests section area, and Mach number ranges (0.05 to 0.20) are discussed. In addition, general support systems such as air systems, hydraulic system, hydrogen system, laser system, flow visualization system, and model support systems are described. Instrumentation and data processing and acquisition systems are also discussed.

Soeder, Ronald H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Comparison of active and passive microwave signatures of Arctic sea ice

In March 1988, overlapping active and passive microwave instrument data were acquired over Arctic sea ice using the NASA DC-8 aircraft equipped with multifrequency, variable polarization SAR and radiometer. Flights were conducted as a series of coordinated underflights of the DMSP SSM/I satellite radiometer in order to validate ice products derived from the SSM/I radiances. Subsequent flights by an NRL P-3 aircraft enabled overlapping high-resolution, single frequency image data to be acquired over the same regions using a Ka-band scanning microwave radiometer. In this paper, techniques are discussed for the accurate coregistration of the three aircraft datasets. Precise coregistration to an accuracy of 100 m plus or minus 25 m has, for the first time, enabled the detailed comparison of temporally and spatially coincident active and passive airborne microwave datasets. Preliminary results from the intercomparisons indicate that the SAR has highly frequency- and polarization-dependent signatures, which at 5.3 GHz (C-band) show an extremely high correlation with the 37 GHz radiometric temperatures.

Drinkwater, M. R.↗